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Best LG TVs of 2026

A group shot of the LG B5, C5, and G5 OLED TVs on display at an LG reviewer's workshop.
The best LG TVs include the brand's high-contrast OLED displays: the B5, C5, and G5. Steven Cohen/Business Insider
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LG is well known for its OLED TVs, which routinely deliver some of the best picture quality on the market. That said, not every LG display is created equal. I review TVs year-round, so I know exactly what separates a good display from a mediocre one. To make shopping easier, I've rounded up the best LG TVs you can buy right now, with picks for different budgets.

For most people, the LG C5 OLED is the model to buy. It hits an excellent sweet spot between price and performance, with the rich contrast and impressive image quality LG's OLEDs are known for, without the premium cost of a flagship set. But home theater enthusiasts who want an even brighter and more refined picture should step up to the LG G5 OLED, one of the most striking TVs I've tested.

LG also offers a new Micro RGB TV with enhanced color, along with lower-priced LED TVs that use more basic backlighting. However, those models face stronger competition from similarly priced TVs made by other brands. After testing displays across the market, I think LG is at its best with OLED, so I've prioritized those models in this guide.

Our top picks for the best LG TVs

Best overall: LG C5 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best high-end: LG G5 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best budget OLED: LG B5 OLED 4K TV - See at Walmart

Best overall: LG C5

An LG C5 OLED on a media console displaying a video of a geyser.
LG's C5 is the brand's mid-tier OLED, providing excellent performance at a reasonable price.  John Higgins/Business Insider

What we love: It's the best LG TV for overall value, balancing price and performance better than any other model in the brand's lineup, and it's available in many sizes.

Drawbacks: It's not as bright or colorful as some competing OLEDs.

The C5's image quality is fantastic for the money, delivering pixel-perfect contrast and deep black levels thanks to its OLED panel. Standard LED and QLED panel types are prone to uneven brightness, which can lead to elevated black levels and halos around bright objects. But the C5 is completely free of backlight inconsistencies because OLED tech doesn't need a backlight. It boasts an infinite contrast ratio, resulting in exceptional image quality with inky shadows that disappear into a dark room. You can learn more about OLED technology in our OLED vs. QLED comparison.

Peak brightness is good, though not as high as pricier models. Our reviewer measured a max of around 1,174 nits, which is enough to deliver solid impact in specular highlights (such as explosions) when watching high-dynamic-range (HDR) content. The C5 can produce a wide range of colors, but very bright colors aren't as vivid as on some competing Samsung OLED TVs.

The C5 offers wide viewing angles, so contrast and colors shift only slightly when viewed from off-center positions. This makes the C5 a great choice for rooms where you can't always sit directly in front of the TV.

It's also a good gaming TV thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth motion. However, some TVs can support a higher 165Hz refresh rate, which could be beneficial for dedicated PC gamers.

Note: A 2026 version of this TV, the C6, is also available. The new model is very similar, except for the 77- and 83-inch sizes. Those larger sizes use a noticeably brighter screen. You can learn more in my LG 2026 OLED TV roundup. While it's still available at a lower price, the C5 is the better value for most needs.

Read our full LG C5 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to all of the best smart TVs.

Best high-end: LG G5

An LG G5 OLED is on a media console, and the screen shows an image of a river running through grasslands.
The LG G5 is a fantastic premium TV with a brighter image than most OLEDs.  Steven Cohen/Business Insider

What we love: It's one of the best premium OLEDs I've reviewed, with nearly unmatched image quality, a fast 165Hz refresh rate, and the ability to hang flush on your wall.

Drawbacks: It's pricey and doesn't include a traditional pedestal stand, and the 97-inch size uses a dimmer panel.

The G5 has a much brighter screen than cheaper LG OLEDs, helping it deliver some of the best picture performance on the market. It achieves this boost in quality by using a more advanced OLED panel that LG calls "Tandem" or "four-stack" OLED. I measured a peak brightness of around 2,400 nits using an industry-standard 10% test pattern. That's one of the highest readings I've ever recorded on an OLED TV, enabling the G5 to deliver exceptional HDR performance that surpasses dimmer models like the C5.

The G5's higher brightness is impressive, but it only matters when watching certain content. Many modern movies and TV shows are mastered at a peak of 1,000 nits. Since the step-down C5 can handle 1,000 nits, that kind of material won't look much different on the G5 than it would on the C5. But studios are producing an increasing number of HDR titles with higher luminance, and these videos absolutely stun on the G5.

For instance, "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Aquaman" are both mastered for brightness well beyond 1,000 nits, allowing the G5 to unleash its full potential. "Fury Road," in particular, is packed with intense explosions and shimmering reflections that pop from the screen. Meanwhile, "Aquaman" is full of vivid, highly saturated colors. Both of these titles look noticeably more impactful on the G5 than they would on the C5.

The G5 also outpaces LG's C- and B-Series in refresh rate. Cheaper sets typically max out at 120Hz or 144Hz, but the G5 can handle up to a 4K/165Hz signal when paired with a gaming PC. This allows it to display smoother motion, provided your PC can render at high frame rates.

The G5's handsome "Gallery" design is also a standout. This allows it to be hung flush on a wall with its included mount. That said, the TV does not come with a traditional pedestal stand, so you'll need to buy one separately if you don't want to mount it. The G5 is sold in 55-, 65-, 77-, 83-, and 97-inch sizes. However, the 97-inch model doesn't use a four-stack OLED panel, so it can't reach the same brightness as the smaller models.

Typical viewers will be satisfied with the cheaper C Series, but the G5 is the best LG TV for home theater fans willing to splurge on industry-leading image quality.

Note: A newer 2026 edition of this set, the G6, is now available. I got a side-by-side look at the G5 and G6, and the new model offers better handling of reflections and improved processing. That said, it costs about $1,000 more than the G5 sells for. Big enthusiasts may want to consider paying extra for the G6, but most people are better off saving with the G5.

Read our full LG G5 4K TV review.

Check out our guides to the best OLED TVs and the best TVs for picture quality.

Best budget OLED: LG B5

An LG B5 OLED TV displaying a video of the ocean on its screen.
The B5 has the same contrast performance as other OLEDs, but it cannot match the brightness of LG's pricier models.  Steven Cohen/Business Insider

What we love: It's LG's most affordable OLED, yet still delivers the same pixel-level contrast and deep black levels as pricier models.

Drawbacks: It's dimmer than the brand's step-up models, has a lower refresh rate, and is in limited supply.

The B5 is about as close to budget-friendly as OLED TVs get. It offers an infinite contrast ratio, true black levels, and wide viewing angles, just like LG's pricier OLEDs. However, the B5 does have some drawbacks compared to LG's step-up models. Most notably, its brightness and refresh rate can't match those of its pricier siblings.

The B5 is dimmer than other OLEDs, with a peak brightness of around 700 nits. That's a respectable number, but it's below the 1,000-nit standard that a lot of HDR material is designed for. This means that some high-dynamic-range content may appear dimmer on the B5 than the filmmakers intended. Likewise, the TV's lower brightness makes it less effective at overcoming reflections in rooms with a lot of ambient light.

The TV's refresh rate maxes out at 120Hz, which is solid, but not on par with LG's step-up models. The C5 and G5 can support 144Hz and 165Hz, respectively. A 120Hz refresh rate is still high enough to unlock the smoothest gameplay modes on a PS5, Xbox, or Switch 2, but PC gaming enthusiasts may want to spend extra to get a TV with a higher refresh rate.

But even with those shortcomings, the B5 still offers much better picture quality than any of LG's QNED, Mini LED, and standard LED displays. The B5 is available in 48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch sizes. However, inventory has grown limited, so I recommend snagging it while it's still in stock. A newer 2026 model, the B6, is now available, but it costs more and doesn't offer a substantial upgrade.

Check out our guide to all of the best budget TVs.

What else we considered

Our reviewer's living room entertainment setup with an LG Micro RGB TV showing a bright coastal cove, flanked by speakers and framed posters.
The LG 95B Micro RGB delivers great color and brightness, but it's pricey and has lower contrast than the brand's OLEDs.  Ryan Waniata/Business Insider

Though the models highlighted above are our top picks for the best LG TVs, the brand also offers several other worthwhile displays. Here's a rundown of a couple of other LG TVs we tested, along with details on why they didn't quite meet the criteria for this guide.

LG 95B Micro RGB 4K TV - See at LG
The 95B is LG's first Micro RGB TV. Instead of a white or blue backlight, it uses red, green, and blue diodes. In our testing, this enabled a wider, brighter color range than other display types, including LG's OLEDs. However, the 95B's contrast control left a bit to be desired, as our reviewer noticed some blooming and crushed shadow detail. Its viewing angles are also mediocre compared to OLEDs. This is still an impressive TV, especially if you prioritize bright colors over contrast, but it's hard to fully recommend when most G-Series OLEDs are less expensive and offer better overall image quality. You can learn more about RGB technology in our RGB LED vs. Mini LED comparison.

Read our LG 95B Micro RGB TV review.

LG C6H OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
The C6H is a new submodel in LG's 2026 C6 Series lineup. It's only available in 77- and 83-inch screen sizes, and it can get much brighter than its smaller counterparts. The C6H wowed us during our full review, delivering picture quality that comes close to matching LG's step-up G Series. The only reason the C6H doesn't have a spot in our guide is because you can still find the 77- and 83-inch G5 for around the same price or less. Since the G5 performs slightly better, we give it the edge. However, this will change as the C6H price drops throughout the year. When that happens, it will become the best big-screen OLED value in LG's lineup.

Read our LG C6H TV review.

LG StanbyME 2 TV - See at Amazon
The StanbyME 2 is a unique portable 27-inch TV with an integrated battery and rollable stand. We reviewed the original first-gen model, but it has since been replaced by a second-gen version with a slightly higher-resolution screen, longer battery life, and quick detachability for tablet-like use. It's a cool fit for people who want a space-saving TV that's easy to move from room to room. However, it's expensive for such a small screen, and its use cases are limited to very specific kinds of buyers.

Read our LG StanbyME TV review.

Why don't we recommend LG LED TVs?

An LG QNED85A TV with "Mario Kart 8" on screen at an LG reviewer's workshop event.
LG's LED TVs, like the QNED85A picture above, are decent in their own right, but we generally prefer rival options from other brands.  Steven Cohen/Business Insider

In addition to OLED and Micro RGB TVs, LG also offers several TV models that use traditional LED backlights, including standard LED, QNED, and Mini LED options. Though these TVs have their benefits, they generally fall behind similarly priced alternatives from brands like TCL, Hisense, and Samsung. For instance, we previously included an entry-level LG LED TV as a budget pick in this guide, but recent price fluctuations make it hard to recommend over better-performing models from other companies. If you favor the LG brand, we generally recommend sticking to their OLED TV models since that's where the company excels over rivals.

For LED TV recommendations from other companies, check out our other brand-specific TV guides:

How we test LG TVs

An angled view of an LG C6H OLED TV in our reviewer's home office, with a colorimeter, pattern generator, and Calman software hooked up to the display for measurements.
We measure LG TVs using a colorimeter and Calman calibration software.  Steven Cohen/Business Insider

We selected the best LG TVs based on extensive hands-on experience with a range of LG models. We've been reviewing home entertainment products for over a decade, and used that expertise to vet our recommendations and build our testing methodology.

Our review process focuses on key performance metrics, including brightness, color coverage, contrast, black levels, viewing angles, design, and overall value. We also test LG's webOS interface to gauge navigation speed and general smoothness of operation.

When recording a TV's brightness and color, we use a colorimeter with a pattern generator, test patterns from the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc, and Calman calibration software. That said, test patterns can only reveal so much, so we place a heavy emphasis on watching real-world content on each LG TV we review to see how the displays perform with various types of videos in both bright and dimly lit rooms. We've curated a selection of scenes from movies and TV shows to assess HDR highlight quality, shadow detail, posterization, color fidelity, and fine details, using a mix of 4K, high-definition (HD), and standard-definition (SD) samples. We also use a PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch to test gaming performance.

For our guide to the best LG TVs, we paid careful attention to how each LG model performs relative to other TVs in the brand's lineup and to the best TVs from competing brands. This enables us to highlight key benefits and limitations across the company's entire collection.

For more information on our review methodology, check out our breakdown on how we test tech products.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I've spent more than a decade reviewing home entertainment gear, and my team and I get our hands on the latest TVs year-round. I also attend LG's annual reviewer workshops, so I get an early look at the company's newest video and audio tech before it hits stores. I studied film production, which basically means I'm a stickler for picture accuracy, wanting movies and shows to look the way their creators intended. Beyond lab testing with calibration tools and benchmark discs to measure brightness and color, I live with every LG TV I review. That means real-world streaming, movie nights, gaming marathons, and regular channel surfing. My goal is to cut through the jargon and help you find the best LG TV for your budget.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

LG TV FAQs

A person's hand holding an LG TV remote in front of a C5 OLED.
LG uses the webOS smart TV platform across its TV lineup.  John Higgins/Business Insider

What smart TV interface does LG use?

LG TVs use the brand's proprietary webOS smart TV interface. Versions of webOS have been used on LG TVs since 2014. The latest iteration is webOS 26, which debuted with the brand's latest 2026 TV models.

Although older versions of webOS used a pop-up menu, newer versions have transitioned to a full-screen homepage design. This homepage is similar to a lot of other smart TV interfaces, with access to streaming apps and various rows of content recommendations.

In general, webOS is a solid smart TV system that supports all the best streaming services, though it's not quite as smooth or intuitive as Google TV or Roku OS. The platform's organization places a bit too much emphasis on sponsored content and shopping recommendations, but we do like that you can disable most of these ads via a toggle in the settings menu.

The best LG TVs with the latest version of webOS also support various AI features, including an AI Concierge search function and personalized picture and sound optimizations based on your viewing preferences. Although we generally recommend leaving these functions off to achieve the most accurate image and audio, they're worth experimenting with if you're unhappy with how the TV looks or sounds. Google Gemini and Microsoft CoPilot AI are also available on newer models.

Top webOS TVs come with LG's Magic Remote, which supports traditional button navigation as well as motion controls that let you move a virtual cursor on-screen by pointing the remote at the display. However, we don't love that LG cut dedicated mute and input buttons from its newest remotes.

What TV sizes does LG offer?

LG offers a wide range of TV models in sizes from 27 to 115 inches. For TV recommendations specific to certain sizes, check out our size-specific buying guides:

Are LG TVs better than Samsung TVs?

LG and Samsung are both reliable brands that make several excellent TVs. In most respects, it's hard to say that one is definitively better than the other. Instead, each has strengths and weaknesses across its lineup.

LG was the first TV brand to bring 4K OLED displays to the mass market, and it offers a comprehensive collection of OLED models in many sizes. Meanwhile, Samsung entered the 4K OLED market much later and initially had a more limited lineup. This has changed over the last couple of years, though, and Samsung now offers a similar selection of sizes and performance tiers. However, LG is still the only brand that sells a 97-inch OLED.

Both companies use WOLED panels in certain models, while Samsung also uses QD-OLED screens in some sizes. QD-OLED panels have an edge in color and brightness, but WOLED panels offer deeper black levels in rooms with ambient light. LG also utilizes a four-stack OLED panel in its high-end G Series OLEDs, which can rival the brightness of Samsung's QD-OLEDs.

Both companies also sell LCD-based TVs, with entry-level options that use standard LED panels and more advanced models with QLED screens, local dimming, and Mini LED backlights. LG brands its more advanced LCD TVs as QNED and NanoCell, while Samsung brands its high-end LCD TVs as Neo QLED. Though LG's newest QNED TVs have gotten a lot better, Samsung's Neo QLEDs generally offer superior backlight control.

In 2026, both brands have also released Micro RGB TVs that use red, green, and blue LEDs in their backlights to deliver better color capabilities. It remains to be seen whether one company has an edge over the other in Micro RGB performance.

LG and Samsung both use their own proprietary smart TV interfaces and support Xbox Game Pass streaming and similar AI features. That said, LG's remotes stand out for their motion controls, and Samsung's for their SolarCell technology, which works without a battery.

Another important distinction between the two brands is that LG supports Dolby Vision HDR on its mid- and high-end TVs, while Samsung supports the competing HDR10+ format. These formats offer similar performance, but Dolby Vision content is more widely available across streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs. You can learn more in our HDR TV guide.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.

Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.

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Steven Cohen
I'm a Senior Tech Editor for Business Insider’s Reviews team. I'm responsible for overseeing buying guides and reviews for all of the latest TV, video, audio, and wearable products. I work with a team of experienced freelancers to establish testing methodologies, test products, and select the best of the best for our buying guides. My areas of expertiseMy primary expertise is in home entertainment tech products, with a focus on all things home theater, including TVs, soundbars, speakers, headphones, and streaming devices. I also have a background in film criticism, having reviewed over 400 movies and TV shows. I studied filmmaking and use my knowledge of video and audio production to inform my tech product testing parameters when reviewing home entertainment devices.  ExperienceI joined Business Insider as a tech editor for the Reviews team in 2019. I became a senior tech editor in 2022.Before joining Business Insider, I was High-Def Digest's Gear Editor. My work has appeared on Ben's Bargains, Steve's Digicams, Big Picture Big Sound, and Consequence. Why you can trust meI'm not only passionate about TVs and tech, but also an expert in display quality. In 2019, I was one of a select number of journalists invited to get a hands-on first look at LG's debut 8K OLED TV. I was also among the earliest journalists to demo Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies for home theaters in 2014 and 2015, respectively.In 2018, I served as a judge for the annual TV Shootout, the premier display competition that crowns the best TVs of the year. I also attend annual industry launches and reviewer workshops for new TVs and audio products from top brands such as LG, Samsung, Sony, and Sonos.I know it’s easy to get overwhelmed by tech jargon and premium prices for high-end gear, which is why I'm passionate about recommending quality options across all price ranges and explaining which features are really worth the money. EducationI hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Central Florida, where I majored in film production.Outside of workI live in Orlando, Florida, with my girlfriend, dog, and cats. When I'm not covering tech products, I love to explore the theme parks of Orlando and watch movies on my dream home theater setup, complete with the biggest TV and Dolby Atmos speaker system I could fit in my living room.