The LG UM7300 Smart TV is solid as a bargain-bin 4K TV—especially if seating arrangements have guests sitting at wide angles. Its IPS panel allows users to enjoy their media at a wide viewing angle, with hardly any quality degradation. Other than good response time and low input lag, it’s fairly average in most categories, which is typical for entry-level 4K TVs.
PICTURE QUALITY
4K
- Product experts are pleased with the LG UM7300 4K UHD TV’s ability to handle native 4K content.
- While picture quality is generally great, Consumer Reports noted upscaling HD content to 4K did produce jagged edges now and then. A smart TV with great upscaling should be the LG UN6970.
Color
- The LG UM7300 4k UHD TV features a solid color accuracy, but isn’t particularly good at using its accurate colors to its full advantage. According to RTings, it’s only covering 75 to 83% of the DCI P3 color gamut, which is average at best for color accuracy. Without support for a wide color gamut, HDR picture quality is reduced—more so at a wide viewing angle.
Black
- Testing by our pool of certified experts shows the LG UM7300 doesn’t impress with its black uniformity. It does well enough to pass, but its black levels and backlight bleeding give it a washed-out look. LG UM7300 has decent black uniformity, but there’s a noticeable backlight bleed.
Brightness
- If you were hoping to place this UHD LG TV in a well-lit space, its peak brightness does manage to cut through the majority of sunlight coming in. However, RTings noted its peak brightness does little to help make HDR picture quality pop.
Contrast
- Most vetted reviewers agree that the LG UM7300’s contrast ratio isn’t good, due to its inability to create dark blacks. Rather than appear black, contrast looks gray and washed out.. To make matters worse, this LG TV doesn’t have local dimming, which would help it. The 50-inch models, however, fare much better with their VA panel.
Dimming
- The LG UM7300 4K UHD TV doesn’t come equipped with local dimming, so we’re unable to comment on this aspect of the UM7300. If you are in need of a TV that comes with local dimming then you should get the LG Nano91, which comes with full array local dimming.
Gaming
- Expert testing is unanimous: the LG UM7300 will do a great job supporting gamers. Input lag is incredibly low, consistently hitting an average of 10ms—especially when Game mode is enabled.
- HDMI 2 allows for 60hz, which is good, but HDMI 2 doesn’t reach 120hz.
HDR
- The HDR performance on the LG UM7300 UHD TV is limited, supporting both HDR10 and HLG HDR formats, but lacks access to Dolby Vision. Expert testers find the picture quality better than an SDR TV, but its goal of being an entry-level 4K TV has stunted its HDR effectiveness.
Motion
- Video noise and motion blur are a hit or miss with the LG UM7300. According to Tom’s Guide, quick movements can leave behind artifacts. RTings, however, suggests using Cinema mode and motion smoothing since both greatly improved the picture quality for faster-paced content.
Refresh
- Testers agree that the LG UM7300 UHD 4K would have been better off with 120hz, just to take advantage of new video game consoles’ capabilities, but it maxes out at 60hz. The average gamer will still find 60hz passable.
Response
- Gamers and movie-goers will enjoy the fast response time of the LG UM7300. Experts like RTings reported 100% color transitioning averages 12.4ms, though stuttering happens on occasion.
Viewing Angle
- Buyers with weird seating arrangements, such as chairs at sharp angles, will love the LG UM7300 UHD’s IPS panel. Because it allows for a wide viewing angle, it retains its accuracy even from a 60 degree angle.
- While experts appreciated the wider viewing angles and found them acceptable, picture quality appears slightly more muted at moderate angles.
Burn-in
- Despite being built with an IPS panel, expert testing remains confident: the risk of burn-in is practically gone.
DESIGN
Stand
- If you aren’t mounting this UHD TV to the wall, you’ll need to ensure you have plenty of space. The stand itself is wide-set, which gives it good balance. Users noted that the stand can support the TV well, though it wobbles a bit when nudged.
Back
- The back is going to be frustrating for users who’d rather mount the TV since most of the ports face the wall rather than along the side of the smart TV.
Borders
- With bezels measuring nearly half an inch, it’s rather thick. Experts noted the tapered design does save it from a boxy appearance, however.
Thickness
- Editors measured 3.46″, with the majority of that thickness coming from the back of the smart TV.
FEATURES
Tuner
- In addition to HDMI, you can opt for an HDTV antenna or cable box. Experts came up short on any known issues with its TV tuner and it will work as intended.
Input
- Starting with the most important, the UM7300 4K Smart TV has three HDMI ports, component, two USB ports, coaxial, analog, Ethernet, optical audio, and tuner.
Remote Control
- The LGUM7300 UHD Smart TV’s magic remote excels at being a motion and voice universal remote and has buttons to go old school. While expert reviews praise the magic remote for its response, the ability to program other devices can be rather helpful, too. The magic remote control has Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controls.
SMART TV
Apps
- The LG UM7300 Smart Home TV shares the same library of apps as the rest of the LG lineup, which is the LG content store. And if you happen to have a Fire Stick, Roku, or good Wi-Fi for casting, any apps missing from the LG content store can be filled in.
Streaming
- Streaming quality is directly tied to the speed of your internet service provider, whether through Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Weaker speeds will operate at lower bitrates and vice versa.
Menu
- Experts agree: the smart TV interface isn’t hard to navigate. The accuracy of the remote’s motion control didn’t lead to many frustrated users and testers. You can always forego smart features and voice control and stick to buttons.
SOUND QUALITY
Audio, Bass, and Soundstage
- Reviewers found the audio to be inadequate. While the treble is clear and detailed, the bass audio isn’t strong. They noted the 20W speakers, no subwoofer, and the lack of Dolby Atmos the main audio shortcomings.
