TV brightness myths, busted: What you really need for a great picture

If you’ve looked at any new TV launch lately, you’ll notice one thing standing out across the board remains the brightness. 1,000 nits or 2,000 nits, brands are quick to highlight peak HDR brightness like it’s the ultimate benchmark of picture quality. And to be fair, brightness is important, especially for daytime viewing or well-lit spaces.

But over time, I’ve realised that brightness is just one part of the picture. A high brightness rating doesn’t always translate to better visuals or a more immersive viewing experience. Other factors like contrast, colour accuracy processing play equally crucial roles too.

Today I want to break down what TV brightness really means, when it matters most and why focusing on it alone might lead you to overlook what truly makes a TV worth watching.

What Is Brightness exactly?

Brightness, measured in nits, refers to how much light a TV screen can emit. Peak brightness highlights intense areas like sunlight or explosions, especially in HDR content. Full-screen brightness, on the other hand, tells you how well the TV lights up the entire display. Brightness matters most in rooms with lots of ambient light, helping images stay visible and vibrant. 

However, high brightness alone doesn’t guarantee a better picture. Without strong contrast and colour accuracy, even a very bright TV can look flat or washed out. That’s why brightness should never be the only thing you consider.

What really makes a picture “pop”?

Brightness plays a role, but what truly makes a picture stand out is contrast, the difference between the darkest blacks and the brightest highlights. A high-contrast image adds depth, realism, and that “cinematic” feel we all love. 

This is where OLED TVs have the edge. Unlike LED TVs, OLEDs have self-lit pixels that can turn off completely, producing perfect blacks. That sharp contrast means even if an OLED isn’t as bright on paper, it can still deliver a more vibrant and immersive picture than a much brighter LED TV. 

With this, one thing is clear, it’s not just about brightness. It’s balance!

OLED vs Mini-LED: Which one is better when it comes to “brightness”

Which one of these handles brightness better? When it comes to brightness, it really depends on your viewing environment. OLED TVs are perfect for dark rooms or night-time watching. They offer rich colours, perfect blacks and stunning contrast that makes movies feel immersive. 

But if you watch TV mostly during the day or in a bright room, Mini-LED TVs have the upper hand. Their higher full-screen brightness can easily cut through ambient light, keeping the picture clear and vibrant. 

With this we can say that it’s not about which is better overall, it’s also about which suits your space and habits best.

If you're shopping soon, visit a store and see the difference yourself. Your eyes will tell you more than any spec sheet ever could.

Because sometimes, what looks best to you is better than what’s brightest on paper.