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.
Our Picks
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.
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Excellent overall image quality
- Best-in-class brightness and contrast
- Capable Google TV system
Cons
- Not as accurate as some competitors
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
- Full array local dimming
- Excellent contrast
- Fully saturated images
Cons
- Sound quality is a little thin
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
- 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
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.
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
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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
Best 85-inch TV overall
TCL QM8K
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.
Best high-end 83-inch TV
LG OLED C4
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!
Best 83-inch TV you can buy
Samsung S95F
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.
Factors to consider when choosing a TV
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.
How CNET tests TVs
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 8x8 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.
