The LG C5 is a jack of all trades TV that delivers glorious image high quality and a full inventory of good TV and gaming options. Although it does not carry huge adjustments from its predecessor, the LG C4, it does have increased peak brightness and the brand new webOS 25 interface. Crucially, it delivers the identical very good worth as its C-series predecessors.
Pros
- Excellent image high quality
- Superb gaming efficiency
- webOs good TV platform
Cons
- Sound may very well be higher
- No HDR10+ help
- Minor improve over LG C4
The LG B5 stands out as the most entry-level OLED TV in LG’s lineup, however it delivers sensible image high quality for the value and practically the identical spectacular record of options as its step-up siblings. It’s not the identical whole package deal as extra premium OLED TVs, however it ticks each field OLED followers shall be in search of and is the most cost effective 2025 OLED TV you should buy.
Pros
- Detailed, contrast-rich image
- Great gaming options
- webOS good TV platform
Cons
- Lower brightness than the C5
- No HDR10+ help
- Average sound high quality
LG‘s OLED TVs face stiff competitors from the likes of Samsung, Sony and Panasonic, however proceed to be one of the in style OLED manufacturers.
LG units are sometimes featured in our best TVs record, and lately, each the C-series and B-series OLEDs have appeared throughout a spread of TechSwitch best-of lists.
We’ve put LG’s OLEDs up against its rivals before, but how do the company’s two most affordable 2025 models, the LG C5 and LG B5, examine, and the place must you make investments your cash for those who’re deciding between these two extremely reviewed fashions? I put two of 2025’s best OLED TVs side-by-side to search out out.
LG C5 vs LG B5: price & availability
The LG C5 launched in April 2025, while the LG B5 followed later in the year, launching in August 2025.
A 55-inch C5 at launch cost $1,999.99 / £1,899.99 / AU$3,299, whereas the entry-level 55-inch B5 cost $1,499.99 / £1,699 / AU$2,499.
At present, prices for both TVs have fallen across their entire range of sizes. The 55-inch C5 is available for $1,399.99 / £1,499 / AU$2,299 and the 55-inch B5 will set you back $1,199.99 / £1,199 / AU$1,995. Of the two, the C5 is the better value for what it delivers, especially in the US and Australia. In the UK, the price gap is a little wider, so the B5 looks tempting. But really, it comes down to budget.
LG C5 vs LG B5: specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
LG C5 |
LG B5 |
|---|---|---|
|
Price (55-inch) |
$1,999.99 / £1,899.99 / AU$3,299 |
$1,499.99 / £1,699 / AU$2,499 |
|
Sizes |
42, 48, 55, 65, 77, 83 inches |
48, 55, 65, 77, 83 inches |
|
Panel type |
OLED EX (55, 65, 77 and 83-inches), W-OLED (42 and 48-inches) |
W-OLED (all sizes) |
|
Refresh rate |
144Hz |
120Hz |
|
HDR support |
Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG |
Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG |
|
Smart TV |
webOS |
webOS |
|
HDMI Ports |
4 x HDMI 2.1 |
4 x HDMI 2.1 |
LG C5 vs LG B5: benchmark results
LG C5 vs LG B5: Picture quality
Both the LG C5 and LG B5 deliver excellent picture quality that demonstrates real value for money, but there are some differences between them.
The biggest difference is brightness. The C5 has a much higher measured peak HDR brightness than the B5. When we measured it, the C5 hit 1,180 nits in Filmmaker Mode, whereas the B5 hit 668 nits in Movie mode. In real-world viewing, this interprets to bolder image highlights on the C5. This is most distinguished in scenes with mild tones contrasting with darkish backgrounds, reminiscent of lightsabers in Star Wars: The Last Jedi or torches and lamps in The Batman.
Fullscreen HDR brightness is shut between the 2 units, with the C5 hitting 199 nits in Filmmaker Mode and the B5 hitting 131 nits in Movie mode. Neither TV is ideal in brighter viewing situations, however the C5’s increased fullscreen brightness and marginally higher reflection dealing with make it the higher selection.
Color copy on each TVs is sensible. Colors seem vibrant and punchy in films reminiscent of Wicked and Elemental, however the C5’s increased brightness provides that further pop and its stronger distinction (extra on that beneath) means its colours seem bolder.
Measuring HDR shade gamut protection, the C5 and B5 have been practically similar. The C5 hit 99.4% of DCI-P3 and 75.8% of the BT.2020, whereas the B5 hit 99.5% and 74.8% of the identical respective shade areas. It’s no marvel colours look unbelievable on each units.
In our evaluations of each TVs, they have been praised for his or her distinction, black ranges and shadow element. Viewed aspect by aspect, nonetheless, the C5 has the benefit, with richer black tones and stronger distinction. The B5’s black ranges can at instances look barely raised, although in films with deep blacks reminiscent of Alien: Romulus, each TVs ship wealthy, inky black tones.
Textures are reasonable and have a 3D-like high quality on each TVs, however the C5’s increased distinction makes particulars seem a bit crisper.
Both the C5 and B5’s image high quality is excellent, however the C5 takes the win due to its increased brightness and extra refined element.
LG C5 vs LG B5: sound quality
TVs with truly great built-in sound are rare, so adding one of the best soundbars to your TV is one thing we frequently advocate. While the C5 and B5 ship acceptable sound for day-to-day viewing, neither actually delivers built-in sound to match their image.
The C5 has a 2.2-channel, 40W speaker array, and it delivers clear speech with good element, however it lacks bass, an element that detracts from motion films like Top Gun: Maverick and The Batman.
It’s an identical story for the LG B5. With a 2-channel, 20W speaker system, it additionally delivers surprisingly good accuracy and clear speech, however with solely restricted bass, the sound lacks influence, and the soundstage can be slim.
During my testing, I used the AI Sound Pro mode on each TVs, and it was a shock for an AI sceptic like me who normally sticks with a TV’s Cinema/Movie sound preset. This mode upmixes the sound to an 11.1.2 and 9.1.2 channel configuration on the C5 and B5, respectively, and I discovered it delivered a wider soundstage and better quantity. The bass additionally sounded extra managed, although it nonetheless lacked weight.
LG C5 vs LG B5: Features, smart TV & gaming
Both the C5 and B5 are packed with a great range of features for both smart TV functionality and gaming, and they deliver smooth performance during operation.
The C5 is equipped with a brighter OLED EX panel in its 55-83-inch models, while using a standard W-OLED panel for its smaller 42 and 48-inch models. The B5 uses W-OLED across all its screen sizes.
Both TVs support Dolby Vision HDR, used for 4K Blu-ray and 4K streaming, however neither helps HDR10+. Both units additionally help the HDR10 and HLG HDR codecs.
Introduced in 2024, Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode is supported on each the C5 and B5.
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LG’s TVs usually shine in terms of gaming, and the C5 and B5 aren’t any exception. Both carry an in depth record of gaming options and ship efficiency to match.
Both TVs help 4K 120Hz (the C5 goes as much as 144Hz), VRR together with AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming.
Both additionally characteristic LG’s Game Optimizer mode, which routinely selects the perfect settings for gaming, and these settings will be adjusted to vary image, sound and extra. There can be the Boost enter lag setting, which drops enter lag time to a measured 9.2ms (9.1ms on the B5), producing a clean, responsive gaming expertise that can maintain avid gamers pleased.
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The C5 and B5 each characteristic webOS 25, the most recent iteration of LG’s good TV platform.
The main replace on this yr’s webOS is the addition of AI-based instruments: AI Search, for superior content material discovery; AI Concierge, for tailor-made suggestions; AI Art, to create AI artworks; and AI Sound Wizard, a sound model of the Picture Wizard the place customers can create a tailor-made sound profile.
The Quick Menu continues to be a useful gizmo for simply altering settings and Quick Cards enable for simple and customizable app group primarily based on totally different classes, reminiscent of Game or Sports.
Both the C5 and B5 carry very related characteristic units, so it is troublesome to select right here, however the C5 does carry a number of extras that the B5 does not have.
LG C5 vs LG B5: Verdict
Both the LG C5 and LG B5 are glorious, feature-packed OLED TVs that crucially do not break the financial institution in comparison with different OLED TV choices. But which one is value your funding?
The C5’s image is brighter with stronger distinction and richer colours. It additionally has extra options and feels a lot smoother in its operation.
While there’s a value hole between the 2 ($200 / £300 / AU$300 for the 55-inch fashions), the C5 is the higher worth for cash, making it the general winner. But for these whose finances tops out on the B5’s value stage, I do not suppose you may be disillusioned.