Asmart TVis an important investment. It comes at a prohibitive cost, but it will serve you for years to come, acting as your hub for entertainment and the means by which you can enjoy what you’re watching. The bestsmart TVwill optimize the viewing and listening experience and create convenient ways by which to find what you want to watch. A mediocre TV, however, won’t be able to get the most of your favorite TV shows, movies, andvideo games, distorting color, contrast, and even sound.
I recently took a look at the positives offered byTCL, a more budget-friendly brand that offers a range of TVs to appeal to a lot of different types of consumers, all at pretty decent costs. It definitely bested electronics giant LG in a few categories, but it’s worth giving the Korean company its due as well.
5 reasons I’d buy budget TCL TV over an LG TV
TCL TVs offer than just affordable prices and retail convenience. There are plenty of features and choices to cater to your viewing habits.
Before you jump too quickly on the TCL train, here are a few reasons why you should consider LG as your TV brand.
1You want an OLED TV
These pricey TVs are among the best available
LG is the leader ofOLED TVs. It has championed this screen technology for years, arguably dictating industry innovation and trends for years to come by setting such an impressive standard when it comes to contrast. Its OLED screens, while quite expensive, feature individually-controlled pixels that can turn on and off as needed. That means your TV can achieve true black and stark contrast in a way that LED TVs simply can’t.
I’m picking Samsung over LG for my next OLED smart TV – here’s why
The differences may be slight, but this is why Samsung takes the win as my next OLED smart TV.
Its OLED screens, while quite expensive, feature individually-controlled pixels that can turn on and off as needed, meaning TV can achieve true black and stark contrast in a way that LED TVs simply can’t.
TCL, among others, have worked towards Mini-LED TVs, in which the local dimming zones are quite small, allowing for more precision and less blurring when it comes to darker scenes. They are getting close to the quality of OLED, and may even be swaying some users (andone writerin particular). However, if you are set on OLED, LG is your choice.
2You crave a cinematic experience
Bring the theater home
Pretty much every TV brand right now is focused on thecinematic experienceone way or another. A lot of content watched at home, whether it’s a film or TV show, has a cinematic quality to it, in part because so much is filmed with creativity and theatrics in mind. Prestige shows on HBO, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and many others boast a specific vision, and that vision can sometimes get lost on its way to your TV. So to get the most enjoyment out of it at home, your TV needs to recreate those settings.
I’d buy a mini-LED TV before an OLED TV for these 6 reasons
The future is bright for mini-LED TVs – they’re holding their own with impressive colors and quality contrast against OLED screens.
LG TVs offer a better chance at cinematic fidelity. It boasts TVs withFilmmaker Modeas well asISF-certified settings intended to calibrate your TV based on the lighting in the room. You’ll findDolby Atmosand Dolby Vision on certain TVs as well in ordering to bring stunning visuals and immersive audio to your living room.
3You want an attractive TV
LG is putting the emphasis on style
LG is placing particular importance on TVs with slim designs that look as good in person as the content on screen does. It offers TVs that can be easily mounted flush against a wall so as not to be obtrusive in your room. Some models also feature Gallery Mode, which allows users to display works of art or your own photos on the screen when the TV is idle, so instead of a dark, empty monitor, the TV is showing something thoughtful or artistic.
6 tricks I use to make my Samsung Frame TV actually look like art
My smart TV displays more than just the latest hit show.
LG isn’t quite at the level of Samsung’s Lifestyle TVs, but it is working towards expanding its roster of models that fit in with specific looks and needs in your home. Its Posé TV, for example, is designed for an open-concept space, with an elegant stand and clean cable organization that makes it suited to being a centerpiece of a room.
5 reasons to buy a Samsung TV over a Sony TV
An emphasis on brightness and beauty has me leaning Samsung.
4You’re an avid gamer
Fast and faithful gaming without lag
LG TVs offer a range of features designed to make gaming more immersive and responsive. It has the hardware to support lightning fast speeds, with some TVs offering up to four 2.1 HDMI inputs, ideal for gaming on the latest consoles.
9 Steam games to install first on your gaming PC
If you’ve taken the dive into PC gaming, Steam will no doubt be your first stop. These are the games you should boot up first.
Boasting a 1ms response, which is pretty much the fastest you’re able to get, along with a native refresh rate of 144 Hz, LG TVs provide the best support for open-world, online gaming where quickness and image fidelity is key. There shouldn’t be any issues with lagging or ghosting as LG also features a variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), and FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility that all allow you to have a faithful, interruption-free gaming experience. You can also check out the Game Optimizer, in which picture and audio settings are adjusted to improve your gaming experience.
5You want a simple interface
Easy navigation and control
LG has long been lauded for its basic, intuitive smart platform WebOS. It is on all LG Smart TVs, unlike TCL, which has different platform options on various TVs. WebOS is fast and easy to navigate, and doesn’t bombard you with ads and content recommendations like some other platforms.
7 signs it’s time for a smart TV upgrade
You might be tempted to upgrade your TV by newer technologies, a slimmer aesthetic, or, if it’s been more than five years.
It is also supported by some convenient control options as well. The LG Magic Remote is one of the more comprehensive remotes available, and also allows for voice control. Most LG TVs are compatible withGoogle Assistant, Alexa, and Apple Home as well.
The LG Magic Remote is one of the more comprehensive remotes available, and also allows for voice control.
LG TVs tend to come with a high price tag, but for its screen technology and loaded features, there is a lot to like to support all kinds of faithful and immersive content consumption.
6You have compatible smart devices
Embrace LG’s smart home
LG doesn’t just want you to use its smart TVs as an entertainment hub. LG wants you to control your entire smart home on the TV from the comfort of your couch. If you’re partial to LG products, or already have some, then an LG TV might be the wise choice to make life more convenient and efficient.
LG makes a range of products, from refrigerators to washers, AC units to even ranges, that can be monitored and operated from the smart home hub on the TV. Beyond appliances, LG also offers compatible lighting as well as temperature control devices, so you can create the perfect environment for any activity, including watching TV.
How to use LG’s webOS to control other smart devices from your TV
If your smart home needs a hub, you can set up your commands and automations right in LG’s webOS – here’s how.
7You’re excited about AI
LG pushes tech forward
LG is integrating artificial intelligence into its latest TVs in order to make the entertainment experience as immersive and intuitive as possible. The flagship OLEDG4smart TV includes a suite of AI deep learning technology designed to enhance clarity and quality of both images and sounds. On the screen, LG’s AI processor can detail key objects, such as faces, to improve the detail, while its director feature uses AI to preserve the cinematic intent of the creatives behind the camera.
There are audio enhancements as well. AI Sound Pro is a sound booster that aims to deliver more spatial surround sound as well as ensure that voices can be heard clearly. AI Acoustic Tuning, meanwhile, detects the layout of the room in order to optimize sound quality, taking note of surfaces that may influence audio levels.
LG’s latest smart TVs can also learn your visual preferences. The AI Picture Wizard allows you to go through a series of images to select what you feel looks the best for your space and personal inclinations. The result is a taste profile saved by the TV so that it can adjust settings automatically in the future.
LG OLED G4 TV vs. LG OLED C4 TV: What’s the difference?
I’m torn between LG’s latest OLED TVs. Are the G4 features worth the price jump?
LG continues to innovate its smart TVs, and its latest models offer plenty of reasons why they are worth the investment.
