By: Dipin Sehdev
When it comes to picking the best OLED TV, most “shootouts” or influencer roundups tend to reflect one person’s taste, one retail environment, or one set of calibration preferences. That’s where CE Critic’s methodology stands apart.
Instead of relying on a single reviewer or retail demonstration, the CE Critic Score aggregates data and sentiment from top reviewers, calibration experts, and industry influencers worldwide. The result is a score that reflects how the TV industry as a whole — not just one outlet — perceives each model’s design, performance, and value.
And after analyzing all major releases for 2025, the results are in. These are the three best OLED TVs of 2025, based on CE Critic’s comprehensive scoring model — plus a few honorable mentions that came remarkably close.
1. Panasonic Z95B OLED 4K TV — 95% CE Critic Score
Panasonic’s Z95B sits atop the 2025 OLED leaderboard for good reason. This TV takes everything Panasonic has perfected in color accuracy, processing, and cinematic tone mapping — and elevates it to reference-class performance.
The Good
1. Class-leading color accuracy:
Calibrators and professional video editors consistently describe the Z95B’s color reproduction as near-perfect, with Panasonic’s HCX Pro AI processor delivering studio-grade color tone mapping straight out of the box.
2. Exceptional HDR performance:
With support for Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, and HLG Photo, the Z95B’s HDR experience is both versatile and deeply impressive. The peak brightness is among the best for WOLED panels, rivaling even the latest QD-OLED models from Samsung and Sony.
3. Immersive sound and build quality:
The Technics-tuned 360 Soundscape Pro speaker system makes the Z95B feel more like an integrated soundbar than a TV. Add to that the sleek, minimalist aluminum chassis, and you have a TV that’s as much a piece of industrial design as it is a home theater display.
Room for Improvement
1. Limited U.S. availability:
Panasonic’s OLEDs remain largely unavailable in North America, which limits accessibility for U.S. buyers who might otherwise love this display.
2. Gaming feature set trails Samsung and LG:
While input lag and motion handling are solid, the Z95B lacks some advanced gaming niceties like full 4K/144Hz support or Dolby Vision Gaming.
Still, with its unmatched cinematic accuracy, the Panasonic Z95B stands as the professional’s OLED TV of choice — and the highest-rated display of 2025, earning a 95% CE Critic Score.
2. Samsung S90F QD-OLED 4K TV — 94% CE Critic Score
In a surprising twist, Samsung’s S90F outperformed the company’s own flagship S95F in CE Critic’s aggregated rankings. Reviewers found that the S90F struck the perfect balance between price, performance, and reliability — achieving better consistency and color tone accuracy than its more expensive sibling.
The Good
1. Brilliant QD-OLED color and brightness:
Samsung’s third-generation QD-OLED panel continues to shine with vivid, high-volume color and exceptional peak brightness — ideal for both dark rooms and daylight viewing.
2. Excellent gaming performance:
The S90F delivers low input lag, four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K/144Hz support, and FreeSync Premium Pro. It’s one of the most gaming-friendly OLEDs on the market in 2025.
3. Improved calibration out of the box:
Unlike previous Samsung models that leaned overly blue or cool-toned, the S90F ships with a more accurate Filmmaker Mode that earns praise from professional reviewers for its improved tone mapping and grayscale performance.
Room for Improvement
1. Lacks Dolby Vision support:
Samsung continues to avoid Dolby Vision, which puts the S90F at a slight disadvantage compared to LG and Panasonic OLEDs for movie enthusiasts.
2. Minor build compromises:
While still premium, the S90F’s design feels a touch less substantial than the S95F — with a thinner stand and more visible rear panel materials.
Even so, the S90F’s 94% CE Critic Score cements it as the most balanced OLED TV of 2025, offering flagship-grade performance at a slightly more attainable price.
3. LG G5 OLED EVO 4K Smart TV — 93% CE Critic Score
LG’s G5 OLED EVO continues the brand’s tradition of pushing brightness, software integration, and wall-mounted elegance. It’s a significant refinement over last year’s G4 — with a sleeker profile, better heat dissipation, and LG’s α11 AI Processor, which delivers enhanced real-time tone mapping and motion clarity.
The Good
1. Outstanding brightness and contrast:
The LG G5 Tandem OLED panel utilizes a new "Four-Stack" structure, which physically layers multiple light-emitting diodes to generate significantly higher brightness (up to 40% over the G4) and increase panel lifespan. This approach is a fundamental upgrade over the G4's Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which achieved brightness gains through an optical layer that focused light rather than increasing the light source itself.
2. Refined webOS experience:
LG’s updated webOS 24 is faster, more intuitive, and better organized — with multi-user profiles, AI-driven content recommendations, and expanded Matter and Apple Home support for smart homes.
3. Elegant gallery design:
The G5’s flush-mount “Gallery” design remains the gold standard for wall-mounted aesthetics. When viewed from the front, it looks more like art than a television.
Room for Improvement
1. Audio still trails premium rivals:
While the built-in speakers are better than average, they can’t match Panasonic’s or Sony’s integrated sound systems without adding an external soundbar.
2. Price remains high:
The G5 commands a premium price tag, particularly in the larger 83-inch and 97-inch configurations — even though competitors like Samsung offer similar performance for less.
Nevertheless, with a 93% CE Critic Score, the LG G5 OLED EVO proves LG still knows how to balance innovation, polish, and visual excellence — securing its place among the top three OLEDs of 2025.
Honorable Mentions
These OLEDs may not have cracked the top three, but each one earned strong praise and high CE Critic Scores — demonstrating just how competitive the 2025 OLED landscape has become.
LG C5 OLED EVO 4K Smart TV — 92% CE Critic Score
The C5 remains the value leader in LG’s OLED lineup, offering the same α11 processor as the G5 and excellent brightness at a lower price. Its thinner chassis and lighter build make it a favorite for gamers and casual viewers alike.
Samsung S95F OLED 4K Smart TV — 92% CE Critic Score
Though positioned as Samsung’s flagship, reviewers found the S90F’s calibration consistency and price-to-performance ratio gave it a slight edge. Still, the S95F remains one of the best TVs for those who want maximum HDR punch and modern design.
Sony BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED TV — 90% CE Critic Score
Sony’s refined OLED continues to impress with its Cognitive XR processor, stunning upscaling, and cinematic motion handling. However, a slower smart TV interface and higher pricing kept it just outside the top three.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 OLED landscape is more competitive than ever, but one thing is clear: OLED technology continues to define the pinnacle of home entertainment.
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Panasonic leads in accuracy and cinematic tone.
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Samsung dominates with brightness and gaming performance.
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LG continues to set the standard for design and smart integration.
And with honorable mentions like Sony’s BRAVIA 8 II and LG’s C5, it’s never been a better time to invest in OLED technology — no matter which brand you choose.
In 2025, picture quality has officially reached reference-grade levels, and CE Critic’s scoring shows the industry is delivering excellence across the board.
