Is A 55-Inch TV Too Big?

As an owner of a 55-inch TV, I can tell you that it can be a bit overwhelming at first. When I first bought it, I was a bit hesitant about the size, wondering if it was too big for my living room. After doing some research and weighing the pros and cons, I’ve come to the conclusion that a 55-inch TV can be just the right size for many homes. In this blog post, I’ll share the tips and tricks I’ve learned about choosing the right size for your TV, as well as some other solutions I’ve discovered along the way.

55-inch TVs are widely considered the “Goldilocks” of TV sizes because they are perfectly suited to various room types and sizes. Based on the average TV size in America, 55-inches is considered an above-average TV size. These models offer an ideal balance of features and value for money.

Factor	Considerations	Pros of 55-inch TVs	Cons of 55-inch TVs
Viewing Distance	Calculate ideal TV size based on viewing distance	Suitable for a variety of room types and sizes	Can be too small for some viewing distances
Placement	Decide between mounting the TV or using a stand	Offers flexibility in placement	–
Resolution	Choose between 1080p HD, 2K, 4K, or 8K resolutions	4K resolution is commonly found in 55-inch TVs	May not be large enough to take advantage of certain features
Features	Consider smart TV features and other advanced technologies	Ideal balance of features and value for money	–
Price	Compare prices of different TV sizes and brands	More affordable than larger TVs with similar features	–
Overall Satisfaction	Determine if bigger is always better	Widely considered the “Goldilocks” of TV sizes	Still considered an above-average size for TVs in the US
Versatility	Consider the option to move the TV to another room if needed	Can easily be moved to another room if needed	–
Immersive Viewing	Evaluate the ability to provide a fully immersive viewing experience	–	May not be large enough for a fully immersive viewing experience

Table of Contents

Twenty-five years ago, the average TV size in the United States was 22-inches. Today, standard computer monitors range between 21 and 24-inches. The size of TVs has drastically changed over the last two decades. The average size of a TV in the US was 49-inches as of 2020.

Based on these statistics, it’s clear that 55-inches is a slightly above-average TV size. While a 55-inch TV would be considered average by today’s standards, it used to be considered a huge screen size to have. Despite sales being increasingly dominated by TVs that are 65-inches and up, 55-inch TVs have managed to maintain their appeal to buyers.

There are many reasons why 55-inch TVs are widely considered the gold standard for TV sizes. Like larger counterparts, 55-inch TVs are perfectly suited to various room types and sizes. Furthermore, this TV size offers the ideal balance between specs/features and value for money.

While your choice of TV size will ultimately depend on your personal preference, there are many factors to consider when deciding whether 55-inches is the right size for your entertainment needs. In the following section, we’ll help you make your decision by breaking down all the factors to consider when deciding if a 55-inch TV is too big for you.

Deciding Whether A 55-Inch TV Is Right For Your Needs?

When deciding whether a 55-inch TV is an appropriate size for your needs, there are many factors to keep in mind, namely viewing distance, placement, features, resolution, and price.

When considering these aspects, you may find that 55-inches is the perfect size for your needs. However, you may also decide that a smaller or larger TV is better suited to your needs!

Consider TV Viewing Distance

Viewing distance is an important deciding factor when choosing a TV size. After all, you don’t want to sit too close to your TV and cause eye strain. Buyers can use a simple equation to calculate the ideal TV size based on viewing distance; simply divide the available viewing distance (measured in inches) in half.

The resulting size is your recommended TV size (in inches) based on the viewing distance. According to this widely used formula, 55-inch TVs are best suited to spaces with a viewing distance of approximately 110-inches, which is equal to 9.17 feet. This viewing distance can be reduced with Ultra HD and 4K TV models.

Consider TV Placement

When purchasing a TV, placement is an important consideration; will you mount your TV or simply use the included stand?

Regardless of whether you use a TV stand or mount, you’ll be able to place your TV in a variety of room sizes and types. This is one of the reasons 55-inches is considered the “Goldilocks” of TV sizes; it’s just right.

Consider TV Resolution

When purchasing a new TV, it’s important to consider the TV’s resolution. A vast majority of 55-inch TVs have 4K resolutions. While 8K models have the highest possible TV resolution, 4K is ideal for today’s media quality. However, there will also be some cheaper 1080p HD and 2K models to choose from.

Consider TV Features

While you’ll be able to purchase a non-smart 55-inch TV, many fantastic 55-inch smart TVs are available on the market. When you factor in cost, which we’ll discuss next, it’s clear that 55-inch models offer the best balance of features and price. There are many stellar 55-inch TVs with features equivalent to those found on larger counterparts.

Consider TV Price

The larger a TV is, the higher the price will be. When you compare 55-inch TVs to larger models, it’s evident that 55-inch TVs are more affordable while still offering fantastic resolutions and many advanced technologic features.

Both top brands like Samsung and smaller brands like Hisense have excellent 55-inch models to choose from. Due to this, you’ll easily be able to find a 55-inch model that suits your entertainment needs and budget!

Is Bigger Always Better With Television Size?

Now that we’ve outlined the various aspects to keep in mind when deciding whether a 55-inch TV is an appropriate size for you, there’s one lingering question to address: are bigger sizes better? After all, consumer research has shown buyers have remained satisfied long after purchasing a larger television.

That doesn’t mean you should immediately go ahead and purchase the largest TV your budget allows – you should still consider the factors we discussed earlier, including viewing size, placement, features, and resolution. After all, many 55-inch TVs are just as advanced and high-quality as their larger counterparts.

As we discussed earlier, 55-inches is still considered above average based on the average size of TVs in the United States. These 55-inch models offer the perfect balance of features and value. Due to the versatility of 55-inch models, you always have the option of moving your 55-inch TV to another room if you decide to upgrade to a larger TV size in the future.

Pros of a 55-Inch TV

Ideal balance of features and value for money
Suitable for a variety of room types and sizes

Widely considered the “Goldilocks” of TV sizes
Can easily be moved to another room if needed

Cons of a 55-Inch TV

Can be too small for some viewing distances

May not be large enough to take advantage of certain features
May not be large enough for a fully immersive viewing experience
Still considered an above-average size for TVs in the US

Conclusion

You can’t go wrong with a 55-inch TV! Based on the average TV size in the United States, 55-inches is considered an above-average size. While larger models are certainly available, 55-inch models offer the most versatility. Not only can these TVs be used in a wide variety of room types and sizes, but they offer a fantastic blend of value and features.