Jada Jones/Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETCreative professionals, serious gamers, and TV enthusiasts all agree that OLED is the best option for high-end displays with their ultra-accurate colors, deep contrast, and fine details. As both OLED TVs and monitors become less expensive, more people are opting to upgrade desktops and home theaters with premium-grade screens. Both TVs and monitors can be used with different devices and have so many overlapping features, it might be hard for some users to decide which is the better fit.
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Since both display types are fairly similar in terms of picture quality, I’ve put together a list that highlights where OLED TVs and monitors differ most to help you find the right screen for your WFH office setup, gaming space, or home theater.
You should use an OLED TV if…
1. You need a large screen
While it is possible to find ultrawide OLED monitors, like the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9, you’ll pay a premium price, and you still might not get all of the screen real estate you need. That’s especially true if you prefer using a split-screen mode over a physical multi-monitor setup. Opting instead for an OLED TV gives you more size options at prices that make more sense. You’ll still have to plan for a high budget, but a 55-inch OLED TV can be had for around $1,000 if you keep a sharp eye on sale events. In contrast, something like the Samsung Odyssey Ark (which isn’t even an OLED display) will run you around $2,700.
2. You want a customizable, multifunction display
Brands like LG and Samsung have released several smart monitor models in the last few years, aiming to split the difference between PC users and TV enthusiasts. They can be a great addition to your setup, but lack a few key features that an OLED TV would give you and may not be compatible with every device.
Read more: Mini LED vs. OLED
An OLED TV will have plug-and-play compatibilitity with Windows, Linux, and Mac computers if you want a hard-wired HDMI connection as well as iOS and Android for screen sharing. A TV will also have more HDMI inputs than a typical monitor, allowing you to connect a variety of devices like a second computer, game console, or DVD player for a multipurpose display.
3. You want integrated audio
The biggest drawback to most OLED monitors is that they won’t have built-in speakers, which means you’ll have to spend even more for a set of speakers or a headset. And even if your monitor does have integrated audio, the sound quality won’t be on the same level as what you can get out of a TV.
Almost all modern smart TVs have multiple preset sound profiles for set-and-forget tone balancing, and some even allow you to create custom EQ profiles or work with integrated sensors to automatically adjust sound to suit your space. A TV’s speakers will also sound much less “crunchy” or “tinny” than built-in monitor audio; Samsung’s lineup of OLED TVs use the brand’s Object Tracking Sound+ technology in tandem with Dolby Atmos to create 3D virtual surround sound that follows the on-screen action, making them great for both serious creatives and video production.
You should use an OLED monitor if…
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET1. You want a higher refresh rate
Smart TVs usually cap their refresh rates at either 60 or 120Hz, but the latest models push that to 144 or even 165Hz. This puts them on-par with most mid-range monitors, but if you need ultra-smooth video playback for creative projects, you’ll have to go with a dedicated monitor. Some options give you a native refresh rate of 240Hz while others let you top out at an impressive 480Hz (in 1080p). Many monitors also support both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync VRR to match your screen’s refresh rate to your hardware in order to prevent annoying tearing and stuttering.
2. You need professional-grade calibration solutions
High-end OLED TVs like the Sony Bravia 9 II allow you to set custom color saturation and white balance levels, but don’t have any sort of built-in calibration settings to ensure that you’re getting the most accurate colors possible. While many monitors also don’t, it is a lot easier (and cheaper) to calibrate a PC screen with simplified programs and equipment.
More: How to turn your monitor into a TV
Devices like the Calbrite Display 123 colorimeter allow you to quickly check both color accuracy and brightness, giving creative professionals greater control over how video and images look on-screen, in print, and on other displays.
3. You need faster, consistent response times
There are few things more frustrating than screen lag when you’re in the middle of an online match or trying to work on a creative project. Smart TVs have come a long way in terms of response times, with the latest LG C6 OLED able to reduce its own to 0.1ms — but they can’t do it as consistently as a PC monitor. High-end OLED monitors like the LG UltraGear 32-inch can get even lower (around 0.03ms), and they can maintain it for far longer and across more programs and media types. Whether you’re a serious gamer or digital artist, having near-instant on-screen responses to your inputs is paramount for a smooth experience.
