LG OLED evo AI C5 OLED83C5PUA 83.5"

The LG C5 delivers jaw-dropping OLED picture quality and elite gaming chops, but the remote is a joke. If you want the best big-screen experience for the money, snag it on sale and replace that remote.

Our benchmark placed its picture quality at just the 36th percentile, which surprised us given the gushing user reviews. Here's the thing: OLED's contrast ratio is infinite, so in a dark room it's unbeatable. But peak brightness for HDR highlights can't touch mini-LED rivals like the Sony Bravia 9. Gaming, though, is best-in-class. With 120Hz native, 0.1ms response, and all four HDMI 2.1 ports fully loaded with VRR and ALLM, this is one of the best gaming TVs we've tested. The Alpha 9 Gen8 processor handles motion beautifully, and webOS 25 is snappy, though some users report occasional software hiccups after updates.

The competitive field has shifted. The Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L is now the OLED to beat, with QD-OLED brightness and Sony's legendary processing, but it costs a fortune and tops out at 77 inches. The Samsung QN900F 8K Neo QLED is the brightness king and sharpest screen you can buy, though it still skips Dolby Vision. LG's own G5 Series OLED97G5WUA is the new flagship sibling, brighter and more refined, but at 97 inches it's a different price bracket entirely. On the value end, the TCL QM7K and Hisense U7 Series are mini-LED upstarts that get shockingly bright for half the price, but they can't touch the C5's perfect blacks or viewing angles. For pure movie and gaming immersion in a dark room, the C5's 83-inch OLED panel still holds its own, especially with four HDMI 2.1 ports that outclass the Sony and Samsung for multi-console setups.

Pricing is all over the place. We've seen it as low as $2,100 and as high as $4,000+. At the lower end, this is a superb value for an 83-inch OLED. At the higher end, you're overpaying. Shop around, and if you find it near $2,100, don't hesitate.

The LG C5 is everything you love about OLED: perfect inky blacks, vibrant colors, and a viewing angle that shames any LED. This 83-inch monster is a home theater centerpiece that makes movies and games look spectacular. But LG made one baffling decision, the remote is a plasticky afterthought with no mute button. If you can look past that and a few minor bugs, you're in for a treat.

If you're sensitive to near-black banding or want a remote that doesn't feel like a Happy Meal toy, look elsewhere. The Sony A95L is the better OLED if budget is no object and 77 inches is enough. The Samsung QN900F wins for bright-room 8K. And if you just want a massive, bright screen for less, the TCL QM7K or Hisense U7 are shockingly good values, just don't expect OLED-level contrast.

The LG C5 is a brilliant OLED TV with a couple of irritating flaws. If you're building a home theater or a next-gen gaming hub, it's an easy recommendation. The picture is breathtaking, gaming performance is top-tier, and the 83-inch size is cinematic. Just budget for a universal remote and maybe a soundbar to avoid the audio bugs. For the price, when you find a deal, it's an absolute steal.