1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best value
4. Best small
4. Best for brightness
5. Best 8K
6. How to choose
7. FAQ
8. How we test
9. Recent updates
LG is one of the leading lights of the OLED TV world. It pioneered the screen technology, and still supplies rival manufacturers with the panels for their TVs. When it comes to OLED, LG really is the last word.
Don't get us wrong, other big players like Sony and Philips have brilliant OLED TVs in their own right. But neither Sony or Philips are as good for gaming. And while Samsung does rival LG in this department, Samsung has only just started embracing OLED so it still has some catching up to do.
But which LG TV should you go for? It depends on your needs, space and budget. Every model below has been through What Hi-Fi's rigorous testing process, so you can be sure you're getting one of the very best.
LG's 2024 range of TVs was announced in January, and while we haven't had the opportunity to test all of them yet, we already have one new addition below and are expecting big things from the G4 when it arrives in our testing rooms.
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The quick list
Best LG TV overall
The 65-inch C4 is a real return to form for LG, making it the best mid-range OLED TV you can currently buy, and the best LG TV for most people.
Best value LG TV
In light of recent price drops and given its impressive performance, the 48-inch C3 represents excellent value for money while it's still available.
Best small LG TV
The 42-inch C3 is very similar to the model it replaces, but at this size and price it’s still the best small OLED on the market today.
Best LG TV for brightness
With superb picture quality and a feature set that’s almost flawless, the G3 is a dazzling OLED TV.
Best 8K LG TV
The Z2 is a lovely TV that handles everything you throw at it with aplomb, but there’s still very little 8K content to watch.
Best LG TV overall
LG’s C-series has become a What Hi-Fi? favourite in recent years due to its ability to deliver brilliant performance at a relatively affordable price – and the 65-inch C4 is perhaps the best example of this balancing act yet.
On paper it’s not a huge departure from the C3, which saw LG treading water to some degree, and the design has barely changed since the C2, but LG has clearly been busy under the hood. The C4 is noticeably brighter, significantly sharper, and altogether punchier than its predecessor, but without looking exaggerated or artificial. The only major HDR format it doesn't support is HDR10+, but in reality it's unlikely you'll miss it.
Sound quality has been improved, too, with the AI Sound mode giving it more impact and dynamism. While it still goes without saying that we’d recommend adding a soundbar, there’s a decent amount of volume available, and it sounds weighty and rich enough for day-to-day viewing.
The latest version of webOS is packed with properly optimised apps, and LG has switched to smaller ‘Quick Cards’ for the main interface, which means the return of personalised recommendations and a slightly smaller ad banner. We’d argue the latter should be so small that it’s not visible at all, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The C4 remains a strong choice for gamers, too, not just because it supports 4K/120Hz (and 144Hz), VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming, but because it does so through all four of its HDMI 2.1 sockets. Its implementation of HGiG, which improves HDR performance with games, is also a real strength.
The C4 doesn’t just look this good because the C3 it follows was relatively underwhelming for an LG C-series TV, it’s set a new bar for all mid-range OLED TVs to aim for.
Read the full LG OLED65C4 review
Best value LG TV
With LG's C4 range now on the scene, the C3 will gradually start to disappear from shops, but with the price drops that come with being last year's model, it now represents excellent value for money.
The 48-inch model has the same pedestal stand as the bigger models of C3. On the plus side, you don't need a wide TV cabinet to accommodate it, as you do with the 42-inch C3's feet. But the downside is that it's not as easy to fit a soundbar.
Which you will need. Because while this TV is a little more forward in its sound presentation than its predecessor, it's plagued by distortion in the lower frequencies. This is an issue common to TVs of this size.
Otherwise, the C3 earns lots of ticks. It uses the best 48-inch OLED panel from LG Display to devastating effect, with a strong yet subtle picture performance. It's equally comfortable handling dazzling bright content as it is more subdued fare. Basically it can do whatever's called for, depending on what you're watching. And its smaller size works in its favour – with the pixels crammed into a smaller space, they have a higher density, making for a sharper image.
It's very well-specced, too. LG is one of the few brands to give its TVs four HDMI 2.1 ports, meaning they can all handle 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM. Gamers will be further delighted by the Dolby Vision gaming feature and the HGiG setting for more accurate HDR.
Our advice is more pertinent here than ever: add a soundbar. Once you have, you'll have the best LG TV for most people.
Read the full LG OLED48C3 review
Best small LG TV
You might look at 65-inch LG C3's four-star rating and think: not for me. But while that set suffered from a lack of innovation and increased competition, that doesn't mean you should write off its smaller siblings. True, the 42-incher is also very similar to its predecessor, but crucially, it doesn't have any significant new competition. And that makes all the difference.
It differs from its larger siblings in that it has wide feet instead of pedestal stands. These do feel a bit plasticky, and you'll struggle to fit a soundbar without obscuring some of the screen. We would have preferred feet that raise to accommodate a soundbar, like those on Philips and Sony TVs.
But it has all the same features as its larger siblings, including four HDMI 2.1 ports (making it ideal for gamers) compatible with VRR, ALLM and 4K/120, as well as Dolby Vision gaming and an HGiG mode. Dolby Vision and Atmos are supported, while webOS 23 boasts all the apps you could want.
And the picture is typically excellent. The smaller size means a higher pixel density, adding sharpness, though like all small TVs, it doesn't go as bright as its larger siblings. But it's a great picture in its own right, bold yet subtle, with plenty of pop without ever sacrificing authenticity.
It's not much more expensive than its predecessor either, which makes its only marginal upgrades easier to swallow. This is hands down the best small LG TV you can buy.
Read our full LG C3 (OLED42C3) review
Best LG TV for brightness
The G3 is the first OLED TV with Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which increases brightness (long considered by some to be a weakness of OLED) to levels previously only achievable by backlit TVs.
It looks nigh-on identical to the G2 it replaces, but that's no bad thing. Apart from the fact it doesn't come with a stand, only a wall mount. If you want to stand it up, you'll have to pay extra. Or wait for the G4, whose 55- and 65-inch variants will come with stands. We'll be reviewing the latter very soon.
The picture really delivers, with the MLA tech producing noticeably brighter colours (though to get its full impact, you'll need the Vivid mode, which is too garish for us). Overall, the image is more vibrant and alive than most OLEDs, even if the sound is a bit underwhelming compared to its predecessor (as ever, we recommend adding a soundbar).
We'd still recommend the cheaper C4 to most people over the G3, but a flawless feature set and stunning picture still make this an exceptional LG TV, especially considering it's currently available at a discount in order to shift stock ahead of the G4's arrival.
Read the full LG OLED65G3 review
Best 8K LG TV
With a minimalist design, the LG OLED77Z2 looks similar to the brand's flagship 4K TV, the G3 (which itself is soon to be replaced by the G4). Unlike the G3, which comes with no stand at all, the Z2 comes with feet for tabletop placement but be warned, they are ugly and flimsy and frankly have no right to be tasked with supporting such an expensive TV.
The Z2 boasts four HDMI 2.1 sockets capable of supporting 8K/60Hz signals, should 8K sources materialise at some point in the future. In the meantime, those connections can handle 4K/120Hz signals from the Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and high-end gaming PCs, and gamers will also enjoy support for VRR and ALLM. What's more, the Z2 has an excellent HGiG mode that gives you more accurate HDR performance from many games, plus a Dolby Vision game mode.
This is an 8K TV with a 7680 x 4320 resolution. That’s over 33 million pixels, and because this is an OLED TV, every one of those pixels can be lit and coloured independently of the rest. Colours are well judged, with an overall balance of naturalism and vibrancy. There’s a consistent subtlety of shading that ensures skin tones, in particular, are very convincing. Images are crisply defined without looking exaggerated.
If you absolutely must have an LG OLED and 8K, then the Z2 is the TV for you. But while the Z2 is an exceptional performer, most buyers will be best served by a significantly cheaper G3 (at least until the G4 arrives).
Read the full LG OLED77Z2 review
How to choose the best LG TV for you
All of the TVs recommended above are LG's own. All are 4K OLEDs that support HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG (but not HDR10+), and all have HDMI 2.1 sockets that support eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). So how do you choose the one best-suited to your needs?
Bigger is better but size isn't everything. If you're going for a 65-inch or 75-inch model, make sure you have room to sit far enough back to enjoy the full effect.
Love gaming? You'll want to make sure you buy a TV with next-gen gaming features such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode).
LG TVs use LG's own colourful 'webOS' operating system. On the surface it looks good and is pretty simple to get to grips with, but if you've been reared on Android TV or Samsung's Tizen system, the menus can take a bit of getting used to.
FAQ
What is the best LG TV for a bedroom?
Unless you’ve got a boudoir the size of a small supermarket, chances are you’re looking for something smaller, so the best choice here would be the OLED42C3. Smaller OLEDs don’t tend to go as bright as their larger siblings, and that’s certainly true of the 42-inch C3, but considering much of your bedroom viewing is likely to be after dark, that shouldn’t be an issue.
What is the best LG TV for gaming?
One of the things that makes LG TVs so easy to recommend is how accommodating they are to gamers. Every TV on our list is extremely well-specced for gaming, with HDMI 2.1 sockets and support for all of the latest gaming features, so no matter which console (or gaming PC) you own you can just choose based on budget and space.
What is the best soundbar for an LG TV?
Pretty much all of our LG TV reviews mention the need to add a soundbar, and while LG produces some soundbars that integrate really neatly with the design of its TVs, in our experience they aren’t the best-sounding ones available. There’s no real need to stick to the same brand and instead just buy the best soundbar you can on your budget.
What are the best picture settings for an LG TV?
The LG models on this page all arrive with some very good picture settings, but some minor tweaks are worth making. Check out these essential (but simple) tips to get the best out of your LG OLED TV.
How we test TVs
Here at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year – and that includes loads of TVs. So how do we come to our review verdicts? And why can you trust them?
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Bath and Reading, where our team of expert reviewers do all of our testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency.
All products are tested in comparison with rival products in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference.
The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics.
From all of our reviews, we choose the best products to feature in our Best Buys. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended below, or on any other Best Buy page, you can be assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi? approved product.
Recent updates
4th June 2024: added the OLED65C4 as best overall, created new FAQ section and added author information
29th January 2024: updated the reviews of the OLED42C3 and OLED48C3
19th December 2024: added the OLED48C3 as the best overall
23rd August 2024: converted the page to a new format with the quick list and other new elements
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