LG is not as massive as Samsung, but it’s no small company either. LG has a strong presence in the TV and consumer electronics space and competes with its South Korean counterpart.
LG is a conglomerate and the second biggest TV manufacturer in the world. LG was founded in 1958, 11 years before Samsung entered the scene.
LG’s electronics include TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, home theater systems, computer monitors, smart appliances, etc. It also made smartphones but quit that space in April 2021.
So, how good are LG TVs? How do they compare to Samsung and Sony TVs?
Without drawing comparisons, it’s safe to proclaim LG makes some of the finest TVs on the market. It particularly shines with its OLED TVs—for instance, the LG C2 .
But what about longevity? How long do these LG TVs last after all?
The industry standard for TV lifespan is five to 10 years. Does LG replicate that or fare better/worse? Should you consider buying an LG TV if you’re planning to use the TV for at least the next five years?
Continue reading for the answers to these questions and more.
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How Many Hours Will LG TV Last?
LG TVs are designed to last up to 100,000 hours or more, meaning at least a decade of normal use. This is on par with LED TVs from almost every other brand. So, there’s no competitive advantage there.
In the real world, your LG TV may last longer or even drop below the minimum threshold, depending on the specific model and usage.
The latter is unlikely since LG is a reputable manufacturer known for using high-quality components in its TVs and all its other products.
Other TV Brand Lifespans
LG’s primary competition is Samsung and Sony since they cater to the same demographics and sell their TVs at similar price points.
Although the number of units the three sell during a quarter are not identical because they don’t have the same market presence in all regions, their TVs have comparable endurances.
That’s because the build, quality of components used, etc., are similar between the three manufacturers.
The LG TV in your bedroom may last a year or two more than your Samsung or Sony TV in the other bedroom or vice versa. But that variance doesn’t prove anything and may not be representative of either brand.
There are just too many variables to come to any proper conclusion here. It could have been the specific models, actual usage conditions, playtime clocked, and other factors.
And as far as the longevity of other brands that try to undercut LG with lower prices, things are unfounded there.
First, most cheap TV brands have not been on the market as long as LG has been. So, it’s hard to make any claims about the lifespan of their products. But the technology is the same, and it’s safe to assume they could last several years of use.
The second-tier brands sell their TVs for cheap, which could come at the cost of a few compromises.
Don’t get us wrong, the second-tier brands do not use inferior components per se. After all, most of them source panels for their OLED TVs from LG Display. But a TV is more than just its display.
To keep their prices low and still profit, the smaller brands may cheap out on other aspects of the device, such as the processor, the kind of plastic used for the body, etc. Those trade-offs could come to bite later.
Also, not all OLED displays are the same. They could vary in quality based on their price. The inexpensive display could also take a few months or years off the device’s lifespan.
How to Make Your LG TVs Last Longer?
Your LG TV doesn’t require babying. It’s relatively robust, but you must still take care of the device.
Here are a few things you can do to make your LG TVs last longer.
Use the Device in the Right Physical Settings
Your LG TV is meant for the indoors, or to be more specific, your living room and bedrooms. Please don’t set it up outdoors or in an unstable environment, like a garage.
The moisture, heat, cold, and dust can wreak havoc on the TV. Also, do not place or mount your TV close to an HVAC unit or similar equipment.
You’re also mistaken if you believe the AC air will cool down your LG TV or offset the heat it produces. The steep disparity in temperatures will only be counterproductive.
Turn Off the Device at Regular Intervals
Unlike projectors, TVs are designed to run for hours on end without breaking a sweat. But just because your LG TV is not showing any signs of slowing down, it doesn’t mean it’s at ease.
The physical stress inflicted through continuous operation will ever so slightly wear the TV down, and the cumulative effects will surface in the future.
One way to mitigate that scenario is to turn off the device when you’re not watching. The keyword is “watching.” “Listening” is not a good enough reason to keep the TV on.
Even if you’re actively watching for long periods, remember to take breaks in between.
For instance, if you’re planning to watch multiple movies on a trot on the weekend, take 10 to 15-minute breaks between each film so that your LG TV can breathe, and you can get off the couch and walk or stand for some time too.
Maybe do the dishes or prepare a quick snack in the interim. Such mini-breaks are good for your TV and also your health.
And to turn off your LG TV means turning it off and not putting it on standby mode. Unlike projectors, switching off your LG TV and then powering it on after a few minutes won’t cause any detriments.
Don’t Block the Vents
Your TV has openings for air to pass. If those are blocked, those 10-minute breathers discussed above will be useless.
The likelihood of the device overheating and the subsequent thermal pressure on the components would become inevitable. And if the scenario continues, the TV will soon break or degrade.
To not block the vents, don’t place the TV in a confined or restricted space. Also, do not position it too close to the wall.
Ensure the distance between your TV and the wall is at least two inches. If it’s three or four inches, that’s even better.
If you’re mounting your TV, ensure the installation is done correctly.
Use spacers for a secure installation. A spacer also assures proper airflow so that the TV doesn’t overheat.
Also, use an extendable or long-arm mount to pull the TV slightly away from the wall during use. That could also help with overheating issues.
Protect the TV Against Power Surges
LG TVs and televisions from most other brands efficiently handle voltage fluctuations.
But if you live in a region prone to power supply oscillations, install a voltage regulator for your TV, like the APC LE1200 Line-R 1200VA Automatic Voltage Regulator . You can mitigate any potential electrical supply-related hazards with the regulator.
Have multiple voltage regulators to protect all your electronic appliances.
Keep It Clean
Dust accumulating on your LG TV is not only a visual eyesore but could also hamper the device’s performance in the long run. The static electricity the TV produces could be a dust magnet.
The settled dust particles could shift over time and enter the TV through its vents, clogging the internals and causing overheating concerns.
The hotter the TV gets, the shorter its lifespan becomes. Wiping the dust off the TV is a small, yet effective, way to ensure a longer lifespan.
It’s recommended to dust or wipe the TV only after switching off and unplugging the device —again due to static electricity concerns. Although the little static electricity amounts won’t cause any actual harm to humans, it’s still better to be safe than sorry.
Also, keep your place clean to decrease the likelihood of dust build-up—the cleaner the area, the lesser the need to tidy up your TV.
Use the Right Display Settings
Don’t set your LG TV too bright at all times.
There are scenarios when you’d need your LG TV to gleam much more than usual. But if the brightness is always set to the highest level, the display or its backlight will age a lot more quickly.
In other words, the picture may start to dim over a period, and the maximum brightness settings may cease to look as bright as they used to.
Your TV’s power consumption levels would go up too. The increased power usage could also hamper your television’s longevity.
Not to mention, viewing a bright screen could strain or irritate your vision, often leaving you with dry eyes and blurry vision.
What’s too bright? Most would state illumination above 50% is reaching high brightness territory. But that’s relative and up to the user’s preferences or requirements.
Instead, check if the TV looks too bright in a given environment. If it does, it is, even if the brightness is at 30 or 40 percent.
To help set the right brightness level, your LG TV will likely have darkroom display settings which, when enabled, will automatically fine-tune the brightness and colors for dimly lit environments.
FAQ
What is the Warranty on LG TVs Like?
The warranty covers the costs to replace defective parts and labor expenses. The warranty period could vary between a year or two, or last up to five years. Some high-end LG OLED TVs, like the LG G1 OLED , come with a five-year warranty irrespective of the display size.
The mid-tier, but still excellent OLEDs, like the LG OLED C1 , come with a two-year warranty. But you can extend that to five years by paying extra.
Is the extended warranty worth the money? Yes, if you envision keeping the TV for five years or more. The extended warranty could be LG or dealer-provided. It’s up to you to peruse the warranty details of the different providers and pick one.
Kindly note that the above warranty information applies to retail buyers only. The warranty period and specifics are different for business users. To learn more, click here.
Conclusion
Your LG TV should last five years (at least) if you use it in the right conditions and for an average of five to six hours daily. If you take excellent care, the TV should easily last for a decade or more.
If anything goes wrong, the warranty policy will come to the rescue. Because LG is an established brand, accessing its after-sales services shouldn’t be a concern, irrespective of where you live.
But don’t break the TV intentionally or by accident to test the company’s warranty services. LG won’t pay for user-inflicted damages.
Catherine Tramell has been covering technology as a freelance writer for over a decade. She has been writing for Pointer Clicker for over a year, further expanding her expertise as a tech columnist. Catherine likes spending time with her family and friends and her pastimes are reading books and news articles.