If you are on the hunt for a new TV, then LG is likely one of the brands you are considering, especially if you are after an OLED.
There’s a good reason for that. In the past few years the firm has released some of the best sets we’ve seen with LG branding in quite some time, many of which include never-before-seen technologies.
That’s why if you go to our best OLED TV, best TV and best 65-inch TV guides you’ll see a smattering of LG sets being recommended.
The brand also has a very loyal fan base that insists on its TVs being made by the Korean giant. Which is why we’ve created this guide detailing the best LG TVs we’ve tried, tested and recommend.
You can get a detailed breakdown of how we test LG TVs at the bottom of this page, but the short version is we run them through a series of comparative tests in our dedicated viewing rooms.
This involves running them head-to-head with rivals to make sure they offer great picture quality, solid audio, robust app support and good value for money.
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The quick list
Best LG TV overall
The LG C4 has been superseded by the newer LG C5. But, while stocks last it remains the best option for most people thanks to its reduced price and still very competitive performance.
Best premium
Like the C4, the G4 is last year’s model. But until we test the LG G5, this TV is the top-end LG set we recommend, as it offers brilliant peak brightness levels, flawless gaming specifications and a recently discounted price tag.
Best new LG TV
If you’re the type of home cinema fan that needs to own the latest hardware, then based on our testing the LG C5 is the best option right now. Offering modest but important refinements on the C4’s offering, it is a fantastic TV – it just costs a lot more right now.
13th March 2025: new intro, grid and entries written to reflect the arrival of LG’s latest OLEDs and our findings reviewing the LG C5. 17th January 2025: updated to include the LG C4 and G4 as recommendations based on our latest testing. 23rd July 2024: added an also consider section including the OLED65G4
I'm What Hi-Fi?'s TV & AV Editor, and I've been testing TVs (and AV and hi-fi kit) for over 17 years. In recent years, it's LG's OLEDs that I've recommended most often to people who are looking for a premium TV, thanks to their awesome combination of performance, features and price. C series models (such as the C3 and C4) tend to be the best in this regard, but don't ignore the brighter and more stylish G series models or the value-oriented B series.
Best LG TV overall
The LG C4 is the TV we recommend to most people, with the 65-inch LG C4, 48-inch LG C4 and 42-inch LG C4 we reviewed last year all earning perfect five-star ratings.
Why do we still recommend it when the newer LG C5 is out and is also a five-star product based on our testing?
Because the LG C4 is significantly cheaper right now and, based on our comparative testing, continues to be a top performer, particularly from our hallowed performance-per-pound / dollar metric.
Prices of the C4 have been dropping since Black Friday last year, meaning it’s not uncommon to see several hundred bucks knocked off at least one size option each week.
Performance-wise it also remains very close to new models and is more than good enough for most movie and sports fans.
Highlights include wonderful levels of contrast, accurate but punchy colours, solid shadow detail and competitive peak brightness levels.
Add to this is flawless gaming specifications, which will let multiple current generation consoles or PCs run at full speed, and robust connectivity, and it becomes an easy recommendation.
Hence we stand by our reviewers’ original LG C4 verdict:
“Big improvements to brightness and sharpness make for an image with lots of pop and dynamism, and the rich tone and vibrant colours are a delight – but LG has tempered all of this with realism, consistency and authenticity.”
The only word of warning we have is that audio performance, particularly on smaller sizes is middling, so you will want to budget for a soundbar or speaker package if you want the best results.
Read the full LG OLED65C4 review
Best premium
The LG G4 is in a similar position to the LG C4 we recommend above. The LG G5 is set to replace it, but as we’re yet to review the newer model, the G4 is the current premium LG TV we recommend. Like the C4 this is particularly easy to do as it is also enjoying some pretty hefty discounts right now.
The LG G4 is a fantastic performer that delighted our reviewers last year. It’s also set to hold a special place in history, as with the arrival of 4th Gen OLED panels on the G5, the G4 is looking set to be the last TV to feature LG Display’s Award-winning micro lens array (MLA) technology.
This is a What Hi-Fi? Award-winning technology that adds a layer of microscopic lenses to OLED in a bid to radically boost brightness, which first launched on the now ancient LG G3 in 2023.
Though we found it is excellent and yields wonderful boosts to a TV’s peak brightness, when implemented right, MLA is set to be retired and replaced with new fourth-generation OLED tech seen on the G5.
We can’t confirm how big an upgrade the new tech is, but we were incredibly impressed with the G4 and the added benefits MLA brings. During our checks the technology let the G4 retain detail in bright areas that came up as pure white on the C4. It also offered brilliant shadow detail and wonderfully accurate colours. Hence our glowing verdict and five-star rating:
“LG’s second generation MLA OLED tech improves on all the areas that made the first generation great. Highlights include stellar HDR performance, wonderfully immersive and accurate colours that are consistent from the brightest to darkest parts of the picture, and stellar motion handling. This plus its excellent suite of gaming features make it a fantastic option for any home cinema enthusiast yet to invest in a next generation OLED.”
Our only word of warning is that its audio is middling, even by inbuilt TV speaker standards. So you will want to invest in a Dolby Atmos soundbar or full fat surround sound system to get the best results possible.
Read our LG G4 review
Best new LG TV
The LG C5 is a replacement for the LG C4, and currently costs a premium on its predecessor – which makes the older model slightly better value. But, if you want a “new” 2025 LG TV then this is the one we recommend.
At its core the TV looks very similar to the C4. There’s the same four full-fat HDMI 2.1 inputs, flawless gaming specifications and a very, to the point we had to double check which was which in our viewing rooms, similar design shared between the two.
But under the hood LG has made some key changes, which we found led to noticeable performance improvements during testing.
The main upgrades are a new Brightness Booster engine and Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor, which adds a wealth of AI processing improvements targeting motion handling, HDR performance, upscaling and general picture quality.
Are these huge? No. Forget the use of a 4th generation, stacked OLED panel like the one featured on the G5 – LG hasn’t even added a heatsink to the C5.
Despite this, the system performed well during our comparative testing and offered noticeable improvements on its already impressive predecessor.
These include moderately higher peak and operating brightness levels and better colour volume and accuracy. The latter is important, particularly when we ran dim, low-light scenes from movies including Blade Runner 2049, It and The Batman.
Here the better colour reproduction really improved picture quality, with skin tones appearing warmer, and better contrast and light control helping the C5 deliver a wonderfully three-dimensional, immersive experience.
As we said in our LG C5 review:
“Its exceptional picture quality and uncompromising feature set are certified crowd pleasers. It remains an excellent choice for gamers, too, and its Dolby Vision Filmmaker mode is a major bonus for film buffs.”
Just be warned, its speakers are incredibly middling, like those of most LG TVs. So budget for a soundbar or speaker package if you don’t already have one.
Read our full LG C5 review
Also consider
LG C3: If you’re lucky there are still some LG C3 OLED TVs available for purchase at heavily discounted rates. While we think the C4’s holistically better value at this point, if you want the cheapest deal possible then the C3 is a good place to start.
LG G2: The larger sizes of the LG G2 are still in stock in most places. So if you want an 80-inch-plus sized OLED they are an excellent option, with some stores having slashed multiple thousands of pounds / dollars off their price.
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
The arrival of a new LG TV at What Hi-Fi? HQ is usually a pretty big deal, but each one must go through our usual thorough testing process before we can declare whether it’s worth buying or not.
As soon as a new LG TV enters the building it’s whisked straight to our state-of-the-art testing facilities, where a member of our team will spend many hours assessing every aspect of its performance, from general usability to picture and sound quality. That’s not the end of the judgement process, though, with all verdicts agreed upon by the team as a whole, which helps to eliminate any personal preferences.
Every product we review at What Hi-Fi? is judged on its own merits, but they’re also compared to others in the same category, which allows us to find the very best and make recommendations that you can rely on.
The What Hi-Fi? team has over a century’s experience when it comes to testing and writing about hi-fi and home entertainment technology, so our verdicts are backed by extensive knowledge. They’re also free from the influence of PR representatives or sales staff, so when you pick a product from one of our Best Buy lists you know you’re getting one that comes with the What Hi-Fi? seal of approval.
Recent updates
13th March 2025: new intro, grid and entries written to reflect the arrival of LG’s latest OLEDs and our findings reviewing the LG C5.
17th January 2025: LG C4 and G4 added based on latest testing. References to new C5 and G5 included for wider market context.
23rd July 2024: added an also consider section including the OLED65G4.
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 2023: converted the page to a new format with the quick list and other new elements
MORE:
Our pick of the best Sony TVs
And the best TVs for any budget
Or why not splash out on the best OLED TVs?
