An OLED TV can be considered the crown jewel of any home theater or living room they appear in. The unique construction of OLED panels features individually lit pixels, allowing the TV to create deep, inky blacks, bright whites, and crisp details. The organic substrates also allow for a wider, more vibrant, color range for more lifelike images.
The downside to all of this is that OLED TVs tend to be much more expensive than anything else on the market, since their panels are pretty expensive to produce as well as fairly new technology, and just about the only models you can find are from either LG or Sony; though Vizio does offer a few OLED models, they still aren’t quite the same caliber.
Also: Best TV 2022: Budget-friendly to big-screen opulence
However, if you’re willing to do a little research, it’s possible to find a great OLED TV for a price that works with your finances. I’ve rounded up some of the best OLED TVs available, and I’ve broken down their features to help you find the best fit for your entertainment needs.
LG C1
Best overall
Screen size: 65-inches | Panel type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
The LG C1 is a well-rounded OLED TV, providing a balance between screen size, features, and price. It supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10 for enhanced color and detailing. At the same time, the updated processor uses AI to analyze movies and shows scene-by-scene for incredible native and upscaled 4K resolution. The voice-enabled remote works with both Alexa and Hey Google for hands-free controls, while the speakers work with Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound. The dedicated game mode lets you switch on G-Sync or FreeSync VRR, monitor contrast and white balance, and automatically lowers input lag and reaction times for a smoother experience. Sports fans will love the 120Hz refresh rate that prevents motion blur, as well as the Sports alert feature that keeps you up-to-date on scores, stats, and standings, making it perfect for fantasy league players and armchair quarterbacks.
Pros:
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
- VRR support
- 120Hz refresh rate
Cons:
- Expensive at larger screen sizes
- Bluetooth only supports up to two speakers
LG A1 48-inch
Most affordable
Screen size: 48-inches | Panel type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10
While OLED televisions are more expensive than their QLED or LED counterparts, if you don’t mind a smaller screen, you can get the 48-inch LG A1 for under $800. It features the same excellent color and contrast as the C1 line, as well as Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos support for a truly cinematic experience at home. It comes with a suite of preloaded apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video so you can get started binging your favorite shows and movies right out of the box. The integrated speakers use AI programming to identify dialogue, music, and sound cues for better optimization, boosting voices while simultaneously quieting music and sound effects so you never miss a line of your favorite shows and movies. You can either use the voice-enabled remote or third-party speakers like the Amazon Echo Show or Google Home for hands-free controls via Alexa or Hey Google.
Pros:
- Under $800
- Great picture and sound
- AI sound optimization
Cons:
- Only 3 HDMI inputs
- No VRR support
Sony A90J
Best sound
Screen size: 65-inches | Panel type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision
The Sony A90J not only has some of the best sound quality available in an OLED TV but in any TV on the market. It uses Sony’s Acoustic surface audio+ technology to turn the entire screen into a speaker; tiny actuators sit behind the OLED panel, creating sound that almost perfectly matches the visuals, while integrated subwoofers give you great bass-boost without the need for extra equipment. The speakers also work with Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound, but if you want a custom home audio configuration, you can set up soundbars, speakers, and subwoofers via HDMI ARC or Bluetooth connectivity.
Pros:
- Near-perfect audio and visual syncing
- Great picture quality
- 120Hz refresh rate
Cons:
LG B1
Best for gaming
Screen size: 55-inch | Panel type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision IQ
Console gamers will love the LG B1, with its support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync VRR technology, Dolby Atmos audio processing, and Dolby Vision IQ HDR support. The game optimizer mode lets you switch the VRR on and off, monitor contrast and white balance, and automatically lowers input lag for a smoother gameplay experience. Variable refresh rate technology is important for gamers since it syncs your TV’s refresh rate to what your console is capable of, preventing annoying screen tearing and stuttering that can ruin important story moments, online matches, or tense solo missions. The AI-enhanced processor provides excellent native and upscaled 4K resolution that makes current-gen and older games look their best. Console gamers can even take advantage of the sports alert feature to build the perfect team in hockey, basketball, soccer, and American football games.
Pros:
- VRR support
- Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos support
- AI-enhanced processor
Cons:
- Pricey, especially at larger screen sizes
- No RCA or coax connections for older consoles
Sony A80J 77-inch
Best big screen
Screen size: 77-inches | Panel type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
If you’re in the market for a big-screen TV and have the budget for an OLED model, the 77-inch Sony A80J is an excellent choice. The massive screen not only uses an OLED panel with individually lit pixels for incredible contrast, color, and detailing, it also works with Sony’s proprietary OLED contrast, Triluminos pro, and Cognitive processor XR technologies to provide the absolute best picture quality you can get. Like its cousin, the A90J, it uses Acoustic surface audio+ to turn the whole screen into a speaker for near-perfect audio and visual syncing. It’s compatible with AirPlay and Chromecast, so you can mirror your mobile device for more ways to share photos and videos or stream music. The voice-enabled remote has Hey Google built-in for hands-free controls, and it also works with Alexa if you already have an Amazon account. It’s also optimized for console gaming on the PS5, providing a 120Hz refresh rate and true 4K resolution via the HDMI 2.1 connections.
Pros:
- Acoustic surface audio+
- Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos support
- AirPlay and Chromecast
Cons:
- Expensive
- No HomeKit support
How did we choose these OLED TVs?
Along with price and screen size, I chose models from LG and Sony that had the kinds of features customers have come to expect for home entertainment: contrast boosting tech, VRR support, AI-enhanced processors, HDR support, and adaptive audio.
Which OLED TV is right for you?
While all OLED models are going to be somewhat pricey, it’s still important to finalize a budget. That way, you don’t accidentally overspend while also ensuring that you get the best value for your money by choosing a model that not only fits your budget, but offers enough features and a big enough screen size to justify the price.
Product | Price | Screen size | HDR support |
LG C1 | $1196.50 | 65-inches | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
LG A1 | $796.99 | 48-inches | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10 |
Sony A90J | $2998 | 65-inches | Dolby Vision |
LG B1 | $1146.99 | 55-inches | Dolby Vision IQ |
Sony A80J | $2998 | 77-inches | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
What is an OLED TV?
An OLED TV is a model that uses specialized, organic substrates and individually lit LEDs to create more stark contrast, brighter and richer colors, and more crisp details than what you can get with an LED or QLED television. The technology is best appreciated by movie and TV buffs who want to experience Hollywood classics and the latest blockbusters as their creators intended as well as console gamers looking to embrace native 4K graphics.
Are OLED TVs worth the extra money?
They absolutely are if picture quality is at the very top of your “must-have” feature list when shopping for a new TV. An OLED panel can create incredibly vibrant colors and crisp details that breathe new life into classic media and show off the technical skill used to create new movies and shows. Even if you aren’t a movie buff, you can still get a ton of value out of an OLED TV since they have a longer lifespan than other models, and can sort of future-proof your living room or home theater since it will take quite some time for LED and QLED TV models to catch up to the quality you can get from an OLED version.
Why are OLED TVs so expensive?
The technology behind OLED TVs is still somewhat new, and much more complicated than what you’d find in an LED panel. This makes it much more expensive to produce, meaning that the higher manufacturing costs get passed down to consumers as high retail prices. Thankfully, companies like LG and Sony are finding more streamlined and cost-effective ways to produce OLED panels, making them a bit more affordable than before; though they are still much more expensive than their LED and QLED counterparts.
Are there alternative OLED TVs worth considering?
While LG and Sony seem to have this category on lock, Vizio also has OLED models worth looking at. Here are a couple of alternatives I thought were great picks: