If you want the best possible picture performance, you're going to need an OLED TV. The problem is that most of the best OLED TVs come with a hefty price tag, making them hard to recommend for those looking to save some money on a new display.
Fortunately, there are quite a few OLED TVs available right now at steep discounts. You'll have to settle for a smaller screen sizes from lesser-known TV brands, but there are a healthy smattering of OLED TVs under $1,000.
For the most part these TVs are relegated to last year's models, as the pricing is far more reasonable. But don't worry, as the picture quality even in a year-old set more than adequate for most, especially if price is a big concern.
Quick List
- LG 48" B4 OLED 4K TV: was $699 now $599 at Amazon
- Sansui 55" OLED 4K TV: was $999 now $799 at Amazon
- Panasonic 55" Z85A 4K OLED TV: was $1,599 now $897 at Amazon
- LG 48" C4 OLED 4K TV: was $1,599 now $996 at Best Buy
- Samsung 55" S85D OLED 4K TV: was $1,699 now $1,287 at Best Buy
Best OLED TVs under $1,000
LG B4 OLED TV
The LG B4 OLED remains one of our favorite OLED displays from last year. Like its C-Series counterpart, it's built on a value-first proposition, but makes a few cuts in performance to fall under the $1,000 price mark.
That doesn't mean this is a bad TV by any means. On the contrary, as someone who tested and reviewed it last year, I can attest to the brilliance of the LG B4 OLED. It's a true stunner with incredible contrast, surprisingly adept motion processing, and stunning color output.
As with most LG OLED TVs, the B4 is also an excellent gaming display. It has four HDMI 2.1 ports and a 120Hz refresh rate, making it an ideal choice for console gamers and even new owners of a Nintendo Switch 2.
Sansui OLED TV
If you're looking for a budget OLED built on Google TV, this 55-inch Sansui display is the one for you. It's got its drawbacks, but it's still a decent-performing OLED at a reasonable screen size for under $1,000.
The big issue I had when reviewing the Sansui OLED TV was its interface. It runs on Google TV, which is awesome don't get me wrong, but it runs poorly and slowly on this display. That's largely to do with its processor, which I'm sure isn't as sophisticated or advanced as its rivals.
That said, if you can find a streaming device to pair it with, the Sansui still is an excellent performer for most content. Like the B4, it also has a 120Hz refresh rate and has excellent color volume. It's a solid OLED for the price, but you could always spend just a bit more and get a C4 OLED with slightly more features to offer.
Panasonic Z85A OLED TV
Unfortunately, we never did get the Panasonic Z85A in for testing last year, but all signs point to it be as phenomenal as Panasonic's other TVs released in 2024.
It's built on Fire TV, which isn't our personal favorite interface but it does have some redeeming qualities. Namely, it comes equipped with a set of special AI features, including wallpaper generation, as well as unique cloud gaming services.
If cloud gaming isn't your thing, it's equipped with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, meaning HDR movie nights will be full of gorgeous colors, and it has special audio built into the display for incredible performance right out of the box.
This was more or less my experience with the Panasonic Z95A OLED TV. It too had a solid speaker system and I loved the OLED's picture performance.
LG C4 OLED TV
What can we say? We adore LG's C-Series OLEDs for their incredible value proposition.
In our LG C4 OLED TV review, we raved about its picture quality and gaming features. A surprising hit is also its use of webOS, which has since been upgraded to include several cloud gaming services. The webOS on the C4 OLED will receive updates through 2029, as LG has committed to a five year update path, making your TV feel fresh and new each year.
Its somewhat middling speaker system isn't our favorite, but it can be fixed by buying one the best soundbars for enhanced audio.
And if the C4 isn't for you, you can always go with the LG C5 OLED TV. It's slightly more expensive, but we gave it a perfect score in our review and it's bound to get some price cuts sooner rather than later.
Samsung S85D OLED TV
Okay, so the Samsung S85D OLED isn't quite under $1,000, but it's not significantly more expensive, either. We couldn't leave it off the list as it's one of the best Samsung TVs for the price.
Equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports and one of the lowest input latency in our testing, it's a no-holds bar OLED. And, while it might not have Dolby Vision support, neither does the PS5 Pro — making these two the perfect pairing.
We highlighted its exceptional color handling and brightness in SDR content in our review. Although most OLED TVs tend to be lacking in brightness, Samsung's excel in this regard, making them a good pick for rooms with lots of ambient light.
Even if it's a bit over the $1,000 mark, the Samsung S85D is totally worth the investment. It's a no-compromise gaming icon built on an incredible interface. What more could you ask for at just under $1,300?
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