What Is The Difference Between A LED and LCD Television?

If you are planning to upgrade your old TV and haven’t researched the television market in a while, you might get lost in the variety of options available today. The two most popular types of TVs you can buy right now are LED and LCD TVs, but what is the difference between the two and which one should you go for? Find out right now!

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1. What is an LCD TV?

In the name of the LCD TV, LCD stands for “liquid crystal display”. The construction of an LCD TV includes two layers of polarized glass where liquid crystals block and pass light when and where it is necessary, ensuring the correct displaying of the image on the screen. The backlight of an LCD TV consists of fluorescent lights.


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At one point, LCD TVs have been considered a revolutionary invention in the world of television. Instead of clunky devices that occupied a lot of space, LCD TVs were often just a couple of inches thick and could be mounted nearly everywhere. However, an LCD TV is not without its drawbacks – most importantly, the crystals in the screen are prone to burn-ins, which can potentially damage the screen forever.

2. What is an LED TV?

Even though LED TVs are often viewed as a complete opposite of LCD TVs, there are lots of similarities between the two. The most essential similar feature between LED and LCD TVs is that both of them are technically LCD devices, meaning that both feature liquid crystal displays. However, instead of the fluorescent lights that can be found in LCD TVs, LED TVs feature light emitting diodes, hence the name LED.


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A LED TV can feature light emitting diodes behind the screen or around its edges. In the latter case, the TV can be even thinner than 1 inch without sacrificing the quality of the image. LED TVs are less prone to burn-ins, although they are still a possibility, especially with prolonged use within a short period of time.

3. Which one should you buy?

When making a choice between LED and LCD TVs, there are two most important factors to take into account: price and image quality.


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Without a doubt, LCD TVs are considerably cheaper. The older your model is, the cheaper it is going to be. On the other hand, smaller, entry-level LED TVs can also be pretty affordable. In that case, you should base your choice on the desired size of your TV. A small LED TV can cost approximately as much as a medium to large LCD TV from a previous generation.

When it comes to the quality of the image, a LED TV emerges a universal winner. The colours displayed by a LED TV are sharper and more realistic, especially with basic colours such as red, blue, and green. Black and white will also look more pronounced on a LED TV, especially if it’s a backlit device rather than an edge-lit one. Therefore, if your budget allows it and you value the quality of the image above everything else, a LED TV is always a better option.

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My name is Inna. I am a content writer with an English and literature background. As a mother of a 4-year old son, I love learning about children’s health and development, as well as finding new interesting toys and activities for my little one. I am also in love with all things tech and always keep my finger on the pulse of new smartphone and gadget releases. Another big passion of mine is beauty and makeup – every day I read about new trends in skin care and makeup and always look forward to trying them. Plus, I love pop culture, travelling, crafts, and anything that can make our daily life more thrilling!