To try to better understand how long a TV should last, we're running 100 TVs through an accelerated longevity test for the next two years. We've just posted our results after eight months, see our latest updates.
The LG UQ8000 is an entry-level TV in LG's 2022 lineup. It sits between the LG UQ9000 and the LG UQ75, and like their other entry-level models, it's limited in extra features. It comes with the same user-friendly LG webOS smart platform and the intuitive Magic Remote, whose point-and-press feature you can use to easily navigate the interface. It's available in several sizes, from 43 to 86 inches, and while most have basic features, the 86-inch version comes with extra gaming perks that the smaller sizes don't have, like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and variable refresh rate (VRR). It's available internationally at several retailers, but in the United States, you can only get it at warehouse retailers like Sam's Club, Costco, and BJ's. It's been replaced in 2023 by the LG UR8000.
Our Verdict
The LG UQ80 is okay for most uses. It's good for use in rooms with a few lights around while watching TV shows or using it as a PC monitor as it has decent reflection handling, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight a ton of glare. It's also decent for watching sports thanks to its wide viewing angle, but its motion handling isn't special, as there's image duplication. Unfortunately, it's mediocre for watching movies in dark rooms as blacks look gray, and the TV lacks a local dimming feature to further improve the contrast.
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No issues upscaling lower-resolution content.
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Wide viewing angle.
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Decent reflection handling.
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Low native contrast ratio.
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Some uniformity issues.
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Low peak brightness.
The LG UQ80 is good for watching TV shows in well-lit rooms. It has decent reflection handling if you have a few minor light sources around, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight a ton of glare. It also has a wide viewing angle, making it ideal for wide seating areas as everyone will see the same image. It doesn't have issues upscaling lower-resolution content, and if you stream your shows, it has an excellent smart interface with a ton of apps available to download.
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No issues upscaling lower-resolution content.
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Wide viewing angle.
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Decent reflection handling.
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Some uniformity issues.
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Low peak brightness.
The LG UQ8000 is decent for watching sports. Its wide viewing angle makes it a great choice for watching the game with a large group of friends because the image remains consistent from the sides. It upscales lower-resolution content without issues, which is important if you watch sports from a cable box. Unfortunately, its motion handling is mediocre as it has image duplications, and it isn't ideal for well-lit rooms due to its low peak brightness.
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No issues upscaling lower-resolution content.
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Wide viewing angle.
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Decent reflection handling.
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Some uniformity issues.
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Low peak brightness.
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Image duplication with fast-moving content.
The LG UQ80 is alright for gaming. It has low input lag for a responsive gaming experience; however, it's limited in features. It has a low 60Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.0 bandwidth, so you can't take full advantage of the latest gaming consoles. It also has image duplication with fast-moving content that can get distracting. Lastly, it has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray in the dark.
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Low input lag.
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Low native contrast ratio.
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Lack of local dimming feature.
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Image duplication with fast-moving content.
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No extra gaming features.
The LG UQ8000 is disappointing for watching HDR movies. It has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray in the dark, and it doesn't have a local dimming feature to improve it either. Highlights don't pop as it has low contrast, and colors don't look vivid for an impactful HDR experience. It doesn't support the HDR10+ or Dolby Vision HDR formats, so it can't take full advantage of most HDR content.
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Removes 24p judder from any source.
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Low native contrast ratio.
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Lack of local dimming feature.
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Low peak brightness.
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Limited color gamut.
The LG UQ8000 is okay for HDR gaming. It offers a responsive gaming experience due to its low input lag, but it doesn't have extra gaming perks like a high refresh rate or variable refresh rate support. HDR looks bad on it due to its low contrast ratio and poor HDR peak brightness, so blacks look gray and highlights don't stand out.
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Low input lag.
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Low native contrast ratio.
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Lack of local dimming feature.
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Low peak brightness.
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No extra gaming features.
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Limited color gamut.
The LG UQ8000 is very good for use as a PC monitor. Its low input lag provides a responsive desktop feel, but you'll notice image duplication when scrolling through documents due to its backlight flicker. Its wide viewing angle is good if you sit close as the edges of the screen remain consistent. It also has decent reflection handling for rooms with a few lights around, but it doesn't get bright enough to fight a ton of glare.
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Wide viewing angle.
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Decent reflection handling.
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Low input lag.
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Some uniformity issues.
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Low peak brightness.
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Image duplication with fast-moving content.
- 6.6 Mixed Usage
- 7.2 TV Shows
- 6.8 Sports
- 6.2 Video Games
- 6.3 HDR Movies
- 6.6 HDR Gaming
- 7.2 PC Monitor
- Updated Aug 09, 2023: We bought and tested the LG UR8000 and added a few relevant comparisons below.
- Updated Aug 09, 2023: We uploaded the latest brightness measurements and uniformity photos for the Accelerated Longevity Test.
- Updated Aug 01, 2023: Updated our results to clarify that this TV doesn't support VRR from the PS5 or Xbox Series S|X, as it doesn't have a VRR feature.
- Updated Jul 10, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.11. With this update, we've added a new Upscaling: Sharpness Processing test and revamped our Blooming test so the scores and picture better match the real world experience. With this change, it was necessary to remove the Black Crush test. Finally, we've updated our usage scores to better align our scores with user expectations.
- Updated Jun 07, 2023: We uploaded the latest brightness measurements and uniformity photos for the Accelerated Longevity Test.
- Updated Apr 28, 2023: We've added a mention of the newly-reviewed Samsung CU8000 in the Contrast section of this review.
- Updated Apr 03, 2023: We uploaded the brightness measurements and uniformity photos after running the TV for four months in our Accelerated Longevity Test.
- Updated Mar 09, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.10. With this update we've revamped our Gradient testing, added a new test for Low Quality Content Smoothing, and expanded our Audio Passthrough testing.
- Updated Feb 15, 2023: Updated to Test Bench 1.9, modifying our Contrast testing and splitting our local dimming testing into multiple sections covering Blooming, Black Crush, and Lighting Zone Transitions. You can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Feb 06, 2023: We uploaded the brightness measurements and uniformity photos after running the TV for two months in our Accelerated Longevity Test.
- Updated Nov 17, 2022: We uploaded the initial brightness measurements and uniformity photos for the Accelerated Longevity Test.
- Updated Sep 22, 2022: Review published.
- Updated Sep 19, 2022: Early access published.
- Updated Sep 07, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jul 21, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jul 01, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 65-inch LG UQ8000, and the results are also valid for the 43, 55, and 75-inch models because they have the same features and panel type. The 50 and 70-inch models use a different panel type, so they perform differently, while the 86-inch model is a different TV with a higher refresh rate and more gaming features. The model is available internationally too, and there's also an LG UQ8100 model in Europe that's the same TV but with a different stand.
In the United States, this model is only available at warehouse retailers like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's. The model code is the same between each retailer, and there aren't any differences in performance.
| Size | US Model | UK Model | Panel Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43" | 43UQ8000AUB | 43UQ80006LB | IPS | |
| 50" | 50UQ8000AUB | 50UQ80006LB | VA | |
| 55" | 55UQ8000AUB | 55UQ80006LB | IPS | |
| 65" | 65UQ8000AUB | 65UQ80006LB | IPS | |
| 70" | 70UQ8000AUB | - | VA | |
| 75" | 75UQ8000AUB | 75UQ80006LB | IPS | |
| 86" | 86UQ8000AUB | 86UQ80006LB | IPS | HDMI 2.1, VRR |
If you come across a different type of panel or your LG UQ8000 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update the review.
Our unit was manufactured in May 2022, and you can see the label here.
Compared To Other TVs
The LG UQ8000 is a budget-friendly entry-level TV that doesn't offer much against the competition. You can find similarly-priced or cheaper TVs with a better contrast for improved overall picture quality, so there aren't many reasons to buy this TV unless you want the wide viewing angle and you're a fan of the webOS interface.
Also see our recommendations for the best smart TVs, the best budget TVs, and the best 65-inch TVs.
The LG UR8000 is better overall than the LG UQ8000. The UR8000 has a much higher contrast, so blacks are deeper and more uniform if you watch TV in a darker room. This comes at the viewing angle's expense, so if you never watch TV in the dark but have a wide seating arrangement, the UQ8000 is a better choice.
Although the LG UQ8000 is a lower-end version of the LG UQ9000, it's slightly better overall. The UQ8000 has better accuracy and better motion handling, but besides those differences, both TVs are very similar.
The LG UQ8000 and Samsung CU8000 are decent TVs with different panel types. The LG uses an IPS panel with wide viewing angles, while the Samsung has a VA panel with better contrast. The CU8000 has a wider color gamut, but the UQ8000 has a better HDR Native Gradient and much better color accuracy. The LG also uses a traditional RGB subpixel layout (except for on its 50 and 70-inch models), making it better suited as a PC monitor.
The LG UQ8000 is a newer version of the LG UP8000 and shares many of the same characteristics. The UQ8000 slightly improves in a few areas, like the color accuracy, but it's worse in others, like the motion handling and gradient handling. The UP8000 also has an extra HDMI input, which is ideal if you have multiple devices.
Although the LG UQ8000 is a lower-end version of the LG NANO75 2022, the two TVs are very similar overall. One difference is the improved reflection handling on the NANO75, and it also has an extra HDMI port, but other than that, the picture quality is nearly identical between each.
The LG UP7000 and the LG UQ8000 are both alright entry-level TVs. They each have similar features and performance, so choosing one over the other comes down to whichever you can find for cheaper. The UP7000 is slightly brighter, but it isn't enough to be a significant impact if you're using it in a well-lit room.
Test Results
The LG UQ8000 is a simple-looking TV whose design is similar to its predecessor, the LG UP8000. It has a plain back and two V-shaped style feet.
The stand supports the TV very well as there's hardly any wobble. The feet are wide-set, so you'll need a big table to place the TV on. They also lift the screen high enough off the table that placing a soundbar in front won't block it.
Footprint of the 65-inch stand: 46.2" x 10.7" x 3.2" to the bottom of the screen.
The back is basic with smooth plastic. The inputs are set into the TV, so they're hard to reach, especially if you have it wall-mounted. There are hooks that you can use for cable management.
The side and top borders are thin while the bottom border is thicker, but it isn't distracting.
The TV is thin, but it doesn't sit flush against a wall if you use the cable management clips. However, you can also remove them if you prefer.
The LG UQ8000 has decent quality. The stand is very stable and the TV is well-put together. The plastic on the back panel scratches easily and there's flex around the inputs, but neither are an issue once you place the TV on a table or wall mount and it doesn't affect the picture quality. Of course, it could feel better with more premium materials like metal, but it's what you should expect for a budget TV.
Most of the variants of the LG UQ8000 have a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray next to bright objects in dark rooms. However, there are 50 and 70-inch variants with a different panel type with a higher contrast. If you want a comparable budget model with higher contrast, check out the Samsung CU7000 or the 2023 version of this TV, the LG UR8000, instead.
The LG UQ8000 is direct-lit, meaning the LEDs that make up the backlight are located directly behind the screen, but there's no local dimming feature. We still film these videos on the TV so you can see how the backlight performs and compare it with a TV that has local dimming.
The LG UQ80 has poor HDR peak brightness. It doesn't get bright enough to deliver an impactful HDR experience, and without a local dimming feature, small highlights don't pop against the rest of the screen.
These results are in the 'FILMMAKER MODE' with the Panel Brightness and Contrast at their max, and the Color Temperature set to 'Warm 50'. The FILMMAKER MODE limits a few settings, so if that bothers you, 'Cinema' is a good alternative, but it's less accurate on this TV.
If you care about peak brightness, you can reach a peak of 331 cd/m² in the 10% window using the 'Vivid' Picture Mode with the Auto Dynamic Contrast on 'High' and Color Temperature on 'Cool 50'. However, this makes the image less accurate.
The HDR brightness in Game Mode is the same as outside of it. It was tested using the same settings, except with Picture Mode set to 'Game Optimizer'.
The LG UQ8000 has excellent EOTF tracking as shadows appear at their correct brightness. However, there's a sharp roll-off at the peak brightness, which is low, meaning there's a loss of detail in most bright scenes. If you want to make the image appear brighter, use the same settings as the HDR Brightness test but with Auto Dynamic Contrast on 'High' and Color Tone set to 'Cool 5'. Some shadows appear brighter, as you can see in this EOTF but it doesn't change the peak luminosity.
The LG UQ8000 has disappointing SDR peak brightness. It doesn't get bright enough to fight glare in well-lit rooms. Luckily, there isn't any variation in brightness between different scenes though.
These results are from after calibration in the 'Expert (Dark Space, Night)' Picture Mode with the Panel Brightness at its max and the Color Temperature set to 'Warm 50'. If you don't care about image accuracy and want the brightest image possible, use the 'Vivid' Picture Mode with the Panel Brightness and Contrast at their max, Auto Dynamic Contrast on 'High, and Color Temperature on 'Cool 50'. It results in a brightness of 344 cd/m² in the 10% window.
The LG UQ80 has an okay color gamut. It can't display all the colors needed for HDR content. The tone mapping is incredibly off when sending a 75% stimulus, as you can see above, resulting in a loss of fine details. It's because the TV's peak brightness is low, so it's trying to compensate for it with tone mapping. The tone mapping is much better with a lower 50% stimulus, meaning colors look better in dark scenes.
The LG UQ8000 has disappointing HDR color volume. Due to its low contrast and peak brightness, it can't display bright colors well, and it's limited by its incomplete color gamut.
The LG UQ80 has fantastic out-of-the-box accuracy in SDR. Most colors and the white balance are nearly perfect, but the color temperature is slightly on the cold side, giving the image a blue tint. Gamma is good overall, but some darker scenes are brighter than they should be.
The accuracy after calibration to the 6500K white point is incredible. It's easy to calibrate as the accuracy was already fantastic.
You can see the full settings for our calibration here.
The LG UQ80 has some issues with vertical bands that can get distracting with large areas of uniform colors, like when you watch sports or use it as a PC monitor.
The LG UQ80 has decent black uniformity. You can see the banding even here and the screen looks blue due to the low contrast. Sadly, there's no local dimming feature to improve it. Keep in mind that the 50 and 70-inch models have a different panel with better black uniformity.
The LG UQ8000 has a good viewing angle. The image remains consistent when viewing from the sides, which is ideal for wide seating areas. Sadly, this isn't the case with the 50 and 70-inch models because they have a different panel type.
The reflection handling is decent. It's fine if you have a few lights around, but combined with its low peak brightness, it isn't ideal to use in bright environments.
480p content, like from SD cable channels and DVDs, looks great.
Most of the variants of this TV use the same panel type with an RGB subpixel layout. However, the 50 and 70-inch models have a different panel with a BGR subpixel layout. This doesn't affect the picture quality, but hurts the text clarity when using it as a PC monitor.
The LG UQ8000 has a decent overall response time, but motion doesn't look the best because the backlight flicker causes image duplication.
The LG UQ80 uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to dim its backlight at all brightness levels and in any picture mode. It always flickers at 120Hz, which causes image duplication.
There's no option to introduce backlight flicker, commonly known as black frame insertion. Instead, the backlight always flickers at 120Hz.
The LG UQ80 has a motion interpolation feature to bring 24 and 30 fps content up to 60 fps. It doesn't look all that good as there's artifacting even with slow-moving content, and there's more with fast-moving content.
Due to the somewhat slow response time, there's minimal stutter with low-frame-rate content.
Unlike many 60Hz TVs, the LG UQ8000 can remove 24p judder from any source, including those that output content in 60 fps, like a cable box. It helps with the appearance of motion in movies.
The LG UQ80 doesn't support variable refresh rate technology to reduce screen tearing. However, the 86-inch model has a 120Hz panel with VRR support, so it's better-suited for gaming.
The LG UQ80 has low input lag for a responsive gaming feel, as long as you're in Game Mode.
Most models of the LG UQ80 only support signals up to 60Hz due to its limited refresh rate, but the 86-inch version has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and a 120Hz refresh rate, so it supports more resolutions. This TV also displays proper chroma 4:4:4 with any supported resolution, which helps with the appearance of text when using it as a PC monitor.
The LG UQ8000 has limited capabilities with the PS5 due to its HDMI 2.0 bandwidth and 60Hz refresh rate. However, the 86-inch model can take full advantage of it as it has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The LG UQ80 has limited capabilities with the Xbox Series X due to its HDMI 2.0 bandwidth and 60Hz refresh rate. However, the 86-inch model can take full advantage of it as it has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and a 120Hz refresh rate.
As mentioned, all the models have HDMI 2.0 bandwidth except for the 86-inch version, which has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and two extra HDMI slots. As it doesn't support either Dolby Vision or HDR10+, all HDR content will be limited to HDR10, no matter its intended format.
With only two HDMI ports, you'll need a receiver if you want to connect multiple devices.
The TV supports eARC, meaning it can pass high-quality audio to a compatible receiver or soundbar. It doesn't support DTS or DTS:X, though, which is disappointing as many Blu-rays use this audio format. If you have a Blu-ray player, it's best to connect it directly to your receiver instead of using eARC.
The LG UQ8000 has an okay frequency response. Like most TVs, it gets fairly loud and has a well-balanced sound profile, but it doesn't produce much bass.
The distortion handling is alright. There isn't much at moderate listening levels, but it gets worse at its max volume.
The TV comes with LG's webOS smart platform built-in, which is user-friendly. It's updated compared to previous versions, as it now supports user profiles, meaning you can customize it for different people in your house.
Like most TVs, there are ads throughout the smart interface, and there's no way to disable them.
The app store has a great selection of additional apps, so you're sure to find your favorite content.
The LG UQ8000 comes with their well-known Magic Remote. You can use its point-and-press feature like a Wii remote, making it easier to navigate through the menu. Its built-in mic allows you to ask it to open apps, search for content, and switch inputs, but you can't change certain settings like the brightness. It also supports NFC, so you can tap your phone against the remote to cast content to the TV.
There's a single button underneath the center of the TV. You can turn the power on and off, adjust the volume, switch inputs, and change channels with it.
