The best OLED TVs 2020: meet the best 4K OLED TV sets you can buy

If you're looking for the best OLED TV, and what to look for when buying an OLED 4K TV, we've got you covered. The good news is that OLED sets come in more limited sizes and price ranges than TVs do more broadly, so it's not too hard to narrow and down and find a set that's in your budget and that brings you the rich OLED visual quality that means the technology dominates our list of the world's best TVs.

OLED TVs are most readily available in two sizes – 65-inch and 55-inch – so already that cuts down a fair amount of leg work. There are also 77-inch OLED TVs available in some models, and 48-inch OLED TVs are arriving soon, so the first time.

• Meet the best 48, 49 and 50-inch TVs
• And the best 55-inch TVs
• And the best 65-inch TVs

What you've got in the OLED TV market is a handful of manufacturers offering, generally, two levels of OLED TV – the flagship OLED and the slightly more affordable version. Again, generally speaking, both levels are usually well worth considering – the difference in image quality isn't that large, though they're often aimed at fairly different budgets.

We'll explain a bit more about OLED TVs and our tips for buying them here, or you can skip straight to our full list and verdicts on the best OLED TVs.

Why get an OLED TV?

OLED is an 'emissive' technology, meaning that the pixels emit their own light – this is different to LCD/LED screens, which are 'transmissive' meaning that they require a backlight shining through the pixels at all times to actually create the light you see. For that reason, it’s very hard to get really deep blacks on an LCD TV – because there’s always light behind it.

• OLED vs QLED: the differences explained

For OLEDs, that’s not a problem. They allow for truly inky dark blacks and a whole palette of rich and unspoiled colours on top. What’s more, without that extra layer of backlighting behind the pixels, OLED panels are incredibly thin which means you can wallmount them far flusher than most TVs, or just marvel at their wafer-like beauty on a stand.

OLED TV pixels are also able to respond incredibly quickly to changes, so they can be great for things with fast action, such as sports or video games – our pick for the best gaming TV is an OLED set, and some of the sets here support all the fancy new features offered by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

• PS5 pre-orders – get in before you miss out!

What is the best OLED TV?

The best OLED TV overall is the Panasonic HZ2000, which uses a unique panel that's brighter than any other OLED TV, while also handling deep black levels better than other sets, giving you the most lush, realistic images of any TV in the world when it comes to movies. It's damn expensive, but it looks simply glorious – though we don't think it will get a US release, sadly.

The best OLED TV for most people is the LG CX, available in 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch and 77-inch versions. The CX is packed with forward-thinking technology that will keep it relevant for years, and has LG's best display and processing tech, despite being its second-cheapest model – it starts from around half the price of the Panasonic.

If you want to spend the minimum possible on an OLED TV, look to the Philips OLED754 (UK and Europe only). It's the only OLED to make it into our list of the best TVs for under £1,000, and though its image quality is slightly behind the others here, it still gives you a full-fat OLED experience for the least money.

Read more details about these TVs, and our other picks, below.

Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday OLED TV deals

We expect to see a few OLED offers in the Amazon Prime Day deals and Black Friday deals this year, but we're not expecting huge amounts of money off.

With many models launching later this year than expected, we suspect you'll see a few hundred cut off here and there, but no major door-busting discounts.

Look particularly for extra discounts on the LG CX and perhaps the new LG BX. Panasonic's lower-cost OLED TVs may see some discounts too. Some older Philips OLED TVs may also get extra discounts.

• The best 4K TV deals on sets of all kinds
• The best soundbars – instant audio upgrade for all sets
• What is OLED? The technology explained

The best OLED TVs: ranked

• Read our full Panasonic HZ2000 review

Panasonic's flagship TV stands apart from other OLED TVs thanks to its Professional Edition Master OLED panel – this goes brighter than any other OLED set, while still maintaining the rich and subtle dark areas that the technology is famed for.

This means you get more spectacular HDR performance than any of the other TVs here, and beautiful realistic colours. Panasonic's TVs are also tuned to be as close to Hollywood mastering monitors as possible, meaning that what you'll see on this TV is the same as what editors and directors see when getting the look of their movies right.

The image processing is also top-tier, with SDR material looking as bright and clean as possible, and HD video being upscaled to 4K naturally. Native 4K really has the detail brought out of it, and when combined with that HDR performance, there's no doubt you're looking at something special.

The My Home Screen 5 software and app support is solid, though it lacks Disney+ currently, so you'd need to add a media streamer to get this particular service.

The HZ2000 has forward-firing speakers and two up-firing speakers, meaning it gives you a glimpse of Dolby Atmos quality – it really works for expanding the soundstage compared to most TVs. It's no substitute for a really great separate sound system, but it's better than almost any other built-in option.

There's very little support for next-gen gaming features, and the gaming latency is distinctly average, so we wouldn't make this the first choice for gamers.

But for movie lovers, there's no better TV on the planet – this is the most richly cinematic set we've ever seen. Sadly, it's not available in the US, though we do expect a release in Canada.

• Read our full LG CX review

LG's 2020 TVs, the CX range, are its best mixture of affordability and image quality. The panel and processing tech is exactly the same as the LG OLED65GX further down this list, but with a less fancy design and weaker speakers, for much less money. For most people, this will be the 2020 OLED to buy, because the balance is perfect.

The image quality is the best of any OLED TV outside of the Panasonic above, though that's marginal – the GZ2000 offers more brightness for even better contrast, but its processing is a little behind the CX.

The CX offers a precision of detail in its dark areas that's essentially unparalleled, and that helps its contrast to look just about as impressive as OLED has ever managed. And with even better upscaling of HD footage to 4K, you really feel like everything that's in the scene is getting its best possible treatment.

We've recommended the 48-inch version here, mostly because it's the first 4K OLED TV on the market smaller than 55 inches, so it's in a class of one if you want the cinematic majesty of OLED but don't have space for anything bigger than this.

But our recommendation stretches equally to the other sizes in the range, which stretches from the small one right up to 77 inches (which is a surprisingly reasonable price in itself).

Another reason this is the TV to watch (in more ways than one) in 2020 is that it's unbeatable for gaming. It supports every whizz-bang feature of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, including 4K at 120 frames per second, ALLM for low latency, VRR for smoother visuals at all times, HGIG for optimised HDR performance in games, and Nvidia G-Sync for PC gaming… oh, and a native response time in Gaming mode that's among the best we've ever tested. This is perfect for getting ready for next-gen.

• Read our full Sony A8/A8H review

The Sony A8 (UK)/A8H (US) is a direct competitor to the LG CX on price, and manages to separate itself nicely as an alternative that should especially excite hardcore movie fans.

The natural yet powerful images are a dream for cinematic movies and TV – the TV is capable of handling subtle tone changes and contrast with skill matching the absolute best of the best, which means you're seeing things closer to what the directors really intended to capture, especially with HDR.

That's paired with Sony's processing, which is unmatched when it comes to making motion look clear and smooth without changing how movies are 'meant' to look, but also boosting things like sports considerably. It's also a simply brilliant upscaler not only of HD to 4K, but also of SDR video to HDR – it gives things a convincingly wider colour range and depth, but doesn't feel artificial in any way.

The only image nit we can pick is actually about nits (er, which is a measure of brightness, the TV isn't infested, don't worry). It's less bright than the LG CX (or C9 below, for that matter) at its peak, and significantly less bright than the much more expensive Panasonic above. This doesn't affect the quality of the HDR – we still think it's the business for that – but a lower brightness (and a somewhat reflective panel) mean that if you have it in a bright room (particularly sunlight), it will be harder to view.

It's not only the picture that's great: it even manages really good sound, thanks to Sony's genius technology that turns the front panel itself into a speaker. This gives it clarity and drive that most thin TVs (and especially LG's CX and C9) lack – you feel the need to grab a soundbar immediately with this.

Smart TV functions are handled by Android TV, which is good for app support, though not very slick. And gamers should think about looking elsewhere: it doesn't support the 4K/120fps or variable refresh rate features of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, sadly.

You won’t find many OLED TVs pricier than this Philips, but you won’t find many better either. In terms of pure picture performance, only the flagships from Panasonic and LG can equal it. For sound, though, this TV has got it sewn up.

The sharpness and contrast at 4K HDR levels is frankly out of this world. There’s a super-etched look to every piece of detail and so much subtlety to its image shading that the sense of depth is believable enough to make you want to jump right into the picture. Even down at HD and SD levels the sense of upscaled detail is very impressive.

The price tag is about more than just the panel, though. There’s a style to the freestanding 984 which suits a modern living space without the need for an ugly TV unit or any clumsy wall mounting. Even the soundbar-like speaker system from Bowers & Wilkins looks good, and underneath its tasteful grey fabric cover is a three-channel speaker array which delivers superb surround effects with super clean dialogue delivery thanks, in part, to its isolated tweeter which is mounted just above. 

The audio is open and spacious and better than plenty of dedicated soundbars you could choose. The set also has some handy AI modes to automatically adjust the sound profile according to the kind of content you’re watching.

Android TV is the user platform of choice. It’s slightly spoiled by Philips’s over-complicated menu systems but there’s a decent app offering and the full complement of HDR support –  Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and more – is very welcome.

The 55-inch LG B9 is living proof that you can buy an excellent OLED TV without having to sell a kidney. No OLED TVs are actively cheap, but this is one of the lowest-priced, yet doesn't skimp on quality.

It has the same panel as the more expensive C9 but with LG’s 2018 processor behind it. That processor does a remarkably good job of upscaling everything to glorious 4K while still squeezing enough out of the picture quality to deliver some very credible dark details to go with those typical OLED inky blacks.

The colours are just as gorgeous as you’ll find on the more expensive LG OLEDs — they’re bright and saturated but still natural and realistic — and, while there’s a notch or two more of picture quality to be had with those upper models, the B9 has it nailed for pound-for-pound value.

Like most of the TVs on this list, the sound is a bit weedy compared to the picture. You’d be best advised to buy one of the best soundbars to go with this set, but the same is true of all top TVs apart from those more expensive models which already have soundbars built in.

The B9 is, of course, HDR-enabled with support for Dolby Vision as well as HDR10 and HLG – though not HDR10+, the competitor to Dolby Atmos. It’s also worth noting that LG’s webOS user interface is the best you’ll find on any OLED TV at present. It’s a little overcomplicated but very much feature-complete and fitted with most of the video and music apps you’ll need, including Now TV, Apple TV+, Prime Video and Netflix as well as the usual catch-up services. There’s also a handy little gesture remote to control it. A very tidy TV indeed.

The OLED804 is the same TV as Philips’s OLED984 above, but without the integrated high-end Bowers & Wilkins speaker system and fancy freestanding design. Axe those treats from your OLED bill and you get a top-performing TV but for less than half the price. Spend just a small amount of that saving on a sturdy wallmount and a quality soundbar and you’ll have enough pocket change to keep you in 4K streaming services for years to come.

Sure, the motion processing isn’t worth using and, yes, those colours are just a little bit peaky, but the levels or sharpness and detail are completely killer. You’ll want to freeze-frame every single wide shot and admire the beauty.

What’s more, as a top-end Philips TV, it also comes with the wonderful Ambilight technology. Rear-firing LEDs make for an atmospheric watch by lighting up your back wall the same colour as whatever is on-screen. Jungles look more immersive, oceans are broader and bluer. It’s almost enough to make you forget about the admittedly over-complicated interface and the odd missing app – again, a 4K media-streaming stick can fill any gaps.

• Read our full LG GX review

This TV from LG's 2020 range is its more premium model, known as the 'Gallery' model. It's just 20mm thick all over, and is designed for wall mounting, and looking fantastic while doing it, especially with its thin bezels around the display. It actually doesn't even come with a standard stand (though you can pay extra for one).

The screen and processing are both LG's latest and greatest generation, but are actually the same as the LG CX TV (review coming very soon), which will be cheaper, with a less fancy design and weaker speakers, but identical in terms of other features as well as image quality.

The processing is where the main improvements are with the new range, and LG's newest AI-based system is seriously impressive, adding sharpness and detail to videos without looking unnatural in any way – the realism is astounding.

The authenticity of the images is absolutely top-class, and the way it handles HDR images is just superb – everything looks utterly real.

It's also packed with future-proofed gaming features ready for PS5 and Xbox Series X. The GX comes in 55-inch, 65-inch and 77-inch models.

The only reason this isn't higher in the list is that, for most people, it's pricier than is really necessary to get a similar level of image quality. When its less-expensive sibling, the LG CX arrives soon, expect that to be the 2020 OLED TV to beat!

Sony’s OLED TVs are painfully expensive. The most recent flush may not be top of the pops for picture quality either but they do have one or two advantages that some will be willing to pay for. 

Motion processing is a key differentiator and, if you can’t abide a juddery picture during sports or action scenes, then Sony’s Motionflow is the only way to fly. This class-leading technology manages to smooth out fast action without making it look like a home movie – it looks clearer, but still the way it was always meant to. On a big panel size like this, that can be a considerable benefit.

The other glorious win is Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ innovation which turns the panel itself into a speaker. So, instead of stuffing little drivers around the back, the audio comes right at the viewer. It’s all done by using actuators that vibrate the screen, which is pretty impressive technology.

• Read our full Philips OLED754 review

This is the cheapest OLED TV here, and while there are lower-priced OLED TVs overall, we wouldn't advise going any lower than this one (unless you're seeing something more expensive with a huge discount) – this set still gives you a high-quality panel and great processing, but any cheaper and you'll be looking at some false economies.

You get the deep, rich contrast that OLED sets are known for hear, with impressive realism and nuance in dark scenes. The brightness is notably lower than the mid-range sets we've featured above, so the overall range of its HDR isn't as strong (and it will wash out in bright daylight more easily), but you still get vibrant and punchy colours that leap right off the screen.

The Philips P5 picture processor is a generation behind the Philips TVs we've already featured, but it's still really strong for upscaling HD to 4K, and keeping everything looking sharp on-screen.

There's no lack of features: despite the low price, this supports both advanced HDR formats (HDR10+ and Dolby Vision) unlike many more expensive TVs, and includes Philips' Ambilight tech, which adds to immersion by spreading colours from the screen onto the wall.

Its smart system is more basic, but will works perfectly well, and is outfitted with lots of the streaming apps you'll want most.

Best OLED TVs: what to look for

LG is the only company that makes OLED panels for TVs, and there’s very little difference in the OLED displays it makes and sells to all the other TV manufacturers year after year. In fact, one of the criticisms of OLED is that it appears to have reached a peak of innovation and that the technology is struggling to develop any further.

For the time being, though, that doesn’t really matter because, while the panel tech is the same, each manufacturer improves the processors that tells it what to do, and adds other flourishes on top. Each year when the nay-sayers claim that OLED is finished, somehow the likes of LG, Panasonic, Sony and Philips manage to squeeze out even more performance.

As such, it’s the new processing and audio technologies that are the features to look out, while you can assume there’ll be small improvements to dark details year-on-year, at least for now.

OLED TVs with integrated soundbars offer an experience that doesn’t require any additional boxes for audio. Their sound is streets ahead of sets that have speaker arrays stuck around the back of the TV. 

Upscaling and contrast enhancements are also well worth noting, particularly since a lot of streaming content will be HD and at a bitrate where the image quality won't be a strong as from a Blu-ray, say – and, if you can get an OLED with good motion processing tech too, then that can be a big bonus up at the 65-inch size.

HDR support is worth thinking about, and while its preferable for a set to support both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ (the two forms of higher-end HDR), there’s no need to reject one just because it doesn't include both. 

We’ve chosen a mixture of the 55-inch OLED TVs as well as 65-inch OLEDs according to where we feel the better value lies. That said, you’ll find most of the TVs below available in both sizes – and some even come in 77-inch models.

2020 is also the year that 48-inch OLEDs appear for the first time – we'll include those sets as soon as we're able to test them.