Key Points
- LED TVs are energy efficient, consuming about half the power of a CCFL to produce the same amount of light.
- LED TVs offer thin, sleek designs, making them lightweight and easy to mount on walls.
- LED TVs are durable, with a lifespan of 100,000 hours, and require minimal maintenance.
- There are different types of LED TVs, including edge-lit, full-array, and direct-lit, each with varying image quality and dimming capabilities.
The TV market is flooded with every brand flaunting their model as the best. However, for nearly all of them, the letters “LED” form part of the specifications. If the TV is not purely LED, it may be a more advanced version, such as OLED or QLED.
So, why have LED TVs taken over the market, and why should you consider buying this type of TV over the other options? This article explains the benefits of an LED TV and the different types available for you to consider. However, let’s start with the basics.
What Is an LED TV?
To properly explain exactly what an LED TV is, it is essential to start at the very fundamental feature of a TV — the display. Many think the “D” in LED stands for display, but it does not. Almost all TVs on the market today use a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The difference comes in how the display is lit-up.
In normal LCD TVs, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) is used. However, in LED TVs, Light Emitting Diodes, LEDs, are used instead of the CCFL. Therefore, the appropriate technical name for these TV types is LED-backlit LCD TVs. However, very few manufacturers will go through the trouble of giving their products the most technically correct name. With that said, here are eight reasons why you should consider buying an LED TV.
They Are Energy Efficient
One of the key reasons for the increased production and uptake of LED TVs is their low energy efficiency. Before CCFLs, TVs used cathode ray tubes, which consumed a lot of energy to light up the display. Then came plasma TVs, which had pockets of gas that lit up when voltage was applied to them. While it consumed less energy than the earlier technology, it still used more than the CCFL.
LEDs, however, consume less power. They consume about half of what a CCFL requires to produce the same amount of light. Being energy efficient implies that you do not need to worry about your bill like you would when using normal LCD TVs or plasma TVs.
Energy efficiency also plays a pivotal role in the choice of energy source used. In the spirit of going green and saving the environment, many homes are opting for solar power. With normal LCD TVs, the energy consumption is too high, and given that most people use TVs today for more than entertainment, it would not be sustainable to power them using solar energy. So, this is one area where LED TVs are a more viable option.
They Are Available in Thin, Sleek Modular Designs
Plasma TVs were the first flat-screen TVs on the market. LCD TVs are similarly flat. However, only LED TVs screens are truly thin, often no thicker than 2.5cm. Consequently, they are lightweight, which means you can easily move them around the room as necessary. Lightweight also means you can easily mount them on walls, which is an excellent option for those who love minimalist decor or do not have sufficient table space.
LED TVs also come with a sleek design that allows them to be used as art. It is becoming an increasingly popular trend for slim TVs, as most people prefer the option of digital room décor instead of a black screen. Since they are very slim, LED TVs are a good fit for this use, as the thickness is almost equal to that of a standard picture frame.
They Offer an Immersive Visual Experience
Every cinephile understands the importance of having a TV that gives life to the pictures and draws the viewer into the action. LED TVs achieve this better than plasma or conventional LCD options. They have better picture quality, as they feature higher contrast ratios and darker black levels. This translates into more detailed, lifelike images.
In addition to creating vibrant colors, high contrast offers more details in dark scenes than low-contrast TVs. As a result, LED TVs can provide an immersive viewing experience in dimly lit rooms, bringing you the perfect cinema experience at home.
They Are Durable
LED TVs have a lifespan of 100,000 hours, while LCD TVs have about 40,000 to 50,000 hours. It means that if you watch TV for about 8 hours a day, every day of the year, the TV would last over 30 years. If you keep it on all the time, it would last 10 years.
Even though technological advancements will lead to more feature-packed TV models along the way, your LED TV will still be in good condition. However, it is important to note that some TV brands last longer than others. So, a unit from the most reliable brands can serve you for an impressive amount of time without needing replacing.
Durability also implies reduced electronic waste. Like every appliance, TVs have toxic metals that are almost impossible to recycle. Therefore, the longer it takes to dispose of the TV, the better for the environment.
They Are Easy to Maintain
Every electronic device requires maintenance if it is to last its expected lifespan. However, the durability of LED TVs means that you will spend almost nothing on maintenance costs. Even when you need to maintain them, it usually involves simple tasks such as dusting the surface and ensuring it is properly placed or mounted so it does not fall. Generally, you need to do very little to keep an LED TV functioning at optimum performance levels.
They Are Easy to Integrate
As noted above, LED TVs are very slim. Depending on how the LEDs are arranged behind the display, these TVs can also have very thin bezels. As a result, they are easy to incorporate into seamless video wall displays. The easy integration makes them an excellent option for situations requiring extended displays, providing better video or image visualization.
Also, their modular design makes setup easy to coordinate, such as when using VESA mounts. What works for one TV will often work for another, provided they are the same size.
©Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock.com
They Come With Many Additional Features
Even though they are thin and lightweight, LED TVs contain a great deal of technology behind their slim frames. This advanced technology makes integrating numerous additional features into the television possible. Integration of external storage, screen sharing, HDMI, HDR, and other high-resolution video and picture features is only possible on LED TVs. As a matter of fact, most smart TVs are LEDs or some variant of it.
While it is possible to have some of these features on normal LCD TVs, the TVs are unable to offer the same performance available on an LED TV screen. Plasma TVs, in particular, suffered from overheating when they were required to handle more features.
They Are Widely Available
A final reason to consider an LED TV is that LED screens are the most widely available option on the market today, as they have become the preferred choice among the public. This also indicates the technology is here to stay.
Plasma TVs were phased out by 2014 because of the gasses they require to light up the screen, as well as their limited color spectrum. Due to continual technological advancements, LED TVs are getting cheaper to produce, so manufacturers are shifting away from normal LCD screens to meet the increasing demand.
It is, therefore, essential that you future-proof your entertainment needs by opting for TV technology that will not be obsolete in the next few years. Also, if you are looking for a TV with the latest features, there is a high chance it will be an LED TV.
Types of LED TVs
It is important to note that LED TVs are not the same. Depending on how the LEDs are arranged behind the screen, you can choose from an edge-lit, direct-lit, or full-array LED TV. They differ in subtle but essential ways, especially when it comes to dimming. Here is a quick summary:
Edge-Lit LED TVs
As the name suggests, edge-lit TVs have LEDs placed along the edge of the TV and facing the center. They can only dim large parts of the picture, not specific parts. It was once the most common type of LED TV but it has since been replaced by full array LED TVs.
- Crystal UHD delivers very clear and crisp picture
- Features Samsung’s motion Xcelerator to display fast-moving actions perfectly
- Comes with voice-assistants built-in
- Ultra-thin sleek design
Full-Array LED TVs
Full-array LED TVs have LEDs spread throughout the TV screen. As a result, they offer more precise dimming, producing deeper and richer images. Most premium-priced LED TVs on the market use this technology.
- Exclusive features for the PlayStation 5 include automatic HDR tone mapping plus automatic genre picture switching
- HDMI 2.1 features include 4K@120,10 VRR, and ALLM
- The Cognitive Processor XR delivers high peak brightness, deep blacks, and accurate colors
- Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Google TV with Google Assistant and also works with Alexa
Please note: As of July 19, 2023, the Sony 75 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90K Series: BRAVIA XR Full Array LED Smart Google TV, XR75X90K- 2022 Model w/HT-G700: 3.1CH Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar with Bluetooth Technology is out of stock on Amazon. Check back for availability.
Direct-Lit LED TVs
Direct-lit LED TVs use rows of LEDs to backlight the screen. This type of TV employs no backlight control. Consequently, the TVs are cheaper to produce, but because of their low image quality, they are limited to entry-level and mid-range televisions.
- High-definition 1080P LED display
- Built-in HDMI, USB Port, VGA, and RF Cable/Antenna Jack Input
- Great audio quality with state-of-the-art speakers
- Full-function remote
(Please note that as of July 19th, 2023, the RCA 40-Inch 1080P Full HD LED Flat Screen TV is currently unavailable on Amazon. Please check back later.)
What About OLED and QLED?
QLED TVs are LED TVs with a quantum-dot (Q) filter between the LCD layer and the LED backlight. The filter helps produce images of better color and brightness. The addition of the filter increases the cost of producing the TV; hence, QLED TVs are only available in sizes of 43 inches and above.
- Stream over 1 million movies and TV episodes across Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and more favorite streaming services.
- Hands-free TV support with Alexa built-in so you can turn on the TV and find something to watch all through voice control.
- Adaptive brightness helps the Fire TV automatically adjust to different ambient lighting.
- All-in-one smart home hub for apps, TV and more.
OLED TVs are the holy grail of modern TVs. They use Organic LED technology in which every pixel emits its own light, and it is possible to shut off each pixel independently. Consequently, OLED TVs have high contrast, better color rendering, and can produce a deep black color.
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels deliver over a billion colors, high peak brightness, and deep blacks
- The α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K adapts to your content to improve picture and sound
- Supports Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos
- LG Game Optimizer mode is compatible with NVIDIA G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium
- Supports VRR for smooth gameplay
Summing Up
LED TVs offer all the perks you need in a good electronic device: durability, low maintenance, and energy efficiency. For entertainment, they provide an excellent visual experience with vivid colors and high contrast. Depending on the type of TV you purchase, you can get high refresh rates suitable for an immersive gaming experience. Plus, since they have low glare, you can watch them for hours without getting fatigued.
Despite all the unique features that make these TVs stand out, it is still worth remembering that, like other electronics, you get what you pay for. Entry-level LED TVs use direct-lit technology and have lower image quality than premium-priced TVs.
Moreover, keep in mind that the quality of images on LED TVs is also affected by the quality of the antenna, especially if you want to watch local channels. Therefore, if you will be using an antenna, ensure it is of the best quality. You can ask your LED TV vendor or TV service provider for suggestions.
- $394.95Buy Now on Amazon
- Crystal UHD delivers very clear and crisp picture
- Features Samsung’s motion Xcelerator to display fast-moving actions perfectly
- Comes with voice-assistants built-in
- Ultra-thin sleek design
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/03/2023 09:11 pm GMT - Buy Now
- Exclusive features for the PlayStation 5 include automatic HDR tone mapping plus automatic genre picture switching
- HDMI 2.1 features include 4K@120,10 VRR, and ALLM
- The Cognitive Processor XR delivers high peak brightness, deep blacks, and accurate colors
- Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Google TV with Google Assistant and also works with Alexa
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
- Buy Now on Amazon
- High-definition 1080P LED display
- Built-in HDMI, USB Port, VGA, and RF Cable/Antenna Jack Input
- Great audio quality with state-of-the-art speakers
- Full-function remote
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
- $899.99Buy on Amazon
- Stream over 1 million movies and TV episodes across Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and more favorite streaming services.
- Hands-free TV support with Alexa built-in so you can turn on the TV and find something to watch all through voice control.
- Adaptive brightness helps the Fire TV automatically adjust to different ambient lighting.
- All-in-one smart home hub for apps, TV and more.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/02/2023 11:46 am GMT - $1,046.99Buy on Amazon
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels deliver over a billion colors, high peak brightness, and deep blacks
- The α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K adapts to your content to improve picture and sound
- Supports Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos
- LG Game Optimizer mode is compatible with NVIDIA G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium
- Supports VRR for smooth gameplay
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/03/2023 07:20 am GMT
Summary Table
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Energy Efficient | LED TVs consume less power than other TV types, reducing energy bills and making them suitable for solar power. |
| Thin, Sleek Modular Designs | LED TVs are lightweight, easy to mount, and can be used as digital room décor. |
| Immersive Visual Experience | High contrast ratios and darker black levels provide lifelike images and an immersive viewing experience. |
| Durable | LED TVs have a lifespan of 100,000 hours, reducing electronic waste and lasting longer than other TV types. |
| Easy to Maintain | LED TVs require minimal maintenance, such as dusting and proper placement. |
| Easy to Integrate | Thin bezels and modular design make LED TVs suitable for seamless video wall displays and easy setup. |
| Additional Features | LED TVs support advanced features like external storage, screen sharing, HDMI, HDR, and high-resolution video. |
| Widely Available | LED TVs are the most popular option on the market, ensuring future-proof technology and access to the latest features. |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com.
