Best 49-inch TV Reviews — Definitive Guide to the Top Screens
The current tendency on the TV market is making an accent on the larger TV screens. Even 55-inch models are considered “small”, let alone displays with shorter diameter. Manufacturers, therefore, concentrate on larger models. Meanwhile, the 49-inch TV can be a great option for a second TV or the only decision for a small apartment.
TVs with a 49-inch display differ by the picture quality, range of options, convenience, and price. Here’s what you should consider when shopping for the best 49-inch TV:
- Native 4K / HDR. 4K is presented in the modern 49-inch TVs in full functionality while the HDR can be in different formats starting from HDR10 and up to HLG, 10 , etc.
- Reflection treatment. If you’re planning on placing a TV in the well-lit room with large and / or many windows, pay attention to the glare handling parameter.
- Matrix type. Depending on the matrix technology, the TV might have better viewing angles and contrasts (IPS matrix) or more brightness and deeper blacks (VA). Besides, there are also OLED models available.
- Motion handling. If you’re going to watch sports, dynamic thrillers, or play video games, the contrast ratio of 120Hz should be your priority. This will result in little or no blur at moving objects.
- Compatibility. Smartphone apps for most TVs allow access to their full functionality. Besides, many support voice control and provide a selection of streaming apps.
Ready to browse the best 49'' TV models? Scroll down!
49-inch TV Reviews
TCL 49S325
The fast and simple Roku OS, good contrast ratio and darkroom performance make this cheap 49-inch TV a worthy option to consider. Still, the reflections might become a problem at the brighter lighting.
The TV doesn’t support 4K content; yet, its Full HD picture is a high-quality one. The blacks look good in dim light, and the colors have many subtle hues due to strong SDR technology. Display brightness is enough to display colors naturally; still, it does allow some glare on the screen.
The input lag is very low making this model serve both as a TV or a PC monitor. The motion handling lets watch the dynamic movies without trouble due to 60Hz (upscaled to 120Hz at less resolution) refresh rate.
The connectivity panel is another advantage of this TV. Protected (HDCP 2.2) HDMI ports (with one HDMI ARC function), the USB port for media files transmission, composite and optical connections, and a headphone jack lets hook up the TCL 49-inch TV to various home media systems. Voice control is supported but not available, requiring the relevant device to be connected.
Incorporated Roku Tv system works quickly and is intuitive in operation. Browsing the app content, tweaking the settings, and pairing the TV with other devices is simple and lagless.
Pros
- Even lighting of the screen and good color representation.
- Plenty of image detail and accurate contrasts representation.
- Comprehensive setting modes for various situations: movies, gaming, music listening, etc.
Cons
- The grays aren’t impressive and might result in a “dirty screen” effect.
- No Bluetooth support.
Samsung QN49Q60RAFXZA
Quantum Dots technology with deep color enhanced by HDR, smart and efficient 4K upscaling on a 49-inch display? Yes, and that’s what can make the Samsung QN49Q60RAFXZA the best 49-inch 4K TV. Still, the price is twice the cost of the budget competitor models; so, the decision is up to you.
The picture is crisp and detailed, with tons of color hues and shades. The contrast ratio is very high, delivering a smooth and balanced picture. Brightness is a strong point while it mightn’t be enough to eliminate glares from sunlight. The Edge lighting can be non-efficient in dark scenes bringing too much light to the black spots and making them grayish.
The efficient handling of motion is another highlight of this model. It provides immediate response and preserves the object contour precise in motion. In particularly dynamic scenes, some slight trail might be visible, but that’s all. The input lag is unnoticeable making it a good gaming monitor option.
This Samsung 49-inch TV uses the Tizen OS, which is a Samsung brand-developed system. It works fast and provides a comprehensive menu and switching between channels and apps. The apps are plenty including the most popular options (Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc.).
Pros
- Native 120Hz refresh rate lets watch dynamic 4K content without issues.
- Ambient mode lets turn the standby screen into the interior complement.
- Smart 4K upscaling with no “stretched pixel” effect.
Cons
- Absence of local dimming results in limited HDR.
- Connections panel can be difficult to reach if the TV is mounted on the wall.
Samsung UN49RU8000FXZA
Need the best 49-inch smart TV? Fast processor, diverse menu, and simple navigation of the Samsung UN49RU8000FXZA will definitely gain it a position on your wishlist. It has multiple wireless connection options with full functionality and features voice control and smart home compatibility. Still, the latter two are Samsung-specific and just don’t work in other systems. The good news is that the TV can serve itself as a smart hub allowing more flexibility in smart home operation.
The image produced by this 49-inch TV is vivid, with wide color gamut and good depth for all range of hues. The VA panel brings a lot of contrast and nice uniform blacks and grays that survive in the moderately lit room. Details are represented with high accuracy, and the motion is pictured with precision due to good response time. HDR is limited to HDR10 and HLG options. Combined with Edge LED, it does add some more precision into the color distribution but doesn’t bring much brightness.
The TV has a minimalist design, with a simple shape and finely textured plastic material. It isn’t the slimmest in its class (width makes 9.3 inches); still, the recessed back panel for connection ports lets move the cables aside and out of the view for the accurate look.
Pros
- Plenty of physical and wireless connections (four HDMI (one with ARC function), two USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FreeSync, voice control, etc.).
- The audio settings include the Dolby Digital Plus format and support the Multi-Room feature.
- The on-screen assistant helps to set up the TV quickly.
Cons
- The viewing angle is small in comparison to IPS / OLED competitors.
- Overly sensitive buttons on the remote.
TCL 49S405
A sturdy basic set, the TCL 49S405 is offered at a budget price while offering a good crisp UHD picture with working HDR, versatile Roku menu, and slim design. It supports various activities like TV shows, sports watching, gaming, and streaming, and could be called the best 49-inch TV 4K. At the same time, while winning in mixed usage performance, it could be beaten by competitors in particular issues like refresh rate, viewing angle, Bluetooth support, etc.
The image can seem a bit unbalanced out of the box due to yellowish reds and somewhat cold whites. Still, when tuned properly, the TV provides much more accuracy in color distribution and saturation. The VA panel lit by direct LED supports decent blacks that, however, tend to vanish in the well-lit room. The contrast ratio is good, and the dark scenes have good visibility. The HDR functionality includes HLG and HDR10 formats providing more vibrancy to colors while sometimes featuring the halo effect.
The Roku system is quick in operation in this 49-inch smart TV. It provides multiple streaming opportunities including Amazon, Sling TV, HBO, and many other popular services. The mobile app compatibility is well-developed, with the added function of voice control and full navigation capability.
Pros
- Developed upscaling and interpolation provide a smooth picture in any format.
- 8W speakers enable clear dialog and good overall volume.
- Slim and lightweight design (25.4 lbs and 43.7 x 8.5 x 27.7 inches).
Cons
- Enabling HDR involves a lot of tweaking with HDMI settings and inputs.
- The backlight is uneven and might spoil a dark scene image.
LG 49SM8600PUA
A combination of the quality picture, clear sound, and enhanced wireless options makes the highlight of this TV set. Still, the LG 49-inch 4K smart TV review reveals that the actual performance of such techs as HDR and local dimming doesn’t bring the ample effect of the premium quality TV.
The IPS matrix implemented in this set brings a good quality view from wide angles. However, it also results in lesser contrast ratio than competitor models and grayish effect of blacks in a dark room. However, the color accuracy and saturation are high due to Nano Cell technology delivering well-textured and natural colors. The UHD picture is vibrant and smooth, with support for HLG and Dolby Vision formats.
The refresh rate on this TV is “native” 120Hz leaving no trail or blur in high-motion scenes. The input lag is next to zero and stays so in the HDR mode enabled. The response time is also very fast.
The LG 49-inch TV of SM8600 series is equipped with the Alpha 7 processor implementing some technologies of artificial intelligence. This results in wide functionality of voice control and enhanced smart home usage. It also provides a quick user interaction while the menu is comprehensive and easy-to-use.
Pros
- ThinQ technology integrates Alexa and Google voice control.
- Dolby Atmos and wireless speaker connection support.
- AI tech adjusts the screen brightness to the room lighting.
Cons
- AirPlay failed to connect to the iPad.
- The initial setup requires a lot of twiddling with picture and connection settings.
Sony X950H
Looking for packed with technology middle-sized TV with a high-quality picture? Consider the Sony X950H. It delivers native 4K and HDR, smart dimming options, quick and content-rich Android TV. It could be called the best 49” TV while the price tag is almost half more than most of its competitors.
The display features the Triluminos technology delivering the wide color gamut with high brightness and accuracy. With Full Array dimming technology, it gets very bright in intended spots leaving other ones dark. High contrast ratio ensures deep uniform blacks and balanced whites. HDR-programmed content looks particularly vivid and realistic, with each detail and color shade being precise.
The native 120Hz rate is complemented by the X-Motion tech catching the dynamics in each second. The response is immediate and blurs and trails don’t appear up to a very fast motion rate.
This Sony 49-inch TV is powered by the X1 processor engaged in both video and audio transmission. The image and sound are analyzed and adapted to the environment. The Acoustic Multi Audio feature distributes the frequencies depending on the type of content played, creating a home theater effect.
Pros
- X-Wide tech enables wide view angles with true color representation.
- Screen mirroring function lets use the TV as a monitor.
- The adjustable stand fits various kinds of surfaces.
Cons
- The Home page button snaps to random settings.
- The Disney app is supported but not available in fact.
Sony X800H
This 49-inch 4K smart TV implements several features justifying its somewhat hefty price. It has a smart and powerful processor, high-quality IPS display with a good angled view, true 4K, and HDR support, and holds a lot of options for wireless connection.
The X1 processor manages the TV overall performance enabling several technologies for picture and sound improvement. Triluminos display guarantees rich color representation, smooth gradation, and precisely drawn contours. The picture is natural and bright with the basic settings while the contrast ratio could be a bit higher. Blacks are a bit washed out in the dark room while whites are warm and saturated.
The OS of this 4K 49-inch TV is Android TV enabling fast and simple setup, easy navigation, apps browsing, etc. There are multiple streaming services (including YouTube, AirPlay, and Sling TV) onboard with quick lagless switching between them.
The connection panel features four HDMI (with ARC and CEC functions, HDCP 2.3 protection), two USB ports, composite and Ethernet ports, headphones jack, etc. Wireless tech supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2.
Pros
- Motionflow XR tech adds up to the native 60Hz refresh rate creating a sharp motion picture.
- Smart upscaling brings more focus into the FHD image.
- Ultra-slim (5.56 inches wide) design.
Cons
- HDR peaks aren’t too bright.
- No variable refresh rate for gaming activities.
Samsung QN49Q80TAFXZA
This TV set stands out as implementing the most recent technologies for high-quality image and sound representation complemented with ample smart features and connectivity.
The FALD tech combined with the Quantum Dots one let the display “pop” both in SDR and HDR formats. The colors are rich and feature smooth gradations with multiple hues. Smart local dimming delivers deep blacks and bright whites without a halo or blurs.
The Quantum processor is based on AI technology and brings highly efficient upscaling of 1080p and other formats to nearly native 4K. It also accounts for quick response, next to no input lag, and smooth blending of video, sound, and navigation technologies on this TV. The Q-symphony feature lets blend the upper front speakers with the soundbar to create realistic three-dimensional sound.
Adaptive brightness, voice amplifier function, elegant thin-bezel design are enough to consider this set as possibly the best 49-inch TV. Meanwhile, the lack of Dolby Vision support somehow limits the range of compatible content.
Pros
- Natural and bright performance even in daylight.
- Object Tracking Sound tech distributes the frequencies for realistic surround audio.
- Ambient mode lets turn the idle screen into any picture.
Cons
- No HDMI 2.1 port.
- The refresh rate of 60Hz is small for this class of TV.
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TCL 49S517
- TCL
- | 400
- 612
-
TCL 49S305
- TCL
- | 300
- 5016
-
Sony XBR49X800G
- Sony
- | 800
- 4
-
Samsung QN49Q70RAFXZA
- Samsung
- | 1000
- 13
-
Samsung UN49RU8000FXZA
- Samsung
- | 700
- 12
-
Samsung UN49MU7500
- Samsung
- | 1000
- 186
-
Samsung UN49MU6500
- Samsung
- | 800
- 397
-
LG 49LJ550M
- LG
- | 400
- 30
-
Sony XBR49X900F
- Sony
- | 1000
- 311
-
Samsung UN49J5000AFXZA
- Samsung
- | 400
- 9
-
Samsung QN49Q6F
- Samsung
- | 1300
- 97
-
Samsung UN49M5300A
- Samsung
- | 300
- 666
-
Samsung UN49MU8000
- Samsung
- | 1000
- 616
-
LG 49UJ6500
- LG
- | 500
- 13
-
LG 49UF6430
- LG
- | 400
- 125
-
LG 49LJ5100
- LG
- | 400
- 30
-
LG 49UK6300
- LG
- | 400
- 7
-
Samsung 49NU8000
- Samsung
- 558
-
TCL 49S405
- TCL
- 4685
-
Sony XBR49X800E
- Sony
- 288
-
Sony XBR49X900E
- Sony
- 784
-
Samsung UN49K6250
- Samsung
- 155
-
Samsung UN49KS8500
- Samsung
- 456
-
Samsung UN49KS8000
- Samsung
- 1009
-
Samsung UN49KU6500FXZA
- Samsung
- 377
-
LG 49UK6300PUE
- LG
- 597
-
LG 49SK8000PUA
- LG
- 340
-
LG 49UJ6300
- LG
- 600
-
Sony XBR49X830C
- Sony
- 176
-
Samsung UN49KU7000FXZA
- Samsung
- 261
-
Samsung UN49MU7000
- Samsung
- 375
-
Samsung UN49MU6290
- Samsung
- 249
-
LG 49UF640T
- LG
-
LG 49UJ670
- LG
- 1
-
LG 49LF5400
- LG
- 49
-
LG 49UF6400
- LG
- 129
-
Sony KD49X720E
- Sony
- 301
-
LG 49LJ5500
- LG
- 79
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