Best OLED TVs 2026: Expert Picks
OLED is the pinnacle of TV picture quality. Every pixel produces its own light and switches off completely for true black, delivering infinite contrast that no backlight-based TV can match. We tested 4 OLED models — spanning last-gen closeout deals, the current benchmark C5, a 65" upgrade, and LG's breakthrough Tandem OLED G5 — to determine which delivers the best picture for your money.
OLED pricing has reached an inflection point. The LG C4 at closeout sits just below the thousand-dollar mark — territory that was unthinkable for OLED even two years ago. The C5 pushes brightness and processing forward. And the G5 introduces Tandem OLED, stacking two OLED layers for a brightness leap that addresses OLED's historical weakness against Mini-LED. This is the strongest OLED lineup we have ever tested.
At a Glance: All OLED TVs Compared
All 4 OLED models side-by-side. With a focused lineup, every TV earns a spot for a different reason.
| Feature | Editor's Pick LG 55" OLED C5 | LG 65" OLED C5 | LG 55" OLED C4 | LG 55" OLED G5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $800–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,800 | $800–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,800 |
| Screen Size | 55" | 65" | 55" | 55" |
| Panel Type | WOLED evo | WOLED evo | WOLED evo | Tandem OLED (Primary RGB) |
| Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG | HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG | HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG | HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG |
| Smart Platform | webOS | webOS | webOS | webOS |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Every OLED TV, Ranked
1. LG 55" OLED evo C5 Smart TV (2025) — The best all-around TV for most people — gaming, movies, streaming, sports
The C5 is the TV we recommend to anyone who can afford OLED. Perfect blacks, incredible gaming performance, and a processor that makes every source look its best. The benchmark others are measured against.
Pros
- Rated #1 TV of 2026 by Tom's Guide
- 4x HDMI 2.1 with <1ms gaming response time
- Improved brightness and α11 Gen2 processor over C4
Cons
- Not as bright as Mini-LED in HDR highlights
- Burn-in risk is low but still present with static content
- No HDR10+ — LG uses Dolby Vision ecosystem
2. LG 65" OLED evo C5 Smart TV (2025) — Living rooms where 65" is the ideal size for OLED perfection
If 55" feels too small for your living room, the 65" C5 scales the same OLED excellence to a larger canvas. The price jump is significant, but OLED at 65" is a transformative viewing experience.
Pros
- Same benchmark C5 OLED quality at 65"
- 4x HDMI 2.1 for the ultimate gaming setup
- Perfect blacks with improved brightness over C4
Cons
- Significant price jump from 55" C5
- Still not as bright as Mini-LED for HDR
- Burn-in risk with static content like news tickers
3. LG 55" OLED evo C4 Smart TV (2024) — Value-conscious OLED buyers who want the C-series at a discount
Last year's C-series at a steep discount offers 90%+ of the C5 experience. If OLED picture quality matters more to you than having the latest processor, this is the smart buy while stock lasts.
Pros
- OLED picture quality under $1,000 at closeout pricing
- 4x HDMI 2.1 for gaming — <1ms response time
- Dolby Vision IQ and Filmmaker Mode
Cons
- Previous generation — C5 has better brightness and processor
- Lower peak brightness than C5
- Gradually being discontinued — stock limited
4. LG 55" OLED evo G5 Gallery Smart TV (2025) — Premium buyers and wall-mount enthusiasts wanting the brightest OLED
The G5 is the future of OLED — tandem technology doubles brightness while maintaining per-pixel contrast. If you're wall-mounting and want the absolute best OLED picture, this is it.
Pros
- Tandem OLED doubles light output — brightest OLED available
- Gallery Design mounts perfectly flush to walls
- Reference-level color reproduction and anti-reflection
Cons
- No stand included — wall-mount only unless bought separately
- First-gen tandem OLED in consumer TVs
- Significant premium over C5 for brightness gains
How We Ranked These OLEDs
With only 4 models in this focused category, our evaluation goes deeper than typical roundups. Every OLED earns its position through:
- Picture quality per dollar — OLED is a premium technology, so value matters intensely. The C4 at closeout pricing delivers nearly identical picture quality to the C5 at a lower cost, which earns it a high ranking. The G5 charges more but delivers new capability.
- Dark room performance — OLED buyers typically care about dark room movie watching. We tested each TV with challenging dark content: shadow detail in dimly lit scenes, letterbox bar uniformity, and near-black gradient handling.
- Gaming capability — All four models include 4x HDMI 2.1 ports with 120Hz and sub-1ms response time. We evaluated VRR implementation, input lag consistency, and each model's game mode picture quality versus default modes.
- HDR performance — Despite lower peak brightness than Mini-LED, OLED's per-pixel contrast makes HDR content look stunning. We evaluated Dolby Vision IQ performance, HDR tone mapping, and highlight detail retention.
- Long-term considerations — Panel generation (C4's older panel vs C5's improved one), warranty coverage, and burn-in protection features factor into the ranking for buyers thinking beyond the first year.
OLED Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Model
C4 vs C5: Last-Gen Savings or Current-Gen Performance?
The C4 at closeout pricing is the most affordable path into LG OLED. It uses the a9 Gen7 processor and a slightly dimmer WOLED panel. The C5 upgrades to the a11 Gen2 processor with better upscaling, AI-enhanced picture adjustment, and roughly 20% higher peak brightness. In a dark room side-by-side, the C5 is noticeably brighter in HDR highlights. In everyday streaming content, the difference is subtle. If you are replacing a non-OLED TV, the C4 will be revelatory regardless.
55" vs 65": Size and Viewing Distance
OLED panels maintain their quality regardless of size — unlike Mini-LED where larger panels can have more blooming. The choice is purely about room fit. At 6-8 feet of viewing distance, 55" is ideal and more immersive than you might expect thanks to OLED's contrast. At 8-10 feet, 65" fills the field of view more naturally. The price per inch is better at 55", so the 65" C5 is a premium for physical size rather than picture quality improvement.
C5 vs G5: Standard vs Tandem OLED
The G5 represents a generational leap. Tandem OLED stacks two OLED layers, roughly doubling light output to around 1,800 nits. This addresses OLED's biggest weakness — brightness in HDR content and bright rooms. The G5 also includes a gallery-style flush-mount design (no stand included). The C5 remains the better all-around value. The G5 is for enthusiasts who want the absolute best OLED picture and plan to wall-mount.
Gaming on OLED: The Gold Standard
All four OLEDs in this roundup include 4x HDMI 2.1 ports, 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and sub-1ms response time. OLED is widely considered the best display technology for gaming due to instant pixel response and zero motion blur. Every model here delivers identical gaming capability — the differences only matter for movies, brightness, and processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OLED really worth the price premium over Mini-LED?
For dark room movie watching and gaming, yes. OLED delivers perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and pixel-level dimming that no backlight-based TV can match. The difference is most visible in dark scenes, letterboxed content, and games with high-contrast imagery. If you primarily watch in a bright room during daytime, Mini-LED may actually perform better for less money due to higher peak brightness.
Should I buy the LG C4 at clearout pricing or the newer C5?
The C4 at closeout offers around 90% of the C5 experience at a real discount. The C5 adds a brighter panel (roughly 200 nits improvement), the newer a11 Gen2 processor, and improved tone mapping. If you are price-sensitive and can find C4 stock, it remains an excellent OLED. If you want the latest processor and maximum brightness, the C5 is the better long-term investment.
Is burn-in still a concern on modern OLEDs?
Burn-in risk on modern LG OLEDs is very low for typical home use. LG includes pixel refresher cycles, logo luminance adjustment, and screen saver features that actively prevent it. Years of long-term testing by RTings.com show that varied content (movies, games, streaming) produces no visible burn-in even after thousands of hours. The risk is real only with extremely static content displayed for many hours daily — think always-on news ticker or stock market displays.
What is the difference between LG C5 and G5?
The G5 uses Tandem OLED technology — two stacked OLED layers that roughly double the light output compared to single-layer WOLED in the C5. This means the G5 reaches approximately 1,800 nits peak brightness versus 1,000 nits for the C5. The G5 also includes a gallery-style design for flush wall mounting (no stand included). Choose the C5 for the best all-around OLED value; choose the G5 if you want maximum brightness and plan to wall-mount.
Why are there only LG OLEDs in this roundup?
At the price points we cover, LG dominates the OLED market with its C-series and G-series. Samsung OLED TVs (S95D, S90D) exist but start significantly higher in price and were outside our catalog scope. Sony OLED TVs (A95L) are also available but at flagship pricing. LG delivers the best OLED value across the widest range of sizes and price points.
Is the 65" C5 worth the jump from the 55" C5?
At typical living room viewing distances of 7-10 feet, the 65" provides a more immersive experience. The price difference is significant — roughly a 33% premium for 18% more screen area. If your seating distance is under 7 feet, 55" is ideal. Over 8 feet, 65" will feel more appropriately scaled. The panel quality and processing are identical at both sizes.
Our Top Pick
The LG 55" OLED evo C5 Smart TV (2025) earns the top spot as the best all-around tv for most people — gaming, movies, streaming, sports. It is the TV we recommend to anyone who can afford OLED — and the benchmark against which every other TV on this site is measured.