Should You Buy a Full-Array LED TV in 2023? Let‘s Weigh the Pros and Cons

Glowing images of the latest full-array LED TVs lighting up retailer showrooms can give the impression this technology has no equal. Reviewers praise precise multi-zone dimming delivering pixel-perfect contrast and captivating brightness. But peek below the surface, and full-array LED loses a bit of its luster for some buyers. Before plunking down hundreds on an upgrade, let‘s examine five factors why these buzzworthy sets could disappoint based on your personal needs and viewing habits.

A Primer on Full-Array LED TV Technology

Full-array LED televisions utilize a panel of LEDs spread uniformly behind the entire screen rather than just along the edges. This full-array LED backlight coupled with local dimming zones give granular control over light levels across the display, enabling superb contrast between bright and dark areas of the picture. Areas displaying white clouds or glinting sunlight can shine intensely while shadowy regions of the same scene produce inky blacks.

But achieving this optimal dimming requires complex processing and blooms the premium price tag well over $1,000 for a 65" model. What else does that big number buy? Let‘s analyze a few pain points.

Reason 1: Dimming Defects Darken the Mood

While exceptional in sunlit store environments, full-array LED TVs often fail to achieve the same spectacular contrast in average living room settings. According to Consumer Reports testing, dimming zones struggle with blacks in dim home theaters, flattening contrast (1). Compared to OLED screens able to achieve near infinite blacks for ultra-rich color, full-array LED loses its depth without sufficient ambient light.

Reason 2: Blurry Motion in Fast Action

Don‘t expect the blistering pixel response times required for keeping up with speedy sports, video games, and action flicks either. Even with effective dimming in place, today‘s full-array LED TVs trail OLED models in crucial motion clarity metrics:

While specs don‘t tell the whole story, slower panel response can lead to subtle motion artifacts that distract during pivotal moments of gameplay or obscure that record-setting homerun swing (2). Gamers and sports fans, take notice.

Reason 3: Bigger Bills From Bigger Backlights

Driving elaborate multi-zone backlighting demands beefier power. Analysis shows comparable full-array LED models drawing over 50% higher average watts than OLED televisions in typical usage (3). That‘s hundreds more kilowatt hours per year padding your electricity tab. Considering OLED can nearly match full-array LED picture quality at lower operational cost (covered next), it‘s worth crunching usage numbers before overspending on LED backlight technology seen primarily in darker viewing scenarios.

Reason 4: Only Marginal Upgrades Over Less Expensive OLED

Review aggregators like Rtings substantiate OLED TVs still hold a slight edge over full-array LED competitors in critical imaging areas like black level depth, viewing angle color consistency, and motion clarity while costing around 15% less on average (4,5). Full-array LED closes ground thanks to enhanced brightness and anti-reflective qualities under ambient lighting. But third-party testing repeatedly demonstrates OLED‘s self-illuminating pixel origin story still tells a more captivating visual tale today with fewer compromises.

Until full-array LED processing and materials evolve in future iterations, minor picture advancements hardly justify hundreds more compared to OLED – especially for home theater enthusiasts optimizing setups for dark room viewing where OLED shines brightest.

Reason 5: Alternate Display Technologies Better Match Specific Needs

Moving beyond the full-array LED versus OLED debate, entirely different display technologies better fit buyers prioritizing personal preferences like room lighting, viewing habits, or budget.

QLED TVs utilize quantum dot filters and skillful image processing to achieve exceptional color vibrancy and searing brightness under lights at relatively affordable pricing compared to full-array LED.

UHD and 4K LED TVs offer streamlined backlight dimming and solid clarity at substantial cost savings over full-array – an ideal match for sunlight-drenched living spaces rather than dedicated home theaters.

Compare Display Technology Attributes

Matching display characteristics with practical needs and room constraints ensures money gets spent enhancing real-world enjoyment rather than chasing specs.

Should You Buy a Full-Array LED Television in 2023?

For buyers focused strictly on dimming demonstration under dealer spotlights or Already enjoying a bright, controlled home theater, full-array LED provides an appreciable boost – albeit at a lofty price befitting bleeding edge technology.

But for the average media room‘s mixed lighting or viewers valuing deep contrast, fast gaming, and economical operation, OLED and QLED televisions better balance price, performance, and feature set today. As with any big-ticket electronic, precisely conveying viewing habits and expectations to sales staff helps narrow the field down to 2-3 tailored options before zeroing in on the right display "fit".

Full-array LED matures more Affordably each product cycle. But until then, understand the circumstances showing this technology at its best along with downsides impacting enjoyment for different buyers.

Recommended Full-Array LED TV Buys

• Sony X95K 4K LED TV (Upper-tier brightness/sound)
• TCL 6-Series 4K QLED TV (Mid-range performance)
• Hisense U7H QLED Series (Budget full-array pick)

Let brighter futures and fatter wallets decide the fate of full-array LED in your personal home theater. For OLED-rivaling performance today without the compromises, alternate 2023 display technologies still earn my recommendation. But I eagerly await the day full-array LED no longer demands distinction.

Sources

1. Consumer Reports
2. Rtings – TV Motion Handling
3. NRCAN Power Consumption Calculator
4. Rtings – Latest TV Ratings
5. CNET OLED vs LED Pricing
6. Digital Trends – TV Buying Guide