Samsung Neo QLED QN90B 49.5"

The Samsung QN90B is a killer deal at $428, packing a bright Mini-LED panel and a best-in-class 144Hz refresh rate for gamers. The main trade-offs are narrow viewing angles and no Dolby Vision. If you sit straight on and don't need that specific HDR format, this is one of the best TV values right now.

This TV's gaming chops are its strongest suit, landing in the 87th percentile. The 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium Pro support make motion buttery smooth, and input lag is low enough that you won't be blaming the screen for your missed shots. Picture quality is well above average, with Mini-LEDs delivering punchy highlights and deep blacks that get surprisingly close to OLED territory in a dark room. The audio, with its Object Tracking Sound+ and built-in Dolby Atmos, is a standout for a flat panel, easily beating most TVs in its class. The weak spot is the display's viewing angle, which falls behind most of the competition. You'll want to sit pretty much dead center to get the best image.

Stacked against the Sony BRAVIA 5 K55XR50, the Samsung pulls ahead for gamers with its higher refresh rate, but Sony's processing and upscaling are generally cleaner. The TCL QM7K and Hisense U7 are strong Mini-LED rivals that often include Dolby Vision and Google TV, which many people prefer, though Samsung's anti-glare tech is better for bright rooms. An LG OLED like the C6 will destroy this TV in a dark room with perfect blacks and infinite contrast, but you'll pay a lot more and won't get nearly as bright a picture for daytime viewing. The Roku Plus Series is simpler and cheaper, but its picture quality isn't in the same league.

At $428, this TV is an absolute steal. You're getting a premium Mini-LED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate for less than most mid-range 60Hz sets. The picture quality and gaming performance you get here would have cost you well over a grand just a couple of years ago. If you can live without Dolby Vision and don't need the widest seating arrangement, the value proposition here is one of the best we've seen in the 50-inch space.

Samsung's QN90B is a 2022 model that's still kicking around at a price that makes you do a double take. For $428, you're getting Mini-LED backlighting, a 144Hz panel, and Samsung's excellent anti-glare coating, all wrapped in a 50-inch package. It's not the newest kid on the block, but the spec sheet reads like a TV that cost twice as much not too long ago.

This set is clearly built for bright rooms and fast-paced content. The Quantum Matrix tech does a solid job keeping blooming in check, and the gaming features are a real highlight. It stumbles a bit with off-angle viewing compared to higher-end models, and the smart TV interface can feel a little sluggish, but for the money, the core picture performance is tough to argue with.

Skip this one if you have a wide seating arrangement where people will be watching from the sides. The viewing angles are a real weakness, and the picture degrades quickly off-center. You should also look elsewhere if Dolby Vision is a must-have for your 4K Blu-ray collection or streaming setup, since Samsung stubbornly sticks with HDR10+.

This TV is a no-brainer for PC and console gamers who want high refresh rates without breaking the bank. It's also a fantastic pick for anyone with a bright living room where glare is a constant battle. If you mostly watch movies in a dark, dedicated theater room and want the absolute best picture quality, you should save up for an OLED instead.