Renting a new TV is exciting, but choosing the right screen size isn’t always straightforward. This TV size guide for room planning compares 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch TVs to help you match your screen to your viewing distance, room layout, and budget. A TV that’s too small can feel underwhelming, while one that’s too large may overwhelm the space or reduce viewing comfort.
Why Viewing Distance Matters
Before comparing screen sizes, it’s important to think about where you’ll actually be sitting. According to guidance from SMPTE cited by LG Australia, the ideal viewing distance allows the screen to fill around 30 degrees of your field of vision. For most modern 4K TVs, this works out to approximately 1.2 to 1.6 times the diagonal screen size.
Sitting too close can make viewing less comfortable, while sitting too far away reduces the immersive experience. That’s why viewing distance should always be considered alongside your room layout rather than choosing the biggest screen available.
Is a 55-Inch TV Right for You?
A 55-inch TV is an excellent choice for apartments, bedrooms, and smaller living rooms where seating is generally less than 2.5 metres from the screen. It provides an enjoyable viewing experience without dominating the room, making it ideal for renters furnishing compact spaces.
If you’re weighing up a 55-inch vs 65-inch TV, the smaller option often makes more sense when space is limited, or furniture sits closer to the screen. It also offers a more affordable weekly rental while still delivering excellent picture quality for streaming, everyday television, and casual gaming.
Browse our 55-inch TV range to find a model suited to smaller homes and apartments.
When a 65-Inch TV Hits the Sweet Spot
For many households, a 65-inch TV offers the best balance between immersion and practicality. It works particularly well in medium-sized living rooms with viewing distances of around 2 to 2.5 metres, creating a cinematic feel without overwhelming the space.
Many renters looking for the best TV size for living room setups ultimately choose a 65-inch model because it comfortably handles movies, sport, gaming, and everyday television. It offers noticeably more screen presence than a 55-inch TV while remaining suitable for most Australian homes.
Explore our 65-inch TV range if you’re looking for a versatile screen size that suits a wide range of living spaces.
Who Should Choose a 75-Inch TV?
If you have a large open-plan living area or dedicated entertainment room, a 75-inch TV delivers the most immersive viewing experience. It works best when seating is positioned at least 3 metres from the screen, allowing you to enjoy the larger display comfortably.
The recommended 75-inch TV viewing distance typically begins at approximately three metres, making this size ideal for movie nights, live sport, and home theatre setups where maximum immersion is the goal. While it requires more wall space and a larger room, it creates a true cinema-style experience when matched to the right environment.
Browse our 75-inch TV range to discover larger-screen rental options.
When Does an 85-Inch TV Make Sense?
An 85-inch TV is designed for spacious living rooms, open-plan homes, and dedicated home theatres where seating is around 3.5 to 4 metres or more from the screen. It offers exceptional scale and impact, making movies, live sport, and gaming feel more cinematic.
If you’re considering an 85-inch vs 75-inch TV, the larger screen provides noticeably greater impact, but only if your room has enough viewing distance and wall space. In smaller rooms, the extra size may feel overwhelming, while larger spaces benefit from the added screen presence.
Browse our 85-inch TV range if you’re looking for the biggest home entertainment experience available through Lightning Rentals.
Head-to-Head Comparison: 55″ vs 65″ vs 75″
Each TV size serves different needs, and understanding the differences helps you make an informed rental decision. The table below breaks down key factors including viewing distance, room size, budget considerations, and entertainment style.
| Criterion | 55-Inch TV | 65-Inch TV | 75-Inch TV | 85-Inch TV |
| Ideal Viewing Distance | 1.5 to 2.5 metres | 2.0 to 2.5 metres | 3.0 metres or more | 3.5 to 4.0 metres or more |
| Best Room Type | Apartments, bedrooms, small living rooms | Standard living rooms, medium spaces | Large open-plan living rooms | Large living rooms, home theatres |
| Screen Width | Approximately 48.5 inches | Approximately 57 inches | Approximately 66 inches | Approximately 74 inches |
| Budget & Value | Most affordable weekly rental | Balanced cost and immersion | Premium rental, maximum screen presence | Premium large-format entertainment |
| Entertainment Style | Everyday TV, casual viewing | Family entertainment, streaming, gaming | Cinema-style, sports, immersive content | Home theatre, premium gaming, blockbuster movies |
The Science of Immersion: Field of View, 4K, THX and SMPTE
Many people assume the biggest TV automatically provides the best experience, but that’s not always the case. Industry recommendations from THX and SMPTE show that immersion depends on matching the screen size to your viewing distance rather than simply buying the largest display available.
Modern 4K TVs also allow you to sit closer than older HD televisions because the higher pixel density maintains image clarity. As a result, a well-positioned 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, or even 85-inch TV can deliver an excellent viewing experience when matched to the correct room size and seating distance.
Measure Before You Rent
Before committing to a rental, take a few simple measurements to ensure the TV suits your space. Measure the distance from your main seating position to the wall, then check that your TV stand or available wall space is wide enough for the screen.
It’s also worth measuring doorways, hallways, and staircases to make sure delivery goes smoothly. If you’re planning to wall mount the TV, confirm that your wall mount supports the correct size, weight, and VESA pattern for the model you’ve chosen.
Verdict: Which TV Size Should You Choose?
The right screen size depends on your room, your viewing habits, and your budget rather than choosing the largest model available.
A 55-inch TV is perfect for apartments, bedrooms, and smaller living rooms where seating is closer to the screen. A 65-inch TV suits most Australian households and is often the best TV size for living room setups thanks to its balance of immersion, room fit, and weekly rental value.
Meanwhile, a 75-inch TV is ideal for larger living areas that can comfortably accommodate a bigger display. Finally, if you have a spacious open-plan home or dedicated theatre room, an 85-inch TV delivers the most immersive experience, provided you have sufficient viewing distance and wall space.
Whichever size you choose, matching the TV to your room will provide a more enjoyable viewing experience than simply choosing the biggest screen available.
Ready to upgrade your entertainment setup? Browse our full TV and sound range to compare rental options, and pair it with a soundbar for richer, more immersive audio at home.
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Reviewed by
Dean Hawes has more than nine years’ experience in Australia’s consumer leasing industry and reviews our content to help ensure it is accurate, practical and up to date. Drawing on his expertise in consumer leasing, affordability assessments, and household appliance and furniture rental, he helps Australians make informed leasing decisions.