Best 85-Inch TV for 2026
A big TV is a big investment and at CNET, our general advice for TV shoppers is that bigger is usually better, especially if you want to maximize 4K content. To help you find the right big-screen TV — whether it’s the current model or, in some cases, a 2024 panel — I’ve rounded up some of the best 85-inch TVs on the market right now. The list below represents the best TVs I’ve reviewed in CNET’s test lab, where I’ve compared them side by side. Lastly, I’ve reviewed the 65-inch sizes in the series for most of the models listed below, but the 83- and 85-inch versions are virtually identical.
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What is the best 85-inch TV right now?
After testing a handful of the best TVs for the money, we’ve found that the TCL QM8K series tops the list for several reasons. The latest QM8K offers superb picture quality overall, all the features you need in a modern television — including 4K/120Hz input and variable refresh rate that can get the most out of consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X — and an affordable price.
There are plenty of other excellent choices available. Although this year’s QM8K is our favorite for most people, it might not be right for your preferences or budget.
It’s worth noting that in some cases there is a huge price jump between 77 and 83-inch sizes, and this can be up to $1,000 or so. As a result, it may make more sense to get the still-very-large 75- or 77-inch size instead.
Best 85-inch TVs of 2026
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Excellent overall image quality
- Best-in-class brightness and contrast
- Capable Google TV system
Cons
- Not as accurate as some competitors
TCL has topped CNET’s list of the best TVs for the past few years, and the QM8K improves in a few key ways. In my side-by-side comparison tests with the LG C5 and the Hisense U8K, the TCL stood out with excellent color and OLED-like black levels. The key to the TC’s picture-quality performance is mini-LED tech and its new Halo Control System, which is designed to reduce light bleed in dark scenes. It works, though it does mean the screen is a little less bright than the previous QM851.
The TV also has a sleek design with a center-mount stand and a spiffy remote control. The operating system is Google TV, which I don’t like as much as Roku TV, but it’s still a solid smart TV system.
Pros
- Full array local dimming
- Excellent contrast
- Fully saturated images
Cons
- Sound quality is a little thin
If you’re looking for the best value 85-inch TV, and find the TCL QM8K just a bit too expensive, consider the Hisense QD7QF your go-to. At less than half of the TCL QM8K, the QD7 features a full-array local dimming backlight and excellent picture quality. Despite its status as a budget TV it still offers Dolby Vision compatibility as well as excellent speed with gaming content (although it’s only a 60Hz panel). The Hisense also offers Google TV for access to all of your content and excellent integration with Android and Google Assistant. Want big but don’t want to pay more than a grand? This is the one to get.
Pros
- Better picture quality than any non-OLED TV we’ve tested
- Superior contrast and off-angle image
- Best-in-class gaming features
- Sleek styling with ultralight, thin panel
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as bright as higher-end OLED TVs
- No major improvements over previous models
OLED TVs have the best picture quality but they don’t come in 85-inch sizes, so that’s why we’re listing this 83-inch size instead. The C4 represents better picture quality than any non-OLED TVÂ on this list at a price that’s higher but still not stratospheric. It excels with perfect black levels, unmatched contrast and excellent off-angle viewing, standing out against the mini-LED models in my comparison tests. While it may not be as bright as some other models, it still performs exceptionally well in all kinds of room lighting. The C4 is also one of the lightest TVs we’ve ever reviewed thanks to carbon-fiber construction. While the LG C5 is the current model, the C4 is almost identical and it’s $300 cheaper. Bonus!
Pros
- Best overall image quality I’ve tested
- Best-in-class glare reduction in a bright rooms
- Superior contrast and off-angle viewing
- Ultrathin panel with external input box
Cons
- Expensive compared to other OLED TVs
- Slightly diminished contrast in bright rooms
If you want the best 83-inch TV you can buy, then the Samsung S95F is the one to get. It features superb picture quality, which is great with the lights off and even with them on. It has a best-in-class matte screen that essentially bans all reflections. It’s also an absolute blast to play games on. It has plenty of gizmos onboard, too, including a “One Connection” box that makes the TV well-suited to wall-mounting. If I had saved all of my pocket money, the 83-inch Samsung S95F is the TV I would buy.
With all the TVs available today, and all the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what’s important. Here’s a quick guide to help cut through the confusion.
Price:Â TVs range in price from $100 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known brands are more expensive, and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It’s also best to shop for a TV in the fall when prices are lower.
Screen size:Â Bigger is better in our book. We recommend a size of at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and at least 55 inches for a living room or main TV, and 65 inches or larger is best. More than any other “feature,” stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints we’ve heard is from people who didn’t go big enough. We rarely hear people complain that their TV is too large.
Capability:Â With entry-level TVs, the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture, in our experience. Among high-end TVs, OLED technology is your best bet.
For more TV buying advice, check out How to Buy a TV.
Our TV reviews follow a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process honed over nearly two decades of television reviews. Our primary TV test lab has specialized equipment for measuring light and color, including a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR signal generator and an AVPro Connect 8×8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We use Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software to evaluate every television we review. In every CNET TV review, three or more similar TVs are compared side by side in various lighting conditions, playing different media, including movies, TV shows and games, and across a variety of test categories, from color to video processing to gaming to HDR. Our reviews also account for design, features, smart TV performance, HDMI input and gaming compatibility among other factors.
One important aspect of image quality we test is overall brightness. Here’s how it compares in nits across select TVs I’ve tested recently.
Light output in nits
| TV | Brightest mode (HDR) | Accurate mode (HDR) | Brightest mode (SDR) | Accurate mode (SDR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL QM9K | 4520 | 2520 | 3930 | 262 |
| Hisense U8Q | 4080 | 4070 | 4107 | 436 |
| TCL QM8K | 3011 | 3011 | 3038 | 196 |
| LG G5 | 2813 | 2297 | 1030 | 412 |
| Samsung S95F | 2150 | 2150 | 391 | 297 |
| Samsung S90F | 1466 | 1466 | 633 | 305 |
| LG C4 | 1213 | 968 | 414 | 390 |
| Hisense QD7 | – | 618 | – | – |
Check out How We Test TVs for more details.
Is an 85-inch TV too big?
It depends on your room size, seating distance and personal taste. For a large living room or den, an 85-inch TV is generally excellent, but it’s too big for smaller living rooms or most bedrooms. If you sit closer to the screen you don’t need as large a TV for the best experience.
How wide is an 85-inch TV?
Most 85-inch TVs measure around 74 inches wide. Because the frames around newer TV screens are typically quite narrow, 85-inch TV widths don’t vary much. If you’re not planning to wall-mount the TV, you generally want the piece of furniture supporting the TV to measure at least as wide as the TV itself, and preferably a few inches wider. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for the exact dimensions of a particular 83-inch or 85-inch TV.
How much does an 85-inch TV weigh?
An 85-inch TV weighs between 90 and 120 pounds with its stand, but this varies significantly depending on the type of TV. The carbon-fiber LG C4 83-inch TV weighs 92 pounds with the stand, for example, while the 85-inch Samsung QN90C weighs 110 pounds with the stand. Removing the stand allows you to wall-mount the TV and reduces its weight (stands can weigh up to 20 pounds). Shipping weight (box, accessories and so on) adds an additional 10 to 20 pounds. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for the exact weights of a particular 85-inch TV.
Is 4K enough for an 85-inch TV?
4K resolution delivers a sharp, detailed image on an 85-inch TV. Most 85-inch TVs (or any TV over 50 inches) are made in 4K, meaning they have 8 million pixels that compose the picture on the TV. A single pixel, or discrete picture element, consists of a tiny dot on the screen. However, newer and much more expensive 85-inch TVs may be available in 8K resolution (33 million pixels), but we don’t think those are worth buying. Stick with 4K for now when buying a 85-inch TV and check out our guide to TV resolutions for more information.
Is it worth buying an 85-inch TV?
In short, yes — our general advice for TV shoppers is that bigger is usually better, especially if you’re looking to maximize 4K content. However, the value of an 85-inch TV largely depends on your room size, viewing distance and budget. If you’re TV shopping for a living, family room or den, an 85-inch TV is generally “worth it” to get the best cinematic experience, provided that you can sit the recommended 13 to 15 feet away from the screen. But if you don’t have the space or budget, a smaller 75- or 65-inch TV may be best suited for your needs. Read more in CNET’s TV screen size guide if you need a bit more information before choosing an 85-inch TV.
How far should you sit from an 85-inch TV?
According to THX and SMPTE, you should sit between 13 and 15 feet from an 85-inch screen for maximum theatrical impact, although many viewers will find it more comfortable to sit a bit further back than that. Most 85-inch TVs have 4K resolution, and if you have 20/20 vision you can sit as close as about 4.5 feet from the screen and still not discern individual pixels.Â
