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The LG UQ8000 was LG’s entry-level 4K TV for 2022, and it still turns up today as a clearance deal, an open-box bargain, or a used listing. It’s a simple, well-built smart TV with a great remote and a friendly interface, but it’s also a 60-hertz (Hz) set with modest brightness and contrast. This LG UQ8000 review covers what the TV does well, where it falls short, which facts older reviews got wrong, and why LG’s newer models are usually the smarter buy if you can find them for a similar price.
Quick verdict: The UQ8000 is a fine TV for streaming, cable, and casual gaming in a moderately lit room, especially if you get it cheap. LG has discontinued it, though, and its successors add features like a third High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port and newer software for little or no extra money. Buy a UQ8000 only at a steep discount. Check the LG UQ8000 price on Amazon, and compare it with the newer LG UA77 on Amazon before you decide.
LG UQ8000 at a glance
| Spec | LG UQ8000 |
|---|---|
| Release | 2022 (discontinued; LG now labels its product pages “discontinued”) |
| Sizes | 43, 50, 55, 65, 70, 75, and 86 inches |
| Panel | In-Plane Switching (IPS)-type panel on the 43-, 55-, 65-, 75-, and 86-inch models; vertical alignment (VA) panel on the 50- and 70-inch models |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz native (“TruMotion 120” is motion processing, not a 120Hz panel); the 86-inch model uses a 120Hz panel |
| Processor | α5 Gen 5 artificial intelligence (AI) Processor 4K (α7 Gen 5 on the 86-inch) |
| High dynamic range (HDR) | HDR10 and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) with HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping; no Dolby Vision |
| Gaming | Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), HDR Gaming Interest Group (HGiG) mode, and Game Optimizer; no variable refresh rate (VRR) on the 43- to 75-inch models |
| Inputs | Two HDMI 2.0 ports (enhanced Audio Return Channel, or eARC, on HDMI 2), one Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 port, Ethernet, optical audio out, and an antenna input |
| Audio | 20-watt, 2.0-channel down-firing speakers with AI Sound Pro |
| Smart platform | webOS 22 with Google Assistant and Alexa built in, plus Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit |
| Remote | LG Magic Remote with Magic Tap (near-field communication, or NFC) |
| 65-inch size and weight | 57.2 x 33 x 2.3 inches and 47.4 pounds without the stand; 300 x 300 Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mount pattern |
Specs come from LG’s UQ8000 specification sheet and LG’s 65UQ8000AUB product page, with lab context from RTINGS’ UQ8000 review.
Is the LG UQ8000 discontinued?
Yes. LG launched the UQ8000 as part of its 2022 lineup and has since replaced it several times. Here’s how the entry-level line has evolved:
- UP8000 (2021): The predecessor. RTINGS notes it has one more HDMI input than the UQ8000 and handles motion slightly better, while the UQ8000 has slightly better color accuracy.
- UQ8000 (2022): The model this review covers.
- UR8000 (2023): A very similar follow-up with webOS 23.
- UT8000 (2024): Moved to LG’s Gen7 α5 processor and webOS 24. RTINGS rates it nearly identical to the UR8000. See the UT8000 at LG.
- UA75 and UA77 (2025): LG dropped the “8000” naming. The UA77 adds an α7 Gen8 processor, three HDMI ports, basic VRR at 60Hz, and webOS 25.
- Nano NU70 (2026): LG’s newest budget 4K series runs webOS 26 and uses an α7 processor. LG.com listed the 65-inch at $329.99 on sale in October 2026. See the NU70 at LG.
LG’s model codes explain the names. In “65UQ8000,” 65 is the screen size, U means Ultra High Definition (UHD), Q marks the 2022 model year (P was 2021, R was 2023, T was 2024, and A was 2025), and 8000 identifies the series.
Design and setup
The UQ8000 looks clean and modern for a budget TV. It has thin bezels, a slim 2.3-inch profile, and a mostly plastic build with metal feet. The feet sit near the edges, so you need a wide surface: the 65-inch model’s stand spans 47.3 inches. If your furniture is narrower, our guide to the best TV stands for 65-inch TVs can help, or you can wall-mount the TV with its 300 x 300 VESA pattern. A VESA-compatible TV wall mount works well, and we cover options in our best wall mounts for 65-inch TVs guide.
Ports are the biggest physical letdown. The UQ8000 has only two HDMI ports, and both sit on the side. Older reviews of this TV, including the original version of this one, said it had three HDMI ports and two USB ports. LG’s specification sheet lists two HDMI ports and one USB port. If you connect a soundbar, a game console, and a streaming box, you’ll run out of inputs and need an HDMI switch.
Picture quality
The UQ8000 delivers sharp 4K detail and accurate color for a budget set. LG’s α5 Gen 5 processor upscales 480p, 720p, and 1080p content well, and RTINGS found that the UQ8000 handles low-quality streams and color accuracy better than some rivals, including Samsung’s 2023 CU7000.
Contrast is the weak spot. Most sizes use an IPS-type panel, which gives you wide viewing angles but lighter, grayer blacks than a VA panel. The TV has no local dimming either, so dark movie scenes look washed out in a dim room. If you watch a lot of movies at night, the 50- or 70-inch VA versions offer deeper blacks, at the cost of narrower viewing angles.
HDR support is basic. The UQ8000 accepts HDR10 and HLG, but it lacks Dolby Vision, a wide color gamut, and the brightness to make HDR highlights pop. Reviewers describe its HDR and standard dynamic range (SDR) contrast as mediocre. Its semi-gloss screen handles reflections reasonably well, but the panel’s limited brightness means it looks best in a room with moderate light.
Smart features and remote
The UQ8000 runs webOS 22, which is simple and responsive. You can set up multiple user profiles, browse hundreds of free LG Channels, and stream from every major app, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube TV, and Apple TV. The home screen and app store show ads and sponsored content that you can’t turn off, which is a common tradeoff on budget smart TVs.
The included Magic Remote is a highlight. You point it at the screen like a mouse, scroll with a wheel, and press a button for voice control through Google Assistant or Alexa. Magic Tap lets you tap a compatible phone against the remote to share its screen, and the TV also supports Apple AirPlay 2. LG ThinQ connects the TV with LG appliances and other smart home devices.
One caution for used buyers: a TV from 2022 won’t get major new features. Check that your favorite apps still run well before you buy, or add a cheap streaming stick later if the built-in apps start to lag.
Gaming performance
The UQ8000 suits casual gamers. Its Game Optimizer menu gathers game settings in one place, ALLM switches the TV into its low-lag game mode automatically, and input lag is low. However, the 43- to 75-inch models top out at 4K and 60 frames per second (fps), and they lack HDMI 2.1 and VRR. That means a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X can’t run 120fps games, and you may see screen tearing in some titles.
The 86-inch UQ8000 is the exception. It uses a 120Hz panel and supports 4K at 120Hz, which makes it the only model in the series that serious console gamers should consider. If gaming matters most, read our guide to the best gaming TVs for PlayStation 5 and Xbox.
Sound
The 20-watt, 2.0-channel speakers get loud without much distortion, but they sound thin, like most TV speakers. Dialogue is clear enough for news and sitcoms, while movies and sports benefit from a soundbar. Connect one to the HDMI 2 eARC port, and the TV’s remote will control its volume. A budget soundbar for your LG TV is the best upgrade you can make.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide viewing angles on IPS-type models
- Accurate color and good upscaling for the price
- Magic Remote with pointer, voice control, and Magic Tap
- Low input lag with ALLM and Game Optimizer
- Slim design that looks good on a wall
- Often cheap on clearance, open-box, or used
Cons
- Only two HDMI ports and one USB port
- Weak contrast and no local dimming
- Dim HDR with no Dolby Vision
- 60Hz and no VRR on every size except the 86-inch
- Discontinued, with older webOS 22 software
- Ads on the home screen
LG UQ8000 vs. newer budget TVs
Because the UQ8000 is discontinued, the real question is whether a newer budget TV costs much more. Usually it doesn’t. Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries LG’s current models alongside the strongest rivals from Samsung, TCL, and Hisense. Here’s how they compare:
Compare similar budget 4K TVs on Amazon
| TV | Display type | Smart platform | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG UQ8000 (2022) | IPS-type or VA liquid crystal display (LCD), 60Hz | webOS 22 | Bargain hunters who find a deep discount | Check price |
| LG UA77 (2025) | LCD, 60Hz with basic VRR | webOS 25 | LG fans who want the closest current model | Check price |
| Samsung U8000F (2025) | VA LCD, 60Hz | Tizen | Better contrast for dark-room viewing | Check price |
| TCL Q65 (2025) | Quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED), 60Hz | Google TV | Dolby Vision and richer color on a budget | Check price |
| TCL QM6K (2025) | QLED with Mini light-emitting diode (Mini-LED) local dimming, 144Hz | Google TV | Gaming and HDR movies for a bit more money | Check price |
| Hisense QD6 (2025) | QLED, 60Hz | Fire TV | Alexa households and Fire TV fans | Check price |
- LG UA77: The UQ8000’s spiritual successor adds a third HDMI port, a newer processor, and basic VRR, although RTINGS found its native contrast weaker than the 2024 UT8000’s. See the LG UA77 on Amazon.
- Samsung U8000F: RTINGS rates it better than LG’s comparable UT75 thanks to much stronger native contrast, so blacks look deeper. See the Samsung U8000F on Amazon.
- TCL QM6K: If you can stretch your budget, Mini-LED local dimming and a 144Hz panel make it a far better TV for movies and games. See the TCL QM6K on Amazon.
- LG Nano NU70: LG’s 2026 budget series is the pick if you want the latest version of webOS. See the LG NU70 on Amazon.
For more ideas, see our picks for the best 55-inch TVs under $500, our TCL vs. Hisense comparison, and our Hisense QD5 review.
Who should buy the LG UQ8000?
Buy a UQ8000 if you find one for much less than a current budget TV, you mostly stream shows and sports, and you want wide viewing angles for a family room. It also makes a good bedroom or guest room TV; our guide to the best TV size for a bedroom can help you pick a size. Before buying used, confirm that the seller includes the Magic Remote and stand, check the panel for dead pixels or backlight problems, and ask whether the TV was wall-mounted or on a stand.
Skip it if you game on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, watch lots of HDR movies in a dark room, or need more than two HDMI ports. In those cases, a newer model like the LG UA77, Samsung U8000F, or TCL QM6K gives you more for similar money. Our roundup of the best smart TVs for the money covers more options.
Frequently asked questions
When did the LG UQ8000 come out?
LG released the UQ8000 as part of its 2022 TV lineup. The UR8000 replaced it in 2023, and LG has updated its entry-level line every year since.
Is the LG UQ8000 good for gaming?
It’s good for casual gaming at 60fps thanks to low input lag and ALLM. Only the 86-inch model supports 120Hz gaming, and the 43- to 75-inch models lack VRR.
Does the LG UQ8000 have Dolby Vision?
No. It supports HDR10 and HLG only. If you want Dolby Vision on a budget, look at the TCL Q65 or Hisense QD6.
How many HDMI ports does the LG UQ8000 have?
The 43- to 75-inch models have two HDMI 2.0 ports, and HDMI 2 supports eARC for soundbars. You’ll find both on the side of the TV.
Final verdict
The LG UQ8000 was a solid budget TV in 2022, with a great remote, easy software, and wide viewing angles. Today, its two HDMI ports, weak contrast, dim HDR, and aging software make it worth buying only at a clearance or used price. If a newer LG UA77, NU70, or Samsung U8000F costs only a little more, choose the newer model. Check the current LG UQ8000 price on Amazon, or look for remaining stock at Sam’s Club.
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