If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to upgrade to an OLED TV without obliterating your budget, your patience has finally paid off. The 48-inch LG B5 Series OLED, a model prized for its perfect blend of performance and value, has just hit a jaw-dropping low price of $549.99 at Best Buy. This represents a massive $750 savings off its original manufacturer's suggested retail price, making it one of the most compelling deals in the TV aisle right now.
For those unfamiliar, OLED technology is the gold standard for picture quality, prized for its ability to turn off individual pixels completely. This results in truly infinite contrast and blacks that are so deep, they look like a void. The LG B5 delivers this exact experience, making it a fantastic entry point into the world of high-end visuals.
A Compact Powerhouse for Small Spaces and Big Fun
The 48-inch size of the LG B5 is a key part of its appeal. In a market dominated by massive screens, this more compact form factor is a perfect fit for bedrooms, dorm rooms, cozy apartments, or even a dedicated gaming setup where a gargantuan TV would be overkill.
In fact, its size and stunning picture have made it a secret weapon for some PC gamers. With a large enough desk, the LG B5 doubles as an spectacular everyday computer monitor that utterly shames the picture quality of even the best gaming monitors. Just be aware—while its built-in sound system is decent and outperforms most monitors, audiophiles will still want to pair it with a dedicated soundbar or speaker system for a truly immersive experience.
You can check this deal out for yourself right here at Best Buy.
A Next-Gen Gamer's Dream TV
For anyone with a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, the LG B5 is practically a perfect match. It comes loaded with four full-spec HDMI 2.1 ports, ensuring you can connect all your next-gen gear without needing a switcher. The 120Hz native refresh rate means buttery-smooth gameplay in supported titles, eliminating blur and judder during fast-paced action.
Furthermore, the B5 supports both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync (part of its VRR, or Variable Refresh Rate suite). This advanced tech syncs the TV’s refresh rate with your console or gaming PC’s frame rate, effectively eliminating screen tearing and stuttering for a flawlessly smooth visual experience.
Where Does the B5 Make Compromises?
As a budget-friendly OLED, the B5 does make some strategic cuts to hit its price point. The most notable, according to in-depth testing from the experts at Rtings.com, is its peak brightness. While it produces those inky blacks OLED is famous for, it isn't as blindingly bright as its more expensive siblings like the LG C5.
What does this mean in practice? In a dark or dimly lit room, the picture is absolutely breathtaking, especially for horror movies and shadowy games where every detail in the dark matters. However, if your room has a very large, bright window directly opposite the screen, you might find yourself struggling with glare during the daytime.
On the smart TV side, you’re getting LG’s latest WebOS 25, which is snappy and intuitive. It includes a generous selection of apps and uses AI to not only upscale older, lower-resolution content but also to learn your viewing habits to provide better recommendations.
B5 vs. C5: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
If your budget has a little more flexibility, you might be looking at the step-up LG C5 model. The C5 is indeed a brighter TV and offers a higher 144Hz refresh rate for PC gamers who have the hardware to push those frames. However, that upgrade comes at a significant cost.
A direct comparison on Rtings.com highlights the differences, but the price gap speaks for itself. While the B5 is a steal at $549.99, the 48-inch C5 is currently priced at $949.99 at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. That’s a $400 premium for those enhanced features.
For the money, the 48-inch LG B5 at this new low price has almost no direct competitors that can match its OLED picture quality and next-gen gaming features. Given the limited stock of this Best Buy exclusive, especially in physical stores, this is a deal that likely won't last long. If you've been dreaming of an OLED for your space, this is your signal to buy.
