Not Samsung, Not Sony: This Is the Best Budget OLED TV (According to Reviewers)

In the ever-evolving world of television technology, certain brands have long been considered the gold standard for premium viewing experiences. Samsung and Sony have dominated the conversation for years, synonymous with cutting-edge innovation and breathtaking picture quality. But here’s the plot twist: the smartest TV purchase you can make right now isn’t from either of these industry titans. Instead, expert reviewers are pointing to a dark horse that’s been quietly revolutionizing the budget OLED market—LG’s B5 OLED.

Despite OLED technology’s reputation for premium pricing, LG has managed to crack the code on affordability without sacrificing the core benefits that make OLED displays so desirable. The B5 OLED delivers the deep blacks, infinite contrast ratios, and vibrant colors that have made OLED the darling of home theater enthusiasts, all while keeping the price tag firmly in the realm of “actually reasonable.”

The Expert Consensus: Rtings Crowns the LG B5 OLED Champion

When it comes to objective TV testing, few resources carry as much weight as Rtings.com. Their team of professional reviewers puts dozens of modern displays through rigorous testing protocols, evaluating everything from picture quality to gaming performance. After analyzing the entire OLED landscape, Rtings identified the LG B5 OLED as the definitive best budget option for 2026.

What makes this recommendation particularly noteworthy is that the B5 OLED doesn’t feel like a budget compromise. According to Rtings’ comprehensive testing, this display delivers “practically all of the cutting-edge features you could expect from an OLED TV.” The only areas where it falls short are color vividness and viewing angles compared to Samsung’s QD-OLED technology—differences that most viewers likely won’t notice in everyday use.

The price point seals the deal: at under $900 for the 55-inch model, the B5 OLED represents an exceptional value proposition. When you consider that many premium OLEDs from Samsung and Sony can cost two or three times as much, LG’s offering starts looking less like a budget option and more like a value genius move.

LG’s Reputation: Quality Without the Premium Markup

LG has cultivated a unique position in the television market over the past decade. While not traditionally positioned as a luxury brand like Samsung or Sony, LG has consistently delivered displays that punch above their weight class in terms of performance-to-price ratio. This isn’t to say LG can’t compete at the highest levels—in fact, the company produced some of the best smart TVs of 2025, demonstrating that they have the technical chops to go toe-to-toe with any competitor.

The B5 OLED exemplifies LG’s approach to the market: deliver the core experience that matters most to consumers without the premium markup that often comes with big-name branding. It’s a strategy that has earned LG a loyal following among value-conscious consumers who refuse to compromise on picture quality.

Why You Should Buy the LG B5 OLED

The LG B5 OLED is available in a range of screen sizes, from a compact 48 inches all the way up to a massive 83 inches. However, the 55-inch model has emerged as the sweet spot for most consumers, typically priced just under $850. This price point is particularly impressive when you consider what you’re getting: a display that showcases exactly why OLED technology has become the gold standard for home theater enthusiasts.

The fundamental advantage of OLED technology lies in its ability to produce perfect blacks. Unlike traditional LED/LCD displays that rely on backlighting, each pixel in an OLED display can be individually turned on or off. This means that when a scene calls for true darkness, those pixels simply shut off completely, resulting in what Rtings describes as “near-infinite contrast ratio.” The visual impact of this technology cannot be overstated—it creates a level of depth and realism that transforms movie nights and gaming sessions alike.

Rtings’ testing revealed that the B5 OLED handles brightness admirably for most viewing conditions. While it performs well in moderately lit rooms, users should be aware that it can show some glare in brightly lit environments. This is a common limitation across many OLED displays and something to consider based on your typical viewing setup.

Gamers will appreciate the B5’s 120Hz maximum refresh rate, which provides smooth motion handling for most modern games. However, competitive gamers should note that the display won’t support framerates above 120 frames per second. For the vast majority of users, though, this won’t be a limiting factor.

The Bigger Picture: OLED’s Evolution and Future

The LG B5 OLED represents more than just a great TV deal—it’s a milestone in the democratization of OLED technology. For years, OLED displays were the exclusive domain of deep-pocketed enthusiasts willing to pay premium prices for the ultimate viewing experience. LG’s aggressive pricing strategy with the B5 series suggests that OLED technology is finally reaching a point of mainstream affordability.

This shift has significant implications for the broader television market. As OLED becomes more accessible, it puts pressure on traditional LED/LCD manufacturers to innovate and compete on price. We’re already seeing this dynamic play out, with some manufacturers exploring hybrid technologies that attempt to replicate OLED’s black levels at lower price points.

Looking ahead, the trajectory for OLED pricing appears to be continuing downward. Industry analysts predict that as manufacturing scales up and competition intensifies, we could see OLED displays become even more affordable in the coming years. This means that consumers who can’t quite justify the current price points have a compelling reason to wait—but for those who want the OLED experience now, the B5 represents an inflection point where the technology finally becomes accessible to mainstream budgets.

The Verdict: LG’s Quiet Revolution

The television market has long been dominated by a few familiar names, but LG’s B5 OLED demonstrates that innovation and value can come from unexpected places. By focusing on delivering the core OLED experience—perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and vibrant colors—without the premium markup typically associated with this technology, LG has created a product that challenges the established order.

For consumers weighing their options in 2026, the choice is clear: if you want the best budget OLED experience, look beyond the familiar logos of Samsung and Sony. The LG B5 OLED delivers everything that makes OLED special at a price point that doesn’t require a second mortgage. It’s a testament to how competition drives innovation and how smart engineering can make premium technology accessible to everyone.

Whether you’re setting up a dedicated home theater, upgrading your living room entertainment system, or looking for the perfect gaming display, the LG B5 OLED deserves serious consideration. It proves that sometimes the best technology isn’t the most expensive—it’s the one that delivers the most value for your investment.

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