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OLED vs. LED TVs: Which One Should You Choose?

OLED vs. LED TVs

17 min read

Which One Should You Choose?

In this guide we go in-depth on the differences between LED and OLED TVs. What is OLED, what is a classic LED TV, and which is better for me? We'll be answering these questions and taking a close look at the primary technologies (and how they differ), then measuring the pros and cons associated with each screen type.

What Is an LED TV?

Televisions of the past: tube TVs, plasma, LCD. These days, it's all about the OLED TV and LED TV. There are more technologies out there, but these are two of the most popular and basic screens to start exploring. If you've purchased a television in the last five or so years, you already know that these are the two main technologies dominating the market at the moment, but—if you're like many consumers—you may be confused about the difference between the two. Here, we look deep into the ever-simmering OLED vs. LED TV debate to see which one emerges as the clear winner (hint: it's OLED).

Once at the forefront of the market, LED technology is slowly fading to the background as OLEDs (and QLEDS, and QD-OLEDS, and so many more upgraded pixel innovations) outperform them in terms of picture quality. And yet, LED TVs still retain some of the best bang for your buck in the TV aisle.

An LED TV uses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology to create a picture (LEDs are actually a specific type of LCD TV). The screen is a thin, translucent panel made up of pixels that are filled with liquid crystal. When electricity passes through, it causes the crystals to move so that light can or cannot pass through. LED TVs are backlit by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) rather than the old-fashioned cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), creating more vibrant pictures with deeper blacks and more saturated colors.

Pros of LED TVs

More Affordable—Since they've been around for longer, it's easy to find high-quality LED TVs in just about any price range, and prices are only slated to drop as OLEDs advance.
More Options—Another benefit of having been on the market for so long is that there are many more options: sizes, brands, colors, smart features, etc., all in the LED format. Right now, only a few brands offer OLEDs, while virtually every television maker crafts LEDs.
Brightness—LED technology is renowned for its capacity to produce bright pictures when compared to OLEDs, which is why it's still preferred in smartphones. That trend is changing, though, with many Android phones featuring an OLED screen.

Samsung 65" Q60A Black QLED 4K UHD Smart TV (2021) - QN65Q60AAFXZA

Cons of LED TVs

Lesser Picture Quality—There's really no comparison between the two technologies in terms of picture quality. LEDs still have good picture quality, but contrast ratio, uniformity and viewing angle are all realms where OLED outperform.
Aging Technology—While LEDs will most definitely still be a popular option well into the next decade, we expect to see OLEDs emerge as the standard.

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What Is an OLED TV?

Now let's dive into the question, "What is OLED?" The acronym stands for "organic light emitting diode", and describes the way that the television becomes lit, or rather, lights itself. Each individual pixel on an OLED screen can flicker to life organically, with no need for a brightly lit panel behind the entire screen. Both light and color come from a single diode at once, and each miniscule diode can brighten and darken on its own. The result is a picture with incredible contrast and unmatched black levels—the black levels are unbeatable because the LEDs can darken completely with no interruption from a backlight. You won't find deeper, inky blacks on an LED screen (or any other screen). In the battle of the OLED vs LED TV, the true-to-life colors and deep black levels let OLED screens beat their LED competitors when it comes to picture quality.

OLED TVs are now incredibly popular; what was once a very exclusive technology is now produced by multiple brands like LG, Sony, Samsung and more. These developers are even playing with new ways to advance picture quality further with QD-OLED, which integrates quantum dot technology into the picture. The truth is that OLED technology has become so popular that manufacturers are trying to go even further.

Pros and Cons of OLED TVs

Pros of OLED TVs:

Exceptional Picture Quality — One of the biggest advantages of OLED TVs lies in their ability to deliver breathtaking picture quality. Each pixel in an OLED display can emit light, allowing for perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratios. This creates an unrivaled level of detail, vibrant colors and a more immersive viewing experience, especially when watching high-definition content or HDR (High Dynamic Range) videos.
Wide Viewing Angles — Unlike traditional LCD screens, OLED TVs boast impressive viewing angles, ensuring that colors and contrast remain consistent even when viewed from off-center positions. This feature is especially beneficial for larger living rooms or when watching with a group of people, as everyone can enjoy the same stunning visuals without compromising on picture quality.
Fast Response Times — OLED technology is known for its rapid response times, virtually eliminating motion blur. This characteristic makes OLED TVs ideal for sports enthusiasts and gamers, providing smooth and fluid visuals even during fast-paced action sequences or gameplay.

Cons of OLED TVs:

Cost — One of the drawbacks of OLED TVs is their higher price compared to LED TVs. However, OLED is no longer new. As the technology has matured and become more widespread, prices have gradually decreased, making OLED TVs more accessible to a broader range of consumers. However, larger and more premium OLED displays with advanced features are still more expensive than a regular LED TV.
Limited Brightness in HDR — While OLED TVs excel in producing deep blacks, they're not as bright as some high-end LED TVs, particularly in HDR content. Although they still provide an impressive HDR experience, if you desire the utmost brightness for viewing in a brightly lit room, a high-end LED TV might be a better option.
Lifespan of Organic Materials — The organic materials used in OLED displays may degrade over time, which can gradually reduce brightness and color accuracy. However, modern OLED TVs have significantly improved in this aspect, and their average lifespan is still quite impressive, with many models offering over 100,000 hours of usage (that can last up to a full decade).

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Which TV Should You Buy?

Choosing between an LED and OLED TV comes down to a few important factors, such as your budget, your goals and what you watch or play on your TV. If you're looking for the best picture possible, OLED is the way to go; if you're a budget-conscious shopper, you may find that LEDs are the better option. If you're a little bit of both, wait for Abt's next sale and see if you can catch a great deal on the perfect television for your home. We hope this guide helped you discover the right option for you, but you can always reach out to the team at Abt if you'd like personalized advice.

OLED vs. LED FAQs

What is An OLED TV?

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TVs are similar to LED TVs, with one major difference. Each individual pixel is able to create light, color, and opacity itself. There is no need for a backlight, the screens are just a few millimeters thick, and contrast is incredibly sharp. But what's truly amazing is that parts of the picture can be completely turned off. The result? Dark blacks that can't be achieved in any other method.

What is OLED Burn In?

One of the few downsides of OLED TVs is the potential for burn in. OLED burn in occurs when a group of diodes is left on and static for an extended time period. It's called "image retention," and the side effect is that an outline of those pixels remains even when the TV is turned off. To prevent burn in, don't keep your TV on one image for too long; newer OLEDs can detect and prevent aspects like logos from becoming burnt in. And newer OLEDs experience fewer and fewer instances of burn in, but it's still worth discussing. Gamers, instead of leaving your pause menu on, pause and turn the TV off before getting up.

Is LED The Best TV?

That depends on what you're looking for in a television. LED is no longer the best TV (for most people). They're still popular even with the rise of screen tech like QLED, OLED, QD-OLED and Micro-LED, but there's more to a TV than just its panel. When shopping, consider budget, smart features and resolution. An 8K LED TV might suit you better than a 4K OLED model, or maybe your budget is the most important thing to you—it depends on what you prioritize when you watch or game. In most cases, people prioritize what looks the best to the eye when investing in a television, like color contrast, saturation, black levels and more.

Are LED TVs Good?

Yes! Just because they're not OLED doesn't mean that they're not worth considering when you shop. There are tons of other factors—we've mentioned resolution (HD, 4K or 8K) as well as the smart tech or AI inside. Some are portable or small, making them perfect for your needs, whether you're watching in a master bedroom or a college dorm. And thanks to that backlit panel, these televisions showcase bright colors, all while being easy on the budget.