YOU can pick up perfectly decent LED or LCD TVs for a couple of hundred quid, but if you’re after the most advanced picture quality a TV can get, OLED is the way to go.
The fuss over OLED is justified. It doesn’t require backlighting like LED screens, which makes the colour consistent right across the screen, with greatly enhanced contrast levels.
Whites are bright, colours brilliant, blacks pitch perfect dark.
With around 8 million pixels displaying clarity of vision, OLED is on the wish list for all screen fans seeking the immersive cinematic viewing experience at home.
High quality comes at a price, of course. The word ‘cheap’ can’t be used to describe OLED TVs, given that prices start at almost a thousand, but in a market where they can cost almost £14,000, you can definitely save yourself some money by shopping around.
Here’s a selection of some of the best-known TV brands and their lowest priced models, that don’t compromise on the picture perfect quality we expect from OLED TVs.
Considering this is the cheapest (non-refurbished) OLED out there right now, it hardly feels like scrimping.
At an imposing 55” screen size, picture quality of 3800 and 4K Ultra HD resolution, this does everything you expect an OLED to do: blacks are deep, whites are bright, colours brilliant yet natural, skin tones lifelike.
The three-sided ambilight (LEDs placed along the top and at either side to create a wide glow) makes for a more immersive viewing experience.
Comes with Twin Freeview HD, catch-up TV and 4K streaming with Google Assistant.
Equipped with 4k Ultra HD and enhanced by the OLED display and Dolby Vision, the Toshiba 55X9863DB is noted for its ‘colour realism’, ensuring the wide spectrum of colours remain consistent in light or dark.
This level of contrast makes it a particular favourite among gamers to plug their consoles into.
Comes with an array of smart TV services, including 4K streams, Freeview HD and Freeview Play.
Also compatible with Alexa. HDR10 and HLG formats are both covered.
Featuring a picture-on-metal design and thin OLED panel, crystal clear 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR colour, the pin-sharp look of the LG 55 is heightened by Dolby Atmos to create for a truly immersive viewing experience.
LG’s webOS Smart platform allows you to stream shows, interact by voice with its intelligent Thinq AI, and operate with the intuitive Magic Remote.
Note: There’s a steady supply of a previous version of this model, discontinued by LG, that can be bought refurbished from £829 from Amazon
• Panasonic TX-55FZ802B, £1499 at John Lewis – buy here
Tuned by Holywood colour specialists to ensure images are displayed the way the creators intended, the Ultra Bright Master OLED screen on th Panasonic is made up of eight million pixels, resulting in perfect clarity, contrast and brightness. The intuitive smart platform opens up a wealth of online features such as Netflix and 4K streaming services, and its sleek design is heightened by powerful built-in speakers to complete the cinematic experience.
Known for its impressive real-time X1 Extreme processor that can instinctively know the difference between, say, a 4K UHD Blu-ray, Netflix 4K and USB streaming to deliver the best possible image quality.
The Dolby Vision optimises the HDR format to display sharp, accurate images.
Unusually, the Sony Bravia doesn’t use conventional speakers, but uses twin actuators to make the screen move with the sound, resulting in precision sync between audio and visuals.
It features the usual Smart TV access that comes with Android TVs, as well as being compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
We’ve got loads more recommendations in our dedicated Sun Selects section.
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