The best OLED TVs 2022 is a title many displays could take, but the choices you'll find in T3's guide offer a great range of value, performance and quality. It's all about their unique makeup; where others might shine light through LCD panels and hope for the best, OLEDs make use of self-emissive pixels, they themselves generating the light of the TV. This means the ultimate in contrast, pin-point perfect colours, and extremely tight separation between dark and light. The fact that light should not bleed into areas it's not welcome makes for a spectacular experience.
But just saying 'I want one of the best OLED TVs' is not enough. They're all pretty brilliant; once you've decided to go OLED, you need to work out exactly what else you want. All TVs vary in terms of their specs, their feature list, their size. So let us break down the top choices on the market whatever your desires (and your budget) may be.
Even the best OLED TVs have certain barriers. For some time they've been stuck to a very limited selection of sizes and a universally high price, a side-effect of the relative complexity of OLED manufacture and the fact that only one factory has actually been making the panels. They've rocked our guides to the best 55-inch TVs and best 65-inch TVs for some time (and made fleeting appearances in the best 75-inch TVs rundown) but not really reached elsewhere.
Or at least that was the case until the second half of last year, which saw LG's manufacturing facility expanding to produce OLEDs which quickly ranked amongst the best 48-inch TVs. More are coming, and they're getting slightly cheaper. And OLED is getting bigger, too: expect to see some serious 80-inch TVs making waves.
They're still not cheap, but if you're very lucky with a discount or three, you might even see OLEDs creeping into the best TVs under £1000.
It's worth mentioning 8K OLED TVs, which we're not really looking at in this list. It's not that there aren't any - there's precisely one, as we write, an LG model which you can snag in 77-inch and 88-inch varieties - but that 8K OLED is not quite there yet. It's very difficult to put those self emissive pixels together in that dense a grid, hence the size of LG's example, and the price sits firmly in second mortgage territory. If you'd like to find out more, check our look at the best 8K 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 the pixels.
For OLEDs, that’s not a problem. They allow for truly inky dark blacks because they can simply dim or shut off each pixel's light individually, but also offer a whole palette of rich and unspoiled colours when shining bright. We explain more about this in our 'What is OLED?' guide, and you can also read our OLED vs QLED guide if you want to know all the differences between it and Samsung's panel tech.
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. The only downside with being so thin is that it can mean that audio quality often isn't as impressive as the images, but you can always add one of the best soundbars.
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.
What is the best OLED TV of 2022?
The best OLED TV overall is the Philips OLED+936, which offers exceptional picture quality and immersive Dolby Atmos audio thanks to its included Bowers & Wilkins speaker bar. Its new generation OLED panel is brighter than previous Philips, its image processing is exceptional, it includes Ambilight to expand the images beyond the TV and it's packed with the latest technology including HDMI 2.1 connectivity with 4K 120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate support, so it's totally future-proof and just as friendly for games as it is for movies.
If you're looking for a smaller, more affordable OLED TV, the LG OLED48C1 is it. All of LG's current OLEDs are exceptional, and this mid-range model hits the sweet spot for performance and affordability.
We still think one of the best OLED TVs for cinephiles is the Panasonic JZ2000, which arguably offers even better image quality, but isn't as strong for features in other departments, and is very highly priced, making it more of a niche choice.
The best OLED TV for budget-conscious buyers is the LG BX, which is much cheaper than either of the options above, yet is very close for overall image quality, and also offers the same HDMI 2.1 future-proofing as the LG G1, and has an equivalently good smart TV platform.
The best OLED TVs: ranked
We liked the Philips OLED+936 so much we gave it our ultra-rare Platinum award. In our review, we said: "Our Philips OLED+936 TV review in a nutshell: jaw dropping!" The sequel to last season's OLED+935 improves on virtually everything its predecessor offered, making an already good TV great.
If you're looking for an all-in-one home cinema TV, this should be at the top of your list. It comes with a soundbar-esque speaker system attached, a dual-chip image processor with clever measures to reduce screen burn and very impressive Dolby Atmos via high quality Bowers & Wilkins speakers.
The next-gen OLED panel in the 55 and 65-inch models means it's brighter than previous Philips TVs, and is a real competitor to the might of the Panasonic JZ2000 or Sony A90J – yet it costs much less than either, and even beats the LG G1 on price, and that doesn't have an elite built-in sound system.
HDR format support is wide. In addition to Dolby Vision, there’s HDR10+ Adaptive, HLG, regular HDR10 and game specific HGiG HDR – Sony and LG don't offer support this broad, and neither does Samsung on its QLED TVs.
If you're a gamer, you'll be pleased to discover twin HDMI 2.1 ports. The Philips supports Variable Refresh Rate (including Nvidia G-Sync and FreeSync Premium), 4K 120Hz and Auto Low Latency Mode. Lag isn't class-leading – Philips says 10ms but we measured 21 – but it's fine for all but the very fastest games.
Picture quality is exceptional, and the built-in Ambilight offers Hue-style lighting that reacts to whatever's on screen. It's the kind of thing that sounds okay when you read about it, but looks amazing when you actually experience it in your home.
Every TV here is exceptional, but right now this is the OLED TV we'd buy. It's fantastic value for money.
Whether you're picking up a TV for gaming or a TV for movies, LG's mid-range marvel is a real 2021 highlight. The LG C1 takes the design of the CX series (see below) and iterates on it, improving it hugely. It adds all those new critical features which support the current generation of games consoles, ensuring you'll be able to get the absolute best picture. It introduces a new generation of webOS, now full-frame and back on board with Freeview Play. As a package it is absolutely stunning.
Connectivity is well and truly covered. Four HDMI ports each carry HDMI 2.1 support, and can all accept 4K 120Hz signals; once the picture's in the C1, its processor supports the full gamut of modern TV niceties, from variable refresh rate to auto low latency, from FreeSync to G-Sync, from eARC to Dolby Atmos.
LG's 4th-gen Alpha 9 deals with image processing, and it's a real wizard. The results of the expansion of AI Picture Pro's learning engine are extremely evident in both its 4K and HD upscaled performance, while its HDR performance - supporting Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG - is superb, though you don't get HDR10+ support.
The cabinet design of the C1 doesn't lend itself to the greatest sound output, so you may want to tack on a soundbar if you can find one slim enough to fit below its relatively shallow stand. That said, it is absolutely loud enough, and the AI Sound Pro processing does add a virtual height channel when it detects a Dolby Atmos signal.
A great OLED TV, all in all, and one which does more than its mid-range price might lead you to expect, at least if you're considering its 48- and 55- inch flavours. When you visit 65- or 77-inch town things start to get a lot pricier, and there's an 83-incher in the pipeline that's set to really push the price boat out. Check out our full LG C1 review to find out more.
It could be argued that the one reason not to get an OLED TV is the modest brightness when compared to some other screen technologies. Sony's goal with the A90J is to use the next generation of panels, paired with the best heat management to drive its high-end OLEDs at much higher brightness levels. The good news here is that it seems to have worked, and that's why the Sony A90J has swooped in at the top of our list.
The picture quality on this flagship TV is every bit as good as you would hope. When it comes to OLEDs decent black levels are a given, but the slight boost to brightness on the A90J means there's amazing scope for realistic display of high dynamic range material. The headline facts here are that this is easily one of the best HDR TVs we've seen. The upscaling and image processing are first-rate and this has to be on any serious OLED TV wishlist.
On the downside, UK smart TV apps are lacking. These are expected to appear this year bringing support for iPlayer and other broadcast catch-up apps but their current absence is an annoyance and head-scratcher for such a big company.
On the plus side, Sony's decision to use the Google TV platform delivers a big improvement over the old Android TV system that, at times, was problematic.
Variable refresh rate at up to 120hz is a selling point for those with games consoles or gaming PCs connected. You do lose Dolby Vision on high frame rate, which is a shame, but we suspect not the end of the world for a lot of people.
Check out our full Sony A90J review and start saving those pennies.
The LG G1 is the best all-round OLED TV available right now. It's LG's first model with its next-gen 'OLED evo' panel, which promises a little more brightness than most OLED TVs, and better colour accuracy. That's matched with the usual impeccable per-pixel brightness control, resulting in astounding HDR images – among the best we've ever seen.
It's also LG's best TV to date for detail and texture in images, thanks to a new version of LG's image processor. Native 4K footage looks incredibly sharp without being unnatural, and noise is reduced to impressibly low levels, so things look more lifelike. Upscaling from HD to 4K has also been improved, so whether you're watching something made for 4K or not, the LG G1 really makes the most of it. The same goes for motion processing, which is among the best in the business, helping everything flow smoothly without becoming artificial at all – it's especially improved for 24fps films, which is welcome.
Four HDMI 2.1 ports mean that this is equipped for any future connection need – you've got 4K 120Hz, VRR and ALLM support for next-gen consoles, along with some gaming modes that are incredibly effective at reducing lag. PC gamers will also love the double whammy of both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium support.
It even sound impressive, partly due to new AI audio processing, which does a great job of lifting the audio away from the screen and feeling bigger than the image. And LG's webOS operating system remains among the best smart TV software for friendliness, usability and support for loads of streaming services and smart home features. Read our full LG G1 review for one why we rate this TV highly enough that it won both Best OLED TV and Best Gaming TV at the T3 Awards 2021.
The one major issue to know about? That it doesn't come with a stand of any kind. This ultra-thin design is made for wall-mounting (and it comes with special mount that enables it to sit with zero gap from the wall), but you can buy either a simple stand for putting it on a TV bench, or a fetching floorstanding 'Gallery' stand too. But you'll need to factor that into the price.
This is the replacement for the HZ2000, the TV that thinks it's a cinema. Panasonic's flagship TV stands apart from most OLED TVs thanks to its Professional Edition Master OLED panel – this goes brighter than 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.
HDR performance is better than basically any other OLED on the market, its colour accuracy is also peerless, while its 4K processing packs in huge amounts of detail and realism.
It's also got a great new smart TV system, that Dolby Atmos sound system is as good as any one-box soundbar, and it's been updated with HDMI 2.1 gaming features for next-gen consoles… it's the complete package, really, and is absolutely one of the best TVs on the planet.
For movie lovers, there's no better TV – by a hair, this is the most richly cinematic set we've ever seen, as our full Panasonic JZ2000 review explains. Sadly, it's not available in the US.
The 55-inch LG B1 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 and it doesn't skimp on quality.
Where have the corners been cut? The B1 has LG's A7 Gen 4 AI processor, which is a step down from the A9 in the C1, and the panel is a little less bright. But it still delivers excellent picture quality and motion handling, AI brightness and face enhancing, and Dolby Vision IQ. There's Dolby Atmos too. but 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 B1 has two HDMI 2.1 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports. HDMI 2.1 is a key feature for new PS5 and Xbox Series X owners as this means variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), and 4K gaming at 120 frames per second. It's G-Sync and FreeSync compatible too, so it's great for PC gaming as well as console. The other HDMI ports are capable of 4K at 60fps.
The B1 has LG's latest webOS, with support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and AirPlay 2 video.
We loved the previous model, the BX, and we like the B1 even more: it takes everything that was great about its predecessor and adds lots of improvements while remaining an excellent budget buy.
Looking for a TV that gives you a complete audiovisual upgrade in a compact package but can't stretch to the OLED+936? The 48-inch version of this TV is a great buy – not only is it the joint-smallest OLED TV (LG and Sony both make 48-inch models too, now), but it has a Dolby Atmos sound system built into the stand, including real upfiring drivers. It's like buying a TV and soundbar, but it takes up less space, and costs less than buying them separately. We love it.
Crucially, both the TV and audio side are fantastic. Philips' new generation of OLED TVs retain the punchy HDR colours the brand is known for, but its new AI-based processing adds more realism to things like skin tones while still making colours pop in general. It's really impressive, especially when mixed with the deep, nuanced shadow tones than OLED is revered for.
Philips detail and motion processing is better than ever too, giving native 4K content plenty of sharpness without looking edgy, and upscaling HD content to 4K with a more natural touch.
The speakers, provided by hi-fi maestro Bowers & Wilkins are more dynamic and well-rounded that pretty much anything else we've heard that built-into a set, and give separate Dolby Atmos soundbars a real run for their money when it comes to fidelity and positional audio – the upfiring speakers add real height, and sound spreads wide convincingly, too. We talk more about how the audio really elevates this model in our full Philips OLED+935 review.
The only downside to this TV is that it's not great for gaming – the gaming mode is okay for reaction times, but there are no next-gen features such as 4K 120Hz support over HDMI, or Variable Refresh Rates. But for movie lovers who want a home cinema experience without the hassle of dealing with multiple products, this is just perfect.
The Sony A8 manages to separate itself nicely as an alternative to the LG CX 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 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 BX) lack – you won't feel the need to grab a soundbar immediately with this… although the Philips OLED+935 has it beaten overall for audio quality.
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. Read our full Sony A8 review here.
The Philips OLED805 brings the same excellent image quality we saw on the Philips OLED+935 further up this list, but without the Bowers & Wilkins sound. That makes each set a little cheaper than its equivalent up there, but with no loss of picture quality – just weaker sound, and no 48-inch option.
That means you get the same excellent AI processing for colours that both vibrant and realistic at the same time, and the general precision and finesse that makes OLED worth buying into.
Images look detailed and sharp without getting artificial, and motion handling is much better than Philips' previous efforts, helping things to look clearer when moving fast, too.
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. Our Philips OLED805 review raves about its lush colours.
The only flaws are a lack of eARC HDMI for high-res audio output to compatible soundbars and AV receivers (though normal ARC is here), and no 4K 120Hz or VRR support for next-gen gaming.
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.
Best OLED TVs 2021: 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.
If you're big into gaming – especially on the PS5 or Xbox Series X, but also high-end PC gaming – you should look for sets with HDMI 2.1 connections, including 4K 120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate tech especially. These are designed to help games look clearer and smoother where they're supported, but aren't essential for those who'll watch movies and TV only. When the 2021 TV models become available, pretty much every TV will support them, so this won't be much of a worry. But for now, it's a factor you need to consider.
