The LG UM6900 is a passable entry-level 4k TV with an IPS panel. Like most IPS panel TVs, it isn't well-suited for dark rooms, as its low contrast ratio and poor black uniformity result in blacks that look grayish. Motion blur is minimal thanks to its decent response time, but there's no black frame insertion feature to further improve motion clarity. Also, the backlight's 120Hz flicker causes noticeable duplication in motion, which can be distracting. Unfortunately, even though it has good reflection handling, it can't get very bright, so visibility can be an issue in bright rooms. Its low input lag provides a responsive gaming experience; however, it lacks support for any variable refresh rate technology to reduce screen tearing. Lastly, it uses a less accurate sub-pixel structure, which isn't ideal for use as a PC monitor.
Note that the 60" and 70" models likely use VA panels, and we expect them to have better contrast and black uniformity, but worse viewing angles.
Our Verdict
The LG UM6900 is passable for most uses. It's best-suited for watching TV shows, sports, or playing games. Its wide viewing angles make it a good choice for a wide seating area; however, it doesn't get very bright, so it isn't suitable for bright rooms. Unfortunately, it isn't very good for watching movies in SDR or HDR, as it has a low contrast ratio, bad black uniformity, and no local dimming. It has a decent response time and outstanding low input lag, which would make it a great TV for use as a PC monitor, but the RGBW pixel structure isn't as accurate.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Outstanding low input lag.
- Low SDR and HDR peak brightness.
- Low contrast ratio.
The LG UM6900 is sub-par for watching movies. It has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray and there's visible clouding throughout the screen, which can be distracting. Furthermore, it doesn't have a local dimming feature. It can remove judder from 24p sources, but not when watching movies from a cable box.
- Can remove judder from 24p sources.
- Low contrast ratio.
- No local dimming.
The LG UM6900 is decent for watching TV shows. It has decent viewing angles, so you can walk around while watching without losing too much image quality. Reflection handling is good; however, this TV doesn't get very bright, making it difficult to see in bright rooms. It upscales lower resolution content from cable TV well, and you can safely leave it on the news all day without having to worry about permanent burn-in.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Good reflection handling.
- Low SDR and HDR peak brightness.
The LG UM6900 is a decent TV for watching sports. It has decent viewing angles, which is great for watching a big game with family and friends. It has a decent response time, but it doesn't have an optional black frame insertion feature to further improve motion clarity. Unfortunately, even though it has good reflection handling, it can't get very bright, so it isn't well-suited for a bright room. There's also some dirty screen effect, and the backlight's flicker causes visible image duplication.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Decent response time.
- Good reflection handling.
- Low SDR and HDR peak brightness.
The LG UM6900 is decent for playing video games. It has extremely low input lag and it has a decent response time that results in only a short blur trail behind fast-moving objects. Sadly, it doesn't support any variable refresh rate technology and its low contrast makes it less ideal for gaming in the dark.
- Outstanding low input lag.
- Decent response time.
- No VRR support.
- Low contrast ratio.
The LG UM6900 is sub-par for watching HDR movies. Its IPS panel has a low contrast ratio and poor black uniformity, and it doesn't have a local dimming feature. Additionally, it can't get very bright in HDR and can't display a wide color gamut.
- Can remove judder from 24p sources.
- Low SDR and HDR peak brightness.
- Low contrast ratio.
- No local dimming.
The LG UM6900 is okay for gaming in HDR. It has low input lag and decent response time; however, it can't display a wide color gamut and doesn't get very bright, so highlights don't pop the way they should. Also, it has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray, it doesn't have a local dimming feature, and it doesn't support any variable refresh rate technology.
- Outstanding low input lag.
- Decent response time.
- Low SDR and HDR peak brightness.
- No VRR support.
- Low contrast ratio.
- No local dimming.
Although the LG UM6900 has a low input lag and it supports chroma 4:4:4, it uses the less accurate RGBW sub-pixel structure, which results in some visible artifacts when using the TV as a PC monitor.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Outstanding low input lag.
- Good reflection handling.
- Less accurate RGBW pixel structure.
Changelog
- Updated Jul 29, 2020: Updated review for accuracy.
- Updated Jun 17, 2020: We corrected a minor mistake in our BFI scoring.
- Updated May 21, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Feb 21, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 49" LG UM6900. For the most part, we expect our review to be valid for the other sizes as well, except the 60" and 70" models, which might have VA panels. If these sizes use VA panels, they likely have much better contrast, but worse viewing angles.
The last three letters of each model code (ex. 'PUA', 'PUC', 'PUB') may vary between regions. These variants should perform the same, but there may be some minor regional differences, including the exact number of inputs. Depending on the size, this 6 series TV may be known as the UM6900, the UM6910, or the UM6970. See the table below for details.
| Size | Short Model Number | US | Panel Type |
| 43" | 43UM6910 | 43UM6910PUA | IPS |
| 49" | 49UM6900 | 49UM6900PUA | IPS |
| 55" | 55UM6910 | 55UM6910PUC | IPS |
| 60" | 60UM6900 | 60UM6900PUA | VA |
| 65" | 65UM6900 | 65UM6900PUA | IPS |
| 70" | 70UM6970 | 70UM6970PUA | VA |
| 75" | 75UM6970 | 75UM6970PUB | IPS |
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their LG UM6900 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.
The 49UM6900 we reviewed was manufactured in July 2019.
Popular TV Comparisons
The UM6900 is a basic budget TV, and there are much better alternatives for about the same price. See our recommendations for the best TVs, the best smart TVs, and the best 4k TVs.
The LG UK6300 and its replacement model, the LG UM6900, are very similar overall. The UK6300 we tested showed signs of temporary image retention but has better reflection handling. The UM6900 we tested shows no signs of temporary image retention but otherwise performs very similar to the UK6300.
Although they use different panel technologies, each with their strengths and weaknesses, the Vizio V Series 2019 is better than the LG UM6900 for most people. The Vizio has significantly better contrast, is much brighter, and has much better black uniformity. The LG has better smart features and an optional motion interpolation feature, and it looks better at an angle.
The Sony X750F is a bit better than the LG UM6900 for most uses. The Sony is brighter, and it has an optional black frame insertion feature. The LG uses a less accurate RGBW pixel structure, which isn't great for use as a PC monitor, but it has lower input lag, so it's a bit better for gaming.
Although they use different panel types, each with their strengths and weaknesses, the Samsung NU6900 is better than the LG UM6900 overall. The Samsung looks much better in a dark room and is significantly brighter. The LG has better viewing angles though, and it can remove judder from 24p sources. The LG uses a less-accurate RGBW pixel structure, which isn't great for use as a PC monitor.
We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests use specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.
Test Results
Older Test Bench: This product has been tested using an older TV test methodology, before a major update. Some of the test results below aren't directly comparable with other TVs. Learn more
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