LG C2 Series OLED42C2PUA 42"

This is the best big-screen OLED you can put on a desk, period. Just buy a stand and a soundbar and you'll be in heaven.

What surprised us most is how this TV absolutely crushes it for gaming. It's in the 96th percentile in our database, and that tracks. With a 120Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and full support for G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium, motion is buttery smooth on a PS5 or a high-end PC. The flip side is the built-in audio. The 20W speakers are a weak spot, sitting in the mediocre range. They'll get the job done for casual viewing, but for a screen this good, you owe it to yourself to grab a soundbar or headphones.

The C2's main rival in the 42-inch space is really the newer LG C3, which offers a slightly brighter panel and better processing, but you'll pay a premium for it. If you're considering a much larger screen, the Sony BRAVIA XR A95L is the picture quality king with its QD-OLED panel, but it costs a fortune and doesn't come in this desk-friendly size. For pure PC monitor use, some might cross-shop the Samsung Neo QLED QN800D, but it's an 8K TV in a massive size, so it's a completely different beast. The C2's unique superpower is being the perfect size for a desk, and no other premium OLED really competes in that exact niche.

Pricing for this set is all over the map, with a wild spread from $834 to over $26,000 across vendors. Obviously, ignore the crazy high outliers. The real sweet spot is around that $800 mark for a refurbished unit, which is an absolute steal for an OLED this good. At that price, it's a no-brainer. Even at a higher new price, the value is strong for what you get, just make sure you're not overpaying at a sketchy third-party seller.

The LG C2 42-inch is basically the ultimate flex for people who want a no-compromise gaming monitor that also happens to be a brilliant 4K TV. It's an OLED panel, so you get those perfect inky blacks and colors that pop like crazy, and it's packed with every gaming feature you could ask for. The one thing to know? If you're sitting at a desk, this is as good as it gets for a big-screen experience, but you'll need to budget for a stand or wall mount because LG doesn't include one in the box.

If you're looking for a bright room TV to fight intense glare, this isn't it. The OLED panel is stunning but doesn't get as bright as a premium LED, and our data shows it scores poorly for outdoor use. Go grab a Samsung Neo QLED or a Hisense U7 instead if brightness is your main concern.

The LG C2 42-inch is a phenomenal display that blurs the line between TV and monitor better than almost anything else. It's a top-tier gaming screen with stunning picture quality that makes movies and shows look incredible. The lack of a stand and the so-so speakers are minor annoyances you can easily fix. If you want a premium, do-it-all screen for a desk or small room, this is the one to get.