Best TV under £1500

Picture quality is the most heavily weighted criterion because at the under-£1500 price point, buyers expect exceptional visual performance. All four TVs in this comparison deliver excellent pictures, but the technology differences produce distinct viewing experiences.

The LG OLED65C3 scores 10/10. Its WOLED panel produces perfect blacks with an infinite contrast ratio, which creates a sense of depth and dimensionality that LED panels cannot replicate. Dark scenes in films look natural and detailed, with no backlight bleed or halo effects. The Alpha 9 Gen 6 processor improves colour accuracy and upscaling compared to the C2, producing more natural skin tones and smoother gradients. Dolby Vision support ensures that HDR content from Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+ is rendered with scene-by-scene dynamic metadata.

The Samsung S95C 55-inch also scores 10/10. Its second-generation QD-OLED panel combines OLED's self-emissive contrast with quantum dots that produce a wider colour gamut and higher peak brightness. Reds and greens are more saturated than on the LG, and HDR highlights are more impactful at approximately 1300 nits. The S95C matches the LG on picture quality but through a different set of strengths: the Samsung favours vibrancy and brightness while the LG favours purity and contrast.

The Sony A80L 65-inch scores 9/10. It uses the same WOLED panel technology as the LG but benefits from Sony's XR Cognitive Processor, which analyses content in a way that mimics human visual processing. The result is more natural motion handling, superior upscaling and the most realistic skin tones in this comparison. Its peak brightness of approximately 850 nits is slightly lower than the LG C3.

The Samsung QN90C 65-inch scores 8/10. Its Neo QLED panel with Mini-LED backlighting produces outstanding brightness at approximately 1800 nits and very good contrast with over 500 local dimming zones. However, even the best Mini-LED cannot match OLED's contrast in dark scenes, and some blooming is visible around bright objects on dark backgrounds.

Screen size is rated critical because it directly affects the viewing experience and is one of the most impactful differences in this comparison. A 65-inch TV provides approximately 40% more screen area than a 55-inch model, which creates a noticeably more immersive experience for films and gaming.

The LG OLED65C3, Sony A80L and Samsung QN90C all score 10/10 at 65 inches. For the average UK living room with a viewing distance of 2 to 3 metres, 65 inches fills the field of vision effectively without feeling overwhelming. The larger screen also means that 4K resolution becomes more apparent, which is important for buyers who want to see the full benefit of ultra-high-definition content.

The Samsung S95C scores 7/10 at 55 inches. While the QD-OLED picture quality is exceptional, the smaller screen means less immersion at typical viewing distances. The 65-inch S95C exists but its price exceeds the £1500 budget. Buyers who prioritise screen size over the absolute best picture technology will find the LG C3 or Sony A80L more satisfying.

Gaming performance is rated important because a significant proportion of TV buyers at this price point use their TV with a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. At under £1500, buyers reasonably expect full next-generation gaming support.

The LG OLED65C3 and Samsung S95C both score 9/10. The LG supports 4K at 120Hz, VRR and ALLM across all four HDMI 2.1 ports with approximately 9ms input lag. The Samsung supports 4K at 144Hz with approximately 9ms input lag. Both provide near-instant pixel response times that eliminate motion blur. The LG's advantage is its 65-inch screen size, which provides a more immersive gaming experience. The Samsung's advantage is its 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium Pro certification.

The Sony A80L scores 7/10. It supports 4K at 120Hz and VRR but has only two HDMI 2.1 ports and input lag of approximately 14ms. This is fast enough for all but the most competitive gaming but is noticeably slower than the LG and Samsung in direct comparison.

The Samsung QN90C scores 8/10 with 4K at 144Hz, four HDMI 2.1 ports and approximately 10ms input lag. Its high brightness is a genuine advantage for gaming in bright rooms, but its LCD response times mean some motion blur is visible compared to the OLED options.

All four TVs in this comparison fall between £1299 and £1399, making the value assessment about capability per pound rather than absolute price differences.

The LG OLED65C3 at approximately £1399 scores 8/10. A 65-inch OLED with full gaming features at this price would have been unthinkable three years ago. The C3 provides exceptional value for buyers who want the largest possible OLED screen under £1500.

The Samsung S95C at approximately £1349 scores 8/10. The 55-inch QD-OLED delivers arguably the best raw picture quality in this comparison, but the smaller screen size means you receive less physical TV per pound than the 65-inch alternatives.

The Sony A80L at approximately £1299 scores 8/10 as the most affordable option in this comparison. Its picture processing is excellent and the 65-inch screen size provides strong immersion, though its gaming features trail the LG and Samsung.

The Samsung QN90C at approximately £1399 scores 7/10. It is the best choice for bright rooms but its QLED panel cannot match OLED contrast, which means buyers watching in dimmed conditions would be paying the same price for a less impressive picture than the LG or Sony OLEDs.