LG OLED evo C5 65" Review (2026): HDMI 2.1 on Every Port

This LG OLED evo C5 65" (OLED65C5PUA) review looks at a mid-range-tier TV aimed at people who want OLED picture quality, brighter HDR and full HDMI 2.1 connectivity. It is mid-range in price tier among the products compared, and it is built around self-lit pixels, an α9 AI Processor 4K Gen8 and a full set of gaming features. It suits movie fans and gamers who care about contrast and HDMI connectivity more than raw room-filling brightness.

This review is based on LG's manufacturer specs and on what independent expert reviews report. It is not hands-on testing.

Why people are considering the LG C5

The C5 is the 65 inch model in LG's C-series OLED line. Its appeal comes from a few things working together. Each pixel lights itself, so black areas can switch off completely, and reviewers consistently praise the resulting perfect blacks and near-infinite contrast. LG also adds Brightness Booster, which reviewers say gives brighter HDR highlights than the previous C4. And all four HDMI inputs support 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and QMS, which matters if you plan to connect more than one console or PC.

Independent scores are strong. The C5 averages 9.6/10 across 3 expert reviews: RTINGS scores it 8.7/10, and both TechRadar and Tom's Guide give it 5/5. It is also recommended in 2 expert buying guides.

LG OLED evo C5 65" (OLED65C5PUA) review: design and build

The panel measures 1441 x 826 x 45.1 mm without the stand and weighs 16.6 kg without the stand. That is a useful number if you plan to wall-mount. The VESA pattern is 300 x 200 mm, so you will need a bracket that supports it.

OLED panels are self-lit, so there is no separate backlight layer.

One point to plan around is placement. A common criticism from reviewers is that reflections from direct light sources are noticeable in bright rooms. If your TV will face a large window or a bare lamp, think about where the light falls before you buy.

Picture quality and HDR

The C5 uses a 4K OLED evo panel with 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. The α9 AI Processor 4K Gen8 handles AI upscaling and tone mapping. In everyday terms, upscaling matters because much of what people watch (broadcast TV, streaming at lower quality, older discs) is not native 4K. Tone mapping matters because HDR content is mastered for displays that can be brighter than any home TV, and the processor decides how to fit that content to the panel.

HDR formats

The TV supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG, and it includes Filmmaker Mode. The gap is HDR10+: the C5 does not support it, and that is a documented drawback. If your library or streaming service leans on HDR10+, this is a drawback to weigh.

Brightness and contrast

Brightness Booster gives brighter HDR highlights than the previous C4, and reviewers praise this. Combined with the self-lit pixels, you get perfect blacks and near-infinite contrast. We would not describe it as ideal for sun-filled rooms. The brighter highlights help, but the reflection criticism above still applies.

Motion

The response time is listed as less than 0.1ms. The response time is listed as less than 0.1ms. The flip side, which reviewers mention, is that slow pans can look stuttery because the panel responds so quickly. If you are sensitive to judder in slow camera movements, factor that in.

Gaming features

Gaming is a focus of the C5. All four HDMI inputs support 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and QMS, and the TV's HDMI connections support eARC. In practice you do not have to decide which device gets the one good port.

• Refresh rate: 120Hz native, with VRR up to 144Hz.
• Variable refresh: G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync are both supported.
• Auto low-latency mode: ALLM is supported on all four HDMI inputs.
• QMS: supported on all four HDMI inputs.
• Game Optimizer: a dashboard for gaming, alongside G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync support.

PC gamers should note the 144Hz VRR ceiling, which gives some headroom beyond 120Hz.

Smart platform and everyday use

The TV runs webOS 25. LG lists an AI chatbot, Multi View and the Magic Remote as part of the experience. Connectivity covers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth v 5.3.

One gap to be aware of: the C5 has no ATSC 3.0 tuner. If you rely on over-the-air broadcasts and want next-generation broadcast TV built in, you would need an external tuner.

Sound

Audio is a 40W, 2.2 channel system with Dolby Atmos. A common criticism from reviewers is that the built-in sound is unexceptional, and that a soundbar helps. Given that the TV's HDMI connections support eARC, adding a soundbar is a natural step, and it is worth budgeting for if you care about film soundtracks.

What experts like and what they criticise

Praise: Reviewers highlight the perfect blacks and near-infinite contrast from the OLED pixels, the brighter HDR highlights from Brightness Booster, and the fact that all four HDMI inputs support 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM and QMS. The G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync support, along with the Game Optimizer dashboard, is another regular positive. So is the Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG support alongside Filmmaker Mode.

Criticism: The most common complaints are reflections in bright rooms, middling built-in sound, no HDR10+ and no ATSC 3.0 tuner, and slow pans that can look stuttery.

None of these are hidden flaws. They are trade-offs, and whether they matter depends on your room and your habits.

Who should buy the LG C5, and who should skip it

Buy it if:

• You watch films in a dim or controlled room and want deep blacks and strong contrast.
• You game on more than one device and want every HDMI port to support 4K 120Hz and VRR.
• You use Dolby Vision and want a TV with Filmmaker Mode.
• You plan to add a soundbar, or already have one.

Skip it if:

• Your main viewing room is bright with direct light sources.
• You need HDR10+ support.
• You want a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner.
• You are sensitive to stutter in slow pans.

How it fits in its category

The C5 sits in the mid-range price tier among the products compared. If you are still comparing options, see our guide to the best 65-inch TV.

Verdict

The LG OLED evo C5 65" is a well-reviewed OLED that pairs dependable contrast with brighter HDR and a complete set of gaming-ready HDMI ports. The experts' scores back that up, with a 9.6/10 average across 3 reviews. The caveats are real but fairly specific: reflections in bright rooms, ordinary built-in sound, no HDR10+, no ATSC 3.0 tuner and possible stutter in slow pans. If your room is reasonably controlled and you are happy to add a soundbar, the C5 is an easy TV to shortlist.

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