These days, in the cutthroat HDTV race, OLED and QLED offerings tend to garner the most attention.

That, however, doesn’t mean that there aren’t any other competitive lower-priced options out there.

For example, if you really want to blow your friends and family away without cleaning out your bank account, make sure to check out LG’s 65-inch Nano 9 Series, which is currently retailing for $1,400 on Amazon.

Taking direct aim at Samsung’s highly regarded QLED HDTVs, this particular set taps into the company’s enhanced LCD display technology called NanoCell. Previously called Super UHD, NanoCell employs a light-absorbing filter that removes unwanted wavelengths of light to offer more precise color reproduction. The end result is greater wide-ranging color accuracy.  

Since Samsung’s QLEDs also use nano-scale optimizations to enhance the picture quality offered by LCD displays, NanoCell is now considered a competitor to the Korean tech giant’s much-praised QLED lineup. 

Be aware, however, that QLED panels do take a slightly different approach—utilizing quantum dots to boost brightness and color gamut—to improve the overall viewing experience.

Know that the 9 Series boasts outstanding 4K-image quality via its full-array LED backlight with local dimming. The robust α7 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor does a fantastic job in enhancing images and color and making the entire set operate smoothly without any hiccups.

What really separates this set from most non-OLED competitors is that it has amazing wide-viewing angles, so if you have seating arrangements that wrap around the TV, you’ll surely notice the difference. Moreover, if you find yourself often watching TV during the daytime or in a bright room, know that the 9 Series does a valiant job in masking those annoying glares and reflections. 

If you’re seeking to transform your living room into an entertainment powerhouse, then you can rest assured that you’re off to a solid start here, as the 9 Series comes with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. This means that you’ll be on the receiving end of ultra-vivid pictures and immersive audio that will seem like it’s flowing all around you.

However, one particular issue that has really irked many LG TV owners over the years is the webOS operating system. For many, this platform lacks the innovative extras and app-based setup and coverage of Roku TV, Samsung’s Tizen, or Sony’s Android TV. If you desire a bigger selection of apps, your best bet is to get an external streamer.

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Minneapolis-based Science and Tech Editor who has held posts at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek and Arirang TV. Follow or contact him on LinkedIn.