The Best OLED TVs for 2026: LG vs. Samsung vs. Sony, Compared
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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If you want the best picture you can put in a living room, OLED is still the answer. Each pixel makes its own light and can switch off completely, so OLED TVs deliver perfect blacks, effectively infinite contrast, rich color and excellent motion, which is ideal for movies, sports and console gaming. The remaining questions are which brand, which tier and whether to pay up for this year’s models.
To answer them, we compared three independent sources. CNET’s Ty Pendlebury tests TVs side by side in a light-controlled lab, measuring brightness, black levels and color with a spectroradiometer. Popular Mechanics publishes its own ranked OLED picks with pricing, and RTINGS maintains lab-measured rankings that it updates as new sets arrive. We haven’t tested these TVs ourselves, and TV prices move constantly, so check current deals.
Quick answer: for most people, buy whichever is cheaper between the LG C5 and Samsung S90F; CNET calls it a close call and Popular Mechanics names the C5 its best overall. For the ultimate picture, choose the Samsung S95F for bright rooms or the LG G5 for color accuracy and wall mounting. Sony’s Bravia 8 II is the pick if you want Google TV and Sony’s processing.
Our picks at a glance
| TV | Best for | What the reviewers say | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG C5 | Most people | Popular Mechanics’ best overall; 65-inch listed at $1,399 on Amazon; 42 to 83 inches | Incremental over the C4 |
| Samsung S90F | Value | CNET’s best OLED value; picture close to the S95F | No Dolby Vision, no glare-free coating |
| Samsung S95F | Bright rooms | CNET’s best overall performance; best anti-reflection; up to 165 Hz | Premium price; no Dolby Vision |
| LG G5 | Color accuracy, wall mounting | CNET’s brightest and most color-accurate; Labs Award winner | Costs much more than the C5 |
| Sony Bravia 8 II | Google TV fans | Popular Mechanics’ best QD-OLED | Pricier than LG and Samsung equivalents |
| LG B5 | Budget OLED | Popular Mechanics’ budget pick | Dimmer than C-series |
The best OLED TVs
1. LG C5: best for most people
Best for: anyone upgrading to OLED for movies, sports and gaming.
The C series has been the default OLED recommendation for years, and the C5 continues it. Popular Mechanics names it best overall, noting it’s brighter than before, carries glare-free certification, comes in sizes from 42 to 83 inches, and that the 65-inch was available for $1,399 at Amazon, under $1,500. CNET calls the C5 an incremental update over the C4 and says that if the two cost the same, get the C5.
CNET’s broader advice is the key buying insight: at this tier, the LG C5 and Samsung S90F are so close that you should simply buy whichever is cheaper when you shop. The C5’s advantages are Dolby Vision support and LG’s mature webOS gaming features.
Pros
- Superb picture for the money
- Dolby Vision
- Wide size range, including 42 inches
- Strong gaming features
Cons
- Not as bright as G5 or S95F
- Modest update over C4
2. Samsung S90F: best value
Best for: value-minded buyers, especially gamers.
CNET’s pick for best OLED value says the S90F has similar picture quality to its pricier S95F sibling, which is the best reason to buy it, and that it’s slightly better than the C5 for around the same money. It supports 4K/120Hz gaming, HDR10+ and built-in streaming. It lacks Dolby Vision and the S95F’s glare-free coating, so it’s better in controlled lighting.
Pros
- Near-flagship picture
- Strong gaming support
- Often discounted
Cons
- No Dolby Vision
- No anti-glare coating
3. Samsung S95F: best for bright rooms
Best for: living rooms with windows and overhead lights.
CNET calls the S95F the best TV it has seen for banishing reflections, while still delivering excellent picture quality in both dark and bright rooms. That’s why it’s CNET’s best overall OLED performer. Popular Mechanics also singles it out for bright rooms and notes refresh rates up to 165 Hz, which PC gamers will appreciate.
Like all Samsung TVs, it skips Dolby Vision in favor of HDR10+. CNET notes HDR10 works fine on nearly every TV, so this matters mostly to Dolby Vision purists.
Pros
- Best glare control
- Excellent in any lighting
- Up to 165 Hz
Cons
- No Dolby Vision
- Expensive
4. LG G5: best color accuracy and wall mounting
Best for: home theater enthusiasts and wall-mounted installations.
CNET’s testing found the G5 brighter than any previous G-series model and neck-and-neck with the S95F for contrast and color, with demonstrably better accuracy, the best color accuracy score CNET recorded in the past year, earning a CNET Labs Award. CNET’s reviewer still slightly prefers the S95F for its reflection control. Popular Mechanics recommends the G5 for wall mounting, thanks to its flush, gallery-style design.
Pros
- Brightest LG OLED
- Most accurate color
- Great for gaming
- Designed for the wall
Cons
- Premium price
- More reflections than S95F
5. Sony Bravia 8 II: best QD-OLED with Google TV
Best for: Sony loyalists and Google TV households.
Popular Mechanics names the Bravia 8 II its best QD-OLED. Sony pairs a QD-OLED panel with its acclaimed picture processing and Google TV, which gives you the broadest app selection and built-in Chromecast. It usually costs more than comparable LG and Samsung sets, so it’s for buyers who value Sony’s natural, film-like processing.
Pros
- Sony processing
- Google TV
- QD-OLED color
Cons
- Higher price
6. LG B5: best budget OLED
Best for: buyers who want OLED contrast for the least money.
Popular Mechanics’ budget pick brings LG’s OLED blacks and webOS features at a lower price than the C5. Expect less brightness. CNET’s advice applies doubly here: at the affordable end, yearly changes are small, so compare last year’s B and C models and buy the cheapest.
Pros
- Lowest-cost OLED
- Perfect blacks
Cons
- Dimmer
- Fewer premium features
Should you buy a 2026 model?
The 2026 lineup is arriving. RTINGS now ranks the LG C6, LG G6 and Samsung S95H at the top of its OLED list. CNET’s reviewer calls the LG G6 a great TV that’s better than the G5 in many ways, but notes it costs $600 or more extra and isn’t yet as recommendable. Popular Mechanics reports the C6 launched in April 2026 at roughly twice the C5’s price.
Our take: 2025 models are the sweet spot right now. Launch prices of new OLEDs typically fall substantially over the first year, while the C5, S90F, G5 and S95F are discounted and still excellent. If you want the newest panel regardless of cost, the G6 or S95H is a fine buy; otherwise, wait for 2026 models to drop.
LG vs. Samsung vs. Sony
- LG uses WOLED panels and webOS, supports Dolby Vision and has the widest size range, from 42 inches up.
- Samsung uses QD-OLED in most models, leads on glare reduction (S95F), uses Tizen and supports HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision.
- Sony combines QD-OLED with outstanding processing and Google TV, typically at a premium.
What to look for
- Size: CNET’s advice is to buy one size bigger than you think, if you can. OLEDs run from 42 to 97 inches; 65 is today’s norm, 77 a smart future-proof choice.
- Room lighting: bright rooms favor the S95F or G5; dark home theaters can save with the C5 or S90F.
- HDR formats: Dolby Vision is a plus, but HDR10 works on almost every 4K TV.
- Gaming: look for 120 Hz or higher, a game mode and HDMI 2.1 inputs.
- Smart platform: Google TV, webOS, Tizen and even Roku (on Philips) are now options on OLED.
Finish the setup
Thin OLEDs have small speakers, so pair yours with one of the best soundbars. If you prefer a TV that doubles as art, compare our best art TVs, and for a cinema-sized image, see our new guide to the best home theater projectors.
FAQ
Is OLED better than QLED or Mini-LED?
For contrast, blacks and viewing angles, yes. Mini-LED TVs can get brighter and cost less in large sizes, which can suit very bright rooms.
Do OLED TVs still burn in?
Modern OLEDs include pixel-shifting and refresh routines that make burn-in rare with varied viewing; static content shown for many hours daily is the main risk.
What’s the best OLED for gaming?
The LG C5 and Samsung S90F/S95F are all excellent; Popular Mechanics notes the S95F goes up to 165 Hz.
When are OLED TVs cheapest?
Prices on the previous year’s models typically fall as new models arrive in spring, and deals are common around major shopping events.
The bottom line
Buy the LG C5 or Samsung S90F, whichever is cheaper. Step up to the Samsung S95F if your room is bright, or the LG G5 if you want the most accurate picture and a flush wall mount. The 2026 models are better still, but at today’s prices, last year’s flagships are the luxury bargain.
