Quick verdict
The Samsung UN65KS8500 is the best curved LED panel Samsung ever produced and the top flagship recommendation on this list for viewers who want maximum brightness and color in a large-screen curved format. For pure picture quality regardless of brightness, the LG 65EC9700 curved OLED is in a class of its own - but vetting the panel condition on a used unit is essential. The UN55KU6300 is the pragmatic choice for buye
Samsung UN65KS8500 65" Curved SUHD
The KS8500 represents Samsung's peak curved LCD achievement. Its Quantum Dot-enhanced SUHD panel with HDR1000 support delivers brightness and color volume that still holds up against modern flat panels. At 65 inches, the curve creates a genuinely panoramic feel in dedicated viewing rooms. This is the model to target if you want the best curved LED experience Samsung ever made.
Flagship curved TVs from Samsung and LG still hold up as premium home theater displays. Here are the five best models - including discontinued gems worth hunting down in 2026.
The curved TV era produced some genuinely excellent displays – Samsung’s SUHD and UHD panels, LG’s OLED flagships – that remain compelling home theater choices even years after production ended. If you’re willing to shop the secondary market, you can get premium curved screen quality at a fraction of original retail prices.
Important note: Curved TVs are largely discontinued by major manufacturers. The models listed here are older flagship units available primarily through Amazon Renewed, Warehouse deals, and third-party new-old-stock sellers. Always verify seller ratings, return policies, and – especially for OLED models – panel condition before purchasing.
These are different flagship models from our curved screen TV article – specifically the larger, higher-spec end of the Samsung and LG curved lineups.
Our testing process
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung UN65KS8500 65" Curved SUHD | Best overall flagship | Check price | |
| Samsung UN55KU6300 55" Curved 4K | Best mid-size value | Check price | |
| LG 65EC9700 Curved OLED | Best picture quality | Check price | |
| Samsung UN49KU7500 49" Curved 4K | Best compact flagship | Check price | |
| Samsung UN60KU6300 60" Curved 4K | Best large mid-range | Check price |
Reviewed in detail
Samsung UN65KS8500 65" Curved SUHD
The KS8500 represents Samsung's peak curved LCD achievement. Its Quantum Dot-enhanced SUHD panel with HDR1000 support delivers brightness and color volume that still holds up against modern flat panels. At 65 inches, the curve creates a genuinely panoramic feel in dedicated viewing rooms. This is the model to target if you want the best curved LED experience Samsung ever made.
What we liked
- Quantum dot SUHD with HDR1000 peak brightness
- 65 inches - maximum immersive curve effect
- Excellent color gamut for an LED panel
- Strong upscaling performance for non-4K content
What we didn't like
- Older Tizen OS - some apps may no longer be supported
- Heavy and requires robust stand or mount
- Premium secondary-market pricing
Samsung UN55KU6300 55" Curved 4K
The KU6300 series is the entry point to Samsung's 4K curved lineup - a sensible starting point for buyers who want genuine 4K resolution without paying KS8500 prices. The 55-inch panel is the sweet spot for curved TVs in standard living rooms, and the UHD resolution holds up well for streaming 4K content. Availability is strong on Amazon Renewed with multiple condition grades to choose from.
What we liked
- 4K UHD resolution - ready for streaming 4K
- 55 inches - ideal balance of size and curve immersion
- Wide availability on Renewed and Warehouse
- Competitive secondary market pricing
What we didn't like
- No HDR10+ or Dolby Vision
- Narrower color gamut than SUHD models
- Older Smart TV OS with limited new app support
LG 65EC9700 Curved OLED
LG's 65EC9700 is the curved OLED to beat. Pixel-level lighting means blacks are absolute zero - no blooming around bright objects, no haloing around subtitles. The contrast ratio is technically infinite, which gives this panel a cinematic depth that no LED curved TV can match. If you can find a clean unit with low hours and good panel condition, it's one of the most impressive displays ever made at any price.
What we liked
- OLED per-pixel lighting - infinite contrast ratio
- Perfect blacks with zero blooming or halo
- Wide viewing angle compared to curved LED
- webOS Smart TV platform (better app support than early Tizen)
What we didn't like
- OLED burn-in risk - avoid prolonged static images
- Higher secondary market price than Samsung LED equivalents
- Requires careful vetting for panel condition when buying Renewed
Samsung UN49KU7500 49" Curved 4K
The KU7500 panel grade applied to a 49-inch chassis gives buyers who want a premium Samsung curved experience in a smaller room a strong option. The 49-inch size is an unusual choice for a curved TV - the immersive effect is present but subtle - but it's well-suited to home office setups or bedrooms where you sit closer than the typical living room distance.
What we liked
- Premium KU7500 panel quality in compact size
- 4K UHD with HDR support
- Better color and contrast than KU6300 series
- More manageable footprint than 55"+ options
What we didn't like
- Curve effect less pronounced at 49 inches
- Smaller size limits the immersion advantage
- Slightly harder to find than 55"/65" variants
Samsung UN60KU6300 60" Curved 4K
The 60-inch KU6300 occupies an interesting middle ground - larger than the standard 55-inch but more affordable than the 65-inch premium tier. For rooms where 55 inches feels slightly small but 65 inches is too large, the 60-inch footprint is a practical solution. The KU6300 panel quality is solid, and the 60-inch size delivers enough screen real estate to appreciate the curvature meaningfully.
What we liked
- 60-inch footprint fills the gap between 55" and 65"
- 4K UHD for current streaming content
- Good availability at moderate secondary market prices
- Curve visible and effective at this screen size
What we didn't like
- KU6300 panel tier - not Samsung's finest
- 60-inch is an increasingly rare size - fewer accessories fit
- Smart OS is outdated for 2026 app requirements
How to choose
Samsung panel tiers explained
Samsung's curved KS-series (KS8500) sit above the KU-series (KU6300, KU7500) in picture quality. KS models have quantum dot enhancement and higher HDR peak brightness. KU models are solid 4K performers without the quantum dot color boost. For picture quality, spend up to KS if budget allows.
LG OLED condition checks
When buying any used or Renewed OLED curved TV, ask for panel hours if possible, and use the seller's return window to run a pixel uniformity test and check for burn-in patterns. LG's OLED panels from this era are excellent when clean - damaged ones aren't economically worth repairing.
Input lag for gaming
If you plan to use a curved TV for gaming, KU7500 and KS8500 panels offer game mode input lag in the 15-25ms range. For dedicated gaming, check our curved TV for gaming article for a purpose-focused comparison.
Smart TV functionality
These are older Smart TV platforms - Tizen (Samsung) and webOS (LG) from 2016-2017. Many streaming apps have dropped support. Budget for a streaming stick (Fire TV Stick, Roku) to supplement the native OS and access current apps.
The bottom line
The Samsung UN65KS8500 is the best curved LED panel Samsung ever produced and the top flagship recommendation on this list for viewers who want maximum brightness and color in a large-screen curved format. For pure picture quality regardless of brightness, the LG 65EC9700 curved OLED is in a class of its own - but vetting the panel condition on a used unit is essential. The UN55KU6300 is the pragmatic choice for buye
Common questions
Samsung dominated the curved TV market and remains the best source of quality curved panels. LG produced standout curved OLED models that offer superior picture quality to LCD alternatives. Both brands are your safest bets when searching Amazon Renewed or Warehouse deals. Avoid off-brand curved TV listings - quality control is inconsistent and parts are difficult to source.
Yes - curved TVs perform best from a centered, direct-facing position. Off-axis viewing (from the sides) can introduce reflections and slight image distortion that flat TVs handle better. This is why curved TVs suit single-viewer dedicated setups more than wide family viewing rooms. The LG curved OLED models have better off-axis performance than Samsung's curved LED options.
Wall-mounting a curved TV is technically possible but rarely recommended. The curved back requires specific VESA mount adapters, and mounting a curved panel flush to a wall somewhat defeats the immersive purpose of the curve - which works best with some distance from the wall. Floor stands or dedicated TV consoles are the standard setup for curved displays.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
