Featuring Dolby Vision HDR for cinematic detail and Smart TV by Roku, the Sharp 50FJ2K has a top spec at a bargain price.

It also supports Google Assistant, which lets you find new movies and television shows by speaking into the remote. High Dynamic Range is a really big deal, and certainly something you should consider before buying your next TV. So, if you're wondering whether you should take the plunge and opt for one of the best 50-inch smart TVs, you're not alone. With a marketplace flooded with options, some smart - others not so much, it can seem like a buyer's minefield. And what is a smart TV anyway? Thankfully, there's a handy buyer's guide, FAQs and some jargon explained at the end of the article to help. Testing a TV is a long and complex process because a modern TV simply does so much. Not only does it need to handle a variety of content resolutions – standard-def, 1080p, 4K and sometimes 8K – and both standard dynamic range and high dynamic range (the latter in a number of formats), all of which need to be specifically tested, it also has a sound system with various advanced settings and a full smart platform. A TV is an all-in-one device in the best sense, but that also makes it a challenging review proposition.For class-leading picture performance, the Sharp 50FJ2K features Dolby Vision. This cinema-inspired HDR format recreates the picture’s true colour and brightness as envisaged by the director. The TV is also compatible with HDR10 and HLG formats, meaning that all of your sources get to enjoy a picture boost. 4K resolution optimises the picture detail from premium streaming services, UHD Blu-ray and most of the latest games. The answer to this question is very much a decision arrived at after deliberation between your available space, budget and requirements. However, it tends to be sensible to have the smaller TVs in smaller rooms, and larger ones in the biggest rooms.

Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iPlayer, ITV Hub, and more are all available through Android TV. Some models also offer additional features, such as Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio connections, and smartphone and tablet connections. When it comes to picture technology, almost all models at this size are now 4K, and there's no need to look for a Full HD model, because these 4K TVs are already affordable. HDR10 and HLG formats of HDR come as standard, and the DN series TVs also have Dolby Vision on board. The DN sets also feature Sharp's Active Motion 600 technology, which sharpens up movement and reduces distortions, and 12-bit HDR colour coding to improve the smoothness of shading and reduce banding and colour disruptions common to standard non-HDR sources. The 65-inch model has a slim, full-aluminium body enhanced with a high brightness LCD/LED panel producing 400 nits output.This is an important app for anyone who loves any one of the plethoras of YouTube personalities, gamers or influencers. Much like the smartphone app, this smart TV app will allow unlimited and free access to countless hours of independent entertainment. YouTube does offer a subscription service, known as YouTube Premium, but this doesn’t restrict free access to a vast selection of content. Spotify If you're buying a TV below 32 inches and can save a lot of money on a Full HD model, by all means go for it (4K won't be a huge benefit at that sort of size anyway), but otherwise 4K is both worthwhile and, in all likelihood, your only option. Should you buy an HDR TV? The most obvious feature that sets the former What Hi-Fi? Awards-winning Philips 48OLED807 apart from the other sets in this list is the inclusion of Philips’ Ambilight technology.

Of these two 'dynamic' HDR formats, Dolby Vision is by far the most prevalent, both in terms of TVs and content, and if you have to choose between one and the other, that's the one we'd recommend. That said, you can now buy TVs from the likes of Philips and Panasonic that support both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Dolby Vision HDR performance was also dazzling when we played Thor: Love and Thunder, with the set retaining detail in the brightest parts of the picture. No Time to Die delivered equally great results in HDR10, with the picture remaining crisp and bright throughout the movie. So what if a 50-inch screen is the maximum size of TV that you want or are able to fit in your room? We've got good news: while a true flagship TV might once have been out of the question, the arrival of 48-inch OLEDs means that's no longer the case. At the same time, competition is extremely fierce at these sizes and that means there are also lots of aggressively priced mid-range marvels available. Whatever you go for, you’re going to love all that extra screen space. So, whether you're settling down with the family to watch Disney's Encanto, or gearing up to binge-watch HBO's The Last of Us, our experts have found the best 50-inch smart TVs to suit all budgets, up next. Best 50-inch smart TVs of 2023 at a glance:High Dynamic Range smart TVs have a wider colour palette - over a billion colours compared to a few hundred thousand available on non-HDR screens. More colours mean more accurate pictures, vivid colours and better contrast and shadow detail. Dolby Vision is Dolby’s version of HDR and HRD10+. OLED and QLED

Bluetooth is a great feature for a smart TV, as it allows you to connect wireless audio devices; like speakers, headphones, hearing aids, or other peripheral devices like keyboards. Can I pair my phone to my smart TV? The Sharp Q7300U series of 4K TVs is the one member of the company's Q-series that does come with the Roku TV platform built-in (the Sharp Q7000U and Q7500 series do not). The bonus here is that they’re HDR-compatible and come with a beefier twin 10W speaker set-up.The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics.