Looking for a cheap 85-inch screen? This $799, big-screen TV deal is one I’d actually buy

The Hisense U65QF, wall-mounted in a modern living space next to a superimposed, blue-colored tag that reads: "TG Price Drop" — (Image credit: Hisense)

Given the relatively recent rise of big-screen TVs, it doesn’t surprise me that I often field questions about how to shop for one without spending a ridiculous amount of money. Giant screens don’t just give people a taste of the movie theater experience at home, they’re also a great fixture for social gatherings centered around sports and shows.

There aren’t too many super- affordable, 85-inch TVs that I would earnestly recommend to people who want to avoid scraping the bottom of the barrel. But right now, the 85-inch Hisense U65QF is just $799 at Best Buy. It’s a $1,200 discount on a big-screen TV that’s actually worth buying.

In our full Hisense U65QF review, we commended this entry-level model for punching well above its weight when it comes to picture quality. The U65QF offers better brightness and backlight control than just about every 85-inch model in this price tier, and it's all thanks to its nifty display hardware.

Unlike most cheap 85-inch TVs, the U65QF leverages Mini-LED backlighting, which goes a long way towards maximizing this set's value. These ultra-small LEDs tend to result in better overall contrast (and higher brightness) than what you'll see on TVs that tap rudimentary, edge-lit screens.

The U65QF is also much, much brighter than most of the entry-level LED TVs we've tested in the last year. This makes it a viable choice for people who watch a ton of TV during the day in a sunny room.

This TV isn't lacking in features, either. If you're a casual or dedicated gamer, you'll appreciate that the U65QF supports 4K gaming at 120Hz (and up to 144Hz) across two out of four HDMI inputs. This is the highest 4K spec for current-gen consoles, and even though there are only two high-bandwidth ports, that's more than you'll find on most entry-level LED TVs.

Unlike most of the mainline Hisense TVs, the U65QF is built around Amazon's Fire TV smart platform rather than Google TV. Personally, I prefer the look and feel of Google TV, but this is a concession I am more than willing to make for an 85-inch model at this price point.

If you're in the market for a TV like this but 85 inches is too big for your living space, it's worth noting that the 65-inch Hisense U65QF is just $548 at Best Buy right now. It's not quite as eye-popping a deal as what's being offered on the 85-inch version, but it's worth a look if saving money is one of your top priorities.

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Michael Desjardin is a Senior Editor for TVs at Tom's Guide. He's been testing and tinkering with TVs professionally for over a decade, previously for Reviewed and USA Today. Michael graduated from Emerson College where he studied media production and screenwriting. He loves cooking, zoning out to ambient music, and getting way too invested in the Red Sox. He considers himself living proof that TV doesn't necessarily rot your brain.