Being that their names are so similar, it can be really difficult to figure out the unique differences between OLED and QLED TVs at a glance. Thus, many of us end up using the two terms interchangeably. Want to save yourself the potential embarrassment of confusing the two amongst your tech-savvy friends?

Join us down below as we take a look at the biggest differences between OLED and QLED TVs, so you can pick the perfect screen for your home.

What’s The Difference Between OLED And QLED?

There are actually quite a few ways in which OLED TVs and QLED TVs differ from one another, from the technology employed within them, and the various benefits that they can offer for television users.

One of the key differences between OLED and QLED TVs is how they are illuminated. OLED is an acronym that stands for ‘organic light-emitting diode’. This is a highly specific type of technology that, unlike most standard televisions, allows the screen to work without a backlight. Instead of having a backlight, each of the individual pixels in the screen provides its own light.

OLED technology has the added benefit of allowing specific pixels to turn on and off as required, allowing for OLED displays to recreate ‘true’ black values, which in turn creates much greater contrast in specific shots of TV shows or movies. The individual pixels of an OLED display being able to turn on and off in an instant also makes OLED TVs, such as Samsung 4K OLED TVs, great for motion reproduction, allowing footage to appear silky smooth.

QLED, on the other hand, stands for ‘quantum dot light-emitting diodes’. In a QLED display, microscopic semiconductors are subjected to specific amounts of energy, which in turn causes them to emit light of a specific colour. This allows QLED displays to produce much richer and more accurate colours. This in turn allows for a much more immersive viewing experience.

Unlike OLED TVs, QLED TVs do make use of a backlight, in order to help colours to really pop. The inclusion of a backlight helps to make the screen much more comfortable to look at for long periods, while also helping to improve overall visual fidelity.

OLED and QLED TVs also differ greatly in how much energy they consume. Generally speaking, the power needed to illuminate the backlight of a QLED display leads to it consuming much more energy than an OLED during use. OLED pixels can turn off individually, which also helps to significantly minimise the amount of energy used.

OLED and QLED TVs achieve similarly rich and luscious imagery, but both use very different kinds of technology. OLED TVs make use of independently-acting pixels to create deeper contrast, while QLED displays make use of quantum technology to create more vibrant colours!

What’s Better, OLED or QLED?

It’s difficult to say for certain which of the two display types is definitively ‘Best’, as they both have strong unique features that make them great for specific uses.

The individual pixels of an OLED TV are great for streaming the latest TV boxsets or blockbuster films as they were intended to look. The intense black values and smooth motion achieved by the individual pixels help to create much greater contrast in every image.

QLED displays, on the other hand, are able to create far richer and more varied colour palettes, making them great TVs for gamers, and those that truly want to immerse themselves in the year’s best films.

Should You Choose An OLED Or QLED TV?

Now that we’ve covered the most unique differences between the two products, you’re likely wondering which of the two would be best for you. Your choice will, ultimately, come down to what you plan to use the screen for, as well as your existing space, and your budget.

Refresh Rates

If you are looking to use your new TV for watching live sports events, then visual fidelity will need to go hand in hand with refresh rates. Put simply, the refresh rate of a TV refers to how efficiently a screen is able to shift between images, to create a sense of motion.

The better the refresh rate, the smoother the motion will appear on the screen! If you are looking for the best refresh rates possible, then we would recommend opting for an OLED model, as they feature much faster pixel responses than similar QLED screens.

Higher refresh rates are great for gamers, as they allow TVs to display higher frame rates, making it much easier to stay in control of the best games.

Energy Usage

When it comes down to energy usage, OLED definitely comes out on top, making it a great option for saving on your energy bills, while also being environmentally conscious. The reason for this is that QLED TVs require a bright backlight in order to display their images. In the long run, this causes such a screen to use more energy.

Picture

If you’re planning on using your TV to watch blockbuster films or to binge through the latest Netflix craze, then we would recommend opting for a QLED model. The unique technology of a QLED TV allows it to create far more vibrant colours, and create much greater contrast in specific scenes, drawing you much closer to the action.

Input Lag

Gamers looking to choose between OLED and QLED will need to not only consider the refresh rate of the screen, so that they can enjoy higher frame rates, to dominate the competition but also lower input lag. When it comes to response times, OLED screens stand out on top. If a player were to press a button on a controller, then an OLED screen would be able to display the appropriate response in as little as 0.1 milliseconds.

A QLED screen, on the other hand, will take anywhere between 2 to 10 milliseconds. In the heat of an online game, these milliseconds can easily make the difference between victory and defeat!

Space

Your choice will also depend on the space that the screen will occupy. Both OLED and QLED TVs can be purchased with massive screen sizes, though QLED TVs tend to be much larger. This is thanks to the microscopic size of the quantum dots used to display images on the screen.

Even at the biggest sizes, you would still not be able to make out the individual pixels on a QLED screen. If you have a larger space, and you want to truly immerse yourself in film and TV, then QLED may be the perfect option for you!

Price

Finally, you will also want to make sure to consider the price of an individual TV. In general, QLED TVs tend to be much more affordable than OLED TVs. This is thanks to the sheer number of independently-acting pixels found within an OLED display. If you have a significant budget, then you may want to opt for OLED.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Years Does An OLED Screen Last?

Provided you take ample care of it, you can easily see your OLED TV lasting for up to 10 years of usage. You can use your OLED TV for more than hours a day without degrading it significantly! If you want it to last a few more years, be sure to maintain it properly!

How Do You Take Care Of An OLED TV?

OLED TVs are unfortunately susceptible to screen burn-in, so there are a number of things that you can do to help prevent burn-in from occurring on yours. One of the best things you can do is to lower the brightness. This will not only help to protect the screen but prevent eye strain in the long run.

How Do I Get Fingerprints Off My OLED TV?

Luckily, if you end up with fingerprints on your OLED TV screen, it’s very easy to clean. All you need is a little bit of lukewarm soapy water and a microfibre cloth. Dip the cloth lightly into the water, rinse it, and then very carefully dab the fingerprints. Do not use any harsh chemicals, as they may damage the screen.

Can You Use Alcohol Wipes On An OLED TV?

If you’re planning to wipe down your OLED TV, then we would recommend against making use of alcohol wipes to do the job. Unfortunately, certain chemicals, especially alcohol, can damage the film layer that coats the exterior panel of most OLED TVs. It’s best to simply use a few drops of soapy warm water.