Choosing which TV size to purchase can leave you feeling indecisive. TVs come in many sizes, but no decision feels more important than what size to buy. However, if you want to decide between a 55 vs 65-inch dimensions TV, then this post is for you.
Is it too big for the room? Will I regret choosing the smaller option? Is it worth the extra cost?
Most Americans choose between a 55-inch TV vs a 65-inch dimensions TV, and the consensus is that bigger is better: if you can afford it, go for the 65-inch TV. Most people don’t complain that their TV is too big, but the disappointment of buying a TV that’s too small lingers forever.
These guidelines and tips will help you choose between 55-inch vs 65-inch dimensions TVs:
- Which is the best TV size? Divide the viewing distance (in inches) by 1.6 to determine the ideal TV size (measured diagonally). Use our TV Size Calculator to determine the perfect size.
- Make sure you understand the math.
- The 65-inch TV is 5 inches taller and 9 inches wider than the 55-inch TV.
- A 65-inch TV is recommended if you’re more than seven feet from the TV. If you’re under 7 feet tall, 55 inches will do.
- Try it before you buy. To get an idea of the sizes of both options, tape the wall with painter’s tape.
- Type of room. A dedicated entertainment/media room should always be bigger. In a mixed-use room, bigger is usually better, but considerably smaller.
- LED TV 55-inch vs OLED TV 65-inch Dimensions. If you can only afford one upgrade, choose the OLED screen for small rooms and the size for larger rooms.
- Next TV. You may need to upgrade another TV in your house (ex: bedroom TV) in the near future, so consider handing it down.
- When in doubt- go bigger. People rarely regret buying a TV that’s too big for their room.
Table of Contents
Best TV Size
There are many factors to consider:
Know the math.
However, it is essential to understand that the difference between 55-inch vs 65-inch dimensions TVs is not 10 inches. TV sizes are measured diagonally, and our brains are trained to understand differences in width and height.
The TV size, TV height, and TV width are about the same regardless of the brand or model of modern TV due to similar aspect ratios and small bezels.
TV Size | Height of TV | TV Width |
55″ TV | 26.9 inches | 47.9 inches |
65″ TV | 31.9 inches | 56.6 inches |
Difference | 5 inches | 8.7 inches |
In comparison to a 55-inch TV vs 65-inch TV, the 65-inch TV is about 5 inches taller and 9 inches wider.
Test Before You Buy
With the height and width of 55-inch vs 65-inch TVs known, why not see how they’ll look in your space?
Take a measuring tape and some painter’s tape and measure the size of the TVs on your wall. You can use boxes or printer paper to mimic the size to the best of your ability if you are placing it on a TV stand and don’t have wall space to mark the dimensions.
While in the room where the TV will be placed, having both TV sizes in front of you is an invaluable tool when deciding between the two.
The best TV size depends on how far the TV will be viewed.
If you haven’t already determined the best TV size based on your couch’s distance, you’ve skipped perhaps the most crucial step in the TV buying process.
LIVING ROOMS & FAMILY ROOMS
Measure the distance from your TV location to your seating location in mixed-use rooms:
- You can use a 55-inch TV if the distance is less than 7 feet.
- You will need a 65-inch TV or larger if the distance is more than 7 feet.
MEDIA ROOM
A larger TV is always better (with limits) if it will be placed in a room exclusively in use for TV where you’ll want a more cinematic movie theater-like experience:
- A 55-inch TV can be viewed from 5 feet away or less.
- less
- less; a 65-inch television is better when viewed from a distance of more than 5 feet
In order to calculate the best size TV for your room, you should consider sizes beyond 65 inches.
55-inch OLED TV vs. 65-inch LED-LCD TV
You’d buy a 65-inch OLED TV if you had an unlimited budget, but money doesn’t grow on trees. Has difficulty deciding whether to upgrade the screen technology (LED-LCD to OLED) or the TV size (55-inch TV vs 65-inch TV)? It is assumed you cannot upgrade both.
Generally speaking, you should prioritize TV size over TV technology: select the right size first, and then buy the best TV at that size within your budget. The choice between a 55-inch LED-LCD TV vs 65-inch OLED TV depends on two factors:
- Size of the room
- The viewing angle
We recommend a TV that’s 65-inches or larger if the room size calculations suggest it. It won’t be easy to enjoy OLED technology if you’re always thinking about how you wish your screen were bigger. People rarely wish their TVs were smaller.
If the recommended size for your TV is 55-inches, but you think you might want bigger, stick to the size guidelines and upgrade to OLED. Combined with a brilliant OLED display, “big enough” will wow you even more.
If it were still up to you, consider this factor: OLED screens have much better viewing angles. With OLED technology, you’ll get a much better picture from the seats to the side of the TV.
Hand-Me Down (To Yourself)
(In addition to the one you’re shopping, for now, do you plan on buying another TV in the next couple of years)? Would you consider adding a TV to your bedroom or den?
You have a backup plan! Consider getting the smaller TV now and then, moving it to the bedroom/den in a couple of years, and upgrading your main TV.
With this approach, you’ll have more flexibility and be able to afford a better TV in a few years. The newest TV models are priced at outrageous premiums every year, and the previous year’s models are heavily discounted. When you buy another TV in two years and move this one into a bedroom, you’ll know what size is best for your room, and you’ll have a better selection of more powerful tech at a lower price. Hard to argue with that!
The Bottom Line
Considering every feature, specification, option, and price point for every TV, there are many choices. They will drive you insane simultaneously. Indeed, you’re doing the right thing by choosing a TV size first and making other decisions later.
- When viewing from less than 7 feet away, choose a 55-inch TV.
- If you are watching from more than 7 feet away, choose a 65-inch TV.
- Moreover, if it’s an entertainment room, consider going even bigger.
If in doubt, go big. There are times when people wish they’d bought a larger TV, but they rarely regret buying one that’s too big.
Use our size selection guide, consider whether your TV will be in a mixed-use room or a room that is only for media, and enjoy your awesome new big screen TV!
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