There’s a bit more variety when it comes to QLED TVs. While LG and Sony dominate the OLED market, there are multiple QLED makers in the ring. Samsung is perhaps best known for touting QLED technology, Quantum Dot sets from TCL, Hisense and Vizio perform well, too. Just because you see a stellar deal on an OLED TV or a QLED TV doesn’t mean it’s the right TV for you. Our TV buying guide covers everything you’ll want to consider before purchasing a new centerpiece for your entertainment set up. But when it comes to QLED vs. OLED TVs, and which you should buy during this Black Friday deals season, here’s what you’ll want to know.
OLED vs. QLED TV: What’s the difference?
OLED and QLED are both names for specific kinds of TV panel technology. Neither is necessarily “better” than the other; instead, each have advantages and disadvantages. OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode, a very precise way of creating a picture. Unlike traditional LED or LCD TVs, organic pixels emit their own light when activated, meaning each pixel can be completely turned on or off separately. The result is sharp details, wide viewing angles and deep blacks. In fact, OLED TVs are the only TVs that can deliver true blacks. By contrast, QLED panels require LED backlighting, which means black areas of the screen will still exhibit some degree of light. QLED is an abbreviated form of “quantum-dot LED,” and while the term is most closely associated with the best Samsung TVs, the technology is by no means proprietary. So no, QLED doesn’t get the same inky blacks as OLED, but it has its benefits. For one, QLED almost always beats OLED in terms of brightness and contrast. QLED isn’t as susceptible to burn-in, either.
OLED vs. QLED TV Prime Day deals
But LG might not be your brand of choice. Luckily, Sony has some attractive Prime Day OLED TV deals, too. Best Buy has the Sony 55-inch A80J OLED TV on sale for $999 (opens in new tab), or $700 off its normal price. In our Sony Bravia XR A80J OLED review, we found it’s one of the most well-rounded TVs we’ve ever tested.
Should you buy OLED or QLED?
If you’re looking for the most affordable TV options, you’ll want to shop QLED. There are a number of options for budgets big and small. You can usually find a good variety of QLED sizes, too. Another reason to buy QLED is for brightness. If you plan on setting up your new TV in a room with lots of natural light, and would like to watch it during the day time, QLED won’t be washed out as easily as OLED. But if you want the most cinematic viewing experience, complete with perfect blacks and an ultra-precise picture, OLED is the ultimate treat. And with Prime Day deals, you can buy one at the lowest prices of the year.
