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When it comes to picture quality, no other display type offers better overall performance than an OLED TV. Unlike traditional LED TVs (which use LCD panels), OLED TVs don't require a backlight. Instead, every pixel is able to produce its own light or shut off completely. This enables OLED displays to produce superior black levels, contrast, and viewing angles compared to regular LED models. With that said, OLED panels can't get as bright as LED TVs, and they can be susceptible to burn-in if you leave a static image on the screen for hours on end.
For most buyers, however, the pros of OLED tech far outweigh the cons. Of course, the high-end picture performance of an OLED TV typically comes with a high price tag. Thankfully, OLED TVs from LG and Sony often go on sale.
LG's flagship 65-inch OLED TV is now available for $600 off its full retail price. The display offers some of the most impressive picture performance on the market, along with advanced HDMI 2.1 features.
- LG 65-inch CX OLED 4K TV (2020 model), $1,900 (originally $2,500) at Best Buy [You save $600]
- LG 65-inch BX OLED 4K TV (2020 model), $1,800 (originally $2,300) at Best Buy [You save $500]
- LG 65-inch GX OLED 4K TV (2020 model), $2,600 (originally $3,000) at Best Buy [You save $400]
- LG 77-inch GX OLED 4K TV (2020 model), $4,300 (originally $5,200) at Best Buy [You save $900]
Unlike OLED displays, LED TVs still use traditional LCD panels with backlights to produce their images. Though this tech does have some drawbacks when it comes to black levels and viewing angles, high-end LED TVs are still capable of very impressive picture quality with industry-leading brightness. High brightness is particularly desirable for the best HDR performance, allowing highlights to really pop from the screen.
Many high-end LED TVs are branded as QLED TVs since they include quantum dot technology. This feature allows the displays to achieve a wide color gamut for more accurate and rich colors. Premium LED TVs typically include full-array local dimming as well, enabling the backlight to dim in specific zones across the screen. This enables the display to achieve much better contrast and black levels compared to LED TV models without local dimming.
The best value on a premium LED TV right now is for the Samsung Q90T. This flagship 65-inch display features quantum dot color and full-array local dimming with HDR10+ support. The TV has recently been on sale for $1,998 but Amazon's current $1,898 sale price matches the lowest we've ever seen.
- Samsung 65-inch Q90T 4K TV, $1,898 (originally $2,698) at Amazon [You save $800]
- TCL 75-inch 8 Series 4K TV, $2,000 (originally $2,600) at Best Buy [You save $600]
- TCL 65-inch 8 Series 4K TV, $1,300 (originally $2,000) at Best Buy [You save $700]
- LG 75-inch NanoCell 99 Series 8K TV (2020 model), $4,000 (originally $4,500) at Best Buy [You save $500]
- Hisense 55-inch H9G 4K TV (2020 model), $700 (originally $750) at Best Buy [You save $50]
Like premium LED TVs, the best midrange LED TV models also offer many impressive picture quality features, including quantum dots or other wide color gamut technologies. Brightness levels aren't quite as high as more expensive models, however, and contrast isn't as precise since there are typically fewer dimming zones or no dimming zones at all.
Still, if you're a buyer who wants to save a bit without losing support for the latest display technologies, like HDR, then a midrange LED TV model will likely be a good fit.
Right now, you can save $200 on LG's NanoCell 90 4K TV. This model features local dimming, an IPS panel for wide viewing angles, HDMI 2.1 ports, and support for around 500 nits of brightness. Check out our full review of the LG NanoCell 90 TV here.
For buyers who are less concerned about picture quality and more interested in simply finding an affordable display with reliable smart TV connectivity, there are plenty of budget-friendly options to consider. These models don't include advanced image features like local dimming or quantum dots, but you can find some entry-level models with basic 4K HDR playback capabilities.
Budget LED TVs can also be found in smaller screen sizes for people who want to purchase a TV that's suitable for a smaller living room or bedroom. And, while 4K is pretty much the standard for most new TV models, you can still save some money by opting for a lower resolution HDTV.
- LG 55-inch UN7000 Series 4K TV, $350 (originally $400) at Best Buy [You save $50]
- TCL 50-inch 4 Series 4K TV, $230 (originally $350) at Best Buy [You save $120]
- Insignia 39-inch Fire TV Edition HDTV, $150 (originally $230) at Best Buy [You save $80]
- Insignia 19-inch HDTV, $70 (originally $80) at Best Buy [You save $20]
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