OLED vs QLED: which TV technology should you choose?
Two very different ways to make a picture. One wins in dark rooms, the other in bright ones. Here's how they compare.
By TechStore Editorial · · Updated
OLED and QLED are the two premium TV technologies you'll see in every shop. They sound alike but work in completely different ways, and the right choice depends mostly on your room.
How they work
OLED pixels make their own light. Each one can switch off completely, which gives perfect blacks and pixel-level contrast with no backlight at all.
QLED is an LCD TV with a quantum-dot layer that improves colour and brightness. The picture is lit by a backlight behind the panel; better models use many small LED zones (Mini LED) that dim independently to improve contrast.
Side by side
| OLED | QLED | |
|---|---|---|
| Black level and contrast | Perfect blacks, best in class | Very good with local dimming, some blooming around bright objects |
| Peak brightness | Good, improving every year | Usually higher, best for bright rooms |
| Viewing angles | Excellent from the side | Narrower on many models |
| Motion | Near-instant pixel response | Good; varies by model |
| Burn-in risk | Low with modern panels, but static logos over long periods can leave traces | None |
Which should you buy?
- Mostly evening viewing, films and gaming in a dim room: OLED. The contrast is hard to beat.
- A bright living room with lots of daytime TV: QLED, especially a Mini LED model, copes better with sunlight.
- News channels or a games console left on a static screen for hours every day: QLED avoids any burn-in worry.
Don't forget
Check the sizes on offer against your seating distance, look for HDMI 2.1 ports if you have a current games console, and remember that large TVs (55 inches and up) come with two-person delivery.