Most LCDs use fluorescent tubes for backlighting, which remain on at a constant, unvarying level of illumination. The display on an LED is still like that of a conventional LCD, the only difference is the backlight.

Side-lit TVs have LEDs down the sides which shine light across the screen. This makes screens incredibly thin, but at the cost of uneven backlighting and mediocre contrast. Direct LED backlighting has banks of LEDs behind the screen as a backlight. These LEDs can be individually turned on and off as needed, creating great contrast with black-looking blacks.

LED technology enables the manufacturers to build thinner televisions which can be less than two inches thick. They are also slightly more energy efficient than plasmas and conventional LCDs.