LG B4 vs. C4 vs. G4
Screen Size
All three of LG's latest TVs come in different sizes, and you should keep size in mind when television shopping. The LG B4 only comes in three sizes: 55 inches, 65 inches and 77 inches. With the next step up to the popular LG C4, there are several more options, with sizes ranging from 42 inches to 83 inches. Finally, the upgraded G4 stays large, going from 55 inches all the way up to a full 97 inches. And while there are many other factors to take into account when you're shopping, this one is crucial. Not sure how to find the right size television for your space? Consider your room size, as well as your seating arrangement and how far most of your seating is from the television.
The further you are from your TV, the larger it should be. For more exact numbers, check out the calculator in our TV buying guide.
Differences in Design
Connections & Wi-Fi
At first glance, television connections might not seem like a crucial factor when choosing a TV. But the LG B4, LG C4 and LG G4 are investments, and you want to make sure you choose the right one. The bottom line here is the higher you go in the series, the more connections and ports you'll have. Every model comes with four HDMI 2.1 inputs. But the LG C4 and LG G4 have upgraded HDMI capabilities: these support up to 144Hz, while the B4 only supports 4K at up to 120Hz. Practically speaking, that means that all three of these televisions will perform beautifully with new game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S. However, if you're hoping to use one of these televisions as a PC gamer, you'll need those 144Hz: opt for the C4 or G4.
Next up are USB ports. These are less useful than HDMI ports but still a necessity for any modern TV. There are three in both the C4 and G4, and two in the B4. These are most often used to power a streaming device or to plug in a flash drive. Another similarity the C4 and G4 share is their IR port: an infrared way to transfer data. Lastly, Wi-Fi. These TVs are smart and need to connect to great internet. That's why the LG B4 and LG C4 use Wi-Fi 5, while the LG G4 leaps forward with Wi-Fi 6E. For those who have newer routers and use Wi-Fi 6E, the newest in Wi-Fi, you'll want to spring for this TV. You'll have the fastest experience yet. But again, you'll need the proper routers and Wi-Fi 6E to appreciate it.
Advanced Audio Upgrades
We've broken down aspects like screen size and cable connections, so it's time to take a look at what many consider most important when TV shopping: audio and picture. Audio is a key element in any entertainment, whether you're watching an action movie, gaming or just catching the news. The LG B4, LG C4 and LG G4 all have different audio capabilities. The B4 uses a 2-channel 20-watt system, the C4 uses a 2.2-channel 40-watt system and the G4 uses a 4.2-channel 60-watt system. Each television is a step up from the last, especially in power. However, AI smart tech powers up each of the televisions, upmixing whatever you're hearing into a digital surround sound experience. That being said, all of the pictures on these TVs are beautiful; so beautiful that you'll want to pair yours with a soundbar that can do it justice.
Finally, The Picture
- Processors
- The processor is where all of the “smart” of the television lives. Whether it's upscaling to 4K or connecting to streaming apps, the processor of the TV is doing the heavy lifting. Each of these LG TVs has a stronger processor than the last. The B4 has the α8 AI Processor 4K, the C4 has the α9 AI Processor Gen7, and the G4 has the α11 AI Processor 4K.
- Brightness
- Each of these is an OLED television, and OLED screens are infamous for having a hard time delivering a bright picture that can battle their beautiful true blacks. That's not a problem with any of these televisions, but there's a very noticeable improvement in both the C4 and G4 when compared to the B4. That's thanks to LG's Brightness Booster feature, part of the LG C4 at 55 inches and bigger. Meanwhile, every size of the LG G4 is equipped with Brightness Booster Max. Carl mentioned that even though the B4 has no added brightness tech, it is by no means a mediocre viewing experience. "It's pretty darn good. It's very similar to last year's C3." Based on the C3's popularity, that's a ringing endorsement.
- Glare
- An issue that more and more people consider when TV shopping today is glare. It's about how light reflects off of your television; depending on your viewing angle and where your favorite seat in the room is, extreme glare can obscure content onscreen. We tested out how these three televisions deal with glare ourselves. Carl noted that "the B4 and the G4 both seem to disperse the light when it hits the screen, but the C4 keeps it pretty focused." He prefers the way the C4 handled glare, but pointed out that everyone is going to have a different opinion.
LG B4, LG C4 and LG G4: Which One Should You Choose?
Hoping to learn more about what to look for in a new TV? Read our article on TV shopping by Abt's experts. And don't forget about necessary upgrades. While the audio is good, it's hard to find a modern TV that can't be improved by a soundbar. Once your new entertainment setup is complete, you'll be ready to enjoy movie night, a gaming marathon or binge-watch a whole series.