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Don't overspend on the LG C6 OLED — the B6 offers great performance for a fraction of the price
Here's some good news: LG, makers of some of the best OLED TVs money can buy, has launched three new OLEDs for 2026 — the flagship-level G6, the mid-range C6 OLED and the LG B6.
In recent years, the mid-range C Series has been one of the most popular TVs among our readers due to its high-level performance and its relatively low price compared to the brand's top-shelf G Series. At the same time, the entry-level B Series has been one of the best-value TVs on shelves. And now, the B Series is better than ever.
This year, the LG B6 earned our four-and-a-half-star rating for its excellent performance, sleek design and a thorough set of features. In fact, I dig the B6 so much that I think it's a better choice than the C6 for most people.
LG B6 vs C6: performance and specs
Before we dive into the differences between their spec sheets, let's take a look at how the B6 and C6 compare when it comes to performance. Bear in mind that these tests were carried out with both TVs set to LG's Filmmaker mode.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | LG B6 | LG C6 |
|---|---|---|
SDR Brightness (10%, in nits) | 247 | 355 |
Delta-E (lower is better) | 1.0 | 1.5 |
HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) | 780 | 1,355 |
UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage | 96.11% | 99.77% |
Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage | 70.69% | 75.92% |
Input latency (milliseconds) | 8.9 | 9.1 |
The first thing that ought to jump out at you is the difference in brightness. Yes, the C6 is significantly brighter than the B6 in both SDR and HDR. However, in a side-by-side comparison, most viewers would be more inclined to notice the difference when it comes to specular highlights (tiny pools of bright, highly intense light).
During run-of-the-mill SDR content — that is to say, cable TV, most streaming shows, YouTube videos and over-the-air broadcasts — the C6 only delivers a slightly brighter, full-screen presentation.
The C6 is undoubtedly the better option for brighter-than-average living rooms, but its added HDR highlight brightness is where the major difference is.
The difference here isn't as significant as what you would see moving from the C6 up to LG's flagship OLED, the G6.
The C6 delivers better HDR color volume, but the difference here isn't as significant as what you would see moving from the C6 up to LG's flagship OLED, the G6. However, an important caveat to this is that the 77- and 83-inch versions of the C6 feature a similar, premium-level OLED panel as the higher-end G6.
The B6's test results — as well as my own eyes — tell me that it's an excellent compromise for budget-conscious shoppers who nevertheless want to live the OLED lifestyle. If your living room isn't soaked in sunlight, the B6 will get the job done.
In terms of specs, they're quite similar. The C6 arrives with a higher refresh rate (up to 165Hz versus 120Hz on the B6), but this really only concerns the crowd that intends to link up their TV to a gaming PC.
LG B6 vs C6: price and outlook
If the B6's relatively similar performance profile hasn't swayed you, perhaps a look at these TVs' respective prices will do the trick. Here's how each series shakes out at the time of publishing:
Size | LG B6 | LG C6 |
|---|---|---|
42-inch | N/A | $1,399 |
48-inch | N/A | $1,599 |
55-inch | N/A | $1,799 |
65-inch | $1,899 | $2,699 |
77-inch | $2,799 | $3,699 (C6H) |
83-inch | $4,499 | $5,299 (C6H) |
The LG B6 is currently only available in 65-, 77- and 83-inch sizes, but that likely won't be the case for very long. Recently, a 48-inch B6 was listed on LG's website, and in recent years, a 48-inch B Series OLED has typically been made available at Best Buy. And, while I'm surprised that there isn't a 55-inch version of the LG B6 available yet, I'm willing to bet that one will hit shelves before year's end.
Unless you're truly worried about missing out on the C6's added brightness and color, saving money on the B6 is the move I recommend most people make.
If you're in the market for an even flashier OLED experience, the 77- and 83-inch versions of the C6 (otherwise known as the LG C6H) might be worth considering. We've yet to test the C6H in either its 77- or 83-inch variant, but due to the inclusion of LG Display's RGB Tandem OLED panel, I expect an even brighter, more-colorful presentation than the 42- to 65-inch versions of the C6.
Of course, if you really want to be as savvy as possible with your spending, you ought to consider the LG B5, the B6's predecessor from 2025. I recently compared the LG B6 versus the B5 and, while the newer B6 offers a slightly punchier picture, they're nearly identical in almost every other way that matters to the average viewer.
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