Top 55-Inch 4K TVs for Every Budget: Expert-Tested Picks
According to TechRadar's updated mid-August guide, the LG C6 has displaced the LG C5 as the best overall 55-inch 4K TV, while the LG B6 has taken the under-$1,000/£1,000 crown from the B5.
The reshuffle underscores how aggressively OLED panel makers are pushing performance down the price ladder, with direct implications for streaming-first households sizing up a new living-room display.
What changed at the top
The C6's promotion is driven primarily by a faster processor, which TechRadar's reviewers found delivered meaningful gains in brightness, color accuracy, and motion handling over the outgoing C5. In real-world viewing terms, that means more vivid HDR in dim rooms, cleaner text on broadcast graphics, and smoother playback for live sports — the exact combination that carried the C5 through the previous cycle.
Gaming support has also been upgraded. The C6 ships with four HDMI 2.1 ports and 4K 165Hz support, making it a practical single-screen solution for households that toggle between streaming apps and console play.
The budget shift
Below the $1,000/£1,000 threshold, the LG B6 replaces the B5 as TechRadar's top mid-range pick. The pattern is now familiar: as flagship OLEDs absorb newer features, the previous generation's mid-range panels inherit those capabilities at lower prices. For cord-cutters and streaming-first buyers, OLED-level contrast is no longer an exclusively premium outcome.
Caveats worth knowing
Two limitations carry over from the prior C-series. The C6's glossy panel is prone to mirror-like reflections in sunlit rooms, so placement and ambient lighting matter. It also lacks HDR10+ support, shipping instead with Dolby Vision — a non-issue for most major streaming platforms, but a consideration for viewers who depend on HDR10+-encoded broadcasts.
Built-in audio remains the standard OLED compromise. The C6 delivers clear dialogue but won't replicate the cinematic impact of a dedicated soundbar.
What to watch next
With manufacturers refreshing OLED lineups on roughly annual cycles, the displaced C5 and B5 models are likely to see meaningful discounts in the coming weeks. For viewers prioritizing value over cutting-edge specs, those older sets remain viable streaming hubs — especially when paired with calibrated picture settings and a modest external audio solution.
For audiences looking to round out their screen time with coverage beyond entertainment, news outlets covering policy and social issues are increasingly accessible through the apps built into most modern smart TVs.
