I test TVs for a living, so I review all kinds of display types. While there's a lot to like about LED and QLED models, OLED displays impress me the most. They're pricey, but the best OLED TVs deliver better black levels, higher contrast, and wider viewing angles than other types of TVs. If picture performance is your priority, there's no substitute for an OLED.
To help you find the right model for your needs, I used my expertise to put together a guide to the five best OLED TVs available. My top pick for most people is the Samsung S90D, which offers a wide range of vivid colors at an appealing midrange price. But if you're willing to spend top dollar, the premium LG G5 delivers the best overall image quality I've seen on any consumer display.
Below, you can find all my picks for the best OLED TVs, with options for different budgets and uses.
Our top picks for the best OLED TVs
Best overall: Samsung S90D 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best high-end display: LG G5 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best on a budget: LG B4 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best anti-glare screen: Samsung S95D 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best overall
The Samsung S90D is the best OLED TV for most people. In fact, it's my pick for the best TV across all display types. There are pricier sets with better image performance, but when it comes to overall value, the S90D is tough to beat.
Like all OLED TVs, the S90D has perfect black levels that disappear into a dark room, wide viewing angles, and an infinite contrast ratio. However, this model stands out from similarly priced competitors thanks to its use of quantum dot color technology.
Quantum dots enable the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch S90D models to produce a brighter image with better color performance than a typical OLED. In my tests, I measured a peak brightness of around 1,240 nits on the 65-inch S90D. That's a decent step up from the 1,000-nit max of this model's predecessor, the S90C, and most competing midrange OLEDs from LG and Sony.
The S90D is the most affordable OLED on the market with quantum dot color technology.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The TV also sustains vivid saturation at high brightness levels better than LG's C-Series OLEDs. As a result, high-dynamic-range (HDR) content really pops. HDR10 and HDR10+ videos look great through streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs. On the downside, it's disappointing that Samsung still doesn't support Dolby Vision, a popular HDR format. However, I don't consider that a dealbreaker for a TV in this performance class. Check out our HDR TV guide for details on how Dolby Vision stacks up to other HDR formats.
Smart TV capabilities are also solid, but navigation can lag a little, and I ran into some glitches with notifications and apps automatically booting up. These are small hiccups, though, and likely to be corrected with firmware. On the plus side, the interface includes a cool Gaming Hub that lets you use services like Xbox Game Pass to stream games without a console.
Samsung does sell a newer version of this TV, the S90F, that promises some improvements in performance. But it costs substantially more. For now, the S90D remains the better buy.
Check out our guides to the best Samsung TVs and the best smart TVs.
Note: The 42-, 48-, and 83-inch S90D models don't use quantum dots, so those sizes can't offer the same color performance as the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models.
Best high-end display
I've tested many impressive displays, but none can match the LG G5's overall image performance. This premium set is the best OLED TV for people willing to splurge on high-end picture quality.
The G5 replaces my previous pick in this category, the Sony A95L. While the A95L is still an incredible TV, the G5 surpasses it in a few key areas, most notably brightness. Though the G5 doesn't use quantum dots like those found on flagship OLEDs made by Sony and Samsung, it uses a new four-stack panel design to achieve similar performance gains over a typical OLED.
With the TV set in its most accurate HDR picture mode, I measured a peak of 2,410 nits. That's a record for an OLED and almost 1,000 nits more than the highest measurement I got on the A95L. In practice, this high luminance leads to stunning HDR performance. Highlights in bright HDR content pop from the screen with dazzling intensity, offering more visual impact than less expensive OLEDs, like the S90D, are capable of.
The G5 is the brightest OLED TV available from any brand.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Now, it's important to remember that only certain HDR movies and TV shows require the kind of high brightness levels that the G5 delivers. But if you're a home theater enthusiast who wants to watch bright HDR content the way it's meant to be seen, the G5's combination of pixel-level contrast and high luminance is nearly unmatched. Likewise, if you struggle with glare in your room, the G5's high brightness can help overcome this.
However, that's not to say the G5 is flawless. Even with brightness maxed out, its glossy screen is still prone to some reflections, though it preserves black levels better than matte-screen options like Samsung's S95D. The G5's webOS smart TV platform is decent enough, but it places too much emphasis on shopping recommendations. I also encountered some intermittent errors with hands-free voice recognition. This wasn't troublesome enough to be a major problem, but it's still worth noting.
The TV initially had issues with image banding, which caused color gradations to look blocky instead of smooth in some HDR material. Thankfully, a firmware update has fixed the vast majority of these artifacts. Some banding still pops up from time to time, like in a tricky test scene I use from "Ex Machina" that features harsh red light, but these lingering imperfections are subtle and in line with what I'd expect from a TV like this. No display is perfect, but the G5's strengths outweigh its shortcomings.
The G5 comes with a flush wall mount that lets you hang the display up with virtually no gap. The TV looks gorgeous set up this way, but keep in mind that it doesn't include a stand. So, if you can't wall mount it in your room, you'll need to buy a stand separately.
Though it's my current pick in this category, the G5 has some competition. Sony just released a new high-end OLED called the Bravia 8 II that could match the G5. However, it's more expensive and is only available in 55- and 65-inch sizes, while the G5 goes up to 97 inches. In addition, Panasonic is launching a similar four-stack OLED in the coming months, but pricing hasn't been revealed. But again, the Panasonic will be limited to fewer sizes, with 77 inches being the largest.
Best on a budget
OLED TVs aren't known for being budget-friendly, but the LG B4 is one of the most affordable OLEDs available. LG's pricier C- and G-Series TVs can both get brighter and offer better image processing, but the B4 still has all of the contrast, black level, and viewing angle perks that OLEDs are celebrated for.
At a max of about 650 to 700 nits, the B4 is notably dimmer than step-up OLED models. As a result, extreme highlights (like explosions) won't pop with the same intensity that you'd see on pricier sets, and the B4 is less ideal for living rooms that let in a lot of light. However, the TV is still capable of pixel-level contrast and perfect black levels, which gives it an advantage in overall image quality over even the priciest QLED TVs.
Despite being LG's entry-level OLED, the B4 is also well-equipped for gaming. It has HDMI 2.1 support and a 120Hz panel, which means it can support advanced gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR) and 120 frames-per-second output on a PS5 and Xbox Series X.That said, it can't support the higher 144Hz or 165Hz modes that the brand's C- and G-Series models provide.
Samsung also sells a competing entry-level OLED, theS85D, which is sometimes discounted for less money. Since the S85D doesn't use quantum dots, its picture quality is nearly identical to the B4's. However, I give a slight edge tothe B4 since it supports Dolby Vision, which has a bigger impact on HDR quality on dimmer OLED models like this.
Check out our guide to all the best budget TVs.
Best anti-glare screen
Many OLED TVs claim to have anti-reflective screen filters, but the Samsung S95D's glare-free coating is in a class of its own. The S95D uses a matte finish instead of a glossy one. This feature enables it to greatly reduce glare and reflections, which can be problematic in rooms with many windows and indoor lights.
Other OLEDs are prone to a mirror-like effect when hit with light from certain angles, but the S95D nearly eliminates this issue. During my testing in a bright room, I saw no troublesome reflections, making this set a game changer for buyers who want an OLED free from glare.It's an especially great option for people who like to watch sports during the day.
However, the S95D's anti-glare screen has a drawback: it hurts black-level performance in a bright room. So, while you no longer have to deal with distracting reflections, the S95D's black levels take on a more gray and hazy look instead of the deep and inky quality you'd see on other OLEDs. Thankfully, this isn't an issue when viewing the TV with the lights off, so the S95D still offers all the black-level benefits OLEDs are known for in a dark setting.
The S95D has an anti-glare screen that eliminates mirror-like reflections in a bright room.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
In addition to its anti-glare screen, the S95D offers great brightness, with a peak of around 1,700 nits. This helps the display deliver exceptional HDR performance. That said, it can't match the peak luminance of LG's pricier G5 TV.
The S95D has all the other bells and whistles I expect from a flagship Samsung TV, including support for a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth PC gaming. Unlike the cheaper S90D, it has a uniformly thin design and a One Connect Box to house all its video ports.
Ultimately, the S95D's matte screen is a divisive feature with clear pros and cons. For most buyers, I recommend sticking with a traditional glossy TV since you get better black levels. But if you need an OLED uniquely suited for combating glare and reflections, this is the model to get.
Samsung also sells a newer version of this TV, the S95F, which can get even brighter and delivers a slightly higher 165Hz refresh rate. But the S95F costs a lot more, so I only recommend it to big enthusiasts who crave the most impactful HDR image.
Read our Samsung S95D 4K TV review.
Visit our guide to the top sports TVs.
Other OLED TVs we considered
Sony's A95L is still an impressive high-end TV, but the LG G5 surpasses it in some key areas.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The picks above represent our top recommendations, but there are other OLED models out there that are still worth considering. Here are a couple of other notable OLED TVs, along with details on why they didn't quite make the cut in our guide.
Samsung S95F OLED 4K TV-See at Amazon
The S95F is the successor to Samsung's S95D. It has a similar matte screen but offers a brighter image, with an impressive peak of around 2,170 nits. However, it costs substantially more than the S95D. Likewise, LG's G5 can deliver even better image quality overall. The S95D is still a worthy buy for enthusiasts who want a premium, glare-free OLED, but we give an edge to the S95D in overall value.
Read our Samsung S95F OLED TV review.
Sony A95L OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
The A95L was our previous pick for the best high-end OLED. It's still an excellent premium TV, but the newer LG G5 has some key performance benefits that make it a better display overall. Sony also sells a brand-new successor to this model, the Bravia 8 II, that could go toe-to-toe with the G5. However, it's more expensive and is only available in 55- and 65-inch sizes, while the G5 ranges from 55 to 97 inches. We'll test the Bravia 8 II soon to see how it stacks up.
Sony Bravia 8 OLED 4K TV-See at Amazon
The Bravia 8 is Sony's midrange OLED, sitting right below the Bravia 8 II and A95L in its lineup. Its specs put it in a similar performance class as LG's more affordable C-series and below Samsung's S90 series. Given current price differences, we give the edge to the LG C4 and Samsung S90D as better options for the money.
Read our breakdown of Sony Bravia TVs.
Panasonic Z95 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
Panasonic recently re-entered the US TV market, and its flagship offering is the Z95 Series OLED. The brand's 2024 model, the Z95A, is a great display, but its picture quality is beaten by the LG G5. A 2025 model, called the Z95B, is set for release later this year, and it could match or surpass the G5. We'll test the new model once it's available.
How we test OLED TVs
Test patterns like the one pictured above help us measure a TV's peak brightness.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
To test the best OLED TVs, our reviewers evaluate several factors, including peak brightness, HDR performance, smart TV features, navigation speed, and value.
To measure the brightness of a TV's panel, we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc. We also use this disc's patterns to evaluate other objective display qualities. However, test patterns can only reveal so much, so we also use real-world content to get a better sense of how an OLED actually looks when watching regular TV.
We use the same assortment of demo movies and shows on each display to help test each OLED's overall image performance, with a specific focus on scenes that showcase shadow detail, specular highlights, color fidelity, and sharpness with native 4K, high-definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) content through Blu-ray players, cable TV, and all the best streaming services. We also evaluate OLED TVs in various lighting conditions to see how each model performs in bright and dark rooms.
We try to live with each OLED TV we review as we would if we owned it as our personal display. This way, we can see if any quirks or glitches pop up during general day-to-day use. We also evaluate smart TV features and navigation to ensure there are no major issues.
For more details on our review process, check out our page detailing how we test tech products.
What to look for in an OLED TV
OLED TVs deliver wide viewing angles, so you get a great picture even if you sit to the side of the screen.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The best OLED TVs all share similar performance capabilities, but there are a few factors to consider when selecting a specific model. In particular, you'll want to decide what type of OLED panel is right for your needs, how big you want your screen to be, and how much money you want to spend. Here's some key info to help inform your purchase.
What is an OLED TV?
OLED stands for "organic light-emitting diode." Instead of using a traditional LCD panel with a backlight, like those found on QLED and LED TVs, OLED TVs are self-illuminating. This means that each pixel on an OLED can emit its own light or turn off completely, enabling an infinite contrast ratio. Because of this high contrast performance, OLED displays are among the best 4K TVs you can buy.
LG, Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic all sell OLED TV models in the US. Though there are a few different types of OLED panels, they all share the same key benefits of pixel-level contrast and wide viewing angles. Some OLED subtypes, however, have extra perks that make them even more desirable.
QD-OLED panels, for instance, have the added benefit of quantum dot technology, which enables them to produce an even wider and brighter range of colors. Sony and Samsung use QD-OLED panels in their top TVs, like the S90D/F, S95D/F, A95L, and Bravia 8 II.
Though LG and Panasonic don't use QD-OLED, their most expensive OLED TVs do use other advanced technologies to achieve a similar boost in performance. The LG G5 and the coming Panasonic Z95B both use a four-stack OLED panel design, which can optimize brightness and color to compete with QD-OLED.
You can learn more about how OLEDs stack up against QLEDs in our full QLED vs. OLED comparison.
What size OLED TVs can you buy?
OLED TVs are sold in various screen sizes ranging from 42 to 97 inches. The most commonly available options are 55, 65, and 77 inches. Both QD-OLED and standard OLED panels are manufactured at those sizes.
A few OLED models are also available in larger 83- and even 97-inch options. However, OLED panels with quantum dots are not currently manufactured at those sizes.
LG, Sony, and Samsung also sell 48- and 42-inch OLED TVs, but only for a limited assortment of their models, and, once again, these options do not use QD-OLED panels.
Some 4K OLED displays smaller than 42 inches are also available, but these sizes are limited to PC monitors, like the 32-inch Alienware AW3225QF.
For OLED TV recommendations specific to certain screen sizes, check out our size-specific guides:
How much should you spend on an OLED TV?
The best OLED TVs don't come cheap. In general, OLED TVs cost more than other display types, with 65-inch models starting at around $1,100 and maxing out at about $4,000.
Entry-level 65-inch OLEDs under $1,200 aren't as bright as their more expensive counterparts, with most options in this price range peaking at around 700 nits. Models in the $1,300 to $2,000 range, like the Samsung S90D, can hit around 1,200 nits. Meanwhile, flagship OLEDs in the $3,000+ range, like the LG G5, can get as bright as 2,400 nits.
Unfortunately, it's rare to find OLEDs for under $1,000. However, some OLEDs in smaller sizes, like the 48-inch LG B4, do occasionally go on sale for around $600. In general, we recommend that budget buyers consider a QLED or LED model instead of an OLED. Check out our guide to the best TVs under $500 for our top picks in that price range.
OLED TV FAQs
Panasonic's latest high-end OLED, the Z95B, will be available later this year.
Les Shu/Business Insider
Should OLED TV buyers worry about burn-in?
Even the best OLED TVs are technically susceptible to an issue known as burn-in. If you leave a static image on an OLED TV for an extended period — a news station's chyron bar, for example — a faint after-image can get stuck on the screen.
Though it sounds alarming, burn-in is not a new phenomenon. Many past TV technologies, including plasma and CRT displays, were also prone to this issue. While OLED buyers should be mindful of this risk, OLED TVs have built-in measures to combat burn-in, including automatic pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers.
Publications like Rtings have done long-term tests with many OLED TV models. While the results do show that burn-in is possible in extreme use cases, the tests show that it shouldn't be a problem for people with regular viewing habits.
I've had an LG CX OLED TV in my own home theater setup for over three years, and the screen shows no burn-in. In my experience, as long as you don't plan on watching the same cable news channel all day, burn-in shouldn't be a deciding factor when choosing whether to get an OLED TV.
Are 2025 OLED TVs available?
LG, Samsung, and Sony are now selling new 2025 OLED TV models. Meanwhile, Panasonic is set to release new OLED models later this year.
However, it's important to remember that 2024 OLED models will remain available to buy throughout much of 2025, and they're a lot cheaper than their 2025 counterparts. We'll continue to recommend older OLED TVs as long as they remain available and provide the best value.
For more details on new OLED TV models, check out our 2025 TV roundups:
Should you buy a soundbar to pair with an OLED TV?
The best OLED TVs all include built-in speakers, but they typically offer mediocre sound quality and lack bass response. If you're unhappy with your TV's audio performance, we recommend buying a separate soundbar, particularly one with Dolby Atmos support.Dolby Atmos is a spatial audio format that can spread sound effects around your room with simulated overhead audio, so soundbars with this feature tend to offer the most immersive performance.
Check out our various soundbar and speaker guides to see our top recommendations:
- Best soundbars
- Best budget soundbars
- Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
- Best soundbars with subwoofers
- Best Bose soundbars
- Best Sonos soundbars
- Best surround sound systems
Best overall
The Samsung S90C is the most affordable OLED you can get with quantum dot color technology.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
Samsung's S90C is the best OLED TV there is for the money. In fact, it's our pick for the best TV overall. Thanks to its quantum dot technology, the S90C can produce a brighter image with better color performance than typical OLEDs. And it costs less than its direct competitors from LG and Sony.
Like all OLED TVs, the S90C has deep black levels, wide viewing angles, and an infinite contrast ratio. But this model stands out in its price range thanks to its exceptional brightness, color range, and color volume. The S90C has a peak brightness of around 1,000 nits, which is a nice step up from the 800-nit max of other similarly priced OLEDs.
Even better, the TV can maintain vivid colors across different brightness levels better than LG OLEDs, including the high-end G3. This means that high dynamic range (HDR) content really pops. HDR10 and HDR10+ videos look stunning through streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs. On the downside, it's disappointing that Samsung still doesn't support Dolby Vision.
Smart TV capabilities are also solid but not the smoothest we've seen. There's also a cool Gaming Hub that lets you use services like Xbox Game Pass to stream games without a console. And you can game at up to 144Hz when paired with a computer.
Though there are better-looking OLED TVs, they cost a lot more than the S90C. When it comes to overall value, the S90C is simply unmatched.
Read our Samsung S90C OLED 4K TV review.
*The 83-inch S90C does not use quantum dots, so that size is not expected to offer the same color performance as smaller models.
Best high-end
The A95L is the absolute top premium OLED there is, but it's expensive.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Sony's OLED TVs are known for their high-end picture processing, which enables them to deliver the most accurate image on the market. The A95L is the company's latest and greatest model, and it's the best OLED TV you can buy for a premium home theater experience.
Like Samsung's OLED TVs, the A95L uses quantum dots to achieve a brighter, more colorful image than a typical OLED screen. And the A95L is the brightest OLED we've ever tested. We measured a max of about 1,500 nits with the TV in its most accurate HDR preset. That's about 500 nits higher than last year's already impressive A95K 4K TV and ever-so-slightly higher than LG's G3. This leads to more realistic contrast and details in specular highlights when watching HDR content that's graded for peaks over 1,000 nits.
And unlike Samsung's OLEDs, the A95L also supports Dolby Vision, so it can more precisely render HDR images on a scene-by-scene basis. On top of all that, the A95L makes use of Sony's proprietary image processing to optimize its picture and upscale lower-quality content better than most competing TVs. This means you'll get a cleaner, smoother image with fewer artifacts.
The A95L also features a premium design with a slim screen and convenient stand that can be set up in one of two modes: high or low profile. High profile gives you enough space to fit a soundbar in front, while low profile allows the display to sit flush on your entertainment console. A backlit Google Assistant voice remote is included as well, and the A95L even comes with a webcam for video calls and gesture controls.
As far as high-end TVs go, they really don't get any better than the A95L. The difference in picture performance between this model and its less expensive direct competitors, like the LG G3 and Samsung S95C, isn't huge, but if budget isn't a concern and you want the absolute best image quality you can get, the A95L is the OLED TV to buy.
Best budget
LG's B3 is less expensive than most OLED TVs while still delivering great picture performance.
B&H Photo
The LG B3 is one of the most affordable OLED TVs you can buy. Though it lacks the brighter image and better processing you'd get on LG's more expensive C- and G-Series TVs, it still provides all of the contrast, black level, and viewing angle benefits that OLEDs are known for.
At a max of about 600-700 nits, the B3 can deliver solid but not fantastic brightness. Though extreme highlights won't pop with the same intensity you'd see on pricier sets, the TV's pixel-level contrast still delivers better overall HDR performance than any QLED display. However, the B3's dimmer image does make this model less ideal for living rooms that let in a lot of light.
Despite its lower price, the B3 still manages to pack in HDMI 2.1 support and a 120Hz panel. This means it can support advanced gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR) and a 120 frames-per-second mode on compatible titles.
However, if you're willing to sacrifice 120Hz support and go with a smaller screen, there is one other OLED TV that you can snag for even less money. Though no longer part of the company's current lineup, you can still occasionally find LG's even cheaper A2 OLED TV in stock at Best Buy. The 48-inch model is usually $550 to $600, which is fantastic. But keep in mind the A2 has a dimmer image than the B3, and it only has a 60Hz screen.
Best midrange
The C3 is LG's midrange OLED, and it offers a great combination of features.
Best Buy
The LG C3 is an excellent all-around 4K display. It isn't the absolute best OLED TV on the market, but it provides impressive performance in its class. It's also available in a lot of screen sizes, so buyers with different space and budget needs have plenty of options to choose from.
Picture quality is on par with most midrange OLEDs, but at a peak of about 800 nits, the C3 lacks the extra brightness that LG's premium G-Series TVs provide. It also can't match the color volume found on OLED TVs with quantum dots, like the Samsung S90C and S95C or the Sony A95L.
But while HDR highlights might not shine quite as intensely, image performance is still exceptional. And unlike Samsung OLEDs, the C3 supports Dolby Vision to produce the most accurate high dynamic range image the TV is capable of.
The C3 uses LG's webOS smart TV platform, and the interface works well enough. The Magic Remote lets you navigate using traditional directional buttons or by pointing the remote at the screen to move a cursor. The TV also supports 120Hz gaming when paired with a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC.
Under most circumstances, we do recommend our top pick, the Samsung S90C, over the C3 for most people since Samsung's TV is brighter and delivers better color for about the same price. But the C3 is still a fantastic midrange OLED alternative for anyone who prefers LG's smart TV platform and wants Dolby Vision support.
Best for your wall
LG's G3 is a high-end OLED with a uniformly thin profile perfect for wall mounting.
Best Buy
LG's G3 is an excellent TV for anyone who wants a high-end OLED that looks particularly great hanging on your wall. This is LG's current flagship model, and it delivers image quality that's nearly on par with Sony's A95L, along with an elegant "Gallery" design.
The TV's build enables it to hang on your wall with virtually no gap, and it includes a flush wall mount to handle the job. It also manages to keep all of its ports within its panel, so there's no need for a separate box as you get with Samsung's S95C.
Powered by LG's latest OLED Evo screen, the G3 offers high-end picture performance. It's the first OLED to use MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology to help boost its maximum brightness, and the results are impressive. During our tests, we measured a peak of about 1,470 nits using the TV's most accurate HDR preset, which puts it nearly neck-and-neck with Sony's A95L.
However, the G3 doesn't use quantum dots, so its color volume isn't as high as you'd get on the A95L or one of Samsung's OLED TVs. Its picture processing isn't quite as accurate as Sony's either, but the differences are subtle.
Though we think the A95L edges out the G3 when it comes to overall picture performance, the G3 is a close runner-up and is often on sale for a lot less than Sony's TV. Coupled with its stylish "Gallery" design, we think this makes the G3 a great high-end OLED alternative, especially if you're wall-mounting your set.
However, though the G3 looks fantastic on a wall, it's less suited for placing on an entertainment console. The G3 doesn't include a traditional stand, so you have to purchase one separately, which adds to the cost. The display also leans back slightly when attached to LG's official stand, which gives it a somewhat awkward look.
Best for gaming
The S95C is Samsung's flagship OLED TV, with sizes ranging from 55 to 77 inches.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The S95C is one of the best Samsung TVs you can buy, and it carries over everything we love about our top overall pick, the S90C, while pumping up the brightness and slimming down its design. To be clear, the cheaper S90C is an exceptional gaming TV in its own right, but the S95C delivers a slightly more premium experience for buyers willing to pay a bit more.
Like the S90C, the S95C has a QD-OLED panel that can support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and up to a 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a compatible PC. This enables ultra-smooth gameplay if you have a computer that can run games at 144fps. The TV also supports Samsung's Gaming Hub, which includes apps for cloud services like Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now so you can play high-end games without a console or PC.
On top of that, the S95C delivers a higher peak brightness than the S90C. In our review, we measured around 1,360 nits versus the S90C's 1,000 nits. This results in punchier highlights while playing HDR games or movies and leads to better bright-room performance if you game in a living room that lets in a lot of ambient light.
The S95C also has a more elegant design with a uniformly thin screen that houses all its ports in a separate One-Connect box. This could make it easier to plug in your gaming consoles and hide cables since you can move the box out of sight.
We still recommend the cheaper S90C for most gamers since it delivers most of the features you'd get on the S95C for less money. But the S95C earns its spot here as a premium alternative for gamers who want a high-end OLED TV that pairs perfectly with consoles, PCs, and cloud services.
Read our Samsung S95C 4K TV review.
How we test OLED TVs
Test patterns like the one pictured above help us measure a TV's peak brightness.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
When we test the best OLED TVs we evaluate several factors, including peak brightness, high dynamic range (HDR) performance, smart TV features, navigation speed, and value.
To measure the brightness of a TV's panel we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with the Spears & UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray's test patterns. We also use this disc's patterns to evaluate other objective display qualities.
Test patterns can only reveal so much, however, so we also use real-world content to get a better sense of how an OLED actually looks when watching regular TV. We use the same assortment of demo movies and shows on each display to help test each OLED's overall image performance, with a specific focus on scenes that showcase shadow detail, specular highlights, color fidelity, and sharpness with native 4K, high-definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) content through Blu-ray players, streaming services, and cable TV.
OLED TV FAQs
All OLED TVs offer exceptional viewing angles.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
When will 2024 OLED TV models be available?
Brands like LG and Samsung revealed their new lineup of 2024 OLED TVs at the CES trade show in January. Pricing and release dates have not been confirmed yet, but we expect new models to start rolling out to stores in late March.
That said, 2023 TV models will still be available throughout the year until stock runs out. Though there are always exceptions, year-to-year performance improvements tend to be subtle for most TVs that get updated iterations. And since 2023 models will likely be cheaper than their new 2024 counterparts, we think 2023 TVs will offer the best value while supplies last.
What is an OLED TV?
OLED stands for "organic light-emitting diode." Instead of using a traditional LCD panel with a backlight, like those found on QLED and LED TVs, OLED TVs are self-illuminating. This means that each pixel on an OLED can emit its own light or turn off completely, enabling an infinite contrast ratio. Because of this incredible contrast performance, OLED displays are among the best 4K TVs you can buy.
Though there are a few different types of OLED panels, they all share the same key benefits of pixel-level contrast and wide viewing angles. Some OLED subtypes, however, have extra perks that make them even more desirable.
QD-OLED panels, for instance, have the added benefit of quantum dot technology, which enables them to produce an even wider and brighter range of colors. Sony and Samsung both use QD-OLED panels in their top TVs, like the S90C, S95C, and A95L.
Though LG doesn't use QD-OLED, it does use another advanced OLED panel tech called MLA OLED. MLA stands for Micro Lens Array, and OLEDs with this tech employ a layer of tiny convex lenses to boost their brightness capabilities. The LG G3 is the first consumer OLED to use MLA tech.
Should OLED TV buyers worry about burn-in?
Even the best OLED TVs are technically susceptible to an issue known as burn-in. If you leave a static image on an OLED TV for an extended period — a news station's chyron bar, for example — a faint after-image can get stuck on the screen.
Though it sounds alarming, burn-in is not a new phenomenon. Many past TV technologies, including plasma and CRT displays, have also been prone to this issue. While OLED buyers should be mindful of this risk, OLED TVs have built-in measures to combat burn-in, including automatic pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers.
Publications like Rtings have done long-term tests with many OLED TV models, and while the results do show that burn-in is possible in extreme use cases, the tests show that it shouldn't be a problem for people with regular viewing habits.
I've owned an LG CX OLED TV for over two years, and the screen shows no burn-in. In my experience, as long as you don't plan on watching the same cable news channel all day long, burn-in shouldn't be a deciding factor when choosing whether to get an OLED TV.
What size OLED TVs can you buy?
OLED TVs are available in a variety of screen sizes ranging from 42 inches to 97 inches.
The most commonly available options are 55 and 65 inches. For TV recommendations specific to that size, check out our guides to the best 65-inch TVs and the best 55-inch TVs. High-end OLED models also tend to be available in larger 77-, 83-, and even 97-inch sizes. LG and Sony also sell smaller 48- and 42-inch OLED TVs, but only for select models.
4K OLED displays smaller than 42 inches are also available, but these sizes are currently limited to PC monitors, like the 32-inch Alienware AW3225QF.
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