Chances are, if you've been on the search for a new TV you've come across a wall of big, beautiful options at your local Best Buy slapped with the acronym "OLED" on their labels. If so, you've got a good eye, because OLED TVs are the cream of the crop when it comes to picture-perfect panels.
But what is an OLED and why should you want one? The main idea behind OLED (which stands for Organic Light Emitting Diodes) engineering is the complete absence of traditional LED backlighting, like you’d find on today’s leading QLED sets. Instead, the individual pixels on an OLED screen are completely self-emissive, meaning that they produce their own light instead of being back-lit like in TVs such as QLEDs, OLEDs main rival. This also means that each pixel has the ability to be completely turned off, producing pure, inky black levels that deliver incredible contrast, and stunning images.
LG is still the premiere TV brand for OLED manufacturing, but there’s a couple of other players in the game now, too. And while there aren’t as many OLED options as there are LEDs and QLEDs, we still wanted to shine a light on all the best OLED models you can buy right now.
The best OLED for most people
LG C3 Series OLED
- Delightful contrast
- Excellent color performance
- Very good processing
- Killer gaming features
- Five-year warranty
- Low-level color shift
- Too-frequent updates
Man, it was a tough call for the “Best OLED for most people" laurel, but after weighing the options and getting into the nitty-gritty of specs and cost, we believe the best OLED for most folks is undoubtedly the LG C3 (at least until we get our hands on the 2024 LG C4, that is). Available in 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch sizes, the LG C3 delivers an amazing picture that reaches some pretty impressive peak brightness levels, but more importantly, when it comes to both HDR and SDR performance, the C3’s color and contrast capabilities are simply through the roof.
The C3 is powered by LG’s revamped a9 AI Processor Gen6 (also found on the LG G3), which acts as the catalyst for features like AI Super Upscaling 4K and AI Picture Pro. The C3 also includes LG’s smart TV platform, webOS, for all your Netflix and Disney+ streaming needs. The UI is still a bit cluttered (something we’ve found irksome for a few years now), but distracting advertisements are easy to forgive when your OLED dishes out 4K at 120Hz across all four HDMI 2.1 inputs.
What’s the difference between the LG C3 and the premium G3 model below? The latter employs Micro Lens Array technology as part of its engineering, which allows the G3 to achieve higher peak brightness levels than the C3. Oh, and the G3 is meant to be hung on a wall (it comes with an LG wall mount), so it doesn’t come with a stand, although you can purchase one separately.
Like any OLED TV, the LG C3 is going to look its best in dark rooms (those with bright rooms may want to look into QLED technology), but if your viewing space is troubled by ambient lighting, the C3 does an excellent job at handling reflections and looks great from a number of vantage points throughout a larger room.
The runner-up
LG G3 Series OLED
- Excellent overall brightness
- Dazzling contrast
- Clean, sharp images
- Good motion handling
- Excellent for gamers
- Disappointing sound
- Frustratingly cluttered UI
You know your premium TV means business when it’s too good to come with a stand. The terrific 2023 LG G3 OLED comes in 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch sizes, and each of these large displays comes with a proprietary wall mount that gets the G3 nice and close to your living room wall. Why, you may ask? Because LG intends for this TV to be the aesthetic attention-grabber in your home (try displaying some artwork or family photos on the G3 screen), and we’re all about that.
The G3 is equipped with Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, giving the G3 a significant boost in the brightness department. The 2023 model also upped the processing game with the introduction of LG’s revamped a9 AI Processor Gen6, working in unison with LG’s Brightness Booster Max to deliver even sharper visuals.
OLEDs aren’t exactly known for arresting brightness, but the LG G3 is happy to challenge that preconception. That MLA backbone allows the G3 to achieve some of the best brightness levels of any TV for 2023, and that’s quite the achievement for a display that features no LEDs whatsoever.
The G3 also has four HDMI 2.1 inputs that max out at 4K at 120Hz. There’s support for pretty much all next-gen gaming must-haves, like VRR (variable refresh rate) and AMD FreeSync, and the TV handles HDR content like a champ. Plus, both the LG G3 and C3 models received DTS support last year, making both sets solid sound performers too (although you’ll always be better off with a soundbar or speaker system).
A wire-free flagship
LG M3 Wireless
- Gorgeous OLED picture quality
- Low-latency wireless for gaming
- Solid wireless signal connection
- Easy setup
- Good sound
- Wireless box needs true line of sight
It was only a matter of time before a TV company decided to go wireless, at least in terms of AV connectivity. Sure, Samsung’s One Connect tech is great for consolidating wire clutter, but the LG M3 Series goes a step further by eliminating cable leads altogether. That’s right: The M3 Series wirelessly beams picture and sound to the TV via its Zero Connect Box.
A line-of-sight peripheral that should be placed no further than 30 feet away from the M3 Series, you’ll be able to connect everything from streaming devices to gaming consoles to the Zero Connect. Caleb Denison, our editor-at-large, has had the privilege of seeing this bad boy in action, and reported that there is no discernible picture difference between a tried and true HDMI cable and the M3’s wireless tech.
As for overall picture quality, the LG M3 is simply a beast. As we’ve come to expect from the kinds of OLED, LG's M3 Series delivers excellent color and contrast, on top of class-leading brightness for an OLED display. LG’s phenomenal a9 AI Processor Gen 6 is responsible for the TV’s image upscaling, and it does a terrific job at further enhancing visuals for each and every frame.
The M3 is also optimized for next-gen gaming, with resolution and motion clarity topping out at 4K/120Hz. You’ll be able to grab this model in 77-, 83-, and 98-inch sizes, and even though this is LG’s first foray into wireless TV tech, the execution is already excellent and we can’t wait to see what future iterations of the M3 Series will look and sound like.
The best OLED for videophiles
Sony 65-inch XR A95L
- Outstanding color accuracy and brightness
- Excellent contrast and luminance
- Great sound
- Gorgeous game mode picture quality
- Incredibly good upscaling
- Some deep features not available at launch
We walked away from our review of the Sony XR A95L as very happy campers. In fact, we awarded the latest Sony QD-OLED flagship a perfect five out of five stars. This TV is seriously good, and because we’re dealing with a QD-OLED display, there’s plenty of brightness, colors, and contrast perks thanks to those onboard quantum dots. But we’re really just scratching the surface with those highlights; so let’s take a look under the hood.
As we’ve come to expect from most Sony sets, the formidable A95L is equipped with the company’s Cognitive Processor XR (CPXR) as the main brains behind the picture. As it handles everything from frame-to-frame improvements and 4K upscaling, we’ve always been major fans of Sony’s picture engine, but when you combine the CPXR with the A95L’s native panel tech and XR Triluminos Max, you get movies, shows, and video games that look like they could leap right off the screen.
This is also the first of Sony’s QD-OLEDs to be equipped with the Pentonic 1000 HDMI chipset, which allows for Dolby Vision gameplay at up to 120Hz. That’s on top of other gaming features like VRR support and HDMI 2.1 connectivity.
As for the latter, only two of the TV’s four ports support the latest HDMI standard, and as our own Caleb Denison points out in his review, one of these ports is also the TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port. This may pose a little trouble for those who may want to use the eARC connection for Dolby Atmos or HDMI CEC purposes, but one can always invest in an HDMI switcher if push comes to shove.
Beyond that one minor hitch, the Sony A95L lives right on the cutting edge of TV tech, and other manufacturers should definitely be taking notes.
The best QD-OLED
Samsung S95C QD-OLED
- Incredibly bright colors
- Perfect black levels
- Pristine overall picture
- Great upscaling
- Awesome for gaming
- Mediocre sound
- No Dolby Vision support
The Samsung S95C rolled out the red carpet for another generation of Samsung’s amazing QD-OLED technology. For those unaware, this display combines the best parts of QLED lighting and quantum dots with the self-emissive pixels of an OLED panel. The end result? A vibrant picture with excellent color saturation and deep black levels — a videophile’s dream. Now as far as side-by-side comparisons go, the S95C is pretty close to the S95B, the 2022 version of the Samsung QD-OLED but there are a few key differences.
For one, the S95C is able to get up to 144Hz with all the appropriate PC connections. If you’re the kind of person who loves fast-action gameplay, the S95C has got you covered. Movie die-hards will still be capped at 120Hz motion, but Samsung’s Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro returned for 2023, delivering some of the best 4K visuals for all your favorite action flicks and sporting events. That’s on top of Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor for all your 4K upscaling needs, and the amazing Q-Symphony 3.0, which lets you pair compatible Samsung soundbars with the S95C speakers for an enhanced audio experience.
For 2023, the S95C screen also delivered higher peak brightness than the S95B, and all of the TV’s inputs are housed on the Slim One Connect box. You’ll also be able to stream all your favorite movies and TV shows through Samsung’s Tizen-powered Smart Hub, and access your many digitized Xbox games using Samsung Gaming Hub.
It might be a little more expensive than the competition, but the Samsung S95C is one of the best TVs you’ll have ever purchased — trust us. But, if you're not in a hurry, and you like to have the latest and greatest, you could always wait for 2024's S95D, which features Samsung's pretty amazing new Glare Free technology.
Another great Sony OLED
Sony 65-inch XR A80L
- Great picture quality
- Stunning HDR performance
- Google TV runs well
- Solid price
- Lower brightness levels for SDR content
- Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
- Not a QD-OLED
Not all of us can splurge on a flagship TV. But that’s why models like Sony's XR A80L are so good. Technically considered an entry-level set, this 2023 model isn’t a QD-OLED like its higher-priced sibling, the A95L. Instead, we’re dealing with a traditional WOLED panel that’s actually supplied by LG Display.
One of the most important things to think about when buying any new TV is how it’s going to look when displaying HDR-optimized content, as well as regular SDR sources. In the case of the Sony A80L, HDR content looks fantastic, with great peak and color brightness levels, as well as a wide color gamut and a near-perfect contrast ratio.
SDR performance isn’t bad either, although you’ll definitely notice a drop in the brightness department. And even though the A80L does a nice job with reflection-handling, it may not be ideal for brightly lit rooms.
Under the hood, Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR runs a good part of the show (just as it does on the flagship A95L), but without the aid of quantum dots for enhanced color saturation. Oh, and similar to the A95L, the A80L includes four HDMI ports, but only two of them are HDMI 2.1-certified, and one of these two ports is also the TV’s ARC/eARC connection. Come on, Sony!
Still, if you’re looking to dive into the world of OLED TVs, but don’t want to spend upwards of $2,000 on an ultra-premium model, the Sony A80L is a solid middle ground between lackluster entry-level sets we wouldn’t recommend to our worst enemies and flagship displays that cost as much as a mid-2000s used Corolla.
Frequently Asked Questions
OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode, and its signature characteristic is that each pixel on the screen of an OLED TV emits its own light and color and can be turned completely off to deliver true black color.
Be sure to check out our QLED versus OLED explainer. In general, OLED TVs produce a higher-quality image than QLED TVs, but there are caveats. QLED TVs get brighter, and so they’re the better choice for brightly-lit rooms.
Trick question! OLED is a description of a kind of TV display, whereas 4K refers to a TV’s native resolution. Like LED and QLED TVs, you can buy 4K and even 8K OLED TVs — the choice is yours.
If you’re a gamer, make sure your OLED TV supports HDMI 2.1 at the least, and in an ideal world, it should have Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, too. If you’re a cinephile or video maven, find a model with the best picture processing.
We think OLED TVs still currently produce the best overall image quality, but upcoming new formats such as QD-OLED, microLED and mini-LED-based QLED TVs are starting to threaten OLED TV’s crown.
Yes, all OLED TVs are compatible with at least HDR10 — the most common HDR format — while most offer support for HLG and Dolby Vision, too.
For the vast majority of buyers, burn-in will not be a problem, but it can happen. When it occurs, it’s usually because someone has set their OLED TV to show a TV channel or a video game that has on-screen graphics that don’t move much or at all and left it there for many hours each day, for many days in a row.
We believe that LG Electronics makes the best overall OLED TV: the G3 Gallery Series. That said, Sony’s image processing is slightly better, so if image perfection is your main yardstick, a Sony OLED TV is a great way to go.
Yes. OLED TVs are definitely expensive when compared to some other options, but their black levels, contrast, and color make for an awesome viewing experience.
We've tested a lot of TVs. A lot. Our editor-at-large and resident TV expert, Caleb Denison, has been covering the TV and home theater space for decades. He's one of the best int he business. But rather than trying to detail his reviewing process here, he's laid it all out in this excellent explainer on how he tests TVs.
Glossary of terms
Here’s a rundown of some of the most common terms associated with today’s TV technology.
4K Ultra HD
This refers to a display resolution that is four times that of 1080p HD. A 4K Ultra HD TV’s pixel resolution is a 3,840 x 2,160 grid in a 16:9 aspect ratio, resulting in nearly 8.3 million pixels. This increase in density adds striking detail and realism to an image and allows larger screens to be viewed from closer distances without individual pixels becoming visible.
High dynamic range (HDR)
High dynamic range is probably most familiar to people through the HDR mode on their digital cameras. It’s designed to deliver a picture that has greater details in the shadows and highlights, plus a wider range of colors. HDR in televisions pursues the same goal. The color palette is wider, blacks are deeper, and whites are brighter.
Presently, there are two major HDR formats: HDR10 and Dolby Vision, with a third — HDR10+ — beginning to show up on new models, particularly those from Samsung. The first is the HDR standard, but Dolby Vision offers a premium experience. Consider a TV that supports both. HLG (hybrid log gamma) is another recent addition to the HDR collection, which supports over-the-air (OTA) broadcast content with HDR.
Full-array local dimming (FALD)
This refers to an LED TV’s backlighting system. A FALD display contains an array of LEDs spread out in a grid behind an LCD panel, rather than just at the edges of the TV. This LED array is broken up into zones that can be dimmed when necessary to achieve better black levels. Another benefit is more uniform brightness across the screen.
Wide color gamut (WCG)
These are the expanded color reproduction abilities of a 4K Ultra HD TV, which are closer than ever to what we see in a digital cinema. By approaching (or sometimes exceeding) the Digital Cinema Initiative’s (DCI) P3 color specification, a 4K UHD TV can produce billions of more colors than a 1080p HD TV.
Quantum dots
A layer of film loaded with tiny nanocrystal semiconductors is placed in a TV’s display panel to help produce a more accurate array of colors. Quantum dots work by producing a purer form of white light from a TV’s backlighting system, which helps the TV’s color filter perform more accurately.
Phosphor-coated LED
An alternative to Quantum Dots, phosphor-coated LEDs have a chemical coating to alter the light’s output. When used in a TV, this results in a purer backlight that’s more easily manipulated by a TV’s color filter, resulting in a wide color gamut and increased color accuracy.
HDMI 2.1
The latest version of the HDMI spec. It offers new enhancements for video games like variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low-latency mode (ALLM) and the ability to pass 4K signals to the TV at up to 120Hz, for ultra-smooth motion. HDMI 2.1 is a requirement for 8K video sources like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. For most non-gamers, HDMI 2.1 is a nice way to future-proof yourself but it's nowhere near a necessity yet.
HDCP 2.3
The latest version of the High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection technology, which provides copy prevention specifically of 4K Ultra HD and 8K content. Any source device that requires HDCP 2.3 will require a TV with an HDCP 2.3-compliant HDMI port for a compatible connection.
HEVC (H.265)
Stands for “High-Efficiency Video Coding.” A compression technology developed to make large 4K UHD video files smaller and, therefore, easier to stream over broadband Internet connections. HEVC is said to double the data compression ratio over H.264, the predominant encoding technology used today for 1080p videos while retaining the same video quality. A smart TV or streaming set-top box must be able to decode HEVC to playback 4K Ultra HD video from sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
VP9
An alternative to HEVC developed by Google and used predominantly for encoding 4K Ultra HD YouTube videos. For a smart TV or streaming set-top box to play 4K Ultra HD YouTube videos, it must be able to decode VP9 videos.
