Pros
Perfect black ranges
Superb shade
Posh design
To be at peace with the B2, you should be at peace with the notion that you simply’re lacking out on the C2.
Like all OLED TVs, the B2 delivers good black ranges and sensational viewing angles. Its shade manufacturing is great in each SDR and HDR, and we love the B2’s premium design.
Unfortunately, the B2 isn’t match for vibrant rooms; OLED TVs are identified for being dimmer than LED TVs, however the B2 is even dimmer than the entire OLED TVs we’ve seen this 12 months. In addition, whereas most people will probably be set with the B2’s pair of HDMI 2.1 ports and its gaming-related options, critical avid gamers may really feel restricted by the B2’s lack of two further HDMI ports able to 4K gaming at 120Hz.
The LG C2—our present choose for the Best Overall TV—looms giant. The B2 is cheaper than the C2, however the C2’s added brightness and full help of HDMI 2.1 make it a tantalizing funding. There are additionally a handful of very good LED TVs on this worth vary that get twice as vibrant because the B2 and provide an identical array of gaming-friendly options.
The B2 is an advanced TV, however for some customers, it may be the savviest manner to economize on an OLED TV.
About the LG B2
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
The LG Magic Remote can be utilized as a conventional handheld distant or a motion-activated wand.
The LG B2 OLED is out there in three sizes starting from 55 to 77 inches. Our mannequin is a 65-inch model that we obtained on mortgage from LG.
Here’s how the sequence shakes out when it comes to pricing:
55-inch (LG OLED55B2PUA), MSRP $999.99
65-inch (LG OLED65B2PUA), MSRP $1,399.99
77-inch (LG OLED77B2PUA), MSRP $2,099.99
Given the character of OLED {hardware}, we don’t anticipate there to be any main variations in efficiency between every mannequin. However, sure bodily traits (like panel uniformity) might range from unit to unit.
With sizing and pricing out of the way in which, let’s check out the specs:
Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160)
Display sort: OLED
HDR help: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Dolby Atmos: Yes (native decoding)
eARC help: Yes
Native refresh fee: 120Hz
Smart platform: internet OS 22
Color: DCI-P3 shade house/10-bit chroma decision
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Yes
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Yes
Processor: a7 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K
Other options: AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, Game Optimizer, Filmmaker Mode, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2, hands-free voice management
The B2 ships with LG’s Magic Remote, much like the one which got here with LG’s OLED TVs final 12 months. The Magic Remote can be utilized historically (with navigational capabilities inputted through the directional pad), or it may be used like a motion-activated wand (with an on-screen cursor monitoring your hand actions).
The latest model of LG’s sensible platform, webOS 22, can also be much like final 12 months’s model. From a devoted house display, customers can navigate all kinds of streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, and HBO Max. There’s additionally a web-based retailer the place you’ll be able to obtain and set up apps to the B2’s house display.
As with most sensible platforms, the majority of the house display’s actual property is taken up by sponsored content material (usually within the type of “trending” content material). Most of it isn’t customizable, so that you’ll must navigate round it when you resolve to make use of the TV’s built-in sensible platform as your each day driver.
Connectivity
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
Connections are cut up between a side-facing bay and a back-facing cutout, which isn’t our favourite configuration.
The B2 is provided with a powerful collection of connectivity choices for informal viewers. For house theater fans and avid gamers, the choice may be limiting. Only two of the B2’s HDMI ports are able to supporting 4K content material at 120Hz, and a kind of inputs additionally serves because the TV’s devoted eARC port.
Here’s what you’ll discover in two cutouts (one side-facing and one back-facing) on the again of the LG B2’s panel:
2x HDMI 2.1 (4K @ 120Hz, 1x HDMI ARC/eARC)
2x HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz)
2x USB 2.0
RF connection (cable/antenna)
Ethernet (LAN) enter
Digital audio output (optical)
RS-232C
Performance information
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
The B2 covers a powerful 98% of the HDR (DCI-P3) shade gamut.
Before testing every TV, we make sure that the panel is on and receiving a steady sign for at the very least 2 hours. Our 65-inch B2 obtained this normal warm-up time earlier than any readings had been taken. In addition, we ran the built-in Pixel Cleaning course of and the TV obtained the newest firmware updates on the time of testing.
For each SDR and HDR checks, we’re utilizing the B2’s Filmmaker image mode. We’ve chosen this setting due to its accuracy, however efficiency might range relying on which image mode is enabled. For instance, you may expertise a brighter image with completely different settings enabled, however it could intervene with shade temperature and general shade accuracy.
For further context, nonetheless, I additionally carried out checks in Cinema Home, although these outcomes aren’t reported under. This image mode supplied a barely brighter image, significantly in HDR. However, I discovered that Filmmaker mode’s accuracy was preferable over the modest enhance in brightness.
To get a way of the TV’s common efficiency, we use a regular ANSI checkerboard sample for many of our primary distinction checks. We additionally use white and black home windows starting from 2% to 90% to check how effectively the distinction holds up whereas displaying various levels of brightness.
Our peak brightness measurements are taken with sustained home windows to signify the TV’s peak brightness over a sustained time period. Specular highlights (like transient flashes of mirrored mild) may attain larger brightness ranges, however not for sustained durations of time.
All of our checks are measured with a SpectraCal C6 meter, a Murideo Seven 8K sign generator and tabulated through Portrait Displays’ Calman Ultimate shade calibration software program.
I’ll develop on our check outcomes all through the evaluate, however for now, listed here are some key takeaways:
HDR distinction (brightness/black degree): 304.1 nits/0.0001 nits (ANSI checkerboard)
SDR distinction (brightness/black degree): 238.2 nits/0.0001 nits (ANSI checkerboard)
HDR peak brightness (sustained): 548.1 nits (20% white window, Filmmaker mode)
HDR shade gamut protection (DCI-P3/10-bit): 98%
SDR shade gamut protection (Rec.709): 100%
As all the time, the TV’s energy-saving steps had been disabled previous to testing. This ensured that the B2 wasn’t adjusting its image based mostly on dark-room circumstances. This choice might be discovered within the TV’s OLED Care settings menu.
For SDR checks, I initially saved the B2’s OLED Pixel Brightness setting fastened at its default place of 85. However, the SDR checks reported above had been taken with OLED Pixel Brightness maxed out at 100. The B2’s Gamma Adjust setting was set to 2.4.
For each SDR and HDR checks, Peak Brightness was set to High and Auto Dynamic Contrast was disabled. The following settings had been additionally disabled: Super Resolution, Noise Reduction, MPEG Noise Reduction, and Smooth Gradation. In addition, LG’s TruMotion settings (together with OLED Motion) had been saved off till I watched real-world content material. Lastly, throughout HDR checks, Dynamic Tone Mapping was disabled.
What we like
Perfect black ranges that solely an OLED can provide
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
Contrast on the B2 is spectacular, due to OLED’s capability to show off particular person pixels.
Contrast is the cornerstone of image high quality, and no TV tech does distinction higher than OLED. Whereas conventional LED shows depend on a backlight, OLED shows (just like the B2) are self-emissive, that means each single pixel has the flexibility to show itself on and off. This benefit has an unlimited optimistic influence on a number of areas of efficiency.
As talked about, the B2’s general distinction is severely spectacular. While it doesn’t get as vibrant as different, more-expensive OLED TVs, the B2’s pristine black ranges make the TV look brighter than it’s. For this purpose, it’s a terrific dark-room TV.
Self-illuminating pixels additionally permit for zero mild bloom in anyway. The B2 is at its greatest when darkish scenes are punctuated by brighter parts. While even the very best LED TVs will wrestle to restrict the glow radiating off of these brighter objects, OLED TVs don’t wrestle in any respect.
Another benefit of OLED show expertise might be skilled whereas viewing the TV from off-axis viewing positions. Most LED TVs will look worse once you transfer simply 30 to 40 levels away from a direct line of sight; colours will seem washed out and distinction will drop considerably. OLED TVs don’t have this downside. Even at a severely off-axis place, the B2’s image appears to be like each bit as sharp because it does from the very best seat in the home. If you’re considering a big TV for group viewings, the B2 is inherently extra accommodating than most equally priced LED TVs.
Excellent out-of-the-box shade
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
The B2 has nice shade accuracy from the second you flip it on.
The B2’s shade manufacturing is terrific, no matter content material sort. Colors throughout SDR content material (cable TV, over-the-air broadcasts, and most of what you’ll discover on streaming apps) are rendered precisely within the B2’s most refined image mode, and in HDR, they give the impression of being even higher.
According to our lab checks, the B2 covers a powerful 98% of the HDR shade gamut (DCI-P3). The added brightness in HDR permits for reds and greens that actually pop. As is the case in SDR, the B2’s shade factors in HDR are well-calibrated proper out of the field, so even eagle-eyed viewers will probably be happy with the way it appears to be like. In Filmmaker mode, the B2’s measurable shade error settles ever-so-slightly above the edge of what might be perceived by most individuals’s eyes.
The B2’s out-of-the-box white level is barely skewed towards blue-green, however the cooling impact is simply noticeable within the darker grey tones near black.
Posh design
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
While the stand is a holdover from final 12 months’s fashions, it solidly anchors the TV and appears smooth.
In addition to sporting good black ranges, OLED TVs have additionally earned a popularity for sporting some critical attractiveness. Despite being a less-expensive, less-kitted-out TV than higher-end LG OLEDs, the B2 is however a head-turner.
At its thinnest, the B2’s show is roughly the width of a smartphone. The solely bulk to be discovered is on the underside half of the panel, the place the B2 homes its inside {hardware}.
The B2 borrows design parts from final 12 months’s OLED lineup, as itsTV’s pedestal-style stand is much like the LG C1: a downward-sloping, trapezoidal slab of whose hefty weight anchors the TV from behind the display. With the stand connected, the 65-inch B2 isn’t practically as mild because the LG C2, however the latter includes a lighter stand design and an all-new composite-fiber materials.
Fortunately, all of its borrowed design prospers are extremely pleasing to the attention. One phrase of warning, nonetheless: The B2’s stand design retains it fairly low to the floor; there’s solely a pair inches of clearance between the underside of the panel and no matter floor it’s sitting on. If you personal a very tall soundbar, the B2 won’t be capable of accommodate with out the soundbar getting in the way in which of the image.
What we don’t like
Limited brightness limits HDR
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
The B2 does not have the brightness of equally priced opponents to carry as much as a bunch of ambient mild.
The B2’s good black ranges actually go a good distance towards producing a deep, true-to-life image, however the TV’s Achilles’ heel is its relative dimness. Compared to higher-end OLED TVs from this 12 months and aggressive LED TVs specializing in brightness, the B2 is at a major drawback.
Its common image brightness by no means climbs larger than round 300 nits, even in HDR. To be honest, common image brightness will not be the robust swimsuit of any OLED TV, so these numbers are solely considerably disappointing.
The actual problem has to do with the B2’s capability to drive brightness to small, concentrated areas of the image. While a TV just like the LG C2 is able to producing HDR specular highlights within the 750- to 800-nit vary, the B2 barely scrapes 600 nits in a few of its brighter image modes.
For dark-room viewing, the B2’s highlights are vibrant sufficient to pop, particularly in HDR. Reflections, sparks, sunbeams, and glints of sunshine received’t look as dazzling on the B2 as they do on higher-end OLED TVs (and even most mid-range and a few price range, quantum dot-enhanced LED TVs), however they give the impression of being high-quality on account of their being anchored with good black ranges.
For daytime viewing, the B2 simply received’t get vibrant sufficient to actually sing. In reality, when you’re searching for a room that receives an ample quantity of daylight, I’d even go as far as to say that the B2 will not be a good selection. Bright rooms will stifle this TV’s already-limited brightness.
Gaming help could possibly be stronger
For most avid gamers, the LG B2 is a lot accommodating. It helps Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and even affords FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility. These options, mixed with the TV’s low enter lag, make sure that the gaming expertise is easy and freed from lag.
The B2 additionally includes a native 120Hz refresh fee, in addition to full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 help, so it’s totally able to showcasing 4K video games at 120fps. Unfortunately, that is the place it will get somewhat sophisticated. Only two of the TV’s HDMI inputs help 4K/120Hz gaming. Critically, certainly one of these ports additionally doubles because the TV’s devoted eARC enter.
In different phrases, when you have a couple of gaming system in addition to an eARC-enabled soundbar, you’ll must relegate one of many gaming gadgets to a port that’s capped at 4K/60Hz (or undergo your soundbar, supplied it options an HDMI 2.1 enter). This received’t really feel very accommodating for soundbar homeowners who personal each an Xbox Series X and a PlayStation 5.
This is a typical compromise amongst mid-range TVs whose {hardware} and software program options have been rigorously culled as a way to hold prices down. And whereas the B2 is technically a value-forward TV in LG’s OLED lineup, it’s however priced larger than most of these aforementioned mid-range LED TVs that depart some options on the desk as a way to maximize worth.
For comparability’s sake, all 4 of the LG C2’s HDMI ports help 4K gaming at 120Hz. With the C2, there’s no juggling cables and ports as a way to get essentially the most out of your tools.
Should you purchase the LG B2?
Yes, however provided that you’re wanting to economize on an OLED TV
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
If you do not need to spring for a C2, the B2 is the OLED to get.
On paper, the B2 looks as if an actual Goldilocks scenario: It’s not as highly effective and refined because the higher-end LG C2, however it affords extra options than the less-expensive LG A2 (a TV that’s restricted to 60Hz).
But let’s take a step again from the on-paper specs and contemplate the market. Right now, a 65-inch LG C2 might be yours for about $1,600 to $1,700, relying on the retailer. On sale, a 65-inch LG B2 might be purchased for round $1,300. Now, when you spend most of your time watching TV in a comparatively darkish room and also you don’t personal a couple of next-gen gaming console, you may contemplate {that a} worthwhile low cost. If you need to maximize your greenback and put the $300 financial savings towards one other side of your private home theater, the B2 is a terrific manner to do that.
That stated, the C2’s added brightness, barely higher efficiency, and common HDMI 2.1 help actually elevates that TV to top-tier standing. There’s a purpose we picked it as our greatest gaming TV of 2022, in spite of everything. The C2 isn’t an excellent bright-room TV, however its brighter punch may be very a lot definitely worth the funding if what you need to expertise actually sensational HDR.
If you’re apprehensive about OLED expertise on account of a sunny front room, there are a number of LED choices within the B2’s worth bracket that may fit your wants. The latest TCL 6-Series is sort of twice as vibrant because the B2, and its pair of HDMI 2.1-equipped ports are separate from its eARC port, making it an excellent choice for bright-room avid gamers purchasing within the B2’s worth vary. The Hisense U8H is saddled with an identical HDMI conundrum because the B2, however it will get even brighter than the 6-Series and prices even much less.
Of course, each of these quantum dot-enhanced LED TVs don’t ship the proper black ranges, ultra-wide viewing angles, and razor-thin design of the LG B2. It’s as much as you to resolve what fits you greatest.
The product specialists at Reviewed have all of your purchasing wants lined. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTook, or Flipboard for the newest offers, product evaluations, and extra.
Prices had been correct on the time this text was printed however might change over time.
Meet the tester
Michael Desjardin
Senior Staff Writer
@Reviewed
Michael Desjardin graduated from Emerson College after having studied media manufacturing and screenwriting. He focuses on tech for Reviewed, but in addition loves movie criticism, bizarre ambient music, cooking, and meals on the whole.
See all of Michael Desjardin’s evaluations
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