LED, LCD and plasma TV: Which television LCD vs LED vs Plasma TV
In terms of features and functionality, the different types of HD TV are all quite similar. For instance the latest high-end televisions, across all HD TV types, can connect to the internet, and stream digital content (pictures, music and video) from your PC.
But the million-dollar question – which flat-panel TV technology actually looks better on the screen?
Picture quality
Despite the differences in television technology, in reality the issue is less to do with the hardware and far more to do with the digital processing software inside the TV.
LCD, LED and plasma TVs have to upscale and de-interlace television pictures, and instead of scanning them directly onto the screen like a CRT television, they store pictures and place them onto the TV screen a frame at a time.
The quality of the digital processing software used to hide the side effects of all this, not the technology per se, will more often than not dictate the quality of the picture.
Hence it's the brand of TV rather than the technology which is usually a better indication of quality.
See detailed for the lowdown on all the leading TV manufacturers.
Sound quality
Whereas the picture quality of HD TVs has steadily improved over the last few years, sound quality has generally deteriorated over the same period. The fashion for ever slimmer televisions means there's less space for a good set of built-in speakers.
Though this can be applied to all types of television, LED TVs tend to be the slimmest and tend to perform more poorly in our audio tests.
Energy consumption
Taking size into account (typically the bigger the screen the more power it will use) LED TVs are currently the most energy efficient televisions available - though some are more efficient than others. For instance Samsung's B7000 range is more energy efficient than its B8000 series.
Both are edge-lit LED TVs, but the B8000 features LEDs on all sides of the screen. The B7000 features them on only two and hence uses less power.
| LCD, LED and plasma TV power consumption | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Screen Size | Number tested | Average power consumption | Range |
| Plasma | 42 inch | 9 | 221 watts | 145-337 watts |
| LCD | 40 inch | 9 | 96 watts | 74-107 watts |
| LED | 40 inch | 13 | 83 watts | 47-125 watts |
| LCD | 32 inch | 13 | 72 watts | 62-89 watts |
Table notes
Power readings are all during normal operation in 16:9 mode using optimum picture settings. Based on results of testing TVs in 2010.
LCD alternative
If you want to be green but can’t find your way to shelling out on a pricey new LED TV, all is not lost.
Despite the lack of a binding EU TV energy labelling scheme, the leading brands have employed innovative new technologies, such as ambient light sensors, to deliver some fantastically energy efficient LCD TV products.
We test televisions just about all year round, and our results in 2009 made for extraordinary reading. Almost all the new (plasma and LCD) sets we tested use far less power than their respective screen size average. For more on green features, visit our interactive features guide.
Finding the best television
Which? tests over 100 televisions a year - LCD, LED and plasma. To find the right television for you visit our TV review page. If you're after a particular type of television, simply select the 'compare products and features' tab to choose the type and size you want.
