OLED vs. QLED, which is best?

What is an OLED TV?

OLED TVs use “organic light-emitting diode” panels. Unlike QLED TVs, which use LCD screens, OLED TVs are an entirely different type of display technology. 

OLED TVs don’t need backlights at all. Instead, each subpixel in an OLED is capable of emitting its own light. This enables pixel-level precision over contrast and black levels, something that QLEDs can’t achieve.

OLED TVs are available in the US from LG, Sony, and Vizio. There are a few different variations on OLED TV technology, but most models offer very similar picture quality. LG brands its high-end sets as “OLED Evo,” which is meant to distinguish their higher brightness capabilities.

Here are some of our OLED TV’s;

What is a QLED TV?

QLED TVs are a type of LCD (liquid crystal display) that use an advanced color technology called quantum dots. Like other LCD TVs, these displays use LED (light-emitting diode) backlights to illuminate their screens. 

This is where the “QLED” branding comes from: manufacturers simply married the “Q” from quantum dots with “LED.” But, the “QLED” acronym is more of a marketing term than a truly separate TV technology.

In other words, when you buy a QLED TV you’re really buying an LED-backlit LCD TV that just happens to have quantum dots. That said, quantum dots are a cool feature and they can make a big difference when it comes to picture quality.

Here are some of our QLED TV’s;

The bottom line

QLED TVs and OLED TVs both have pros and cons, but OLED tech’s infinite contrast ratio and wide viewing angles simply win out.

New advancements are also set to take OLED performance to a new level in 2022. The world’s first QD-OLED TVs will hit the market later this year from Sony and Samsung. These OLED displays incorporate quantum dots for even better color capabilities. Based on initial preview testing with Sony’s model, it still doesn’t look like QD-OLED will be able to compete with the brightness of a QLED, but the technology does help bridge that gap even more.