OLED TVs have long been praised for their inky blacks, impressive contrast and rich colors, but the glossy screens on most of these TVs can also pick up distracting reflections from nearby light sources. If you look at a well-lit scene, you probably won’t notice anything. But if your watch party is at night or in a dark room, then that lamp behind you, or a light-filled window, may look like part of the image on the screen. This is one of the annoying downsides of OLED TVs, so what can you do about it?
You have two main choices. First, you can buy an OLED TV that has glare reduction technology (more on that later). Or secondly, you can simply review your TV setup and change it for a better viewing experience. If you live in a small apartment, your options might be somewhat limited, as there will likely only be one or two rooms where you can install the device. No matter what room your TV is in, you can take a look around and determine the best spot to minimize glare.
To start, position the TV so that the windows are behind it rather than facing the screen. If the design of your room makes this impossible, light-blocking curtains or a thick blind offer another way to eliminate those annoying reflections. Also, if you have a bright lamp facing the TV, turn it off or add a darker or light-diffusing shade. You can also simply find a new place for the light. If you live in a larger place with more rooms, you can both choose the best room to reduce glare and then apply the tips we just gave for the bedroom.
Some OLED TVs have a coating to reduce glare
The tips above are for anyone who already owns an OLED TV, and chances are you’ve already deployed some of the suggested ideas to reduce glare on your TV screen. If you’re currently considering purchasing a new OLED TV, these tips may also come in handy when thinking about how and where to install it. But you have another option: buy an OLED TV with an anti-glare coating.
Samsung is currently the most prominent brand offering what it describes as glare-free OLED TVs, starting with the S95D in 2024 which helped reduce glare while preserving black levels and shadow detail in bright rooms. Then, in 2025, the Korean tech giant launched the S95F with an improved coating, and followed it up in 2026 with the S95H. In each case, the screens use a raised surface with a special coating that diffuses light in multiple directions. So even if you see a kind of softened glow on the TV screen, it won’t be as distracting as a mirror-like reflection from a window or other light source.
If you can get hold of one of Samsung’s latest anti-glare OLEDs, or something similar, then any lingering glow will be easier to deal with, and when combined with careful placement and lighting, you’ll be as close as possible to eliminating disruptive reflections. Of course, OLEDs aren’t the only choice when it comes to TVs, and there’s a strong argument that opting for a different panel type is a smarter decision for some consumers.
