LG 55SL80

LG 55SL80

A big flat-panel TV can tend to dominate a room, which helps explain why some TV shoppers insist on a television that looks as good as possible when turned off. LG designed its slim-bezel, thin-panel models, the SL80 series reviewed here, and the SL90 series, with those kinds of shoppers in mind. This HDTV definitely puts style first, with its sleek, compact appearance highlighted by a piece of glass that fronts the entire panel. The SL80 lacks the extensive interactive features found on other TVs in its price range, however, and its picture quality fell a bit short as well despite excellent color, with blacks that aren't as deep and a screen that reflects a lot of ambient light. If you prize design above those issues, however, you'll find plenty to like about this LCD TV. Series note: We performed a hands-on evaluation of the LG 47SL80, but this review also applies to the other sizes in the series, namely the 42-inch 42SL80 and the 55-inch 55SL80. All sizes share identical specs and features and should provide very similar picture quality.