The best LG TVs of 2025

Business Insider

7 days ago

I've been reviewing home entertainment products for over a decade, so I have lots of experience with different TV brands. Year after year, LG continues to make some of my favorite displays, and the company is an especially good choice if you're looking for an OLED TV. That said, certain models are definitely better than others. To help you find the right set for your needs, I've picked the best LG TVs for different budgets and viewing habits.
The C4 OLED is my top recommendation as the best LG TV overall. This midrange display offers an exceptional balance between price and performance. But if you're a big home theater enthusiast willing to pay top dollar to get the absolute best picture quality, I recommend the G5 TV. This high-end model delivers the brightest image I've ever seen on an OLED.
I've also included a couple of cheaper picks, including a more budget-friendly OLED and a basic LED model for casual viewers. All of my recommendations are available in multiple screen sizes, so be sure to select the size you want from each retailer listing.
Our top picks for the best LG TVs
Best overall
LG 65-inch C4 OLED 4K TV
The C4 is LG's midrange 4K OLED TV from 2024. It delivers excellent contrast and black levels, along with solid HDR brightness. Though a newer C5 model is available, the C4 is a better value for most needs.
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What we like
Pixel-level contrast with perfect black levels and wide viewing angles
Lots of different sizes to choose from
Plenty of HDMI 2.1 ports for other devices
What we don't like
Not as bright as Samsung's competing midrange OLED
Color performance can't match that of an OLED with quantum dots
WebOS is cluttered with promos and an update caused temporary issues with apps
Specifics
The C4 is one of the top midrange OLEDs you can buy, not just from LG, but from any brand. Though LG also sells a newer C5 model, this 2024 TV offers very similar performance for less money.
The TV uses a WOLED panel, which enables it to produce an infinite contrast ratio with perfect black levels that disappear into a dark room. Other types of TVs, even high-end QLED sets with Mini LEDs, are prone to uneven patches of brightness when watching TV with the lights off, which can result in washed-out black levels and halos around bright objects. But the C4 is completely free from any backlight inconsistencies. Its contrast is controlled at the pixel level, which results in gorgeous image quality. Check out our OLED vs. QLED comparison for more detals.
Peak brightness is also solid for an OLED in this tier. Our reviewer measured a peak of around 1,000 nits, which is very respectable but a bit under what competing midrange OLEDs from Samsung can deliver. Still, high-dynamic-range (HDR) content looks fantastic on this set, with decent intensity in specular highlights (like explosions) and a wide range of rich colors. Very bright colors can't maintain their saturation quite as well as they can on TVs that use quantum dots, but this is hard to notice unless you have a side-by-side comparison.
LG OLEDs like the C4 also have one perk that rival Samsung models are missing: Dolby Vision support. Dolby Vision is a popular HDR format that offers a slightly more accurate image than other formats. Its benefits are too subtle for me to call it an absolute must-have, but it's a cool perk nonetheless. You can learn more in our HDR TV guide.
Like all OLED TVs, the C4 provides wide viewing angles, so contrast and colors only shift slightly when sitting off to the side of the screen. This makes the C4 a great choice for rooms where you can't always sit directly in front of the TV.
The C4 isn't LG's most advanced display, but it's one of the most well-rounded TVs on the market. When factoring in price and performance, the C4 is the best LG TV for overall value. It's also available in many sizes, ranging from 42 to 83 inches.
Check out our guides to all of the best 4K TVs and best smart TVs.
Best high-end
LG 65-inch G5 OLED 4K TV
The G5 is LG's flagship OLED TV for 2025. It's one of the brightest OLED TVs we've ever seen, delivering high-end image quality and an elegant design that can hang flush on your wall.
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What we like
Industry-leading OLED brightness
Deep black levels with an infinite contrast ratio
Wide off-axis viewing
High 165Hz refresh rate with a PC
LG's G5 is the most impressive TV the brand has released to date. It's pricey, but this high-end OLED is one of the best premium displays I've reviewed.
Unlike the cheaper C4 and C5, which use WOLED panels, the G5 uses a different kind of OLED screen, which LG calls "four-stack OLED." This type of panel still has all the traditional benefits that OLEDs are known for, like an infinite contrast ratio, wide viewing angles, and deep black levels. But on top of all that, four-stack OLEDs can get much brighter than a WOLED and deliver even better color performance.
I measured a peak brightness of around 2,400 nits using an industry-standard 10% test pattern. That's the highest reading I've ever recorded on an OLED TV, and it helps the G5 deliver exceptional HDR performance that's a step above dimmer models, like the C4. That said, the G5's higher brightness only comes into play when watching certain HDR content. A lot of movies and TV shows are mastered for a peak of 1,000 nits, so that kind of material won't look that different on the G5 compared to how it would look on the C4. But there is a growing number of titles that are graded for higher luminance, and these kinds of videos absolutely stun on the G5.
For instance, "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Aquaman" are both mastered for brightness well beyond 1,000 nits, and these movies allow the G5 to unleash its full potential. "Fury Road," in particular, is packed with intense explosions and shimmering reflections that pop from the screen with incredible impact. Meanwhile, "Aquaman" is full of vivid colors that carry bold saturation.
Another area where the G5 rises above LG's C-Series is its refresh rate. Cheaper sets typically max out at 120Hz or 144Hz, but the G5 can handle up to a 4K/165Hz signal when paired with a gaming PC. This allows it to display smoother motion, so long as your PC is capable of rendering high frame rates.
Finally, the G5 stands out from LG's other offerings thanks to its handsome "Gallery" design, which allows it to be hung flush to the wall with an included mount. That said, the TV does not come with a traditional pedestal stand, so you'll need to buy one separately if you don't want to mount it.
Most people will be satisfied with the performance offered by the more affordable C4 and C5, but the G5 is the best LG TV for home theater enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for industry-leading image quality. The G5 is sold in 55-, 65-, 77-, 83-, and 97-inch sizes. However, the 97-inch size does not use a four-stack OLED panel so it can't get as bright as the smaller models.
Best budget OLED
LG's B4 is about as close to budget-friendly as OLEDs get. It's still pricey compared to other types of TVs, but the B4 is one of the most affordable OLEDs around. And despite being cheaper than the brand's C- and G-Series models, the B4 still delivers the same pixel-level contrast control, wide viewing angles, and deep black-level performance.
However, the B4 does have some shortcomings compared to LG's pricier OLEDs. Most notably, its brightness and refresh rate can't match those of its more expensive siblings. The B4 can achieve a peak brightness of about 650 to 700 nits. That's a decent number, but it's under the 1,000 nit standard that a lot of HDR material is mastered for. This means the B4 will display some high-dynamic-range content a little dimmer than the filmmakers intended. Likewise, the TV's lower brightness means it isn't as good at overcoming glare in rooms with lots of ambient light.
The TV's refresh rate maxes out at 120Hz, which is very respectable. That said, it's still lower than the 144Hz and 165Hz that the C4/C5 and G5 can support, respectively. A 120Hz refresh rate is still high enough to unlock the smoothest gameplay modes on a PS5, Xbox, or Switch 2, but hardcore PC gamers may want to spend extra to get a TV with a higher refresh rate that can take advantage of premium computer hardware.
But even with those limitations, I still give the B4 a big edge over any of LG's non-OLED TV models. Its contrast control and precise black levels result in better overall image quality than all of the brand's QNED, Mini LED, and standard LED displays.
The B4 is available in 48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch sizes. LG also has a new B5 model for 2025, but it costs more and offers no major performance improvements. With that in mind, I recommend you grab the B4 while it remains in stock for less money.
Check out our guide to all of the best budget TVs.
Best entry-level
LG's UA77 is one of the brand's newest entry-level LED TVs. This is a budget set for people who just want a simple smart TV for casual viewing and don't care about paying extra for better image quality.
Unlike the pricier LG OLED TVs in this guide, the UA77 uses a standard LED screen. It's also missing features like local dimming and quantum dots, which are found on some of the brand's pricier LED models. This all leads to some notable limitations in overall picture performance.
The UA77 can't control its backlight across different zones, so black levels will suffer when watching TV in a dark room, leading to a more washed-out and uneven look in shadowy scenes. Likewise, the TV is a lot dimmer than more expensive models, and its color gamut isn't as wide. This means the set isn't a great fit for rooms with lots of sunlight. And though it can technically process HDR10 (but not Dolby Vision) videos, it can't get bright or colorful enough to properly showcase the benefits of HDR content.
That said, the TV still offers a 4K resolution with sharp detail, and it can play typical live TV broadcasts and SDR streaming content just fine. It also has the same webOS smart TV platform as LG's step-up models. Buyers can choose between 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 86-inch sizes.
But while the UA77 is a good entry-level fit for people who favor the LG brand, it's important to note that you can find TVs from other companies with better image quality for around the same price. For instance, the 65-inch Roku Plus Series is often on sale for about the same amount as the 65-inch UA77, but Roku's model has local dimming and quantum dots, which offer better contrast and color performance.
For more affordable TV recommendations from other brands, check out our guide to the best TVs under $500.
What else we considered
Though the four models highlighted above represent our top picks for the best LG TVs, the brand also offers several other worthwhile displays. Here's a rundown of a couple of other LG TVs we've tested, with details on why they didn't quite make the cut for this guide.
LG C5 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
The C5 is LG's new 2025 version of the C4. It offers a 200-nit bump in peak brightness, which is a decent but not huge upgrade. Otherwise, the C5's improvements are rather subtle. Given the typical cost difference between the C4 and C5, the cheaper C4 remains the better value. However, we're starting to see some excellent discounts on the C5, which is greatly narrowing the price gap between them. For now, we still give an edge to the C4, but that could change if the C5's deal pricing becomes a permanent fixture.
Read our LG C5 review.
LG G4 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
LG's G4 is the 2024 version of its high-end G5 TV. The G4 remains a fantastic premium TV, but this is one case where we think the new 2025 model's improvements justify paying a premium. The G5 can get about 1,000 nits brighter, which is a substantial upgrade when watching high-brightness HDR videos. So, while the G4 is still a great TV, the G5's benefits are big enough to make it a better fit for enthusiasts.
LG StanbyME TV - See at Amazon
The StanbyME is a unique portable 27-inch TV with an integrated battery and rollable stand. It's a cool fit for people who want a space-saving TV that they can take from room to room. However, it's expensive for such a small screen, and its use cases are limited to very specific kinds of buyers.
Read our LG StanbyME review.
How we test LG TVs
We selected the best LG TVs based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by extensive experience with various LG models. We've been reviewing home entertainment products for over a decade, and used that expertise to vet our recommendations and build our testing methodology.
Our review process focuses on key performance elements like brightness, color coverage, contrast, black levels, viewing angles, design, and overall value. We also test LG's webOS interface to gauge navigation speed and general smoothness of operation.
When recording a TV's brightness, we use a colorimeter with test patterns from the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc. That said, test patterns can only reveal so much, so we place a heavy emphasis on watching real-world content on each LG TV we review to see how the displays perform with various kinds of videos in both bright and dark rooms. We've curated a selection of scenes from movies and TV shows to assess things like HDR highlight quality, shadow detail, posterization, color fidelity, and fine details with a mix of 4K, high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) samples.
For our guide to the best LG TVs, we also paid careful attention to how each LG model performs in relation to other TVs in the brand's lineup. This allows us to point out key benefits and limitations across the company's collection.
how we test tech products.
LG TV FAQs
What smart TV interface does LG use?
LG TVs use the brand's proprietary webOS smart TV interface. Versions of webOS have been used on LG TVs since 2014, and the current iteration is webOS 25.
Though older versions of webOS used a pop-up menu, newer versions have switched over to a full-screen homepage design. This homepage is similar to a lot of other smart TV interfaces, with access to streaming apps and various rows of content recommendations.
In general, webOS is a solid smart TV system with support for all of the best streaming services, though it's not quite as smooth or intuitive as Google TV and the Roku OS. The platform's organization places a bit too much emphasis on sponsored content and shopping recommendations, but we do like that you can disable most of these ads via a toggle in the settings menu.
The best LG TVs with the latest version of webOS also support various AI features, including an AI Concierge search function and personalized picture and sound optimizations based on your viewing preferences. Though we recommend leaving these functions off to get the most accurate image and audio, they're worth playing around with if you're unhappy with how the TV looks or sounds.
Amazon Alexa is also built in, and top webOS TVs come with LG's Magic Remote, which supports traditional button clicks for navigation as well as motion controls that let you move a virtual cursor on screen by pointing the remote at the display.
What TV sizes does LG offer?
LG sells a wide range of TV models across many sizes, with options as small as 27 inches and as large as 98 inches.
For TV recommendations specific to certain sizes, check out our size-specific buying guides:
Does LG make 8K TVs?
Though LG has sold 8K TVs in the past, the brand does not currently have any 8K models in its 2025 lineup. The only major brand with new 8K models this year is Samsung.
Are LG TVs better than Samsung TVs?
LG and Samsung are both reliable brands that make several excellent TV models. In most respects, it's hard to say that one is definitively better than the other. Instead, they each have certain strengths and weaknesses across their lineups, depending on your viewing needs and which models you're considering.
LG was the first TV brand to bring 4K OLED displays to the mass market, and it offers a comprehensive collection of OLED models in many sizes. Meanwhile, Samsung entered the 4K OLED market much later and initially had a more limited lineup. This has started to change in the last two years, though, and now Samsung offers a similar selection of sizes and performance tiers. However, LG is still the only brand that sells a 97-inch OLED.
Both companies use WOLED panels in some of their models, while Samsung also uses QD-OLED screens in certain sizes. QD-OLED panels have an edge in color and brightness, but WOLED panels offer deeper black levels in rooms with ambient light. LG uses a four-stack OLED panel in its high-end G5 OLED, which exceeds the brightness of Samsung's QD-OLEDs and better competes with their color performance.
Both companies also sell LCD-based TVs, with entry-level options that use standard LED panels and more advanced models with QLED screens, local dimming, and Mini LED backlights. LG brands its more advanced LCD TVs as QNED and NanoCell, while Samsung brands its high-end LCD TVs as Neo QLED. Though some of LG's newest QNED TVs have gotten a lot better than past models, generally speaking, Samsung's Neo QLEDs offer better backlight control. Check out our guide to the best Samsung TVs to see our top picks.
LG and Samsung both use their own proprietary smart TV interfaces, and they both support Xbox Game Pass streaming and similar AI functions. That said, LG's remotes stand out with motion controls, and Samsung's remotes stand out with SolarCell technology that works without a battery.
Another important distinction between the two brands is that LG supports Dolby Vision HDR on its mid- and high-end TVs, while Samsung supports the competing HDR10+ format. These formats provide similar performance, but Dolby Vision content is more widespread across streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs.
Should you worry about burn-in on an LG TV?
LG TVs branded as LED, NanoCell, and QNED are not susceptible to burn-in. However, LG's OLED TVs are technically capable of burn-in in extreme situations. That said, burn-in is rare under typical viewing conditions.
Burn-in is an issue that can occur if you leave a static image on an OLED TV for too long, such as the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner of the screen. When burn-in happens, a faint afterimage gets stuck on the display.
Though shoppers should be aware of this risk, LG OLED TVs have features designed to prevent burn-in, including pixel refreshers, logo dimmers, and automatic pixel shift modes. Websites like Rtings have conducted long-term burn-in tests with OLEDs, including LG models, and though its results show that burn-in can occur, it requires specific circumstances that don't apply to average use cases.
I owned an LG OLED for more than three years and never saw any signs of burn-in on my display, even after long gaming sessions and watching football all day. As long as you don't plan on keeping the same cable news channel on nonstop, you shouldn't worry about burn-in when deciding whether to buy an LG OLED TV.