Thebest TVsnot only have to look stunning, but for most users, they also have to have a low enough response time and a fast enough refresh rate to keep competitive gamers happy. At this point, OLED TVs are one of the best display technologies to accomplish this goal. Not only can they produce gorgeous colors in a light-controlled room, but even in bright rooms, OLED TVs minimize annoying reflections so that users can enjoy their content anytime. Whether users want a TV forgamingor watchingsports, there is an excellent OLED TV out there for everyone.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G85SB
Sony OLED 55-inch BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K Ultra HD TV
Updated on July 10th, 2024, by Elvis Shida: Newer 2024 OLED TVs are here, which means massive discounts for 2023 models. We’ve replaced the LG C2 with the 2023 LG B3 as the best budget OLED TV, since it’s more affordable and easier to find in 2024.
The Best OLED TVs in 2024
Samsung S90C OLED 4K
The Samsung S90c packs some exciting gaming features for a smart TV. It supports streaming on platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Xbox. It packs Samsung’s OLED technology along with 4K resolution and a native refresh rate of 120 Hz. Among its strong points are the Neural Quantum Processor with 4K upscaling, Quantum HDR OLED, and Real Depth Enhancer. It features the Samsung Gaming Hub where gamers can play console games and check out game streaming apps.
Although the Samsung S90 OLED is not the most affordable TV out there, the picture and sound quality this set produces is well above its price point. Even with its less-than-ideal remote and not great smart interface, it is easily one of the best OLED TVs available.
As with most TVs, the S90 has multiple color modes to choose from. While all of them have their pros and cons, for the most part, the filmmaker mode consistently yields the best results. The colors are vibrant and well-saturated. Despite not supporting Dolby Vision, the panel delivers eye-popping brightness in both SDR and HDR modes, with only the much pricier Samsung 95C offering better performance.
The built-in speakers on the S90 will not blow anyone away, but compared to other options like the LG C3, the S90 delivers solid sound performance that doesn’t detract from any viewing experience. As long as users are okay with slightly lower bass power, the speakers are more than serviceable, at least until users pick up a soundbar.
LG B3 Series 55-inch OLED Smart TV
The LG B3 Series 55-inch OLED Smart TV is a great entry-level choice for those looking for a budget-friendly but high-quality OLED TV. It produces stunning colors and deeper blacks that breathe life into your movies and supports next-gen 4K/120Hz gaming on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, its middling speakers leave a lot to be desired.
OLED TVs are no longer the expensive investments they used to be, with budget-friendly models like LG’s B3 bringing the highly acclaimed tech to the masses. The B3 sits just below the C3 in LG’s 2023 OLED lineup, and while it lacks the advanced features of the more premium models, like higher brightness, its top-tier color accuracy and near-instantaneous response time allow users to experience the brilliance of OLED at much lower prices. It’s also now more affordable than ever, following the release of the 2024 LG B4.
The B3 Series uses a standard white-OLED (W-OLED) panel instead of the Evo panel on the premium models, so it can’t get as bright as the C3. However, the B3 still supports Dolby Vision and produces stunning colors and deeper blacks you would expect from an OLED, making it incredible for watching movies and gaming. It can maintain excellent color accuracy and inky blacks when watching content in dark and moderately lit rooms, but may struggle with reflections in very bright rooms.
For gaming, the B3 features two HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K/120Hz gaming on next-gen consoles. It supports VRR and HDR, including Dolby Vision on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, making it a perfect gaming TV for budget-minded gamers. The only complaint with the B3 is its lackluster audio performance, so it is recommended that you pick up ahigh-quality soundbarfor epic movie nights and improved audio quality. The 2024 LG B4 is now available and promises better audio performance and higher brightness, but it’s currently more expensive and not worth the price increase over the B3.
LG C3 Series 55-Inch Class OLED evo 4K Processor
The LG C3 Series OLED 4K smart TV has everything a player needs, from crisp imagery with a fast response time of 0.1ms to a 120 Hz refresh rate. Like most LG TVs, this selection has the NVIDIA G-SYNC, VRR, and AMD FreeSync Premium to boost the gameplay. Gamers will also appreciate the LG C3’s accessibility, with four HDMI 2.1 inputs that allow for the plugging of multiple devices.
In the same lineup as the LG C2, the LG C3 Evo is an excellent option for people who have a slightly larger budget and want a brighter panel with marginally better color performance. At this price point and performance level, the LG C3 Evo is also a great alternative to the Samsung S90C.
When comparing color performance and peak brightness, the LG C3 Evo and the Samsung S90C trade blows relatively equally, with the peak brightness being slightly better on the LG C3 Evo and the color accuracy being better on the S90C. So, performance-wise, it is really hard to differentiate these two TVs, but their smart features are where the LG C3 Evo breaks ahead. While some still prefer Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem, WebOS from LG is a more seamless smart interface.
For gamers, the LG C3 Evo is one of the best OLED TVs to pick up. With a sub-one millisecond response time and a 120Hz refresh rate, gamers can feel comfortable playing the most competitive games on this TV with no worry about input lag. Plus, with support for variable refresh rate, AMD Freesync, and Nvidia G-Sync, gamers can even hook their PC up to this TV and game on the big screen.
LG G3 65 Inch OLED EVO TV
The LG G3 OLED EVO TV is one of the brightest in the industry as it comes in to help LG solidify the OLED market it currently dominates with ease. It also offers sharp movement of images thanks to a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes streaming and gaming great on this TV.
Continuing the trend of fantastic LG OLED TVs is the LG G3, which offers the best of all worlds: fantastic contrast, inky blacks, and vibrant colors. It also has incredible brightness that ensures users won’t miss out on any detail or thrilling HDR effects. Of course, all of this does come at a fairly hefty price, but if gamers can make room for this TV on their budget, the LG G3 is an unbeatable option.
Unlike other LG OLED TVs, which all offer similar specs and features, the LG G3 houses the Brightness Booster Max feature, allowing this TV to produce up to 70% brighter images than other OLED TVs. Everything on this TV looks stunning, from live-action visual masterpieces likeAvatar: The Way of Waterto animated movies. And in a dark room, the LG G3 lights up the room because of how bright it is.
Maybe it’s because the visual performance of this TV is a step above other OLED TVs in this guide, but comparatively, the audio performance doesn’t live up to the high-quality experience the rest of the LG G3 delivers. The 4.2-channel 60W speaker system by no means sounds terrible, but it doesn’t sound excellent either. For users who plan to use this TV with built-in speakers, you should put the TV as close to the wall as possible so the backfiring speakers can deliver as much power as possible.
Sony OLED 55 inch BRAVIA XR A80L Series 4K TV
One of the finest options in the gaming TV market, the Sony 55" BRAVIA A8OL TV boasts high-end offerings like 120 Hz refresh rate, exclusive gaming features for PlayStation 5, and more. Compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, viewers can enjoy a truly hands-free experience. It packs Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR, bringing improved color, contrast, and clarity to the screen. It also works with Airplay 2, making it easy to share files to the TV from members of the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, and iPad).
The Sony Bravia XR A80L is one of the newest OLED TVs from Sony and, at its mid-range price, holds its own against similarly priced TVs like the LG C3 and Samsung S90C. But where the Bravia XR A80L leaves the competition in the dust is the audio performance. This TV is an excellent option for anyone who wants an OLED TV that looks gorgeous and produces sound quality that doesn’t need a soundbar to fully enjoy the content.
Built-in speakers are never going to deliver the very best results, but Sony gets pretty close with the Bravia XR A80L. Its Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology makes the screen an integral part of the speaker system, producing exceptional sound quality. The audio is clear and distortion-free, and the bass is surprisingly powerful, with thumpy bass hits making action scenes feel much more impactful. The sound quality will impress even some of the most picky audiophiles.
Visually, the Bravia XR A80L is just as stunning. The colors are vibrant, and the blacks are inky even with HDR at peak brightness. In terms of brightness, the A80L falls behind competitors like the LG G3, but it is still impressively bright. The color gamut performs similarly to most of the other OLEDs in this guide, covering 109.529 of the Rec. 709 color gamut.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G85SB is a 34-inch curved ultrawide OLED gaming monitor that boasts a 175 Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time. This monitor comes with Smart TV functionality and runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS. This allows the monitor to be used as a TV with native streaming apps and wireless casting. The monitor has HDR10+ support and comes with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification. The Odyssey OLED G85SB features a 3440x1440 panel that covers 99% of DCI color space.
While not technically a living room TV, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G85SB is an excellent option for users who want a smaller option or have a desktop for their entertainment setup. Plus, with a press of the home button, users have full access to a smart TV interface to use it as a standalone television.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G85SB is a jack-of-all-trades display that is perfect for a gaming setup. It has enough screen real estate for productivity use, and a 34-inch display can easily be used as a TV in smaller living rooms. Regardless of what users decide to use it for, the OLED panel delivers gorgeous colors and stunning clarity. Thanks to the ultra-wide form factor, the G85SB has excellent viewing angles, so even if people are sitting on the far side of the display, the viewing experience is just as good as in the middle of the screen.
Being a gaming display first and foremost, the response time is fast compared to this guide’s other options. At the max refresh rate of 175Hz, the response time is an impressive 0.9 ms, which is even faster than the LG C3 Evo. Where the G85SB slips up is in brighter rooms. While blacks are inky and truly black in dark rooms, once some light is introduced into the room, those blacks start to turn a bit more purple.
The Sony OLED is a great companion for the PS5 console thanks to its top-tier features including the gaming and visual departments. Players get Auto Genre Picture Mode and Auto HDR Tone Mapping Mode, two exclusive PS5 features that lower input lag and enhance the TV’s picture quality. A rich 4K OLED display along with a 120 Hz native refresh rate, VRR, and ALLM further boost the A80K’s appeal as one of the best TVs for PS5 gaming.
Shoppers searching for the best OLED TV to pair with their PlayStation 5 console will be pleased with the performance of Sony’s A80K Series TV. Modern Sony TVs ship with exclusive PS5 features, and the 55-inch A80K is no different. Buyers get to experience superior picture quality while gaming thanks to the Auto HDR Tone Mapping feature, which adjusts the console’s default HDR settings. This allows players to see fine details and true colors on the screen, improving the gameplay by a wide margin.
The TV’s second PS5 feature, Auto Genre Picture Mode, instantly activates Game Mode for the TV to keep input lag at a bare minimum. This ensures that players can react quicker than opponents in high-pressure situations. For shoppers needing a bit more reassurance about the A80K’s gaming capabilities, the Sony TV ships with HDMI 2.1 inputs which let players enjoy 4K/120 Hz gaming on current-gen consoles like the PS5.
When players need a movie break, the A80K rises up to the occasion with a brilliant OLED display that renders lifelike images and accurate colors. Buyers get the Google TV OS that many users have praised for being easy to navigate. One drawback is that the A80K is not cheap and should be budgeted for accordingly.
How to Choose the Best OLED TVs
Buyers should be aware of several key factors when purchasing an OLED TV. These factors include size, HDR support, and response time.
Size
For most people, the TV is probably the centerpiece of their living room, so choosing a size that fits the space well is essential when choosing a TV, OLED or otherwise. Keep in mind that just because it’s the largest option does not mean that it is the best option. An 82-inch TV in a small space will not be able to be viewed at a proper distance for the best experience.
HDR Support
While HDR is not essential, OLED TVs look best when they support some kind of HDR technology. For people who mostly stream content and play games on their TV, look for TVs that support Dolby Vision for the broadest support. Unfortunately, Samsung TVs only support HDR10+, which is not as widely supported, but it is certainly not a dealbreaker. Samsung OLED TVs are still a great option.
Brightness
OLED TVs have inherently lower brightness than LED and mini LED TVs. This isn’t something to worry about if you intend to use the TV in a dark or moderately lit room. However, if your room has a lot of ambient light or gets direct sunlight, you should consider the newer OLED TVs with Evo or QD-OLED panels. While more expensive, these TVs can be bright enough to combat glare and feature excellent reflection capabilities. In addition, a brighter display makes colors and highlights pop more when viewing HDR content.
Response Time
OLED TVs generally have excellent response times, with most being under a couple of milliseconds. Gamers should make sure to check this out before picking up a TV.
FAQ
Q: Are OLED TVs good for gaming?
OLED TVs are excellent for gaming. The colors tend to be much richer, and the saturation on OLED TVs makes games look gorgeous. The main thing gamers have to look out for is the input response time. If the TV has a slow response time or low refresh rate, gaming can feel sluggish and unresponsive even if it looks incredible.
Q: Is OLED burn-in still an issue?
When OLED TVs were first introduced, burn-in was a very big problem. Thankfully, with advancements in technology and software development, the burn-in risk has been lowered. On older models of OLED TVs, gamers should still be wary of this, though.
Q: What TV display is closest to OLED?
QLED TVs are the best alternative for shoppers looking for a TV display that performs nearly as well as OLED TVs. QLED displays are great in terms of brightness and offer wide viewing angles.
Q: What are the disadvantages of OLED TVs?
OLED TVs are considerably more expensive than alternative displays like QLED and LED. Screen burn-in remains an issue for older OLED models, though newer models come with greater protection against that problem.
