If you’re looking for the smallest OLED TV available today, you won’t find any models smaller than 55 inches.
The two major players are LG and Sony, with both brands having models measuring 55″. LG’s latest 55-inch model is called the C8 and Sony’s most recent offering is named the A1E.
While both the LG and the Sony OLED TVs offer a state-of-art viewing experience, the LG is significantly cheaper and delivers incredible picture quality which is every bit as good as the Sony. The LG C8 has proved very popular for those that need top video performance, especially with new HDR content.
The C8 might appear expensive when you compare it with a good LCD TV, but the picture quality is better than any LCD on the market (and it holds its own in the company of much more expensive OLED TVs, too). The C8 is a great choice for any videophile who needs first-class image quality from his TV to enjoy movies and video games to their fullest.
Best OLED TVs for 2018 and their sizes
Why choose an OLED TV?
Trying to find the best TV is like trying to choose the best leaf on the tree, in that the vast majority of TVs look exactly the same – that is unless you’re looking at an OLED-equipped model.
Get yourself down to your local department store and you will notice that when compared to even the best LCD TVs, an OLED TV just looks better. A lot of this is due to the brighter colors and inkier blacks that OLED TVs can produce.
The main reason why OLED TVs look so much better is that they don’t need a backlight. Non-OLED TV screens are built with a panel of pixels and some kind of light source that shines through the LCD panel. This tech is now getting rather dated and cannot compete with the latest OLED technology.
Smallest OLED TV (and also the best) – The LG C8
The LG C8 OLED TV has the best HDR image quality we’ve ever seen, is every bit as good as high-end OLED TVs, is substantially cheaper than its rivals, and is a breeze to set up and use.
The smallest OLED TV available from LG has awesome image quality and is built to support the latest HDR technology. All of your favorite video and audio streaming services are supported on its WebOS smart TV platform.
Film nuts will also love that they have more control over the image than with Sony’s A1E so for once, buying a more expensive model doesn’t get you a higher image quality, making the C8 the best OLED TV for the money right now.
You may not know that LG is currently the only company that makes OLED TV screens and it also supplies them to its rivals – Sony and Panasonic. Regarding connectivity, there are 4 HDMI ports on the C8, plus 3 USBs, 1 optical, and 1 cable, along with all of the usual ports you usually get.
The LG C8 has excellent downward-facing speakers and it is also Dolby Atmos capable. While the sound is pretty good, you would still be well-advised to get yourself a decent soundbar for the ultimate cinematic experience.
LG Electronics OLED55C8PUA 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV (2018 Model)
- LG OLED TV with AI (Artificial Intelligence) ThinQ has the Google Assistant built in, so you can control compatible smart home devices using just your voice through the LG Magic Remote. Create a center for your smart home and beyond. Plus it works with Amazon Alexa devices (sold separately)
- LG OLED TV with AI (Artificial Intelligence) ThinQ has the Google Assistant built in, so you can control compatible smart home devices using just your voice through the LG Magic Remote. Create a center for your smart home and beyond. Plus it works with Amazon Alexa devices (sold separately)
- The α9 Intelligent Processor inside the LG OLED TV with AI ThinQ is the most powerful ever from LG. Developed exclusively for LG OLED TV, the new α9 processor noticeably enhances sharpness and depth while delivering vastly more accurate colors, for the ultimate in picture quality
- Pixel Level Dimming enables each of the 8.3 million individually lit pixels of the LG OLED TV with AI ThinQ to brighten, dim or power off completely, achieving perfect black and displaying a level of picture detail impossible with any other television technology
- 4K Cinema HDR on LG OLED TV with AI ThinQ features comprehensive support of major high dynamic range formats including Dolby Vision, as well as HDR10 and HLG, both with LG’s advanced tone mapping technology that provides scene by scene optimization
- Dolby Atmos is the same audio technology developed for state of the art cinemas, with immersive sound that appears to come from everywhere, putting you in the middle of all the excitement
- LG OLED Display uses the latest panels, with brighter, self illuminating pixels that deliver perfect black and intense color. LG OLED TV with AI ThinQ brings movies, sports, games and more to thrilling new life
- Inputs: 4 HDMI, 3 USB, 1 RF, 1 Composite in, 1 Ethernet, 1 Optical, 1 RS232C (Mini Jack) and Audio Return Channel Support via HDMI
- Dimensions (Wx H x D): TV without stand 48.3" x 27.8" x 1.8", TV with stand: 48.3" x 29.8" x 9.1"
- LG OLED Display uses the latest panels, with brighter, self illuminating pixels that deliver perfect black and intense color. LG OLED TV with AI ThinQ brings movies, sports, games and more to thrilling new life
- Inputs: 4 HDMI, 3 USB, 1 RF, 1 Composite in, 1 Ethernet, 1 Optical, 1 RS232C (Mini Jack) and Audio Return Channel Support via HDMI
- Dimensions (Wx H x D): TV without stand 48.3" x 27.8" x 1.8", TV with stand: 48.3" x 29.8" x 9.1"
So if you’re looking for the smallest OLED TV on the market (and more importantly – the best, here it is (and yes, Google Assistant is included).
Runner-up for best 55-inch OLED TV – The Sony A1E
The A1E is the smallest OLED TV made by Sony. It’s a great TV and has slightly better audio quality than the LG C8, but where it cannot compete is with its HDR image and it also has a slightly more complicated user interface.
The Sony and LG look nearly identical when watching SDR content, but when it comes to HDR, the LG is significantly better, thanks to the new Dynamic Tone Mapping function which enables you to see every detail on the screen.
Our only other small gripes with the Sony A1E OLED TV are that its wall-mounting system isn’t as stylish, and its Android TV operating system isn’t as quick or easy to use as the WebOS system on the LG C8.
What we do love, however, is the unique “easel-style” stand, which is designed so that the bottom of the TV can rest on a surface without any gap underneath it. It doesn’t take long to set up and once the heavy piece of the stand is locked into position, a stabilizing bar keeps it locked in position.
Regarding the A1’s audio, it’s pretty darn good and that’s in part due to a small subwoofer mounted on the rear of the unit. While it delivers wicked sound, no TV sound system will ever be a substitute for a good quality soundbar (but it far exceeds that of most TV sound systems).
Unlike the LG, the Sony A1E OLED TV isn’t built with conventional speakers. In fact, Sony’s OLED screen is the speaker system! This innovative idea is achieved by placing small vibrating transducers behind the screen which create a near-soundbar-like experience.
The Sony runs the Android TV platform and comes with some cool features. The first is that the TV has Google Cast built-in, the second is that the TV can be controlled by Google Assistant, and the third is that you can control the TV (and its launch programs) with Amazon’s digital assistant Alexa.
Sony XBR55A1E 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart BRAVIA OLED TV (2017 Model),...
- Works with Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately).
- Dimensions (W x H x D): TV without stand: 48.4" x 28" x 3.5", TV with stand: 48.4" x 28" x 13.4"
- Smart functionality gives you access to your favorite apps and content using Sony’s Android TV.
- Works with Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately).
- Dimensions (W x H x D): TV without stand: 48.4" x 28" x 3.5", TV with stand: 48.4" x 28" x 13.4"
- Smart functionality gives you access to your favorite apps and content using Sony’s Android TV.
- Pairs 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with the contrast, color, and detail of High Dynamic Range (HDR) for the most lifelike picture.
- The OLED panel’s native 120Hz refresh rate is enhanced by Motionflow XR gives you the fast moving action scenes with no motion blur.
- Inputs: 4 – HDMI, 2 - USB2.0, 1 – USB3.0, 1 – Composite
- In the box: Voice Remote Control (RMF-TX201U), Batteries (R03), AC Power Cord Spec (US, 2pin, flat blades, Polarity), IR Blaster (1-849-161-12), Operating Instructions, Quick Setup Guide / Supplement CUE (GA), Table Top Stand (Separate, assemble required)
If you enjoyed this article, you may also like to know if you should buy a TCL TV? from our tech section.
