Top 5 OLED TVs for 2024

Buying guide for best OLED TV

Ready to buy now? Shop the best: 

• Best of the Best: Samsung Class OLED 4K S90C Series TV
• Best Bang for the Buck: Panasonic Z85 Series OLED 4K Ultra HD Fire TV
• Feature-Packed: LG C3 Series Class OLED evo 4K Smart TV
• Exceptional Quality: Sony OLED 4K Ultra HD BRAVIA 8 Smart Google TV
• Fast Performance: LG Class OLED evo C4 Series Smart TV

OLED TVs are widely regarded as the pinnacle of 4K television technology, and we believe this reputation will endure. The finest OLED models deliver not just stunning visuals but also enhance the viewing experience with vivid colours, rapid response times, wide viewing angles, and a crystal-clear display. Major brands like Sony, LG, and Samsung are at the forefront, offering top-tier OLED TVs for anyone in search of a 4K television.

In assessing the best OLED TVs, our testing team examined various criteria, including the wear of viewing angles, brightness levels, performance in dark scenes, user interface quality, and gaming capabilities. We also had the opportunity to evaluate Samsung’s latest OLED offering for 2024, the S95D, which we describe in further detail below.

New release

Samsung has introduced an impressive range of new TVs for 2024, featuring the S95D OLED—a significant upgrade in their OLED lineup, succeeding the S95C.

Samsung S95D OLED

Product specifications
Screen Size: 65” | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: OLED | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz VRR | Voice Assistant Integration: Bixby

We were thoroughly impressed with the S95D, as it excelled in all our evaluations. The TV delivers a magnificent picture with superb colour balance, impressive brightness, true blacks, and remarkable colour accuracy. Additionally, the S95D’s gaming features are top-notch, with a high refresh rate and minimal motion blur, making games like Fortnite visually stunning. Overall, the S95D is a comprehensive solution for TV enthusiasts.

With the cutting-edge features incorporated in the S95D, it’s no surprise that it performed exceptionally well in our tests. This model is the first to boast Samsung’s OLED glare-free technology, ensuring optimal viewing conditions in both bright and dim settings. The S95C also includes OLED HDR Pro, enhancing brightness and contrast even further.

Thanks to its ultra-slim design and innovative OneConnect box, the Samsung S95C stands out as a leading choice among OLED TVs.

How we chose the best OLED TVs

Our team undertook extensive testing across a diverse range of OLED TVs, assessing key aspects such as brightness, colour accuracy, viewing angle performance, and anti-glare characteristics. We also scrutinised the picture quality across various content types, including HDR and standard formats.

For gaming performance evaluation, we utilised a PS5 to test how well the OLED TVs manage next-gen graphics, input lag, and variable refresh rates (VRR) where applicable. We thoroughly explored each TV’s performance in different gaming modes to assess processing capabilities.

Why OLED TVs are special

OLED TVs represent the cutting edge of television technology, providing a viewing experience unlike any other. Their innovative design is based on several remarkable technologies that distinguish OLED from other types of displays.

Millions of subpixels

In contrast to traditional LED panels where pixels are illuminated in clusters—often leading to light bleed and inaccurate colours—each pixel in an OLED TV possesses its own backlight. This allows for unique colour profiles without interference from neighbouring pixels, resulting in stunning clarity.

Inky, deep blacks

When an OLED pixel is required to display black, it simply switches off, achieving true black tones. This is a significant advancement over LED TVs, which typically attempt to show black but often result in washed-out grays. OLED technology ensures deeper black levels, enhancing contrast and realism.

Additional premium features

While features like high dynamic range (HDR), picture-in-picture (PiP), and increased refresh rates are not exclusive to OLED TVs, the high-end pricing of 4K OLED models often means they include a comprehensive suite of advanced features. Examples include HDR, Dolby Atmos, and 4K upscaling.

Essentially, OLED panels embody the luxury TV experience, and most models are equipped with the latest and greatest technological advancements available.

OLED vs. QLED

Several manufacturers, including Samsung, LG, and Sony, actively produce OLED TVs, while others have developed similar technologies. For instance, QLED technology has been introduced as an alternative to OLED. How do the two stack up?

• OLED, which stands for “organic light-emitting diode,” is a revolutionary technology where each pixel is independently illuminated and coloured. Unlike traditional LED panels that require backlighting, OLED panels generate their own light, resulting in exceptional picture quality that surpasses standard LED displays.

• QLED, which stands for “quantum dot light-emitting diode,” is a variation of LED technology used in existing HDTVs and computer monitors. It employs a “quantum dot film” to enhance backlit pixels. Although QLED TVs represent an improvement over standard LEDs, they still rely on backlighting and fall short of the colour depth and clarity offered by OLED panels.

In summary, while QLED TVs provide a decent upgrade, if given the option, choosing OLED technology guarantees superior image quality.

Sound advice: OLED TV audio

As television screens continually improve in brightness and colour, the audio quality often remains an afterthought compared to dedicated home theatre setups.

Even sound bars generally outperform standard TV speakers. However, many OLED TVs now come equipped with speakers capable of delivering a premium sound experience.

If you’re uncertain about which option suits you best, here are some tips.

Sound bars

To enhance the premium experience of OLED TVs, some brands integrate built-in sound bars, housing the TV’s internal components within the sound bar itself, allowing for a thinner TV profile. Alternatively, purchasing a separate sound bar is another popular method to boost audio quality.

Audio formats

Some OLED TVs support advanced audio formats, moving beyond basic two-channel audio. Features like DTS:X, Sony’s acoustic surface audio, and Dolby Atmos deliver an immersive sound experience, turning your living room into a cinema.

Surround sound

Although manufacturers have made strides in improving TV audio, it’s essential to note that no built-in speakers can match a dedicated surround sound setup with an audio-video receiver and separate speakers. If you’re pursuing a true surround sound experience, plan to invest in additional equipment.

Tips

When selecting an OLED TV, consider the following recommendations:

1. If you intend to connect your OLED TV to a home theatre speaker system using an optical cable, consider opting for an HDMI cable instead. This approach allows you to fully utilise your OLED TV’s sound capabilities for Blu-Ray discs, console games, and streaming applications. We recommend using an HDMI 2.1 cable to support all audio formats your TV can handle.
2. Disable any energy-saving features before watching 4K HDR10 content. Many OLED TVs come with energy-saving options, often labelled as “eco mode,” which can reduce brightness.
3. Avoid manually triggering any “pixel refreshing” tasks unless your TV shows signs of issues. Most OLED TVs perform pixel refreshing automatically.

Once you finish comparing TV reviews and models between VIZIO, Samsung, and LG OLED TVs, remember that waiting for major sales events (like Black Friday or Memorial Day) or opting for last year’s model can yield significant savings on larger OLED TVs.

FAQ

Q. Do OLED TVs have any “burn-in” issues?

A. While burn-in is possible, it’s less likely with modern OLEDs. Leaving a static image on screen for an extended period (around 100 hours) may cause a permanent mark, known as “burn-in.” However, the risk is significantly lower than that presented by older plasma TVs, and most users can avoid it by varying their viewing content.

For those who frequently watch a single channel or play lengthy video games featuring static images, the potential for burn-in exists. Nevertheless, with each passing year, improvements in OLED technology continue to reduce this risk.

Q. Should I buy a smart OLED TV?

A. If you enjoy streaming your favourite shows and movies, a smart OLED TV can provide a seamless experience without needing an additional streaming device.

Popular smart TV platforms include Android TV, WebOS, and Roku, which support all major streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Hulu. Some smart OLED TVs even feature voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, making it easier to find your favourite content.

Q. What should gamers look for when choosing an OLED TV?

A. Gamers should seek models with dedicated gaming features, including variable refresh rates, low input lag, and compatibility with Nvidia G-Sync, regardless of whether they prefer the Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch.