LG NU700 58NU700BPUD.ACCQ 58"

A big, friendly LG that's easy to live with but hard to love. Great smart features, mediocre picture, and a price that only makes sense on sale.

The a7 AI processor does a solid job upscaling older content, and webOS is still one of the least annoying smart TV interfaces out there. But the Direct LED backlight means no local dimming, so dark scenes get that washed-out gray look. HDR support is technically there, but it's the kind of HDR that makes you wonder why they bothered. Gaming is capped at 60Hz, which is fine for consoles but not exactly a selling point in 2025.

The TCL QM8K and Hisense U8 Series both absolutely embarrass this TV when it comes to picture quality. Those have mini-LED backlights, real HDR brightness, and gaming features that actually matter. The Roku Pro Series is also a better value if you just want a simple smart TV without the LG tax. The Sony BRAVIA 8 is in a completely different league, but it costs twice as much, so that's not really a fair fight. If you're cross-shopping the NU700 against any of these, the only reason to pick the LG is brand loyalty or a killer sale price.

At CAD 650, this is a budget TV pretending to be a mid-range one. The 58-inch size is a nice sweet spot, but you're paying for the LG badge and webOS more than the panel itself. If you can find it on sale for under CAD 550, it's a decent deal. At full price, there are better options from TCL and Hisense that'll give you actual HDR and better contrast.

The LG NU700 is a classic case of a TV that nails the basics but skimps on the stuff enthusiasts actually care about. It's a 58-inch 4K panel with a decent smart platform and a price that won't make you wince, but the picture quality is where the corners got cut. If you just want a big screen for casual streaming and don't obsess over black levels, this thing is fine. If you're expecting a mini-LED killer, keep walking.

If you're building a home theater or you care about HDR, contrast, or deep blacks, this isn't your TV. Go grab a TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 instead. You'll get a dramatically better picture for not much more money.

The LG NU700 is a perfectly fine TV for a bedroom or a secondary room where you just need something that works. It's not a home theater centerpiece, and it's not a gaming monitor replacement. If you want the best picture for your dollar, look at TCL or Hisense. If you want the LG ecosystem and don't care about deep blacks, this'll do the job without complaint.