LG C5 OLED
Exact average 86.1 · 3 printed, 9 estimated · printed scores only: 90
Image: LG12 professional reviewers tested the LG C5 OLED, and 11 recommend it. Most praised: picture quality and design. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by Tom's Guide, PCMag Middle East, CNET and 9 more
The catch: Only a small upgrade over the C4, and reflections show in bright rooms.
9 of these 12 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.
What 12 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 95Tom's Guide
An outstanding picture, strong gaming and a slick OS make it a winner despite the high price.
Read Tom's Guide review - 90PCMag Middle East
The reviewer calls the C5 the best-value OLED TV and gives it an Editors' Choice award.
Read PCMag Middle East review - 85CNET
Great picture with deep contrast and rich color, only slightly better than last year's C4.
Read CNET review - 89est.The Independent (IndyBest)
After weeks of use the reviewer calls the C5 an excellent-value gaming OLED with superb picture, low lag and four full HDMI 2.1 ports.
Read The Independent (IndyBest) review - 89est.TechRadar
Drawing on his full test, the writer calls the C5 the benchmark mid-range OLED for 2025.
Read TechRadar review - 89est.T3
An exceptional, refined OLED that the reviewer calls a no-brainer for picture performance and gaming.
Read T3 review - 85est.Business Insider
An excellent midrange OLED with accurate color, solid brightness and capable gaming.
Read Business Insider review - 85est.Popular Mechanics
Named best overall 4K TV in a tested guide, still recommended over its successor for value.
Read Popular Mechanics review - 83est.What Hi-Fi?
A brilliant small OLED and a solid entry point to OLED, but it is a modest step over the C4 and is no longer a no-brainer.
Read What Hi-Fi? review - 83est.Digital Trends
The reviewer finds the picture accurate and the contrast superb, and calls the C5 a worthy pick for movies and gaming.
Read Digital Trends review - 83est.Expert Reviews
Recommended for superb black levels, color accuracy and gaming, though the tested 48-inch size is dimmer and shows some dark-scene issues that cost it a full score.
Read Expert Reviews review - 77est.ZDNET
The reviewer loves the picture and slim design but finds the upgrades over the C4 minor for the price, suggesting a C4 may be as good for far less.
Read ZDNET review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Samsung S95F87
- What Hi-Fi? (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you want strong picture quality for the money and Dolby Vision support.
- Tom's Guide (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you want a strong mid-range OLED with Dolby Vision, or need a 42/48-inch size.
- TechRadar (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you want excellent picture quality without paying flagship prices.
vs TCL QM8K86
- Tom's Guide (2025) picks the LG C5 OLED.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other TVs critics rate highly
Compare head to head
Also reviewed, not yet scored
- TCL X11L · 3 reviews so far
- Sony Bravia 5 · 2 reviews so far
Common questions
Is the LG C5 OLED worth it?
Most critics think so: 11 of 12 recommend it. Only a small upgrade over the C4, and reflections show in bright rooms.
Do critics agree about the LG C5 OLED?
Broad agreement: scores range from 77 (ZDNET) to 95 (Tom's Guide), a spread of 18 points across 12 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the LG C5 OLED?
Price (3 of 12 reviews), Brightness (2 of 12 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the LG C5 OLED?
The Sony Bravia 9 II (critic score 90), best overall.