OLED vs QLED: Which TV Technology Wins the Picture Quality Battle in 2026?
Based on RTINGS testing, expert reviews, and real user experiences
The short answer: OLED wins this Death Match for most viewers. The perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and superior motion handling create a cinematic experience QLED can't match. Unless you're in an extremely bright room or paranoid about burn-in, OLED is the better TV. LG C5 OLED on Amazon for $1,296 →
The Fighters
| OLED | QLED | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,000+ on Amazon | $550+ on Amazon |
| Best For | Dark rooms, movies, gaming | Bright rooms, budget buyers |
| Contrast | Infinite (perfect blacks) | 5,000:1 to 20,000:1 |
| Peak Brightness | 1,000-2,000 nits | 1,500-5,000 nits |
| Burn-in Risk | Yes (with static content) | None |
The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner
We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!
Round 1: Picture Quality & Contrast
This is where OLED dominates. Each pixel produces its own light and turns completely off for perfect blacks—delivering infinite contrast ratios that QLED physically cannot achieve. In a What Hi-Fi? blind test, 29 out of 30 viewers chose OLED over QLED for contrast, motion, sharpness, and color.
QLED uses LED backlights with quantum dots for enhanced color. While premium models like the Hisense U8QG hit nearly 5,000 nits peak brightness, they suffer from "blooming"—halos of light around bright objects on dark backgrounds. Samsung Community forums are filled with complaints: "My new QLED has a very bad blooming issue...so bad my guests comment on it at movie night."
| OLED | QLED |
|---|---|
| 10/10 | 6/10 |
Round 1 Winner: OLED — Perfect blacks and zero blooming make this no contest.
Score after Round 1: OLED: 10 | QLED: 6
Round 2: Brightness & HDR Performance
QLED fights back here. Premium QLED TVs hit 2,000-5,000 nits versus OLED's typical 1,000-2,000 nits. In bright living rooms with lots of windows, QLED maintains punch where OLED can look washed out.
However, RTINGS notes that OLED's superior contrast means "if you want to see the full impact of HDR, OLED is the way to go." Those perfect blacks make highlights pop more dramatically than raw brightness alone.
The 2026 Samsung S95H promises 35% higher brightness than last year, narrowing this gap. But for now, QLED still wins the brightness war.
| OLED | QLED |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 9/10 |
Round 2 Winner: QLED — Raw brightness matters in sunny rooms.
Score after Round 2: OLED: 17 | QLED: 15
Round 3: Gaming & Motion Handling
OLED's near-instantaneous pixel response time (under 0.2ms) eliminates motion blur during fast action. For competitive gaming where every millisecond counts, RTINGS confirms OLED keeps "motion crisp with minimal blur."
QLED response times range from 2-8ms—not terrible, but noticeably slower. Fast camera pans and action sequences show more smearing. The LG C5 and Samsung S95F both support 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM for next-gen consoles, but OLED's motion clarity gives it the edge.
| OLED | QLED |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 7/10 |
Round 3 Winner: OLED — Response time is physics, and OLED wins.
Score after Round 3: OLED: 26 | QLED: 22
Round 4: Burn-in Risk & Longevity
QLED's biggest advantage: zero burn-in risk. The backlight technology simply doesn't degrade unevenly like organic pixels.
OLED burn-in remains real but overblown. RTINGS' longevity testing showed "all OLED TVs are now showing signs of permanent burn-in" after 18 months of accelerated testing. An AVS Forum poll found 5.6% experienced significant burn-in, with another 15% showing minor issues.
Modern OLEDs have pixel-shift and screen-saver features that help. But if you watch CNN with the logo 8 hours daily, or game with static HUDs constantly, QLED is safer.
| OLED | QLED |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 10/10 |
Round 4 Winner: QLED — Zero burn-in risk is peace of mind.
Score after Round 4: OLED: 32 | QLED: 32
Round 5: Value for Money
QLED wins on affordability. The TCL QM6K 65-inch sells for $550—solid picture quality at half the price of entry-level OLEDs. Budget QLED options deliver excellent brightness and color for casual viewers.
OLED prices have dropped significantly. The LG B5 65-inch hit $529 during Black Friday, but street prices hover around $1,000. Premium OLEDs like the LG G5 and Samsung S95F command $2,000+.
For the average buyer wanting a great TV without premium pricing, QLED delivers more screen per dollar.
| OLED | QLED |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 9/10 |
Round 5 Winner: QLED — Half the price for 80% of the picture quality.
Score after Round 5: OLED: 38 | QLED: 41
Round 6: Viewing Angles & Room Flexibility
OLED maintains consistent color and contrast from any seat in the room. Off-axis viewing shows virtually no degradation—critical for wide living rooms where not everyone sits dead center.
QLED picture quality drops significantly at angles. Colors shift, contrast fades, and blooming worsens. Samsung's anti-glare coatings help with reflections but don't fix viewing angle limitations inherent to LCD technology.
For family movie nights where viewers spread across the room, OLED keeps everyone happy.
| OLED | QLED |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 5/10 |
Round 6 Winner: OLED — Every seat is the best seat with OLED.
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| OLED | 47/60 | WINNER |
| QLED | 46/60 |
The Winner: OLED
OLED edges out QLED 47-46 in an incredibly close battle. The perfect blacks, superior motion handling, and wide viewing angles create a cinematic experience that raw brightness can't overcome.
Yes, QLED is brighter. Yes, QLED is cheaper. Yes, burn-in is real (if rare). But when you're watching a movie in a dimmed room and see those inky blacks with zero blooming—you'll understand why OLED commands premium prices.
TechRadar named the Samsung S95F their TV of the Year 2025, and What Hi-Fi? continues ranking OLED sets at the top. The experts agree: for picture quality purists, OLED remains king.
Ready to buy the winner? Get LG C5 OLED on Amazon →
When the Loser Actually Wins
QLED isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:
- Your room is extremely bright — Floor-to-ceiling windows and OLED don't mix well
- You display static content for hours — News tickers, sports scores, or desktop use
- Budget is firm under $800 — Entry QLED delivers great value
- You want the biggest screen possible — 85"+ QLEDs are more affordable than equivalent OLEDs
QLED might be right for you: Check Samsung QLED prices on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Will OLED burn-in ruin my TV?
Unlikely for normal use. Modern OLEDs have protection features, and RTINGS notes OLEDs "generally outlast other display types." Varied content and reasonable brightness settings prevent issues. It's mainly a concern with 8+ hours of static content daily.
Is QD-OLED better than both?
QD-OLED (Samsung S95F, Sony Bravia 8 II) combines OLED's perfect blacks with quantum dot brightness. It's the best of both worlds—but at flagship prices. If budget allows, QD-OLED is the ultimate choice.
Which is better for PS5/Xbox gaming?
OLED for competitive gaming (faster response, no motion blur). QLED if you leave games paused with HUDs for hours. Both support 4K/120Hz and VRR on premium models.
How long do OLED TVs last?
Modern OLEDs are rated for 100,000+ hours before reaching half brightness—over 30 years at 8 hours daily. Burn-in is a bigger practical concern than panel lifespan.