The LG CX OLED is the TV I wish I bought after college – and now it’s on sale

OPINION: It’s too late for me, but it’s not too late for you

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When I was in college over a decade ago, I spent hundreds of hours in front of a 19-inchSamsungLED-LCD TV that had a max resolution of 720p. It was fine for the time – HDMI was still new at the time, after all, and itfeltcutting-edge – but it still cost me hundreds of dollars for a TV that really wasn’t that good.

That’s par for the course. Everyone buys something cheap to get them through school. But when I got out, I still used that TV foranotherfour years. At that point, I really wish I splurged on something nicer… something like the 48-inchLG CX OLED.

What I hadn’t considered is just how much time I’d spend huddled around that 19-inch screen. I used it for work. I used it to game. Heck, I used it to host movie nights. I used it for basically everything and, had I known that, I probably would’ve paid a bit more money to get something I truly loved.

LG 48-inch CX OLED:$1,499$1,249 at Best BuySave $250 -It’s an amazing TV. It’s a great monitor. It’s both. The LG OLED TV can be both your go-to screen for both work and play when heading back to school – and it’s available at a $250 discount.

Admittedly, there was nothing quite as advanced as theLGCXOLEDavailable at the time I graduated in 2012 and the closest I could’ve gotten was a decently sized plasma screen – which was also pretty pricey at the time – but I can’t help but feel like all that time I spent in front the TV would’ve been more enjoyable had I just sprung for higher-end screen.

Here’s why you should spend extra for an OLED

Let me start off by saying that I don’t think that an OLED is a great investment for everyone, especially if you’re not necessarily a TV watcher. But if you’re someone who’s planning on spending hours every day in front of a screen for work, play and fun, then it’s probably worth considering if it fits into your budget.

The reason I’d recommend an OLED – specifically the CX OLED – is that it’s currently one of the best all-around TVs. It’s great for TV and movie watching thanks to its outstanding black levels, while gamers can use it as both a 120Hz gaming monitor or in tandem with thePS5orXbox Series X.

It has larger viewing angles than an LED-LCD TV, which means it’s great for hosting people, too, and at just 48-inches you should be able to squeeze it into an on-campus apartment or even a large dorm room without a problem.

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The LG CX is expensive when you’re first striking out on your own – and might even be a risky investment if you live somewhere where the TV could get damaged – but if you’re the kind of person who takes care of their gear and doesn’t mind spending a bit more for quality, then you should definitely give the LG CX OLED some consideration.

Nick Pino is Managing Editor, TV and AV for TechRadar’s sister site, Tom’s Guide. Previously, he was the Senior Editor of Home Entertainment at TechRadar, covering TVs, headphones, speakers, video games, VR and streaming devices. He’s also written for GamesRadar+, Official Xbox Magazine, PC Gamer and other outlets over the last decade, and he has a degree in computer science he’s not using if anyone wants it.

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