LG OLED evo AI LG OLED evo AI C5 55" 4K HDR Smart TV Review

The LG C5 scores a perfect 100 in gaming performance, making it a top-tier choice for PS5 and Xbox Series X. You get flawless OLED contrast and four HDMI 2.1 ports for under $1200. Just don't expect it to fight direct sunlight.

The LG OLED evo AI C5 is a 55-inch 4K OLED TV that scores a perfect 100th percentile for gaming in our database. That's not a typo. It's also in the 100th percentile for connectivity, which means you're getting four HDMI 2.1 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. For just under $1200, this is a gaming-focused OLED that punches way above its weight class.

It's built around LG's a9 Gen 8 AI processor and the inherent contrast of an OLED panel, which delivers those perfect, inky blacks. The gaming suite is the star here, with a 120Hz native refresh rate, VRR support for both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC, and a claimed 0.1ms response time. It's a TV that knows its audience.

Let's talk about that perfect gaming score. A 100th percentile ranking means it's at the absolute top of our charts for input lag, refresh rate, and VRR compatibility. The 120Hz panel paired with four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports is a dream for PS5 and Xbox Series X owners. The display itself ranks in the 97th percentile, thanks to that self-lit OLED pixel structure and near-infinite contrast.

HDR performance is also stellar, sitting in the 94th percentile with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. The smart features, powered by webOS 25, land in a respectable 85th percentile. The one surprising number? Picture quality scores only in the 45th percentile. This seems to be a data quirk, likely because our aggregate score weighs brightness heavily, and OLEDs can't match mini-LED peak brightness. But for contrast and black level, it's untouchable.

At $1197, the LG C5 sits in a sweet spot. You're getting near-flagship gaming performance and OLED picture quality for hundreds less than LG's own G-series. Compared to a similarly priced mini-LED from TCL or Hisense, you're trading sheer brightness for perfect blacks and superior motion handling. For a dedicated media/gaming room, this price-to-performance ratio is incredibly compelling.

Stacked against the competition, the C5's strengths are clear. The Sony BRAVIA 5 might have better out-of-the-box color accuracy, but it can't touch the C5's gaming specs or VRR support. The TCL QM8 and Hisense U6 will get much brighter (helpful for bright rooms), but their local dimming can't match the per-pixel precision of an OLED. The Samsung QN990F is an 8K mini-LED beast that's brighter and larger, but it costs multiples more. The C5's closest rival is actually the LG G5, which offers a slight boost in brightness and design for a much higher price. For pure gaming and dark-room viewing, the C5 is the smarter buy.

Skip this TV if your main viewing room has lots of uncontrolled, direct sunlight. Its weak 53.6 score for 'outdoor' performance (and 45th percentile picture quality ranking, which factors in brightness) means a high-end mini-LED like the TCL QM8 will provide a better, glare-free image during the day. Also, if you absolutely need an ATSC 3.0 tuner for free 4K broadcasts, look elsewhere.

If you want the best gaming TV under $1500 and watch movies in a dim or dark room, buy the LG C5. The data doesn't lie: a 100th percentile gaming score and 97th percentile display rating are elite. Just be honest about your room—if it's flooded with sunlight, a bright mini-LED might be a better daily driver. But for the right setup, this TV is a knockout.