TechTvsLG C2 OLED review: the best OLED TV for most peopleThe LG C2 delivers a clear step up in picture quality over the older OLED model, and offers future-proofed connectivityWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: LG)T3 VerdictThe LG C2 combines brighter OLED panel performance with a slick new design… as long as you buy its larger models. Overall, it’s an irresistible high-end TV proposition for movie fans, gamers and sports addicts. It’s absolutely outstanding, even at the higher price.Reasons to buy+High brightness OLED panel (in larger models)+Fantastic image processing+All ports have full HDMI 2.1 featuresReasons to avoid-On-board audio could be more immersive-Price increase compared to last yearWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechTvsLG C2 OLED review: the best OLED TV for most peopleThe LG C2 delivers a clear step up in picture quality over the older OLED model, and offers future-proofed connectivityWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: LG)T3 VerdictThe LG C2 combines brighter OLED panel performance with a slick new design… as long as you buy its larger models. Overall, it’s an irresistible high-end TV proposition for movie fans, gamers and sports addicts. It’s absolutely outstanding, even at the higher price.Reasons to buy+High brightness OLED panel (in larger models)+Fantastic image processing+All ports have full HDMI 2.1 featuresReasons to avoid-On-board audio could be more immersive-Price increase compared to last yearWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The LG C2 delivers a clear step up in picture quality over the older OLED model, and offers future-proofed connectivity
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: LG)T3 VerdictThe LG C2 combines brighter OLED panel performance with a slick new design… as long as you buy its larger models. Overall, it’s an irresistible high-end TV proposition for movie fans, gamers and sports addicts. It’s absolutely outstanding, even at the higher price.Reasons to buy+High brightness OLED panel (in larger models)+Fantastic image processing+All ports have full HDMI 2.1 featuresReasons to avoid-On-board audio could be more immersive-Price increase compared to last year
(Image credit: LG)
(Image credit: LG)
T3 VerdictThe LG C2 combines brighter OLED panel performance with a slick new design… as long as you buy its larger models. Overall, it’s an irresistible high-end TV proposition for movie fans, gamers and sports addicts. It’s absolutely outstanding, even at the higher price.Reasons to buy+High brightness OLED panel (in larger models)+Fantastic image processing+All ports have full HDMI 2.1 featuresReasons to avoid-On-board audio could be more immersive-Price increase compared to last year
T3 VerdictThe LG C2 combines brighter OLED panel performance with a slick new design… as long as you buy its larger models. Overall, it’s an irresistible high-end TV proposition for movie fans, gamers and sports addicts. It’s absolutely outstanding, even at the higher price.
T3 Verdict
The LG C2 combines brighter OLED panel performance with a slick new design… as long as you buy its larger models. Overall, it’s an irresistible high-end TV proposition for movie fans, gamers and sports addicts. It’s absolutely outstanding, even at the higher price.
Reasons to buy+High brightness OLED panel (in larger models)+Fantastic image processing+All ports have full HDMI 2.1 featuresReasons to avoid-On-board audio could be more immersive-Price increase compared to last year
Reasons to buy+High brightness OLED panel (in larger models)+Fantastic image processing+All ports have full HDMI 2.1 features
High brightness OLED panel (in larger models)
Fantastic image processing
All ports have full HDMI 2.1 features
Reasons to avoid-On-board audio could be more immersive-Price increase compared to last year
On-board audio could be more immersive
Price increase compared to last year
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Today’s best deals on LG C2 at all sizesLG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all pricesLG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on LG C2 at all sizesLG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all pricesLG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on LG C2 at all sizesLG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all pricesLG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on LG C2 at all sizes
LG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all pricesLG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED42C2
LG OLED42C2
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LG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED48C2
LG OLED48C2
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LG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all prices
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LG OLED55C2
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LG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all prices
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LG OLED83C2
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However, there was a sobering increase in the price tag at launch, and it’s important to note that the 42-inch and 48-inch versions don’t get the same brightness improvements that larger models do. However, prices have fallen, and withBlack Friday Dealsupon us this is one of the best TVs to buy during the sales.
It’s one of thebest TVson the planet today, no question, and is especially one of thebest LG TVsandbest gaming TVs– but it has tough competition from 2022’s more affordable mini-LED TVs and it’s only the 55-inch and up models that get the full effect of its image quality improvements, so just keep that in mind as we dig through all the ways it impressed us.
LG C2 OLED: price & release date
The LG C2 was released in April 2022. In total there are six C2 OLED television sizes available, covering 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches.
In the US, the 42-inch version costs $1,399, the 48-inch version costs $1,499, the 55-inch version costs $1,799, the 65-inch version costs $2,499, the 77-inch version costs $3,499, and the 84-inch version costs $5,499.
The LG C2 is stacked with next-gen connectivity, which is too rare in TVs even at the same price.(Image credit: Future)
The LG C2 is stacked with next-gen connectivity, which is too rare in TVs even at the same price.
The LG C2 is stacked with next-gen connectivity, which is too rare in TVs even at the same price.
(Image credit: Future)
LG C2 review: features & what’s new
The LG C2 features OLED Evo tech, which LG’s way of saying it combines an advanced panel design with some Brightness Booster gadgetry and LG’s latest processor, the Alpha 9 Gen 5.
Hailed as the most powerful chip yet from the brand, the Alpha 9 Gen 5 has the processing chops to execute a variety of far-reaching image enhancing techniques, including AI object enhancement, which aims to separate foreground elements from their background to process them, for a greater sense of visual depth, and dynamic tone mapping. All of this works in the background, it’s not something you need to get involved with.
The set’s input lag is OK. We measured latency at 13.1ms with 1080/60 content, Game mode engaged. But this is just the tip of a gaming iceberg. LG’s Game Optimizer interface offers a wealth of control for console and PC users, including game genre specific presets – and makes it easy to make the most of its four HDMI 2.1 connections.
Having all of its HDMI ports support VRR/4K 120Hz/ALLM is excellent, because it means that however many gaming devices you have or will have in the future, you’ve definitely got enough next-gen ports for make the most of them. It’s peace of mind for gamers, basically. Support for all forms of VRR (including FreeSync Pro and G-Sync) only adds to this – this is absolutely one of thebest TVs for PS5because of all this.
The LG C2 delivers a brighter panel than last year’s LG C1… at most sizes.(Image credit: LG)
The LG C2 delivers a brighter panel than last year’s LG C1… at most sizes.
The LG C2 delivers a brighter panel than last year’s LG C1… at most sizes.
(Image credit: LG)
LG OLED C2 review: picture quality
Here’s the headline news: the LG C2 delivers a significant advance in picture quality over its predecessor, the LG C1… but it’s more significant at some sizes than others.
The model we reviewed is brighter for one thing, making it an easier watch when it comes to daylight viewing, because it’s more likely to break through reflections and ambient light.
The uplift in average picture brightness is most evident in Standard and Eco picture defaults. These come with TruMotion in its Natural setting, and are perfect for afternoon telly and evening dramas alike.
The much vaunted brightness boosting technology employed here clearly makes a substantial difference to HDR performance too. There’s no hardware component to the Brightness Booster on this model (that’s reserved for theLG G2, which can go even brighter), but it works its magic with some clever algorithms.
The Alpha 9 Gen 5 processor is able to analyse images in real time, identifying where a picture is brighter and where it is darker. The algorithm then intelligently steers energy to give those brighter areas of the picture an extra boost.
When it comes to films, I rate the set’s Cinema Home mode as the best option. I think it gives a rather more punchy approach to movies, more so than the Filmmaker mode which can look a little flat, with increased mid-tone luminance. There’s a partnering Cinematic Movement TruMotion preset which is suitably filmic.
Other image smoothing modes include Natural, Smooth Movement (for sports) and a user adjustable setting with variable de-judder and de-blur.
Colour fidelity in its various Cinema modes is excellent, but if you want to see the set at its most ribald, take a run at the Vivid setting. It turbocharges greens and reds to almost cartoonish levels. For live-action content it’s simply too oversaturated to watch, this despite claims from LG that it had tuned down colour excess. You will definitely appreciate the balance and verisimilitude of the Cinema mode afterwards.
Peak HDR performance is extremely good. Using the Standard image preset, measured straight out of the box, the C2 delivers HDR peaks upwards of 810 nits. That’s a notable jump over the LG C1’s 750 nits – though I should mention that the LG G2 is capable of hitting 950 nits. Full field white screens also look significantly brighter than those on its predecessor.
However, we’re discussing the 65-inch model here for these brightness measurements. Sadly, the 48-inch and 42-inch models don’t include the higher brightness tech, and you should expect brightness at the same level as the LG C1. That’s still very respectable, but there’s no question that the 55-inch and up LG C2 models deliver visibly more HDR punch.
The LG C2 features an ultra-thin panel, with a chunkier section for the speakers, processing and ports.(Image credit: LG)
The LG C2 features an ultra-thin panel, with a chunkier section for the speakers, processing and ports.
The LG C2 features an ultra-thin panel, with a chunkier section for the speakers, processing and ports.
(Image credit: LG)
LG C2 review: sound quality
The LG C2 lacks the immersive speaker array you get from something like theSamsung QN95B, but it does a surprisingly decent job with what it has.
Select AI Sound Pro (during the initial setup) and the TV adds a level of sonic brightness to its presentation. Rather cleverly, audio appears to project forward from the screen, rather than directed down from the base of the set (which is where the speakers actually are). For most users this would be the preferred way of listening, at least when not used with one of thebest soundbars for LG TVs.
If you want to hear audio without any surround effects or voice enhancement, opt for the Standard mode.
The LG C2’s remote is one of the best around – the point-and-click system is really slick.(Image credit: Future)
The LG C2’s remote is one of the best around – the point-and-click system is really slick.
The LG C2’s remote is one of the best around – the point-and-click system is really slick.
(Image credit: Future)
LG C2 OLED review: design & usability
The LG C2 is astonishingly slim and surprisingly light, a result of a change in materials which brings rigidity to the back panel without excessive weight. The panel itself has a whisper thin border, so there’s little to distract you from its images. The screen sits on a central pedestal, which I think looks a lot better than the wide lip used last year. It’s also more practical when it comes to supporting AV furniture.
As well as the four HDMI 2.1 ports (HDMI 2 is flagged as being HDMI ARC/eARC ready), there’s an optical digital audio output, and Ethernet in addition to Wi-Fi.
LG’s Magic remote control has slimmed down too. It feels like a more conventional wand in the hand, but still uses LG’s cursor-based pointer system. The remote comes with dedicated buttons forNetflix,Disney+, Rakuten TV and Prime Video.
The TV is also compatible withGoogleAssistant andAmazon Alexa. These smart assistants allow you to change channels, search content, and control smart home devices with voice commands, working in tandem with LG’s ThinQ smart platform.
LG C2 OLED review: verdict
Thanks to its brighter panel and all-new Alpha 9 Gen 5 processor, LG has managed to deliver a new level of picture performance from the C2 OLED… at sizes of 55 inches and up anyway. Its 4K images are refined and smooth, with pronounced dynamic range, and upscaling has never looked better. Simply put, this is a gorgeous telly to watch.
Couple this visual prowess with an enviable feature spread, including Game Optimizer for next-gen gamers, and you have a screen with huge appeal. To see one is to want one.
It also means while we can accept the raised price of the LG C2 at launch compared to the C1 for the models that offer the brighter screen, it’s harder to stomach for the smaller models, which don’t offer such an image quality leap.
Also consider
If you can spend the extra, the LG G2 is an even bigger jump in picture quality than the LG C2 – the extra brightness is whole new level of HDR, and the G2 really does offer the pinnacle of OLED image quality right now. However, it’s more expensive, it’s only available in 55 inches and up, and it doesn’t come with any kind of stand, but a special flush wall mount instead (though you can buy a stand). Here’s our fullLG G2 review.
If you’re looking at buying the LG C2 at launch, the really big competitor is probably… the LG C1. Still available at the time of writing, but now priced at around 30% cheaper than the launch price of the LG C2, it’s extremely good value for money. You still get high-end processing, you still get four HDMI 2.1 ports and a full suite of gaming features, and you still get fantastic HDR performance – just not as good as the LG C2 at larger sizes. Here’s our fullLG C1 review, and we’ve got anLG C2 vs LG C1comparison if you want more info.
Today’s best deals on LG C2 at all sizesLG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all pricesLG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on LG C2 at all sizesLG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all pricesLG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on LG C2 at all sizesLG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all pricesLG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on LG C2 at all sizes
LG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all pricesLG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all pricesLG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED42C2$996.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED42C2
LG OLED42C2
$996.95View
$996.95
$996.95
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LG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED48C2$1,499.99$914.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED48C2
LG OLED48C2
$1,499.99$914.95View
$1,499.99$914.95
$914.95
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LG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all prices
LG OLED55C2$1,799.99ViewSee all prices
LG OLED55C2
LG OLED55C2
$1,799.99View
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LG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED83C2$3,146.95ViewSee all prices
LG OLED83C2
LG OLED83C2
$3,146.95View
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$3,146.95
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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