LG OLED55C14LB 55 inch 4K UHD HDR Smart OLED TV (2021 Model) with Advanced α9 Gen4 AI processor, SELF-LIT OLED, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, built-in Google Assistant and Alexa, Black

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The set’s latency performance is very good for gaming. We measured input lag at 12.6ms (1080/60) with Game mode on. LG C1 review: Sound quality

The LG OLED55C1 is a superb gaming TV with excellent contrast and dynamic range mixed with very good HDR. The C1 is compatible with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and has an HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) setting under the Dynamic Tone Mapping sub-menu in the Game Optimiser mode. There is also support for G-Sync validated by NVIDIA and on top of that, there is support for AMD’s FreeSync VRR.

LG’s AI Picture Pro picture system has had a deep learning performance bump this season which allows it to better optimise and analyse images in real time; it seems HD upscaling is also a beneficiary. There are many more OLEDs to test before we proclaim our 2020 Award-winner, but LG’s CX is very much in the box seat. LG has also clearly done some work on its motion processing for 2020, and while it’s still a touch behind Sony, the CX and its siblings do a good job of sharpening and smoothing motion without making it look unnatural. Percentage luminance drop at 20 degree vertical angle from the centre of the screen with 100% white output

The stand is quite wide, but the LG CX’s overall footprint is a fair bit narrower than that of sets such as the Sony A8, which has feet at either end of its bottom panel. The CX does sit rather low, though, which could be an issue if you plan to place a soundbar in front of it. This is why when you read online people refer to the TVs as only C1, because the other differences are not important. The only important bit is the model range and model year. It's not possible to buy a TV with a different region from the UK, for instance...unless you're importing it from abroad. Connectivity is accomplished. All four HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1, and support 4K 120Hz (capped at 40Gbps @ 10-bit 4:4:4, for those who follow such specifics), making the set an obvious partner for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.if you are new to OLED or looking for an excellent all rounder, the C1 is hard to beat at the price point. Having already tested LG’s 65in GX and 48in CX models, we knew what to expect from this 55in CX: a superlative performance that isn’t vastly different from last year’s C9 but does improve upon it in a few important ways.

The 55in CX’s sound system is the same 2.2-channel, 40W affair as seen in the 48in model we’ve already tested. Predictably, then, it sounds similar, albeit with a slightly fuller balance that’s typical of a bigger TV. A Cinematic Movement option that controls the level of frame merging is particularly effective, and all but eliminates the horrid soap opera effect (if you’re a fan, Smooth is still available). Max light output HDR (high dynamic range) while displaying a live scene and white square taking up 60% of the screen (measured in Nits)There are seemingly small, but significant improvements to picture handling too. The set runs the brand’s 4th-gen Alpha 9 image engine, with AI enhanced image processing. It’s astonishingly powerful. LG’s webOS smart platform was once the gold standard for smart connectivity, but it became increasingly unwieldy as more and more functions were added. Here we see the fruits of a radical full-screen reimagining, and it’s largely successful. Max light output HDR (high dynamic range) while displaying a live scene and white square taking up 10% of the screen (measured in Nits)

The C1 also delivers lovely, naturalistic HDR. Peak highlights were measured at 750 nits using the Standard image present and a 5% measurement window (better reflecting how highlights typically appear on screen). This isn’t as perky as the new 'OLED Evo' panel on the G1, but it’s not far off at all. The brain of the TV is the 2020 version of LG’s Alpha 9 (a9) processor. This ‘Gen 3’ chip brings with it, among other things, a feature called AI Picture Pro, which LG says will “enhance the resolution and sharpness of contents by an algorithm learned via a LG Deep Learning technique”, and AI Sound Pro, which “provides the optimal sound or Virtual 5.1 surround, depending on the watching genre”.

Oddly, while the Magic Remote made sense with the old-style webOS, it feels a little at odds with the new full-screen webOS v6.0; the on-screen cursor is an almost redundant affectation. And finally, if you're looking for the absolute best-of-best OLED quality then take a look at the LG G2 instead (2022's flagship). It's a step up in the range and in evolution, delivering the brightest OLED image to date. It's not nearly as cheap though! L - Tuner type - Both TVs have digital terrestrial tuners. Other letters indicate things like satellite tuners, or tuners for specific regions. Some TVs are sold in regions with dual tuners.