As a frustrated owner of a 50 inch TV, I spent hours researching which size TV would work best for my living room. I read through the pros and cons, tips and tricks, and eventually, I found the right size for my home. I’m writing this blog post to share the solutions I discovered and the process I went through to make the right decision. In this post, I’ll be discussing the differences between 50 and 55 inch TVs and how to choose the right size for your living room.
| Factors | 50-inch TV | 55-inch TV |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ~43.58 inches wide and 24.51 inches high | ~47.94 inches wide and 26.96 inches high |
| Viewing Distance | Ideal distance: 7 feet | Ideal distance: 8 feet |
| Placement | Better for smaller rooms, bedrooms | Better for larger living spaces |
| Wall Mounting | Smaller size may leave too much bare wall | Larger size may fill wall space better |
| Support Placement | Ensure surface width accommodates supporting feet | Ensure surface width accommodates supporting feet |
| Availability | Less popular, harder to find | More popular, easier to find |
| Price | Typically less expensive, but may vary by brand | Typically more expensive, but may vary by brand |
| Pros | – Easier to fit in smaller rooms | – Accommodates more viewers |
| – Can be placed further away for better viewing | – Easier to find in stores | |
| – Generally less expensive | – Makes a great centerpiece for living room | |
| Cons | – May not accommodate many viewers | – Harder to fit in smaller rooms |
| – Harder to find in stores | – May be too close for comfortable viewing | |
| – May not be visually appealing if not centered | – Generally more expensive |
Table of Contents
TV Dimensions
One of the first questions a TV salesman will ask is what size screen you’re looking for. There’s a wide range of available options depending on your preferences.
TV devices are measured in inches, ranging from 30 to 80 inches. Most people assume this is the measurement of the screen itself, but that’s not the case. TVs are categorized based on the diagonal length of the entire device, including the frame.
50 vs. 55 Inch TVs
A 50-inch screen will measure about 43.58 inches wide and 24.51 inches high, depending on the brand. Similarly, a 55-inch TV will fall in the range of 47.94 inches by 26.96 inches.
These dimensions don’t include the outside frame of a TV. They’re measured from the screen’s top corner to the bottom corner on the opposite side.
That means a 55-inch TV is almost 10% larger than its 50-inch counterpart, giving you an additional 1.6 square feet of screen. While the difference may seem inconsequential to some, it’s pretty noticeable for others.
Viewing Distance
The size of your TV plays a significant role in your viewing distance. Most of the time, people design their seating area around the TV.
If that’s the case, there shouldn’t be a major difference in how you position your sofas and chairs around both TV models. Nevertheless, you may be able to fit one or two more seats around a 55-inch monitor.
With a 50-inch TV, the best viewing distance is about seven feet. On the other hand, the ideal distance between you and a 55-inch TV is about eight feet. Once you move a little farther away from the TV, you’ll enjoy a clearer, more comfortable viewing experience.
This is where planning out your space may come in handy. Measuring the distance between the TV and the seating area can help you decide which screen to invest in.
Placement
Before you buy a TV, it’s always a good idea to imagine where it’ll go in your home.
For a large living space, you’ll want a 55-inch screen so you can seat more people around the screen. However, for a bedroom, it may be a little too bulky.
Another feature to consider is whether you want to hang the TV or display it on a stand.
With a hanging TV, you need to size up the wall. Aesthetically, most people prefer to center their devices. However, a 50-inch screen may leave too much bare wall around it. In that case, the larger TV may be the way to go.
Just make sure you’re buying the right wall mount for your TV.
Yet, if you plan on placing the device on a flat surface, then there’s more to consider than just screen size. Most TVs come with a built-in compartment for supporting feet. Therefore, you need to ensure that the surface you’re placing the TV on is wide enough to safely accommodate the feet.
This may be a little tricky to figure out since each TV has a different support placement. So, be sure to ask about the distance between the feet before you make a purchase.
Availability
The 55-inch screen is one of the most popular TVs in the world. It’s small enough to fit into almost any room and large enough to give you a good view. For this reason, many manufacturers focus more on producing this variety.
That means 50-inch screens are a little more scarce. Due to the low demand, a few companies opt not to produce it.
Others still continue to manufacture them but in smaller quantities. Thus, it may take a bit of time to find one.
Price
Most people assume that 50-inch TVs are more affordable than their 55-inch counterparts. Yet, that’s not always the case.
First of all, it’s not easy to find companies that make 50-inch TVs because of lack of demand. So, you may end up paying more for a smaller sized TV, depending on the brand and specifications.
Pros and Cons: 50 vs. 55-Inch Televisions
Pros of a 50-Inch Television
- Smaller size makes it easier to fit in smaller rooms
- Can be placed further away from the seating area for a better viewing experience
- Less expensive than the 55-inch models
Cons of a 50-Inch Television
- May not be able to accommodate more than five people in the viewing area
- Less popular size, making it harder to find in stores
- May not be as visually appealing if it’s not centered on the wall
Pros of a 55-Inch Television
- Large enough to accommodate more viewers in the seating area
- More popular size, making it easier to find in stores
- Makes a great centerpiece for your living room
Cons of a 55-Inch Television
- Larger size makes it harder to fit in smaller rooms
- May be too close to the seating area for a comfortable viewing experience
- More expensive than the 50-inch models
Wrapping Up
When deciding between 50 vs. 55-inch TVs, there are a few factors to consider. The first is the viewing distance, which determines how far your seating area is from the screen.
You also need to think about device availability and price. Typically, 55-inch screens are easier to track down, making them slightly more affordable.
Read more: 50 vs 60 inch TV
