The best 85-inch TVs you can buy in 2025: Big-screens for big entertainment

A large television can serve as a centerpiece in any home, and at 85 inches, TV displays become truly impressive. Whether you need a new TV for movie night or to cheer on your favorite team, you have options. Brands like Sony, Samsung, and TCL have all made admirable additions to their 85-inch TV lineups over the past few years, and other models may be more affordable than you think.

Supersized TVs aren’t just for movie buffs and series binge watchers — console gamers can take advantage of high refresh rates, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, and dedicated gaming modes with low-latency input for better reaction times, smoother motion, and better immersion. Many also offer Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound or even object-tracking sound to create room-filling audio for music lovers.

What is the best 85-inch TV right now?

I chose the Samsung QN90D as my pick for the best 85-inch TV with support for object-tracking sound, cloud gaming apps for consoles, 144Hz refresh rate, and enhanced picture quality over previous models. If you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly or specifically for brighter spaces, you can keep reading below to find out more about our other picks for the best 85-inch TVs you can buy.

The best 85-inch TVs of 2025

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Why we like it: The Samsung QN90D is an excellent choice for any living room or home theater looking to upgrade or add a big-screen TV. With a 120Hz refresh rate, you’ll get smoother action in fast-paced shows and movies as well as sports broadcasts. It also supports both Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound and Samsung’s own object-tracking sound technology for audio that follows the on-screen action and provides a more immersive experience.

Also: Best sound systems of 2025

Who it’s for: Not only is the QN90D great for streaming if you’ve cut the cord with your cable or satellite provider, with support for hundreds of popular apps like Netflix and Prime Video, it’s also a good option for anyone who wants to set up a dedicated gaming space. With the Samsung Gaming Hub, you’ll get access to cloud gaming services so you can play your favorite titles without a PC or console, and you’ll get AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR to help prevent annoying screen tearing and stuttering.

Who should look elsewhere: For all of its premium-grade features, the QN90D may not have the picture quality you want if you’re looking to put together the ultimate home theater; for a comparable price, you can find an OLED model from either Samsung, LG, or Sony if you want a TV with more lifelike images.

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Why we like it: A big-screen TV doesn’t have to cost a fortune to offer great picture and sound. And just because you’re trying to stick to a budget, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice features you want to save money on a new TV. The Sony X90L offers a 120Hz refresh rate for streaming movies and shows as well as console gaming at 4K resolution. And if you have a PlayStation 5, you can use Sony’s proprietary VRR technology for smoother motion during fast-paced gameplay.

Who it’s for: The Sony X90L is a great mid-range option from the brand, offering excellent picture and audio in a big-screen package at a fraction of the cost of their high-end Mini-LED and OLED models. And movie buffs and binge watchers alike will appreciate the IMAX Enhanced picture mode for streaming your favorite movies and shows with enhanced detailing and contrast. You’ll also get object-tracking sound that follows the on-screen action with Sony’s Acoustic Multi-Audio technology.

Read the review: This Sony Bravia is my pick for best TV for the money

Who should look elsewhere: The Sony X90L is a great TV, but it is an older model. Which means it’s getting more difficult to find in new condition. It also means that you run the risk of losing support for firmware and security updates as Sony favors new releases.

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Why we like it: If picture quality is the most important factor in your decision to upgrade your TV, look no further than the LG G4 OLED. This gallery-inspired model has some of the best images and color accuracy you can get, with an OLED panel capable of producing over 8.3 million colors. It also supports Dolby Vision HDR and has a dedicated filmmaker picture mode so you can squeeze every last detail out of your favorite movies and shows.

Review: LG G4 OLED TV

Who it’s for: If you’re looking to create the ultimate home theater with a TV that looks as good as it performs, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better TV than the LG G4 OLED. With its improved OLED panel for a brighter picture and even better color accuracy, you’ll get to experience both the latest blockbusters and old favorites as they were meant to be seen. And with the Multi-View feature, you can stream up to four video sources at once, making it perfect for keeping up with playoff season, catching up with news headlines while you work out at home, or look up hints and walkthroughs while you play video games.

Who should look elsewhere: The LG G4 OLED is a premium-grade TV with a price point to match. And while the cost is justified by the impressive tech and features that LG managed to stuff inside, paying almost $5,000 for a new TV (no matter how amazing) can be a bit rich for a lot of customers. Thankfully, there are other, more affordable OLED options not only from LG, but also Sony and Samsung.

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Why we like it: I’m an avid console and PC gamer, and recently got the chance to test out the Hisense U8N for myself. With a 144Hz native refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, motion blur, and screen tearing are virtually nonexistent. It also supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for crisp detailing and virtual surround sound without a headset.

Review: Hisense U8N TV

Who it’s for: If you have multiple game consoles like I do, the U8N handles everything from triple-A titles on the PS5 to classic retro favorites on Nintendo’s Virtual Console. You’ll get bright, bold images as well as crisp, immersive sound without having to set up a separate home audio system or a gaming headset. The dedicated gaming picture mode helps colors and details pop while also improving input latency and smoothing motion with the help of AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR.

Who should look elsewhere: If you’re not a gamer, you can still get a lot of good out of the Hisense U8N, but many of the gaming-related features won’t be of much help while streaming movies and shows since they’re tied to the dedicated picture mode. However, Hisense offers plenty of other mid-range and high-end options that are almost tailor-made for streaming.

Close-up of the Hisense U8N showing a screen saver of a red rock canyon with a river flowing through it.

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Why we like it: If you watch TV in a bright room, you know how much it can cause your viewing experience to decline. The TCL QM8 should be your first choice for a bright room, as this set handles light better than almost any other we’ve seen. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, details and colors are clear regardless of surroundings. It has a fast 144Hz refresh rate and 4K resolution for a clean, smooth picture, and with support for Dolby Vision HDR you’ll get the best detailing and contrast to make colors pop.

Review: This TCL QLED TV I recommend has razor-sharp picture quality and a superpower for gamers

Who it’s for: If your living room or home theater gets a lot of natural light throughout the day, or if you have harsh overhead lighting, the TCL QM8 is a great option. The TV is capable of up to 2,000 nits of brightness, which means that even in direct sunlight, you’ll still get a clean, easy-to-see picture. This means it’s great for rooms with lots of windows as well as binge-watching your favorite shows and movies almost any time of day.

Who should look elsewhere: The TCL QM8 is an older model from the brand, and while it still offers great features and picture quality, it’s getting harder to find in new condition. It also runs the risk of losing support for future security and firmware updates. Thankfully, TCL has similar models at comparable prices if you can’t find the QM8 new in-box.

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My choice for the best 85-inch TV is the Samsung QN90D. The updated Neo QLED panel gives you more accurate colors and bolder contrast while both Dolby Atmos and Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound+ give you a more immersive experience while streaming movies, shows, and music.

Best 85-inch TV	Price	HDR	Audio
Samsung QN90D	$2,800	Neo Quantum HDR+	Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+
Sony X90L	$1,400	Dolby Vision	Sony Acoustic Multi-Audio
LG G4 OLED	$4,500	Dolby Vision	Dolby Atmos
Hisense U8N	$1,700	Dolby Vision IQ	Dolby Atmos
TCL QM8	$1,800	Dolby Vision	Dolby Atmos

*MSRP at time of writing. Please note that the actual price may vary by retailer and depending on available promotions and discounts.

Once you’ve hammered out a budget for your new 85-inch TV, the most important thing to remember is what you’ll use your TV for the most. Have you cut the cord and moved exclusively to streaming? You’ll want to choose a model with a preloaded suite of popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video so you can get started right out of the box.

Do you have a network of smart speakers? Pick a TV that supports your preferred virtual assistant and has multi-room linking to pump music and dialogue throughout your whole home.

This table quickly breaks down which 85-inch TV best suits your watching preferences.

Buy this 85-inch TV…	If you want…
Samsung QN90D	A well-rounded 85-inch TV. With object tracking sound, HDR support, and Dolby Atmos, you’ll get great picture and sound for gaming and streaming.
Sony X90L	An 85-inch TV with great features as well as a great price. With Dolby Vision HDR and a 120Hz refresh rate, you’ll get clean motion and crisp details.
LG G4 OLED	An 85-inch TV with great picture quality. The LG G4 OLED is a high-end, gallery-inspired TV with Dolby Vision HDR and dedicated filmmaker picture mode.
Hisense U8N	An 85-inch TV for console and PC gaming. The Hisense U8N has a 144Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR support, and four HDMI inputs.
TCL QM8	An 85-inch TV for brighter home theaters and living rooms. This TV has a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits for better visibility in daylight and under harsh overhead lighting.

Before investing in an 85-inch TV, you should consider the following factors:

Use cases: Will you be mainly watching movies, playing video games, streaming TV shows, watching live sports, or a mix of all these? Some sets have specially designed gaming hubs that let users fine-tune settings, some have booming built-in audio that provides a theater-like sound experience, and some have the best picture you’ll see. Choose your set based on which performs best in the area you want.
TV location: Consider where you’ll have your TV set up. Some sets do poorly in brightly lit rooms, while others have special features for brightly lit rooms.
Price: Before you choose your set, consider how much money you’re willing to spend. There are quality, budget-friendly options, but you’ll likely have to give up a few features in exchange for a lower price.
Number of ports: Some TVs have a limited number of input ports. If you’re connecting a couple of video game consoles, a sound bar, and a cable box or DVD player, you might have to choose which one gets the best input slot. Ensure the TV you choose has enough input slots for your needs.

While many manufacturers have reached a consensus on standardizing screen size classes, there are still a few outliers—even at big brands like Sony and LG. Some brands choose to produce 83-inch models, and I have considered many and even included one (the Sony A80L), as they are quite similar in viewing area to an 85-inch model.

I’ve also considered many other factors when testing and researching the 85-inch TVs on this list:

Picture quality: A TV is only as good as the images it can produce. With 4K resolution and 60-120Hz refresh rates being the norm, it’s easier to get a quality big-screen TV. Sony also produces a large-screen OLED for ultra-detailed images and enhanced contrast.
Audio quality: Tinny or cheap-sounding TV speakers can ruin your viewing experience. I’ve chosen 85-inch TVs that support HDMI eARC connectivity for setting up sound bars and other audio equipment, as well as support for premium audio drivers like Dolby Atmos.
Features: While every set on this list will have pretty good picture and audio quality, some truly shine when it comes to extra features. Some sets have extra picture settings that let you fine-tune things to your liking, and some have special gaming modes that let you tinker with options and set things up specifically for your style of gameplay.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity have become standard for home TVs as more and more people switch from cable and satellite providers to exclusively streaming content via apps like Netflix and Disney+. But I’ve also made sure that each TV on this list has plenty of HDMI and USB inputs and a hardwired Ethernet connection so you can easily connect DVD or Blu-Ray players, game consoles, audio equipment, and more reliable internet connections.

Find out more about how we test TVs at ZDNET.

Latest news on 85-inch TVs

Almost every brand, from Sony and LG to TCL and Hisense, has released refreshed and updated models to their TV lineups with better displays and audio processing, dedicated picture modes for streaming and console gaming, and enhanced smart features like screen sharing and integrated voice assistants.

You absolutely can! 85-inch TVs are getting lighter, but they can still be heavy and have larger VESA mount spacing, so you’ll want to spend extra money on a heavy-duty mounting bracket. Mounts like the Echogear wall mount can support up to a 90-inch screen size and up to 125 pounds (about 57kg) of weight. Make sure you consult your TV’s operating manual for specific mounting requirements so your shiny new screen doesn’t come crashing down in the middle of the night, taking most of the wall with it.

Also: Best TV antennas & best indoor TV antennas of 2025

The TCL 98R754 is a staggering 98 inches wide if we’re talking about conventional televisions. But if you’re willing to consider a laser or short-throw projector TV, Samsung’s The Premiere can show a screen up to 130 inches. But unless you live in a cavernous McMansion with 18-foot cathedral ceilings and a sprawling layout, you won’t get them to fit in your living room, let alone take full advantage of their features.

The best way to find out is to measure in inches from where the TV will be wall-mounted or placed on a stand to where you will be sitting and then divide that measurement by two. If your couch is anywhere from 150 to 170 inches (12.5 to 14 feet) from the TV, an 85-inch screen will be an almost perfect fit. You can, of course, go a bit bigger (if possible) or smaller depending on your budget and what’s available from each brand. A screen that is too big can overwhelm your space and even cause motion sickness. In contrast, one that is too small will make it feel cavernous and force everyone to crowd around to see.

Also: Best 75-inch TV

Latest updates

August 2025: Updated to align with ZDNET’s latest styleguide.
June 2025: Updated TV prices.

More 85-inch TVs to consider

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The Samsung S95D is a refresh of the brand’s first OLED offering, with object tracking sound and Dolby Atmos support, a 144Hz refresh rate, and signature OLED picture quality, color accuracy, and contrast. It also features a factory-calibrated display for even better color accuracy, while the matte finish improves visibility in almost any lighting environment.

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The Sony Bravia 3 has exclusive gaming features for use with the PlayStation 5, like proprietary VRR support, auto HDR tone mapping, and automatic picture modes. And with Dolby Atmos support, you’ll get room-filling virtual surround sound for a more immersive experience without a headset.

A Sony Bravia 3 LED TV on a grey background

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For more on getting the most out of your TV, check out how to clear your TV cache (and why you should), and six TV settings you should change right now.

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Original Source: zdnet

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