The LG 42 C4 OLED is a 42-inch, 4k TV with a 144Hz refresh rate. As a part of LG's C series lineup, it replaces older models such as the LG 42 C2 OLED, and it's since been replaced by the LG C5 42 OLED. The C4 is suited to those looking for an extremely large display at a price comparable to much smaller OLED monitors. It competes with dedicated monitors of the same size, such as the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ, and other small TVs, such as the 42-inch Samsung S90D, which uses a WOLED panel. Like most high-end TVs, it comes with a number of features, including Smart TV functionality, so you can use it as a TV with integrated apps like Netflix. It also has an eARC/ARC port, so you can connect the display to a soundbar or receiver. However, because it's a TV, it doesn't have a DisplayPort input.
Note: We tested the 65-inch model as a TV. However, the results of the two reviews aren't comparable because of the different ways we test monitors and TVs. Additionally, the 42- and 48-inch versions of the C4 lack the Brightness Booster feature found on the 55-inch+ models, including the 65-inch model we tested as a TV.
Our Verdict
The LG C4 42-inch is amazing for PC gaming. It has a 144Hz maximum refresh rate with very low input lag for a responsive feel, and motion also looks extremely crisp thanks to its near-instantaneous response time. Its near-infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity are ideal for dark room gaming, as blacks look deep and inky. It also gets bright enough for small highlights to pop, and colors look rich and vivid. Its large size also makes it incredibly immersive if you're sitting close to the screen.
- Deep and inky blacks.
- 144Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
- Near-instantaneous response time.
- HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
- Low input lag.
- Displays bright and vivid colors.
- Noticeable VRR flicker with changing frame rates.
The LG C4 42-inch TV is outstanding for console gaming. It has perfect compatibility with the PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S, as it has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, and it supports all console features. Its near-instantaneous response time ensures crisp motion, and its input lag is low for a responsive feel. It also provides outstanding picture quality with deep and inky blacks and bright and vivid colors. Additionally, its large display makes it incredibly immersive if you're sitting close to the screen.
- Deep and inky blacks.
- Near-instantaneous response time.
- Supports all game console features.
- Low input lag.
- Displays bright and vivid colors.
The LG C4 42-inch version is mediocre for office use. It has an exceptionally large screen, so it's incredible if you want to display many windows or a large quantity of data at the same time. It has reasonable brightness to fight some glare, but not from really bright light sources, and reflections can be distracting in sunny rooms. It also has wide viewing angles, so it's easy for someone else to see your screen. However, it has no ergonomic features, so you can't adjust the display unless you mount it. Additionally, it only has adequate text clarity and is far less sharp than other 4k monitors because of its large size. Finally, OLEDs like this one are prone to burn-in with constant exposure to the same static elements over time.
- Wide viewing angles.
Bright glare is distracting.
- Worse text clarity than other 4k monitors.
- Risk of burn-in.
- Terrible ergonomics.
The LG C4 42-inch is excellent for content creation, but it has some limitations. It has an enormous screen, so there's lots of room for tools and content. It also displays a wide range of accurate colors in both SDR and HDR, making them look vivid for realistic images. Additionally, it displays deep and inky blacks in a dark room. However, it has text clarity issues caused by its large size and subpixel layout, so text elements in your editing programs don't look sharp. Additionally, it has no ergonomic features, so you can't adjust the display unless you mount it. Finally, OLEDs like this one are also prone to burn-in with constant exposure to the same static elements over time, like if you work with the same editing program open all day.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Superb accuracy before calibration.
Bright glare is distracting.
- Worse text clarity than other 4k monitors.
- Risk of burn-in.
- Terrible ergonomics.
The LG C4 42-inch version has reasonable brightness. It's bright enough to fight glare in most rooms with a few lights around, and highlights also pop in HDR, but it struggles to fight glare in really bright rooms.
- Small highlights pop against the rest of the image.
- Not bright enough to fight intense glare.
The LG C4 42-inch TV has a near-instantaneous response time, resulting in exceptionally sharp motion.
- Near-instantaneous response time.
- Outstanding refresh rate compliance.
The LG C4 42 is amazing for HDR. Thanks to its near-infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity, it displays deep and inky blacks without any blooming around bright objects. It also displays a wide range of colors and makes them vivid.
- Deep and inky blacks.
- Displays bright and vivid colors.
The LG C4 42-inch has outstanding SDR picture quality, displaying deep, inky blacks and a wide range of colors.
- Deep and inky blacks.
- No blooming around bright objects.
The LG C4 42 has fantastic color accuracy. Its dedicated sRGB mode has fantastic accuracy before calibration and is even more accurate after calibration.
- Superb accuracy before calibration.
- Excellent gray uniformity.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Nov 10, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1.1. We removed the Vertical Viewing Angle test.
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Updated Oct 17, 2025:
In the Intro, we clarified that this model has since been replaced by the LG C5 42 OLED.
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Updated Aug 25, 2025:
We corrected a mistake to clarify that this model has an Ethernet port.
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Updated Aug 08, 2025:
We clarified the height to the top of the screen on its stand.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the LG C4 42-inch version, which is one of many sizes and variants available. Additionally, we tested the 65-inch LG C4 OLED as a TV, but the results aren't comparable because we test TVs and monitors differently, and the 65-inch has extra features such as Brightness Booster. The 55-inch and larger sizes perform differently, but other than physical differences, the results are also valid for the 48-inch model.
| Size | Resolution | US Model (Wi-Fi 5) | Costco Variant (Wi-Fi 6E) | Brightness Booster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42" | 4k | OLED42C4PUA | OLED42C4AUA | - |
| 48" | 4k | OLED48C4PUA | OLED48C4AUA | - |
| 55" | 4k | OLED55C4PUA | OLED55C4AUA | Yes |
| 65" | 4k | OLED65C4PUA | OLED65C4AUA | Yes |
| 77" | 4k | OLED77C4PUA | OLED77C4AUA | Yes |
| 83" | 4k | OLED83C4PUA | OLED83C4AUA | Yes |
Our unit was manufactured in April 2024; you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The LG C4 42-inch TV is a 4k display with a 144Hz refresh rate and is an amazing option for gamers who want an extremely large display that's also superb for watching videos. It has better image processing for videos than most monitors, includes a smart TV system with apps like Netflix and Prime Video, and has integrated speakers, so it excels at gaming and movie watching. Despite having similar cost and performance to 32-inch WOLED monitors, it delivers a much more immersive experience. However, the added immersion comes at a price, as it has significantly reduced image sharpness and text clarity compared to 32-inch OLEDs, with the same 4k resolution covering a much larger area.
See our recommendations for the best 34-49 inch monitors, the best gaming monitors, and the best 4k monitors.
The LG C5 42 OLED is an updated model of the LG C4 42 OLED with minimal differences. That said, the main difference between the two is that you can enable the Peak Brightness setting in PC mode on the C5, which allows it to get brighter than the C4 when you're using it with your PC. There are some other changes, like the new remote and the lack of DTS audio passthrough on the C5, but other than that, they're very similar.
The LG C4 42 OLED is a newer version of the LG C2 42 OLED. Some of the changes with the C4 include a brighter screen, more vivid colors, and a slightly higher refresh rate, making it the better choice in most cases. However, if you can find the C2 for less and don't mind the reduced brightness, you won't be disappointed by the older TV.
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ and the LG C4 42 OLED are both 42-inch OLED displays. The LG is a better choice if you plan to use your display to watch lots of videos, as it has an integrated smart TV system and a remote. It also has an eARC/ARC port, so you can easily connect it to a soundbar or receiver. However, the ASUS gets brighter in HDR, so it's a better choice if you do lots of HDR gaming in a brighter room.
The Sony 42 A90K OLED and the LG C4 42 OLED are both 42-inch OLED displays. The C4 is the better option for most people, as it has a slightly higher refresh rate and gets brighter. However, the Sony is still a good option if you can find it for less and don't mind the reduced brightness.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
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