The short answer
An LED TV is an LCD TV. Both use a liquid-crystal panel that blocks or passes light to form the picture. What differs is the light behind the panel: older LCD TVs use cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), while "LED TVs" use light-emitting diodes. So when people ask whether LED or LCD is better, what they're really asking is which backlight is better, and the answer is LED.
See the difference
Switch between the three backlight designs below to see where the light comes from and how they compare.
LED vs LCD: side by side
| LCD (CCFL backlight) | LED (edge-lit) | LED (direct / full-array) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light source | Fluorescent tubes | LEDs along the edges | LED grid behind the panel |
| Thickness | Thickest | Thinnest | Slim |
| Brightness | Moderate | Good | Very good |
| Black levels | Greyish | Can 'cloud' on dark scenes | Best, especially with local dimming |
| Power use | Highest | Low | Low to moderate |
| Typical failure | Lamp or inverter board | Edge LED strip | LED strips behind the panel |
What about OLED and QLED?
QLED is still an LED-backlit LCD; it adds a quantum-dot layer for richer colour. OLED is different: each pixel emits its own light, so there is no backlight at all. That gives perfect blacks, but OLED panels cost more and can suffer burn-in from static logos over years of use.
Which should you buy?
- Everyday TV, bright room: a direct-lit LED TV gives the best value.
- Movies in a dark room: full-array LED with local dimming, or OLED if budget allows.
- Thinnest possible on the wall: edge-lit LED or OLED.
Should you repair your old LCD TV or replace it?
If your LCD or LED TV has a healthy panel, the most common faults (backlight, power supply, boards) cost far less to repair than a new TV. If the panel is cracked or has failed internally, replacement usually makes more sense. Our LED LCD TV repairing service will tell you which applies to your set.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, LED or LCD TV?
For a new purchase, an LED-backlit TV is better: brighter, slimmer and more energy-efficient than an older CCFL-backlit LCD. But since every LED TV is also an LCD TV, the real comparison is between backlight types, and between edge-lit and full-array LED designs.
Is an LED TV the same as an LCD TV?
Almost. Both use a liquid-crystal display panel. 'LED TV' is a marketing name for an LCD TV that uses LEDs as its backlight instead of fluorescent tubes.
Is OLED better than LED?
OLED pixels make their own light, so blacks are perfectly black and contrast is excellent. LED TVs get brighter and cost less for a given size, and they have no risk of burn-in from static images.
Which lasts longer, LED or LCD?
LED backlights generally outlast fluorescent CCFL tubes, but LED strips are also the most common failure in modern TVs. The good news is that both are repairable when the panel itself is undamaged.