LG C4 vs. The Rest: Our Test Finds the Best OLED TV for Your Money

Finding the best OLED TV for under $1,000 is now a realistic goal. This price point now includes models from major brands like LG, Samsung, and Panasonic. These are not old or weak models. They are current-year televisions with top-level features for gaming and movies. We set up five of the most popular options in this category. We tested them for picture quality, gaming speed, and smart features. The best overall OLED TV under $1,000 is the LG 48-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series. It delivers the most complete experience for both gaming and film watching. This guide explains how each TV performed in our tests and who should buy which model.

How We Tested These OLED Televisions

Our testing process is designed to measure performance in the ways you actually use a TV. We do not rely on manufacturer claims. We measure the results ourselves under controlled conditions. This ensures our recommendations are based on data, not marketing.

How We Tested Each Feature

We used professional tools and consistent methods to evaluate each television. The testing was supervised by our lead analyst, Peter Alric, to guarantee accuracy.

What We Tested	How We Did It	Tools We Used	What We Measured
HDR Brightness	We displayed special HDR test patterns on a black screen.	Calman software, X-Rite i1Display Pro meter	Brightness in nits
Black Levels	We measured the light output from a pure black image.	Calman software, X-Rite i1Display Pro meter	Luminance level
Color Accuracy	We checked how closely the TV matched the film industry’s color standards.	Calman software	DCI-P3 color space coverage
Motion Handling	We played high-speed sports and movie scenes.	Custom video files	Smoothness and clarity
Gaming Speed	We measured the delay between a controller input and the screen response.	Leo Bodnar input lag tester	Lag in milliseconds

Understanding OLED TV Technology

To choose the right TV, you need to understand the technology. These terms will help you make sense of our reviews.

Key OLED Features Explained

• Self-Lit Pixels: This is the core of OLED technology. Unlike other TVs that use a backlight, each pixel in an OLED screen produces its own light. This means the TV can turn off individual pixels completely to create perfect black levels. This is why OLED TVs have such incredible contrast. LG’s “Self-Lit Pixels” and Samsung’s “OLED Technology” both refer to this advantage.
• Refresh Rate (Hz): This number tells you how many times the picture updates each second. A higher refresh rate, like 120Hz or 144Hz, means smoother motion. This is critical for watching sports and for playing video games. It reduces blur and makes fast action look clearer.
• HDR (High Dynamic Range): HDR allows a TV to show a wider range of brightness and color. It makes bright areas brighter and dark areas darker, while adding more shades of color. The best TVs support multiple HDR formats, like Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The Panasonic Z85 supports all major HDR formats, which is a significant benefit.

Why the TV’s Processor Matters

The processor is the brain of the television. It handles everything from upscaling lower-resolution content to smoothing out motion. A powerful processor, like the LG a9 AI Processor Gen7 or the Samsung NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor, makes a visible difference. It ensures that everything you watch, from old DVDs to 4K Blu-rays, looks sharp and clean.

Top 5 OLED TVs Under $1,000: A Quick Comparison

This table gives you a fast overview of how these five TVs compare. It highlights their main strengths and weaknesses.

TV Model	Best For	Main Strength	Main Weakness
LG 48″ C4 Series	Overall Quality	Gaming features & smart system	48-inch size only
Panasonic 65″ Z85 Series	Movie Lovers	Picture accuracy & large screen	Fire TV OS is basic
Samsung 48″ S90D Series	Bright Rooms	Highest brightness test score	Average sound quality
LG 65″ B4 Series (Renewed)	Big Screen on Budget	Lowest price for a 65-inch OLED	Renewed product status
Panasonic 65″ Z85 Bundle	Added Value	Includes warranty & accessories	Same cost as standalone

Reviews of the Best OLED TVs

We now break down each television based on our hands-on testing. We cover the design, picture quality, gaming performance, and overall value.

Review #1: LG 48-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series

The LG C4 is the best OLED TV you can buy for under $1,000. It does not excel in just one area. It performs at a high level in every category. It is the ideal TV for someone who games, watches movies, and streams shows. It offers a balanced and premium experience. If you want a screen larger than 48 inches, you will need to look at other models on this list.

Key Specifications:

• Screen Size: 48 Inches
• Display Technology: OLED
• Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
• Processor: a9 AI Processor Gen7
• Special Features: NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, Dolby Vision, Filmmaker Mode

Pros	Cons
Best gaming features in its class	Screen size may be small for some
Excellent webOS smart platform	Not the brightest OLED we tested
Superb motion handling	Only one 48-inch size at this price
Great for movies and sports

Design and Build Quality

The LG C4 has a simple and modern design. The bezels around the screen are very thin. This makes the picture feel more immersive when you are watching it. The stand is straightforward and holds the TV securely. The build quality feels solid and premium. It comes with the excellent Magic Remote, which you can point at the screen like a cursor for easy control.

Picture Quality Test Results

We tested the LG C4’s picture using 4K HDR movies and standard definition content. The performance was outstanding.

• Black Levels: As with all OLEDs, the black levels are perfect. In a dark room, when a black screen is displayed, it is impossible to tell where the screen ends and the bezel begins. This creates an infinite contrast ratio that makes movies look deep and realistic.
• Color Performance: LG claims “100% Color Volume” and “100% Color Fidelity.” In our tests, the colors were rich and accurate. Skin tones looked natural, and bright colors were vibrant without looking artificial. The a9 AI Processor did a excellent job of upscaling HD content to near-4K quality.
• Brightness: The C4 is bright enough for most living rooms. It is not the brightest OLED we tested—that title goes to the Samsung S90D. However, in a room with controlled lighting, the C4’s brightness is more than sufficient for a great HDR experience.

Gaming Performance Analysis

This is where the LG C4 truly stands out. It is the best gaming TV in this price group.

• Refresh Rate and Response Time: The 144Hz refresh rate is incredibly smooth. Fast-moving objects in racing games or first-person shooters show almost no blur. The 0.1ms response time means there is no ghosting or smearing.
• HDMI 2.1 and VRR: The TV has four HDMI 2.1 ports. This means you can connect a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and a gaming PC all at once. Features like NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium work perfectly. They eliminate screen tearing without adding input lag. The Game Optimizer menu gives you quick access to all your game settings.

Is the LG C4 Worth the Price?

The LG C4 is priced at the top of the under-$1,000 category. For that price, you get a new, current-year model with no compromises. The combination of elite gaming features, a great smart TV system, and superb movie performance justifies the cost. It is the most future-proof TV in this group.

Review #2: Panasonic 65-Inch Class Z85 Series

The Panasonic Z85 offers a different kind of value. For the same price as the 48-inch LG C4, you get a massive 65-inch screen. More importantly, you get a picture that is tuned for extreme accuracy. This TV is for the person who prioritizes movie quality above all else. Its HCX Pro AI Processor is designed to deliver the picture exactly as the filmmaker intended.

Key Specifications:

• Screen Size: 65 Inches
• Display Technology: OLED
• Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
• Processor: HCX Pro AI Processor MKII
• Special Features: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, Theater Surround Pro, Fire TV

Pros	Cons
Large 65-inch screen size	Uses the basic Fire TV platform
Excellent out-of-the-box color accuracy	Gaming features are good, not great
Supports all major HDR formats	Design is more functional than fancy
Superior built-in sound system

Design and Build Quality

The Panasonic Z85 has a minimalist design. The focus is entirely on the large screen. The stand is a single, wide bar that provides good stability. The build quality is good, though it feels more utilitarian than the LG C4. The included remote is simple and gets the job done.

Picture Quality Test Results

We evaluated the Panasonic Z85 with 4K Blu-rays to assess its cinematic performance. The results were impressive.

• Color Accuracy: This is the Panasonic’s greatest strength. The colors are not the most vibrant, but they are the most natural and accurate. Skin tones and landscapes look true to life. The HCX Pro AI Processor does an exceptional job without needing any adjustment from the user.
• HDR Performance: The Z85 supports every major HDR format, including Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive. Dolby Vision IQ uses a built-in light sensor to adjust the picture based on your room’s lighting. In our tests, this worked very well, maintaining perfect contrast in both dark and bright rooms.
• Processing and Upscaling: The processor provides a very clean and sharp image. There is no excessive digital noise or artificial sharpening. Standard definition content looks as good as it can on a 4K screen.

Gaming Performance Analysis

The Panasonic Z85 is a capable gaming TV, but it is not its main focus.

• Game Mode Extreme: The TV has a 120Hz refresh rate and supports VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium. Input lag is low, providing a responsive gaming experience. It is perfectly fine for single-player adventure games and most multiplayer games.
• Comparison to LG C4: It lacks the 144Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-Sync support found on the LG C4. For a competitive esports player, the LG is a better choice. For someone who plays games casually and watches more movies, the Panasonic is excellent.

Is the Panasonic Z85 Worth the Price?

The value of the Panasonic Z85 is in its large, accurate screen. You are paying for a 65-inch OLED with fantastic picture quality for movies. The trade-off is a less advanced smart TV system and fewer dedicated gaming features. If your primary goal is a cinematic experience on a big screen, the Panasonic Z85 is an outstanding choice.

Review #3: Samsung 48-Inch Class OLED S90D Series

The Samsung S90D takes a different approach. It uses a unique OLED panel designed to get brighter than most others. In our tests, it achieved the highest peak brightness scores in this group. This makes it the best choice for rooms with a lot of windows or bright lights. It combines this brightness with the perfect blacks of OLED technology.

Key Specifications:

• Screen Size: 48 Inches
• Display Technology: OLED
• Refresh Rate: Up to 144 Hz
• Processor: NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor
• Special Features: OLED HDR+, Motion Xcelerator, Real Depth Enhancer, Dolby Atmos

Pros	Cons
Highest brightness in its class	Built-in sound quality is average
Excellent color volume	Smart TV has more ads than others
Great for HDR content	Lacks Dolby Vision support
Fast 144Hz refresh rate

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung S90D has a very sleek and minimalist design. The stand is a thin, central pedestal that gives it a modern look. The bezels are extremely thin, making the screen the entire focus. The build quality is excellent and feels premium. The remote is small and simple.

Picture Quality Test Results

We measured the S90D’s brightness and compared its picture processing to the other TVs.

• Brightness and HDR: Samsung’s “OLED HDR+” feature is real. This TV is noticeably brighter in HDR mode than the LG C4 or Panasonic Z85. This brings out more detail in bright clouds, sunlit scenes, and specular highlights. If your room is not very dark, this extra brightness is a significant advantage.
• Color and Contrast: The colors are vibrant and punchy. While not as perfectly accurate as the Panasonic out of the box, they are very appealing for sports and modern streaming shows. The “Real Depth Enhancer” does create a subtle sense of added dimension to the image.
• Upscaling: The NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor provides very good upscaling. HD content looks sharp and clean. It does a great job with lower-quality streams, reducing noise and artifacts.

Gaming Performance Analysis

The Samsung S90D is a top-tier gaming TV, very close to the LG C4.

• Speed and Responsiveness: The 144Hz refresh rate and fast response time make gaming incredibly smooth. We measured input lag that was just as low as the LG C4. Fast-paced games feel immediate and fluid.
• Feature Comparison: It supports AMD FreeSync Premium for variable refresh rate. However, it does not support NVIDIA G-Sync like the LG C4 does. For most gamers, this will not be an issue, but it is a consideration for PC gamers with NVIDIA graphics cards.

Is the Samsung S90D Worth the Price?

The Samsung S90D is an excellent TV priced competitively. Its value is in its unique brightness. You buy this TV if you want the OLED picture quality but are worried about it not being bright enough for your space. It is a fantastic all-rounder that is particularly well-suited for bright rooms.

Review #4: LG 65-Inch Class OLED B4 Series (Renewed)

The LG B4 Renewed is the wildcard on this list. It is not a new television. It is a certified renewed product, which means it was returned, inspected, and certified to work like new. It offers one thing the others do not: a 65-inch LG OLED screen for a very low price. This is a high-risk, high-reward option.

Key Specifications:

• Screen Size: 64.5 Inches
• Display Technology: OLED
• Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
• Processor: a8 AI Processor
• Condition: Renewed

Pros	Cons
Lowest price for a 65-inch OLED	Renewed product with limited warranty
Still has excellent OLED picture	No guarantee on panel uniformity
Includes full gaming features	May have minor cosmetic wear
Uses the great webOS system

Picture Quality and Performance

The picture quality of the B4 is very good. It uses an older a8 AI Processor instead of the newer a9 Gen7 in the C4. In side-by-side testing, the difference is subtle. The C4 has slightly better upscaling and motion handling, but the B4 still provides a fantastic 4K HDR experience. The gaming features are still robust, with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 ports, and support for both G-Sync and FreeSync.

Understanding the “Renewed” Purchase

Buying a renewed product is different. You are trading a lower price for peace of mind.

• Warranty: A renewed TV typically comes with a 90-day warranty, unlike the one-year warranty on a new TV.
• Panel Lottery: OLED screens can have slight variations in uniformity. A new TV should be perfect. A renewed one may have a screen that is not perfectly uniform, though it should fall within acceptable limits.
• Cosmetics: The TV may have minor signs of use, but it should be fully functional.

Is the LG B4 Renewed Worth the Price?

The LG B4 Renewed is only worth it for the budget-focused buyer who wants a large screen above all else. The value is incredible, but the risk is real. You must be comfortable with a shorter warranty and the possibility of a less-than-perfect screen. If you want guaranteed performance and longevity, buy a new TV.

Review #5: Panasonic 65-Inch Z85 Bundle with Protection Plan

This is the same Panasonic Z85 TV reviewed earlier, but it is sold as a bundle. The price is the same, but it includes an extended protection plan, HDMI cables, and a home theater guide. This does not change the TV’s performance, but it changes its value proposition.

What the Bundle Includes

The bundle adds a 26-month extended protection plan from CPS. This is in addition to the standard manufacturer’s warranty. It also includes two 4K HDMI cables and the Deco Gear Home Theater Beginner’s Guidebook.

Is the Bundle a Better Deal?

If you were already planning to buy the Panasonic Z85, this bundle is the obvious choice. You are getting the same TV for the same price, but with added protection and accessories. The extended warranty is valuable, especially for a complex electronic device like a TV. The bundle reduces the stress of a large purchase by giving you longer coverage.

Head-to-Head TV Comparisons

Direct comparisons help highlight the differences between these closely matched televisions.

LG C4 vs. Samsung S90D: Which is the Better All-Rounder?

This is the toughest choice for most people. Both are 48-inch models with 144Hz refresh rates

Feature	LG C4	Samsung S90D
Peak Brightness	Very Good	Best
Gaming VRR Support	G-Sync & FreeSync	FreeSync Premium
Smart TV System	webOS	Tizen
Movie Accuracy	Excellent	Very Good
Sound Quality	Good	Average

Choose the LG C4 for the best gaming compatibility and a more user-friendly smart TV system. Choose the Samsung S90D if your room is very bright and you need the maximum HDR impact.

Panasonic Z85 vs. LG B4 Renewed: The 65-Inch Choice

Both offer a large 65-inch OLED screen for the same cost, but in very different ways.

This is a choice between security and value. The Panasonic Z85 is new, has a full warranty, and is tuned for movie perfection. The LG B4 Renewed is a gamble that offers a premium brand for a low price. For almost everyone, the new Panasonic Z85 is the safer and better recommendation.

Which OLED TV Should You Buy?

Your buying decision should be based on your main use case.

Best for Gaming and Overall Use

The LG 48-Inch C4 Series is the definitive choice. Its complete set of gaming features, including 144Hz, G-Sync, and four HDMI 2.1 ports, is unmatched. It also delivers a superb movie-watching experience.

Best for Movie Lovers and Home Theater

The Panasonic 65-Inch Z85 Series provides the most accurate and cinematic picture. Its large screen and support for all HDR formats make it the ideal TV for watching films exactly as the director intended.

Best for Bright Rooms

The Samsung 48-Inch S90D Series wins this category. Its superior brightness allows it to overcome glare and ambient light better than any other OLED TV in this price range.

Best for a Big Screen on a Tight Budget

The LG 65-Inch B4 Series (Renewed) is your only option. It carries the risk of a renewed product, but it delivers a massive, high-quality OLED screen for a price that is otherwise impossible to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a renewed OLED TV a good idea?

A renewed OLED TV can be a great way to save money, but it comes with risk. The warranty is shorter, and the screen may not be perfect. It is a good option for budget-conscious buyers who are comfortable with a little uncertainty.

What is the real difference between LG’s B4 and C4 models?

The main difference is the processor. The C4 uses the more powerful a9 AI Processor Gen7, which provides slightly better picture upscaling and motion handling. The C4 also has a 144Hz refresh rate, while the B4 has a 120Hz refresh rate. For most people, the B4 is excellent, but the C4 is the premium choice.

Why does the Samsung S90D not have Dolby Vision?

Samsung uses its own HDR10+ format instead of the more common Dolby Vision. Both are excellent HDR formats. In practice, you may not notice a major difference, as the TV still displays HDR content beautifully.

Which TV has the best sound without a soundbar?

The Panasonic Z85 has the best built-in sound system. Its “Theater Surround Pro” with a built-in subwoofer provides more powerful bass and clearer dialogue than the other models. For the best experience, all of these TVs will benefit from a separate soundbar.

Can you get a good 65-inch OLED for under $1,000?

Yes. The Panasonic Z85 is a new 65-inch OLED at this price, and the LG B4 Renewed is a 65-inch OLED at an even lower price. The Panasonic is the better and safer choice for a new TV.

Our Final Verdict

After testing all five televisions, the LG 48-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series is the best OLED TV you can buy for under $1,000. It does not have the largest screen or the absolute brightest panel. Instead, it does everything well. It is the best gaming TV in the group, a fantastic choice for movies, and has the best smart TV system. It is the most balanced and future-proof choice. If you can accept the 48-inch size, the LG C4 provides the highest quality overall experience.