The best OLED TV for gaming 2024 - embrace incredible contrast

LG CX deals
(Image credit: LG)

The best OLED TV can bring out the absolute best visuals in your favorite games, and the tech is arguably the gold standard. Sure, the future might promise UHD 8K resolutions and screens that can bend, but manufacturers are already making screens with unbeatable contrast and true to life colors. If you've already experienced adventuring on the Nintendo Swich OLED, you might have had a taste of what these panels can achieve, so if you fancy that but bigger, we've got a selection of models for you to consider.

But what is an OLED TV anyway? Well unlike traditional displays, screens equipped with 'organic LEDs' don't require a backlight. Effectively, each individual pixel can switch itself on and off, enabling a screen to produce "true" blacks, profound contrast, and vibrant colours compared to a traditional backlit panel. Many of the best gaming TV options out now boast an OLED panel, but you’ll pay more for the luxury compared to traditional options. In addition, there are caveats to also consider, as organic LED screens are more susceptible to image retention and burn-in.

To help you choose the perfect panel, we’ve put the best OLED TVs to the test and created a list of our favorites. While you’re unlikely to find any of these screens in a clearance sale, there are options at a variety of price points to suit specific budgets. There’s even options out there that’ll pair nicely with PS5, Xbox Series, and your gaming PC, as some support 120Hz and features like G-Sync. You don't have to go all out on specs, but we've put enough models to the test to know which ones are worthwhile.

The best OLED TVs in 2023

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The new king of the OLED jungle

Specifications

Sizes: 55-, 65- and 77-, and 83-inch (OLED55G3, OLED65G3, OLED77G3, OLED83G3)
Input lag: 12.9ms (1080/60)
Display type: OLED
Refresh rate : 120Hz
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, HGiG
VRR: Yes
HDMI 2.1: Yes, on all four inputs

Reasons to buy

+
Sensational MLA OLED picture
+
Game Optimiser interface
+
4K 120fps support

Reasons to avoid

-
Pedestal stand is optional extra
-
Pricey

The G3 OLED TV is the first flagship flatscreen from LG to feature a Micro Lens Array (MLA) panel with advanced brightness boosting algorithms, making it 70 percent brighter than entry-level OLED models. Ingenious Light Control Architecture and α9 AI Processor Gen6 create headroom for brighter peak whites without increasing power usage, meaning pictures have incredible dynamic snap and colour vibrancy.

Significantly, all four HDMI ports are 4k 120Hz capable, with eARC on HDMI 2. This provision makes the G3 an excellent option for console gamers. The panel supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision, although there’s no HDR10+ support. There’s also Freesync Premium and NVidia G-Sync VRR support for anyone interested in hooking up a gaming PC. A dedicated Game Optimizer menu groups all key gaming settings together, making for an easy time when fine-tuning the TV's various settings.

The G3's webOS platform has an all-new two-page design with nested folders for easier navigation. The G3 also features advanced AI for both imagery and audio, virtual 9.1.2 upscaling, and decoding of DTS, DTS X, and IMAX Enhanced audio.

Available in four screen sizes - 55-, 65- 77- and 83-inch screen sizes (OLED55G3, OLED65G3, OLED77G3, OLED83G3) - the G3 is designed to be wall mounted, so, unfortunately, no pedestal stand is included in the box. This is a pity, as you’ll have to budget for some optional boots.

Regardless, we rate the LG G3 OLED TV as a top-of-the-line model that is perfect for both gaming and boxset bingeing - provided you can afford the lofty price point.

LG OLED C3 displaying a menu

(Image credit: Steve May)
The best OLED gaming TV for most people

Specifications

Sizes: 48-, 55-, 65- and 77-inch guises (OLED42C3, OLED48C3, OLED55C3, OLED65C3, OLED77C3, and OLED83C3)
Display type: OLED
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K)
Refresh rate : 120Hz
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
VRR: Yes
HDMI 2.1: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Dynamic, colour rich picture quality images 
+
4k 120 fps HDMI inputs 
+
Dedicated Game dashboard 

Reasons to avoid

-
Unexciting audio
-
Smaller C3 model isn't as bright
-
Expensive 

If the G3 is a bit out of budget, you might want to check out the LG C3, as the series boasts similar specs and a lower price point. You'll still pay pretty penny to get a hold of one of these premium models, but you'll be able to spend a bit less and still pick up an 4K 120Hz panel with gaming bells and whistles. 

The main draw with the C3 is naturally its OLED display, as its going to provide you with the excellent color and contrast you'd expect from an LG panel.  Throw HDR10 support into the mix, and you've got a vibrant portal to your favorite gaming worlds that'll produce life like results that pop, and you'll never look at a standard LED screen the same way.

While smart TVs normally focus specifically on streaming services, the LG C3 has a dedicated  Game Dashboard that provides quick access to features like VRR, game optimisers, and other latency related settings that'll make all the difference to console and PC performance. 

Its worth noting that during testing, we noticed that the smaller C3 model isn't quite as bright, so that's worth keeping in mind if you're looking for something brighter. 

Read more: LG OLED C3 review

Samsung S95B

(Image credit: Samsung)
The best QD-OLED TV

Specifications

Sizes: 55-, 65-inch screen sizes (QE55S95B, QE65S95B)
Input lag: 9.6ms (1080/60)
Display type: QD-OLED
Refresh rate : 120Hz
HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
VRR: Yes
HDMI 2.1: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Bright and vibrant display
+
4k 120Hz HDMI support
+
Low input lag

Reasons to avoid

-
No Dolby Vision
-
Images not particularly cinematic

Gloriously slim, with class-leading luminosity, this first QD-OLED from Samsung is eye-catching in every sense and could be the ground-breaking new Tv for PS5 or Xbox Series X we've all been waiting for.

Combining the characteristic OLED black levels with the high peak brightness and the expanded colour volume of Quantum Dot technology, the S95B is a superb choice - particularly if you prefer to use your TV in a room with high levels of ambient light.

All four HDMI inputs are v2.1 and support 4K 120fps sources, while there's also VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) with NVIDIA and AMD FreeSync support, plus ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Samsung also has a dedicated Game Hub interface. Input lag is low in Game mode; we measured it at 9.6ms (1080/60). HDMI 3 also has eARC, for use with a Dolby Atmos soundbar. 

The smart platform of choice here is Samsung’s Tizen. It has a wide variety of streaming services on tap (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, AppleTV+, BBC iPlayer, to name just a few), as well as Samsung’s own TV Plus IP-delivered channel service. It’s also compatible with SmartThings-connected devices.

Of course, the key attraction of the S95B is its QD-OLED panel and matching Neural Quantum Processor. The latter uses AI-driven Optimization to manage sound and vision, so you don’t need to think too much about it. The image quality is spectacular. The level of detail is excellent, and its HDR performance is remarkable. We measured peak HDR brightness in excess of 1400 nits. Unfortunately, there’s no support for Dolby Vision, but you do get HLG, HDR10, and HDR10+ compatibility. It’s not just peak HDR brightness which glows: the set’s average picture level is high and this makes it easy to view in bright rooms, but can make for a fatiguing watch. It’s not subtle, and even the Game mode looks overwrought. On the plus side, 4K 120fps playback is buttery smooth.

All things considered, the Samsung S95B is a highly impressive QD-OLED debut. Its peak brightness is phenomenal, and colour depth is high. It never looks particularly cinematic though, and even in Game mode, pictures can seem over-saturated. Some will love the presentation though, and for them it might just be the best OLED TV going.

Read more: Samsung S95B review

LG OLED C2

(Image credit: Future/Steve May)

4. LG OLED C2

Another top LG OLED performer

Specifications

Sizes: 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch screen sizes (OLED42C2, OLED48C2, OLED55C2, OLED65C2, OLED77C2, OLED83C2)
Input lag: 13.1ms (1080/60)
Display type: OLED
Refresh rate : 120Hz
HDR: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, HGiG
VRR: Yes
HDMI 2.1: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
EVO display and processor technology
+
Four 4k 120Hz HDMI 2.1 inputs
+
Versatile Game Optimizer interface

Reasons to avoid

-
No HDR10+ support
-
More expensive than its C1 predecessor

The first of LG's 2022 OLED TV range that we've seen, the C2 is a feature-packed, high-end 4K OLED with novel Brightness Boosting technology and a full fist of gaming support that we couldn't help but fall in love with during our testing. It's an early contender for best OLED TV of 2022, for sure - but doesn't straight-up replace its predecessors, the C1 and C2, due to their quality, and this set's high price tag. 

At the heart of the C2 is an all-new processor: the Alpha 9 Gen 5. It’s this that powers the set's Brightness Boosting technology, which uses algorithms to enhance the brightest areas of an image in real-time and improve HDR handling. The result is a big improvement on last year’s C1 model. We found the overall image quality to be outstanding, with superb clarity, zero banding, and fabulous shadow detail.

Gaming chops are strong in this TV: all four HDMI inputs are v2.1 certified and support 4K 120Hz; and there’s extensive VRR compliance too, including NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. Throw in the set’s Game Optimizer that puts all key gaming parameters in one place, and an input lag of 13.1ms (1080/60), and you can see why this has all the makings of one of the best 120Hz 4K TVs of 2022, hands down.

The TV sports a slick new cosmetic design that should keep fashionistas happy, and we love LG’s cosmetic tweaks: the bezel is virtually non-existent, and the panel also sits on a more conventional central pedestal, which reduces the need for wide AV furniture. As for tweaks on the inside, there's a very well-appointed smart platform, webOS 22, which comes with all key streaming services, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV. It’s compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa smart systems, too, for voice control of inputs and channels, as well as content search when used alongside LG’s own ThinQ AI platform. 

Overall, we found this to be - perhaps predictably - a truly stunning OLED display, and while there’s a high price to pay for being so absolutely fabulous, particularly when compared to its C1 predecessor, it's so worth it, and absolutely one of the best OLED TVs of 2022.

If the C1's availability does grind to a halt - as expected - soon then the C2 will be the best OLED TV to go for.

Read more: LG OLED C2 review

The best value Sony OLED TV

Specifications

Sizes: 55-, 65- and 77-inch screen sizes (XR-55A80J, XR-65A80J, XR-77A80J)
Input lag: 8.5ms (1080/60)
Display type: OLED
Refresh rate : 120Hz
HDR: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
VRR: Yes
HDMI 2.1: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic picture performance
+
Low latency gaming
+
4 x HDMI 2.1 with one eARC
+
Google OS TV
+
Good value Sony TV

Reasons to avoid

-
No game hub interface
-
VRR underperforms
-
Not very premium looking in its design and build

The A80J is one of Sony’s sleeper hits and is the second tier of their OLED range. As such, it boasts incredible picture quality in SDR and HDR thanks to Sony’s impressive Cognitive Processor XR. Movies are beautifully rendered in a cinematic film that is true to the director's intent. The exceptional contrast of OLED is put to excellent use here with deep inky blacks and clear, bright highlights. It’s not the brightest TV in the world but viewing it in the daytime and in bright lights was still a pleasant experience.

It supports Dolby Atmos Audio on top of doing native 3D surround upscaling of any audio source going into the TV. The TV can also live scan your room to best calibrate the sound. We found the sound adequate but like most TVs, a sound bar is recommended.

As a premium TV, the A80J comes with all the essentials. It has 4 HDMI 2.1 ports with two that support ALLM and VRR for 4K 120Hz gaming. Gaming is fantastic on this screen thanks to the 120 Hz refresh and low latency under 10ms. It only recently got a firmware update that brought VRR but its implementation isn’t as seamless and smooth as that on LG or Samsung TVs. And unlike competitors, there isn’t a dedicated Game mode interface to fine-tune the TV’s gaming settings.

Overall, the Sony A80J is a great alternative to LG when browsing for the best OLED TV - even though it won't quite match their gaming prowess.

Read more: Sony A80J review

The best small-scale 120Hz 4K TV

Specifications

Sizes: 42-, 48-inch screen sizes (XR-42A90K, XR-48A90K)
Input lag: 15ms (1080/60)
Display type: OLED
Refresh rate : 120Hz
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
VRR: Yes
HDMI 2.1: Yes (on two inputs)

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent picture quality
+
Google TV smart platform
+
Optimised for PlayStation 5

Reasons to avoid

-
Only two HDMIs support 4k 120HZ
-
Thin sound
-
More expensive than larger-sized competitors

This Sony A90K OLED TV might be relatively bijou, but it’s packed with advanced picture-making tech. Also available in a 48-inch version, this set shines as both a near-field gaming monitor, an everyday TV, and a fine small-scale OLED TV.

The star of the show, and key to its outstanding image clarity, is Sony's Cognitive Processor XR, which cleverly prioritises the elements of an image that our eyes naturally focus on. The result is a presentation that’s always detailed and dynamic. The A90K looks great with 4k streaming services, and the 4K 120fps gameplay is velvety smooth.

A downsized version of Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ delivers crisp audio, courtesy of actuators that vibrate the screen. This technology works fine for dialogue clarity, but falls short when it comes to bass depth; the A90K can sound a little thin. There are four HDMI inputs, two of which are v2.1 enabled and capable of 4k 120fps playback. These also support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). One of the v2.1 inputs supports eARC but that happens to be one of the HDMI 21. ports... The set also has two USB inputs, a digital optical audio output, and Ethernet for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. 

Overall HDR performance is good, with high peak brightness measured at 700 nits with a 5 percent patch. HDR support covers Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, but there’s no compatibility with HGiG, the HDR gaming standard. Connect a PlayStation 5 and you’ll benefit from Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture mode selection, which is useful. Input lag is average though, just 15ms (1080/60). 

Overall, the Sony A90K is a superb-looking small-screen OLED TV, but be aware of the niggles before you buy.

Read more: Sony A90K review

The best premium OLED TV

Specifications

Sizes: 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch screen sizes (OLED55G2, OLED65G2, OLED77G2, OLED83G2)
Input lag: 9.68.5ms (4K/120); 13ms (1080p/60)
Display type: OLED
Refresh rate : 120Hz
HDR: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
VRR: Yes
HDMI 2.1: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Outstanding picture performance
+
4k 120 fps support
+
Game optimizer screen

Reasons to avoid

-
Specifically designed for wall-mounting
-
DIfferences to C2 are subtle

LG’s G2 is a 4K flagship OLED TV with an artful side. It's gifted the best panel technology available from LG Display, and an artful hang-on-the-wall design (no pedestal for furniture mounting supplied). And it's quite the statement as one of the best OLED TVs that money can buy.

Significantly, it offers the best picture performance we’ve yet seen from LG, benefitting from Brightness Boosting technology and an advanced Alpha 9 Gen 5 processor able to optimise picture brightness and HDR performance. It’s here the G2 literally shines, expanses of white have a glorious luminosity, while contrasty HDR peaks sparkle on the screen.

The Alpha 9 Gen 5 processor is extremely powerful. It’s great with native 4k and uses deep learning to enhance HD upscaling by determining genre and scene information, to inform interpolation. There’s also AI object enhancement, a technique able to make foreground and background elements appear more distinct from one another, thereby giving a greater sense of depth to images. In terms of HDR compatibility, there's Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, and HLG, as well as HGiG, the HDR gaming standard.

All four HDMI inputs support 4K 120Hz video playback, and VRR extends to NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync and input lag is low at 13ms (1080/60). There’s also a handy onscreen Game Optimizer menu that collects relevant game settings for quick inspection. All of this results in a superb OLED TV that'll change the way you experience films, TV shows, and games.

LG 4K TV

(Image credit: LG)

8. LG OLEDBX series

Best budget OLED TV - and still offers 4K 120Hz supports

Specifications

Sizes: Sizes: 55, and 65-inches (OLED55BX6,OLED65BX6)
Input lag: 14.6ms (1080/60)
Display type: OLED
Refresh rate : 120Hz
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
VRR: Yes
HDMI 2.1: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Terrific value for money
+
Two HDMI 2.1 inputs
+
Great picture quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks Freeview Play and catch-up TV apps
-
Legacy model so hard to find now

The LG BX is the jumping-on point for LG’s OLED models, undercutting its CX stablemate by some margin. There are two key reasons for this. Firstly, it uses a step-down third-generation Alpha 7 image processor, as opposed to the latest Alpha 9 chip, and secondly, it has two v2.1 HDMI inputs (although this still puts it ahead of much of the competition).

Neither compromises are deal-breakers. Having two 4K 120FPS inputs means you're still covered for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Secondly, the remaining HDMIs support 4k 60Hz, which isn’t too shabby. There's also eARC support, for use with a soundbar or home cinema system, plus VRR with NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). The BX definitely still has game!

The set’s picture quality is impressive. It may lack the refinement of the CX’s Alpha 9 chippery, but when it comes to box-set binging or real-world gaming, you’re not going to feel short-changed. LG’s webOS smart platform is also undiminished, offering a wide choice of streaming apps - Netflix, Twitch, Now TV, Prime Video, and Disney+ - but with no Freeview Play on UK models, catch-up TV choice is rather more limited.

LG’s ThinQ AI technology works with Google and Amazon digital Assistants, for voice control of volume and channels, and is compatible with Homekit and Apple AirPlay 2. LG’s HDR support covers Dolby Vision, HLG, and standard HDR10, and for the most part is really effective with things like fleeting highlights, like fireworks and lighting FX.

All things considered, a bargain and definitely worthy of a place in the best OLED TV conversation.

Best OLED TV: FAQs

Is OLED the best type of TV?

OLED TVs are considered one of the best premium options around, and they can produce gorgeous colors that other displays cannot. That said, that doesn't necessarily mean all the best TVs use the tech, as there are plenty of panels out there that pack a visual punch. Not to mention QLED alternatives are available if you're on a budget.

Is there anything better than OLED?

Arguably, QLED (Quantum LED) TVs can offer great contrast and lighting that's on par with OLED. That said, we'd advise sticking with the latter if you care about black levels, as QLED can't independently turn pixels on and off. 

Do OLED TVs degrade over time?

In the most reductive and simplest of answers, yes, they do. However, much has been made of screen burn and OLED TV degradation - basically to the point of gross exaggeration and misrepresentation. And those two factors are important to separate. The latter (degradation) will happen naturally just through the effects of old Father Time - with each diode emitting its own light, this will fade ever so slightly over time. The former, screen burn, is a potential factor to be aware of, but in real terms is easy to avoid.

What are the disadvantages of OLED TV?

The main, commonly spoken about disadvantages that OLED TVs have is the potential for screen burn-in (where pictures, artefacts, and outlines can still be seen on the screen long after it's been turned off), degradation over time, and a relatively higher price tag. However, especially in the most modern TVs, the burn-in is not really a problem that's proved to have an impact, the degradation over time is not unique to OLEDs as other screen types will, naturally, get weaker over time - but the cost factor is something that remains. Particularly on those higher-end Sony models, it's clear that some extra investment is required.

Which brand of OLED TV is best?

Well, when considering the best OLED TVs, this is the big question. It's clear that LG is the most popular and often ticks all the right boxes, particularly from a gaming perspective. Most notably, LG Display is the company that makes the OLED panels for other brands like Sony, Vizio, and Panasonic. Sony's OLEDs are also thought of in extremely high regard - but often demand a bit more of a premium. You can't go wrong with either of those but budget-friendly makers like Vizio and Panasonic are starting to crank out some more attractive OLED panels too.


Want to check out some of the latest TV deals at the best retailers? These stores often have some excellent sales running:

USA: Amazon | Dell | Best Buy | Walmart | Newegg

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If you prefer your screens enormously big, then check out the best 4K projector and best projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X.

If you're after more specialist TVs and love a winter deal then prepare for the 4K 120Hz Black Friday deals, Black Friday 75-inch TV deals, and Black Friday PS5 and Xbox Series X TV deals too.

Steve May

Steve May is a home entertainment technology specialist. Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, Steve writes about gadgets and gizmos for GamesRadar, T3, Louder Sound, TechRadar, Home Cinema Choice and Yahoo. He’s also the editor of The Luxe Review and Pro AV site Inside CI. Steve once wrote a games column for legendary British comic 2000AD (and has a badge to prove it), and maintains that when it comes to top shooters, Doom is the GOAT.

With contributions from