LG NU700B 55NU700BPUA 55"

The NU700B nails the smart TV experience with a 73rd percentile smart score and a 94th percentile social proof rating, but the display is a weak spot at just the 22nd percentile. You get a 60Hz Direct LED panel, HDMI 2.0, and middle-of-the-road HDR. Buy it for webOS and casual streaming, not for picture quality or gaming.

The α7 AI Processor 4K Gen9 is the star of the show here, and it does a decent job cleaning up lower-resolution content. 4K Super Upscaling works well for cable and older streaming sources, and the Nano Detail Enhancer adds a bit of texture and edge sharpening that helps 1080p content look closer to native 4K. But the panel itself is Direct LED with no local dimming, which means contrast takes a hit. HDR performance sits at the 49th percentile, right in the middle of the pack. HDR10 Pro dynamically adjusts brightness, but without local dimming or high peak brightness, bright highlights and dark shadows tend to blend together more than they should. The display ranking at the 22nd percentile is the real tell here. This is a basic 60Hz panel, and it shows.

Gaming is where the NU700B stumbles hardest. The 39th percentile gaming score comes down to that 60Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.0 ports. You get ALLM and Game Mode, plus the LG Game Dashboard and Game Optimizer, which are genuinely useful for tweaking settings. But there's no VRR, no 120Hz support, and no HDMI 2.1. Cloud gaming via GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming is supported, which is a nice workaround, but serious console or PC gamers will feel the ceiling. Audio is a 2.0 channel setup with eARC, landing at the 47th percentile. It's fine for casual viewing, but you'll want a soundbar for anything cinematic. Connectivity is also middle of the road at the 48th percentile, with just 2 HDMI ports and 1 USB port. That's tight if you have a console, a streaming stick, and a soundbar all competing for space.

Against the competition, the NU700B has a clear identity crisis. The TCL QM6K Series 55QM6K and Hisense U8 Series 65U8QG both offer significantly better picture quality and gaming performance for not much more money, especially if you catch a sale. The Sony BRAVIA 5 K65XR50 outclasses it in processing and motion handling, though you'll pay more for the privilege. The Samsung Neo QLED QN70F is in a different league entirely when it comes to brightness and contrast. Even the Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 gives you a simpler, faster smart platform with better display fundamentals. Where the NU700B wins is on smart features and buyer satisfaction. The 73rd percentile smart score and 94th percentile social proof are genuinely strong, and webOS 26 is more polished than Roku's barebones interface. But a TV is ultimately about the picture, and at the 36th percentile for picture quality, the NU700B trails every serious competitor in this group. If you're brand-loyal to LG or you love webOS, this is your budget pick. Otherwise, the TCL or Hisense will give you more screen for your dollar.

Pricing on the NU700B is all over the place, with USD listings ranging from USD 217 to USD 280 across 5 US listings. That's a USD 63 spread, which is significant for a budget TV. At the low end, around USD 217, this is a reasonable buy for a 55-inch smart TV with a solid interface and decent upscaling. At USD 280, you're creeping into territory where better panels start showing up. The value proposition really depends on which store you're buying from. If you can snag it near the bottom of that range, the smart features and social proof make it a defensible purchase. If you're paying near the top, you're overpaying for a 22nd percentile display. Shop around before you commit.

The LG NU700B 55NU700BPUA is a 55-inch 4K LED TV that leans hard on its smart platform and social proof while cutting corners on the display tech that actually matters for picture quality. Its 94th percentile social proof score means buyers are happy, but our database tells a more complicated story. The display itself sits at just the 22nd percentile, which is rough for a TV in 2026. You get a Direct LED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate, HDR10 and HLG support, and LG's α7 AI Processor 4K Gen9 doing the heavy lifting on upscaling and detail enhancement. The smart features are genuinely solid at the 73rd percentile, with webOS 26, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and over 400 free LG Channels. But the picture quality lands at the 36th percentile, and gaming is even lower at the 39th, thanks to that 60Hz panel and HDMI 2.0 ports instead of HDMI 2.1.

So what you're really buying here is a budget-friendly smart TV with a familiar name and a friendly interface. The Nano Detail Enhancer and 4K Super Upscaling do help lower-resolution content look sharper, and FILMMAKER MODE is a nice touch for movie purists. But with only 2 HDMI ports, a 2.0 channel speaker setup, and no local dimming to speak of, this is a TV that prioritizes streaming convenience over raw performance. If you mostly watch cable, YouTube, and the occasional Netflix show in a bright room, it'll do the job. If you want deep blacks, high refresh rates, or serious HDR punch, you'll feel the compromises quickly.

Skip this TV if you care about gaming, HDR, or dark-room viewing. The 60Hz panel and HDMI 2.0 ports cap you at the 39th percentile for gaming, with no VRR or 120Hz support. The Direct LED panel with no local dimming means HDR content won't pop the way it should, and the 49th percentile HDR score confirms it. If you're a movie buff who wants deep blacks, a gamer who wants smooth motion, or anyone who plans to use more than 2 HDMI devices, the NU700B will frustrate you. The 22nd percentile display ranking is the bottom line here. You can get a better panel from TCL or Hisense for similar money.

The LG NU700B is a perfectly fine TV for casual streamers who want a big screen, a friendly interface, and a brand they trust. The 94th percentile social proof tells us owners are happy, and the webOS 26 experience is genuinely pleasant. But the 22nd percentile display ranking is hard to ignore. This is a 60Hz Direct LED panel with no local dimming, and it shows in the picture quality score of just the 36th percentile. If you mostly watch sitcoms, news, and YouTube in a bright room, you'll be content. If you care about HDR, gaming, or movie nights in a dark room, spend your money elsewhere. At USD 217 this is a decent deal. At USD 280, it's a pass.