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Is a 32/40/50/55/60-Inch TV Too Small?

As an owner of a 32-inch TV and a 60 inch TV, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to feel like you have a screen that is too small. With the recent rise in larger screen sizes, I often find myself asking myself if I should get a bigger TV. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share what I found out and some other possible solutions for those looking for a larger screen size.

The truth is, 32/40/50/55/60-inch TVs can surely be too small, only if the room where you set them up is too spacious. They might also be too big to put in a limited space. The answer to your question will vary depending on the dimensions of your room as well as the resolution you’re looking for.

TV SizeMaximum Viewing DistanceSuitable RoomsCompatible Display
32-inchUp to 4 feetKitchen, office720p or 1080p
40-inchUp to 5 feetBedroom, office4K, 720p or 1080p
50-inchUp to 6.5 feetLiving room, office, bedroom, entertainment room4K, Full HD
55-inchUp to 7 feetLarge living room, home cinema4K, Full HD
60-inchMore than 8 feetSpacious living room4K, Full HD

Is a 32-Inch TV Too Small?

A 32-inch TV surely lies on the smaller end of the spectrum, but determining if it’s too tiny for your needs can only be done after asking three questions:

  • What is the viewing distance?
  • What is the TV resolution that you require?
  • Which room will you put the TV in?

Now, let’s dive into specifics.

A 32-inch TV requires a maximum viewing distance of four feet; any more than that, it’ll be too small. Usually, it won’t be a good fit for a living room, but it might be just right for a kitchen, office, or any other limited space.

In addition to that, keep in mind that a 32-inch TV is considered too small for a 4K display. Here, you’ll only get to choose from 720p or 1080p quality.

Is a 40-Inch TV Too Small?

A 40-inch TV is still considered a small TV, but it’s a bit better than a 32-inch TV.

It requires a maximum viewing distance of five feet. Again, this means that it won’t be suitable for watching your favorite shows from the comfort of your living room couch. 

However, 40 to 43-inch TVs is where the fun starts. Despite being medium-sized TVs, they’re fully compatible with 4K displays, not to mention that they’re quite affordable.

They might work best in a small bedroom, kitchen, or a cozy family room. Offices are also great locations for a 40-inch TV.

Is a 50-Inch TV Too Small?

Generally speaking, 50-inch TVs are by no means small. Still, they might be too tiny if the viewing distance is greater than 6.5 feet.

They can work just fine in a medium-sized living room, bedroom, office space, or entertainment room. Better still, their size fully supports a 4K display, so that’s good news, right?

Yet, because nothing is perfect, a 50-inch TV is quite expensive since it’s packed with so many qualities, as is the case with larger displays. So, you’ll need to make sure that whatever TV size you go for suits your budget, room dimensions, and preferred display.

Is a 55-Inch TV Too Small?

A 55-inch TV is only considered small if you’ll be watching it from as far as around seven feet. This makes it a wonderful choice for large living rooms or home cinemas.

Let’s not forget that 55-inch TVs are the minimum size available for OLED technology. Right now, that’s the most advanced technology used in flagship models from different TV manufacturers like Sony, LG, Samsung, and more.

While you’ll definitely be able to enjoy 4K and Full HD graphics, a 55-inch TV has a drawback as it’s on the expensive end. You’ll also need to make sure you have enough wall space to mount it securely, which can be a bit of a hassle sometimes.

Is a 60-Inch TV Too Small?

Sixty-inch TVs are surely on the larger scale of things, yet, that doesn’t mean they can’t be too small in certain scenarios. 

To be considered too small, a 60-inch TV should sit too far from where you’ll be viewing it, namely, more than eight feet. Otherwise, it can be an awesome option to have for spacious rooms.

For such a large TV, you’ll have to ensure that your living room has enough space. You’ll also need to check if your budget will handle the pricey purchase!

Just like a 55-inch TV, a 60-inch TV gives you full access to a 4K, Full HD experience for refined video quality. But you should keep in mind that playing standard HD/SDR content won’t be easy on those big screens.

To Wrap It Up

Is a 32/40/50/55/60-inch TV too small?

It’s a fair question to ask if you want to buy the perfect TV size for your bedroom, living room, kitchen, or conference room. As long as you take the viewing distance and display resolution into account, you’ll be able to calculate the right fit for your interior space.

Now that you have a detailed answer to your question, shopping for a TV shouldn’t seem so intimidating anymore!

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