The best 48-inch TVs 2024: perfect TVs at this specific size

There was a time when 50-inch TVs were fairly commonplace, but increasingly that's now divided – there are the best 48-inch TVs, as mainly covered in this guide, while most brands then jump to the best 55-inch TVs (as covered here) – with some LED panel makers still offering 50-inch sets.

An ideal specific size for many, modern 48-inch models with small screen bezel use up far less space than you might think – and therefore are great bedroom TVs or spot-on for smaller rooms. You’ll be surprised at how these TVs can fit into most average-sized homes without looking too chunky.

Just because 48-inch TVs are marginally smaller than your average, however, doesn't automatically mean that they're lesser than your average. Many makers create truly premium 48-to-50-inch panels that hit the ideal sweet spot of scale and premier features. There's all kinds of quality available, too, from the best OLED TVs to some of the more premium best TVs in small form-factor.

A word on buying the best 48- or 50-inch TV during the best Black Friday sales. While in the past we used to have to wait for the sale weekend, in 2024 the entirety of November has become the sale month – with many great deals available already. T3's expert team will be rounding up and highlighting special deals as they appear, so keep your eyes on the site for the latest and greatest offers.

T3's Top 3

Best for most people

The LG C4 is the TV that keeps on giving: it appears in all manner of best-of guides because it's a great OLED panel, it's great for gaming (thanks to HDMI 2.1 ports), and cinema fans love it for the super quality of its images. It's also available in this 48-inch size, delivering for a whole other market who aren't after a massive panel.

As said in our LG OLED C4 review: "this is the best OLED TV for most people". LG is the king of all OLED (literally, it makes the panels for other brands) and so knows exactly what it's doing when it comes to delivering top-tier quality. It's less bright than the larger options also available in the range, but even the lower-spec LG B4 doesn't come in this sought-after 48-inch scale.

Best premium

If you're a cinema superfan and want the best possible image quality, but at a not-giant scale, then Sony has a refreshing tonic for your consideration, as its A90K OLED TV only comes in 42-inch and 48-inch formats. Its target is clear: to deliver the best quality from a smaller TV panel.

It's not cheap, though, which may be a hurdle for some – but you pay for what you get, as the image quality is peerless. As we said in our A90K review: "you have to get beyond the asking price... when you do, you’re left with a tiny OLED TV that’s capable of big image quality." It's also adept for gamers, thanks to four HDMI 2.1 ports, whereas most competitors only offer two with that spec.

Best affordable

If you want a modest panel at a modest price then Hisense has a great LCD option. As said in our review: "the Hisense A7N is a 4K QLED TV that goes above and beyond its mid-range price tag." That's the real appeal of this set.

There are some compromises, of course, such as the HDMI ports only being 2.0 designation, meaning no top-tier gaming features (no 120Hz, no VRR, no ALLM). But for 4K viewing of TV and movies that's no problem at all, plus there's HDMI eARC for audio passthrough should you want to add one of the best soundbars to beef up the audio.

How to choose the best 48- to 50-in TV

Best 48in / 50in TV: Is this the right size for you?

While 43 inches remains the most popular screen size, a 50-inch 4K TV is perfect for today’s living spaces if you want a big upgrade to your visual oomph. As homes have gone more open-plan, so the demand for a bigger screen you can see from a greater distance has increased. In general, a 48- to 50-inch Smart TV can be viewed well from 10 feet away or more, though if you're a little close, you'll get a a good eyeful of that 4K detail.

Best 48-to-50-inch TV: What to look for

At this screen size you should be looking for 50-inch LCD TVs that are fully-specified. That means you can expect a direct LED backlight and local dimming in higher-end models, which will give you more vibrant colours and brighter highlights plus greater contrast for dark scenes in moves.

To really elevate those parts of movies, you'll also want extensive HDR format support – particularly Dolby Vision and HDR10+ where possible (though most TVs will limit you to one or the other).

Here in 2021, we're also looking for AI-enhanced image processing, which improves the ability to upscale from SD or HD to fill the 4K screen. And we expect Dolby Atmos support, comprehensive smart systems, and additional gaming features from more expensive sets.

Reviewer panel

Mike Lowe

I've been reviewing TVs of all sizes (usually the bigger ones, to be honest) and curating content from imaging experts for over a decade – that's where this list of best 48-inch panels is derived from.

Simon Lucas

Freelance technology journalist, Simon was editor of What Hi-Fi? – a highly reputable industry publication with independent testing facilities for TVs, so he knows the ins and outs of tellies and testing.

Steve May

Another home cinema stalwart, Steve has been in the game for over 25 years and was the creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine. He's been testing TVs for many outlets for many years.