Anyone interested in screen technologies and UHD televisions will not be able to avoid OLEDs. OLED stands for organic light emitting diode and originates in organic chemistry. Compared to LCD screens, which require backlighting to produce an image, organic light-emitting diodes simply emit the light themselves. Each pixel is a single diode.
This allows all colors to be generated and excellent images to be displayed. OLEDs are also known for the best black level. Unlike other technologies, however, no black is “produced” here – the diode is simply off. In addition, the viewing angle is excellent: even from the side, colors are not paler or less impressive.
The risk of a burn-in is also notorious: this means that single pixels can “burn in” and then no longer change their color and are permanently noticeable. However, various expert platforms have proven that this risk is virtually non-existent for normal users.
These are the Best OLED TVs in 2020
- Extremely high-quality workmanship
- Perfect Black
- Contrast of ∞:1
- Very good viewing angle
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Low energy efficiency class
- Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL)
- Perfect blacks
- Contrast of ∞:1
- Clear movements
- HDMI 2.1
- HDMI VRR
- Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos
- Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL)
- Perfect blacks
- Contrast of ∞:1
- Clear movements
- HDMI 2.1
- Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos
- 3mm depth
- Supplied soundbar for improved sound
- Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL)
- No HDMI VRR
The Best OLED TV for home cinema
Sony A9G OLED
The Sony A9G is the flagship of the current Sony 2019 OLED lineup. Thanks to OLED technology, the A9G offers some unsurpassed advantages that only a true OLED TV can offer: perfect black, extremely high contrast and an extremely wide viewing angle. If wall mounting is desired, the A9G also scores with its minimal depth. It protrudes by only a few millimeters from the wall. To refine the sound, a soundbar can easily be mounted underneath the TV.
However, if you follow Sony’s advice, you integrate the A9G into your own hi-fi system. When using an AV receiver and two satellite speakers on both sides, the A9G acts as a center speaker.
It is well suited for occasional gaming without big demands, but some competitors can do it better. There is no HDMI 2.1, no VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card (HDMI Forum) and no Auto Low Latency Mode.
The Sony A9G is best suited for home cinema fans who are looking for a powerful picture and sound solution for their home system. Here you can find Dolby VisionDynamic HDR-format with a color depth of up to 12 Bits and Mastering of up to 10,000 Nits and Dolby Atmos as well as DTS:X. It is available in 55, 65 and 77 inch.
The Best OLED TV for gaming
LG OLED C9
The LG C9 also offers perfect black levels, excellent contrast and a very wide viewing angle thanks to OLED technology. The C9’s workmanship and design are also extremely high-quality and attractive. But what sets it apart from Sony AG9 is its gaming features.
The LG C9 is one of the few devices with HDMI 2.1 so far. Only in this way are the large data transfers (up to 48 Gbit/s) possible, which will be used in the future for peak performance of the upcoming Playstation 5 and Xbox Scarlett. Also available are VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card (HDMI Forum), to enable gaming without tearing, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which reduces the latency between input device and output device to a minimum.
Smart features are also very good on the LG C9. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are on board for voice control. Streaming and mirroring from mobile phones or tablets are possible via Apple AirPlay 2. The C9 is available in 55, 65 and 77 inch sizes. Alternatively, the cheaper LG B8 is also available, which offers similar features!
The Best ultra thin wallpaper OLED TV
LG Signature OLED W9
Imagine all the features that are offered by the LG C9: Perfect blacks, clear movements, a super high contrast ratio and high quality gaming enabled by HDMI 2.1 – and combine it with a more extravagant design and improved sound. That is the LG W9, a wallpaper thin TV that has to be mounted on the wall and only protrudes by 3mm. It is more resemblant to a window than a TV screen. The technology itself rests in the supplied soundbar. Both units are connected by one single cable that can be easily be disguised on the wall.
This TV is a true all-in-one package. The picture and sound are extremely high quality, suitable for both gaming and home cinema use. The supplied smart features are also very satisfactory. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa make the TV controllable with your voice. Streaming and mirroring from mobile phones or tablets are possible via Apple AirPlay 2. Unlike the C9, it does not offer VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card (HDMI Forum) for gaming. The W9 is available in sizes 65 and 77 inches.
The Best OLED TVs compared
| | | |
Sony A9G OLED | LG OLED C9 | LG Signature OLED W9 | |
| Gaming Good features for gaming include low input lag, low motion blur and sufficient frame rate. | |||
| Viewing angle The viewing angle is the angle at which the screen can be viewed without the colors being washed out and the brightness diminishing. | |||
| Bright environment A classic bright environment would be a well lit living room with many windows. Good televisions should be able to deliver good pictures in a bright room. | |||
| Dark environment In dark rooms, televisions should also be able to display content correctly. This requires good black levels so that black content does not appear dark grey in complete darkness. | |||
| Home cinema To bring the cinema experience home to you, a good television set should be able to reproduce images and sound equivalent to modern cinemas. | |||
| Smart TV Every Smart TV has a number of Smart Features that are designed to make operation easier. In addition to apps such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, these include voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as well as Apple AirPlay 2. | |||
| Features The number of connections to ensure flexibility for the technical periphery pay for the equipment. | |||
| Specialties Not all televisions have the same technical features. Here you can choose according to your needs. | Center Speaker | HDMI 2.1 | HDMI 2.1, Soundbar |
| | | |
Sony A9G OLED | LG OLED C9 | LG Signature OLED W9 | |
| Available sizes The compared OLED TV are available in following screen sizes | 55 Inch See price 65 Inch See price 77 Inch See price All prices | 55 Inch See price 65 Inch See price 77 Inch See price All prices | 65 Inch See price 77 Inch See price All prices |
What makes the best OLED TV?
The best OLED TV does not exist. Each model has its strengths and weaknesses – you as the user only have to decide where your priorities lie. If you’re a demanding gamer expecting an excellent picture, the LG C9 is the right choice for you. With the Playstation 4 Pro or the Xbox One X / S you will get a fantastic picture in 4K resolution. HDRHigh Dynamic Range – image/video with more dynamic range (contrast range) gaming also works great. The C9 is also great for movies at home. But the biggest argument is compatibility with HDMI 2.1.
If money is not a big issue, you might dare to check out the LG W9. The W9 is an extremely extravagant TV as the screen itself can be mounted on the wall, while all of the tech resides in the supplied soundbar. This makes for a great sound combined with all features the C9 already delivers – except for VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card (HDMI Forum). Another plus is the TVs depth: With only 3 millimeters, the W9 looks more like a window than a TV.
If these features are not a must and good sound is more important to you, you should take a look at Sony A9G. This is especially true if you have a HiFi system at home. Its integration as a centre speaker not only gives you an incredibly good sound – the picture is at least as impressive.
