We've bought and tested more than 100 LG TVs. LG releases a lot of TVs every year, as much as any other manufacturer. LG was one of the first brands to release TVs with OLED panels, and that's quickly become their most popular lineup. They also have a wide selection of LED TVs, ranging from entry-level 4k TVs to high-end models with Mini LED backlights. Unfortunately, most of their LED TVs use IPS panels and don't perform very well overall, so LG is strongest with their OLED TVs.
Updates
- 06/01/2023 LG C3 OLED reviewed
- 05/18/2023 LG G3 OLED reviewed
- 05/16/2023 LG C2 OLED updated
- 05/12/2023 LG OLED Flex reviewed
- 05/11/2023 LG G2 OLED updated
Best LG Smart TVs
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Best LG TV
Mixed Usage9.0Movies9.2TV Shows8.6Sports8.9Video Games9.3HDR Movies8.7HDR Gaming9.1PC Monitor9.5The LG G2 OLED is the best LG TV and the best LG OLED TV we've tested. It's a premium TV with a unique design, as instead of coming with a traditional stand, it comes with a no-gap wall mount, so it blends into your surrounding environment well. Additionally, with its Gallery Mode feature, it's designed to look like a piece of art while it isn't in use as a regular TV. It uses a more advanced OLED panel than most of the other 2022 models, allowing it to deliver impressive picture quality with bright highlights. Its replacement model, the LG G3 OLED, uses a newer type of technology called Micro Lens Array that aims to make it even brighter than the G2.
Like most LG TVs, the G2 has a great selection of additional gaming features, including support for 4k @ 120Hz gaming on all four of its HDMI ports, so it's a perfect choice for PS5 or Xbox Series X|S gamers. It also supports all three major variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies, ensuring a nearly tear-free gaming experience from almost any source. Like all OLED displays, it has a near-instantaneous response time, resulting in crystal-clear motion with no distracting blur behind fast-moving objects.
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Best Upper Mid-Range LG TV
Mixed Usage8.8TV Shows8.4Sports8.6Video Games9.3HDR Movies8.8HDR Gaming9.0PC Monitor9.3If you don't need the absolute best LG OLED TV or simply prefer saving some money, there are a few upper mid-range and mid-range OLEDs to consider, like the LG C2. Although it doesn't get as bright as the LG G2 OLED, it's still a great alternative, especially if you aren't interested in the unique wall-mount feature and want a normal stand. Of course, like all OLED displays, it delivers incredible picture quality, with a near-infinite contrast ratio that delivers perfectly deep inky blacks, with no distracting blooming around bright spots in dark scenes. The 2023 replacement model for this TV, the LG C3 OLED, is supposed to perform similarly, so it's still worth getting the 2022 C2 while it's still available for cheaper. The LG B2 OLED is another of their OLED TVs that costs even less and delivers the same perfect blacks but isn't as bright as the C2 either.
Like the G2, the C2 is an incredible TV for gamers with a near-instantaneous response time that delivers crystal-clear motion. It supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four inputs, meaning you can enjoy fast 4k @ 120Hz gaming from both the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 or a recent PC graphics card. It runs the 2022 version of LG's webOS interface, which is smooth and easy to use, and there's a great selection of streaming apps available to download.
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Best Mid-Range LG TV
Mixed Usage7.3Movies6.9TV Shows7.7Sports7.7Video Games7.6HDR Movies6.5HDR Gaming7.5PC Monitor8.5After LG's OLED lineup, they have their QNED lineup that features mid-range and some high-end LED TVs. There are many trade-offs to getting an LED TV over an OLED, with the main one being the lower contrast, but you can also save some money with an LED TV and not worry about the risk of burn-in associated with OLEDs. If that's what you're interested in, the LG QNED80 is a decent overall TV that doesn't cost much and is available in a wide range of sizes, from 50 to 86 inches. You don't get the same perfect black levels as on the LG C2 OLED, but there isn't any blooming around bright objects either.
The QNED80 is part of LG's QNED lineup which includes the higher-end LG QNED85. That TV delivers much better picture quality than the QNED80 as it has Mini LED backlighting that results in an excellent contrast ratio and a decent local dimming feature. However, the QNED85 also costs a lot more, as much as the C2, so if you want something for less, it's better to stick with the QNED80. The QNED80 still gets many great features like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, VRR support, and the excellent webOS platform.
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Best Budget LG 4k TV
Mixed Usage6.9Movies6.9TV Shows7.4Sports6.6Video Games6.7HDR Movies6.4HDR Gaming7.0PC Monitor7.3LG offers two different lineups targeted at those looking for a budget-friendly TV. There's the NANO lineup that includes the LG NANO75 2022 and the cheaper entry-level lineup that includes the LG UQ9000, which is the best budget LG TV we've tested. There isn't much of a difference between the UQ9000 and the NANO Series TVs, except that the UQ9000 can't display as many colors accurately. However, it comes with the same smart interface and the same Magic Remote that makes menu navigation feel smooth. The LG UQ8000 is another similar TV that's in the entry-level lineup, but it can be harder to find.
The UQ9000 is available in different sizes, but not all variants use the same panel type. Sadly, the models with an IPS-like panel, like the 65-inch model we bought and tested, aren't good for use in dark rooms, which is typical of most LG TVs, as they have a low contrast ratio and blacks look gray. It doesn't get very bright in SDR either, but it at least has good reflection handling if you have a few lights around in your room.
Compared to other brands
- OLED options. LG's best TVs all use OLED displays, and they remain the biggest player in this market, but other brands are starting to catch up.
- Great viewing angle. Both their LED and OLED TVs generally have wide viewing angles, making them great for wide seating areas.
- Great smart platform. LG's proprietary smart platform, webOS, remains one of the best platforms compared to the competition. It's user-friendly, and the LG Magic Remote makes menu navigation feel smooth.
- Excellent gaming features. Most of their mid-range models and up have a great selection of additional gaming features, including variable refresh rate support, low input lag, and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
- LED TVs have a low contrast. Aside from their high-end OLED models, most LG TVs won't have great blacks, meaning their picture quality is limited.
- Uniformity issues. LG LED TVs often have some issues with gray uniformity, like dirty screen effect that can get distracting during sports.
- Poor value. Besides their OLEDs, their TVs don't offer good value for what they offer in terms of performance, and there are better options available.
LG vs Samsung
Samsung TVs typically have better picture quality than most LG LED TVs. This is thanks to their use of VA-type LCD panels instead of LG's IPS panels, which trades contrast directly in front for wider viewing angles. While Samsung has started making QD-OLED TVs for brighter colors than traditional OLEDs, LG offers more OLED models at affordable prices.
LG vs Sony
Sony is a direct competitor with LG since their lineup also has LED and OLED models. LG's OLEDs have better gaming performance and generally cost less. However, Sony's LED options usually have VA panels, making for a better dark room experience than LG's LED models, and they have better color accuracy.
LG's OLEDs are among the best on the market, with stunning picture quality, and they're often cheaper than OLEDs from other brands. However, their LED TVs aren't anything special and don't offer good value. While their IPS LCD offerings have wide viewing angles, which is helpful for larger living rooms, the competition with VA panels often outperforms them in overall picture quality.
Lineup
2023 Models
LG announced their new 2023 OLED lineup at CES 2023. They announced a few new LED models but also confirmed that they won't be releasing as many LED models as in previous years. Their 8k LED lineup is also effectively dead, and only one new 8k model is planned for this year, and it'll only be released in select markets. The LG G3 is the big story this year, as it uses a new OLED panel with Micro Lens Array technology, which LG claims to boost brightness by up to 70% over previous generations. They also announced some new premium TVs, with the M3, which uses a wireless A/V box similar to Samsung's One Connect box, and the LG OLED Flex, which is a 42-inch TV whose screen can bend if you want to use it as a monitor.
Model names
LG has a large lineup that covers everything from cheap and small lower-resolution TVs to very high-end with their OLEDs. The naming scheme changes depending on the lineup. Generally speaking, the first set of letters represent the lineup it's in, like QNED or NANO, and the next set of numbers represent its position in the lineup, with higher being better.
- QNED* = Premium model with Mini LED backlighting
- NANO* = Premium LED model
- U* = Entry-level 4k TV
- *Q = 2022
- *P = 2021
- *N = 2020
Example: QNED90 = 2021 4K Mini LED TV; UN7000 = 2020 entry-level TV.
For their OLED lineup, the model numbers start with a letter, followed by a number representing the year (X = 2020, 1 = 2021, 2 = 2022, 3 = 2023). Example: G1 = 2021 Gallery Design; CX = 2020 C Series OLED TV.
LG Smart Features
Besides aesthetic changes, LG's webOS hasn't changed much over the years, which is good. A few years ago, it was, by and large, the best smart platform. While competition has tightened up since then, incremental and polishing updates allowed it to remain at the top. LG updated the platform in 2021 to include a full home page instead of the banner found in past models.
Interface
LG overhauled the interface in 2021 with the release of webOS 6.0, and it's still one of the best-looking platforms. The redesign replaces the menu ribbon of previous versions with a full-screen smart hub, complete with various widgets. Despite the new look, it still has the same smooth functionality and features that make it one of the best smart platforms. It's colorful, and its animations are both intuitive and beautiful. Everything feels responsive and snappy, and you're rarely left waiting for something to happen.
Ad-free
WebOS has one glaring issue: the inclusion of advertising sprinkled around the operating system, including in the app store and web browser. The worst is that there isn't a good way to disable them from within the TV itself. However, most smart platforms are like this, as you'll get ads no matter the brand you go with.
Apps & Features
The LG content store delivers just about every app one would look for on a smart TV. Essentials like Netflix, Amazon Video, and YouTube are all installed by default, but the range is continuously expanding. Overall, LG TVs have one of the widest selections of apps available on any smart platform.
Voice Controls
WebOS TVs that come with LG's Magic Remote have voice control. The manufacturer redesigned the remote in 2021, but it has the same functionality as in past years. There's a big microphone button in the center of the remote, and the voice control helps search for content. Unfortunately, the voice assistant doesn't have very in-depth control of the settings, so you can't adjust the brightness without leaving what you're watching. You can't turn the TV off or change the volume, but you can still switch inputs, open apps, search for specific content, or ask what's the weather.
Starting in 2018, WebOS 4.0 added a new voice control processor with ThinQ AI. The system can perform advanced searches similar to Siri on Apple TV. It can identify actors, search for sports scores, and even find pictures in your favorite cloud service based on keywords. It can also communicate with a multitude of smart home-connected devices, including lights and thermostats. Newer LG TVs can also interact with Google Home or Amazon Alexa-connected personal assistants.
Remote
LG's Magic Remote offers motion-controlled point-and-click functionality, which makes navigating menus a lot simpler. It isn't the smallest remote around, but it's nicely sculpted and very comfortable to hold.
There are many more buttons on this remote than on other remotes, but they're clearly labeled and make it quicker to pick up and use. Some lower-end versions come with this Magic Remote, but the entry-level models have a basic remote without voice control, like the remote on the LG UN7000.
Remote App
LG's remote app, called LG TV Plus, offers quick access to most controls and is compatible with all LG smart TVs. It isn't as advanced as some other remote apps, but it does stream content from your phone or tablet to the TV. It can launch apps and change inputs directly without using a navigation button to navigate the on-screen menus.
Known Issues
There aren't many issues with LG webOS. The previous version had some performance issues, with occasional hiccups and frequent dropped frames in animations. For the most part, these issues have been fixed, and the latest version performs extremely well, but the interface can still hang sometimes.
Recent Updates
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Apr 28, 2023: Replaced the LG NANO90 2021 and the LG UQ8000 with the LG QNED80 and the LG UQ9000; updated text for clarity throughout.
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Feb 15, 2023: Verified our picks for accuracy and consistency, and refreshed the text. Updated the year lineup to the 2023 model year.
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Dec 20, 2022: Verified our picks for accuracy and consistency and refreshed the text.
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Oct 20, 2022: Replaced the LG UP8000 with the newer LG UQ8000. Refreshed the text throughout for accuracy.
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Aug 15, 2022: Restructured the article, adding the LG G2 OLED as the 'Best LG TV', and the LG C2 OLED as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range LG TV'. Updated the text throughout.
Conclusion
LG undeniably offers top-shelf products with OLED TVs. This technology is now quite mature and is an industry leader, but not all their TVs are great. Their LED models consistently have great viewing angles, but that comes at the cost of having mediocre picture quality in a dark room, quite the opposite of their OLED offerings. Luckily, all their smart TVs come with the user-friendly webOS platform built-in, making it easy to watch your favorite content.