LG’s C-series OLED TVs have long been among the easiest recommendations when it comes to the best OLED TVs.

They combine excellent picture quality, comprehensive gaming support and a slick smart platform, all while costing much less than flagship OLED models.

The LG C5 was already a benchmark at this level, delivering outstanding picture performance and a feature set that many rivals struggle to match. Now, the newer LG C6 has arrived, promising improved processing, higher brightness and better sound.

Both TVs earned five stars in their respective reviews, and you’re likely wondering if it’s worth spending more on the newer C6 or saving some cash and sticking with its predecessor.

Below, we break down the differences across all areas to help make your decision easier.

LG C6 vs LG C5: price

The 65-inch C6 launched with a price tag of £2500 / $2699 / AU$3999, making it cheaper in the UK and Australia than the equivalent C5 was at launch (£2700 / $2699 / AU$4299), and the same price in the US.

But that's not the whole story. Because (at the time of writing) the C6 is still brand-new, you will still have to pay that launch price. But because the C5 has now been available for over a year, it's available for vastly less.

The C6 will come down in price, too, but for now, this round simply has to go to the super-discounted C5.

** Winner: LG C5 **

LG C6 vs LG C5: design

If you were hoping for a dramatic redesign between generations, you might be disappointed. The C6 looks extremely similar to the C5, and it’s hard to distinguish the two at a glance.

Both sets feature LG’s familiar C-series design – a very thin OLED panel across most of the screen, with a thicker rectangular housing at the lower rear that contains the electronics, connections and speakers. This allows the edges of the display to remain strikingly slim, making for a more minimalist, immersive setup.

The effect is particularly appealing when wall-mounted, where the thin panel appears to hover slightly away from the wall thanks to the deeper central housing behind it.

Screen size options are also the same across both models, ranging from 42 inches to 83 inches. Their stand design is the same, too, with the central pedestal making soundbar placement a little awkward due to its forward angle.

In other words, if you liked the look of the C5, you’ll feel right at home with the C6. It remains one of the most attractive OLED TVs around – even if the design is now very familiar.

** Winner: Draw **

LG C6 vs LG C5: features

Both TVs offer a comprehensive feature set, but the C6 introduces a few upgrades under the hood.

The biggest change is the new Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor inside the C6, replacing the Alpha 9 Gen 8 chip used in the C5. LG says the newer processor enables a 12-bit processing pipeline for more precise tone and colour management.

It also enables Dual AI Super Resolution, which performs two separate AI passes when upscaling lower-resolution content – one focusing on sharpening edges and the other on refining textures and detail.

Another addition is AI HDR Remastering, which analyses each frame to enhance contrast, sharpness and colour. It can also attempt to make SDR material appear more HDR-like, though results can vary.

At 55- and 65-inch sizes, both TVs use LG Display’s established WOLED panel technology, though the larger 77- and 83-inch versions of the C6 switch to LG Display’s newer Primary RGB Tandem OLED panels.

The smart platform has also been updated. The C5 runs webOS 25, while the C6 moves to webOS 26 with tweaks including the Home Hub shortcut, a personalised My Page area and a Continue Watching row.

Gaming features are excellent on both models. Each TV offers four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports that support VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming.

The C6 gains a slight edge for PC gamers with support for refresh rates up to 4K/165Hz, while the C5 tops out at 4K/144Hz. Console players using a PS5 or Xbox Series X will effectively see the same 4K/120Hz experience on either model.

HDR support is identical across both TVs – Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG are supported, while HDR10+ remains absent.

** Winner: LG C6 **

LG C6 vs LG C5: picture

The LG C5 already impressed us with its rich colours, strong contrast and cinematic presentation. In our testing, it proved to be a consistently engaging performer, with punchy yet natural colours and particularly strong low-light colour volume.

Watching Blade Runner 2049, for instance, the C5 delivers atmospherically rich images, with convincing shadow detail and impressively nuanced colour in darker scenes. Skin tones are warm and lifelike, and there’s a pleasing sense of depth, with subjects standing out clearly against the background.

Brightness is also a strength for the C5 by traditional OLED standards. Scenes from Pan show strong highlight intensity, with sunlight shimmering through sails and vivid colours throughout the image, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of more advanced OLED panel types.

However, the LG C6 manages to squeeze noticeably more performance from a similar panel thanks to its new processing platform.

The most obvious improvement is brightness. Highlights appear more intense, colours carry slightly greater richness, and the overall image has a stronger sense of depth and dimensionality.

In scenes from Pan, reflections on water appear brighter and more vivid on the C6, while sunsets display smoother colour gradations and richer tones in the surrounding clouds.

Colour reproduction also sees subtle refinement. Reds and oranges appear slightly richer and more lifelike, helping skin tones look warmer and more convincing without drifting into artificial territory.

Upscaling is improved, too. Lower-resolution sources such as standard-definition content appear slightly smoother and cleaner, while HD material benefits from more refined detail handling. While the difference is subtle with higher-quality sources, it is noticeable with lower-resolution content.

The C5 remains a superb performer and still earns a five-star picture rating. But the C6 pushes things further with greater brightness, richer colours and more refined processing.

** Winner: LG C6 **

LG C6 vs LG C5: sound

Built-in audio has never been the C-series’ strongest suit, but this is another area where the C6 improves on its predecessor.

Both TVs use the same speaker hardware, but LG appears to have refined the processing and tuning on the newer model.

As a result, the C6 sounds cleaner and more controlled than the C5. Bass isn’t dramatically deeper, but it is tighter and less prone to distortion at higher volumes.

Dialogue also comes through with more warmth and character, and the soundstage feels slightly more spacious. Dolby Atmos effects project further away from the screen when required, giving the presentation a greater sense of scale.

The C5’s audio is perfectly serviceable for everyday viewing, but it lacks low-end weight and overall scale. That difference is reflected in the review scores – the C6 earns four stars for sound, while the C5 managed just three.

Neither TV replaces a proper sound system, of course, and pairing either model with one of the best soundbars remains highly recommended.

** Winner: LG C6 **

LG C6 vs LG C5: verdict

The LG C5 was already one of the best TVs for most people, delivering superb picture quality, excellent gaming features and a polished smart platform.

The LG C6 builds on that foundation with brighter images, richer colours, improved processing and better sound. It’s not a radical reinvention, but it is a clear step forward – enough to make it the new benchmark in this class.

That said, the C5 still makes a compelling case for itself. With discounts now widely available, it’s likely to remain the better value option for buyers who want a premium OLED experience without paying for the newest model.

Given our performance-per-pound (or bang-for-buck, if you prefer) mantra, we're therefore giving the C5 the win here – at least for now.

Once the C6's price has dropped to within about 20 per cent of the C5's, our buying advice will likely change – it is undoubtedly the better TV, after all – but at this moment, the value offered by the heavily discounted C5 simply can't be ignored.

** Overall winner: LG C5 **

It's an exciting time here at What Hi-Fi? as the first of this year's splashy new TV releases are starting to sift through our test room.

This does mean, naturally, that last year's models are starting to see some pretty hefty discounts, marking one of the best times to buy a TV if you're happy with a 2025 release.

Case in point is the LG C5, a TV we awarded multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards to last year. But this isn't just any C5 model getting a discount – it's the mighty 83-inch model, currently priced at a bonkers £2699 at Peter Tyson.

That's a whopping saving of £3300 or 55 per cent, an outrageous price for a TV of this calibre and size. Be aware that you'll have to add the TV to your cart for an extra £600 discount – the listed price is still £3299.

We haven't tested the 83-inch LG C5 specifically, but put the 42, 48 and 55-inch models through their paces and showered them with five-star reviews and What Hi-Fi? Awards. We're confident, recommending the 83-inch model at its current price, as a result.

As the biggest size the C5 offers, the 83-inch model will undoubtedly be a dazzling showstopper.

No matter what size C5 you get, however, you can be assured of its excellent gaming credentials. The C5 has four fully-fledged HDMI 2.1 sockets, which can all run games at up to 4K/144Hz with VRR. ALLM and a Dolby Vision game mode are the icing on the cake.

The HDR support doesn't end there, however – HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG formats are all on board, with only Samsung's HDR10+ missing. As usual, LG's trusty webOS also has all the streaming apps you could think of, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Now, when it comes to the all-important picture quality, the 55-inch model seriously impressed during a viewing of Pan.

"The centre of each floating bubble of water glows with a vibrant greenish-blue hue, and the sunlight shimmers through the ship’s sails, illuminating the fabric patchwork to striking effect. Our reference Sony set is no slouch here, but in comparison with the C5, it almost looks dull. The combination of higher brightness, punchier colours and sharper details are tough to argue against," our LG C5 review reads.

The 83-inch model should be just as bright and dazzling as the 55-inch, but bear in mind it also shares the same 40W sound system, which we found to be overwhelming. The C5's audio will be fine for everyday use, but a TV of this magnitude would benefit from a decent Dolby Atmos soundbar to do it justice.

At 55 per cent off at Peter Tyson, you don't need us to tell you how good a deal this is. Rest assured knowing that the LG C5 is one of our favourite TVs, with the huge 83-inch size filled to the brim with features.

MORE:

Read our 55-inch LG C5 review

Check out the best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

You might also like our guide to the best OLED TVs

Looking for a superb 'small' TV for your home? Our guide to the best 42-inch TVs on the market right now will tell you that we're pretty big fans of the LG C5, that proves it's now possible to buy a properly impressive TV in this size bracket.

And here's the really good news. The LG C5 has been enjoying discounts with its successor, the LG C6, due for release soon – and we've just found the best price yet.

For just £699 at Richer Sounds, the 42-inch LG C5 can be yours for its lowest-ever price. All you have to do is enter 'RSTV200' at the checkout. It's really as easy as that!

Right now, the LG C5 is the best 42-inch OLED we've ever tested. Yes, the LG C6 is on the way, but we've only tested the 65-inch model so far (though its preorder price is £1299 at Richer Sounds).

For just under £700 though, you can pick up the LG C5 with all the OLED magic – including truly inky blacks and pixel-level contrast control.

We'd recommend tweaking the image settings, opting for Filmmaker Mode with judder reduction off and tone mapping on to achieve a beautifully balanced picture.

Our expert testers said when running our 4K Blu-ray of Dune: Part 2: "Once done, the picture looks fantastic, with the Fremen and Harkonnen fighters looking wonderfully sharp and three-dimensional. The TV’s slightly warm colours and solid peak brightness levels create a truly immersive experience despite the screen’s small size."

On smart TV features, the C5 achieves close to top marks. The latest webOS offers the full suite of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV, and even BBC iPlayer, ITVX and many more.

And if you're thinking about gaming on this TV, well, the offering is abundant. With four HDMI 2.1 ports that support up to 4K/144Hz signals, VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision Game Mode, there's a full suite of gaming features to enjoy.

But, no TV is perfect, and there are some small flaws our expert testers picked up on during their review. Notably, colour volume takes a slight hit in very dark scenes and the built-in speakers aren't the best.

The 2.0-channel, 20W sound system is serviceable for TV and casual viewing, but we'd recommend investing in a soundbar to improve the audio.

These caveats aside, the 42-inch LG C5 is a mighty impressive TV, boasting a compact size while still achieving cinematic results. Hitting just £699 at Richer Sounds is the best saving we've ever seen, and all you have to do is type 'RSTV200' in at the checkout. Simple!

MORE:

Read our full 42-inch LG C5 review

Check out the best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

And the best OLED TV: 5 incredible sets for serious movie fans reviewed by our experts

Eyeing up one of the best TVs on the market right now, but not quite sure you can afford it? Boy, have we got a deal for you.

The 48-inch LG C5 can be yours for just £849 at Richer Sounds, or £849.15 to be precise, as long as you use this nifty little code.

While it'll look like £999 at first glance, type in 'LG15PERCENT' at checkout for that extra chunk of money off. It's the lowest price we've ever seen this model drop to and a brilliant small-ish TV for anyone yet to make the jump to OLED.

The 48-inch LG C5 has certainly seen drops in price with the LG C6 arriving, but none quite as good as this. So, if you can't quite afford the latest flagship, it's still a stellar five-star set with excellent credentials that we love to recommend.

So what makes this model so special? First off, its picture performance is "superbly competent" which makes it an OLED TV well worth considering. And while the C5 range is a step-down line, the 48-inch C5 is pretty much as premium as TVs this size get.

In our expert review, we praised the picture for being bright and, once we fiddled around with the settings, we found the best set-up to be Filmmaker Mode, with the lowest Cinematic Movement option on, sharpening and judder reduction off and dynamic tone mapping on.

The set's sound performance isn't quite as impressive as its picture, though, with the same 2.2-channel 40W speaker system as its C4 predecessor. On a set this size, audio quality is usually one of the main compromises you have to put up with, which is why we recommend a soundbar or other speaker system as an essential purchase for any serious movie fan.

Feature-wise, it's packed out. Four full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets are on board capable of handling 4K/165Hz signals (as well as the 4K/120Hz that current consoles max out at, of course), one of which doubles as an eARC port, plus VRR and ALLM.

If you're a gamer, you're in for a real treat. There's also support for Dolby Vision gaming and a peerless HGiG setting. Plus, LG’s webOS 25 software runs the show and is fairly similar to the version we saw on the older C4.

Ultimately, our expert testers said: "If you’re yet to take the OLED plunge, then this is a solid option, especially if you’re short on space or cash-rich enough to justify one as a secondary, bedroom set."

And at just £849 at Richer Sounds, it's a price that's hard to beat on a TV that boasts exceptional picture quality and uncompromised features.

MORE:

Read our full 48-inch LG C5 review

Check out the best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

And the best OLED TV: 5 incredible sets for serious movie fans reviewed by our experts

Just to warn you, this is a bonkers deal.

It's for the 83-inch version of the five-star LG C5, and right now it's been discounted by a ridiculous £2700. That's £200 more of a discount than for the set's previous record low, making now by far the best time to get this TV.

So, if you're in the market for a gargantuan TV, you should snap up the 83-inch LG C5, which is down to £3299 at Amazon.

And when you're spending this amount of money anyway, why not also invest in one of the best soundbars to really take your living room set-up to a new level?

While we haven't reviewed the 83-inch LG C5, the sizes we have tested – the 42, 48 and 55 inches – all scored a perfect five out of five, with two of them winning a coveted What Hi-Fi? Award. LG TVs tend to scale up and down quite consistently, so you can expect a similar performance from the 83-inch size.

In addition to the huge screen size – the highest available for the C5 – the 83-inch model has a lot going for it.

For starters, the LG C5 won the What Hi-Fi? Award for Best Gaming TV, partly thanks to its excellent connectivity, including four HDMI 2.1 sockets which can all run games at up to 4K/144Hz with VRR. ALLM and a Dolby Vision game mode are also included to sweeten the deal.

Talking of HDR, the HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG formats are all supported. LG's trusty webOS also provides access to all the usual streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

While we can't speak specifically for the 83-inch size, we were suitably impressed by the picture quality of the 55-inch model. In our review, we noted that the picture was rich, solid and engaging, balancing vibrancy and authenticity well while also boasting excellent contrast.

The 83-inch C5 shares the same 40W sound system as its 55-inch variant, which we found to be underwhelming. However, this won't be an issue if you're planning to pair it with a decent soundbar or surround system.

We may not have had our hands on the 83-inch size ourselves, but the LG C5 is one of our favourite TVs and absolutely jam-packed with features. If you're looking for a ridiculously big TV, you could do a lot worse than the LG C5 for £3299 at Amazon.

MORE:

Read our 55-inch LG C5 review

Check out the best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

You might also like our guide to the best OLED TVs

Shopping for one of the best 65-inch TVs? We're always happy to recommend the LG C5, but it makes our job a whole lot easier when there's a serious discount happening.

And right now, the five-star LG C5 can be yours for just $1397 at Amazon. That’s more than $1300 off, making it nearly half its original launch price and a deal that’s hard to resist.

The LG C5 is the brand’s current mid-range OLED, boasting a five-star review, a What Hi-Fi? Award and a place among the best TVs we have tested. Unsurprisingly, we love to recommend it.

And with the LG C6 going on sale later this year, now is a great time to buy the current model, with discounts appearing left, right and center. This knockdown price of just $1397 at Amazon is one of the best we have seen.

As a What Hi-Fi? Award winner, it’s our go-to mid-tier option, undercutting the flagship G-series as well as mid-range OLEDs from rival brands such as Sony and Panasonic.

It is also the ideal TV for most people, performing well straight out of the box without much need to tweak to get a great image. It offers a rich, solid and engaging picture quality, alongside features that are mighty impressive.

To secure this mighty picture, we recommend selecting Filmmaker Mode and your preferred level of TruMotion processing (ours is Cinematic Movement) to secure an images that is both authentic and dynamic.

When we tried it out, our expert testers said: “The picture’s solidity and three dimensionality is also tested with Blade Runner, and we’re pleased to report that the LG is dangerously close to the Sony, which is renowned for its excellent contrast. Subjects stand out against the background to striking effect, with sharp, yet never over-etched or artificial-looking edges.”

The features offering is excellent. There are four fully featured HDMI 2.1 sockets – which means all of them support 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM – plus excellent HDR support and brilliant app compatibility. For gamers, then, it’s a fantastic option.

The C5 also uses webOS 25, LG’s latest operating system, which supports a wide range of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

The sound quality, however, is far less impressive, and we recommend pairing it up with a decent soundbar if you want the sound to match the impressive picture quality.

Fortunately, dropping to this knockdown price should give you some extra cash for this additional investment. So, grab it before it has gone.

MORE:

Read our full 55-inch LG C5 review

Check out the best OLED TVs: four top picks direct from our reviewers

And the best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

The best 42-inch TVs are ideal for people who want their telly to blend into the background while at the same time delivering excellent picture quality.

And at the top of our list is the LG C5, which, you'll be glad to hear, is currently discounted down to just $799 at Best Buy.

The five-star Award-winning TV is one of the best OLED TVs, and at this price we think it's well worth a look.

Until the newly unveiled LG C6 goes on sale later this year, the LG C5 is the brand's current mid-range OLED that really is a true crowd-pleaser. We gave it a five-star review, a What Hi-Fi? Award, and it sits among the best TVs we've had the pleasure of testing.

High praise, right? There are many good reasons for that. First, it's our go-to mid-tier option, undercutting the flagship G-series as well as mid-range OLEDS from rival brands such as Sony and Panasonic.

It's also the ideal TV for most people, performing straight out of the box with relatively accessible pricing, exceptional picture quality, and features that are mighty impressive.

There are four full-speed HDMI 2.1 sockets, all of which support 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, plus excellent HDR support and brilliant app compatibility. For gamers, then, it's a great buy.

The C5 uses webOS 25, LG's latest operating system, which supports a wide range of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Getting an exceptional picture is, thankfully, easy. We recommend selecting Filmmaker Mode and your preferred level of TruMotion processing (ours is Cinematic Movement) to get an image that is both authentic and dynamic.

It led our expert testers to say: “The C5’s colours are rich and punchy yet never look overdone or unnatural,” as well as praising it for being “more cinematic and engaging”.

Sonically, LG's C-series TVs haven't got the greatest track record for built-in audio quality, but still, our reviewers said: “It delivers dialogue with enough clarity for day-to-day use, and while it’s not superbly dynamic, we appreciate that it’s making an effort.”

We still strongly recommend a decent soundbar to go alongside this five-star TV, though. But, with $301 off at Best Buy, you might well have a bit of cash left over to invest.

MORE:

Read our full 42-inch LG C5 OLED TV review

Check out the best OLED TVs: the three Award-winning sets our experts recommend

And the best 42-inch TVs: the top models we have tested

A new OLED TV can be an expensive investment, especially if you're after one of the best TVs on the market.

The five-star 55-inch LG C5 would normally set you back £1900 – so how does more than £900 off grab you?

Right now, you can pick up the 55-inch LG C5 for just £999 at Richer Sounds. That’s the lowest price we’ve ever seen it drop to.

There is a caveat: to secure this price, you need to claim cashback from LG directly (here's the full T&C's). The price you pay at checkout will be £1099 using the code 'RSTV100'. That is still an excellent price, but to grab your extra £100 back, you'll need to make the claim with LG.

Jump through that relatively small hoop, though, and this is an unbelievable price for a brand-new OLED.

The LG C5 is the brand’s current mid-range OLED, boasting a five-star review, a What Hi-Fi? Award and a place among the best TVs we have tested.

While it lacks the fourth-generation OLED panel found in its five-star LG G5 sibling, and seemed a minor upgrade on the last-gen C4, we found it to be an improvement nonetheless. Its higher peak brightness and much improved white detail, rival other mid-range OLEDS from rival brands such as Sony and Panasonic.

It is also the ideal TV for most people, performing straight out of the box with exceptional picture quality, and features that are mighty impressive.

There are four fully featured HDMI 2.1 sockets, which means all of them support 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, plus excellent HDR support and brilliant app compatibility. For gamers, that’s a pretty flawless spec sheet.

The C5 also uses webOS 25, LG's latest operating system, which supports a wide range of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Getting an exceptional picture is, thankfully, fairly simple. We recommend selecting Filmmaker Mode and your preferred level of TruMotion processing (ours is Cinematic Movement), to get an image that is both authentic and dynamic.

It led our expert testers to say: “[The LG C5’s] 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.”

The sound quality, however, is far less impressive – but considering how often we say that about OLED TVs of this stature, as usual we recommend investing in a decent soundbar to go with it.

With the new C6 step-down OLED unveiled at CES earlier this year, it's no surprise there's a discount to be grabbed. What is surprising is that it's of this scale: more than £900 off at Richer Sounds with the 'RSTV100' code at checkout and a cashback claim with LG.

MORE:

Read our full 55-inch LG C5 review

Check out the best OLED TVs: four top picks direct from our reviewers

And the best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

If you're keen to invest in the newest TV hardware, the LG C5 is the way to go. And while you might be thinking you'll have to pay a premium price for the privilege – I'm happy to tell you, you're wrong.

For just $1400 at Best Buy, the 65-inch LG C5 is currently a mega $1300 off, which is a ridiculously good price for one of the best OLED TVs on the market right now.

With the LG C6 unveiled at CES earlier this year, it's no massive surprise that we're seeing some discounts, but this is one of the best we've seen. So, grab it while you can!

The LG C5 is the brand's current mid-range OLED that really is a true crowd-pleaser. We gave it a five-star review, a What Hi-Fi? Award and it sits among the best TVs we've had the pleasure of testing.

High praise, right? There are many good reasons for that. First, it's our go-to mid-tier option, undercutting the flagship G-series as well as mid-range OLEDS from rival brands such as Sony and Panasonic.

It's also the ideal TV for most people, performing straight out of the box with relatively accessible pricing, exceptional picture quality, and features that are mighty impressive.

There are four full-speed HDMI 2.1 sockets, all of which support 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, plus excellent HDR support and brilliant app compatibility. For gamers, then, it's a great buy.

The C5 uses webOS 25, LG's latest operating system, which supports a wide range of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Getting an exceptional picture is, thankfully, easy. We recommend selecting Filmmaker Mode and your preferred level of TruMotion processing (ours is Cinematic Movement), to get an image that is both authentic and dynamic.

It led our expert testers to say: “The C5’s colours are rich and punchy yet never look overdone or unnatural,” as well praising it for being “more cinematic and engaging”.

Sonically, LG's C-series TVs haven't got the greatest track record for built-in audio quality, but still, our reviewers said: “It delivers dialogue with enough clarity for day-to-day use, and while it’s not superbly dynamic, we appreciate that it’s making an effort.”

We still strongly recommend a decent soundbar to go alongside this five-star TV though. But, with $1300 off at Best Buy, you might well have a bit of cash left over to invest.

MORE:

Read our full 55-inch LG C5 OLED TV review

Check out the best OLED TVs: the three Award-winning sets our experts recommend

And the best 65-inch TVs: the top models we have tested

We've seen an increasing popularity of 55- and 65-inch TVs. But not everyone has the space; and what about those people who prefer their TV to be a little more discreet?

That's why we still have a guide to all the best 48-inch TVs. And our overall winner in said guide is the Z90B. We rated it five stars and crowned it a What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 winner. Suffice to say, this is a seriously good TV.

Right now you can snap up the Z90B for £1099 at Richer Sounds. The £400 saving on the RRP makes it just £50 more than the LG C5, which is also a great TV – just not as great as the Panasonic.

Panasonic's OLED TVs have consistently impressed us here at What Hi-Fi?, and that remains true for the smallest model we have seen from the company to date.

Don't be fooled by its pint-sized stature; this 48-inch OLED can deliver a striking cinematic image with ease – and it doesn't compromise on scale despite that compact footprint.

Colours are rich and striking, but the picture remains cinematically authentic – something Panasonic has ensured for many of its previous OLEDs. It manages to retain these rich colours in low-light scenes too, which is a huge bonus, as we found the LG C5 struggled in this area.

We also approve of how crisp and three-dimensional the Z90B's image is, which helps to increase immersion and generally allows for finer details to be dug out. In fact, the Z90B made a rival Samsung comparison set look somewhat flat in a few instances, which is a testament to this TV's performance.

This TV is also no slouch when it comes to audio. While we stick with our usual advice of recommending one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars to accompany your new OLED TV, the Panasonic is a cut above the LG and Samsung when it comes to bass, dynamics and spatial separation – though the bar was set fairly low by the Korean TV brands.

Finally, the Z90B is amply stocked when it comes to features, especially when it comes to HDR support. Both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are supported, whereas the C5 and S90F support only the former and latter, respectively.

Furthermore, Panasonic has included 4K/144Hz support with VRR and ALLM over two HDMI 2.1 sockets. This admittedly, this is one area where Panasonic lags behind LG and Samsung, as both have included four HDMI 2.1 ports on their TVs for quite some time now.

That being said, the minor gaming setback isn't enough to discredit this TV, as it's a clear step above the LG and Samsung when it comes to picture and sound performance. And that cements it as our top pick for those looking for an OLED TV under 55 inches.

And now that it's priced practically equivalent to its competitors, it's a no-brainer for anyone considering which is the best 48-inch TV to buy. Be sure to head over to Richer Sounds to score £400 off.

MORE:

Read our full Panasonic Z90B 48-inch review

As well as our Panasonic Z95B 65-inch review

And check out our picks for the best TVs on the market

For buyers who can't afford a flagship TV, the LG C5 is the best option we've tested. It holds a coveted spot among the best OLED TVs on the market right now.

So what if we told you you could get it for almost half the launch price? Yes, right now, for just £1399 at Richer Sounds, the 65-inch C5 OLED is the lowest price we've seen it – a staggering £1300 off its launch price.

It may look like £1599 at first glance, but enter the code 'RSTV200' at the checkout and you can secure it for this unbelievable price.

The only caveat, it's a pre-order price with stock due late January. An LG C5 at this price though? We reckon it's worth the 10-day or so wait.

The LG C5 is a mid-range TV we love to recommend. With an uncompromising feature set and excellent contrast and image solidity to boot, it's a set that seriously impresses.

With LG unveiling the new C6 step-down at CES due to replace the C5 later this year, now is a prime time to look for discounts – and we haven't found one better than this... yet.

As a What Hi-Fi? Award winner, it’s our go-to mid-tier option, undercutting the flagship G-series as well as mid-range OLEDS from rival brands such as Sony and Panasonic.

It's the ideal TV for most people, capable of rich, solid and engaging pictures that balance vibrancy and authenticity, and it performs straight out of the box – though our expert testers were particularly happy with its performance using the Filmmaker Mode preset.

It is definitely worth talking about the feature set too. There are four full-speed HDMI 2.1 sockets, all of which support 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, plus excellent HDR support and brilliant app compatibility. So, if you're a gamer, it's a fantastic option.

Plus, the C5 uses webOS 25, LG's latest operating system, which supports a wide range of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

All this led our expert testers to say: “It's probably the best TV for most people, as its exceptional picture quality and uncompromising feature set are certified crowd pleasers.”

The only thing we strongly recommend is a decent soundbar to go alongside this five-star TV; we deemed the C5 to sound “merely fine”. Still, with this price tag of just £1399 at Richer Sounds, you may well have some cash left over from your budgeted funds.

MORE:

Read our full 55-inch LG C5 OLED TV review

Check out the best OLED TVs: the three Award-winning sets our experts recommend

And the best 65-inch TVs: the top models we've tested

With Christmas on the horizon, chances are you’ve been thinking about what you’d like to get the special people in your life. You might have even thought about what you’d like them to get you, too. Maybe a new pair of wireless headphones, a music streamer, or even an OLED TV? Or, maybe you’re not sure yet.

As lovers of hi-fi and AV equipment, the What Hi-Fi? team’s Christmas wishlist is littered with equipment falling into the aforementioned categories along with physical media to help us better enjoy our existing gear.

So, if you’re finding yourself stuck for ideas on what to get people, or even what you’d like for yourself, hopefully our Christmas wishlist can provide some inspiration. Check it out below.

Arcane: Series 2 SteelBook

Words by Robyn Quick

SteelBooks, a premium collectable case for a Blu-ray or 4K disc, can be a divisive subject for many AV fans. For some, the idea of forking out extra for the same movie or TV show you can get from a standard 4K Blu-ray is pointless. But, others see it as a worthwhile purchase to celebrate your favourite content and keep it for decades to come.

As you may have guessed, I sit in the second camp. So, I could barely contain my excitement when I saw that the second season of Arcane has finally got a 4K SteelBook release, complete with custom artwork on the cover. It costs a whopping £50, but that hasn’t stopped me from putting it at the top of my Christmas wishlist. A person can dream, right?

The series was released on Netflix last year and, if you haven’t watched the show, I can only urge you to do so. It’s packed with jaw-droppingly beautiful animation from start to finish, all while set in a dystopian, steampunk-inspired world that will suck you in from the first frame.

Buy Arcane Season 2 SteelBook at HMV

LG C5 (OLED55C5)

Words by Joe Svetlik

I’ve needed a new TV for a while now, but the situation is getting ever more pressing. My current model is pushing 12 years old, which is about 96 in TV years. To make matters worse, I recently had a new TV cabinet made. Which is great, but it just throws the crapness of my current TV into even sharper relief.

That’s why I’ve added the 55-inch LG C5 to my Christmas wishlist.

Now I think it would fit in my alcove, but I have to be careful. A friend on our road recently bought a 55-inch TV, and despite careful measuring, it is just that bit too big, meaning it has to sit at a slight diagonal at all times. He would have replaced it with a more sensibly sized model, as his wife suggested, but in his words, he was being “a bit of a child about it.”

Why the C5? It won a What Hi-Fi? Award for its rich, punchy, crisp image and peerless feature set. And for me, 55 inches is the perfect size – cinematic without dominating the room. Providing it fits.

Joe Hisaishi – Princess Mononoke (Symphonic Suite) on vinyl

Words by Alastair Stevenson

Regular readers have likely figured out I am a bit of an anime fan. One that’s especially fond of Studio Ghibli titles. This year alone, I went to see the London stage production of Spirited Away and to the BFI to check out the 4K remastered version of Princess Mononoke on the big screen.

The latter was a particular highlight, with the work done to its audio reminding me quite how beautiful the music, as well as iconic artwork, is for Ghibli movies. So much so that there’s one specific record at the top of my wishlist for Santa this year – Joe Hisaishi’s Princess Mononoke (Symphonic Suite).

Though the original soundtrack vinyl is great, I’ve always been a big fan of the Symphonic Suite version, which saw composer Joe Hisaishi re-arrange it for a full orchestra. The result is a captivating listen that captures the film’s evocative, thought-provoking, but ultimately hopeful and sympathetic tone.

This makes it a fantastic listen from start to finish and one I’ve been wanting to own on vinyl all year. Here’s hoping Santa’s listening and didn’t spot the “incident” on Denmark Street that I was 100 per cent not responsible for in March…

Buy Joe Hisaishi – Princess Mononoke (Symphonic Suite) on vinyl at Amazon

Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas on vinyl

Words by Kashfia Kabir

Vince Guaraldi Trio’s soundtrack to the 1965 special A Charlie Brown Christmas is up there with The Muppets Christmas Carol as encapsulating a kind of magic that transcends all time, ages and trends.

The whimsical yet sometimes muted jazz compositions match the Peanuts TV special beautifully, capturing the melancholy mood of Charlie Brown as he grapples with finding the true meaning of Christmas, while his friends mock and ridicule him, until, eventually, you get that lovely combination of friendship, kindness and warmth.

There are compositions in this album that are now synonymous with both Christmas and Peanuts (such as the bouncy, upbeat Linus and Lucy), while Skating is a personal favourite that fills you up with childhood joy and the feeling that everything will be okay. I’ve been eyeing up the Craft Recordings vinyl reissue (ideally gold foil package) for ages.

Buy Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas on vinyl at Drift Records

LEGO Retro Radio

Words by Harry McKerrell

If, like me, you’re at the stage of life where you’ve got various nieces and nephews running all over the place during the festive period, you’re probably going to be gifting quite a lot of LEGO this year, especially once your pint-sized relatives reach the stage where they’re not in danger of just trying to eat the blocks.

That’s all well and good, but who’s buying the LEGO for me? Millennium Falcons and pirate ships are a bit off-brand (still cool, though), so how about a retro radio instead? Inspired by the transistor designs of the 1970s, complete with that classic horizontal tuner, the radio is capable of making a few actual noises – though I’d predict that it probably looks a lot better than it sounds.

Buy LEGO Retro Radio at Lego.com

WiiM Pro Plus

Words by James Cook

In my experience, when listening to music socially, most people nowadays want the convenience of a wireless connection to a speaker and a music streaming application so everyone can queue up songs. And whilst I think it’s a shame that many have never listened to a vinyl record in full on a proper hi-fi system, there are merits to this, provided it doesn’t sacrifice too much sound quality.

For too long, I’ve been using a Lightning-to-RCA lead to connect my iPhone directly to my integrated amplifier for catering to social gatherings, so sound quality has, inevitably, suffered. That’s where the WiiM Pro Plus comes in.

This five-star, affordable music streamer is detailed, expressive and organised, and will slot nicely into my existing hi-fi setup without breaking the bank. It’s got a plethora of streaming options to choose from too, so I can enjoy convenient and collaborative listening without sacrificing so much sound quality – perfect for when I’m entertaining friends or family, or even those rare occasions when I can’t be bothered to stick a record on the turntable!

If you’re planning to do anything similar over the Christmas period, I’d recommend giving it a look yourself.

Technics EAH-AZ100

Words by Lewis Empson

I started 2025 with a flying visit to CES, the annual consumer tech trade show, with Panasonic, where the Japanese tech giant announced a new pair of wireless earbuds alongside its latest batch of five-star OLED TVs.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 immediately caught my attention; at the time I had a pair of EAH-AZ60M2 buds constantly lodged in my ears, so I was already a fan of the company’s work.

After a quick demo at Panasonic's launch event, and a follow up listening session back in the UK using our very own review pair, I was completely sold on these incredible sounding earbuds, and I’ve been pining after a pair ever since.

Their clean and spacious sound is befitting of a What Hi-Fi? Award, and I especially appreciated how expressive and punchy these buds sounded, meaning they perfectly suited my preferred music genres of alternative and pop.

I can’t forget to mention the “excellent noise cancelling", which would also make the AZ100 a perfect companion for my noisy morning commute.

These premium buds are at the top of my wish list, especially in that dashing new Midnight Blue finish.

Sony Bravia Projector 7

Words by Daniel Furn

As one of the newer members of the What Hi-Fi? editorial team, I was lucky enough to sit in on our reviewers’ extensive testing process during one of my first weeks here. The test I witnessed was none other than the five-star Sony Bravia Projector 7, which proved to be both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing because the Bravia Projector 7 boasts incredible depth, superb contrast control and is quite simply a joy to watch. And a curse? Going back to my home TV, itself a very capable OLED, feels a lot less cinematic in comparison.

I realise that with a starting price of £6999, this very much falls under the “wish” part of a wishlist. But if Santa Claus decides he’s feeling particularly generous, then to have the rich, balanced, and detailed image of the Sony Bravia Projector 7 would very much be a Christmas miracle. Maybe if I’m particularly good next year?

PlayStation 5 Pro

Words by Tom Parsons

Look, I don’t need a PS5 Pro. Of all of the ‘Pro’ PlayStation consoles in history, it feels like the least essential, even to someone as graphics-obsessed as I am, but just knowing there’s a better version of the PS5 out there with slightly smoother, slightly shinier visuals is enough to nag at me.

There’s another thing at play here, too. My good lady wife has, at the age of [redacted], suddenly taken up gaming. She’s recently smashed through Ghost of Tsushima and The Last Of Us Part 1, and is about halfway through The Last Of Us Part 2. She’s got her eyes on The Witcher 3 next, and I know first-hand what a long, obsession-inducing game that is.

In other words, my current PS5 is in high demand these days, and it looks set to get worse, so it might be time to treat myself to a second one. And if I’m going to get a second PS5, it might as well be the best one that’s available, right? It is Christmas after all.

Buy PlayStation 5 Pro at Amazon

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X

Words by Andy Madden

As someone who spends a lot of their working time tethered to a laptop, I’m always on the lookout for a quality pair of headphones to make the time pass by. Of course, the best wireless headphones deliver convenience and quality, but when I’m at my desk, I don’t mind a wire or two getting in the way.

This is why I’ve been using the Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro X on and off for the past few years. I’ve been plugging these cans directly into my MacBook Pro, and given I’m only using them with Amazon Music, I don’t really need to plug them into an external DAC, which helps to keep the wire count to a minimum.

So you can imagine the look on my face when I first read our Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X review. These headphones succeed the pair I’m using and manage to take performance forward in a number of areas, all the while remaining as comfy as your favourite pair of slippers.

I also don’t mind the fact that the Beyerdynamics are an open-back design. While I’m working solo, nobody is being annoyed by the headphones leaking my favourite tunes. It’s just something you might want to bear in mind if you add them to your wishlist.

It’s going to be a simple case of swapping out the old with the new, and I’d urge anyone looking for a simple and hugely effective way of boosting their own desktop audio to take a closer look at these classy over-ears.

MORE:

All I want for Christmas is this record-breaking demo tape that sold for $50,000 at auction

Goodbye, 2025! Check out 7 of our favourite test tracks of the year

I saw 75 films this year – these are my 5 best and 5 worst movies of 2025

A big year ahead? 6 pairs of wireless headphones and earbuds I'd love to see in 2026

Black Friday is now firmly in the rearview mirror, but Cyber Monday is dead ahead, and most of the best TV deals are still available.

In fact, I just found a sneaky way to get my favourite small OLED – the 42-inch LG C5 – for just £727 at AO.com.

The previous best price was £740 at Hughes, and the TV is still £759 at Amazon, so this is a great deal. And remember, this is a TV that launched at a price of £1400!

• Check out all of the Black Friday deals at Amazon
• Richer Sounds Black Friday event
• Sevenoaks Black Friday deals
• Peter Tyson: Black Friday event

Getting this price means signing up for an AO.com membership, which costs £40, but I've accounted for that in the £727 price I've quoted.

How it works is you sign up for the membership for £40, then you can buy the TV for just £687 – and get free delivery thrown in.

A small amount of effort then, but well worth it for the best 42-inch TV that money can buy.

The LG C5 is clearly the best 42-inch TV currently available – and yes, I say that as someone who’s tested many.

The hallmark OLED magic is all here: pixel-level contrast, truly inky blacks, and that pixel-level contrast control that never fails to draw you into a film or game.

With a little tweaking – we recommend Filmmaker Mode with judder reduction off and tone mapping on – the picture is beautifully balanced. Rich but natural skin tones, bright highlights when called for, and none of that over-the-top HDR exaggeration.

Scenes pop with impressive depth, colours feel cinematic rather than overcooked, and even fast action stays entirely smooth, with no ghosting or blur.

On the smart TV front, the C5 gets close to top marks. The latest webOS has too many adverts, but it also houses a full complement of properly nativised streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, and even BBC iPlayer, ITVX and many more besides.

But where the C5 really shines, at least for me, is gaming. All four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K/120Hz gaming (4K/144Hz if you have a powerful enough PC), with VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision Game Mode support.

That low input lag and high refresh rate make it so responsive that many people buy the LG C5 as a large gaming monitor rather than a traditional TV, and I'm all for that.

No TV is perfect, and the 42-inch C5 has some small flaws.

Colour volume takes a slight hit in very dark scenes; there are moments when low-light content feels a bit flatter than I’d like; and the built-in speakers are pretty weak.

But the picture is still excellent overall, and no TV sounds great, so these flaws are easy to accept – particularly at this price. Do try to add a soundbar to improve the audio, though.

In short, the C5 isn’t flawless, but it comes as close as any 42-inch OLED has to date. For me, it’s hands-down the best compact premium TV you can buy: cinematic when you watch movies, super-responsive when you play games, and compact enough for a second room or smaller lounge.

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals

If you thought Black Friday was done and dusted, you'd better think again.

Not only are the best Black Friday TV deals still available – I've just found a neat trick that gets you even more money off several of the best TVs, including most sizes of the excellent LG C5 OLED.

• Check out all of the Black Friday deals at Amazon
• Richer Sounds Black Friday event
• Sevenoaks Black Friday deals
• Peter Tyson: Black Friday event

It's all down to lesser-known retailer Hughes, which is offering blanket discounts across its store, based on how much you spend:

Hughes was already matching the lowest prices on most versions of the LG C5, so these codes take even more money off, resulting in the very lowest prices you can find anywhere in the UK right now.

And in case you're wondering, yes, Hughes does offer free delivery. It's also got an excellent 4.6 rating on Trustpilot, with the summary stating that "Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company".

So, that's the lowest prices anywhere, on amazing OLED TVs, and from a trusted online store. Seems like a win-win-win to me.

Today's best Black Friday LG C5 deals

• 42-inch LG C5: was £1400, now £740 at Hughes
• 55-inch LG C5: was £1900, now £955 at Hughes
• 65-inch LG C5: was £2700, now £1231 at Hughes
• 77-inch LG C5: was £3800, now £1851 at Hughes

42-inch LG C5 deal

55-inch LG C5 deal

65-inch LG C5 deal

77-inch LG C5 deal

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals

Black Friday is officially here! That means if you have been wanting to buy a top-notch OLED TV at a bargain price, this could be the best time to do it.

But choosing which model to go for can be difficult, especially since most OLEDs don't come cheap. Luckily, we have spotted a deal that could make you decision a little easier.

The excellent 48-inch LG C5 is down to just £849 at Peter Tyson, lopping £550 off its original price. That's the lowest price we have ever seen on this five-star model. To get that saving, you will need to be a VIP member at the retailer, but it is free and easy to sign up.

LG’s small OLED is a solid option for movie lovers with its rich and immersive picture, especially if you’re short on space.

The 48-inch C5 is the latest mid-range OLED in LG's C-series line-up featuring in both our best TVs and best OLED TVs buying guides.

So what makes this model so special? First off, its picture performance is "superbly competent" which makes it an OLED TV well worth considering.

In our review, we praised the picture for being bright and, once we fiddled around with the settings, found Filmmaker Mode, with the lowest Cinematic Movement option on, sharpening and judder reduction off and dynamic tone mapping on, to be the best set-up.

The set's sound performance isn't quite as impressive as its picture, though. That is why we strongly recommend investing in a separate sound system to give you the best home cinema experience.

The C5 features a near-identical feature set as its predecessor, the LG C4, which is particularly impressive considering its small size.

With four full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets capable of handling 4K/165Hz signals (as well as the 4K/120Hz that current consoles max out at, of course), one of which doubles as an eARC port, plus VRR and ALLM.

And a welcome inclusion for gamers, there's also support for Dolby Vision gaming and a peerless HGiG setting. Plus, LG’s webOS 25 software runs the show and is fairly similar to the version we saw on the older C4.

It's worth noting that another brilliant 48-inch OLED can also be found at an impressive discount this Black Friday if you are looking to expand your options. Samsung's S90F is currently available at Amazon for £805, saving you £695.

Still, this deal on the LG C5 is a great option, especially at its lowest price ever.

Black Friday quick links

• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• LG C5 55-inch: lowest-ever price at Richer Sounds
• JBL soundbar: now better than half price
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• Sony headphones: now just £29
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals
• Vinyl: 3 for £66 at Amazon
• Wireless earbuds: Award winners now £75

If you are hunting for a Black Friday bargain on an OLED TV, it can feel like a tricky task to sift through the endless models that are discounted right now. But don't worry, we have spotted a deal that gets you an entire £2600 saving.

The 77-inch LG C5 is available at Richer Sounds for just £1899, making it the lowest price we have spotted so far on this model.

All you need to do to get this saving is to use the code RSTV300 at checkout. Richer Sounds will take care of the rest and reduce the price automatically.

Offering a detailed and engaging picture as well as an uncompromising feature set, this is a great deal on a massive OLED.

Before we get into what makes the LG C5 such a good OLED, we need to mention that we have not tested the 77-inch model. However, we have had a number of models in the C5 range in our test room. And in our experience, LG's C series scale up impressively well, so this set should provide the same five-star performance but on a larger scale.

When we had the 55-inch model in for testing, we found that it offers a rich yet crisp overall picture. Not only that, but the OLED TV provides excellent contrast and image solidity that is difficult to beat for this price.

Film buffs and picture purists alike should be delighted with the Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode, while we found the level of detail preserved in HD and SDR content to be impressive.

It offers plenty for gamers, too. There are four HDMI 2.1 sockets or 4K/144Hz gaming, plus Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

But what about the sound performance? The C5's 2.2-channel 40W speaker system features downward-facing drivers that can support Dolby Atmos, but does not quite match the TV's five-star picture quality. That's why we strongly recommend budgeting for a separate sound system to do the system's image justice.

In terms of HDR support, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG are all present and accounted for.

LG's webOS 25 operating system also grants you access to the major streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

For anyone after a mid-range OLED TV right now, the LG C5 is a no-brainer. You'll get a new TV with an Award-winning picture and great gaming specifications, all at an impressively low price. Just remember that discount code!

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals

Time was a smaller TV meant big compromises on picture, sound, and everything in between. Thankfully, we’ve moved on.

Today, you can grab very capable compact sets that share some of the same bells and whistles as some of the best TVs. Take two of our favourite 48-inch models in the form of the LG C5 and Samsung S90F – both of which we've thoroughly reviewed.

With the scene set, read on to see which small TV deserves your cash…

LG C5 vs Samsung S90F: price

The 48-inch LG C5 launched at £1500 / $1599 / AU$2499, though discounts have knocked the price down since. At the time of writing, for example, you can grab one for £949 in the UK – substantially less than its launch price.

It’s a similar story for the 48-inch Samsung S90F, which cost £1499 / $1500 / AU$2499 at launch, and can now be found for as low as £828.

The pricing similarities make this a more or less even match-up, making their performance all the more important.

** Winner: Draw **

LG C5 vs Samsung S90F: design and build

The LG C5 has a central stand which provides a stable base that fits on most regular-sized TV cabinets without issue, and assembly is quick and straightforward – just plonk the stand on the TV's back, secure it with the included screws, and admire your handiwork.

The stand doesn't offer a swivel mechanism, though this matters less here as the set's ports are mostly housed on its side rather than the back, making them fairly easy to access. The bigger annoyance, though, is the angled slant and low height of the stand, which can make positioning a soundbar tricky. If you do go for one, you'll want to make sure it's a fairly low-profile model, like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2).

In the UK, the LG still ships with the somewhat long-in-the-tooth Magic Remote, which features a new AI shortcut button and a minor tweak that changes the input button so you can control all connected devices with it – including things such as smart lightbulbs – rather than just select which HDMI input you want. While the pointer functionality is welcome, the remote is clunky to use.

The Samsung S90F, meanwhile, features a sleeker aesthetic, with its central pedestal stand proving a particular highlight. It's quick and easy to connect to the screen, with a screw-free design that takes less than a minute to assemble. The stand's top face is also angled fairly flat and sets the screen slightly higher than the LG, making it high enough to house a smaller soundbar without any of the screen being blocked.

As a neat bonus, there are gaps in the pedestal's top and sides which make it easy to pass cables through. The only omission is that the stand doesn't swivel, but at this size and with most ports on the TV's side, that's less of an annoyance.

Unlike the LG, the Samsung ships with two controller options. The first is a retro, traditional slab full of manual controls, while the second is a more streamlined modern handset, complete with USB charging and a rear-facing solar charging panel. The only addition we would like to see is backlighting.

If you want to wall-mount, the S90F's 39mm depth and flat back mean it sits flush to a wall, while the C5's 47mm depth is slightly chunkier.

** Winner: Samsung S90F **

LG C5 vs Samsung S90F: picture quality

Both televisions use WOLED panel technology at this 48-inch size, though they handle picture processing very differently.

Powering up the 48-inch LG C5, the set tries too hard out of the box. Peak bright areas stand out too much as the TV attempts to show quite how bright it can go, while colours look a touch too warm. Motion handling is also very heavy-handed initially.

Things rapidly improve with proper calibration. Settling on Filmmaker Mode with the lowest Cinematic Movement option on, sharpening and judder reduction off, and dynamic tone mapping on, the desert scenes in Dune: Part 2 retain their sparkle with significantly more detail. Bright shading is strong, with a wonderful hue of blue transitioning to orange across the image, while cloud clusters retain their shape despite the added brightness.

Motion handling regains its composure too, with on-screen actions taking on their intended weight. During Civil War's night-time battle scene, explosions look dynamic and pop out of the dark sections with zero bloom, though colour volume drops slightly, especially in characters' skin tones. This is particularly noticeable on close-up shots where the darker parts of faces take on a greenish hue, losing warmth and resulting in a flatter image.

The set otherwise handles dark scenes admirably. Switching to Alien: Romulus, the opening scene shows a giant spacecraft creeping out of the pitch-black vacuum of space with every nook and cranny on display. Playing True Grit on SDR Blu-ray, the C5 performs well with upscaling, retaining the intentional spaghetti western grain without pushing too hard or oversharpening.

In contrast, the Samsung S90F delivers a more immediately impressive experience. Out of the box, it pushes too hard with overly warm colours and smoothed motion, but switching to Filmmaker Mode with judder, blur, and noise reduction off, colour booster off, and the colour profile set to Warm One brings everything into line.

The desert scenes in Dune: Part 2 retain decent pop with realistic colours and rolling sand dunes featuring wonderful detail. Movements feel sharp and natural, with a challenging segment involving a rocket launch handled ably. The only minor issue is the skyline, which looks slightly too red, missing some of the subtle hues seen on the LG. The bright sun also isn't quite as bright as we'd like, making the picture a touch flat.

Where the Samsung excels is during Civil War's night-time battle. Explosions pop out of the dark cityscape with dazzling brightness and a clear, bright fiery hue. Crucially, the S90F manages to retain colour volume during this tricky scene, with characters' faces retaining their warmth and offering solid detail in both the darkest and lightest parts of the picture – an area where many OLEDs struggle.

During Alien: Romulus, the S90F's performance in low light impresses. As a giant spaceship floats into view from the dark vacuum of space, while the contrast is a touch heavy-handed leading to some minor black crush, the overall image is wonderfully three-dimensional and immersive.

Playing True Grit on SDR Blu-ray, the Samsung offers one of the best upscaled pictures we've seen. The opening scene pushes the lanterns in the otherwise pitch-black farmstead to hold a wonderful, isolating beauty without seeming artificial. The falling soft snow is blissfully free of artefacts and retains its soft, fluffy quality.

** Winner: Samsung S90F **

LG C5 vs Samsung S90F: features and processing

The LG C5 is packed with features. The panel tech remains a WOLED, with the older brightness-boosting Micro Lens Array technology from last year's LG G4 being retired rather than trickling down to the C-series. The lack of MLA is a shame, though elsewhere it has been superseded by the Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel tech that debuted on the LG G5.

The big change for the C5 is the use of a newer LG Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor. Like every chipset recently, it has an overt focus on AI, which LG claims helps deliver more advanced upscaling and holistically improve colour accuracy, audio quality, and HDR tone mapping.

The C5 supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. The only ongoing omission is Samsung's HDR10+, which is a rival to Dolby Vision and offers similar frame-by-frame dynamic range optimisation for compatible content.

The main highlight remains the inclusion of four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, one of which doubles as an eARC port. Those four sockets all support 4K/144Hz (as well as 4K/120Hz), plus VRR and ALLM. Dolby Vision gaming is also on board and welcome for Xbox Series X/S owners.

LG's webOS 25 software runs the show and is fairly similar to previous versions. The big addition is a new Xbox app, which lets you stream games directly from the TV and adds the ability to pair a Bluetooth controller directly to the C5. The OS retains strong app support, with key services including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX all supported.

The Samsung S90F is also fairly feature-packed. The 48-inch model uses a WOLED panel rather than the next-generation QD-OLED seen on larger models in certain regions. Samsung has raised the brightness despite the lack of new panel technology, quoting the S90F as offering a 1300-nit peak – a 30 per cent improvement over the Samsung S90D.

The S90F matches the LG with four full-fat HDMI 2.1 inputs, one of which functions as the eARC connection. If you have multiple current-generation consoles and a sound system, this extra connectivity removes the faff of constantly swapping cables. The S90F supports 4K/144Hz, though this is only relevant to hardcore PC gamers with similarly hardcore rigs. ALLM and VRR are also supported.

Under the hood lies the NQ4 AI Gen3 processor. As with most modern silicon, the chipset has an overt focus on AI, with Samsung's 4K AI Upscaling Pro, AI Motion Enhancer Pro, and AI Colour Booster Pro services all taking advantage of the chipset's neural networks to improve contrast, boost colour accuracy, and intelligently upscale content.

The S90F employs Samsung Tizen OS, which offers curated profiles based on user habits. App support remains solid, with all the usual suspects including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV. There's also a good selection of local catch-up services including BBC iPlayer.

The key omission is Dolby Vision – no Samsung set supports it. Samsung puts all its eggs in HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+, the latter being Samsung's answer to Dolby Vision that uses dynamic metadata to optimise the picture on a frame-by-frame level.

** Winner: Draw **

LG C5 vs Samsung S90F: sound

The 48-inch C5 features a 2.2-channel 40W speaker system. On a set this size, audio quality is usually one of the main compromises due to smaller dimensions impacting how much air the speakers can move around.

Starting with the set in its standard audio mode, the C5's performance is distinctly flat, with every part of the sound coming from the centre of the screen. Gunfire and soldiers' shouts during Civil War lack their intended directional quality. While gunfire never sounds acidic, it lacks bite, and explosions lack the heft required for the intended bone-rumbling effect.

Switching to the AI audio mode doesn't fix things either. While the set noticeably tries to separate the frequency range more, it makes each part thin in the process. Gunfire takes on a nasal, fizzy quality, and sibilance creeps into dialogue while the low end all but disappears.

The best results come from Cinema mode, but even then, the audio lacks definition. During Top Gun: Maverick, the boom of jet engines lacks precision and directionality, and voices aren't suitably separated from background noise, making some conversations hard to follow.

The Samsung S90F counters with a 60-watt, 2.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos-ready built-in sound system with just two profiles – Standard and Amplify. This is apparently due to Samsung's confidence in its AI chipset's ability to optimise the audio.

The speakers are weak – conversations are easily held even with volume at 100. Going north of 60 on the volume control introduces distortion into gunfire and background explosions, despite the set's lack of low-end heft. Switching to Amplify attempts to offer better separation but ultimately pushes the low end down, leaving only voices and upper frequencies, which take on a sibilant, forced quality.

Standard mode offers a more balanced performance with some benefits at lower volumes. Though the speakers can't deliver the desired oomph, there is at least some sense of directionality. During Top Gun: Maverick, the S90F's audio manages to match the jet plane's on-screen movements, and there's enough separation between voices and background effects to follow conversations.

Both sets require one of the best soundbars for serious movie watching, though the Samsung edges ahead with slightly better directionality and separation.

** Winner: Samsung S90F **

LG C5 vs Samsung S90F: verdict

The 48-inch LG C5 retains LG's legacy as one of the top small OLED TV makers, but largely because it sticks closely to the blueprint that made past C-series sets great. If you're yet to take the OLED plunge, this is a solid option, especially if you're short on space. The inclusion of Dolby Vision gaming will appeal to Xbox owners, while webOS 25 remains an excellent smart platform.

However, the lack of progress is beginning to show at this size, with occasional colour temperature issues in darker scenes and weak built-in audio proving frustrating. The Magic Remote also feels increasingly dated compared to rivals.

The Samsung S90F, in contrast, is the more complete package at this size. It delivers a bright, punchy OLED experience with excellent contrast control and strong colour volume that the LG struggles to match in difficult scenes. The superior upscaling, better build quality, and two remote options add to its appeal.

The lack of Dolby Vision is the only significant omission, though HDR10+ provides similar frame-by-frame optimisation for compatible content. For most viewers, the Samsung's punchier performance, more refined picture processing, and better overall value make it the smarter choice.

** Overall Winner: Samsung S90F **

MORE

Read our Samsung S90F review

These are the best TVs that money can buy

Read our LG C5 review

LG's C5 OLEDs are always among the most popular TVs, particularly around Black Friday, when they tend to get massively discounted.

The discounts aren't the only appealing factor, though. The LG C5 is arguably the perfect combination of performance, features and price, which is why we declared it the "best TV for most people" in our full review of the 55-inch model.

The C5 now has three What Hi-Fi? Awards to its name, too. It really is that good.

• Black Friday 2025: our pick of the best deals on headphones, TVs, speakers, soundbars and more

There's still a lot to consider before you click the big 'Buy' button, though, and it can be hard to cut through the noise, especially during the chaos of Black Friday.

That's why we created this page, which is a complete guide to the C5, from finding the best prices, to what's in the box and how to set it up once you've got it home.

The best LG C5 deals

Which screen size is right for you?

The LG C5 comes in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from the pint-sized 42-inch model, all the way up to an imposing 83-inch screen size.

Which size you opt for will likely depend on the size of your room, and you'll want to keep viewing distances in mind for the best experience.

We've shared our recommendations for the ideal viewing distances for 4K TVs before, and you can find our guidelines for each available screen size of the C5 below.

These aren't strict measurements, so feel free to adjust depending on what is most comfortable for you; however, you should be able to narrow down your preferred screen size by measuring your room and comparing it to the distances below.

Good to know: what's in the box, important measurements and more

It's not the most glamorous part of buying a new OLED TV, but we're here to share some crucial information regarding what's included with your new TV; manuals and all.

In the box you'll find the TV (no surprises there), a tabletop stand with screws (unlike the G-series OLEDs, which have previously included wall-mount stands), the Magic Remote with batteries, an attached power cable, optional cable tidy clips, and the user manuals and warranty guides.

The stand is mostly the same across the core 48- to 65-inch screen sizes, with each featuring a centrally mounted stand that's 47cm in width.

The 77-inch model uses a very similar-looking stand; however, it's slightly wider at 52cm, whereas the 83-inch model interestingly features the narrowest stand at 46cm.

The position and fairly narrow width of the stand make it easy to position on a wide range of media units; however, it's best to measure up just in case.

The 42-inch size features a slightly different tabletop stand with dual blade-style feet at either end of the TV, which are 71.8cm apart. Ironically, the smallest model technically features the widest stand. If you're hoping to wall mount this TV, then you should know that all sizes are compatible with the universal VESA standard.

Every model comes with LG's Magic Remote, which includes a unique motion-style pointer interface; if you've ever used a Nintendo Wii, then you'll find yourself right at home with this remote.

If you'd prefer to use a more traditional interface, then you can simply turn off the motion feature in the settings menu, under the "pointer options" heading, which can be found in the system category.

Finally, if this is your first OLED TV, then you've likely heard about burn-in before. While this used to be a major issue with OLED TVs, we've found that this issue has become much less prevalent in recent years.

If you hammer this TV for years on end with static content on the screen for long periods of time, then you may well encounter it, but LG includes various systems to help negate this issue, including a pixel cleaning process that happens automatically and frequently.

Key features

The LG C5 is a feature rich TV for movie fans and gamers like. It features an OLED panel which, if you haven't come across this panel technology before, features individual light control for each of the pixels, allowing them to completely turn off with no influence on the adjacent pixels.

This means that when the TV shows blacks, they're real blacks, and there's no halo effect when bright objects are shown on dark backgrounds.

Furthermore, this is a 4K HDR TV, with support for the Dolby Vision HDR format with relevant content from Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and even video games.

Speaking of gaming, the panel can reach speeds of up to 144Hz, with variable refresh rate and auto low latency mode both included, meaning gaming is responsive and buttery smooth on this TV; hence why we awarded it the title of "best gaming TV" this year.

There are four HDMI 2.1 sockets on the C5, all of which are capable of accepting high-speed signals up to 4K/144Hz (console gamers are limited to 120Hz), with one of these sockets doubling as the eARC port to interface with external audio equipment.

Streaming and smart functionality are included via the webOS platform, which features every imaginable streaming service and entertainment app. LG has also included compatibility with other smart home appliances and gadgets via its ThinQ initiative, meaning you can interact with your smart home via the TV.

AI takes a step forward this year, with a voice-interactive help troubleshooting function that allows you to change the settings on the C5 by simply explaining your issue to the TV's remote.

How can you get the best out of this TV?

We've raved about the 42-, 48- and 55-inch versions of this TV's picture performance. It provides a crisp, three-dimensional and vibrant image that's balanced and engaging in equal measures, but you need to adjust a few settings to truly get the best out of this TV.

We find Filmmaker Mode to be the best setting, as it provides the most authentic image for those looking to achieve a picture closest to the director's original intention.

It turns off most of the settings we'd hope for; however, we recommend checking the sharpness value in the picture settings and turning it down to zero if it's not already set there.

Furthermore, the TruMotion setting is worth looking into, as it adds just a touch of smoothness to motion, which is needed with this TV. It doesn't introduce the so-called soap opera effect, but those sensitive to motion processing may wish to steer clear.

Finally, we'd recommend switching on Dynamic Tone Mapping in the picture settings, as it adds some necessary pop and brightness to HDR10 content.

What should I pair with the LG C5?

If there's one area where we found the C5 to be underwhelming, it's the built-in speakers. To be fair to LG, most TVs that we test don't tend to impress with their included speakers, hence why we recommend pairing the C5 with a Dolby Atmos soundbar.

If you're thinking of buying the 42- or 48-inch C5, then you should look at the Sonos Beam Gen 2, as its compact chassis pairs well with these smaller screen sizes. It delivers five-star immersive sound, and it can be found for just £335 at Amazon in the Black Friday sales.

If you've chosen any of the larger sizes, then the Sonos Arc Ultra will best suit your TV. It's larger in width, meaning it'll fit more naturally underneath, and the bigger, bolder and more room-filling sound will match with the bigger picture. It too can be found at a discount right now, with a Black Friday price of £799 at Richer Sounds.

Elsewhere, we'd recommend the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player (currently down to £289 at Richer Sounds) as a 4K Blu-ray will deliver the sharpest image to enjoy on your new OLED TV.

And as this is a supreme gaming TV, you can't go wrong with a Sony PlayStation 5 (now just £289 for the Digital Edition), which supports all of the excellent gaming features that this TV includes.

Also consider

There are, of course, alternatives to the LG C5. The Sony Bravia 8 is a prime example, as it offers a stunning picture with Sony's excellent picture processing, a slick design and better sound, though the 65-inch model is considerably more expensive at £1799 at Richer Sounds.

Samsung offers the S90F, which features a brighter QD-OLED panel at 65 inches, though the other sizes seem to feature standard OLED displays. We can vouch for the 48-inch model as a great alternative to the smaller LG C5, but we haven't tested any of the other sizes.

Panasonic's Z90B is another excellent 48-inch OLED option, as this Award-winning TV sports a more balanced and authentic picture, as well as better sound.

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• LG C5 55-inch: lowest-ever price at Richer Sounds
• JBL soundbar: now better than half price
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• Sony headphones: now just £29
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals
• Vinyl: 3 for £66 at Amazon
• Wireless earbuds: Award winners now £75

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a story about the LG C5 deals that were around at the time and had a go at predicting whether they would be beaten on Black Friday.

I used the Black Friday pricing of previous C-series OLEDs, as well as my general experience monitoring TV prices, so I figured I'd be in the right ballpark at least.

Well, I was wrong, particularly on the 42-inch LG C5.

I predicted that the smallest LG C5, which was £949 at the time, would drop to £899. But you can actually buy it right now for just £799 at Richer Sounds (and others).

• Check out all of the Black Friday deals at Amazon
• Richer Sounds Black Friday event: huge savings on TVs and projectors
• Sevenoaks Black Friday deals: save up to £2700 on TVs
• Peter Tyson: save hundreds on a new AV receiver

This is so much cheaper than I expected at this stage of the C5's life.

I expect the price will head back up a bit after Black Friday, and I don't imagine it will get back down below £800 until at least Christmas, so this seems like a great time to buy.

The 42-inch LG C5 OLED is a smart bet for anyone wanting top-tier picture in a compact package. It’s not a dramatic leap over the previous C4, but it refines what was already excellent.

The design is sleek and understated – slim, light and easy to set up – though its low-set feet mean a soundbar might obscure part of the screen. The remote is still the same Magic Remote: a little plasticky, no backlight, and clunky by modern standards, but functional if not flashy.

What really stands out is its feature set: all four of the HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K/144Hz (and the more console-friendly 4K/120Hz) gaming, VRR and ALLM – everything a serious gamer could want in a small TV.

Throw in HDR support for Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG, plus a powerful Alpha 9 Gen 8 chip with LG’s Brightness Booster Engine, and you’ve got a sub-55-inch TV that punches way above its weight.

Streaming apps feel snappy, thanks to webOS 25, and services such as Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer and even GeForce Now are all at your fingertips.

As for the picture, it’s a treat. In default settings, things can look a little artificial, but switch to Filmmaker Mode with judder reduction off and dynamic tone mapping on, and the magic happens.

The desert landscapes in Dune shimmer with detail, the Fremen fighters feel three-dimensional, and motion remains smooth even in chaotic scenes. Skin tones are warm and natural in daylight, though in darker scenes some colour volume is lost – faces can take on a slightly pale, greenish hue, which is more noticeable than on some competing sets.

When it comes to upscaling, the C5 handles lower-res content really well: dim lantern-lit scenes retain a soft, organic glow and details don’t look overly sharpened or artificial.

That said, the speakers don’t match the brilliance of the screen. The built-in sound is serviceable for casual viewing, but it lacks bass and directionality – you’ll almost certainly want to pair this TV with a good soundbar for a proper cinematic experience.

In short, the 42-inch LG C5 is the best small OLED around right now: rich, immersive visuals, flawless gaming chops, and a solid smart platform. Add a soundbar and you're set.

More of today's best Black Friday deals

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals
• Wine, beer and spirits: save up to 34% on drinks

OLED TVs can cost a pretty penny, but fear not. While we've seen some tantalising discounts on the five-star LG C5 in recent weeks, with Black Friday finally upon us, it's time for the best deal yet.

For just £1399 at Richer Sounds, the 65-inch C5 OLED can be yours – that's £100 cheaper than its previous lowest price and a massive total discount of £1300 on its launch price.

The price might look like £1499 at first, but simply add the code 'RSTV100' at checkout and you'll secure that extra £100 off.

If it's not clear by now, we can't recommend the LG C5 enough. Beating out the other best OLED TVs on the market for value, this five-star set offers flawless app support, solid gaming features and great picture quality.

And we happily gave it a What Hi-Fi? Award this year for being our favourite mid-range set, undercutting the flagship G-series as well as mid-range OLEDS from rival brands such as Sony and Panasonic.

It's the ideal TV for most people, capable of rich, solid and engaging pictures that balance vibrancy and authenticity, as well as excellent contrast and image solidity.

And it performs straight out of the box – though it's worth noting that our expert testers were particularly happy with its performance using the Filmmaker Mode preset.

LG's winning formula delivers on picture quality but also features, including four full-speed HDMI 2.1 sockets, all of which support 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, plus excellent HDR support and brilliant app compatibility.

And the C5 uses webOS 25, LG's latest operating system, which supports a wide range of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

The LG C5 is our go-to recommendation for buyers looking for a 65-inch TV but who can't quite stretch to the heights of the Bravia 8 II (or just don't want to).

So, grab it for Black Friday at the seriously low price of £1399 at Richer Sounds, before it's too late.

MORE:

Read our full 55-inch LG C5 OLED TV review

Black Friday 2025 hi-fi and home cinema deals live: our experts' picks of the top savings on speakers, headphones, TVs, soundbars and more

How to avoid bad hi-fi and home cinema deals this Black Friday – top tips and tricks from our review team

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals

Calling all big TV fans! Black Friday has long been a great excuse to upgrade to a super-sized TV, and we may have just found the model for you.

There are plenty of LG C5 deals knocking around right now if you're looking for a different size, but we couldn't help but notice that the huge 83-inch model is now at its lowest ever price.

The 83-inch LG C5 is down to £3499 at Richer Sounds. However, this is only with the code RSTV200, which removes £200 at checkout.

That's the lowest price we've seen on the 83-inch size by £100, and a massive £2500 off the launch price of £5999!

You can also get the LG USC9S soundbar for £199 too as part of a special offer. It's worth considering for the £500 discount, but we'd recommend a look at our best soundbars guide if you're serious about sound.

While we haven't reviewed the 83-inch LG C5, the sizes we have tested – the 42, 48 and 55 inches – all scored a perfect five out of five, with two of them winning a coveted What Hi-Fi? Award. LG TVs tend to scale up and down quite consistently, so you can expect a similar performance from the 83-inch size.

In addition to the huge screen size – the highest available for the C5 – the 83-inch model has a lot going for it.

For starters, the LG C5 won the What Hi-Fi? Award for Best Gaming TV, partly thanks to its excellent connectivity, including four HDMI 2.1 sockets which can all run games at up to 4K/144Hz with VRR. ALLM and a Dolby Vision game mode are also included to sweeten the deal.

Talking of HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG are all supported. LG's trusty webOS also provides access to all the usual streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

While we can't speak specifically for the 83-inch size, we were suitably impressed by the picture quality of the 55-inch model. In our review, we noted how the picture was rich, solid and engaging, balancing vibrancy and authenticity well while also boasting excellent contrast.

The 83-inch C5 shares the same 40W sound system as its 55-inch variant, which we found to be underwhelming. However, this won't be an issue if you're planning to pair it with a decent soundbar or surround system.

We may not have had our hands on the 83-inch size ourselves, but the LG C5 is one of our favourite TVs of the year and absolutely jam-packed with features. If you're looking for a ridiculously big TV this Black Friday, you could do a lot worse than the LG C5 for £3499 at Richer Sounds.

MORE:

How to avoid bad hi-fi and home cinema deals this Black Friday – top tips and tricks from our review team

Black Friday hi-fi and home cinema deals live: our experts’ picks of the best savings

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• LG C5 55-inch: lowest-ever price at Richer Sounds
• JBL soundbar: now better than half price
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• Sony headphones: now just £29
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals
• Vinyl: 3 for £66 at Amazon
• Wireless earbuds: Award winners now £75

It's perhaps unsurprising that of all the product categories we cover, TVs is probably the busiest.

There's just so much ongoing progress in TV land, with loads of brands launching entirely new TV ranges each and every year. Just keeping up can make your head spin.

In total, we've tested almost 50 new TVs in the last year, including several that were sent in specifically for Awards consideration and are yet to have their reviews published.

Whittling down all of those TVs to just seven winners (across eight categories) for the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 was no easy task, but our team of expert reviewers managed to do just that.

Those winners include affordable and premium Mini LED and OLED sets, ranging in size from just 42 inches right up to a truly cinematic 98 inches, so there's pretty much something for everyone.

If you're looking for an 8K TV Award-winner, though, you might be disappointed.

With no visible progress on 8K content and only one brand producing 8K TVs in earnest, having an 8K TV Award was beginning to feel a bit odd. Perhaps the next 12 months will change things and this Award will be reinstated next year.

We would have liked to have had a budget 43-inch Award-winner as well, and perhaps even a 32-inch TV Award, but try as we might, we just couldn't find any TVs of either type that were worthy.

But, less about the unworthy TVs, and on with the very worthy winners of the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025.

Three Awards for the LG C5

Since 2018, LG's C-series OLED TVs have won at least one What Hi-Fi? Award every year except 2020. This year, it's taking home a highly impressive three Awards.

The first goes to the 42-inch LG C5, which, despite not being a huge upgrade on the C4 that went before it, remains the very best TV we've tested at its size.

42-inch OLEDs are hugely popular among those who really care about picture quality but have a smaller room, and the C5 is the best of the bunch, with perfect blacks, excellent colour balance, impressive motion handling and oodles of detail. A worthy winner indeed.

The C5 also takes the win for the best mid-range TV in the 55- to 77-inch category. The C-series has always excelled in balancing performance, features and price, and no previous generation has typified this more than the C5.

And, once again, the C-series takes the win as the best gaming TV. Whether it's the bijou 42 incher, the mid-sized 55-inch version or the 77-inch beast, the C5 cannot be beaten for gaming features and performance.

And three Awards for TCL

TCL has been the surprise TV brand of 2025.

After several years of showing glimmers of greatness while struggling for consistency, the brand's 2025 range has proven to be genuinely exceptional.

The core of the success appears to be a new backlighting system that combines vast numbers of super-bright Mini LEDs with a new level of control. The super-aggressive pricing is a big factor, too – when you can get a better TV for less money, why look elsewhere?

The 50-inch C6KS is perhaps the best example of this. Despite costing significantly less than £500, it romped to victory against several much more premium TVs on pure performance.

We feel that the C7K is the real pick of TCL's 2025 TV range, though, which is why it wins the Awards for the best budget TV in the 55- to 77-inch category, and the best super-sized TV.

Not only did the C7K have to defeat rivals from Samsung, Sony and Hisense, it also got the better of its more premium sibling, the C8K. Yes, the C8K is better in some ways, but the C7K is more balanced overall and a near-perfect representation of our performance-per-pound mantra.

An Award each for Panasonic and Sony

The flagship OLED market has been more competitive than ever this year, with new Primary RGB Tandem OLED TVs battling with the latest-gen QD-OLED models for super-bright, super-contrasty dominance.

This Award turned into a fight between the LG G5, Panasonic Z95B, Samsung S95F and Sony Bravia 8 II, and it's the Sony model that has emerged victorious, with the Samsung coming a close second.

The Bravia 8 II pushes brightness a little less than those rivals, but it combines cinematic authenticity with amazing processing that results in an incredibly rich, detailed and three-dimensional picture.

Panasonic may have missed out in that flagship OLED battle, but it's still a TV Award-winner, with the Z90B OLED taking the prize for the best premium TV in the 48- to 50-inch category.

Competition was fierce here, too, with the LG C5 and Samsung S90F both also proving to be five-star sets. Ultimately, though, the Panasonic Z90B's as-the-director-intended approach to picture quality saw it take a deserved win.

So, that's seven winning TVs across eight categories. But which will take home the even more coveted Product of the Year Award at this year's glitzy What Hi-Fi? Awards ceremony?

That will be revealed on whathifi.com on the evening of 13th November, so stay tuned.

MORE:

See every What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 winner here

Don't forget the sound: here are our 2025 soundbar Award-winners

And here is the complete list of the best TVs you can buy right now

LG's five-star, Award-winning C5 OLED TV might no longer be the latest model on the market, but that is currently working in its favour.

The mid-range entry in LG's 2025 lineup is still a formidable TV, and we're seeing prices drop lower than ever before. And with Amazon Prime Day on the horizon, we're expecting even bigger savings.

The C5 offers much of what we loved about LG's new C6 OLED TV, all at a lower price. Primarily, the ability to stick it into Filmmaker Mode and reap the rewards of its superbly detailed, contrast-rich picture.

It's also a top choice for gamers thanks to its four full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets, and LG is even adding more audio functionality with a recent update that enables Dolby Atmos FlexConnect.

With screen sizes ranging from a compact 42 inches to a sizeable 83 inches, the C5 is a truly versatile television, and it's the one we recommend watching this Prime Day.

The value for money proposition it offers is second to none in the OLED market, and with prices plummeting, that's only going to become more apparent over time.

We've collected the best deals across all screen sizes below, so if you're eyeing up an LG C5, then simply check here to find the very best price.

LG OLED42C5 (42-inch)

Launch price: £1099 / $1399 / AU$1695

Like the other sizes of C5, this isn't a huge step on from its predecessor. But given the quality of the C4, even a modest upgrade still makes for a phenomenal TV – a What Hi-Fi? Award winner, no less.

Instead of the pedestal stand of the other sizes, it has blade-style feet. But it packs all the same gaming smarts (including four HDMI 2.1 ports) of its larger siblings into a package compact enough to serve as a second set, or to suit a smaller lounge.

Of course, it helps that lots of TV makers have shunned the 42-inch size recently, instead opting to go large. But the C5 would stand out even in a crowded market, it's that good.

• Read our LG OLED42C5 review

LG OLED48C5 (48-inch)

Launch price: £1399 / $1599 / AU$2495

The 48-inch model is about as premium as TVs come at this size. Again, you get the same unbeatable gaming spec as the others in the C5 series, including four HDMI 2.1 ports and gaming features like VRR and ALLM.

Competition is much fiercer at this size than at 42 inches, however. So these discounts are very welcome – the price cuts have been more aggressive as the TV gets closer to its one-year anniversary.

The lack of decent audio is more noticeable at this size, so you will want to invest in a decent soundbar. But if you can find a deal, this TV will not disappoint.

• Read our LG OLED48C5 review

LG OLED55C5 (55-inch)

Launch price: £1900 / $1999 / AU$3295

Once you get to 55 inches, manufacturers start equipping their TVs with more sophisticated tech – think more advanced panels capable of delivering brighter pictures. The good stuff, in other words.

That's certainly the case here. Because while the upgrades over the C4 might look a little thin on paper (consisting of just a brighter screen and AI-focussed software), they deliver another stunning TV that's among the best of its size. Hence the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Award.

Yes, the design (unchanged since 2022's C2) is starting to look a bit dated. And yes, the sound is still sub-par, especially given the quality of its visuals. But for a stacked feature set (including unparalleled gaming prowess) and eye-popping picture, the C5 is the best 55-inch TV for most people.

• Read our LG OLED55C5 review

LG OLED65C5 (65-inch)

Launch price: £2700 / $2699 / AU$4295

We haven't tested the 65-inch model, but it should be identical to the Award-winning 55-incher, just slightly bigger.

You can expect the same stellar picture quality, immense gaming specs and webOS operating system, which comes with all the usual streaming apps.

The picture should look all the more engrossing at this size. In our review, we praised the 55-incher's "rich, solid and engaging picture that balances vibrancy and authenticity," along with the "excellent contrast and image solidity."

Throw in comprehensive HDR support and that extensive feature spec, and you've got quite a TV on your hands.

LG OLED77C5 (77-inch)

Launch price: £4499 / $3699 / AU$5995

If you have the space – and budget – for a 77-inch TV, you might feel a little shortchanged by the 40W built-in sound system. But the least you can do is partner it with one of the best soundbars.

Discounts are still likely with this size model, so we certainly wouldn't recommend paying full price. Check out the best deals below.

LG OLED83C5 (83-inch)

Launch price: £5999 / $5399 / AU$7995

With the same 40W sound system as the 55-inch C5, the 83-incher will be woefully underpowered in the audio department. But we'll say it again, you really should buy a separate soundbar.

At this size, something like the KEF XIO, Sonos Arc Ultra or Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max should suffice. Anything less, and you really aren't doing it justice.

The 83-inch C5's stand is a little wider to accommodate its massive size. But otherwise, this TV has an identical spec to the 55-inch size and above.

MORE:

LG G5 vs LG G4: what improvements does the 2025 flagship OLED TV offer?

Check out the best TVs around

If you're hunting for one of the best TVs to fit a smaller space without sacrificing premium picture quality, you’re probably thinking along the lines of a 48-inch OLED.

The best OLEDs at this size deliver movie night performance in a compact package, at a price point that’s cheaper than their 55-inch+ siblings.

Enter the What Hi-Fi? 2025 Award-winning 48-inch Panasonic Z90B and LG C5 – two of the most accomplished options at this size, both of which earned a well-deserved five stars.

We've thoroughly reviewed both models in our dedicated test rooms, so you can rest assured that the comparison below will see you in good stead. With that said, let’s jump straight in.

Panasonic Z90B vs LG C5: price

The 48-inch Panasonic Z90B launched at £1500 in the UK (no such luck for those in the US or Australia), positioning it slightly higher than the £1399 48-inch LG C5's launch price.

At the time of writing, both sets are available for a discounted price, with the Z90B at £1099 and the C5 at £1049. With such close pricing, it’s all to play for…

** Winner: Draw **

Panasonic Z90B vs LG C5: design and build

The Panasonic Z90B doesn't deviate from the company's established OLED design language, which brings both advantages and frustrations.

The panel itself is slim enough for flush wall-mounting, and the 48-inch model uses a large rectangular metal stand that feels reassuringly sturdy – reassuring enough that our testers described it as toddler- and pet-proof. Always a bonus.

What the stand doesn't offer, is a swivel mechanism – an omission that proves mildly irritating if you need to adjust viewing angles. A smaller footprint would help too, particularly for narrower TV units.

The real sticking point, though, is its speaker bar. Bolted to the television's base, it's essentially a permanently attached soundbar that Panasonic insists removes the need for separate audio equipment.

Whether you agree with that assessment or not (and we don't), the bar becomes an active nuisance if you already own a soundbar, as it complicates placement considerably.

The remote control follows Panasonic's traditional approach – large, button-heavy, with shortcuts to every conceivable app and feature, but lacking refinements such as backlighting, solar charging, or USB rechargeability. It's functional but feels distinctly old-fashioned.

The LG C5, meanwhile, sticks equally closely to past designs. Place it beside 2022's C2, let alone last year's C4, and you'd struggle to spot a difference. The 48-inch model inherits the central stand design from its larger siblings, which assembles quickly and securely with minimal fuss.

Unlike its smaller 42-inch sibling, the stand doesn't swivel either, though this matters less since most ports sit on the television's side rather than its rear, making access reasonably straightforward.

What does matter., though, is the stand's angled slant and low height, which can create headaches when positioning a soundbar. You'll want a particularly low-profile model – something like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) – if you go down that route.

Elsewhere, in the US and many other countries, LG has released a sleek, modernised controller for the C5. UK buyers, however, get a marginally tweaked version of the long-serving Magic Remote instead.

That remote gains a new AI shortcut button and a modified input button that can control connected smart home devices, rather than just cycling HDMI sources.

The pointer functionality remains – letting you navigate menus with an on-screen cursor controlled by motion – but the controller feels clunky in low light, which is when most serious film enthusiasts use their televisions. The lack of backlighting and rechargeable batteries feels increasingly dated compared to rival OLED remotes as well.

** Winner: LG C5 **

Panasonic Z90B vs LG C5: screen and picture quality

Both televisions use regular WOLED panels rather than the newer Primary RGB Tandem OLED technology that debuted earlier this year.

The brightness-boosting Micro Lens Array (MLA) tech that appeared on previous-generation flagships has been retired rather than trickling down to these step-down models, heading to the same ethereal dimension filled with curved screens and 3D.

The Panasonic distinguishes itself with a heatsink – a feature we've wanted to see on smaller OLEDs for years.

Tightly packed pixels on 48-inch panels mean these sets heat up more readily than their larger siblings, which traditionally forces manufacturers to tune them conservatively. The heatsink should allow Panasonic to push harder without risking burn-in or panel degradation.

Processing duties fall to Panasonic's HCX Pro AI Processor MKII in the Z90B, while the LG employs its newer Alpha 9 Gen 8 chipset. Both focus heavily on AI enhancement, though they apply their computational muscle differently.

Fire up Dune: Part 2 on the Panasonic, and the difference in philosophy becomes immediately apparent. Even in its imperfect out-of-the-box settings, the Z90B displays more restraint than most rivals. The desert retains proper colour accuracy – just a touch too warm rather than aggressively oversaturated.

Peak highlights get pushed slightly harder than ideal, particularly in scenes mixing bright and dark elements, but nothing like the artificial punch that competing sets deliver. Motion handling proves the main culprit, with excessive smoothing making Fremen fighters appear to float rather than lunge with violent intent.

Switch to Filmmaker Mode, and the transformation is remarkable – almost everything falls into place without further adjustment. This preset turns off the unnecessary processing that plagues the default settings, revealing the Z90B's true capabilities.

Colours become the standout strength. The scorching desert tones hold their warmth and richness without ever tipping into exaggeration. Background dunes retain subtle shades of red and orange that rival sets reduce to pure white, while skin tones maintain their natural colour volume even in the dimmest lighting.

There's a wonderful range of hues across both the brightest and darkest parts of the image too, with each area packed with detail that never feels artificial or forced. This isn't achieved through aggressive brightness – the Panasonic runs dimmer than most competitors 99 per cent of the time, but it reserves its efforts for moments that demand it.

During Civil War's night-time battle scene, the Z90B produces peak highlights every bit as bright and detailed as pricier rivals, but because it chooses to focus selectively, those bright elements hold a distinct, realistic place within the frame, adding three-dimensionality rather than superficial pop.

Looking at a White House chandelier, every bauble remains visible and sharp, with a wide gamut in the burning bulbs that many competing sets simply render as white.

This approach does, however carry trade-offs. Switch to Alien: Romulus's opening, and while blacks are properly inky with stars shining menacingly from the void, the emerging spacecraft takes longer to fully reveal itself. The intentionally low brightness means details hiding in shadow require more effort to discern – they're there, but more thoroughly veiled than on brighter sets.

SDR upscaling with True Grit proves similarly conservative. The opening scene is extraordinarily dark, with some porch details visible on rival sets appearing completely black here. Falling snow lacks definition and all but vanishes against the darkest picture areas.

A brighter town scene improves matters, but the SDR performance doesn't quite deliver the dynamic range or detail retrieval that competitor sets manage. Colours remain accurate and the picture stays free of artefacts, but it's an area where the Z90B isn't leading its class.

The LG C5 tells a rather different story. Powering it up reveals a television that tries too hard in its standard settings. Peak bright areas in Dune: Part 2's desert scenes stand out excessively as the set attempts to demonstrate its capabilities, while colours skew too warm. Motion handling is heavy-handed, with fighters resembling dancing ballerinas rather than aggressive knife-wielding warriors.

Extensive settings adjustment is required – eventually settling on Filmmaker Mode with the lowest Cinematic Movement option enabled, sharpening and judder reduction disabled, and dynamic tone mapping activated. The colour temperature slider (now offering more granular control than before) stays at its Filmmaker Mode default.

Properly configured, the desert retains its sparkle with bright sky sections shining in ways OLEDs from even a few years ago couldn't manage, but with significantly more detail. Bright shading is strong, with a wonderful transition from blue to orange across the frame.

Cloud clusters hold their shape despite the added brightness, showcasing the advantage of pixel-level light control. The only niggle is that colour temperature still looks fractionally too cool, though it shifts too far in the opposite direction with minor adjustments.

Motion handling regains its composure, with on-screen characters moving with their intended weight. A difficult scene where a Fremen fighter launches a missile at an Ornithopter looks accurate, free from ghost frames or awkwardness.

Civil War's heated night-time battle reveals a weakness, though. Explosions look dynamic and pop from dark sections with zero bloom – as expected from OLED – but colour volume drops noticeably, especially in skin tones.

This becomes particularly apparent in close-ups. While the brightest parts of faces look wonderfully three-dimensional with plenty of pop, darker areas take on a greenish hue, losing all warmth and resulting in a flatter, less natural image than we'd like.

The set otherwise handles dark scenes admirably. Alien: Romulus's opening shows a giant spacecraft creeping from the pitch-black vacuum of space, with every nook and cranny of the vessel on display, creating a wonderfully three-dimensional spectacle.

Top Gun: Maverick's skyline looks excellent again – full of pop and detail – but shadow areas of the aircraft carrier appear slightly flat, losing definition that looks sharp on the Samsung S90F tested alongside it.

Curiously, Oppenheimer doesn't repeat the issue during a shadow-heavy political meeting scene. Skin tones look natural, and the entire picture has a sharp, wonderfully three-dimensional quality with every suit stitch visible.

The SDR True Grit upscaling test produces solid results. During the tricky opening, dark lights in the farm hold nicely bright, distinctive spots, with the glow illuminating details without introducing noise or oversharpening the fluffy falling snow.

The intentional spaghetti western grain is retained during brighter scenes, with the set avoiding the temptation to oversharpen or flatten this very difficult picture.

Overall, the LG C5 displays a couple of niggling picture issues – particularly that inconsistent colour volume in darker skin tones – but it's superbly competent overall. Many users won't notice those issues at all, and when properly calibrated, it delivers impressive performance across a wide range of content.

Ultimately though, the Panasonic's exceptional colour accuracy, natural handling of brightness, and authentic cinematic presentation make it the superior option for picture quality – despite the LG's impressive capabilities when properly configured.

** Winner: Panasonic Z90B **

Panasonic Z90B vs LG C5: features and processing

The Panasonic Z90B covers HLG, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, with the HDR10+ Adaptive and Dolby Vision IQ variants also supported for ambient light optimisation.

The LG C5 supports HLG, HDR10, and Dolby Vision, but lacks Samsung's open-source HDR10+ format. While HDR10+ and Dolby Vision are rival standards with similar frame-by-frame dynamic range optimisation goals, Dolby Vision content remains the more common choice across streaming services.

Gaming features reveal the most significant practical difference. The LG C5 offers four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, while the Panasonic Z90B provides just two. For anyone with multiple current-generation consoles and a Dolby Atmos soundbar (which requires the eARC port), the LG's advantage can’t be overlooked.

That eARC limitation on the Panasonic becomes frustrating if you own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and gaming PC – all of which need HDMI 2.1 to run at full speed. You'll be swapping cables regularly, which rather defeats the purpose of having multiple devices connected simultaneously.

Both televisions max out at 4K/144Hz, faster than current-generation consoles' 4K/120Hz cap. VRR and ALLM feature on both, matching framerate to incoming signals and reducing latency. The Panasonic also adds an option to let your gaming source handle HDR tone-mapping directly, while the LG includes Dolby Vision gaming support – particularly useful for Xbox Series X/S owners.

The LG also debuts an Xbox app, allowing direct game streaming from the television with Bluetooth controller pairing.

Panasonic's new Game Control Board quick menu lets you access performance stats and tweak settings mid-session, matching similar implementations from competitors. So while the HDMI situation creates real limitations, the actual gaming experience on either television should prove excellent when connected.

On the OS front, the Z90B runs Amazon's Fire TV OS, delivering excellent app support with Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Freely, Shudder, and Crunchyroll all present and functioning correctly.

The interface remains somewhat ad-heavy though, and doesn't always clearly distinguish free from paid content, but navigation is straightforward and responsive. Specialist services and local catch-ups all receive proper support.

LG's webOS 25 is largely similar to last year's iteration, with the main additions being the Xbox app and an AI assistant for troubleshooting and settings adjustment via voice commands. Through vocal commands, you can tweak picture settings and query what specific toggles do.

The OS maintains strong app support, with key services including Netflix, Disney+ , Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX all supported and running correctly. It's a mature, refined platform that makes finding and launching content intuitive.

As for hardware, Panasonic's HCX Pro AI Processor MKII features a 4K Remaster Engine for upscaling and a new Amazon Prime Video Calibrated picture setting – similar to modes Sony added to its 2024 range. This complements the set's standard Filmmaker Mode.

The Panasonic also continues its partnership with Portrait Displays, meaning the Z90B can be Calman calibrated with relative ease if you have the equipment and technical knowledge.

The LG's Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor, meanwhile, focuses its AI capabilities on upscaling, colour accuracy, audio quality, and HDR tone mapping improvements

Both processors represent evolutionary rather than revolutionary updates, with AI enhancement being the common thread across all 2025 television chipsets.

Overall, the LG’s four HDMI 2.1 inputs will make it a clear winner for those requiring multiple HDMI 2.1 connections.

While both sets offer excellent gaming features and smart platforms, the LG's connectivity advantage matters significantly for anyone with multiple devices, making it the more practical choice for many, despite Panasonic's broader HDR support.

** Winner: LG C5 **

Panasonic Z90B vs LG C5: sound

The Panasonic Z90B's Dynamic Theatre Surround Pro speaker system is a 60W, 2.1 arrangement with the subwoofer housed on the television's rear, and two front-facing speakers bolted to its base. No up-firing drivers feature, despite Panasonic marketing it as delivering a proper Dolby Atmos experience.

Does it deliver an audiophile experience? Not remotely. But it comfortably outclasses every other 48-inch OLED tested this year in terms of audio performance, which is nothing to be sniffed at.

There's a sense of direction as gunfire travels left and right across the screen during Civil War, with noticeably more low-end heft and volume than competitors manage. Explosions offer genuine rumble even at moderate volumes.

Oppenheimer demonstrates reasonable separation between background noise and characters' voices, making conversations easy to follow even during scenes with heavy low-end background sound.

The system isn't without flaws though. The subwoofer adds heft but lacks precision – thundering fighter jets in Top Gun: Maverick sound too flabby, with the sonic boom missing the precise impact it deserves.

Higher-level engine noises show the front drivers are slightly underpowered, with distortion creeping in and upper frequencies taking on an acidic, unpleasant tone at high volumes.

Still, this remains the best audio performance you'll encounter on an OLED this size, though it falls short of what could be described as truly immersive. It also makes that integrated speaker bar somewhat justified, even if it remains a frustration for those who already own separate audio equipment.

The LG C5 features the same 2.2-channel 40W speaker system as the outgoing C4, and on a set this size, audio quality inevitably becomes one of the main compromises.

Smaller dimensions impact how much air speakers can move, and the C5 confirms this limitation. In standard audio mode, performance is distinctly flat, with every sound originating from the screen's centre. Gunfire and soldiers' shouts during Civil War lack their intended directional quality.

Gunfire never sounds as acidic as it does on the Samsung S90F, but it lacks the expected bite, while distant explosions show the low end doesn't quite have the necessary heft to deliver the intended bone-rumbling effect.

Switching to the AI audio mode – which LG makes considerable noise about (pun intended) – doesn't fix things. This mode requires clicking through a process, picking options that describe your preferences before optimising speakers accordingly.

The set noticeably tries to separate the frequency range more, but makes each part thin in the process. Gunfire takes on a nasal, fizzy quality, sibilance creeps into dialogue, and the low end all but disappears.

Cinema mode produces the best results, but even then, audio lacks definition. Top Gun: Maverick's intense sequences remain flat, with jet engine booms lacking precision and directionality. Voices aren't properly separated from background noise, making some conversations difficult to follow.

Snapping up one of the best soundbars becomes essential for any serious film enthusiast considering the LG C5 – which, ironically, makes Panasonic's integrated speaker bar seem less objectionable by comparison.

** Winner: Panasonic Z90B **

Panasonic Z90B vs LG C5: verdict

Both televisions prove that 48-inch OLEDs have reached impressive maturity, yet they appear to target slightly different audiences.

The Panasonic Z90B's focus on colour accuracy and directorial intent creates the most authentic cinematic experience available at this size. From sparkling desert dunes in science fiction epics, to cars thundering across race tracks, every scene looks wonderfully authentic and weighty.

Its heatsink also allows sustained brightness without the conservative tuning that hampers competing small OLEDs, while the speaker bar – frustrating as it may be for soundbar owners – delivers the best integrated audio at 48 inches.

However, there are some trade-offs. Just two HDMI 2.1 ports create headaches for anyone with multiple gaming devices and a sound system, requiring constant cable swapping.

The conservative approach to brightness also means some shadow details require more effort to discern than on brighter rivals, and SDR upscaling doesn't match class leaders.

If you want a 48-inch OLED and value cinematic authenticity above all else though, the Panasonic Z90B is currently the one to get. It prioritises getting the fundamentals right, and does so admirably.

The LG C5 makes a strong case through versatility. Four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs eliminate connection compromises, comprehensive gaming features (including Dolby Vision gaming support) cater to console and PC enthusiasts, and webOS 25 remains one of the most intuitive smart platforms available.

Picture quality, when properly calibrated, impresses across a wide range of content. That sparkle and pop in bright scenes, combined with OLED's inherent black level advantages, creates engaging images that most viewers will love.

But it requires work. Out of the box, the C5 tries too hard, and even after extensive settings adjustment, colour volume issues persist in darker skin tones.

Audio performance is distinctly underwhelming too, making a soundbar essentially mandatory. And while many users won't notice the picture inconsistencies, they exist for those paying close attention.

So which should you buy? If you prioritise picture accuracy, don't mind limited HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and want the best integrated sound at 48 inches, the Panasonic Z90B is the more accomplished option. It's the television for viewers who want to experience films closer to how their directors intended.

If you need four HDMI 2.1 ports, want extensive gaming features, prefer a brighter presentation, and already own (or plan to buy) a soundbar, the LG C5 makes more practical sense. It's the television for viewers who value versatility and all-around competence.

** Overall winner: Panasonic Z90B **

MORE:

Read our Panasonic Z90B review

Read our 48-inch LG C5 review

Best OLED TV 2025: 3 Award-winning sets recommended by our experts

The Sony Bravia 8 II might be the best 65-inch TV of the year for pure performance, but the LG C5 trumps it for value. That's truer now than ever before, as the C5 has hit its lowest ever price – it's just £1499 at Richer Sounds.

That's £100 cheaper than its previous low, and a whopping total discount of £1200! And Black Friday is still weeks away.

Despite being one of the more affordable OLED TVs out there, the LG C5 is arguably the most handsome, with the majority of the chassis being astonishingly thin.

It's also incredibly light for a 65-inch TV, which is great for your back (and wall, if you're wall-mounting it).

The webOS smart platform has a few too many adverts (many would say that one ad is too many), but it's also packed to the gills with properly optimised streaming apps that play all of their content in the best formats possible, including Dolby Vision and Atmos where available.

For gamers, it's really hard to do better than the C5. Unlike the vast majority of rivals (including flagship sets from other brands), this step-down model has four full-fat HDMI 2.1 sockets, all of which support 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM.

In fact, those sockets support 4K/144Hz, though you'll need a gloriously powerful PC to take advantage of that.

One of the greatest charms of an LG OLED is that it works so well almost right out of the box. Just select the Filmmaker Mode preset and you will get a performance that's brilliantly balanced and natural in terms of colours and contrast, but also plenty dynamic, sharp, detailed and downright thrilling.

The one downside to the C5 is that its sound is pretty poor, even by the low standards of TVs. Still, we always recommend adding a dedicated sound system to any TV, and at least this deal means that you hopefully have a little money left over for just that.

Please don't feel you should go for an LG soundbar, though, as they're not particularly good and the intra-brand synergy isn't worth the sonic sacrifices. Instead, the Sonos Arc Ultra is a great option if you have the money for it, while the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is great at the more affordable end.

That £1200 saving will hopefully give you plenty of options.

MORE:

Check out the best early Black Friday TV deals

Here's our LG C5 review

And these are all of the best TVs you can buy right now

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals

It's Black Friday at the end of the month, but there is absolutely no reason to wait until then to cash in on a fantastic TV deal.

Take the 48-inch LG C5, for example. Not only is it one of the best TVs on the market, but right now it's got a whopping £450 off its RRP. That means you can buy it for a record-low price of just £949 at Richer Sounds.

To take advantage of this deal, you'll need to enter the promo code RSTV100 at checkout. The discount will then be automatically applied. Sounds like it's the perfect time to snap up a five-star TV.

The 48-inch LG C5 is the latest mid-range OLED in the C-series line-up featuring in both our best TVs and best OLED TVs buying guides.

We've also called it "the best new OLED for most people right now" and there are plenty of reasons why.

The C5 features a near-identical feature set as its predecessor, the LG C4, which is particularly impressive considering its small size.

With four full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets capable of handling 4K/165Hz signals (as well as the 4K/120Hz that current consoles max out at, of course), one of which doubles as an eARC port, plus VRR and ALLM.

And as a welcome inclusion for gamers, there's also support for Dolby Vision gaming and a peerless HGiG setting.

LG’s webOS 25 software runs the show and is fairly similar to the version we saw on the older C4, which we were more than happy with.

In terms of picture quality, we said in our full review: "Ultimately, while the 48-inch LG C5 displays a couple of niggling picture issues, it's superbly competent overall. And many users won't notice those issues at all."

We still praised the picture for being bright and, once we fiddled around with the settings, found Filmmaker Mode, with the lowest Cinematic Movement option on, sharpening and judder reduction off and dynamic tone mapping on, to be the best set-up.

When it comes to sound, on a set this size audio quality is usually one of the main compromises you have to put up with, and after our testing we found this remains the case with the 48-inch C5.

Though we did get the best results switching to the set's Cinema sound mode.

We'd recommend a soundbar or other speaker system when picking up the LG C5, but luckily when you're securing this excellent OLED for just £949 at Richer Sounds, you'll hopefully have a bit of extra cash to spare for just that.

MORE:

Read our full 48-inch LG C5 review

Check out the best OLED TVs: 4 top picks direct from our reviewers

And the best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals

The run-up to Black Friday is one of the best times of year to snag a wallet-saving deal on one of the best TVs. A case in point is the 42-inch LG C5, which now costs just £849 at Amazon.

The £200 discount makes it a full £50 cheaper than the previous-gen LG C4, which will currently set you back £899 at Amazon.

But it's not just the price we love. When we reviewed it, we rated it a full five stars and more recently crowned it a What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 winner. If that doesn't convince you of this TVs quality, I'm not sure what else will.

If you want a new small OLED TV, this five star set is the one to get. Though the team found it’s a modest upgrade on the outgoing 42-inch LG C4, which won a What Hi-Fi? Award last year, it’s still a fantastic TV – especially now that stocks of the older model are drying up.

For the money you’ll get a small OLED with excellent connectivity, featuring four, rather than the standard two HDMI 2.1 inputs needed to run a current generation games console or PC at full speed.

App and HDR support are also excellent thanks to the use of LG’s established WebOS software. But most importantly, during all our comparative checks, where we ran it head-to-head with rival sets, including the 48-inch Samsung S90F, it delivered an excellent performance.

Whether it was the glistening desert of Dune: Part 2, an intense night battle during Civil War or the grim space station in Alien: Romulus, the set delivered an immersive, well balanced picture in nearly all the test scenes we threw at it.

As we said in our 42-inch LG C5 review:

"The 42-inch LG C5 is the best small OLED TV we’ve tested this year. Like its predecessors, it offers a near-flawless feature set and solid, sharp, immersive picture quality, neatly packaged in a small room-friendly frame."

Our only big word of caution is around its audio. The TV’s inbuilt 2.0 speakers are ok for basic TV watching, but lack the low end heft and precision to make a movie truly immersive. So if you want the best results you will need to budget for a soundbar to go with it, if you don’t have one already.

We’d personally recommend the five-star Sonos Beam (Gen 2) which you can pick up for £449 at Amazon, which is small and remains one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars we've reviewed from a performance-per-pound perspective.

MORE:

These are the best OLED TVs we’ve tested

We rate the best soundbars for movie fans

Our picks of the best 40-inch TVs

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals

As Black Friday approaches, there's one question on the minds of savvy TV buyers: will there be any great deals on the LG C5?

It's little wonder there's so much interest in the C5.

• Check out all of the early Black Friday deals on Amazon

LG's C-series OLED TVs have long been the benchmark when it comes to the combination of performance, features and price, and this year's C5 is a real upgrade on last year's C4 – at least in the larger sizes.

All sizes of the C5 have already seen significant discounting and can be bought for a lot less than they launched for. But will they drop even lower for Black Friday at the end of the month?

I track the prices of the best TVs right through the year, and a look at the price history of last year's C4 suggests that yes, the C5 should get even cheaper for Black Friday.

But how low might it go? Let's break it down, size by size.

LG C5 42-inch (OLED42C5)

• Launch price: £1400
• Current price: £949
• Predicted Black Friday price: £899

The 42-inch version of the C5 isn't much of an improvement on the 42-inch C4, and that means it isn't quite as accomplished as the versions that are 55 inches or larger.

That doesn't mean the 42-inch C5 is a bad TV, though. On the contrary, it's the best TV of its size that we've tested all year, delivering balanced, consistent picture quality right out of the box, plus an unbeatable suite of gaming features.

It's a great option for smaller rooms, and is even just about compact enough to work as a desktop gaming monitor.

The 42-inch C4 dropped to £888 during Black Friday last year, so I think it's fair to expect a drop to £899 for the C5. Seeing as it's already available for £949, it could go even cheaper.

Read our full LG OLED42C5 review

LG C5 48-inch (OLED48C5)

• Launch price: £1500
• Current price: £1049
• Predicted Black Friday price: £999

Like the 42-inch model, the 48-inch version of the C5 is very similar to its predecessor. In this case, that actually means you can buy an even better TV – namely, the 48-inch Panasonic Z90B.

But the 48-inch C5 is still an excellent, five-star TV in its own right, offering the same enjoyable picture quality as the 42-inch model, but at a more engaging size.

The 48-inch C4 hit £999 during Black Friday last year, and the C5 isn't much more expensive even now. I wouldn't be surprised if this one hit £949, but £999 is still a great price.

Read the full LG OLED48C5 review

LG C5 55-inch (OLED55C5)

• Launch price: £1900
• Current price: £1199
• Predicted Black Friday price: £1099

This is where the C5 series gets really good. Despite the on-paper specs being largely unchanged, the 55-inch C5 is a solid step forward from its predecessor in terms of picture quality.

There's increased brightness, dynamism and solidity to the image, and more accurate, more consistent colours. Best of all, you get this exemplary picture without the need to dig deeply into the settings.

As with every other C5, the 55-inch model has four HDMI 2.1 sockets that all support 4K/120Hz gaming (and 4K/144Hz, for that matter), as well as VRR and ALLM. This is a gloriously good gaming TV.

The sound is a bit of a letdown, but that's par for the course with OLED TVs. Budget for a soundbar and you'll be set.

The 55-inch C5 dropped to £1099 during Black Friday last year, and I expect the C5 to go at least that low.

Read the full LG OLED55C5 review

LG C5 65-inch (OLED65C5)

• Launch price: £2700
• Current price: £1699
• Predicted Black Friday price: £1499

While we haven't published a dedicated review of the 65-inch version of the LG C5, we did look at it as part of our Awards comparisons, and can confirm that it performs just as expected.

By going for 65 inches rather than 55, you sacrifice a small amount of sharpness on account of the decreased pixel density, but gain much more in cinematic scale. Otherwise, the TVs perform the same.

If you have the room and budget for the larger set and you're serious about home cinema, I recommend going for it.

Last year's 65-inch C4 hit £1495 during Black Friday, and I think the 65-inch C5 will drop to around the same price this year.

LG C5 77-inch (LG OLED77C5)

• Launch price: £3800
• Current price: £2799
• Predicted Black Friday price: £2399

Again, we haven't run a dedicated review of the 77-inch version of the LG C5, but we have seen it in action at various events over the course of the year, often alongside its smaller siblings, and the performance looks perfectly consistent.

Again, you will lose a little pixel density and therefore sharpness by going up to this size, but the increase in cinematic scale is pretty massive at this level.

The 77-inch C4 dropped to £2399 during Black Friday last year, and while the 77-inch C5 has a little way to go to hit that level, I think it will get there this year.

LG C5 83-inch (LG OLED83C5)

• Launch price: £5999
• Current price: £3999
• Predicted Black Friday price: £3549

Honestly, going up to 83 inches with an OLED TV is not a great move from a value point of view. The additional six inches of screen real estate adds absolutely loads to the price – £1200 at the time of writing.

Why is that? It's all to do with the added complexity of manufacturing OLED panels this large, and the apparently high failure rate at the factory.

But while the 83-inch C5 isn't the most sensible option, it sure is the most exciting. This is the absolute largest size you can buy, and while the additional six inches doesn't sound like a lot, it makes a big difference to the cinematic spectacle of a movie night.

Prices of the 83-inch C5 are currently tracking a bit higher than they were for the C4 this time last year, but I still expect it to hit a similar level – around £3549 – for Black Friday.

FAQ

MORE:

Check out all of the best Black Friday deals we've found

Here are the best TVs you can buy, and here are the best soundbars

Black Friday has officially started at Richer Sounds and there are some big savings to be made.

I've checked all the deals and the 48-inch LG C5 is the first to catch my eye, crashing down to a great price – presumably for a limited time.

Right now, it's just £949, that's an epic saving of £450, making it the lowest price we've seen on this LG OLED (which we're happy to recommend, even at full price).

The LG C5 is one of the best OLED TVs we've tested, offering flawless app support, solid gaming features and a bright, punchy picture.

The 48-inch LG C5 OLED may be part of the brand's step-down line, but it's pretty much as premium as TVs this size get.

Sweeping the board at the What Hi-Fi? Awards for 2025 and topping our best TVs buying guide, the LG C5 is a seriously impressive OLED set with rich, solid and engaging pictures, an uncompromised feature set, and a relatively accessible price.

When watching Dune: Part 2, our expert testers noted: "Set up accordingly, the desert retains its sparkle, with the brightest part of the sky shining in a way OLEDs this price from even a few years ago can’t, but with significantly more detail."

Getting a great picture is just as easy as previous C-series models: select Filmmaker Mode and your preferred level of TruMotion processing (ours is Cinematic Movement), and you've immediately got a picture that's both authentic and dynamic.

And, as previously mentioned, it's packed to the brim with features – a particularly impressive offering considering its small size. This includes a WOLED panel, support for the most common HDR standards of HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG, and inclusion of four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, one of which doubles as an eARC port.

This will be music to the ears of gamers as the sockets support 4K/144HZ (as well as the more common 4K/120Hz), plus VRR and ALLM. A Dolby Vision game mode is also included.

For streamers, the LG's webOS 25 software has strong app support, with key services including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX all onboard.

Sonically, a set this size comes with a compromise on audio quality, which our testers said was "below average" – a soundbar or other speaker system is an essential purchase for any serious movie fan. Fortunately, when you pick up the LG US60T soundbar alongside this TV at Richer Sounds, it'll only cost you £49 instead of £249.

And with this £450 saving at Richer Sounds, you'll have a little cash to spare...

MORE:

Read our full LG OLED48C5 review

These are the best OLED TVs we’ve tested

We rate the best soundbars for movie fans

The LG C5 was on top form during our recent What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025, picking up the top spot for the Best 40-43-inch TV, Best Mid-range 55-77-inch TV and Best Gaming TV. You can tell how highly we rate it, can't you?

Now to the deal. Richer Sounds is currently running a set of offers across the LG C5 range, including the 42-inch for £949 and the 55-inch for £1199.

The largest C5 is the 83-inch. And thankfully that's also discounted – down from £4999 to £3999 at Richer Sounds. Note that the deal is applied at checkout.

We appreciate it's not the best value from an inches-per-pound point of view, but if you're looking for a premium TV that is guaranteed to make a statement, then it's well worth a look.

It's worth noting that we haven’t reviewed the 83-inch model of the LG C5. For the money, though, you’ll get an OLED TV with excellent connectivity, featuring four rather than the standard two HDMI 2.1 inputs needed to run a current-generation games console or PC at full speed. App and HDR support are also excellent thanks to the use of LG’s established WebOS software.

Let me bring in some hands-on experience from our 42-inch LG C5 review. "Like its predecessors, it offers a near-flawless feature set and solid, sharp, immersive picture quality, neatly packaged in a small room-friendly frame."

It delivered excellent performance when we ran it head-to-head with rival sets, including the 48-inch Samsung S90F. Whether it was the glistening desert of Dune: Part 2, an intense night battle during Civil War or the grim space station in Alien: Romulus, the set delivered an immersive, well-balanced picture in nearly all the test scenes we threw at it.

Our only big word of caution is around its audio. The TV’s inbuilt 2.0 speakers are ok for basic TV watching but lack the low-end heft and precision to make a movie truly immersive. So if you want the best results, you will need to budget for a soundbar to go with it if you don’t have one already.

We recommend the five-star Sonos Beam (Gen 2), which remains one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars we have reviewed from a performance-per-pound perspective.

So, if you're on the lookout for a statement TV at a great price, look no further than the LG C5 for £3999 at Richer Sounds.

MORE:

These are the best OLED TVs we have tested

We rate the best soundbars for movie fans

If you want something smaller, check out the best 40-inch TVs

• Our experts rate the best TVs we've tested

If you’re looking for a Big Deal Days discount on a small OLED TV, then I have some bad news for you.

Specifically, that not only is the best deal not on Amazon, it’s also worryingly easy to miss as it only appears when you checkout on the store running it – just Google it and you’ll miss it.

The good news is that right now, if you jump to Richer Sounds you can pick up the 42-inch LG C5 I just finished reviewing for £949, a £150 saving on its RRP and the best price I’ve spotted right now. For comparison’s sake, Amazon is still selling it for £1049.

If you want a new small OLED TV, this five star set is the one to get. Though the team and I found it’s a modest upgrade on the outgoing 42-inch LG C4, which won a What Hi-Fi? Award last year, it’s still a fantastic TV – especially now that stocks of the older model are drying up.

For the money you’ll get a small OLED with excellent connectivity, featuring four, rather than the standard two HDMI 2.1 inputs needed to run a current generation games console or PC at full speed.

App and HDR support are also excellent thanks to the use of LG’s established WebOS software. But most importantly, during all our comparative checks, where we ran it head-to-head with rival sets, including the 48-inch Samsung S90F, it delivered an excellent performance.

Whether it was the glistening desert of Dune: Part 2, an intense night battle during Civil War or the grim space station in Alien: Romulus, the set delivered an immersive, well balanced picture in nearly all the test scenes we threw at it.

As we said in our 42-inch LG C5 review:

"The 42-inch LG C5 is the best small OLED TV we’ve tested this year. Like its predecessors, it offers a near-flawless feature set and solid, sharp, immersive picture quality, neatly packaged in a small room-friendly frame."

Our only big word of caution is around its audio. The TV’s inbuilt 2.0 speakers are ok for basic TV watching, but lack the low end heft and precision to make a movie truly immersive. So if you want the best results you will need to budget for a soundbar to go with it, if you don’t have one already.

We’d personally recommend the five-star Sonos Beam (Gen 2), which is small and remains one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars we've reviewed from a performance-per-pound perspective. As luck would have it, there’s also a pretty good deal on the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) running right now.

MORE:

These are the best OLED TVs we’ve tested

We rate the best soundbars for movie fans

Our picks of the best 40-inch TVs

The 42-inch LG C5 is the smallest option in the Korean tech heavyweight’s current line of OLED TVs.

That automatically gives it a unique place in the market as most TV makers are forsaking people short on space this year, with Sony, Philips and more all shunning 42-inch sizes in favour of a “bigger is better” approach.

Add to that LG’s strong track record in the small OLED TV space, with numerous previous 42-inch LG C-series models going on to win What Hi-Fi? Awards over the past few years, and you can see why it quickly becomes one of this year’s most interesting options.

But, with changes to its specifications being fairly minimal, can the smallest C5 make lightning strike again? Here’s what we found after thoroughly putting it through its paces in our viewing rooms.

Price

• The 42-inch LG C5 has the same RRP as the 42-inch C4
• Prices have dropped since launch
• It's now similarly priced to rival TVs from Samsung and Panasonic

The LG C5 42-inch launched with the same £1400 / $1399 / AU$2199 starting price as the outgoing LG C4 42-inch. But prices have gradually dropped and you will generally find it floating at around £1099 / $1399 / AU$1695 at most stores right now.

That puts it directly in line with the 42-inch versions of the Samsung S90F and Panasonic Z90B.

If you’re after something a little (or a lot) bigger, you can also pick up the LG C5 in 48-, 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch sizes. Pricing goes up in line with the TV’s screen size, capping at £5999 / $5399 / AU$7999 for the largest 83-inch option.

Design

• Similar design to last year's C4
• The TV sits low on its feet, so a soundbar could block some of the screen
• The UK remote is basic, but some regions have a newer, better version

Like all the C5 TVs we’ve tested this year, LG hasn’t reinvented the wheel designing the 42-inch model. So much so, that one of our reviewers mistook it for last year’s C4 when he first saw it.

So, it’s a fairly light and slim unit, with feet rather than the pedestal you’ll find on the larger C5 options. These are easy to set up, as all you have to do is clip them into the easily identifiable slots on the TV’s back and screw in the four included screws. Even one person can do it in a matter of minutes.

The only downside is that the feet only have one height option, which is fairly low. Even a soundbar on the small side, such as the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), will block a bit of the display when placed directly in front of it.

The remote is also identical to all other C5 models, which is another minor annoyance. In some regions, the TV comes with a new, more streamlined remote, but in the UK you still get the undeniably clunky Magic Remote, which has been around since the LG C1.

The plastic unit is a little clunky by today’s standards and, despite our constant letters to Santa, doesn’t have a backlight or even USB charging, let alone solar charging.

The only minor perk is that it has basic motion controls that let you interact with the screen using a cursor, though even this has been known to annoy some owners (and reviewers).

Features

• Advanced AI processing promises a raft of visual improvements
• Comprehensive HDR support
• Flawless gaming specification

LG’s C-series OLED TVs have a strong track record for offering near-flawless feature sets, which is one of the main reasons why, for the third year in a row, the firm has not made any significant changes to this year’s model.

The panel tech remains basic WOLED, which isn’t a surprise as LG is keeping its top-end Primary RGB Tandem OLED tech for the flagship LG G5. Last year’s flagship panel tech, Micro Lens Array, has also been sent to the big AV farm in the sky, rather than trickled down to this year’s step-down models.

There’s also still no heatsink, which is a slight annoyance as the Panasonic Z90B includes one. This would, in theory, let LG push the panel harder without risking overheating and damage.

But, it’s forgivable as the C5 still comes with a few promised improvements to peak brightness and the ilk – though LG’s been careful not to put a specific nit count, or percentage boost, out in the wild.

While the 42- and 48-inch versions of the C5 lack the 'Brightness Booster' tech of the larger models, LG has seemingly squeezed a small amount of additional brightness out of the OLED panel, primarily through the upgrade to a new Alpha 9 Gen 8 chipset.

The chipset also leverages LG’s new and improved AI processing to offer movie fans better upscaling (an area where it has been falling behind Samsung recently), as well as better audio and more accurate HDR tone mapping.

As an added incentive, LG also claims it will help the set retain colour volume even during demanding low light scenes – an area in which the LG C5 48-inch and older LG C4 42-inch in particular struggle.

Outside of this, the TV’s specifications are pretty flawless. Like all LG OLEDs this year, HDR support includes HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG. HDR10+ remains absent, but this is no surprise and is barely disappointing.

As expected, the 42-inch C5 features four full-speed HDMI 2.1 sockets, all of which can run games at up to 4K/144Hz with VRR. ALLM, meanwhile, automatically switches the TV to its low-latency mode when a game is detected.

One of the HDMI 2.1 inputs, as is the norm, doubles as the TV’s eARC port for people wishing to connect a Dolby Atmos soundbar.

The generous number of HDMI 2.1 inputs means even the most demanding of gamers with an Xbox Series X, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 will be able to have all their boxes connected at once and not have to worry about troublesome cable swapping.

LG’s WebOS 25 software runs the show and is identical to the version seen on larger C5 models. This means the UX is fairly easy to navigate, featuring rows of shortcut icons for apps and LG’s own marketplace.

Streaming app support is excellent and includes Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX. There’s also a lot of nice gaming support, with a new Xbox app and GeForce Now offering convenient ways to stream games from the cloud.

Picture

• Very cinematic picture, despite the small screen size
• Skin tones look warm but not overdone, but tend to pale in low light
• Peak highlights are brighter than expected
• Lacks some solidity and definition in darker scenes

Powering up the LG C5 42-inch connected to our ever faithful Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, running our 4K Blu-ray of Dune: Part 2, we’re met with a sense of deja vu, with the picture telling a very similar story to that of the 48-inch model.

In its default settings, the picture looks a little too artificial for our liking. The sunscorched desert holds a wonderful lustre, with every grain of sand sparkling and looking nicely sharp and three-dimensional, but the contrast isn’t right; the sky is too bright and missing some light detail.

Highlights on the Fremen fighters are pushed too hard, making them look as though they have a stage spotlight on them.

Working through the settings, things quickly improve. After some fiddling, we settle on Filmmaker Mode, with the lowest Cinematic Movement option on, sharpening and judder reduction off and dynamic tone mapping on for the best results.

Once done, the picture looks fantastic, with the Fremen and Harkonnen fighters looking wonderfully sharp and three-dimensional. The TV’s slightly warm colours and solid peak brightness levels create a truly immersive experience despite the screen’s small size.

With the lowest Cinematic Movement setting on, the clashing desert fighters' movements feel weighty and the set deals with the demanding rapid movements of the buzzing Ornithopter wings with zero issue. We never notice artefacts or ghost frames sneaking in as the scene plays.

Our positive experience continues as we transition to our Civil War 4K Blu-ray. The open segment of the test scene, where a character wakes up sunburned in the middle of an impromptu military camp, showcases what the C5 42-inch is capable of.

Skin tones in particular look fantastic, holding a pleasing warmth without ever looking overbaked – to the point that the S90F we’re testing it against looks noticeably too red.

As the film transitions to a night-time battle, the TV leaves a positive early impression, with the streets looking suitably sharp and stray tracer bullets and explosions offering higher peaks than we’d expect from a basic WOLED.

But as it shifts to focus on the characters, we notice a key issue we’ve seen on past LG OLEDs in recent years. Specifically, that colour volume is noticeably drained.

Skin tones suddenly take on a greenish, pale hue in low light, making them look flat and noticeably less realistic than the image on the S90F, which retains its warmth and colour volume and offers clearly better dark detail.

The issue is exacerbated when we switch to our Alien: Romulus test disc. The distant space background oozes menace, but as the isolated spacecraft slowly emerges from the darkness, it looks too soft, with key details not being as defined and sharp as they should.

This adds up to make the set a fantastic performer in most instances, but far from the final word with its handling of incredibly dark scenes.

The 42-inch C5 largely makes up for this with its decent performance in our standard upscaling test. Popping our SDR copy of True Grit into the Oppo player, the C5 deals with the incredibly difficult movie’s dim opening admirably.

There’s a pleasing warmth to the lanterns glowing in the otherwise pitch black scene, and falling snow retains its fluffy quality, never appearing oversharpened or being plagued by annoying artefacts.

Transitioning to a bright town scene, the film retains its intentional spaghetti western grain and looks nicely authentic, leading to an immersive viewing experience.

Sound

• Its 20W sound system is less powerful than the bigger versions of C5
• The AI modes designed to improve audio are best ignored
• The C5's flat, compressed audio is fine for TV but not for movies
• Cinema mode improves tonal balance and separation of sounds

Audio is an area in which LG’s OLEDs have struggled recently, with many of the sets we’ve reviewed this year offering, at best, middling sound quality compared to their rivals. This remains the case with the 42-inch LG C5.

The unit comes with a 2.0-channel, 20W sound system. As is usually the case with smaller TVs, this is the weakest sound system of any LG C5 this year. The larger 48-inch LG C5 has a 2.2-channel 40W speaker system, by comparison.

Like the other C5 TVs we’ve tested, LG's made a lot of noise (see what we did there) about the TV’s AI processing powers and how they help improve the set’s audio quality.

These include things such as a specific mode designed to further separate dialogue from background noise in movies as well as a dedicated AI audio mode, which claims to optimise the sound to the viewer’s tastes. The latter requires you to go through a point-and-click setup process, picking options that “describe your preferences”.

As before, we actually get the best results ignoring the AI mode, which tries a little too hard to separate mid and upper frequencies, at times pushing the speakers to sibilance.

But even then, moving to its AI-free, out-of-the-box standard mode, the audio is slightly flat.

Playing Civil War, the audio sounds a little compressed, with any rise in volume resulting in lost detail. The rumbling low end of explosions lacks the intended oomph required to get you on the edge of your seat.

We get the best results when we switch to the TV’s Cinema mode. Here, tonal balance improves. Voices become clearer and there’s some separation between the rumbling engine noises of the on-screen tanks and screaming gunfire overhead. There’s even some limited directionality to the tracer rounds flying from left to right on screen.

All-in-all, the audio is good enough for basic TV viewing in this setting. But it still fails to truly immerse us in the movie for a couple of reasons.

First, despite being better, the speakers aren’t powerful enough to properly project the characters’ voices, with demanding explosions and louder low-end background noises tending to completely drown out the dialogue.

Second, the speakers have a slightly flabby low end. This is particularly noticeable with our standard Blade Runner 2049 test disc. As well as being too weak to do justice to the bone-shaking synth soundtrack, the low-end thumps lack precision and fail to deliver the film’s intended oppressive, menacing tone.

Verdict

• The LG OLED42C5 is the best small TV of the year
• It boasts a flawless feature set and sharp, immersive picture
• The sound is the main drawback, so buy a soundbar

The 42-inch LG C5 is the best small OLED TV we’ve tested this year. Like its predecessors, it offers a near-flawless feature set and solid, sharp, immersive picture quality, neatly packaged in a small room-friendly frame.

The only minor issue remains its audio, which, while fine for casual viewing, isn’t powerful or precise enough for immersive movie watching. Plan for a soundbar in your budget, if you don’t already have one.

SCORES

• Picture 5
• Sound 3
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Panasonic Z90B 48-inch

Also consider the Samsung S90F 48-inch

Read our LG C4 42-inch review

Best TVs flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

Amazon’s latest Big Deal Days event is here and we have good and bad news. First, one day in, as often happens with hi-fi and high-end home cinema, the number of good Amazon deals on products we’ve fully reviewed are thin on the ground right now.

But, as a silver lining we have spotted some good deals, especially if you’re happy shopping with a specialist retailer, that are worth shouting about. These are the five best that our experts fully recommend.

• Check out all of Amazon's Big Deal Days discounts here

1. WiiM Pro Plus: £169 at Richer Sounds (save £50)

WiiM is something of a fan favourite among our readers, with its streamers and recent amps offering surprisingly accomplished feature sets considering their competitive pricing.

So getting a good deal on the WiiM Pro Plus, a streamer our reviewers already consider stellar value even at its normal price, is not to be sniffed at.

Available from £169 at Richer sounds (save £50), for your money you’ll get a simple to set up streamer capable of delivering a detailed, expressive sound that we liked so much, we gave it a What Hi-Fi? Award last year.

2. Sony WF-C710N: £79 at Amazon (save £21)

Good sounding wireless earbuds that cost less than £100 are rare. We know because we’re constantly looking for new ones to recommend to music fans on a budget. Which is why the Sony WF-C710N are such a great option for cash-strapped music fans. Available on Amazon for £79 (save £21) the earbuds offer the best audio and ANC quality you’ll find on such a cheap set.

3. Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT: £439 at Amazon/Richer/Sevenoaks (save £40)

Everyone loves a good bit of vinyl. But both the albums and a record player to do them just can be quite expensive.

Which is why we’re pleased to report one of our favourite affordable turntables has already had a decent Big Deal Days discount. Specifically, you can buy the five-star Pro-Ject T1 EVO BT Turntable with Bluetooth and OM10 Cartridge for £439 at Amazon.

That’s a decent £40 saving on its normal price. If you do, you’ll be treated to a solid record player our reviewers describe as “a new standard for Bluetooth turntables at this price – for its simplicity, flexibility and performance, it’s a winner of a spinner”.

4. BenQ W2720i: £1799 at Richer Sounds (save £200)

There’s something magical about watching movies on a proper projector. And if you have the space, we’re pleased to report the current deal on the five-star BenQ W2720i is one that What Hi-Fi? TV and AV editor Tom Parsons strongly urges you to consider.

The deal lets you pick up the projector for £1799 at Richer Sounds – a £200 saving on its normal price.

If you do you’ll be treated to an all-round performer with an intuitive streaming platform baked in. As we said in our review:

“The W2720i’s combination of living room-friendly smarts and home cinema-friendly picture quality is seriously hard to resist.”

5. LG C5 65-inch: £1599 at Richer Sounds (save £1100)

OLED TVs are always a hot item during Amazon sales, but after scouring Amazon for OLED deals, the best bargain on a model we’ve tested is actually on Richer Sounds. Jump over to the store and you can currently grab yourself a 65-inch LG C5 OLED TV for £1599, that’s a giant £1100 on its launch price earlier this year.

For the money you’ll get a solid value OLED capable of delivering a punchy but never overcooked picture, with flawless app support and excellent gaming specifications. Our only word of caution is to budget for a soundbar for it if you don’t have one already. The LG C5’s audio is distinctly middling, even by TV speaker standards.

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The LG C5 (OLED48C5) is one of the best smaller TVs currently available, having earned five stars in our review. And you can now grab it for substantially less than its launch price.

Currently, the 48-in C5 is on offer at Hughes, where members can grab the set for £999 – a reduction of £401 from its previous £1399.

The deal requires Hughes membership, though signing up to that is free and provides immediate access to the discounted price.

This is great news for those who missed the recent £999 deal at John Lewis. At the time of writing, the 48-inch LG C5 is back up to £1200 at both John Lewis, and other retailers such as Currys.

The 48-inch C5 is as premium as televisions in the sub-50-inch category can get. The set features LG's WOLED panel tech and the company's new Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor, which introduces enhanced AI-driven picture processing for improved upscaling, colour accuracy and HDR tone mapping.

The C5's feature set extends to comprehensive HDR support, covering HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG formats.

LG's webOS 25 operating system provides access to all major streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX, alongside a new Xbox app that enables game streaming directly through the television.

Our review finds that the 48-inch C5 delivers strong picture quality once properly calibrated, with effective peak brightness handling and excellent detail retention in dark scenes.

The desert sequences in Dune: Part 2 showcase the set's ability to balance bright highlights with detailed shading, while the OLED's pixel-level light control ensures bright elements don't cause unwanted blooming.

Motion handling proved competent during testing as well, with action sequences maintaining their intended weight and impact when the set's processing is configured appropriately.

The Civil War test disc revealed the C5's capacity for dynamic explosions that emerge cleanly from dark backgrounds, taking full advantage of the OLED panel's infinite contrast capabilities.

However, our review does identify some colour-volume limitations in darker skin tones during certain scenes. This can result in a slight greenish cast that affects the natural warmth of faces.

Additionally, the integrated 2.2-channel 40W speaker system was found to lack the directional quality and low-frequency impact that serious movie enthusiasts will expect, making one of the best soundbars a recommended pairing.

Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, all supporting up to 4K/144Hz (including 4K/120Hz for current-gen consoles).

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Dolby Vision gaming support are all present, ensuring compatibility with current-generation consoles and gaming PCs.

We reviewed and rated the 48-inch LG C5 at its launch price of £1399, making this current discount all the more tempting for those looking for a smaller TV without the usual compromises on quality.

MORE:

Read our full 48-inch LG C5 review

Check out the best OLED TVs: four top picks direct from our reviewers

And the best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

The What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 are fast approaching which means as well as our usual review testing, we’re also taking a fresh look at all the five star products we’ve currently reviewed that are still on sale.

Why? So we know the Best Buy winners we announce in October are actually the best, having run them head-to-head will their latest and greatest rivals in our dedicated viewing and listening rooms – rather than just relying on memory.

As a part of that, the process means I’ve spent the last few months with constant back pain, in and out of our windowless TV testing space, swapping a multitude of OLED TVs along with the rest of the home cinema team.

And while I’m very glad I’ve been granted a reprieve and allowed back upstairs into the daylight, one big benefit of the experience is that the team and I have identified three completely new OLED TVs worthy of a place in our best OLED TV buying guide.

Here’s what you need to know about them.

The Sony Bravia 8 II is the ultimate option for cinephiles

The flagship OLED TV market is a very interesting place right now, with LG Display’s new Primary RGB Tandem OLED replacing MLA as QD-OLED’s main rival.

Both of these have the same goal – boosting brightness levels while simultaneously improving colour volume and accuracy.

It’s also in a state of flux because a new top-end rival, in the shape of RGB Mini LED, is set to taking OLED on next year – and based on senior staff writer Lewis Empson’s experience looking at early prototypes and samples at the IFA tradeshow, that will be a very interesting fight…

But if you’re shopping right now, the Sony Bravia 8 II is our new recommended premium OLED. Featuring a QD-OLED panel, while its colours can very occasionally look a little cool for our liking, the set offered the best holistic performance of any of the top end sets we’ve tested.

In fact its stellar motion processing, incredible ability to retain dark detail lost on rival sets and punchy, but never overused, peak brightness let it offer one of the most immersive movie watching experiences we’ve had on an OLED, period. Hence our verdict:

“Several little improvements combine to make the Bravia 8 II significantly better than the awesome A95L, and that makes it one of the very best TVs that money can buy.”

The LG C5 continues the firm’s hot streak – at least at 55- and 65-inches

The LG C-series of OLEDs have been a common sight both in our best TV guide and yearly list of Award winners.

Last year alone the 42-inch LG C4 and 48-inch LG C4 picked up a total of three Awards in the TV category.

Which is why it’s kind of funny that this year it’s actually the larger 55- and 65-inch LG C5, not its smaller 48-inch LG C5 sibling, that impressed us the most.

The larger options offer the best mid-range performance for any step-down OLED we’ve tested this year.

Despite not having a heatsink, or an upgraded Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel, like the one sported on the LG G5, the 55-inch C5 we tested was noticeably brighter than its sibling and rivals.

But, despite this, it manages to offer warm, authentic colour temperatures, even during low light scenes – an area many modern OLEDs struggle with.

Add to this its stellar gaming specifications, which include four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, excellent app and HDR support and competitive price, and it’s an easy five-star recommendation.

We have a new recommended small OLED TV

But why not the smaller LG C5? Cards on the table, it is a very impressive small-ish OLED – hence the reason we gave it a five-star rating.

But, as we’ve said before, smaller TVs, even ones from the same series, perform differently to larger ones. There are a lot of reasons for that, including pixel density, the size of the drivers used in the sound system and more.

And while the smaller C5 retains a lot of its larger siblings’ strengths, it also exacerbates a lot of its weaknesses.

Its colours aren’t quite as accurate and it was a little aggressive with its brightness during certain scenes when we tested it. These issues were particularly noticeable thanks to a key rival we tested it against, the 48-inch Panasonic Z90B.

Where the 48-inch LG C5, and to be fair to it 48-inch Samsung S90F we also tested recently, have an overt focus on going very bright, the Z90B goes in the other direction, valuing consistency and balance above all else.

This meant that, though it doesn’t have the oomph you find on rivals when it comes to certain test scenes, its colours always maintain a pleasing authenticity and it never distracts from what’s playing out on screen by aggressively raising its peak brightness, the way its rivals do.

This made it a fan favourite among every member of the test team helping review this year’s 48-inch sets. It’s also why the Panasonic Z90B is our new recommended small OLED and we reported in our review:

“Thanks to its ongoing focus on colour accuracy and delivering an 'as the director intended' experience rather than razzmatazz, the 48-inch Panasonic Z90B is the best TV at its size that we have tested.”

If you have any questions about any of the TVs mentioned in this feature drop them in the comments section below and one of our testers will do their best to answer them ASAP! Otherwise, happy OLED hunting!

MORE:

These are the best 65-inch TVs we’ve tested

We rate the best Dolby Atmos soundbars

Our picks of the best 40-inch TVs

LG's C-series OLED TVs are among the best performance-per-pound TVs you can buy. Nothing new there.

But, since 2022, there's been one way in which they trounce their rivals – weight.

The 65-inch version of 2021's LG C1 weighed 32.6kg.

The following year's 65-inch C2, though, was a much fitter 16.5kg.

Weights have crept up a little since then, with this year's 65-inch C5 coming in at 18.8kg, but that's still significantly less than rivals.

The 65-inch Sony Bravia 8, for example, weighs 23.2kg, while the 65-inch Samsung S90F is 22.5kg.

There are obvious practical benefits to this lighter weight – it makes building, moving and wall-mounting the TV much easier – but it's a big deal for sustainability, too.

That's because the lighter a product is, the lower the carbon emissions involved in its transportation.

In fact, LG "expects to lower carbon emissions by 84,000 tons across manufacturing and transportation – equivalent to the CO2 absorbed annually by a 30-year-old pine forest the size of 11,000 football fields".

The lightness of LG's C-series OLEDs is a strong contributing factor to that figure, but so are other initiatives, such as the use of shipping freight over air freight wherever possible.

It's the weight element that really appeals to me, though, because I see it as a real bonus for the buyer as well as one for the environment.

I'd like to see LG's rivals take a similar approach. They all have environmental initiatives of their own, of course, but some weight loss on top would be a bonus for everyone.

Quality has to be maintained, though. The LG C5 is as handsome as it is light, and build quality is very good.

Sound, though, is a weakness, and one wonders how much the thinness and lightness are factors there.

Still, I'd very much likely to see brands such as Sony and Samsung give it a crack.

Here's hoping lightness becomes a TV battleground in the near future.

MORE:

Check out all of our Sustainability Week coverage

Filmmaker Mode isn’t just great for picture quality – it’s great for saving energy, too

Here are the best TVs you can buy right now

August is here, and as well as sunshine it brings with it a fresh entry into our regular Pick of the Month column.

In it, we once again detail all the top hi-fi and home cinema hardware that impressed our reviewers enough to earn a five-star rating over the past month.

Despite most of us packing up and taking advantage of the good weather, our testers were hard at work reviewing everything from affordable turntables to audio powerhouse KEF’s first ever Dolby Atmos soundbar.

But of this long list of products we tested in July, only seven impressed enough to earn a wholehearted recommendation from the What Hi-Fi? reviews team.

Here is everything you need to know about them.

Chord Electronics Alto

The Alto is one of the more interesting bits of hi-fi to pass through our listening rooms in the last month.

First, because it’s the latest product from Chord Electronics, a company with a strong pedigree in the hi-fi space. Second, because it doesn’t neatly fit into any one traditional hi-fi category.

You could view it as an analogue headphone amplifier, thanks in no small part to the four – yes, four – outputs Chord’s loaded it with. But Chord has also designed it so you can use it as a simple high-end amp to drive stereo speakers.

Its hybrid purpose is the result of Chord’s original intention to launch it as a professional tool for studio engineers, who often need to swap between multiple headphones and speakers while working.

Oddities aside, after testing it with appropriate wired headphones and speakers, we’re pleased to report it’s a great option for the very specific type of hi-fi fan it targets. Hence our glowing conclusion:

“Overall, there is no denying that the Chord Alto is an impressively capable product. In its primary objective, that of a headphone amplifier, it is one of the finest we’ve heard. That it also impresses when driving speakers in a near-field context and as a preamp are bonuses that turn it into a rather remarkable and tempting option.”

Score 5/5

Read our in-depth Chord Electronics Alto review

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Bose didn’t make a lot of noise about its second generation Ultra Earbuds. In fact, when asked, the company outright told our audio experts it had made next-to no changes to the buds' drivers or audio performance.

Instead the upgrades targeted its design, battery and various other quality of life improvements. This initially left our reviewers fairly concerned given the strength of competition this year – a list headlined by the five star Sony WF-1000XM5, Technics EAH-AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.

But thankfully, when we put them through their paces running our standard suite of comparative tests, these concerns were completely unfounded. Whether it was bopping pop, rumbling 12-bar blues or layered classical compositions, the buds delivered a punchy, full-bodied sound.

Add to this stellar active noise cancellation and they easily earned a five-star recommendation, with our reviewers reporting:

“Their outstanding noise-cancelling capabilities, excellent design and a punchy, entertaining sound make for a powerful combination – these Bose 2nd Gen earbuds are pleasing all-rounders.”

Score 5/5

Read our in-depth Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review

LG C5 (OLED48C5)

If you’re after a small-ish OLED TV that is big enough for reasonably immersive movie experiences in a small-ish living space, then we have a new recommendation: the LG C5 48-inch.

Though the set is very similar to the outgoing LG C4 48-inch, the new model offers modest improvements to peak brightness and colour accuracy.

This, plus its flawless gaming specifications (which include four, rather than the standard two, HDMI 2.1 inputs) make it a fantastic choice for buyers that are short on space.

Hence our verdict:

“If you’re yet to take the OLED plunge, then this is a solid option, especially if you’re short on space or cash-rich enough to justify one as a secondary, bedroom set.”

Our only word of caution is to make sure you budget for a soundbar to go with it, as the speakers' smaller sizes means they’re not great, even by in-built TV standards. We’d suggest the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) for its smaller dimensions and pricing.

Score: 5/5

Read our in-depth LG C5 (OLED48C5) review

ATC SCM20ASL

If you live by the mantra “honesty first” then you’ll likely be a big fan of the ATC SCM20ASL.

The chunky, active standmount speakers come loaded with a wealth of impressive hardware, with ATC's engineers tweaking nearly every part in a bid to make them as controlled and honest as possible.

The end result is a very utilitarian set of active speakers capable of accurately delivering every bit of information on the recording you’re playing.

While that may put off more casual listeners, or those that think a speaker’s job is to entertain, regardless of the track’s recording quality, for their target market they are a very impressive piece of hardware.

Even when paired with more modest hardware than we’d normally suggest for speakers their price, including a Lindemann Limetree Bridge II / Chord Hugo TT2 music streamer combination, the ATC SCM20ASL delivered audio full of clarity and control.

As we said in our review: “If you want to hear the recording in its unvarnished form, whether for good or bad, in our experience, few alternatives get closer to that ideal than the ATC SCM20ASL.”

Score: 5/5

Read our in-depth ATC SCM20ASL review

Ortofon MC X30

If you’re looking to buy a sensibly-priced moving coil cartridge with plenty of talent then look no further. Last month our reviewers found one, in the form of the five-star Ortofon MC X30.

The X30 is the first moving coil cartridge from Ortofon’s new MC X range, which includes three other options – one more premium and two cheaper. The main difference between each is the stylus profile, which gets more ambitious as you go up the range.

This means the X30 is designed for relatively premium record players and comes with a custom rigid design bespoke-made for precision and top-of-the-line audio performance. Does it deliver the sonic goods?

Based on our experience testing it with price appropriate units, including a system comprised of the X30, a Technics SL-1000R turntable, Cyrus’s Phono Signature phono stage, Burmester 088/911 MkIII amplifier and ATC SCM50 speakers, the answer is a solid yes.

During all our checks the unit delivered expressive dynamics and a clean, crisp, detailed presentation. As we said in our Ortofon MC X30 review: “The Ortofon MC X30 is a bit of a no-brainer at this price, provided you already have a suitably talented MC phono stage in your system.”

Score: 5/5

Read our in-depth Ortofon MC X30 review

Samsung HW-Q990F

The Samsung HW-Q990F is the successor to last year’s Product of the Year winner in the What Hi-Fi? Awards best soundbar category.

This automatically gives it big shoes to fill. But the weight of expectation is especially heavy right now thanks to the recent influx of fresh rivals, including the Sonos Arc Ultra currently sitting at the top of our best Dolby Atmos soundbars guide.

But, having it put it through its paces in our dedicated listening rooms, we are pleased to confirm it’s an excellent soundbar system. At its heart it offers the same functionality as the outgoing Samsung HW-Q990D, featuring a central soundbar unit that pairs with a wireless subwoofer and twin satellite surrounds.

The clever work Samsung has done tweaking each unit's design, including their drivers, has led to palpable performance improvements, especially in the low end, leading our reviewers to report:

“The compact new cube subwoofer is easily the star of the show, offering a richer, more focused sound with greater tonal variation. Who knew shrinking down a core component of your system could deliver such huge performance gains?”

Score: 5/5

Read our in-depth Samsung HW-Q990F review

KEF XIO

The XIO is the first ever Dolby Atmos soundbar from KEF – a hi-fi company behind some of the best speakers and speaker systems we recommend right now.

KEF's technical know-how in the audio sphere is immediately apparent in the wealth of custom hardware and design elements housed within the XIO’s surprisingly thin frame.

Highlights include the use of a specially optimised version of KEF’s Uni-Q MX drivers for the height channels, which pair with bespoke P185 drivers focused on low-end performance and two conventional 50mm drivers designed to extend its soundstage.

The giant 12-driver arrangement isn’t just technically impressive. Putting it through its paces against key rivals, including the equally premium Sennheiser Ambeo Max, in our test rooms it delivered a five-star performance.

Whether it was action packed fight scenes in John Wick 2, intense conversations in Oppenheimer or our standard Blade Runner 2049 chapter two low-end stress test, the unit delivered a detailed, precise and exciting sound.

Hence our verdict: “The KEF XIO is a soundbar of rare all-round ability that delivers movies and music with spectacle and finesse.”

Score: 5/5

Read our in-depth KEF XIO review

TCL C8K (65C8K)

The TCL C8K is the latest flagship Mini LED set from TCL, replacing the outgoing and now significantly cheaper TCL C855K we reviewed last year.

Like its predecessors, the C8K has a singular purpose in mind: to prove TCL's ongoing argument that Mini LED can compete with OLED in the upper echelons of the TV market.

To do this, it comes with a wealth of technical upgrades. These include an increased number of dimming zones, new contrast-boosting CrystGlow WHVA tech, advanced AiPQ Pro processor chipset and a completely new sound system that’s been designed in “partnership” with Bang & Olufsen.

Putting it through its paces, the upgrades have paid off in spades, with the set offering palpable improvements on its predecessor, especially when it comes to uniformity, leading our reviewers to report:

“The C8K’s winning blend of extreme brightness, outstanding backlight control and aggressive pricing makes it one of TCL’s most exciting TVs yet.”

Score: 5/5

Read our in-depth TCL C8K (65C8K) review

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These are the best Mini LED TVs we’ve reviewed

We rate the best 40-inch TVs

Our picks of the best speakers

LG's C-series OLEDs are among the best TVs you can buy. They also come in a wide range of sizes, from 42 inches, all the way up to a colossal 83 inches.

If you're considering one of the 55-inch or over models, make sure to check out our main LG C5 vs C4 guide, where we give our opinion of how its larger sizes compare.

If, however, as for many of our readers, 48 inches is the more practical option, but you're not sure which generation of the C-series to get, then you're in the right place.

Both this year's LG C5 and last year's C4 scored five out of five for their 48-inch models, but there are some differences between them. Should you go for the most advanced model, or save some cash with the older but still capable set? Let's find out.

LG C5 vs C4: price

The 48-inch C5 and C4 launched at the same £1500 / $1599 / AU$2499, but that has come down for both models.

Unsurprisingly, the older model is substantially cheaper.

It current sells for around £800, while the newer model has been reduced to around £1300. So there's a good £500 in it.

LG's TVs almost always feature in the big sales events, so expect discounts come Black Friday. Again, you can bet the older model will see more money off than its newer sibling.

** Winner: LG C4 **

LG C5 vs C4: design

Design-wise, it’s really a game of spot the difference. LG’s C-series OLEDs haven’t changed much at all in recent years. These models look nigh-on identical to 2022’s C2.

On the one hand, that’s disappointing. On the other, it’s a fine design that does the job, and if it stops the price rising, most buyers would welcome its return.

Both 48-inch models have the same central pedestal stand as their bigger variants (only the 42-inch model has feet instead). This doesn't leave a lot of room for a soundbar, so you should measure up before you invest in one.

The C5’s Magic Remote has a new AI shortcut button and the ability to control smart lightbulbs, but otherwise it’s unchanged. And it is still not rechargeable or backlit. Sigh.

** Winner: Draw **

LG C5 vs C4: features

There’s not much to choose between them in terms of features either. The C5 still doesn’t have a heatsink, and it uses the same WOLED screen panel as the C4.

It does have a new processor though, the Alpha 9 Gen 8. This uses AI for everything from more advanced upscaling and improving colour accuracy, to a new chatbot to help diagnose and fix issues with your TV’s picture or sound.

Otherwise, both feature sets are almost an exact match.

You get three formats of HDR (HLG, HDR10 and Dolby Vision), but not HDR10+, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and a full suite of gaming features: 4K/144Hz (as well as the more common 4K/120Hz), VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming.

The C5 also has the Xbox app that was previously exclusive to Samsung TVs. This lets you stream games straight from the TV, no console required, and to connect a controller wirelessly to the set.

This comes courtesy of LG's webOS 25, as opposed to the C4's webOS 24.

** Winner: LG C5 **

LG C5 vs C4: picture

Out of the box, the C5 is just trying too hard; but a bit of time in the settings menu soon sorts that out. Its picture is wonderfully bright, but still packed with detail even in the brightest areas. Bright shading is strong, and motion natural.

But it’s not all good news. While the C5 does well rendering explosions with sufficient ‘pop’, colour volume tends to drop in darker parts of the image, especially when it comes to skin tones. It makes the image look flatter, and less natural.

It’s worth noting that this issue doesn’t always appear, even under similar conditions. It’s more something to be aware of than a reason not to buy.

Because, on the whole, the C5 is a wonderful performer – “superbly competent”, we call it in our review. And chances are most viewers won’t notice the issue we highlight above.

But then the C4 is no slouch, either, packing all the richness and solidity of its larger variants. Colours are punchy and warm, and the TV handles bright highlights very well – as we note in our review, “A glimpse of the sun through some foliage in Oppenheimer immediately draws our eye thanks to its punchy and vibrant presentation, while also remaining controlled and natural.”

Its picture is also meticulously detailed, picking out textures that other TVs miss – though it does feel a bit restrained in Dolby Vision Filmmaker mode. It just looks a bit dim here, though this is preferable to the artificial brightness some sets compensate with.

So, the C5 has the better picture, but it’s a case of modest gains, mostly due to the new processor rather than improvements with the screen tech.

** Winner: LG C5 **

LG C5 vs C4: sound

Audio has long been a weak point of LG's C-series TVs. That’s no problem as long as you can add a soundbar. But if you are reliant on the TV's sound, which model is better?

The C4 struggles with the tricky low-end effects of Bladerunner 2049, being plagued by distortion. It lacks projection and scale, and the bass notes don’t go nearly deep enough. But dialogue is nice and clear, and dynamics in explosions, for example, are delivered with suitable punch.

The C5 has the same 2.2-channel 40W speaker system as the C4, so its performance is much the same.

It sounds a little flat, with much of the sound coming from the centre of the screen. And its low end is as wobbly as the C4's.

LG's much-vaunted AI Sound mode does separate out the frequency range more, but it comes at the expense of fullness. Every part sounds thin. “Gunfire takes on a nasal, fizzy quality, and sibilance creeps into dialogue while the low end all but disappears,” we say in our review.

Even in Cinema mode, the sound remains flat and directionless. All in all, a poor show all round.

** Winner: Draw **

LG C5 vs C4: verdict

In terms of picture quality and features, the C5 is the better TV, but not by much in either regard.

When you factor in the parity of design and sound quality, and the £500 difference, the smart money would go for the C4 and put the saving towards a decent soundbar.

MORE:

Read our LG C5 review

And our LG C4 review

The new LG C5 OLED is a fantastic five-star TV – but here's why I won't be upgrading

LG G5 vs C5: which 2025 LG OLED TV should you buy?

This week I had the pleasure of being one of the team to help with the testing of the 48-inch LG C5 OLED TV.

Why was it a pleasure? Because after thoroughly comparing it to current generation rivals, including the Samsung S90F and Panasonic Z90B (reviews incoming), I can confirm it is a good TV for its target market.

Like past LG C-series TVs, many of which have won What Hi-Fi? Awards and been a regular presence in our best OLED TV guide, it offers a wealth of benefits.

These include perfect black levels, flawless gaming specifications for console and PC gamers, reliable picture quality and solid app support.

That’s why after more testing than we care to admit, all three of the team testing the set, myself included, agreed that it is a five star TV, concluding: “A brilliant small-ish TV that’s a solid option for anyone yet to make the jump to OLED.”

However, when I got home and powered up the 48-inch LG C2 sitting in my lounge, I had one thought slowly crystallise as I watched the latest episode of First Dates on Channel 4 and another nail-biting episode of Severance on Apple TV+.

Specifically, that I really don’t feel any need to upgrade.

Why? It’s clearly not because the C5 isn't a great TV. It is. It’s just that it’s not a big enough step forward to justify shelling out over a grand when the C2 is still very much more than enough OLED for most people.

Sure, it doesn’t go as bright and colours aren’t quite as vibrant, but generally, since I bought it three years ago, the upgrades LG has made to its C-series sets, the 48-inch ones in particular, have been incremental.

We said as much as a team in our 48-inch LG C5 review where we reported: “The 48-inch LG C5 retains the Korean giant's legacy as one of the top small-ish OLED TV makers, but largely because it sticks very closely to the blueprint that made past C-series sets great, rather than any clever innovation.

“But the lack of progress is beginning to show at this size, and it means that the 48-inch LG C5 isn’t the slam-dunk, no-brainer purchase it used to be – especially with Samsung and Panasonic nipping at its heels.”

In each instance, as I watched a new show or movie, I never once found the C2 wanting, or missed the perks I’d just experienced on the C5 in our test room.

This is also because I’m watching the set in isolation and I’m certain I’d feel differently if we were back in our test rooms, running the two side-by-side, making the upgrades more obvious.

But at home, the C2 still looks excellent, with its Filmmaker Mode offering a punchy picture that is accurate enough to let me simply enjoy what I’m watching, rather than what the TV is doing – which is ultimately its job.

And that’s why, especially in the tough economic climate in which we continue to live, I urge anyone who bought a C-series OLED in recent years to fight any urge to upgrade just yet.

Ultimately, I think it makes sense to save your money – or spend it on a more pressing upgrade elsewhere in your system.

MORE:

These are the best small TVs we’ve tested

We rate the best TVs money can buy

Our picks of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars

The 48-inch LG C5 is the second smallest option in the company’s current step-down line of OLED TVs – which automatically makes it an interesting beast.

Flagship OLED TVs aren't really produced in sub-55-inch sizes. Sure, there's the new 48-inch G5, but that lacks the Primary RGB panel of its larger siblings, so it doesn't really count as a fully fledged flagship.

All of which is to say that while the C5 range is a step-down line, the 48-inch C5 is pretty much as premium as TVs this size get.

It’s also coming off the back of a hot streak for LG, with two generations of its predecessors not only earning top marks from our reviewers, but then going on to win What Hi-Fi? Awards.

Has lightning struck a third time with LG’s 48-inch C5 OLED TV? Here’s what we found after thoroughly putting it through its paces in our dedicated test rooms.

Price

The 48-inch LG C5 launched at a price of £1500 / $1599 / AU$2499. We’ve recently seen some early discounts that knock the odd hundred off, but you're currently still looking at paying close to full price.

The 48-inch C5's main rival is the identically sized Samsung S90F, which uses the same OLED panel technology. Unsurprisingly, the 48-inch Samsung S90F is priced at launch very similarly to the C5, at £1499 / $1500 / AU$2499.

You can also get the C5 in 42-, 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch sizes. The 42-inch LG C5 launched for £1400 / $1399 / AU$2199. Prices then rise in line with the TV’s size, capping at £5999 / $5399 / AU$7999 for the largest 83-inch option.

Build

LG hasn’t rethought the wheel with the C5’s design. In fact, it’s so unchanged that if you put it next to 2022's LG C2, let alone last year's C4, you would probably struggle to spot the difference.

Unlike the 42-inch model, the 48-inch C5 has the same central stand design as the 55-inch version we reviewed earlier this year, which is quick and easy to assemble. Just plonk the stand on the TV's back and secure it with the included screws. Once done, it provides a stable base that will fit on most regular-sized TV cabinets without issue.

Sadly, the stand doesn’t have a swivel mechanism, though this is less of an issue here as the set’s ports are mostly housed on its side rather than back, making them fairly easy to access.

The bigger annoyance is the angled slant and low height of the stand, which can make the positioning of a soundbar tricky. If you do go for a soundbar, you will want to make sure it's a fairly low-profile model, such as the Sonos Beam (Gen 2).

In the US and many other territories, LG has released a new sleek, modernised controller for the C5. But we’re yet to see it in the UK, where a slightly tweaked version of the somewhat long-in-the-tooth Magic Remote is the only option provided.

The controller remains largely unchanged outside of the addition of a new AI shortcut button and a minor tweak that changes the input button so you can control all connected devices with it – including things such as smart lightbulbs – rather than just select which HDMI input you want.

While these changes are fine, we would have liked LG to make bigger quality-of-life changes, adding things such as backlighting and rechargeable batteries – elements that are increasingly common on rival OLED sets we test.

While the pointer functionality, which lets you navigate menus with an onscreen cursor that’s moved with motion controls, is welcome, the remote is clunky to use in low light, which is what most serious movie fans will be doing.

Features

The 48-inch LG C5 is packed to the brim with features, which is particularly impressive considering its small size. But, as with its design, not a great deal has changed since last year.

Starting with the two big elephants in the room: the panel tech remains unchanged and, despite years of asking, there’s still no heatsink.

The panel used remains a WOLED, with the older brightness-boosting Micro Lens Array (MLA) tech seen on last year’s G4 sadly being retired, rather than trickling down to the C-series, as we’d hoped it would this year.

The lack of MLA is a shame, as it does offer palpable brightness improvements based on our testing. But it’s also not surprising, as it has been superseded by the Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel tech that LG Display debuted on the LG G5 at CES in January. MLA is sadly going to the same farm as curved screens and 3D TVs.

Equally, a heatsink could have helped the TV go brighter for longer without risking damage. The omission is particularly noticeable on this size of the C5 which, despite having the same Brightness Booster Engine as the larger models, can't hit the same peak brightness levels.

This isn’t a phenomenon specific to the C5, though. It’s an issue on all smaller OLEDs, due to a combination of factors including pixel aperture and the impact it has on heat management. Pushing the panel too hard can also impact colour accuracy, which is why companies tend to tune smaller sets more conservatively than larger models.

The only big change for the C5 is the use of a newer LG Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor. Like every chipset we’ve seen recently, the Alpha 9 Gen 8 has an overt focus on AI, which LG claims it has leveraged to help the TV deliver more advanced upscaling and holistically improve colour accuracy, audio quality and HDR tone mapping.

Outside of the dedicated AI picture and sound profiles, which can be accessed in the C5’s settings, the only obvious front-facing AI feature it brings is a new chatbot system designed to help you troubleshoot and generally use the set. Through vocal commands, you can do things such as tweak picture settings and ask what a particular toggle does.

The C5 supports the most common HDR standards of HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG. The only ongoing omission is Samsung’s home-brewed, open-source HDR10+, which is a rival to Dolby Vision and offers similar frame-by-frame dynamic range optimisation powers for compatible content.

Thankfully, the lack of big feature changes is largely forgivable, as the LG C-series was already one of the most feature-packed you could find.

The main highlight remains the inclusion of four, as opposed to the more standard two, full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, one of which doubles as an eARC port.

While two HDMIs will be fine for most people, dedicated gamers with multiple latest-gen consoles and a sound system (which will use the eARC port) will really benefit from the C5's four.

Those four HDMI 2.1 sockets all support 4K/144Hz (as well as the more common 4K/120Hz), plus VRR and ALLM. Dolby Vision gaming is also on board and a welcome inclusion for Xbox Series X/S owners.

So all-in-all, if you connect a current generation games console or PC, the unit will run smoothly and as fast as the machine allows – it won’t be the C5 causing the bottleneck.

LG’s webOS 25 software runs the show and is fairly similar to the version we saw on the older C4. The only big addition outside of the AI assistant is a new Xbox app, which lets you stream games directly from the TV and adds the ability to pair a Bluetooth controller directly to the C5. This used to be exclusive to Samsung TVs.

Otherwise, the OS retains its strong app support, with key services including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and ITVX all being supported and running correctly during our checks.

Picture

Powering up the 48-inch LG C5 paired with our trusty Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, the set immediately has a different character to both its 55-inch sibling and its key rivals. Watching Dune: Part 2 with the TV’s out of the box standard settings, as often happens, the set tries too hard.

Peak bright areas in the desert stand out too much as the C5 tries to show quite how bright it can go, while colours look a touch too warm. Motion handling is also very heavy-handed, with the fighters looking like dancing ballerinas, rather than aggressive knife-wielding warriors.

Thankfully, things rapidly improve as we fiddle with the settings, eventually settling on Filmmaker Mode, with the lowest Cinematic Movement option on, sharpening and judder reduction off and dynamic tone mapping on. Colour temperature, which is now tweaked using a slider control, rather than the less granular options of before, is left at its default for Filmmaker Mode.

Set up accordingly, the desert retains its sparkle, with the brightest part of the sky shining in a way OLEDs this price from even a few years ago can’t, but with significantly more detail.

Bright shading is strong, too, with a wonderful hue of blue transitioning to orange across the image.

Cloud clusters equally retain their shape, despite the added brightness, showing the difference pixel-level light control can make. Our only minor quibble is that colour temperature still looks a smidgeon too cool, but rapidly shifts the other way when we make minor adjustments.

Motion handling has also now regained its composure, with the actions of the on-screen characters taking on their intended weight, and a difficult scene in which a Fremen fighter launches a missile at an Ornithopter looks accurate, with no ghost frames or awkwardness seeping in.

We move on to one of our new favourite 4K Blu-ray test discs, Civil War. During the heated nighttime battle scene, the explosions look dynamic and truly pop out of the dark sections with zero bloom – as we’d expect from an OLED – but we see colour volume drop slightly, especially in characters’ skin tones.

This is particularly noticeable on close-up shots. While the brightest parts of faces pop and look wonderfully three-dimensional, the darker parts take on a greenish hue, losing all warmth, resulting in a flatter, less natural image than we like.

This is slightly annoying as the set otherwise handles dark scenes admirably. Switching to our Alien: Romulus test disc, the opening scene shows a giant spacecraft slowly creeping out of the pitch black vacuum of space. The image is full of detail with every nook and cranny of the vessel on display, giving us a wonderfully three-dimensional spectacle.

Playing Top Gun: Maverick, the skyline once again looks excellent, full of pop and detail, but an area of the aircraft carrier in the shadows looks slightly flat, losing some definition in areas that look wonderfully sharp on the Samsung S90F we’re testing it against (full review coming soon).

Yet, when we switch to Oppenheimer, the issue doesn’t repeat during a shadow-heavy scene where he is meeting politicians. The skin tones look natural, and the entire picture has a sharp, wonderfully three-dimensional quality, with every stitch of their suits visible.

Moving to our final, incredibly difficult, SDR True Grit upscaling test, the C5 performs well.

During the tricky opening, the dark lights in the night-time farm hold a nicely bright, distinctive spot, with the glow illuminating details well without introducing noise or oversharpening the falling, fluffy snow.

The intentional spaghetti western grain is retained as we move to a brighter scene, with the set not pushing too hard and oversharpening or flattening the very difficult picture.

Ultimately, while the 48-inch LG C5 displays a couple of niggling picture issues, it's superbly competent overall. And many users won't notice those issues at all.

Sound

The 48-inch C5 features the same 2.2-channel 40W speaker system as the outgoing C4.

On a set this size, audio quality is usually one of the main compromises you have to put up with. This is because their smaller dimensions impact how much air the speakers can move around. Based on our testing, this remains the case with the 48-inch C5.

Starting with the set in its standard audio mode, the C5’s performance is distinctly flat, with every part of the sound coming from the centre of the screen. Gunfire and soldiers’ shouts during Civil War lack their intended directional quality.

On top of this, while gunfire never sounds acidic as it does on the S90F, it lacks the bite you’d expect, and explosions in the distance show the C5’s low end doesn’t quite have the heft required to deliver the intended, bone-rumbling effect.

Sadly, this isn’t fixed when we switch to the AI audio mode. LG is making a lot of noise about the C5’s new AI audio powers, with its custom AI Sound mode that aims to “optimise the audio” to its users’ specific tastes. The set-up requires you to click through a process, picking options that “describe your preferences” before optimising the speakers to them.

Here, while the set noticeably tries to separate the frequency range more, it makes each part thin in the process. Gunfire takes on a nasal, fizzy quality, and sibilance creeps into dialogue while the low end all but disappears.

We get the best results switching to the set’s Cinema mode. But even then, the audio lacks definition.

Moving to an intense scene in Top Gun: Maverick, the audio remains flat. The boom of jet engines lacks precision and directionality, and voices aren’t suitably separated from background noise, making some conversations hard to follow.

This makes a soundbar or other speaker system an essential purchase for any serious movie fan planning to pick up the LG C5.

Verdict

The 48-inch LG C5 retains the Korean giant's legacy as one of the top small-ish OLED TV makers, but largely because it sticks very closely to the blueprint that made past C-series sets great, rather than any clever innovation.

If you’re yet to take the OLED plunge, then this is a solid option, especially if you’re short on space or cash-rich enough to justify one as a secondary, bedroom set.

But the lack of progress is beginning to show at this size, and it means that the 48-inch LG C5 isn’t the slam-dunk, no-brainer purchase it used to be – especially with Samsung and Panasonic nipping at its heels.

SCORES

• Picture 5
• Features 5
• Sound 2

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Also consider the 48-inch Samsung S90F

Read our LG 65QNED93 review

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

LG's C5 series of mid-range OLED TVs was hotly anticipated when it arrived earlier this year – and for good reason.

The C-series has a well-deserved reputation for delivering excellent picture quality and a comprehensive set of specs at an affordable price.

That said, we always recommend waiting before taking the plunge on the latest model.

That's still the case today, and those looking for a really serious LG OLED deal should probably jump over to our LG C4 deals page, as last year's model is now as cheap as it's ever likely to be.

But if you really want the latest model, the good news is that discounts have started appearing on the C5 as part of Amazon Prime Day.

Below, you will find the latest and lowest prices on every version of the LG C5, which is, as our LG C5 review attests, an exceptional TV.

• Shop all Prime Day deals at Amazon

LG OLED42C5 (42-inch)

Launch price: £1400 / $1399 / AU$2199

Apart from its own predecessor, there aren't a huge number of options out there if you want a 42-inch OLED, which makes the smallest C5 in the range a very tempting proposition if you're short on space.

The great thing about this TV is that it's just as well specced as its larger siblings, so while it's unlikely to go quite as bright (due to the increased pixel picth), you still get four HDMI 2.1 sockets, which have the necessary bandwidth to handle gaming at up to 4K/144Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode).

It also has the same Alpha 9 AI Processor Gen8, which includes a host of AI-powered features to make interacting with your TV a less laborious experience.

Just bear in mind that it comes with a different kind of stand to the rest of the range, which means there's very little space to accommodate a soundbar without some of the screen being blocked.

LG OLED48C5 (48-inch)

Launch price: £1500 / $1599 / AU$2499

Probably the size that's most suited to the majority of people buying a new TV, the 48-inch C5 is something of a Goldilocks option.

Big enough to feel cinematic, but not so large that watching the news on it feels slightly ridiculous, it's hard to fault in terms of practicality (even if the pedestal stand does encroach on your soundbar space in front of it).

LG OLED55C5 (55-inch)

Launch price: £1900 / $1999 / AU$3299

The 55-inch C5 is the only model we've had the opportunity to review so far, but it certainly delivers in all the ways we've come to expect from this range.

The improvements over the C4 are surprisingly large, considering very little has changed in terms of hardware. This is a noticeably brighter and sharper performer.

LG OLED65C5 (65-inch)

Launch price: £2700 / $2699 / AU$4299

65 inches is where a TV starts to get really cinematic, and we always recommend going this big if you have the space and want a really engaging movie experience at home.

The 65-inch C5 should perform almost identically to the 55-inch model, which is superb, albeit with slightly less sharpness (thanks to the slightly reduced pixel density) but obviously greater scale.

LG OLED77C5 (77-inch)

Launch price: £3800 / $3699 / AU$5999

If you've got the space, a 77-inch TV is hard to resist, especially when it's got the perfect blacks and pixel-level contrast control of OLED, plus the awesome gaming specs of an LG.

The 77-inch C5 should perform in line with the 55- and 65-inch models, with a little more sharpness sacrificed in the name of additional cinematic scale.

LG OLED83C5 (83-inch)

Launch price: £5999 / $5399 / AU$7999

If you have the room and budget for an 83-inch OLED TV, you're a very lucky person indeed.

Honestly, 83-inch OLEDs are objectively worse value than smaller models – you're paying a lot of extra money over the 77-inch model for just six additional inches – but we can't deny how awesome it would be to have an LG C5 this huge.

The LG C5 is one of 2025’s top OLEDs. We know that because we reviewed it back in March, putting it head to head with its rivals in our dedicated test rooms.

Since then, we have used it as a frame of reference for competing TVs, with its bright, punchy and nicely accurate picture, and flawless app and gaming specifications making it an enticing option for any shopper.

The fact that it came out mere months ago, however, means it currently still carries a fairly hefty price tag. It may have now been discounted, but the 65-inch version will still set you back more than £2000 / $2000.

Meanwhile, the older LG C4, which remains an excellent option for movie and game fans, and which our reviewers are still very happy to recommend, has had its price plummet since the C5’s arrival. We’ve seen it go as low as £1199 this month alone.

This situation is bound to change, though; so when will our advice shift to recommending the C5 over its older sibling?

This guide details when we expect the C5’s price to drop further, based on our experience in covering past LG models and shopping events, including the fast-approaching Amazon Prime Day.

Past models’ pricing

Looking at the gallery detailing the price history of the 65-inch LG C2, LG C3 and LG C4 you can see a clear pattern, with there being three key periods when each model’s price has significantly dropped.

Amazon Prime Day

The first big drop for every model usually lands around July, in line with Amazon’s Prime Day sale.

And I’m expecting history to repeat itself with the C5. The only issue might be that, as we are still relatively early in the year, stocks of the C4 are still plentiful. Based on the pattern shown in the graphs, the older model will also get hefty discounts at the event as stores try to clear stock.

That means, while you will probably see every size of the C5 get a decent discount, especially on the LG Store if last year’s C4 savings are anything to go by, the older model will quite likely still represent a better deal from a performance-per-pound perspective.

Black Friday

Once Prime Day is out of the way, prices of OLEDs, new and old, tend to decline at a fairly steady rate until Black Friday – the yearly shopping event that happens at the end of November. You can see this pattern repeat on the C2, C3 and C4.

But, even here, I would advise caution before going straight for the C5. Unless there’s a huge spike in demand, I still expect prices for the C4 to be better outside very specific flash sales.

Some amazing deals do often happen in the run up to and during the event, but they tend to have time limits – and retailers frequently run out of stock fast if it's a particularly impressive discount.

This is why at this point in the year, our advice tends to fluctuate depending on the deals running at the time.

The New Year

Black Friday might get a lot of attention, but the biggest discounts on LG C-series OLEDs tend to arrive in the New Year.

There are many reasons for this, the main ones being the January sales and the fact that, for as long as we can remember, LG has unveiled its new C-series model at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

This inevitably causes most magpies to start ignoring the older model; as a consequence, prices drop markedly. It’s at this point we usually reconsider our buying advice.

Short of the anticipated LG C6 completely reworking the wheel, this will most likely be when we start recommending the LG C5 over its predecessor to most people.

A final word of advice

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Our picks of the best TVs we have reviewed

If you’re on the hunt for a new OLED TV and don’t want to wait to see what deals Prime Day 2025 brings to the table, you are more than likely looking at the five-star LG C5.

There’s a good reason for that. Not only did the TV prove to be one of the best step-down models available when we tested it earlier this year, it has also had its price slashed recently.

Head to the LG Store and you can get the 65-inch LG C5 for £2099.98, a hefty £600 saving on its launch price.

In normal circumstances that would easily be enough for the What Hi-Fi? team to recommend the deal.

But if you are thinking about pulling the trigger on the deal right now, I would urge you to reconsider – at least for now.

Why? Because there are even better deals running that let you get the C5’s five-star, and still excellent, predecessor and an Award-winning Samsung Dolby Atmos soundbar system for less.

You can grab the 65-inch LG C4 for £1199 at Richer Sounds and Amazon, a £1500 discount on its launch price, right now.

Then the Samsung HW-Q990D is available for £773 on Amazon, a £926 saving on its cost when we reviewed it.

That means you can get an excellent 65-inch OLED TV, Dolby Atmos setup for £1972 – £127.98 less than a standalone, 65-inch LG C5.

Having helped review all the products mentioned here, trust me when I say the system is the better option.

Though the LG C4 is last year’s model, and the C5 is brighter and offers slightly better colour accuracy in some scenes, for our testers, it doesn’t justify the current difference in price.

Heck, we say as much in our review of the new set, where we say C4 owners definitely shouldn’t feel a need to upgrade.

But most importantly, the pairing of TV with soundbar system is better, because the C5’s speakers are middling at best. In testing we found a lack of general finesse and low end heft. As we say in our LG C5 review:

“We wish it had better built-in audio, but considering how often we say this about OLED TVs of this stature, we're not surprised that it misses the mark here.”

Which is why you will certainly want to invest in a separate sound system if you want a truly immersive home movie experience. Enter the Samsung HW-Q990D.

Though it is also an old model, having since been replaced by the newest Samsung HW-Q990F, which we are yet to review, the Q990D remains a fantastic option, especially at this discounted price.

Pairing a central soundbar with wireless satellite speakers and a subwoofer, the five-star performer remains a common recommendation. It offers a room filling, Dolby Atmos experience that will delight most buyers.

If you want better, in our testers' experience, you’ll have to pay considerably more for a full fat, multi-speaker Dolby Atmos system with proper roof-firing channels.

Which is why I, and the team, think most people will be better off investing in the C4 / Q990D combo, over the newer C5 on its own.

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Last week was one of the busiest this year for What Hi-Fi?’s team of experts. As well as having to cover the High End Munich show, we also had to contend with surprise product launches from big name brands.

These included the follow-up to a long standing recommendation in our best wireless headphones guide and a fresh rival to one of our favourite new OLED TVs.

Here’s everything you need to know.

High End Munich delivered the goods

This year’s High End show was always going to be special, as it’s set to be the last to happen in Munich. The show is packing its bags and jetting over to Vienna from next year.

So we always expected brands to celebrate the end of an era with style. But boy, did they go all-out.

At the show, our team of experts on the ground were hit with more product launches and cool looking new high end speakers, amps, streamers and more than they could count.

These included Chord’s new flagship Ultima Phonostage, JBL’s latest range of high end Summit loudspeakers, the WiiM Sound smart speaker and WiiM Sub Pro subwoofer and more.

Read the full story: High End Munich 2025 highlights

Sony’s latest flagship headphones are great

Last week Sony unveiled its new WH-1000XM6 over-ear, wireless headphones. The new headphones are a big deal for two reasons.

First, because they’re the successor to the Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5 that have sat at the top of our best wireless headphones guide for quite some time.

Second, because they are a fantastic pair of headphones any music fan would do well to consider when shopping for a new set of cans, based on our testing.

Key upgrades include a new design with an improved hinge mechanism that makes them more comfortable to wear and easier to pack away. Under the hood there is also a newly developed 30mm ‘soft edge’ dome driver and completely new chipset.

The end result is a five-star set of wireless headphones that offer palpable improvements on their still impressive predecessor. Hence our reviewers’ conclusion:

“It feels like the Sony WH-1000XM6 have been a long time coming, and we are pleased to tell you they have been well worth the wait. They’re the best-sounding flagship pair we’ve heard from Sony to date, which is no mean feat.”

Read our in-depth Sony WH-1000XM6 review

The LG C5 OLED TV may have a fight on its hands

While our team of audio experts may have been squarely focussed on covering High End, our AV team had its own launch event to contend with.

Last week our intrepid senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, snuck off to Germany to get a hands-on look at Panasonic’s 2025 range of TVs.

And while this included some hands-on time with the Panasonic Z95B, which we originally saw at CES in January, it was the step-down Panasonic Z90B that caught his eye the most.

The set is a direct rival to the LG C5, which is the current recommended new model in our best OLED TV buying guide.

Featuring a new processor and higher max brightness, Panasonic claims the Z90B is its finest step-down OLED to date, and from what Lewis saw at the event, we’re taking that boast seriously.

If it delivers on even a fraction of Panasonic’s promises when we get it in for review, home cinema fans will be in for a serious treat when it launches later this year.

Read our full Panasonic Z90B hands-on preview

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If you’re looking at snapping up one of the best TVs, chances are you have one or two picks from LG on your shortlist, and the company’s C5 and B5 entry-level to mid-range offerings aren’t a bad place to start.

Both models promise to offer impressive picture quality and features for less money than their pricier LG G5 sibling, making them tempting for those who don't want to part with flagship levels of cash.

With that in mind, we’re comparing the LG C5 and B5 to help make your decision between the two that little bit easier.

Note that while we’ve fully reviewed the LG C5, we’ve yet to put the B5 through its paces. As a result, our comparison is based on our comprehensive testing of the C5, combined with our years of experience reviewing LG TVs and the specs of the B5.

Naturally, we will update this feature once we've had the opportunity to put the B5 through our in-depth tests.

LG C5 vs LG B5: price, release date, and sizes

The LG C5 has already launched, while the B5 is expected to land between April and June 2025. Prices for every model in the B5 range have yet to be revealed in the US, UK, and Australia, though European prices across all screen sizes have been revealed.

We also have some prices for various sizes in the UK, US, and Australia (from a combination of LG's own site and retailers such as John Lewis in the UK) and, as you'd expect, the B5 is cheaper than the C5 across the board.

Here is all of the launch prices available for both models at the time of writing:

Both TVs will be available in various sizes, with the C5 coming in 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch variants. Bar a 42-inch model, the B5 will also be available in the same sizes. It also marks the first time that LG has offered its entry-level OLED in the larger 83-inch size.

LG C5 vs LG B5: design

The C5 features LG’s familiar central pedestal-style stand, which tapers outwards towards the bottom. While this creates a sleek look, it can make positioning a soundbar underneath somewhat challenging, which is something to consider.

The TV's overall build quality is solid though, with a premium feel despite being predominantly made of plastic.

The B5, in contrast, has a more traditional design, with legs at either end of the body. While this might make for easier soundbar integration, it does mean you’re limited to a media unit that’s wide enough to accommodate its full length.

Neither option is necessarily better, but you’re likely to have your own preferences. If you’re wall mounting of course, then the stand designs are moot.

LG C5 vs LG B5: features

While both TVs run on LG's webOS 25 smart platform, which provides access to all major streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and UK catch-up services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX. But there are some differences under the hood.

The more premium C5 is powered by LG's Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor, which brings various AI-focused features to the table, including an intuitive chatbot system for troubleshooting and voice recognition that can automatically switch user profiles.

In terms of connectivity, the C5 offers four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports capable of handling up to 4K/144Hz signals with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). This comprehensive gaming support continues LG's tradition of making its OLEDs particularly well-suited for gaming.

In contrast, the B5 uses the less powerful Alpha 8 Gen 2 processor, but it also provides four HDMI 2.1 ports. The key difference here is in refresh rate capabilities – while the C5 supports up to 144Hz, the B5 tops out at 120Hz.

For console gamers using PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X (which max out at 120Hz), this difference won't be noticeable, but it might matter to PC gamers with high-end systems.

Both TVs support the same HDR formats – HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision – with neither offering compatibility with the Samsung-backed HDR10+ standard. They also both feature Dolby Atmos via HDMI eARC for immersive audio when paired with compatible sound systems.

We’ll have to wait for our full review of the B5 to determine what differences, if any, are brought to the table by its less powerful processor.

LG C5 vs LG B5: picture quality

The most significant difference between the C5 and B5 lies in their panel technology. The C5 features LG's OLED Evo panel (also known as OLED EX), complete with Brightness Booster tech.

In our testing, we found that the C5 delivers a rich, solid and engaging picture that balances vibrancy with authenticity. Its contrast is excellent, with perfect blacks and impressive brightness for an OLED TV without MLA or Primary RGB Tandem panel technology.

The B5, on the other hand, uses a standard WOLED panel without the Evo/EX enhancements. Based on our experience with previous B-series models and the provided specifications, we expect it to offer lower peak brightness compared with the C5. Last year's B4 model, for example, achieved around 600-700 nits in HDR, while the C-series typically reaches higher figures.

However, it's worth noting that even the entry-level B-series OLED TVs from LG have historically offered excellent picture quality. The perfect blacks and infinite contrast that are hallmarks of OLED technology should still be present on the B5, even if it can't match the brightness and colour volume of its more expensive sibling.

LG C5 vs LG B5: sound quality

In our C5 review, we found its audio performance to be good, but not exceptional. It delivers dialogue with adequate clarity for day-to-day viewing, but lacks low-end heft and can sound harsh when using AI Sound mode.

Although we haven't tested the B5's audio capabilities yet, its specs suggest a similar 2.2-channel speaker configuration to the C5. Given LG's track record, we expect it to offer comparable sound quality, perhaps with slight compromises in power or clarity.

As with most TVs, we'd recommend pairing either model with one of the best soundbars or a dedicated audio system to match the impressive picture quality they offer.

LG C5 vs LG B5: early verdict

Based on our full review of the C5 and the B5’s specs, both TVs look set to be compelling options in LG's 2025 OLED lineup, targeted at slightly different audiences.

The C5 is the more premium option, offering enhanced brightness, more sophisticated processing, and higher refresh rates for PC gaming. It's an excellent all-rounder that delivers impressive picture quality and a comprehensive feature set that justifies its higher price point.

The B5, while slightly compromised in terms of brightness and processing power, should still deliver the core OLED experience – perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and natural colours – at a more accessible price point. For many viewers, these compromises will be acceptable given the expected savings over the equivalent C5 model.

If you're a movie enthusiast or serious gamer who wants the best possible picture quality and highest refresh rates, the C5 (or even the flagship G5) is likely worth the premium. However, if you're looking to experience the benefits of OLED technology while keeping costs down, the B5 could prove to be the better value proposition.

We'll update this comparison with a definitive verdict once we've had the opportunity to fully review the B5 and assess how it performs in our dedicated test rooms.

MORE:

Read our LG C5 review

LG 2025 OLED TV lineup: everything you need to know

Read our LG G5 review

Since our list of the best TVs was last updated at the start of March, we have tested no fewer than five new and important models.

It was inevitable that these new TVs would have an impact on our recommendations but, actually, only one has made the main list – though two of the others are now in the 'also consider' section.

First, though, let's cover the two that have missed the cut.

Hisense Canvas and Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini LED

We've been waiting years for a more affordable rival to the Samsung Frame to materialise, and with the Hisense Canvas TV, we thought we had finally got it.

Unfortunately, it's very poor in performance terms.

Sure, it does the digital picture frame thing relatively well, but the movie picture quality is well below what you would expect of a TV costing even half as much, and no amount of fancy artwork can make up for that.

On the other hand, the 55-inch version of Amazon's Fire TV Omni Mini LED is every bit as solid a performer as its 65-inch sibling.

Sure, it's a bit rough around the edges, particularly in terms of colour consistency and backlight control, but it's a good performer at its price.

It's not quite good enough to make the best TVs list, though, mostly because we feel you can get a not-much-worse performance for quite a lot less money by buying either the TCL P755K or non-Mini LED Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED, or a much better performance for not a whole lot more money if you go for the Samsung Q80D.

Sony Bravia 7

The Sony Bravia 7, though, has comfortably made the 'also consider' list. In fact, I'll level with you here and say that there are members of the team who feel it should be in the main list as the Best Mini LED model, in the place of the Bravia 9.

While it's true that the Bravia 7 is a five-star TV and the Bravia 9 is sitting on 'only' four stars, I feel that the Bravia 9 does things of which no other Mini LED TVs are capable. There are areas in which it's leaps and bounds beyond even the most advanced OLED models, too.

That's why I think it remains the best Mini LED model despite the four-star rating.

The Bravia 7 is obviously still a great TV at its price – it combines trickle-down technology from the Bravia 9 with Sony's excellent processing to really pleasing effect – but when you can buy a Bravia 8 OLED for similar money or an LG C4 for much less, it becomes a little hard to justify the Bravia 7 going into the main list.

Full disclosure, though: we could reverse this decision in the next update to the best TVs page.

LG G5

The LG G5 is, in most ways, an absolute stunner. It's the first TV we've reviewed that features new Primary RGB Tandem OLED technology, and this is clearly a big upgrade on the MLA panel technology of last year's top OLEDs, including the G4.

It's not the small, bright highlights that are most impressive (though those are a little brighter and more impactful); it's how much brighter screen-filling effects are, and the vibrancy and consistency of the colours, from the brightest to the darkest parts of the picture.

Add those qualities to a flagship OLED recipe that LG has been refining for years now, and you've got an absolutely stonking TV that significantly raises the bar for the rival models to come.

So why does the G5 only make the 'also consider' list rather than the main one? There are two reasons.

The first is that we uncovered a very unpleasant flaw in the way the G5 handles low-light Dolby Vision content via streaming. We understand a fix for this is now publicly available, but we haven't yet had the opportunity to test for ourselves whether this is indeed a complete fix and that it doesn't introduce any new problems.

And the second reason is that we recommend TVs (and all other products, for that matter) on a performance-per-pound basis, which always makes it hard for a brand-new, full-price model (particularly a flagship one) to take the place of a slightly older but significantly more affordable rival.

However, assuming the Dolby Vision fix works, once the G5 has dropped in price a little, it could well make the main list of the best TVs.

LG C5

As mentioned above, we generally don't like to add a brand new, full-price TV to the main list in the place of an older model that is still brilliant and significantly cheaper.

However, we are well aware that plenty of people simply must have a brand new TV, even if that means paying more than we think they really should. That's why, at this time most years, we add a 'best new' entry to our best TVs page.

We've done exactly that with this update, and it's the LG C5 that has taken the spot.

On paper, the C5 isn't much of an upgrade on last year's C4, but LG has managed to squeeze a little more brightness out of the panel, which makes for a more impactful HDR picture performance, and it has improved colour consistency and refinement.

Add in all of the usual LG usability traits and a flawless gaming specification, and you have a consummate all-rounder that is also, by brand new TV standards, superb value.

The are plenty of rivals still to hit our test rooms, inclduing the Samsung S90F and S95F, the Sony Bravia 8 II and Panasonic's OLED TV range, but the C5 is currently in the box seat to take the place of the Bravia 8 as the best TV overall once its price has dropped a bit.

To see the list in full, check out the What Hi-Fi? guide to the best TVs.

The new LG OLEDs are fresh in the shops, and, therefore, fresh out of the What Hi-Fi? test rooms.

As has become expected over the past few years, they are strong contenders in an extremely competitive marketplace.

This shouldn’t be a massive surprise, given that LG still makes the majority of OLED panels out there no matter the badge on the TV itself, but it is always reassuring to discover, each year, that eyes haven’t been taken off the metaphorical ball by the Korean giant’s fine engineering department.

With the LG ranges over the years, it’s the C-series that tends to hit the sweet-spot for us for providing the best bang for your buck.

The range-topping LG G5 is a remarkable piece of televisual technology, but – inevitably – you must pay a heavy price for the privilege of owning the very best.

The C5 may not feature the flashy new Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel of the G5, nor indeed the MLA OLED technology of last year’s G4, but it does sport more than enough of its premium sibling’s capabilities to make up for most of those tech shortfalls; and, of course, at a far more affordable price.

The C5, then, is the hub around which we centre this amazing home cinema system.

The system

• TV: LG C5 (£1900 / $1999 / AU$3299)
• Soundbar: Sonos Arc Ultra (£999 / $999 / AU$1799)
• Console: Sony PlayStation 5 (£430 / $450 / AU$800)
• 4K Blu-ray player: Panasonic DP-UB820 (£349 / $400 / AU$665)
• Set-top box: Sky Stream (from £15 per month / not available in US or Aus)
• Total price: £3678 / $3848 / AU$6563

LG C5

One of the joys of LG C5 ownership is the ease of set-up.

Quite a few of the best OLED TVs from other brands (we may be looking at you here, Philips) really give of their best only after a thorough rummage around in the settings menus.

While the results are undeniably spectacular once you get things just so, not everyone has the time or inclination to get so hands-on with their TV – and so never benefit from the best it has to offer.

No such worries with this LG.

If you are watching content in 4K (and why wouldn’t you be, whenever possible?), just stick the C5 in Filmmaker mode and you will be set up for some stunningly cinematic images – it’s as easy as that.

Of course, you can tweak things to fine-tune the image, but for most people, most of the time, there is little need.

Our verdict in our review of the C5 says it all really (as one would hope…): “It's probably the best TV for most people, as 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.”

We do, however, go on to say, “We wish it had better built-in audio…” This is by no means an unusual complaint for a modern TV, and is still a major issue as far as getting a home cinema set-up to do the name justice.

A flat-panel TV’s sound, in our experience, simply cannot meet the standards of its excellent picture. Which is why you will see in pretty much all our TV reviews the recommendation to invest in a soundbar.

Sonos Arc Ultra

The Sonos Arc Ultra we propose for this system is, simply, the best soundbar on a performance-per-pound basis available. It trumps its multi-Award-winning forebear in every department, which is saying a lot.

If you want Dolby Atmos surround capabilities without having to go down the bulky separates route, this is pretty much the best option now available to you.

The Arc Ultra performs impressively on its own, but there is also scope for upgrading the package by adding a pair of Sonos Era 300s to act as rear surround speakers, and a Sonos Sub in the (relatively unlikely) event that you feel the need to boost the bass performance.

It is the Ultra’s improvements over its illustrious predecessor that really impresses. We wouldn’t have said that the original Arc’s bass was at all a weakness, but the Ultra takes things to a new level, with a tight, tuneful and expressive performance that makes the original sound fairly woolly in comparison.

The extra drivers over the original (the Ultra boasts a 9.1.4-channel configuration, up from the Arc’s 5.0.2) really pay off, with the spatial sound-effect placement particularly impressive.

As we say in the verdict of our full review of the Arc Ultra, when comparing it with the Arc: “It really is quite amazing how much more crisp, spacious, precise and detailed the Ultra sounds.”

The two central parts of this system work brilliantly together, with the sonic abilities of the soundbar beautifully complementing the images of the OLED screen. But what to feed this dynamic duo?

Sony PlayStation 5

It would be remiss not to take advantage of the C5’s gaming capabilities; its full complement of HDMI 2.1 sockets mean it will be future-proofed for many years to come, and can – for the hardcore gamer – deal with both of the current-generation console big boys.

We have selected the PS5 here over the Xbox Series X for a couple of reasons.

First, we think it pips Microsoft’s offering as an overall package; but second, the C5 has a handy trick up its sleeve: you can play Xbox games through the LG’s Xbox app – no console required.

You won’t quite get the performance of a full console, but it’s a really handy and fun way of getting some Xbox action without a large up-front cost.

Panasonic DP-UB820

While streaming is gaining in both popularity and 4K picture quality, we stand by our assertion that the very best performance comes from physical software; so we recommend investing in a Blu-ray player to get the best from this set-up.

If you have a PlayStation 5 with a disc drive, you might be tempted to use the console’s Blu-ray capability. We feel compelled to steer you away from this course of action.

The PS5’s drive is competent, but not up to the standards of the Panasonic DP-UB820 – and it can get almost intrusively noisy in action as well.

Better, we feel, to buy a digital-only PS5, and then invest the savings made towards the Blu-ray player – your TV and sound package deserve the best sources you can give them.

As we conclude in our review of the Blu-ray player, the Panasonic DP-UB820 delivers a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and backs it up with a strong audio performance.

Sky Stream

The final piece of our brilliant home-cinema package comes in the form of the Sky Stream puck.

If you are at all interested in viewing live sports, this is the cheapest way to view them in top 4K HDR quality; if the ultimate picture quality isn’t of such importance to you, you could quite easily forego the Sky Stream, and access Sky Sport and other packages via the TV’s Now app.

Our system verdict

Regular readers will, perhaps, be wondering where the Apple TV 4K – a product that regularly features in our home-cinema systems – has got to.

While the Apple streamer is still the option of choice for the very best video streaming quality you can get, the LG C5’s in-built apps (and it has pretty much everything you could wish for) are very well optimised for quality and perform excellently.

An Apple TV 4K, then, might be an upgrade to be considered in the future, but it is by no means a necessity for this wonderful set-up.

This, then, is a superb home-cinema set-up in its own right – and one that will stand you in good stead for years to come; but, crucially, it is also upgradeable in a number of ways, should the funds and desire arise. And that’s a win/win in anybody’s book.

MORE:

Looking for alternatives to any of the components in our system? Then check out our guides to the best TVs, best soundbars and best Blu-ray players

March was another hugely busy month for our home cinema and hi-fi reviews teams.

Over the month we tested everything from new premium OLED TVs to cutting-edge integrated amplifiers.

But, once the dust had settled, just six products impressed our reviewers enough to earn a coveted five-star rating. Here’s what you need to know about them.

JBL Charge 6

The Charge 6 is one of two new JBL Bluetooth speakers to earn a place in this month’s column. A successor to the JBL Charge 5, which our experts have long recommended, it had big shoes to fill.

Thankfully after weeks of testing our reviewers are pleased to report that it’s excellent. Key changes include a new, more intuitive physical button placement, upgraded water-resistance rating and – most importantly – improved sound quality.

During all of our tests, both in our listening rooms and the wild, the Charge 6 delivered a powerful, punchy sound with noticeably more detail than its predecessor. Hence our glowing recommendation:

“You may not feel the need to replace your small army of Charge 5s straightaway (or at least, wait for a good deal), but the Charge 6 has been improved in every way, and it is tempting.”

Score: 5/5

Read our full JBL Charge 6 review

JBL Flip 7

The JBL Flip 7 is the smaller, slightly cheaper sibling of the Charge 6. Like its larger sibling, it has had a wealth of design and hardware improvements.

These include a longer cylindrical design, new button placement and a host of quality of life improvements including the addition of Auracast. This lets you connect the Flip 7 to other compatible speakers wirelessly and run them concurrently in a “party mode”.

But the most important upgrades focus on its audio quality. The speaker now supports up to 24-bit/96kHz lossless audio and features JBL’s new 'AI Sound Boost' tech. This, says JBL, allows the unit to analyse its surroundings and optimise its performance in a bid to deliver a bigger sound and deeper bass.

Does it work? Based on our testing the answer is a firm yes. When compared with its predecessor, the Flip 7 delivers new levels of clarity and significantly more insight. This, along with its skilful handling of dynamics and rhythm, make it one of the best Bluetooth speakers we have tested in its class.

Score: 5/5

Read our full JBL Flip 7 review

LG C5 (OLED55C5)

LG’s C-series of OLED TVs has been a staple sight in our best TV buying guide for many years. The latest LG C5 set to pass through our viewing rooms is a great example of the breed.

It doesn’t have the fancy next-generation 4th Gen OLED panel tech seen on the premium LG G5, but it offers solid improvements on nearly all the areas we care about.

A smattering of improved colour volume in low light? Check. Improved peak brightness levels that make HDR content truly shine? Check. The same flawless gaming features, including four full speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, as previous generations? Check.

The combined package may not make it the best premium OLED TV from a pure performance perspective, but based on our testing it still makes it a fantastic value set that’s more than enough for most people.

Our only real gripe is that LG still hasn’t managed to nail its TVs' audio, so you should really budget for a soundbar if you don’t already own one.

As we say in our review verdict:

“[The C5] is probably the best TV for most people, as 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. We wish it had better built-in audio.”

Score: 5/5

Read our full LG C5 (OLED55C5) review

Gryphon Audio Diablo 333

The Diablo 333 is a integrated amplifier from Danish high-end brand Gryphon Audio. It is also something of a historical milestone, being the very first product we have reviewed from the brand, despite Gryphon launching all the way back in 1985.

The hefty 50kg unit continues Gryphon’s ongoing focus on delivering engineering purity and performance to the top end of the market. It comes loaded with a wealth of features and big numbers on its specification sheet to show it means business.

The most eye-catching of these is its ability to deliver 333 watts per channel into an 8 ohm load – which makes it, we think, the most powerful integrated amplifier to pass through our listening rooms in our half-century tenure testing hi-fi.

The focus on purity means the Diablo 333 needs careful partnering as its transparent nature will reveal the shortcomings of any hardware it’s matched with.

Thankfully, when it is partnered well we find it is devilishly good, with the unit delivering excellent stereo imaging and awe-inspiring levels of control and authority during our listening sessions.

Score: 5/5

Read our full Gryphon Audio Diablo 333 review

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Since Sony stopped making movie-focused 21:9 aspect ratio phones, audio performance is usually the main thing that gets us to recommend a handset.

Look at our iPhone 16 phone reviews and that’s undeniably a big part of it. But in March the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra bucked the trend and earned a wholehearted recommendation from our reviewers thanks to its stellar performance as a “home cinema in a hand”.

This is due to its atypical 6.9-inch Dynamic OLED display, which borrows a lot of the AI processing and upscaling smarts usually reserved for the company’s top-end TVs.

The catchily named new ProScaler technology aims to let the phone upscale 1080p content from the likes of Netflix, which mobile apps’ cap at that resolution.

The end result is an image that looks sharper, more accurate and is generally more immersive than the experience you will get on any other phone we have tested..

We would like the phone to have sounded slightly nicer for music, but there’s no denying the new tech works a treat for movie watching even with this minor shortcoming, hence our reviewers’ glowing conclusion:

“Samsung’s new flagship handset is simply begging to be taken on a long-haul flight or lengthy train journey. Its big, bold screen, rich colours and crisp details liken it to a pocketable OLED TV, making it a great companion for portable movie watching.”

Score: 5/5

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review

Lumin U2 Mini

Music streamers are a growing category in the world of hi-fi. Last month we got a chance to test Lumun’s addition to the growing market, the U2 Mini.

Unlike many streamers, U2 Mini is designed for people who already have a digital to analogue converter (DAC) in their rack.

The reasoning behind this, says the manufacturer, is that most people in its target market will already have a DAC in their CD player or amplifier, so there’s no point doubling up on circuitry.

Beside that, the unit ticks all the boxes you would expect, with support for most mainstream services and hi-res 32-bit/768kHz PCM files and DSD512 playback.

Lumin is making noise about the U2 Mini’s new processing system which has been optimised to much better internal timing accuracy than rival products.

As a continuation of this focus, the unit doesn’t feature wi-fi, so you will need to place it near your router and cable connected to the internet.

That performance-focused, minor caveat aside, it is an excellent performer sonically. Paired with our reference hardware, the streamer delivered balanced, detailed and composed performance that delighted our reviewers.

This plus its intuitive, reliable app and comprehensive file support make it an easy recommendation for its intended audience.

Score: 5/5

Read our full Lumin U2 Mini review

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We rate the best projector money can buy

Our picks of the best wireless speakers

The LG C5 is the first OLED TV that we have reviewed in 2025, and it kicked the year off with a bang. Its exceptional picture quality and superb specification made it a five-star no-brainer for our reviewers, even if its sound performance was a bit underwhelming.

We are confident that this will be LG's most popular OLED. As we say in our review: "it's probably the best TV for most people, as its exceptional picture quality and uncompromising feature set are certified crowd pleasers." It continues the C-series' legacy of offering a brilliant mid-range OLED experience without breaking the bank, meaning it scores well on our performance-per-pound metric.

While it offers a pretty straightforward plug-and-play proposition that mostly involves sticking it into Filmmaker Mode and feeding it some 4K content (ideally a Blu-ray), there are some settings that we think you should change to ensure you get the best out of your new OLED TV.

1. Turn sharpness down to zero

If you're after an "as the creator intended" experience, the first thing we recommend doing is digging into the picture settings and turning sharpness down in the clarity section. Sharpness is set to 10 as standard; we suggest turning it down to zero.

This will remove most of the additional processing; however, there is some additional sharpness that comes as part of LG's AI picture processing, which cannot be disabled. The good news is that, to our eyes, it appears to be fairly subtle and does a good job of adding a little bit of beneficial sharpness to ensure the picture doesn't look too soft.

That being said, we do wish that LG would allow us to customise the picture manually in its entirety.

2. Try the TruMotion settings

This might sound as though we are contradicting our previous point, but it's worth taking a look at the TruMotion settings if you are finding judder to be an issue on your C5. We were complimentary of the C5's standard motion processing with these settings turned off, but we also found that the Cinematic Movement setting did an excellent job of ironing out any minor hitches we spotted without compromising on authenticity.

We would avoid the Natural and Smooth Motion settings like the plague, but Cinematic Movement doesn't seem to stray into the realm of the overly smoothed, nor does it introduce the soap-opera effect. Instead, the minimal processing it offers strikes a solid balance between addressing minor motion mishaps and not being too intrusive.

The good news with LG's 2025 OLED TVs is that 24fps pulldown now works correctly with motion settings turned off, meaning 24fps content shouldn't have observable judder despite the 144Hz panel featured on the C5. Cinematic Movement specifically targets 24fps content with a subtle amount of motion-processing via frame interpolation.

3. Enable dynamic tone mapping

A big draw of the LG C5 is its improved brightness – alongside some new AI features, one of the few upgrades over last year's C4. However, when watching non-Dolby Vision content in Filmmaker Mode, we found it tricky to appreciate the claimed luminance increase.

Once we delved into the settings, it became quickly apparent as to why this was the case. By default, dynamic tone mapping is switched off, which might be preferable for those looking for a more natural-looking image; but we opted to switch it on during our testing as it adds some much-needed pop to HDR content.

While it won't appeal to everyone, and it does have a very minor knock-on effect to contrast, we think it's a worthwhile tradeoff to achieve the extra punch and brightness that truly allows the C5 to shine.

MORE:

Read our full LG C5 OLED TV review

As well as our LG G5 hands on review

And check out the full 2025 LG OLED TV lineup