Best 85-inch TVs in 2024: Tested and reviewed

Best 85-inch TV
(Image credit: Samsung)
Best 85-inch TV: Quick Menu

An 85-inch TV might be overkill for some, but they do make for incredible displays whether that be for sports, gaming, YouTube, or the like. Although they might not be the cheapest products in the market, you'd be surprised to find that a host of 85-inch TVs can cost less than $3,000. 

We've wrangled together some of the top performers in the over 80-inch TV category, inspecting everything from general performance and HDR brightness to pricing and promise. You don't want to be lumped with a massive display that doesn't meet all of your main TV viewing needs, especially an underperformer that costs an arm and a leg to procure. 

At Tom's Guide, we have years of TV testing under our belts. Pitting major offerings against each other, as seen in the LG C4 OLED vs the LG B4 OLED faceoff, little gets left on the table when it comes to considering the best 85-inch TVs across the market. From the high-flying LG G3 OLED to the budget-friendly Hisense U6K Mini-LED, let's take a peak at 2024's best TV offerings in the over 80-inch range. 

The quick list

The best 85-inch TVs in 2024: quick list 

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The best Mini-LED TV

Hisense U8K Mini-LED Google TV in living room

(Image credit: Hisense)
Hisense U8K is a beast of an 85-inch mini-LED TV

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 55, 65, 75 inches
Screen Type: Mini-LED
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI (2 HDMI 2.1)
Size: 57.2 × 35.9 × 14.8 inches
Weight: 56.4 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Extremely bright
+
Incredibly colorful
+
Great sound quality
+
Built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner

Reasons to avoid

-
Color accuracy can be an issue
-
Not the lowest lag
-
Colors desaturate off-axis

The Hisense U8K Mini-LED TV proves itself not only as a fine addition among the theater-sized 85-inch TVs but also among the best gaming TVs. It's a stellar performer, with gaming chops that meet most needs thanks to an input lag that sits around 13.2ms in addition to four total HDMI 2.1 ports. 

But where the Hisense U8K truly shines is in its peak SDR brightness, which we tested at around 1,536 nits. HDR content sat around the 1,788 nits of peak brightness mark, gifting the U8K some serious legs in terms of performance. The U8K also doesn't slouch with its sound profile, leveraging a 2.1.2 speaker for crystal clear audio so you won't have to pair it with one of the best soundbars if you don't want to. 

Even so, you'll still have ample enough coin left over if you aim for such an upgrade, as the Hisense U8K Mini-LED TV is all but a mere $2,199 for its 85-inch model. Though expensive, the U8K still comes in under most of its rivals in the space while still gifting you arguably the best picture quality and performance within the Mini-LED spectrum. 

Read our full Hisense U8K Mini-LED TV review.

The best mid-range TV

The LG C3 OLED wall-mounted in a living room.

(Image credit: LG)
The LG C3 is the perfect value large-screen display

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 42, 48, 55, 65, 75, 83 inches
Screen Type: OLED
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI (2 HDMI 2.1)
Size: 56.7x32.5x1.8 inches
Weight: 36.6 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Superb picture quality
+
Improved smart interface
+
Top-notch gaming features, performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Average-at-best sound
-
No ATSC 3.0 tuner
-
LG remote is polarizing

The LG C3 OLED remains one of our favorite displays in the market and is not only one of the best 85-inch TVs, but comes in as the best OLED. It drives a hefty premium for its quality technology though, sporting a price tag of $5,299 for its 83-inch model. At least it comes with a host of awesome features, namely one of the most streamlined smart platforms in the market. 

LG's C3 OLED is equipped with all the technologies one might need, built on the manufacturer's beloved smart platform, webOS. Its beloved features include Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR10, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 40W speaker, and VRR — though you will be missing out on an ATSC 3.0 tuner, which seems to be a commonality across 2024 LG TVs

Like the Hisense U8K Mini-LED before it, the LG C3 OLED is also an avid gaming icon too. It's equipped with both screen tearing technologies of AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, in addition to ALLM. LG's beloved Game Optimizer is a blessing for those looking to get the most out of this beautiful 83-inch OLED TV, as it offers a suite of gaming upgrades, like an on-screen FPS counter or Boost mode for 9.1ms of input lag. 

Read the full LG C3 OLED review.

Best ultra-budget TV

The Hisense U6K in a home office.

(Image credit: Future)
A mini-LED TV that delivers surprisingly good performance

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 55, 65, 75, 85 inches
Screen Type: Mini-LED
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI 2.0
Size: 57.1 x 33.1 x 3.1 inches
Weight: 43.1 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Mini-LED display
+
Excellent color and contrast
+
65-inch under $500

Reasons to avoid

-
Laggy smart platform
-
Slight upscaling issues

Although you might be skeptical of its price point, the Hisense U6K Mini-LED is still a hard bargain to pass up, host to an average $1,000 sticker price. It's not just one of the best budget TVs, it's also one of the most feature-rich Mini-LED models and an utter delight to experience at the 85-inch mark. 

While it's held back by some downsides, like a 60Hz refresh rate and laggy smart platform, the Hisense U6K Mini-LED TV makes up for this through quite a brilliant level of color volume, contrast, and overall picture performance. There's a reason we gave it quite a top score, as it holds some serious value even for its budgetary standing. 

Testing data shows the U6K TV leveraging a peak HDR brightness of 525 nits in addition to hitting as much as 99% of the Rec. 709 Gamut, meaning it's got relatively okay brightness for HDR content in tandem with pretty spectacular color accuracy to boot. 

At its price, it's hard to find any better option out there with the right amount of specs and performance, gifting the Hisense U6K an easy spot among the best 85-inch TVs and a true value for those looking to get a larger-than-life screen at the right MSRP. 

Read our full Hisense U6K Mini-LED TV review

Best OLED TV

The LG G3 OLED in a living room

(Image credit: LG)
This OLED delivers ultra brightness and an outstanding picture

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 55, 65, 77, 83 inches
Screen Type: OLED
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI 2.1 (1 eARC)
Size: 56.7 x 32.3 x 1 inches
Weight: 61.9 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Astounding brightness for OLED
+
Superlative picture quality
+
Beautiful physical design
+
Strong smart platform

Reasons to avoid

-
Unimpressive sound
-
HDR color falls slightly short
-
No support for HDR10+

The LG G3 OLED TV is a surefire hit among the best 85-inch TVs, proving itself through a number of awesome features, like Brightness Booster Max and Game optimizer. You'll be paying for these upgrades, though, as the G3 OLED does come with a hefty sticker price of over $6,000. 

The G3 shines best with a peak HDR brightness of 1,361 nits, pitting it toe to toe with the Samsung S95C, one of the best TVs in the market. As for audio, the LG G3 OLED doesn't have the most apt sound profile, but its 4.2-channel 60W speaker is serviceable —  but certainly no Taylor Swift. Even with its Dolby Atmos support, you may want to pair the LG G3 OLED alongside a budget soundbar if you're an audiophile in need of some punchy feedback paired with your 85-inch screen. 

Aside from its audio chops, the LG G3 is built on LG's evo panel, making its screen truly unblemished and stunning to look at. Gaming couldn't get any better when utilizing this display. Thanks to the beloved Game Optimizer, experiences like the dread-inducing darkness of "Alan Wake 2"  come to life in their most ideal form through enhancements like VRR, 9.2ms of input lag, and a variety of awesome picture modes to make the experience truly pop. 

Although it might be getting the backseat against this year's LG M4 OLED, the G3 is still one of the cooled OLED displays you can buy and remains a powerful option in the over 80-inch category. 

Read the full LG G3 OLED review.

The best QLED TV

The Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV in a living room.

(Image credit: Samsung)
The QLED TV to beat in 2024

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 inches
Screen Type: QLED
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI 2.1
Size: 56.9 x 32.6 x 1.1 inches
Weight: 53.4 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
4 HDMI 2.1 ports
+
Excellent off-angle viewing
+
Spectacularly bright
+
Less blooming than previous model

Reasons to avoid

-
No Dolby Vision support
-
Included stand isn’t very sturdy

With very few cons behind it, the Samsung QN90C QLED TV is an utter dream come true for the 85-inch screen aficionados. It might not have Dolby Vision support, given that Samsung is working alongside Google to deliver its own version in the form of Project Caviar, but features like an onboard ATSC 3.0 tuner, 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs, HDR10+, and a host more make this the most sound QLED among best 85-inch TVs. 

Samsung's Game Hub makes the QN90C a gamer's paradise too, gifting it ample features to bring out the best in console gaming support. Pair the QN90C QLED with a PlayStation 5 Slim and you're getting some serious performance. Plus, the Game Hub also includes Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now for essentially unlimited play across the cloud. 

As one of the best 85-inch TVs, though, the Samsung QN90C QLED does come with a hefty price of $4,799. It's certainly worth every penny though, as you won't be disappointed with its near 2,000 nits of HDR brightness in tandem with a color accuracy that hits 99.77% of the Rec709 gamut. 

Read the full Samsung QN90C QLED TV review.

The best 8K TV

Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K TV with Q-Series Q990C soundbar

(Image credit: Samsung)
Want a future-proof 8K TV? The Samsung QN900C is the 85-inch TV to buy

Specifications

Available Screen Sizes: 65, 75, 85 inches
Screen Type: QLED
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI all HDMI 2.1
Size: 73.9 x 42.2 x 0.6 inches
Weight: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Unrivaled brightness
+
One Connect box
+
Full HDMI 2.1 support on all ports
+
Excellent gaming features

Reasons to avoid

-
No Dolby Vision support
-
Some black clipping

Okay, so 8K content might be a bit limited in the current age, but that's not to say the Samsung QN900C QLED isn't worth its salt. Like the QN90C before it, the QN900C is missing out on Dolby Vision and does have some black clipping to contend with, but given its near $8,000 price tag, you'd hope it's a well-rounded display and among the best 85-inch TVs at that 8K mark. 

Given this 8K resolution, the Samsung QN900C makes itself known through stellar picture performance and color vibrancy. HDR content might be a bit slim on this color scale, measuring at 93.04 percent of the UHDA-P3 Gamut, but that's still quite high and averages around 99.13 percent for SDR content. 

A 6.2.4-channel speaker also means you're getting quite a punchy, resounding display. The QN900C is also equipped with Samsung's nifty One Connect box for wireless connectivity, making this future-proof display an 8K wonder without all the annoying wires to boot.

It's marked as one of the best 85-inch TVs due in large part to its upscaling potential, pushing content to the maximum while still looking incredibly breathtaking. Just imagine the newly released "Dune: Part 2" on this stunner of an 8K display. Still, if you're not too worried about spending major money on a massive 85-inch TV, this is definitely the right pick for you. 

Read our full Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K TV review

Best 85-inch TV Test Results

Swipe to scroll horizontally
TVPeak Brightness (tested)Delta-E (tested)BT2020 Color Volume (tested)Input Lag (tested)
Hisense U8K2004.58 nits4.461480.41%13.2ms
LG G3 OLED1360.79 nits1.861172.49%9.2ms
Samsung QN90C1546.55 nits2.240477.15% 9.2ms
Hisense U6K525.14 nits3.578380.98%10.2ms
LG C3 OLED819.9 nits1.390873.95%9.1ms
Samsung QN900C2433.56 nits2.868669.53%9.6ms

How to choose the best 85-inch TVs for you

When looking for an 85-inch TV, follow our TV Buying Guide tips. If you put some thought into what you need from a TV, you’ll be able to enjoy your purchase for years to come. 

Size: First, decide if you’re locked into an 85-inch model. You’ll find more options in 65- and 75-inch models and often better values.

And remember to fit the TV to the room it's in. For an 85-inch 4K TV, you'll be dealing with a TV that measures 75 inches across, and you'll want to be sitting at least 85 inches from the set to get a good viewing experience. (Learn more in our article What size TV should you buy?)

Price: Expect to pay anywhere from $1,700 to $5,000 for these 85-inch TVs, although you may be able to find some models on steep discount if you buy at the right time, like around the Super Bowl or Black Friday.

Installation: Plan to have at least one extra set of hands around when setting up an 85-inch TV; all the TVs on this list weigh more than 100 pounds and are really large.

But don't rule out wall mounting. The models here will work with standard VESA mounting brackets, including the best TV mounts.

Ports and features: All these TVs have four HDMI ports, which is generally the most you’ll find on any TV, and several have at least one port that supports HDMI 2.1, the latest standard. If you plan to use a sound bar, pick a TV that supports HDMI ARC, which lets you connect to the soundbar with a single cable. You may also want a TV that supports Bluetooth so you can listen on your headphones without disturbing people around you. 

How we test 85-inch TVs

When it comes to evaluating TVs, we're serious about getting it right. That's why every TV we review is put through a rigorous testing process that measures key standards of picture quality and performance.

Our lab tests involve testing for color accuracy and color gamut using an X-Rite i1 Pro spectrophotometer, an AccuPel DVG-5000 video test pattern generator and SpectraCal CalMAN Ultimate calibration software. These tools are relied on by professional calibrators throughout the industry, and we've paired them with custom workflows to gather the information needed for our reviews. These measurements are taken first in standard mode to simulate the average watching experience, and then taken again in other display modes to find the top color and brightness performance offered by each set.

Our testing measures contrast and maximum brightness, as well as lag time. Using a Leo Bodnar Video Signal Input Lag Tester to test video signal delay, we time how long it takes for content to travel from the original video source to the screen, measured to the millisecond. Shorter response times equate with faster gaming performance, letting us objectively know which TVs are better for gaming.

We use all of these objective test results to make comparisons about quality and performance between different TVs, but our evaluation doesn't end there. We also spend hours with each set, watching shows and movies, and using carefully selected video samples to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each set and help us tell you which TVs look and sound the best in a real home viewing environment.

And there's more to today's TVs than just viewing, so we also check out the smart TV functions and evaluate everything from the interface to the remote control design. This lets our reviews speak to the technical capabilities of today's smart TVs and how they fit into your connected home.


If you're still narrowing down your TV shopping by brand, price range or screen size, check out our picks for the best TVs in each.

Best TVs | Best 4K TVs | Best smart TVs for streaming | Best TVs for gaming

The best TVs under $1000 | The best TVs under $500

Best TV brands | Best Samsung TVs | Best TCL TVs | Best LG TVs | Best Roku TVs | Best OLED TVs | Best QLED TVs | Best 8K TVs

The smallest smart TVs | Best 43-inch TVs | Best 50-inch TVs | Best 55-inch TVs | Best 65-inch TVs | Best 70-inch TVs

And don't forget to watch out for the latest TV reviews!

Ryan Epps
Staff Writer

Ryan Epps is a Staff Writer under the TV/AV section at Tom's Guide focusing on TVs and projectors. When not researching PHOLEDs and writing about the next major innovation in the projector space, he's consuming random anime from the 90's, playing Dark Souls 3 again, or reading yet another Haruki Murakami novel. 

With contributions from