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May 31, 2023

LCD vs. LED vs. Mini LED vs. OLED: A quick guide

Scharon Harding - Jun 25, 2022 11:30 am UTC Somewhere along the line, consumer display technology became an alphabet soup full of terms using the letters "LED." In this succinct guide, we'll provide a

Scharon Harding - Jun 25, 2022 11:30 am UTC

Somewhere along the line, consumer display technology became an alphabet soup full of terms using the letters "LED."

In this succinct guide, we'll provide a brief overview of common initialisms found in the world of TV, PC monitor, and laptop displays. To keep things simple, we'll focus on how each technology impacts expected image quality. Whether you're looking for a handy refresher for the next time you're shopping or a quick, digestible guide to give to inquisitive friends and family, we've got you covered.

You're likely reading this article on a liquid crystal display (LCD). "LCD" refers to any display type that uses liquid crystals, including TN, IPS, and VA (which we'll get into shortly). Even an old-school calculator or digital watch can use an LCD. But a simple "LCD" designation doesn't tell you how a screen will perform. You need more information, like the backlight type the panel uses—usually LED, followed by the more expensive Mini LED.

LCDs long ago ousted cathode ray tube (CRT) and plasma displays as the dominant consumer display tech. In the past, it was common to find LCDs with cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlights, but most LCD displays today use LED backlights (more on that below).

All LCDs, as the name suggests, use liquid crystals sandwiched between polarized glass.

When electricity is applied, the crystals morph to allow or block light from going through color filters, depending on the image, to form what you see on the screen.

TN vs. IPS vs. VA

TN, IPS, and VA are the three primary types of LCD displays you'll find in TVs, monitors, and laptops. They all vary in how they use their liquid crystals. Each could warrant its own article, but we'll keep it simple here by focusing on the differences you can expect to see in real life.

Twisted nematic displays are known for their high refresh rates and low prices. Their liquid crystals twist 90 degrees to let light come through.

In-plane switching displays are known for their strong viewing angles and vibrant colors and use liquid crystals that are parallel to the glass layers. The crystals rotate in parallel to let light pass through.

Vertical alignment displays are known for their strong contrast. Their liquid crystals are perpendicular to the glass substrates and allow light to pass through as the crystals tilt.