Having access to a space that’s totally your own is a freeing feeling. Not only can you display your Sonny Angel collection in all its glory and buy a worryingly cheap electric stove from TikTok shop, but you can also start to invest in technology that will likely stay with you beyond your college experience and into your first home.
While it’s unlikely that all the decor and homeware you buy for college will last quite as long as your courses, a TV is an expensive piece of technology that can almost certainly go the distance. Our list of the best TVs for dorms and small rooms will run you through the best options on the market right now, whether you’re a gamer, budget buyer, or are simply looking to throw cash at the problem.
TL;DR – These Are the Best TVs for Dorm Rooms:
Fitting your entire life into a box-shaped room doesn’t leave you with much space. That’s why the best TVs for dorm rooms deliver slim designs, ample ports, and high-quality resolutions. With these features, you can ensure your movie nights and FIFA sessions go off without a hitch. To save you the trouble of scrubbing the web, we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch so you can focus on the important parts of college life, like seminars, study sessions… and parties, of course.
1. LG 48" Class B5 Series OLED
Best Overall TV for Dorm Rooms
The “entry-level” moniker might appear like a way to temper your expectations, but where the LG B5 Series is concerned, that’s simply not the case. Its comfortably sized 48-inch 4K display delivers vibrant contrast, deep blacks and bright highlights across all types of content, and with an Alpha 8 AI Processor Gen2, the B5 ensures you can enjoy the latest Love Island twist with even greater clarity. If you’re keen on gaming features, the B5 also houses four HDMI 2.1 cables and delivers up to a 120Hz refresh rate, meaning you won’t need to sacrifice hitting your dailies for the sake of a smaller living space.
You can catch up with shows across the various streaming platforms straight from the B5’s user-friendly webOS UI, which will receive up to five years of software updates as part of LG’s Re:New Program. If you’re not keen on manually typing, you can also cut to the chase and make use of the built-in Alexa function to voice search.
2. Samsung 32" Class Q60D Series QLED
Best TV for Desks
When people say “bigger isn’t always better,” they are likely referring to the Samsung 32” Class Q60D Series. Okay, well, probably not. But, coming in just shy of $500, it has all the essential features, like a vibrant 4K display and handy Smart TV capabilities, that you’d expect in a compact desk-friendly package. Making use of Samsung’s easy-to-use Tizen Smart TV software, you’ll have access to most major streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube without needing any extra streaming doodads. And, if you want to access that content with maximum convenience, you can use the built-in Alexa voice assistant, too.
If you’re a casual gamer who doesn’t have the space for a console, the Samsung Q60D 4K has a Gaming Hub that features cloud streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now. Both services offer a broad range of popular titles like the ubiquitous multiplayer shooter Fortnite and the mind-bending puzzler Blue Prince (which we gave a 9/10 earlier this year). One caveat worth mentioning is that while these services are undoubtedly convenient, they do require an additional subscription and hardware like controllers, as well as a hearty internet connection for peak performance.
3. LG 42" Class C5 Series OLED
Best Premium TV
LG’s C5 is the next-gen of the C4, one of our favorite TVs (it’s our top pick for pairing with the PS5 and is the best Smart TV of 2025) thanks to its impressively bright display and handy gaming features. Here, however, we’re recommending the C5 simply because it’s more accessible and cheaper at smaller sizes than the C4 – plus, the C5’s additional brightness makes it less susceptible to glare. Its dorm-friendly 42-inch size features many of the same or similar features as with any of its bigger sizes, including 4K resolution and up to 144Hz refresh rate, and brand new AI-processors ensuring your picture appears clear and smooth. Plus, with the Dolby Vision Moviemaker Mode, you won’t need to manually tinker with the settings to get a cinema-quality picture while watching movies at home.
The C5 isn’t just for cinephiles and is an excellent option for those who like to game in their spare time. Beyond the refresh rate, the C5 comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports that can cater to all your consoles, as well as G-Sync and FreeSync Premium, which will help reduce input lag and screen tearing. If you don’t have room for any extra hardware in your space, there’s also a handy games hub, where you can access external cloud gaming services. All in all, if you want to be the talk of your dorm as the room with the sickest TV, this is the thing to get.
4. Samssung 43" Class QN90D Series QLED
Best TV for Gaming
If you’re serious about gaming, the Samsung 43-inch Class QN90D series is a fabulous option – heck, we even gave it an 8 in our 2024 review. At 43 inches, the QN90D series provides more than enough visual real estate to find all the keys and clues in a run of Blue Prince without taking over your entire room. Plus, if you plan on investing in multiple consoles, you won’t need to rifle around in the back of the TV when you want to jump between your PlayStation 5 and your Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to the four HDMI 2.1 inputs available. Those keen to keep their console load light can also take advantage of the QN90D’s cloud gaming services, which include Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now.
In terms of performance, the QN90D delivers a bright 4K picture and 120Hz refresh rate, which we tested on several popular titles, including Baldur’s Gate III, Apex Legends, and Destiny 2 as part of our review. Not only did each game look fantastic, but it played great, too. Its price is on the higher end of our list, but still, if you plan on investing in a gaming TV that will last – and especially you can wrangle a good deal – it’s a brilliant option nonetheless.
How to Choose a TV for Your Dorm Room
What size TV do you need?
It can be very easy to walk into an electronics shop and find yourself awed by a mammoth 85-inch 4K TV. Look, Costco puts them up front for a reason. However, when it comes to finding a TV that works for your space, it’s important to consider details like your wall height, TV position, and room size first. Anywhere between 32–50 inches would be more than enough (and the top end would be pushing the limits of a comfortable viewing experience, depending on space). RTINGS has a good size-to-distance breakdown.
What features do you need?
Whatever TV you end up buying for your small space, you want to ensure it’s got essential details to future-proof the purchase. Features like smart TV capabilities, which eliminate the need for external streaming devices, and HDMI 2.1 ports, which allow for 4K streaming (amongst other important features like console connectivity), can be key to longevity and convenience. Additional considerations like cable length and screen brightness can be important too, though these features can be helped with extension cables or blackout curtains in a pinch. If you are someone who likes to relax and play games after a hard day, looking for TVs with dedicated gaming hubs with cloud gaming services built in may also be worth considering.
If you’re looking for a deeper look on essential TV features like screen size and design, be sure to check out our guide on how to buy a TV.
How much should you spend on a TV?
The amount of money you’d like to spend on a TV is a purely personal decision, but it’s worth remembering that a big price doesn’t always equate to a massive improvement in features or user experience. In the same token, whatever TV that’s cheapest you see on a run to Target might also do the trick for you if you don’t care much about picture quality or high refresh rates and just need a screen for your room. Regardless, make sure to check if sites offer a student discount on hardware that may reduce the overall cost.
Dorm TVs FAQ
Should you buy a TV or a monitor for your dorm?
If your space is small, or you only want one screen in your personal space, a monitor can be a fantastic alternative to a TV. Often boasting a slimmer design and high refresh rates, a monitor can be used with a PC tower, gaming console, or both to get the feel of a TV without the space or technical limitations. Still, if you are more concerned with streaming content conveniently and at higher fidelity, then a smart TV is still a viable, and likely more convenient, option.
Do all smart TVs come with streaming apps included?
Yes, but there are some caveats. To use smart TV features, you’ll have to connect it to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection or an Ethernet cable (depending on your TV). Once connected, you’ll then have to navigate the software to find and download your apps. Each TV will have its own proprietary software, such as Tizen for Samsung TVs or webOS for LG TVs.
Not all TV software is made equal, though, and while you’ll almost always find streaming titans like Disney+ or Netflix available, niche apps such as the Xbox Cloud Gaming app might not be accessible on your TV’s native platform. One way around this is to use an external streaming device, like the Fire Stick 4K, which, when used in tandem with your TV, can access the Xbox Cloud Gaming app.
Sarah Thwaites is a freelance tech writer at IGN, with bylines at GameInformer, TrustedReviews, NME and more.
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