LG C2 vs LG G2: Which one should you buy? | Jobs Vox

The LG C2 is the best TV you can buy. The LG G2 is a step up from the C2 and our top upgrade, so it stands to reason that it’s a better TV, right? Not so fast.

There are a few important factors to consider before committing to one of these high-end OLED TVs. To help you decide between the two, we’ve tested both TVs to their limits in the lab. Here’s how the C2 and G2 compare, from features to performance.

Buy LG C2 on Amazon

Buy LG G2 on Amazon

Price

These TVs are still the latest models in the series, so you’ll have to wait a little longer for deep discounts on each model. Here’s how each series shakes out.

LG C2:

• 42-inch (LG OLED42C2PUA), MSRP $1,399.99
• 48-inch (LG OLED48C2PUA), MSRP $1,499.99
• 55-inch (LG OLED55C2PUA), MSRP $1,799.99
• 65-inch (LG OLED65C2PUA), MSRP $2,499.99
• 77-inch (LG OLED77C2PUA), MSRP $3,499.99
• 83-inch (LG OLED83C2PUA), MSRP $5,499.99

The C2 comes in six sizes: standard 55- and 65-inch models, several smaller models, and a pair of larger models. The larger models are a great choice for those looking to upgrade their home theater, while the 42-inch model is sure to appeal to gamers.

LG G2:

• 55-inch (LG OLED55G2PUA), MSRP $2,199.99
• 65-inch (LG OLED65G2PUA), MSRP $3,199.99
• 77-inch (LG OLED77G2PUA), MSRP $4,199.99
• 83-inch (LG OLED83G2PUA), MSRP $6,499.99
• 97-inch (LG OLED97G2PUA), priced at $24,999

The G2 is less flexible at the smaller end of the scale; its most compact model is 55 inches. One thing that may be relevant to a small number of buyers is that the impressive 97-inch version of the G2 is the largest OLED ever made, and at $24,999 it’s the most expensive.

Given C2’s low cost and flexibility, it’s a pretty easy call.

Our choice: LG C2

Design

It’s not often that the design category carries the most weight when comparing high-end TVs, but I believe it’s here. For the C2 and G2, how you plan to display your new TV will factor heavily into your decision.

The G2 “Gallery” OLED gets its name from its design because it’s designed to hang on the wall like a portrait. An optional stand for the G2 is sold separately, but it’s a somewhat awkward setup and, frankly, seems random.

But the original wall-mount design has its advantages, and few TVs look better on a wall than the G2. Its ultra-slim wall bracket (included with the TV) keeps the G2 closer to the wall than traditional brackets, and the slim, silver bezel completes the art gallery look.

If you buy the separately sold G2 stand for your desktop rig, you’ll be as disappointed as we are with the amount of sway it creates. (Just be sure kids, pets, and entertainment guests don’t get too close.) An optional G2 stand tilts the board back like an easel. I imagine most people will get used to the tilt, but it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

The C2, on the other hand, has a more console-friendly design. Every size in the series (except the 42-inch model) has a sleek, pedestal-style stand that securely holds the C2 panel. (The 42-inch C2 offers a pair of legs instead of a center-mounted base.)

The C2’s lightweight, composite fiberglass also makes it easy to move around the house if you decide to move it. The G2’s panel needs to be thicker than most OLED TVs in order for it to stick to the wall, while the C2 can be as thin as a smartphone at its narrowest point.

Although the ultra-slim panel of the C2 looks great on the wall, the G2 is a better choice for wall mounting due to its overall design philosophy. But the C2 looks better on a desk or media console and barely wobbles, making the design more convenient.

Our choice: LG C2

Features and smart platform

From a software and features perspective, the C2 and G2 are essentially identical. Here is a long list of shared features before further expansion.

• Decision: 4K (3,840 x 2,160)
• Screen type: OLED
• HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
• Dolby Atmos: Yes (native decoding)
• eARC Support: Yes
• Native recovery speed: 120 Hz
• HDMI: 4x HDMI 2.1
• Color: DCI-P3 color space/10-bit color resolution
• Smart Platform: webOS 22
• Variable refresh rate (VRR): Yes
• Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Yes
• Other features: FreeSync Premium, G-Sync compatibility, Game optimization, Google Stadia, GeForce Now, Filmmaker mode, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2, ASTC 3.0 tuner, hands-free voice control

Both TVs are powered by LG’s webOS smart platform. From the dedicated WebOS home screen, you can choose from a variety of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, and HBO Max. If you decide to make webOS your primary streaming hub, there are also additional apps available for download.

G2 and C2 are the powerhouses of the game. Each TV supports both Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for smoother, lower-latency gaming. Additionally, all 4 of the HDMI 2.1 ports on both TVs support 4K gaming with 48Gbps bandwidth at 120Hz.

Moviegoers and TV enthusiasts alike will appreciate the support for both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, the popular and proprietary version of HDR. Dolby Vision titles can be streamed on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV, and Blu-rays are often Dolby Vision mastered.

LG TVs no longer support DTS audio, but both the C2 and G2 can decode Dolby Atmos sound, and both can stream it to a Dolby Atmos soundbar via eARC in uncompressed format or compressed format (Dolby Digital Plus).

Whichever LG OLED you choose, you’ll have a TV that’s at the cutting edge of home entertainment technology.

Our choice: Draw

Performance

Contrast is the bread and butter of OLED TVs. OLED’s self-illuminating pixels allow for perfect black levels, rich colors and unparalleled viewing angles, among other benefits. C2 and G2 are no exception; Their infinite contrast is a key element of their exceptional performance.

Both of these LG OLEDs are impressively bright for their class, but the G2 delivers sharper and more colorful images as advertised. When viewing these TVs side-by-side, you may not notice the difference in full-screen brightness. Instead, you’ll see highlights from the G2, especially during HDR content. Additional lighting contributes greatly to the depth of the image.

In parallel, eagle-eyed viewers may notice that the G2 offers a color palette that’s a leader in HDR color selection. It’s quite subtle, but the G2 is more capable of expressing color gradients. During testing, I noted that the green-to-yellow transition of the toucan feathers looked better on G2 than on C2.

Ultimately, the G2 is arguably the better performer of the two, and the difference in image quality will be appreciated by discerning viewers who seek perfection. If you leave aside differences in brightness and color volume, the C2 and G2 offer similar performance across all types of content. Both TVs look great, but the G2 has a slight edge.

Our choice: LG G2

And the winner is…

For most people, the LG C2 is a better choice. It offers the same set of features as the G2, and while the G2 technically has a better picture, the difference in picture quality won’t justify the higher price for most buyers.

If you plan to use a rack, the C2’s case is stronger; I wouldn’t choose the G2 over the C2 if I wasn’t planning on wall mounting my next TV. If you is If you’re looking for a wall mount TV, the G2 is the best option on the market. Everything screams “put me on your wall” and the loudest voice is his dubious podium design.

However, most people don’t wall mount their next TV. They probably won’t be able to tell the difference between C2 and G2 in the most accurate picture mode. 48 and 42-inch TVs are much more popular than 97-inch TVs. For all these reasons, the C2 is the better choice for most buyers.

Buy LG C2 on Amazon

Buy LG G2 on Amazon

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Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but may change over time.