Yes, there is such a thing as a bad OLED TV — here are 3 OLEDs I recommend and 1 I don’t.
OLED TVs are attracting a lot of attention – and for good reason. Thanks to the backlight-less hardware, these premium sets are capable of doing amazing things that even the best Mini-LED TVs can’t pull off.
It’s not just the best OLED TVs that impress, either. The self-illuminating pixels of an OLED display have such a positive impact on picture quality that even entry-level OLED TVs are stunningly gorgeous.
Despite the high percentage of OLED TVs that work very well, there is something something like OLED is not worth buying. With that in mind, here are three entry-level OLED TVs I’d buy right now — and one model I’d avoid.
1. LG B5
LG’s latest-level OLED TV is not only one of the most cost-effective ways to secure the new LG OLED, it’s also one of the best LG TVs, period. You just have to consider its price and overall value.
The B5’s entry-level hardware can’t compete with the likes of the LG C5 and G5 OLED, but it’s still a uniquely designed TV that offers many of the same features you’ll find in those higher-end models.
Tradeoff — a tradeoff that is more or less standard everything affordable OLED TVs — that the B5 isn’t as bright or colorful as the mid-range C5 and flagship G5. That added brightness admittedly goes a long way toward creating a sense of depth and realism, especially during newer, HDR-capable content.
Its relatively low price and wide range of sizes are two reasons why I often recommend the B5 to friends, family and colleagues.
But limited brightness is a bit of a deal-breaker when dealing with OLED displays. The B5’s ability to provide perfect black levels means our eyes see high brightness, and this is especially true when viewing in a dimly lit or dark room.
As mentioned, the B5 comes with a number of the same features you’ll enjoy on the C5 and G5. It will benefit greatly from current generation consoles and comes with LG’s webOS smart platform built-in.
Its relatively low price and wide range of sizes are two reasons why I have often recommended the B5 to friends, family and colleagues in recent months. The 48-inch version of the B5 is just $649 at Best Buy right now, which is an amazing price for a screen size big enough for small spaces.
As you will soon learn, every OLED TV I see for sale in its class compromises on performance and features. But the B5’s compromises include some of the lowest prices you’ll find in the OLED class.
2. Samsung S85F
If you’re willing to spend more than you would on the LG B5, Samsung’s entry-level rival OLED TV is another viable option for OLED buyers looking to save money. Depending on the screen size, you may enjoy the S85F’s high performance.
The 55 and 65-inch versions of the S85F use Samsung Display’s advanced quantum dot OLED display. Think of it as a souped-up version of the LG B5’s standard OLED display, as the addition of a quantum dot layer allows for brighter, purer color and higher brightness overall.
Like the B5, the S85F also packs a series of streaming- and gaming-related features. The only notable missing feature is Dolby Vision support, which no Samsung TV offers. Another caveat is that the 77- and 83-inch models of the S85F do not use QD-OLED panels.
Many would view the prices of the S85F series to be closer to mid-range status than entry level, but it is still relatively low for an OLED TV in 2026. The 55-inch Samsung S85F is $1,199 at Best Buy right now — about $300 more than the 55-inch B5. If you do a fair amount of TV viewing during the day (or in a brightly lit room), the S85F’s punchier picture in the 55- and 65-inch sizes may be worth the extra cost.
3. Panasonic Z85A
As an older model, you can get the Z85A at a much lower price than its original price.
This wonky Panasonic OLED was launched in 2024, but successfully sat on the shelves until 2026. As an older model, you can find the Z85A a lot lower than its original price.
Despite the fact that this OLED series has seen a journey around the sun, I still recommend it to people hoping to save money on an OLED TV. Like the B5, the Z85A makes good use of a standard WOLED-style panel. Another similarity is its comprehensive collection of gaming features and support for Dolby Vision.
The value of the Z85A really starts to show itself when you factor in the current prices. Right now, the 55-inch Panasonic Z85A is just $747 on Amazon — slightly less than the 55-inch LG B5 and a lot it’s low compared to the 55-inch Samsung S85F.
One important thing to remember is that the Z85A uses Amazon’s Fire TV smart platform. It’s not my favorite, but Amazon is rolling out Fire TV updates in 2026 to select Fire TV devices, and the Z85A’s software could see UI changes and performance improvements as a result.
OLED to avoid: Sansui OLED
When the Sansui OLED made its debut, it carried the same price tag as the now two-year-old Panasonic Z85A. This has made it a great option for people buying an OLED TV on a budget.
These days, however, it is very difficult to find it at its original, low price. But that didn’t stop people from reaching out to me and asking if it was worth it or not.
As long as you can get a 55- or 65-inch Sansui OLED (B&H sells the 55-inch Sansui OLED for $549), still do not recommend picking it up. Unlike the first three OLED TVs on this list, the Sansui OLED doesn’t pack a ton of value once you weigh its price against the TV’s biggest shortcomings.
As we reported in our Sansui OLED review, this set is not at all bright – even among HDR content. As a result, it lacks the cinematic appeal of the LG B5, Samsung S85F and Panasonic Z85A.
Furthermore, we found the Sansui OLED Google TV to be frustrating, as the TV’s limited processing power made navigation smooth. It’s just not worth the trouble.
As mentioned, the 55 and 65-inch Sansui OLEDs are not easy to find. Even so, I still occasionally run into it when browsing television stock at big-name retailers.
If you’re looking to save money on an OLED-driven picture, stick to the first three on this list. There is something something like an OLED TV that compromises a lot in performance. Fortunately, they are becoming increasingly difficult to pass.
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