Best OLED TVs for All Uses and Budgets in 2023

Television ownership has never been better. A wide array of TVs is available with even budget sets offering great picture quality. While LED TVs are incredibly common, organic light-emitting diode or OLED panels provide cinephile-caliber images. Check out the best OLED TVs you can buy in 2023!

What is an OLED TV – Organic Light-emitting Diode Panels Explained

Whereas LCD, LED, and QLED or quantum dot televisions are all derivatives of the same technology, OLED is a completely different type of panel. An LCD or Liquid Crystal Display uses liquid crystals to alter light, thereby creating specific colors. LED television sets are a subset of LCD. Since LCD monitors require some form of backlighting, LED doesn’t refer to a new panel technology but instead the form of backlighting. Similarly, quantum dot LED TVs or QLED televisions are another form of LED panels. While most LED panels utilize a white backlight, QLED TVs opt for blue lights. In front of these blue LEDs there’s a thin layer of quantum dots that glow at certain color wavelengths in red, green, or blue thereby comprising the complete RGB color spectrum.

However, organic light-emitting diode or OLED TVs, despite having LED in the name, feature a completely different type of panel technology. While LCD televisions, whether LED, QLED, or an LCD that’s backlit with CCFLs (cold-cathode fluorescents) requires a backlight, OLED does not. Rather, OLED panels create and illuminate the screen. Every pixel comprising an organic light-emitting diode screen is capable of generating light and thus each pixel determines its own color. As such, OLED TVs deliver lifelike pictures. From a functionality standpoint, OLED operates in a similar fashion to the plasma TVs of yore where individual cells in the screen set the image color.

What to Look for in an OLED Television Set

When selecting an OLED TV, there’s a lot to consider.

Price: In general, OLEDs retail for more than LED televisions. But budget OLEDs have begun popping up on the market which balance price and performance well.

Size: Bigger is better when it comes to televisions, although you’ll pay more for additional screen real estate. Consider whether you want a sub-50-inch screen or larger.

Resolution: 4K OLEDs are quite common, but you’ll also find 8K OLEDs. Unless you must be an early adopter, 4K is the way to go.

ARC/eARC: Previously, if you wanted to use a separate home theatre receiver or soundbar, you had to in some way route your audio through that device. But with the advent of audio return channel (ARC), you can connect your devices such as game consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices directly into your ARC-equipped TV. Then, the audio will be sent to your soundbar or home theater speakers. To use ARC, you’ll need a television and soundbar or receiver that are all ARC-compatible. However, a limitation of ARC is that it can’t transmit uncompressed audio tracks. eARC or enhanced ARC however boasts greater bandwidth and speed. As such, eARC can transmit uncompressed surround sound tracks such as DTS:X and high-bitrate Dolby Atmos. If you plan to pair your OLED with a soundbar or surround sound system, ARC or eARC is a must-have.

Advanced gaming features: Whether for PC gaming or use with next-gen consoles such as the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, advanced gaming features enable improved video gaming. Look for low input lag and fast response time. Moreover, PC-specific amenities such as Nvidia’s GSync and AMD FreeSync let you hook up a gaming laptop or desktop to enjoy variable-refresh-rates (VRR). An OLED with VRR standards like GSync and FreeSync lets you utilize your television as a BFGD or big format gaming display.

Image processing: The built-in system-on-a-chip (SoC) of a television with its GPU and CPU offers different image processing capabilities. High-end units deliver amenities such as artificial intelligence (AI) upscaling. Of course, external devices can compensate. For example, the Nvidia Shield TV 2019 features 4K AI upscaling, so if your OLED’s image processing is mediocre, you could instead rely on your streaming set-top box or Blu-ray player.

Smart features: While a dedicated streaming box is best, smart TV capabilities are the industry standard. Think about what apps such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, or Sling you want to stream from. If they’re not available on your preferred OLED, a dedicated streaming box like the Shield TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV can supplement.

HDR: While a 4K ultra HD resolution is great, high dynamic range or HDR makes for brighter, richer colors and better details. HDR comes in several different standards including HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision. Similarly, a wide color gamut is key for displaying more and increasingly lifelike colors.

Best OLED TV for Most People – LG C2 OLED

The LG C2 is an exceptional OLED television. Available in sizes of 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inches, the C2 comes in a variety of panels to accommodate a variety of living rooms. Its nearly infinite contrast ratio makes for flawless, inky blacks without light bloom. Response time is blisteringly fast which means that fast-motion content such as sports or video games look excellent. Boasting four HDMI 2.1 ports, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and variable refresh rate (VRR) support, the LG C2 is the best OLED for gaming.

A 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 television, the LG C2 supports most HDR standards including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. Unfortunately, there’s no HDR10+ compatibility, but you do get Dolby Vision 120Hz. On the audio side, the C2 supports eARC for passthrough of uncompressed audio formats including Dolby Atmos via TrueHD, 5.1 Dolby Digital over ARC, and 5.1 Dolby Digital using optical TOSLink. Sadly, LG doesn’t support DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, or DTS 5.1 over eARC or ARC, so you’ll haave to settle for Bitstream LPCM passthrough if possible.

With its VRR, ALLM, NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync compatibility to reduce screen tearing, the LG C2 is a solid gaming OLED. All four HDMI inputs are HDMI 2.1, so you can game at up to 4K 120Hz using modern consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or gaming desktops and laptops. Brightness isn’t super high, though that’s universal among OLEDs since there’s no backlighting. However, the LG C2 does utilize an evo panel for increased brightness over its predecessor, the LG C1. As an alternative, consider the last-gen but still solid LG C1 if you don’t mind the slightly lower brightness and older processor. Ultimately, the LG C2 is the best OLED TV for most people in 2023 – it’s even the television set I have in my living room.

Pros:

• eARC
• Nvidia GSync and AMD FreeSync variable-refresh-rate standards
• a9 gen 5 processor with 4K AI upscaling
• 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution
• HDR (HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG) and wide color gamut support
• Dolby Vision 120Hz support
• Low input lag, 120Hz refresh rate
• Outstanding image quality
• Excellent for gaming
• Lots of image customization options, Filmmaker Mode for optimized movie settings
• Up to 83-inches
• Excellent connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4 x HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.2 with eARC, RF, Ethernet, 3 x USB 2.0)
• webOS built-in for streaming
• Auto low-latency mode

Cons:

• No 144Hz support
• Lacks HDR10+
• Can’t passthrough DTS over eARC or ARC

Best Value OLED Television Set – VIZIO OLED

Vizio has long dominated the budget home theatre space offering affordable yet high-performing TVs and soundbars. Accordingly, Vizio makes the best budget OLED panel on the market. The Vizio OLED comes in two versions, a 55-inch model or a 65-inch unit. Vizio’s OLED clocks in a bit less than LG’s cheapest available OLED television set as well as Sony’s least expensive OLED panel. All four of its HDMI inputs are 2.1, though ports one and four support 18Gbps of bandwidth with eARC on HDMI port one while ports two and three deliver a whopping 48Gbps of bandwidth for wider color and higher refresh rate signals.

For smart features, there’s Google Chromecast as well as Apple AirPlay built-in. Additionally, the Vizio OLED unsurprisingly supports Vizio’s SmartCast app. The onboard speakers support DTS Virtual X., though a separate soundbar or receiver will prove a noticeable improvement in sound quality. Lots of apps including Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV are available with the onboard operating system, as well as a lot of free streaming content. Hooking up an Amazon Alexa- or Google Assistant-enabled device lets you take advantage of voice controls. Likewise, Apple HomeKit integration lets you control smart devices with Siri.

Strangely, the Vizio OLED lacks Bluetooth. Although there is VRR support at a wide range of 40-120Hz, you won’t find NVIDIA GSync support, but there’s AMD FreeSync compatibility. Its upscaling and image processing capabilities aren’t quite as robust as you’ll find on pricier OLEDs like the LG C2. Still, that’s easily offset with a video source with great upscaling capabilities such as the Nvidia Shield TV 2019. Ultimately, the Vizio is a good cheap OLED that provides all of the lush image quality that organic light-emitting diode panels deliver at a significant discount, making it the best affordable OLED TV on the planet.

Pros:

• 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate
• HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.2 (ports 1 and 4 deliver 18Gbps of bandwidth, while ports 2 and 3 support 48Gbps of bandwidth)
• Excellent connectivity (4 x HDMI, USB, coax input, Ethernet jack, optical audio output, RCA stereo output, 802.11ac Wi-Fi)
• Vizio SmartCast, Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2 support
• HDR support (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG)
• Available in 55- and 65-inch sizes

Cons:

• Lacks Bluetooth
• HDMI ports 1 and 4 limited to 18Gpbs
• Some firmware bugginess

Best Thin OLED TV – LG G2

The LG G2 is a gorgeous high-end 4K OLED television available in 55-, 65-, 77-, 83-, and 97-inch sizes. It’s extremely thin and features a wall mount so that it can sit completely flush against a wall. Image quality is phenomenal. The individually-dimming pixels that comprise its screen ensure excellent black levels and infinite contrast ratio. Additionally, the LG G2 sports a wide color gamut with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG support. Each of its four HDMI inputs is HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.2. The Alpha a9 Gen 5 processor handles 4K HDR image processing flawlessly, making both HDR and SDR content look stunning. Whereas its predecessor, the LG G1 was limited to 40Gbps HDMI port bandwidth and couldn’t achieve 12-bit, the G2 supports full 48Gbps.

Like LG’s other OLEDs, the G2 includes webOS for streaming from a bevy of apps including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus. Moreover, the LG G2 features an onboard ATSC 3.0 tuner, so you can pair it with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna and receive 4K television broadcasts where available. Although it’s simple enough to add an external TV tuner, and particularly useful for OTA DVR purposes, the baked-in ATSC 3.0 tuner is future-proofed.

For gaming, the LG G2 excels. It touts a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR complete with Nvidia GSync and AMD FreeSync. Unfortunately, the LG G2 foregoes a traditional stand in favor of a wall mount. Although you can purchase a stand separately, the G2 is better for wall-mounting. You can get a nearly-identical feature set in the LG C2 if you’re willing to sacrifice the ATSC 3.0 TV tuner and thin form factor. Sadly, HDR10+ isn’t supported. While eARC works for Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Digital, you won’t find DTS decoding. Nevertheless, the LG G2 looks absolutely stunning with eyecandy black levels and contrast.

Pros:

• Individually-dimming pixels
• 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution
• Excellent contrast and black levels
• 120Hz refresh rate
• VRR
• Nvidia GSync and AMD Free Sync
• ATSC 3.0 TV tuner onboard
• HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.2
• eARC
• HDR (HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG)
• Excellent connectivity (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 4 x HDMI, coax input, 3 x USB, optical audio out, analog audio out, composite input)
• Thin
• Basically bezel-less
• Includes wall mount
• webOS smart TV ecosystem

Cons:

• No DTS decoding over eARC or ARC
• Lacks a traditional stand, only wall mount

Best OLED for Cinephiles – Sony A95K

Available in 55-inch and 65-inch models, the Sony A95K is a gorgeous OLED television set. You’ll enjoy flawless black levels and an infinite contrast ratio. For its smart TV capabilities, the Sony A95K opts for Android TV with Google TV so you can install tons of apps and games.

Lower resolution content upscaling is brilliant, so the Sony A95K is the best OLED for cinephiles. The contrast ratio and black levels combined with fantastic upscaling make it a good choice. While all OLEDs are in general darker than LED television counterparts, the A95K has a solid peak brightness which highlights many HDR details.

Furthermore, the A95K is versatile enough for a variety of different types of content including games thanks to its extremely low input lag and blisteringly fast response time. The native 120Hz refresh rate and a less than 20ms input lag means you can play games worry-free. Connectivity is great with four HDMI 2.1 ports with HDCP 2.2 and eARC.

Disappointingly, Sony doesn’t include variable-refresh-rate, Nvidia GSync, or AMD FreeSync. Although many gamers won’t mind, hardcore gamers and PC gamers might be disappointed. Likewise, despite its HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG HDR support, the A90J lacks HDR10+ and HGiG compatibility. Despite these minor shortcomings, the Sony A90Jshould satisfy most users with its picture-perfect image quality. You may also consider the Sony A80J which clocks in at a slightly lower price without sacrificing picture quality.

Pros:

• Available in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes
• 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 resolution
• Android TV with Google TV onboard
• Apple AirPlay 2, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa support
• Low input lag and fast 120Hz response time
• Excellent image quality with superb infinite contrast ratio and fantastic black levels
• HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.2
• eARC with Dolby and DTS processing
• Great connectivity (4 x HDMI, 3 x USB, optical audio out, analog audio out, composite input, coax input, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi)
• HDR support: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG

Cons:

• No variable-refresh-rate
• Lacks Nvidia GSync or AMD FreeSync
• Doesn’t support HDR10+ or HGiG HDR standards

Best High-end 8K OLED – LG Signature ZX OLED

For $20,000 or $30,000 you could afford a down payment on a house, buy a car, or purchase a high-end 8K OLED TV. The LG Signature ZX-series comes with a whopping 77-inch or 88-inch screen. Whereas most OLEDs available feature a respectable 4K resolution, the LG ZX OLED doubles the resolution with a native 8K screen. With over 30 million active pixels, the LG Signature ZX is a gorgeous large format display. It features webOS and ThinQ AI 8K upscaling. With low input lag, a fast response time, VRR, plus Nvidia’s GSync and AMD’s FreeSync, the LG ZX functions flawlessly as a BFGD.

HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, and Dolby Vision IQ, as well as HDR dynamic tone mapping, are all supported. There’s pixel-level dimming and a sub-1ms response time. HGiG comes standard for advanced gaming, plus the LG ZX sports eARC. Complementing its stunning display is a 4.2-channel sound system.

Oddly, there’s no HDR10+ compatibility which, for tens of thousands of dollars, should be a given. Although there is 8K upscaling, the real challenge facing LG’s large-format 8K OLED is the lack of native 8K content. Granted, it’s future-proofed, boasts a solid speaker system, and top-tier upscaling. But if you’re willing to step down to LED, the Samsung Q800T 8K UHD TV or Sony Z8H can be had in about the same sizes for a fraction of the cost. Or, you might consider a 4K projector for a nearly unbeatable price-to-screen real estate ratio. But if you want an 8K OLED, the LG Signature ZX is a jaw-droppingly lovely television.

Pros:

• 8K UHD 7680 x 4320 resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate
• a9 Gen 3 AI 8K upscaling
• HDR (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro) with wide color gamut
• Nvidia GSync, AMD FreeSync, VRR, HGiG
• Fast 1ms response time
• Works with Amazon Alexa, Gooogle Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2, Apple HomeKit
• HDMI 2.1 with HDCP 2.2
• Over 30 million pixels
• 4.2-channel sound system
• Excellent connectivity (4 x HDMI, Bluetooth 5.0, coax input, Wi-Fi, 3 x USB, AV input, RSC-232-C input, analog headphone out, Ethernet input, optical audio out)
• eARC
• Available in 77-inch and 88-inch screen sizes

Cons:

• Extremely expensive
• Large
• Lacks HDR10+

Why You (and Shouldn’t) Buy an OLED Television

The main benefit of an OLED television is extreme color accuracy. Although QLED panels have made marked improvements with quantum dots providing individual pixels that cover the entire RGB color spectrum, OLED TVs still manage best-in-class color reproduction. Because there’s no backlight, OLEDs don’t suffer from light bleed. For instance, when a pixel needs to display black, it can simply shut off in an OLED screen. But an LED panel, relying on a backlight, will still generate some light no matter how small.

Overall, OLED panels yield top-notch image quality with better contrast, viewing angles, and a wider color gamut than traditional LED televisions. Additionally, organic light-emitting diode panels are flexible and can even be rollable. But it’s the fact that each individual pixel serves as its own light and power source that makes OLED TVs so incredible.

Black levels are important for creating a lush image, and OLEDs completely trounce LED or even QLED TVs. The improved black levels of OLED television sets allow for better contrast with a rich, vibrant image. Similarly, OLEDs yield lower response times, or the time it takes for an individual pixel to change state in brightness and color. For fast-paced images like gaming or watching sports, a faster response time will translate to less motion blur. Since OLED pixels don’t require a separate light source unlike LED TVs, you’ll find much lower response times, refresh rate, and input lag on OLED panels.

Viewing angles are far more forgiving on OLEDs. In most LED TVs, the optimal viewing spot is the exact center of the screen. By comparison, OLED televisions let you sit to the side of the TV at up to 84-degrees with little to no image degradation.

However, OLED TVs do have their downsides. Since there’s no backlight and the screen relied on individual pixels to generate a light source, the overall brightness of OLED panels is lower than that of LED television sets. As such, an organic light-emitting diode panel is better-suited to a dark or at least light-controlled room. That shouldn’t be an issue for most users though. So long as you’ve got a set of blinds or curtains to close, you should be fine.

Additionally, OLEDs can suffer from burn-in. For the majority of television owners, burn-in shouldn’t be an issue since you’d have to watch the same image at maximum brightness for hours on end each day to have it manifest. Still, OLEDs are susceptible to burn-in where LED TVs are not. And for price, OLEDs are comparatively more expensive than LEDs. You can get a mid-range or high-end LED for less than the cost of a budget OLED.

Ultimately though, OLED TVs are absolutely worth it particularly for cinephiles. The infinite contrast, extremely accurate color reproduction, and lifelike picture blows most LED televisions out of the water.

OLED pros:

• Each pixel generates its own light and color
• Excellent black levels
• Infinite contrast
• Wide viewing angles

OLED TV cons:

• Expensive
• Susceptible to burn-in
• Lower brightness than LED televisions

Best OLED TVs FAQs

Best OLED TV for 2023 – Final Thoughts

While LED and QLED TVs are all the rage, OLED televisions still manage to deliver unrivaled image quality. For flawless contrast and black levels, OLEDs are stunning. Vizio makes the best affordable OLED TV, while the LG C2 is the best OLED for gaming. The Sony A95K is a fantastic all-around OLED that’s superb for movie buffs and gamers alike. If you can shell out the cash, the LG ZX boasts 8K AI upscaling and a native 7680 x 4320 resolution, though it doesn’t come cheap. Ultimately, there are plenty of OLEDs for all uses and budgets in 2023.

Your turn: What OLED TVs do YOU recommend in 2023?