Best LG TVs 2024: OLED, 4K HDR

Best LG TVs: quick menu

OLED TV: LG OLED65G3

(Image credit: LG / Netflix, FUBAR)

1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best small
4. Best for brightness
5. Best 8K
6. How to choose
7. How we test

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 has announced its 2024 range of TVs now, but we haven't tested them yet – they're expected to hit shops in the spring. Here's what to expect from LG in 2024.

The quick list

Best LG TV overall

LG OLED48C3 with a racing driver on screen

It's let down by the sound, but this is still one of the best all-round TVs you can buy. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Overhaul)
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Sound aside, there’s no better 48-inch TV.

Specifications

Screen size: 48 inches (also available in 42in, 55in, 65in, 77in, 83in)
Type: OLED
Resolution: 4K
HDR formats supported: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Operating system: webOS 23
HDMI inputs: 4 (4 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
Gaming features: 4K/120, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision game mode, HGiG
ARC/eARC: eARC
Optical output: Yes
Dimensions (hwd, without stand): 62 x 107 x 4.7cm

Reasons to buy

+
Crisp, contrasty yet balanced picture
+
Superb gaming specs
+
Very user-friendly

Reasons to avoid

-
Dull sound
-
Only slightly better than the C2

You've probably heard of LG's C-series. For years it's been the sweet spot between technology and price, consistently offering among the most bang for buck of any TV available.

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/120HzVRR 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

LG OLED42C3 with a monkey on the screen

Looking for a small OLED TV? The 42-inch C3 is the best LG has to offer.  (Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Animal)
Not a major step forward, but at this size it doesn’t need to be.

Specifications

Screen size: 42 inches (also available in 48in, 55in, 65in, 77in, 83in)
Type: OLED
Resolution: 4K
HDR formats: HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Operating system: webOS 23
HDMI inputs: x4 (4 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
Gaming features: 4K/120, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision game mode, HGiG
ARC/eARC: eARC
Optical output?: Yes
Dimensions (hwd, without stand): 54 x 93 x 4.1cm

Reasons to buy

+
Sharp, solid and detailed without exaggeration
+
Amazing contrast
+
Exceptional gaming specs

Reasons to avoid

-
Minor upgrade on C2
-
Weak sound
-
Slight lack of shadow detail

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

LG OLED65G3 on a TV stand with orange artwork on the screen

The G3 takes LG's OLED range to new heights, proving a dazzling upgrade on the excellent G2. (Image credit: Future)
The first MLA-equipped OLED is a shining star.

Specifications

Screen size: 65 inches (also available in 55in, 77in, 83in)
Type: OLED
Resolution: 4K
HDR formats supported: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Operating system: webOS 23
HDMI inputs: 4 (4 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
Gaming features: 4K/120, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision game mode, HGiG
ARC/eARC: eARC
Optical output: Yes
Dimensions (hwd, without stand): 83 x 144 x 2.4cm

Reasons to buy

+
Brilliantly bright and vibrant highlights
+
Generally balanced and natural
+
Flawless gaming specs

Reasons to avoid

-
Pale colours in low-light scenes
-
Dull sound
-
Doesn’t come with a stand

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.

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).

But a flawless feature set and stunning picture make this the best LG TV around right now.

Want a cheaper LG alternative but without the heatsink and MLA tech? The C3 is the one to go for.

Read the full LG OLED65G3 review

Best 8K LG TV

LG OLED77 Z2 on a white background showing Agent Carter on screen

If it's an 8K monster you're after, look no further than the Z2. (Image credit: LG / Netflix, Carter)
LG's 8K OLED TV is spectacular, but it could put a serious dent in your finances.

Specifications

Screen size : 77 inches (also available in 88in)
Type : OLED
Resolution : 8K
HDR formats supported : HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Operating system : webOS22
HDMI : 4 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 inputs, 1*eARC
Gaming features : 4K/120, VRR, ALLM
Optical output : Yes
Dimensions (hwd, without stand) : 98 x 172 x 3.2cm

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful, balanced picture quality
+
As bright as OLED currently gets
+
Strong sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Pathetic, flimsy feet
-
Essentially the same picture as the G2
-
No 8K content worth watching

With a minimalist design, the LG OLED77Z2 looks similar to the brand's flagship 4K TV, the G3. 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 and 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.

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. 

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.

MORE:

Our pick of the best Sony TVs: OLED, HD, 4K HDR

And the best TVs for any budget

Or why not splash out on the best OLED TVs

Joe Svetlik

Joe has been writing about tech for 17 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more (including What Hi-Fi?). His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.

With contributions from