An OLED TV is often considered the crown jewel of any home theater or living room. The unique construction of OLED panels features individually lit pixels, which allow the TV to create deep, inky blacks, bright whites, and crisp details. The organic substrates also allow for a wide, vibrant color range for more lifelike images. An OLED TV is a perfect upgrade for movie buffs and sports fans.
The downside? OLED TVs are more expensive than other TVs on the market since their panels are expensive to produce and the TVs contain fairly new technology. Most models you can find are either from LG or Sony -- Vizio does offer a few OLED models, but they aren't quite the same caliber. Samsung also introduced its first OLED television, the S95B, to compete with LG and Sony for brand dominance.
My choice for the best OLED TV is theSony A95L for its updated QD-OLED panel, ambient light sensor, and multiple stand options. You can keep reading below to find out more about the Sony A95Las well as my other picks for the best OLED TVs.
Also: The 5 best 8K TVs (and why you should ignore OLED options)
Sony A95Lspecs - Screen size:55-77 inchesPanel type:QD-OLEDRefresh rate:120HzResolution:4KHDR:Dolby VisionAudio:Acoustic Surface Audio+Voice controls:Alexa, Hey Google
The A95L is set to be the crown-jewel of Sony's latest TV line-up, featuring an updated QD-OLED panel, as well as a host of premium features. 's Rebecca Isaacs got some hands-on experience with the Sony A95L, and praised its support for Google Duo and Zoom for video calls to help keep you in touch with family, friends, and coworkers. It supportsDolby Visionfor enhanced color and detailing to give you an almost unparalleled viewing experience for movies, online videos, and TV shows.
It also uses Sony'sAcoustic Surface Audio+technology to turn the entire screen into a speaker for near-perfect audio and video syncing as well as sound that follows the on-screen action. Movie buffs will love the IMAX Enhanced and Netflix Adaptive Calibrated modes, which allow you to see your favorite movies and shows as their creators intended. It also works with VRR technology for console gaming to prevent screen tearing and stuttering.
View now at Walmart View now at Best Buy View now at Crutchfield more buying choicesLG OLED evo M series specs - Screen size:77-97 inchesPanel type:OLEDRefresh rate:120HzResolution:4KHDR:Dolby Vision IQAudio:Dolby AtmosVoice controls:Alexa, Hey Google
The LG OLED evo M Series is quite literally the largest OLED TV in the world with up to a 97-inch screen for a truly cinematic experience at home, if you have the space (as well as lots of cash burning a hole in your pocket). The TV uses Dolby Vision IQ HDR for enhanced detailing, color, and contrast as well as Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound for more immersive audio while watching movies, online videos, and TV shows. The M Series is also LG's first all-wireless model, using a small relay box to send video signals from your playback devices and game consoles to the TV itself for an ultra-clean look. The wireless receiver is capable of providing video in up to 4K resolution and up to 120Hz for smooth motion during sports, gaming, and action scenes. However, be prepared to shell out top-dollar for the LG evo M Series, as the 97-inch model tops out at$30,000. The 77-inch version, which is the smallest available, is a more reasonable$5,000.
View now at Best Buy View now at LG View now at Crutchfield more buying choicesLG B3specs - Screen size:55 inchesPanel type:OLEDRefresh rate:120HzResolution:4KHDR:Dolby Vision IQAudio:Dolby AtmosVoice controls:Alexa, Hey Google
If you're eyeing an OLED TV to upgrade your home theater or living room, but are nervous about the price, the LG B355-inch retails under$1500, making it one of the more affordable options on the market. You'll still get excellent picture quality with true blacks for enhanced contrast, as well as Dolby Vision IQ HDR support for better detailing and color volume. The B3 also works with Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound as well as both Alexa and Hey Google for hands-free voice controls. The B3 is preloaded with a suite of popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video so you can start watching your favorite shows and movies right out of the box; and with the webOS platform, you'll get access to thousands more to turn your TV into the ultimate entertainment hub.
View now at Best Buy View now at Crutchfield View now at LG more buying choicesSamsung S95Cspecs - Screen size:55-77 inchesPanel type:OLEDRefresh rate:120HzResolution:4KHDR:Quantum HDR OLED+Audio:Object Tracking Sound+, Dolby AtmosVoice controls:Alexa, Hey Google
Console gamers looking for a dedicated TV for their space should definitely check out the Samsung S95C. Along with excellent picture quality with the OLED panel, it uses Dolby Atmos and Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ technology to provide virtual surround sound that follows the on-screen action; which is great news for gamers who don't like to play while wearing bulky headsets. The Samsung Game Hub gives you access to cloud gaming platforms like GeForce NOW and Xbox GamePass so you can play old favorites and new releases without needing to buy a physical copy or downloading large game files.
More:The Samsung S95Cis one of the best OLED TVs yet
It also lets you monitor frame rate and input response times to let you catch and address issues before they ruin your gaming session. 's June Wan was able to test the S95C in person, and praised its compatibility with the OneConnect system which allows you to use a single cable to connect all of your game consoles and playback devices to your TV; this helps keep power and HDMI cables from getting tangled and making your gaming space feel cluttered and messy.
View now at Samsung View now at Best Buy View now at Crutchfield more buying choicesSony A90Kspecs - Screen size:42 or 48 inchesPanel type:OLEDRefresh rate:120HzResolution:4KHDR:Dolby VisionAudio:Acoustic Surface Audio+Voice controls:Alexa, Hey Google
The Sony A90Kwas one of my top picks for the best 43-inch TVs, and it's a great option for anyone who is looking to buy an OLED TV, but needs a smaller screen. It's available in both 42- and 48-inch screen sizes, perfect for bedrooms, apartments, and dorm rooms. And even with the smaller screen, you'll still get excellent picture quality from the OLED panel, 120Hz refresh rate, and support for Dolby Vision HDR. You'll also get Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology for near-perfect audio and video syncing as well as sound that follows the on-screen action.
The A90K uses the Google TV platform to give you a suite of preloaded apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video so you can start streaming right out of the box. You'll also get access to thousands more so you can stream music, online videos, and photos for more ways to entertain family and friends. And with support for both Alexa and Hey Google, you'll get hands-free voice controls over your new TV and connected devices.
View now at Best Buy View now at Walmart View now at Crutchfield more buying choicesMy choice for the best OLED TV is the Sony A95L. It's available in three popular screen sizes, and uses an updated QD-OLED panel to produce a wider color range compared to previous Sony OLED models. It also supports Dolby Vision HDR for enhanced detailing and contrast as well as Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology to turn the whole screen into a speaker. This gives you near-perfect audio and video syncing as well as sound that follows the on-screen action. And console gamers will love the fact that the Sony A95L is optimized for play with the PlayStation 5, offering VRR technology to prevent screen tearing and stuttering as well as support for 120Hz refresh rates at 4K resolution.
Best OLED TV | Price | Screen size | Audio/HDR |
Sony A95L | $3,500 | 55-77 inches | Sony Acoustic Surface Audio+, Dolby Vision |
LG evo M Series | $5,000 | 77-97 inches | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision IQ |
LG B3 | $1,400 | 55-77 inches | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision IQ |
Samsung S95C | $2,500 | 55-83 inches | Dolby Atmos/Object Tracking Sound+, Quantum HDR OLED+ |
Sony A90K | $1,300 | 42 or 48 inches | Acoustic Surface Audio+, Dolby Vision |
MSRP at time of writing. Please note that actual prices may change depending on available sales, discounts, and manufacturer rebates or coupons.
While all OLED models are somewhat pricey, it's still important to finalize your budget. That way, you won't accidentally overspend, and you'll get the best value for your money. Choose a model that not only fits your budget, but one that also offers enough features and a big enough screen size to justify its price.
Buy this best OLED TV... | If you need... |
Sony A95L | A well-rounded OLED TV. The Sony A95L is available in popular screen sizes, and provides a top-tier viewing experience for movies and shows. |
LG evo M Series | A large-screen OLED TV. The LG evo M Series is available in screen sizes from 77 to 97 inches for true big-screen viewing. |
LG B3 | An OLED TV under$1500. The 55-inch version of the LG B3 retails for around$1400, making it one of the more affordable options on the market. |
Samsung S95C | An OLED TV for console gaming. Samsung's Gaming Hub gives you access to cloud gaming platforms as well as Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync VRR technology. |
Sony A90K | A small-screen OLED TV. The Sony A90K is available in either 42- or 48-inch screen sizes, making it perfect for apartments, bedrooms, or dorm rooms. |
While researching and testing each of the OLED TVs featured on this list, I and other experts kept these criteria in mind:
An OLED TV is a model that uses specialized, organic substrates and individually lit LEDs to create stark contrast, brighter and richer colors, as well as crisper details than what you can get with an LED or QLED television. The technology is best appreciated by movie and TV buffs who want to experience Hollywood classics and the latest blockbusters as their creators intended. OLED TVs are also ideal for console gamers looking to embrace native 4K graphics.
OLED and QLED use different TV technologies, and their main differences include the black levels, color, and contrast. OLED TVs are better at black levels, while QLED TVs are better with brightness and usually cost less than OLED TVs.
More:OLED vs. QLED: Which is better for you?
You can also check out our in-depth looks at the differences between OLED and LED TVs or OLED and Neo QLED TVs.
An OLED TV is absolutely worth it if picture quality is at the top of your "must-have" feature list when shopping for a new TV. An OLED panel can create incredibly vibrant colors and crisp details that breathe new life into classic media and show off the technical skills used to create new movies and shows. Even if you aren't a movie buff, you can still get a ton of value out of an OLED TV, since they have a longer lifespan than other models. Also, an OLED TV can sort of future-proof your living room or home theater, since it will take a while for LED and QLED TV models to catch up to the quality you can get from an OLED version.
The technology behind OLED TVs is still new and more complicated than what you'd find in an LED panel. This makes it more expensive to produce, so higher manufacturing costs get passed down as high retail prices to consumers. Thankfully, companies like LG and Sony are finding more streamlined and cost-effective ways to produce OLED panels, making them a bit more affordable than before. However, they are still much more expensive than their LED and QLED counterparts.
Sony and LG used to be the only brands that offered OLED models, but Samsung and even Vizio have started to release their own. Here's a short list of other OLED models that are also worth considering:
The LG OLED Flex is a 42-inch smart TV that can be used as either a traditional flat-panel or as a curved screen. With the push of a button, the screen automatically curves to reduce overhead glare and provide better viewing angles, especially if you want to use the Flex as a gaming monitor.
View at Best BuyThe Samsung S90C is a more mid-range option for brand loyalists looking for an OLED TV. It offers many of the same features as the S95C, but for hundreds of dollars less.
View at SamsungThe LG OLED evo G3 is a gallery-inspired TV that is made to not only provide an excellent viewing experience, but also to turn your home theater into a personal art space. You can download images or upload your own work to create a custom slideshow.
View at Best Buy