Top 5 TVs for Immersive Dark Scene Viewing: OLED and ULED

Your ideal TV setup depends on several factors. You need to consider your streaming preferences, display panel type, room environment, and more. For instance, if you frequently watch TV shows and movies with dark scenes, getting an LED TV and placing it opposite the window is never a good idea. Your TV of choice plays a major role here, and the available options in the market may confuse you. Here are the best TVs for dark scene viewing.

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Do you frequently stream TV shows and movies like House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, Stranger Things, The Sandman, Batman Trilogy, and more? You are up for disappointment if you pick the wrong TV to watch such content with dark scenes. You need to pick a TV that offers excellent black levels without compromising on other factors like ports, price, operating system, and more.

Before we start, check our recent coverage on the best 4K TVs.

1. Hisense Class U7 Series

  • Panel type: Mini LED
  • HDR formats supported: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
  • Operating system: Google TV
  • HDMI inputs: 4
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While an OLED TV is ideal for watching dark scenes, some may skip it due to higher costs and burn-in headaches. If you are among them and looking for an LED alternative, the Hisense Class U7 series might be the right pick for you.

Hisense is offering an excellent Mini-LED panel with 1000 nits brightness and an affordable price tag. These mini LEDs are around 40% smaller than the same in QLED panels. The company promises a precise full array of local dimming zones to deliver better picture quality with deep blacks and brightness levels.

When you are not streaming TV shows or movies, the built-in game mode, VRR (variable refresh rate), low latency mode, and more take care of your gaming needs. The bundled Bluetooth remote looks clean and offers several shortcut keys for your favorite apps.

Hisense U7 is powered by the Google TV operating system. As such, you won’t have a hard time finding your favorite streaming app in the Play Store. While it doesn’t look as slim or premium as other TVs on the list, Hisense U7 gets the job done for the asking price.

What We Like

  • Affordable
  • Google TV system
  • Supports all HDR formats

What We Don’t Like

  • Doesn’t look premium
  • Dark scenes won’t look as good as an OLED panel

2. LG C3

  • Panel type: OLED
  • HDR formats supported: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Operating system: webOS
  • HDMI inputs: 4
Best TVs for Dark Scene Viewing 1

Thanks to its near-infinite contrast ratio and high-end tech underneath, the LG C3 offers a great experience for watching dark scenes. LG has been making OLED TVs for years, and the company’s C-series is an ideal pick for anyone.

An OLED panel can turn off individual pixels to deliver perfect blacks. That results in near infinite contrast ratio, and it’s one of the biggest factors behind OLED TV’s sky-rocketing popularity. LG C3 is the newest offering from the Korean giant. It builds upon an already excellent C2.

LG C3 supports all the major HDR formats, comes with α9 AI processor to improve picture quality, and supports all the gaming features you can possibly ask for.

The C3 is powered by a webOS operating system, and while it offers 300+ free LG channels, the overall user interface still leaves a lot to desire.

What We Like

  • Cheaper alternative to the flagship G-series
  • Several size options
  • Excellent OLED panel

What We Don’t Like

  • webOS

3. Sony A95K

  • Panel type: OLED
  • HDR formats supported: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, HDR 10+
  • Operating system: Google TV
  • HDMI inputs: 4
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Sony has been using LG’s OLED panel for years. However, last year, Sony ditched LG in favor of Samsung to offer the A95K with a QD-OLED display. It offers deep blacks, premium design, Google TV OS, and more.

While OLED panels deliver deep blacks, they compromise on brightness levels. These panels aren’t as bright as a Mini-LED panel.

However, that’s not the case with A95K. The QD-OLED panel offers all the OLED benefits without skimping on brightness levels. That, coupled with Sony’s custom processor and excellent color tuning, makes it great for watching all types of content.

Being a Sony TV, it offers exclusive features for PS5 users, Google TV OS, Alexa integration, ample port selection, reliable performance for years, and more.  

What We Like

  • Premium design
  • Sony’s track record in reliability
  • Google TV system
  • Ideal for PlayStation 5

What We Don’t Like

  • Expensive

4. Samsung S90C

  • Panel type: OLED
  • HDR formats supported: HDR10+, HLG
  • Operating system: Tizen OS
  • HDMI inputs: 4
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After ignoring OLED technology for years, Samsung finally boarded the hype train and stunned everyone with the introduction of a QD-OLED panel TV in 2022. The S90C uses the second generation of QD-OLED panels and sits below the flagship – the S95C.

Samsung claims that the new generation of QD-OLED can reach peak brightness of up to 2000 nits. While you should take such claims with a pinch of salt, reviewers have found it to be quite bright compared to rival offerings. QD-OLED effectively eliminates the biggest drawback of an OLED panel.

The custom neural quantum processor supports 4K upscaling to deliver a sharp picture quality. The Q-Symphony 3.0 works like a charm with Samsung’s Q-series and S-series soundbars and delivers an immersive experience while watching your favorite content with dark scenes.

The usual goodies include a slim design, gaming hub, solar remote and seamless integration with other Samsung devices. Samsung doesn’t support the Dolby Vision format, though. It shouldn’t be a problem for normal users, but the emission is still worth pointing out. The built-in Tizen OS gets the job done but won’t win any awards in terms of user interface and experience design.

What We Like

  • Slim and premium design
  • Excellent integration with Samsung smart devices
  • Gaming hub and built-in Alexa

What We Don’t Like

  • Doesn’t come with a One Connect box
  • TizenOS
  • No Dolby Vision support

5. LG G3

  • Panel type: OLED
  • HDR formats supported: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Operating system: webOS
  • HDMI inputs: 4
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Let’s end the list with LG’s flagship offering – the G3. It’s the pinnacle of LG’s years of expertise with OLED panels. The G3 should be a go-to pick for anyone without budget issues.

LG G3 delivers a one-wall design, leaving no gap between the TV and the wall. While it uses the same processor as C3, this one definitely looks and feels more premium. LG also bundles a filmmaker mode to let you watch films in the most color-accurate way as it was intended.

To counter Samsung’s bright QD-OLED, LG has packed a brightness booster to adjust the picture for up to 70% brighter images. It should work like a charm in a dark room as well as bright environments. Powered by webOS 23, the G3 comes with all the necessary streaming apps and 300+ free LG channels to get you through a weekend.

The built-in remote can use a design refresh in future models, though. The current one looks outdated and busy.

What We Like

  • Class-leading OLED panel
  • Free LG channels
  • Eye-catching design

What We Don’t Like

  • webOS
  • TizenOS
  • Busy remote

Enjoy an Immersive Streaming Setup

Choose any of the options from this list of best TVs for dark scene viewing and you should be completely fine with your new setup. If you don’t prefer the TV’s built-in OS, you can always get a top Android TV box or streaming stick and set it up on your TV for a better experience.

Last updated on 02 September, 2023

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