LG’s C5 OLED TVs show that OLED remains a top choice,
even as larger, brighter, and cheaper LED models keep arriving. Now in its fifth edition, the C5 comes in sizes ranging from 42 to 83 inches. Every screen uses LG’s Alpha 9 AI Processor 4K Gen 8 for image upscaling and processing, matching the performance level of other leading brands.
Because the C5 uses OLED panels, each pixel lights up individually. This means no backlight or local dimming is needed, giving perfect black levels without the halo effect some LED TVs show. The contrast stays sharp, and colors come through very accurately. The C5 also supports smooth motion up to 144Hz and handles formats like Dolby Vision well. These features keep the C-Series popular among TV fans.
Compared to the 2022 C2 model,
the C5 looks cleaner and feels tougher, especially next to LG’s entry-level B series. The panel is very thin at the edges, with a small section at the back for the hardware, speakers, and ports. It includes four HDMI 2.1 inputs. Like most OLED panels, it’s slimmer and more delicate than standard LED TVs, so you should be careful when setting it up. Still, the 65-inch model is light enough for one person to carry comfortably.
I set the C5 on LG’s Canvas soundbar stand, which fit perfectly without needing adapters. For testing, I hooked up my Apple TV and PlayStation 5 directly to the TV and neatly stored them inside the stand. LG’s webOS comes with popular streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+, but I prefer using Apple TV because its remote is easier and the menus run smoother than LG’s Magic Remote.
When you first turn on the C5, it starts in energy-saving mode, which affects color and white balance. Using a light meter and calibration tools, I found a grayscale error of 17 and a color error near 9 in this mode—far from the ideal target of 3 for a factory-calibrated TV. Switching to cinema picture mode improved things a lot, with grayscale error dropping to 2.5 and color error to 1, right where they should be. Filmmaker mode did even better, keeping both errors under 1.5. This means the TV delivers great color accuracy straight out of the box without fiddling with settings.
Testing both SDR and HDR content showed the C5 holds up its strong color and grayscale performance across different types of viewing. I bought my unit locally, so these results should reflect what most buyers will see.
Regarding brightness, the C5 can peak above 1,000 nits in HDR, but only briefly before the automatic brightness limiter kicks in. This dimming is less strict than on LG’s budget B4 OLED. Usually, brightness settles around 600 to 700 nits for SDR and 800 to 900 nits for HDR, which is bright enough for most rooms with some daylight. However, it might struggle in rooms with a lot of direct sun or large windows.
The C5 keeps its color and contrast strong even when you watch it from an angle, with no visible blooming. LG promotes its AI image processing as a way to improve quality in real time, but these AI settings can sometimes overly smooth the picture. Skin tones may look off, and backgrounds can lose detail, making movies look less natural. You can turn off these AI features for a more lifelike image.
I noticed similar issues when watching HDR and Dolby Vision content. The AI features added strange effects and made motion less smooth. Turning most enhancements off or setting them low fixed these problems and improved the picture.
For gaming,
the C5 automatically switches to game mode when it detects my PlayStation 5. The gaming dashboard is straightforward and easy to use. It passed all PlayStation tests without any lag or stutter. Fast action sequences in games like The Last of Us Part Two looked smoother than on my TCL QM7K reference TV. The TV showed sharp detail and good contrast in dark scenes. Bright daylight made some details harder to see, but in dim or controlled lighting, the C5’s brightness was sufficient. Overall, it’s a solid choice for gaming.
On the downside, the built-in speakers are average. Sony’s OLEDs sound better out of the box. For everyday use, the C5’s speakers are fine, but if you want a richer sound, adding a soundbar like the Sonos Arc Ultra or LG’s Canvas makes a noticeable difference.
LG’s webOS is still useful but can feel cluttered and slow. Changing settings often takes several steps, while some other brands offer faster access with shortcut keys or quick menus. You’ll also see ads and pop-up messages unless you disable them in the settings. These annoyances are common on many smart TVs today but are worth keeping in mind.
Compared to Sony’s A95L OLED, the C5 matches or beats it in image accuracy right out of the box. The C5 also offers a bit more brightness across various content types, which I verified through testing. When compared to Sony’s older A95K that I own, the C5 performed better in several ways, making me seriously consider replacing my Sony with this LG.
Against LG’s B4, the C5 wins with improved build quality, higher brightness, and more precise colors. The B4 works well for secondary rooms with controlled lighting, but the C5 is the better choice for your main viewing area.
Some suggest the LG G5 as an upgrade, but I haven’t tested that model, so I can’t compare directly. I picked the C5 because it fit my budget and met my needs.
Overall, the LG C5 OLED delivers excellent picture accuracy straight from the box, solid HDR performance, smooth gaming, and a cleaner design than past models. The AI processing and menu quirks are easy to adjust with a few setting changes. If you want an OLED that gets color and contrast right, the C5 is a smart choice.