LG OLED evo OLED55C5PUA 55"

The LG C5 is a bright, beautiful OLED that crushes gaming and movies alike. Just budget for a soundbar, because the built-in audio is a letdown.

The picture quality is stunning. Perfect blacks, vibrant colors, and brightness that surprised us for an OLED. The 120Hz native refresh rate with G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium support makes this a monster for gaming, and the 0.1ms response time means zero perceptible lag. The Alpha 9 Gen8 processor does heavy lifting for upscaling and motion, and the glare-free screen tech actually works in bright rooms. The weak spot is audio. The 2.2 channel 60W setup sounds thin, and for a TV this expensive, you'd expect more.

Against the Sony BRAVIA 5 K55XR50, the C5 wins on gaming features and brightness, but Sony still has the edge for out-of-the-box color accuracy and motion handling for movies. The Hisense U8 Series 65U8QG gives you a bigger screen and excellent mini-LED brightness for less money, but it can't touch the C5's perfect blacks and viewing angles. The TCL QM6K is the budget alternative, but you're giving up the OLED contrast that makes the C5 special. If you want the best all-around OLED for mixed use, the C5 is the pick.

Pricing is all over the place. US listings range from USD 370 to USD 2,100, which is a massive spread. The low end is almost certainly a pricing error or refurb, but if you can find it under USD 1,500 from a reputable store, that's a solid deal. In Canada, the spread is tighter at CAD 1,400 to CAD 1,800. At the top of that range, you're paying a premium for the OLED name. Shop around, because the same panel can cost hundreds more depending on the store.

The LG C5 is the OLED to beat right now if you want that perfect black, punchy color, and a panel bright enough to actually use in a normal living room. It nails 1500 nits of peak brightness, which is a big deal for OLED, and the Alpha 9 Gen8 processor keeps everything looking sharp without turning motion into a soap opera. The one thing to know? This is a premium TV that earns its price, but the built-in speakers are a letdown for a set this good.

If you're on a tight budget or want the biggest screen possible for the money, skip the C5. A 65-inch mini-LED like the Hisense U8 will cost less and give you more screen real estate. If you're a hardcore audiophile who refuses to buy a soundbar, look elsewhere too, because the built-in audio won't satisfy you.

The LG C5 is a fantastic TV. It delivers a cinematic picture, top-tier gaming performance, and a bright enough panel to handle daytime viewing. The weak speakers and missing mute button are annoying, but they're fixable with a soundbar and a little patience. If you want the best OLED experience without jumping to the G-series price, this is the one to buy.