OLED vs. LED: A Simple Look at Smart TV Displays
You want to see every line on an actor’s face, feel every explosion in an intense battle scene, and hear every note in a dramatic soundtrack. From Affleck to Zellweger and everything in between, you know your Hollywood trivia. So when you’re watching your favorite flicks, a quality viewing screen matters!
But, with so many different displays and features on the market these days, how are you supposed to pick the best TV for your epic movie nights? Follow along, and we’ll help you choose between two of the most popular TV displays: OLED vs. LED.
OLED TV: Low-Profile TV, High-Profile Picture Quality
“LED” and “OLED” are only one letter apart, and they share lots of similarities. When you compare OLED vs. LED TVs, one of the major differences is the type of light used in the display.
OLED TVs contain thousand (if not millions!) of individual lights, so they don’t require a backlight and won’t use as much energy as an LED TV. While both OLED and LED TVs have Ultra HD 4K capabilities, the individual pixel lights in OLED TVs create darker blacks, richer contrast, and point-by-point lighting adjustments for stunning on-screen color and vibrant image quality.
Avid gamers will appreciate the quick input response time and refresh rate of OLED TVs, and those with an eye for clean home design will appreciate its razor-thin profile.
OLEDs weigh less than LED TVs, which means they can easily be moved to seamlessly blend in with a room’s décor.
OLED TV technology is still fairly new, so these TVs typically come in smaller sizes than LED TVs. Don’t worry, though—you can still get a display of at least 65-70 inches with an OLED TV, which is big enough for most living rooms or bedrooms.
LED TV: When Bigger and Brighter Is Better
LED TVs have been around for a few decades now, and they’ve certainly come a long way. LED TVs have proven to last for at least 4-5 years with regular use.
Families who like to host large groups of friends for movie nights or game watching parties will appreciate the larger size options offered by LED TVs, but keep in mind that the picture on an LED TV can look different from certain angles.
LED TVs are optimally viewed while sitting dead center in front of the screen, which makes them a fantastic fit for a media room with theater-style seating. But for those who have a sprawling living room setup with multiple couches and seating areas, viewing quality on an LED screen could suffer from certain areas in the room.
Think about where your TV will be in your home. Does the location get lots of sunlight? If so, an LED TV could be your best bet. Unlike OLED TVs, LEDs contain a backlight which can turn up the brightness on your screen and compete with glaring sunlight. Don’t let afternoon light ruin your mid-day movie marathon!
OLED vs. LED TV: Which One Is Best for Your Living Room?
| LED | OLED | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | |
|
| Picture Quality | 4K Universal HD capability | 4K Universal HD capability, with more contrast and richer color spectrum, better HDR |
| Brightness | Excellent, even in bright rooms | Good, but best in rooms that don’t have glaring or excessive light |
| Size | Up to 75 inches | Up to 65 inches |
| Longevity | At least 4-5 years | Not fully known, since the technology is still relatively new |
| Energy Use | High energy use, because it requires a backlight | Low energy use |
Find Your Rent-to-Own TV at Rent-A-Center
It’s never been easier to upgrade your family’s TV experience with a new rent-to-own TV. Start an online order now, and head to your local Rent-A-Center to compare OLED and LED TVs side-by-side. Isn’t it time you upgraded your living room with a state-of-the-art TV?