Finding Your Perfect TV Size: A Practical Guide
Choosing the right TV size can feel overwhelming - too small and you lose the cinematic impact, too large and you're craning your neck from the couch. Whether you're setting up a bedroom, lounge, or dedicated media room, this guide walks you through how to match TV size to your space, viewing habits, and budget. Browse the full range from Sony, Samsung, LG, and Hisense at Tech Supply Shed NZ.
Start with Viewing Distance
The single most important factor in choosing a TV size is how far away you'll be sitting. For 4K Ultra HD TVs, a practical rule of thumb is to multiply your viewing distance (in metres) by roughly 50-55 to get the ideal screen size in centimetres, then convert to inches. Here's a quick reference for typical NZ living spaces:
- 1.5-2m away - 32" to 43" is ideal (bedroom, kitchen bench, small lounge)
- 2-2.5m away - 43" to 55" hits the sweet spot (standard NZ lounge)
- 2.5-3.5m away - 55" to 75" delivers immersive viewing (open-plan living)
- 3.5m+ away - 75" to 116"+ for a true home cinema experience
With 4K resolution, you can sit closer than a Full HD TV without seeing individual pixels - so don't be afraid to size up if you're going 4K.
Room Size and Placement
Beyond viewing distance, measure your TV unit or wall cavity before buying. As a guide: a 55" TV is approximately 123cm wide, 65" is around 145cm, 75" is roughly 168cm, and 85" sits at approximately 190cm wide. Allow at least 10cm clearance on each side. If you're wall-mounting, Brateck TV wall mounts cover 23" to 80"+ with full-motion and tilt options.
Panel Technology Explained
Size is only part of the picture - panel technology shapes how good your TV actually looks in your room:
- 4K LED / Crystal UHD / NanoCell - Solid everyday performance. Samsung Crystal UHD and LG NanoCell AI LED deliver sharp 4K with reliable smart TV platforms at accessible price points.
- Mini LED (QLED / Hi-QLED / ULED) - Thousands of local dimming zones produce deeper blacks and higher peak brightness than standard LED. Sony BRAVIA 5 Mini LED, Hisense Hi-QLED, and Hisense ULED all sit in this tier - excellent for bright rooms and HDR content.
- OLED - Each pixel produces its own light, delivering perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and wide viewing angles. Sony's BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED is the premium choice for cinephiles and serious home theatre setups.
Picking the Right Size by Room
Bedroom TV (32" - 43")
Bedroom TVs are typically viewed from 1.5-2m. A 32" to 43" Smart TV is perfectly sized for most bedrooms without dominating the room. The Hisense 32" A4SNZ is a no-fuss HD Smart TV ideal for the bedroom, while the Hisense 40" A4SNZ steps up to Full HD. For a 4K bedroom option, the Samsung 43" HG43AU800AW is a reliable pick.
Standard Lounge TV (55" - 65")
The most popular size category for New Zealand homes. At 55", the Samsung 55" Crystal UHD DU8000 runs Tizen OS for a polished smart experience, while the Hisense 55" U7SNZ Mini LED ULED at 165Hz is a strong pick for gaming and sport. For premium picture quality, the Sony 55" BRAVIA 5 Mini LED brings Sony's acclaimed picture processing to the 55" class, and the Sony 55" BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED delivers reference-level contrast for the serious viewer. At 65", the Samsung 65" Crystal UHD DU8000, Hisense 65" Q6SNZ Hi-QLED, Sony 65" BRAVIA 5 Mini LED, and Sony 65" BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED all make a compelling case.
Large Lounge or Open-Plan Living (75")
For open-plan living areas, going large pays off. The LG 75" NANO80A AI LED 4K Smart TV brings LG's acclaimed webOS platform and AI picture processing to a commanding 75" screen. The Sony 75" BRAVIA 5 Mini LED delivers Sony's Cognitive Processor XR in a room-filling size, the Hisense 75" U6SNZ Mini LED ULED adds 144Hz for gaming and sport, and the Samsung 75" HG75AU800AW rounds out the lineup for Samsung ecosystem households.
Statement Screen (85" - 116")
For those who want a truly immersive experience, the Sony 85" BRAVIA 5 Mini LED is a flagship-level choice pairing Sony's picture processing with a commanding screen size. The Hisense 85" Q6SNZ Hi-QLED delivers a similarly commanding presence at a more accessible price. And for the ultimate statement piece, the Hisense 116" UX ULED RGB Mini-LED transforms any room into a true home cinema.
Don't Forget the Mounting Solution
Once you've settled on a size, think about how the TV will sit in your space. Brateck TV wall mounts cover 23" to 80"+ with full-motion, tilt, and fixed bracket options for all major VESA patterns. Prefer freestanding? A Brateck adjustable TV stand gives you flexibility without drilling. To add smart streaming to any screen, the Dish TV SV11 4K Freeview dongle brings Freeview, Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime to any HDMI-equipped TV.
Quick Size Reference
| Room Type | Viewing Distance | Recommended Size | Featured Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 1.5 - 2m | 32" - 43" | Hisense 32"/40" A4SNZ, Samsung 43" HG43AU800AW |
| Small Lounge | 2 - 2.5m | 43" - 55" | Hisense 43" Q6SNZ Hi-QLED, Samsung 50" HG50BU800AW |
| Standard Lounge | 2.5 - 3m | 55" - 65" | Sony 55"/65" BRAVIA 5 & 8 II, Samsung 55"/65" Crystal UHD, Hisense 55" U7SNZ |
| Large/Open-Plan | 3 - 3.5m | 65" - 75" | Sony 75" BRAVIA 5, LG 75" NANO80A, Hisense 75" U6SNZ, Samsung 75" HG75 |
| Statement/Cinema | 3.5m+ | 85" - 116" | Sony 85" BRAVIA 5, Hisense 85" Q6SNZ, Hisense 116" UX ULED |
Shop TVs at Tech Supply Shed NZ
Browse the full range of Smart TVs and 4K TVs from Sony, Samsung, LG, and Hisense at Tech Supply Shed NZ - from compact bedroom screens to cinema-scale 116" displays. Order online with delivery across New Zealand.