Surprise! Budget LG OLED TV lands in US after release U-turn

LG B1 OLED against orange background
(Image credit: LG)

The LG B1 OLED has come to the US, meaning any North American shoppers are able to order the budget OLED TV through the LG website.

The surprise listing seems to contradict previous communications from LG, which previously only planned to release the LG B1 in the UK, preferring to push its 48-inch OLED, the LG C1, and the truly entry-level LG A1 (which starts at $1,199) in the territory, instead of this year's B Series.

You can now buy the LG B1 OLED for $1,399 at a 55-inch size, $1,999 at a 65-inch size, and $3,099 at a 77-inch size.

You may be frowning at the word 'budget', but the pricing is relatively competitive for a new OLED TV, the cheapest of which hover around $1,000 in times of sales, and usually launch at around the price of this 55-inch model – if not a lot more.

The B Series OLED has traditionally been LG's cheapest annual OLED TV release, though the arrival of an even lower-end A Series model – which ships without HDMI 2.1 ports, and skimps a little on audio – had appeared to shake up LG's release plans a little.

Now, though, it seems that LG is content to push the LG B1 through its own website, though it looks like you won't be able to get this set through other retailers such as Best Buy or Walmart. The model's listing page refers to it as an "online exclusive", so we wouldn't waste time scouring for it in stores.

The cheap seats

We are somewhat relieved to see the LG B1 come to the US, albeit in a limited capacity. We've long approved of the B Series range as a way to bring decent OLED pictures into your home for less, and for those of you keen to keep those HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen consoles and the like (PS5, Xbox Series X, etc), it will offer a bit more flexibility than a truly bargain OLED like the A1.

Don't forget, though, that the 48-inch LG C1 is pretty affordable these days, and it may be worthwhile looking to see if a C Series model at any size is within your budget – you'll get a top-notch a9 Gen 4 AI processor instead of the a7 iteration used in the A1 and B1 OLEDs, and which should prevent the video noise that can crop up in the cheaper chipset.

Henry St Leger

Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.

Read more
LG 55-Inch Class OLED B4 Series Smart TV 4K Processor Flat Screen with Magic Remote AI-Powered with Alexa Built-in on orange background with lowest price TechRadar icon
LG's best budget OLED TV just dropped back to its record-low price
LG C5 OLED T V with forest road and car on screen
LG reveals US pricing for the LG G5 and LG C5 OLED TVs, and it's great news for OLED fans
LG B4 OLED TV
LG's B4 OLED TV just dropped to a stunning price of $499 - get it before it's gone
The LG B4 48-inch OLED TV on a yellow background with text saying Lowest Price.
The best cheap LG OLED TV is at a record low price just in time for the Super Bowl
LG B4 OLED TV
The best budget OLED TV you can buy drops to its cheapest price yet for Presidents' Day
LG C4 OLED TV
The LG C4 is the best OLED TV for most people, and it just hit a record low price at Amazon's early Spring Sale
Latest in Televisions
Hisense U7N Prime Day 2024 deal image
The Hisense U7N was one of the best TVs I tested in 2024, and it just had its price slashed at Amazon
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar with Halloween theme over the top
Samsung promises to repair soundbars bricked by its disastrous software update for free – but it'll probably involve shipping
LG C3 deal image on blue background
Woah – LG's C3 OLED TV just crashed to its lowest price ever for March Madness
Samsung Wireless One Connect on stone pedestal
I tested Samsung's new wireless TV connection box, and gamers need to know one thing
Samsung S95D with peacock feather on screen
Samsung says an OLED-beating new screen tech could come sooner than we thought – but I wouldn't expect it in 4K TVs right away
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K is back down to 40% off – give your older 4K TV a cheap smart upgrade
Latest in News
Xbox Series X and Xbox wireless controller set to a green background
Xbox Insiders are currently testing a new Game Hub feature that looks useful, but I've got mixed feelings about it
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
Microsoft Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices on a table.
Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC
Oura Ring 4
Activity tracking on Oura Ring is about to get a whole lot better, but I've got bad news about your step count
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Cleaned your Pixel Buds Pro 2 recently? If not, you might be getting worse sound
Google Maps on a phone being held in someone's hand
Google Maps is getting two key upgrades, for easier route planning and quicker access to Gemini AI