TCL vs LG: Which Brand Offers the Best Value in 4K TVs?

TCL vs LG: Which Brand Offers the Best Value in 4K TVs?

With the rise in popularity of 4K and smart TVs, choosing the right brand and model has become more complicated. Two brands that stand out in the mid-range 4K TV market are TCL and LG. Both offer large, high-quality 4K panels packed with features at prices far below premium brands. But which one provides better overall value for your money?

TCL has rapidly grown from a budget TV manufacturer to a mainstream brand that competes with heavyweights like Samsung and Sony. They've focused on offering premium technologies like QLED displays and mini-LED backlighting at aggressive prices. LG remains a leader in OLED TVs but also has a strong lineup of affordable 4K LCD TVs.

When comparing TCL and LG's mid-range offerings, there are several factors to consider beyond just the price tag. Picture quality is essential - with elements like contrast, brightness, color accuracy and viewing angles making a big difference. Smart TV capabilities like streaming apps, voice controls and gaming features are important as well. External design, sound quality, inputs and smart home compatibility also impact the overall value you get from your purchase.

To help decide which brand offers the best bang for your buck, we'll compare LG and TCL's mid-priced 4K LCD TVs across all these categories. Read on to see which company does more to maximize value and deliver the viewing experience you want at a price you can afford.

Picture Quality

When it comes to picture quality, both TCL and LG offer excellent 4K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR) support in their TVs.

TCL's 6-Series models feature QLED technology with full array local dimming, providing excellent contrast ratios. They support HDR10 and Dolby Vision for enhanced color and brightness. TCL uses AiPQ image processing to optimize 4K upscaling and reproduction.

LG's NanoCell TVs utilize IPS panels for wide viewing angles and NanoCell color technology for expanded color volume. They achieve deep blacks with local dimming and high native contrast ratios. LG TVs support leading HDR formats like Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. Their α9 Gen3 AI Processor 4K provides excellent upscaling.

Both brands deliver crisp 4K resolution and vibrant colors. LG may have a slight edge for wider viewing angles. But TCL competes well with its mini-LED backlight technology. HDR format support is excellent on both.

For those interested in exploring TCL's offerings further, the TCL 43C641K is a standout model. This 43-inch QLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV integrates TCL’s latest technological advancements, offering a superior picture quality with vibrant colors and profound contrasts. Its mini-LED technology allows for finer control of the backlighting, significantly enhancing the viewing experience by providing deeper blacks and brighter whites. Furthermore, the TCL 43C641K supports all major HDR formats, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of content. Its smart TV features, powered by an intuitive interface, offer seamless access to all your favorite streaming services and applications, making it a versatile choice for any home entertainment setup.

Smart TV Features

When it comes to smart TV features, both TCL and LG offer robust options but take different approaches.

Operating Systems

TCL uses the Roku TV operating system developed by Roku, while LG uses its own proprietary webOS platform. The Roku OS provides access to thousands of streaming apps and channels, with an easy to use interface. LG's webOS also offers a wide selection of apps and a fast, intuitive interface. Both provide access to popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

App Selection

In terms of app selection, Roku TV tends to have the edge over LG's webOS, with over 5,000 apps available compared to LG's more limited catalog. However, webOS does have apps for most major streaming services. Roku's channel store makes it easy to find both popular apps and more niche offerings.

Voice Control

For voice control, TCL Roku TVs are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant devices, while LG webOS works with LG's own ThinQ AI technology as well as Google Assistant and Alexa. Both platforms allow you to launch apps, search for content, control TV settings, and more using voice commands.

Gaming Lag Times

When it comes to gaming performance, LG generally has lower input lag times averaging around 10-13ms, making them very responsive for gaming. TCL's lag times are slightly higher at 15-20ms typically. For casual gaming both perform reasonably well, but fast-twitched competitive gameplay is better with LG's lower lag times.

Sound Quality

Sound is an important consideration when choosing between TCL and LG TVs. There are some key differences in audio capabilities between the two brands:

Speaker Types and Power Output - LG generally offers more advanced speaker systems on its higher-end models. This includes support for Dolby Atmos (more on this below) and more powerful speakers. For example, LG's C2 series OLED TVs have 40W speakers, while comparable TCL models like the 6-Series have 25W speakers. Lower-end models from both brands tend to have basic speaker systems.

Dolby Atmos Support - Dolby Atmos enables more immersive, three-dimensional sound by adding height channels. LG OLED TVs support Dolby Atmos, while most TCL TVs currently do not. However, TCL's high-end 6-Series does offer eARC support, allowing you to pass an Atmos signal to a compatible soundbar.

Sound Customization - Both LG and TCL TVs provide audio adjustment options to customize the sound profile. This includes changing EQ presets, adjusting surround sound modes, and tweaking individual settings like bass, treble, and volume leveling. LG offers more granular control over sound tuning on some models.

Overall, LG TVs tend to offer more advanced audio capabilities, especially on higher-end models. But TCL TVs still provide decent sound quality for most purposes, with the option to connect an external soundbar for a true surround sound experience.

Design

When it comes to design, both LG and TCL offer attractive, modern options for today's living rooms and home theaters.

LG is known for its minimalist aesthetic, with thin bezels and clean lines. The 2022 LG OLED lineup features a "gallery design" with an ultra-thin bezel that almost disappears when viewing content. This allows the stunning OLED picture to take center stage. The stand options are also quite elegant, featuring a central pedestal stand on some models or two widely spaced feet on others. For wall mounting, LG OLEDs have flush wall mounts and no gap between the TV and wall.

TCL takes a slightly more playful design approach, with some models featuring patterned rear covers or triangular stand legs. Bezels are quite slim on the higher-end 6 and 8 series models. The more affordable 4 and 5 series have slightly thicker bezels but are still modern and stylish. TCL also offers flexible stand and wall mounting options. The stands come in two-legged or center-mounted styles, with the possibility of wide or narrow positioning. For wall mounting, they have standard VESA patterns with no gap.

Overall, both brands offer attractive, contemporary TV designs that will look great in any living space. LG leans toward elegant and refined, while TCL brings a bit more flair. But they both achieve the thin bezels and streamlined style that today's buyers expect.

Further exploring the TCL range, the TCL 40SF540K is a perfect example of TCL’s commitment to combining style with functionality. This 40-inch FHD Smart TV showcases a sleek design that fits perfectly in smaller spaces or bedrooms without sacrificing visual appeal. Its narrow bezel enhances the immersive viewing experience, making the screen appear larger than it is. The versatile stand design also offers the option to adjust for different surface widths, ensuring stability and style. Its full HD resolution ensures crisp images, and the integrated smart platform provides easy access to a plethora of streaming options, making it a stylish and practical choice for any home.

Inputs & Connectivity

Both TCL and LG offer a robust selection of ports and connectivity options on their 4K TVs. This allows you to connect various external devices like gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, streaming sticks, and more.

HDMI Ports

  • HDMI 2.1 - The latest HDMI standard that supports higher resolutions and refresh rates needed for 4K 120Hz gaming. Both TCL and LG offer HDMI 2.1 ports on their latest models.

  • HDCP 2.2 - Content protection technology to play back 4K video sources. Supported on HDMI ports for both brands.

USB Ports

  • USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports allow you to play media files from external storage. LG TVs have up to 3 USB ports while TCL has 2 ports typically. Useful for media playback.

Ethernet

  • Ethernet ports for wired internet connectivity, which is more reliable than WiFi. Offered on both TCL and LG TVs.

Wireless Connectivity

  • Bluetooth - Available on both brands for connecting wireless headphones/speakers.

  • WiFi - Dual band WiFi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) with 802.11ac for internet connectivity. Offered on both TCL and LG's lineups.

Smart Home Compatibility

Both LG and TCL offer smart TVs with voice control compatibility for the major smart home assistants. This allows you to control certain TV functions and settings using voice commands with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and in some cases Apple HomeKit.

LG's webOS platform has native support for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. You can use voice commands to launch apps, change inputs, control volume, turn the TV on or off, and more. Some higher end LG TVs also have Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit built in, allowing Siri voice control.

TCL's Roku TVs similarly work with Google Assistant and Alexa. The TVs connect directly to Google Home or Amazon Echo devices for hands-free voice controls. TCL TVs currently do not offer support for Apple HomeKit or Siri built-in, but can be controlled via AirPlay screen mirroring.

Both brands provide an easy way to voice control your smart TV using popular virtual assistants. LG has a slight edge for Apple users with HomeKit and Siri support on select models. But TCL Roku TVs offer robust voice control for Google Home and Alexa setups.

Gaming Features

Gamers looking for a new 4K TV will want to consider the gaming features offered by TCL and LG. Both brands offer TVs tailored for gaming, but there are some differences.

Input Lag and Response Time

Input lag refers to the delay between pressing a button on a controller and seeing the action on screen. Fast response times and low input lag are critical for competitive gaming.

TCL's gaming TVs aim for under 15ms input lag, while LG's OLED TVs can achieve under 10ms. For most gamers, both will provide a responsive gaming experience. LG OLEDs may have a slight advantage here.

Variable Refresh Rate Support

Variable refresh rate (VRR) matches the TV's refresh rate to the frame rate output of the console. This prevents screen tearing and stuttering.

Both TCL and LG TVs support VRR technologies like AMD Freesync. High-end LG OLEDs also support Nvidia G-Sync. Overall, both brands perform well for VRR.

Gaming Presets and Settings

Having dedicated picture presets and settings for gaming is convenient.

TCL's Game Master mode automatically optimizes settings for gaming. LG's Game Optimizer provides genre-specific presets to optimize picture and sound.

Both TCL and LG make gaming easy with their gaming modes. LG provides more customization, but TCL still offers solid presets.

Price & Value Comparison

When comparing TCL and LG 4K TVs, price and value are key considerations for most buyers. Here's a look at how they stack up:

Typical Price Ranges By Size

  • 55" TCL 4K TVs - £300-£600
  • 65" TCL 4K TVs - £500-£800
  • 55" LG 4K TVs - £600-£1200
  • 65" LG 4K TVs - £800-£1500

TCL consistently offers lower prices across the most popular screen sizes. A 55" TCL costs around £300-600 while a comparable 55" LG is £600-1200. For 65" models, TCL is £500-800 versus £800-1500 for LG.

Price Per Feature

When comparing price to features, TCL also excels at value. Models like the TCL 6-Series pack premium features like QLED panels, full array local dimming, Dolby Vision HDR, and 120Hz refresh rates at budget-friendly price points.

LG's entry-level NanoCell models compete well on price for the features, but LG's premium OLED TVs carry a significant price premium over TCL's high-end LCD-based QLED TVs. For example, LG's C2 OLED costs around £1200 for 55" while TCL's 55" 6-Series QLED is only £600.

Overall Value

For shoppers focused on maximizing price versus performance, TCL is hard to beat. You can get a very well-equipped 55" or 65" TCL 4K TV with great picture quality for under £800. To get comparable features from LG, you'll typically pay £600-1000 more.

TCL offers outstanding overall value, especially for budget-conscious buyers. LG does provide premium features like OLED panels on high-end models but charges a significant premium. Overall, TCL tends to offer better value across its 4K TV lineup.

Conclusion & Recommendation

Overall, both TCL and LG offer high-quality 4K TVs with great features at reasonable prices. However, when it comes to the best value, TCL tends to edge out LG slightly.

TCL's Roku TV operating system provides a smoother, easier smart TV experience compared to LG's webOS platform. TCL TVs also offer comparable or better picture quality at lower price points. For shoppers looking to maximize their budget on a 4K TV purchase, TCL provides excellent performance without the premium LG branding cost.

That said, LG TVs do have some advantages like better native audio and sleeker designs. For buyers who prioritize aesthetics and sound, an LG 4K TV may justify the extra expense.

In the end though, TCL Roku TVs offer the most bang for your buck. The combination of great 4K picture, robust smart features, and affordable pricing make TCL our top recommendation for the best value 4K TV brand overall. Unless having the very best picture quality or sound is critical, a TCL 4K TV will satisfy most buyers' needs at a budget-friendly price point.