Expert review of the LG NANO886PB (2021)
The LG NANO886PB (2021)
- In combination with HDR, the 10-bits NanoCell screen provides lively colors and high contrast.
- The television displays moving images smoothly thanks to the refresh rate of 100Hz.
- Thanks to the wide viewing angle, you can watch TV while you sit at an angle without the screen fading.
- The LGNANO886 has the clear webOS smart platform, which is also easy to control.
- With the artificial intelligence ThinQ, you can connect the TV to LG smart appliances in your home.
- The television doesn't have a rotatable stand.
- The wireless pointer of the Magic Remote doesn't always work smoothly.
First impression of the LG NANO886PB (2021)
I'm able to view the LG NANO886PB (2021) in LG's testing area. The design is slim, which makes the TV almost identical to the other Nano models in terms of design. The bezels are pretty thin, which is nice when you watch TV. The stand feels sturdy, but it's not rotatable. This means you'll have to move the entire TV when you're not right in front of it.
Colorful and bright image because of NanoCell and HDR
LG promises a lively color representation with the NanoCell technology. And the NANO886PB delivers. Especially with the HDR formats supported by the TV. I play some HDR footage with the Cinema HDR mode turned on. The difference is definitely noticeable in the more intense colors and larger color difference. I experience this advantage in DHR10 Pro and Dolby Vision IQ as well. The combination with the 10-bits panel, which contains 1 billion colors, ensures bright color contrasts.
Smoothly moving image thanks to 100Hz
The NANO886PB has a refresh rate of 100Hz. This means that the screen displays moving images smoothly. This is especially useful when I watch sports or play a game. All the fast actions look more realistic. It seems like the new a7 Gen 4 processor can easily process the images. Moving images are sharp and colors don't fade.
Good black levels for a LED TV
While I test the black levels, I view images with a light or colorful object against a black background. I barely notice a halo around the object, thanks to the high contrast of the TV. The black is good too. When I set the brightness to high, the black leans more towards dark gray. The NANO 886 isn't as good as an OLED TV in terms of black being deep black.
Pleasant viewing angle and a little bit of reflection
The LG NANO886PB has a great viewing angle. This is pleasant when you like to sit in front of the TV at an angle or when you watch a movie or sports game with multiple people, for example. When I stand in front of the TV at an angle, the colors barely fade and the image remains sharp. I'm less happy with the reflection of the lights I see in the screen. This distracts me a little bit, but you can prevent this at home by dimming your lights or placing them strategically.
Decent sound, lacks depth
The television has 2 simple 20W speakers. They produce a great sound, but don't expect too much when you watch a movie or want to experience the stadium feel during a sports game. I recommend a soundbar or other external speakers for this. Preferably a soundbar with Dolby Atmos support, because the NANO886PB supports this too. Dolby Atmos creates a surround sound by directing the sound to your listening position via the walls.
LG's artifical intelligence and the remote
Thanks to LG's artificial intelligence ThinQ, the NANO886 becomes a part of your smart home. You can connect the TV to Google Assistant or Alexa to control other LG smart appliances. You can also control the TV with voice commands via the Magic Remote thanks to ThinQ. This is way easier than wireless control with the Magic Remote. With this, you point at the menu to select an option, but this doesn't always work very well. The cursor gets stuck sometimes, so it takes me longer to navigate through the menu than I want.
Conclusion
The LG NANO886PB (2021) is a TV with a good image quality in its price range. The TV supports different HDR formats, which ensures lively colors and high contrasts. The 100Hz refresh rate provides smooth moving images. The black levels and the sound of the TV are acceptable, but not great. I recommend a soundbar for better sound. The webOS smart platform is well-organized, quick, and easy to use. In addition, the TV has LG's artificial intelligence, ThinQ. This allows you to make the TV a part of your smart home.