The LG C2 is the OLED TV to beat this year, and we’ll explain why in this review. Not only is this the best OLED TV thanks to its fantastic display panel, but it also boasts a premium design, unmatched versatility, and a robust smart TV platform that make it a winner among similarly priced top-tier TVs.
Also, the C2 series lineup is LG’s largest offering in terms of size options – the models span from 42- to 83- inches, and all models in this range sport full arrays of HDMI 2.1 ports. Most sets also feature LG’s Evo OLED panel, which was first introduced in the LG G1 OLED TV, and was available in the LG OLED C1 we reviewed last year, and now seeks to elevate the C2’s performance.
We have reviewed almost all of LG’s C series OLED TVs and they have come out as perennial favorites. The C9, CX, and the recent C1 were each the best TVs of their respective years, so we’re confident the C2 will hold that tradition. When we reviewed last year’s C1 it was as close to TV perfection as it gets for the money, and for a moment we’re wondering what LG was going to improve on the already impressive formula.
We can’t just say the LG C2 OLED TV is a significant improvement over the LG C1 OLED TV, but in all fairness, there wasn’t much room for upgrades. Instead, LG delivers one of the best TVs of the year by offering fantastic picture quality for the price – exactly what you’d expect from LG’s already impressive OLED TV series.
About the LG C2 OLED TV
The LG C2 OLED TV in this review is the 65-inch OLED65C2PUA, but the C2 is available in six total options ranging from 42 inches up to 83 inches.
Here are all TVs in that lineup:
- 42-inch (LG OLED42C2PUA)
- 48-inch (LG OLED48C2PUA)
- 55-inch (LG OLED55C2PUA)
- 65-inch (LG OLED65C2PUA)
- 77-inch (LG OLED77C2PUA)
- 83-inch (LG OLED83C2PUA)
While the port array remains similar across the size options, it’s important to note only the 55-inch LG C2 OLED TV and larger pack the new Evo panel, so performance might differ for the smaller models. Therefore, we expect the 48-inch and 42-inch sets to perform like the LG C1 OLED TV. Otherwise, the 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, and 83-inch models use OLED Evo and should offer similar performance.
With sizing and pricing out of the way, let’s take a look at the specs:
- Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160)
- Display type: OLED
- HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- Dolby Atmos: Yes, (native decoding)
- eARC support: Yes
- Native refresh rate: 120Hz
- Smart platform: web OS 22
- Color: DCI-P3 color space/10-bit chroma resolution
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Yes
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Yes
- Processor: a9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K
- Other features: FreeSync, G-Sync, Game Optimizer, Google Stadia, Filmmaker Mode, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2, hands-free voice control
The LG C2 OLED TV’s price certainly makes it a premium line than even any of the best cheap TVs, but it’s still much more affordable than the LG G2 OLED TV. Having said that, you’ll probably see discounts and deals on the C2 OLED TV throughout the holiday season.
LG C2 OLED TV Review: Design
The LG C2 OLED TV looks familiar, yet sleek like the C1 OLED from last year. LG managed to create a super-thin panel, measuring just o.1-inch thick across the top half of the TV. It gets thicker around the bottom half of the chassis to accommodate the components, nonetheless, it’s still a very sleek piece of hardware.
The panel is supported buy. A central stand, though can also be hung up on a wall with one of the best TV mounts (VESA 300mm x 300mm). This flexibility is one more reason to choose the C2 over the G2, since the latter doesn’t come with feet, the only option is to install it using a proprietary mount.
The LG C2 uses the company’s Magic Remote, which has remained unchanged for many years now, offering a streamlined experience despite sporting more buttons than some other TV remotes from top TV brands. It lets you interact with the TV via buttons or by the wireless cursor, or you can also use motion controls, a feature that feels like it’s straight from the Nintendo Wii.
The Magic Remote gets an etched texture with soft-touch buttons and includes all the common controls as well as Google Assistant and Alexa dedicated launchers and microphone indicators. There are additional dedicated buttons for Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video. If you use these streaming services frequently, you’ll find quick access useful.
Port selection is pretty good, with the LG OLED65C2PUA having four HDMI inputs. All four of those are HDMI 2.1 supporting 4K at 120Hz, and one supporting HDMI ARC/eARC (enhanced audio return channel). If you have a Blu-Ray player, soundbar, and gaming console in your living room, the full array of 2.1 inputs comes in handy. These HDMI ports support variable refresh rate and auto-low latency mode, leveraging the next-gen graphic abilities of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. All LG C2 OLED TV models support Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, too.
Other connectivity ports include a set of 3 USB Type A, an RF coaxial connection, an ethernet input, and an optical audio output. The only thing missing here is a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner, which is readily available in most high-end TVs for 4K over-the-air broadcasts via NextGen TV. Still, only select markets have NextGen TV, bust support is likely to expand.
LG C2 OLED TV Review: Performance
The LG OLED65C2PUA is powered by the Alpha 9 Gen 5 Processor 4K while the addition of OLED Evo promises an even better and brighter overall picture. Well, we found Evo to be short of promises when it first debuted on the LG G1 OLED, so we went into this review with mixed expectations. Luckily, the LG C2 seems to deliver better performance, and even works as promised.
For one, color accuracy is a major highlight on the LG C2 OLED, with the TV earning a 1.7 Delta-E score in tests; the LG G1 OLED is fairly more accurate with a 1.3 score, but anything below 2 is great and can’t be differentiated by the average user.
The LG C2 provides an impressively wide color gamut, averaging 15.6% of the Rec 709, which is far and beyond the basic color standard by a significant margin. These results are almost at par with last year’s LG G1 and C1 OLEDs, but we’ve rarely seen this score surpassed. The only TV we’ve seen with a better score is the Samsung S95B OLED TV with coverage of 139.81%.
Watching BBC’s Planet Earth II, the colors in the Cities and the sprawling Grasslands look exceptionally rich. Even with the swift motion during hunting scenes, the clarity of the backgrounds easily captures your attention. Speaking of motion, watching Top Gun: Maverick. You’ll be blown away by the motion handling of the speeding fighter jets. You don’t have any lost scenes that as we know, were shot with actual flying jets.
The only underwhelming performance aspect, perhaps, is brightness. The LC C2 reaches around 800 nits in Standard mode with HDR content. This is quite fine for an OLED TV, but the LG C1 OLED from last year hits around 751 nits in the same 10% window. Again, these results aren’t as bright as the new LG G2 OLED, which was released this year alongside the C2 OLED. Then again, the LG G2 OLED TV is, so far, LG’s brightest OLED TV ever and costs much more.
Elsewhere, the OLED65C2PUA has a lag time of 12.9 milliseconds, which is as good as you’ll see from a premium TV. That makes the LG C2 OLED one of the best gaming TVs, alongside the more affordable Hisense U7G Gaming TV. The 42-inch LG OLED42C2PUA makes a strong case for replacing your gaming monitor, but even the 65-inch size we’re reviewing would make a great choice for console gaming. LG’s Game Optimizer menu was already our favorite TV gaming tool out there, but it now supports a Dark Room Mode and a new preset for sports gaming.
Finally, the LG C2 OLED TV’s audio speakers are now upgraded from 5.1.2 channel to 7.1.2 channel sound. While that may not be a discernible huge difference, LG’s built-in speakers tend to be quite impressive thanks to Dolby Atmos support and an AI sound feature that creates a more immersive sound environment. That said, given how thin the LC C2 is, it may not have enough space to shine, but for a complete entertainment experience, you can pair it with one of the best soundbars or the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for the best surround possible.
Smart TV Platform and Apps
All LG 2022 TVs ship with webOS 22, an intuitive interface that displays all content on a whole-screen home page. The interface feels familiar to the other LG TVs from last year, but with added user profiles for curated recommendations and keeping each user’s relevant content easily accessible.
Available content on this platform includes all the best streaming services and almost all the best free streaming services, too. You can watch your favorite streams on HBO, Disney Plus, YouTube, and Hulu among others. You can also search clips on YouTube and launch workouts on Peloton with ease.
When nothing is being watched on the screen, the LG 2022 OLED TV Always Ready tool’s ambient mode display art, photos, or a music player. Samsung has aced the Ambient Mode, especially on The Frame 2022, so clearly, LG is determined to create a comparable option.
LG C2 OLED TV Review | Verdict
Of all the TVs released this year, the LG C2 OLED TV is certainly one to beat. It packs everything you’d ever demand from a premium OLED TV – the sleek design, the performance, the intuitive smart TV platform and more are all impressive for the price.
And while the LG G2 OLED TV is much of a spectacle, it’s a little fussy and might need professional installation and it doesn’t perform quite as well when used as a gaming TV. Plus, it costs several hundred dollars more that the LG C2. As such, the LG C2 OLED TV makes the cut as the OLED TV most people will want to buy this year.
The combination of brighter spectacular highlights and improved image processing gives the LG C2 some upscale that you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. For gamers, it checks quite literally all of the boxes, you won’t regret buying this TV for next-gen gaming. It will keep you covered for years to come.
Should you buy the LG C2 OLED TV?
Yes – it’s one of the best, most forward-looking, and stylish TVs of the year. The LG C2 OLED TV builds on an already winning formula of the LG C1 and delivers the same great gaming features, the same mart platform, and other features that you can’t find on any other TV at this price.
Recommended Configuration
LG 65-Inch Class OLED evo C2 Series Alexa built-in 4K Smart TV, 120Hz Refresh Rate, AI-Powered 4K, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, WiSA Ready, Cloud Gaming (OLED65C2PUA, 2022)
4 used from $1,149.95
The Review
LG C2 OLED TV
The LG C2 OLED TV (OLED65C2PUA) with OLED Evo is the best OLED TV to beat this year. It delivers a premium entertainment experience, top-tier performance, lots of port options, and fantastic gaming features, all in a sleek package.
PROS
- World class picture quality
- Top-tier gaming features
- Super-thin, sleek design
CONS
- Not as bright as top-shelf QLED TVs
- No ATSC 3.0 tuner
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
