The Best 85-Inch TV for 2025: Extra-Large TVs Tested by Experts
After testing a handful of the best TVs for the money, we've found that the TCL QM8 (2024) series tops the list for several reasons. The latest QM8 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. When a friend asks us what 85-inch TV to buy, we tell them the TCL QM8 series. That said, the Hisense U8N is currently discounted to $600 less than the TCL and offers a picture that is almost as good.
There are plenty of other excellent choices available. Although this year's QM8 is our favorite for most people, it might not be right for your preferences or budget.
TCL continues to lead the 85-inch TV pack with its new 2024 QM8. In our comparison tests it stood out with superior brightness and better contrast than other 85-inch TVs at this price, thanks to its mini-LED technology and well-implemented full-array local dimming. The TV has a modern, sleek design with a center-mount stand. The QM8 uses Google TV as its operating system, which we don't like as much as Roku TV, but it's still a solid smart TV. This model replaces the TCL QM8 from last year.
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If you're looking for the best value 85-inch TV and find the TCL QM8 just a bit too expensive, consider the Hisense U8N your go-to. In our side-by-side comparison of the two 2024 models, the QM8 came out just ahead, but the U8N still impressed us with its great performance. Both TVs boast outstanding image quality featuring mini-LED backlights and full-array local dimming. They also share similar gaming features and run on the Google TV operating system. Both models are considerably cheaper than other TVs with comparable image quality from more established brands.
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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 TV 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.
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If you're in the market for a top-notch 85-inch TV but prefer not to go with OLED, the Samsung QN90B is an excellent choice. This TV features QLED TV technology with mini-LEDs for a brighter image than any OLED TV. Although OLED TVs still won the contrast battle in our side-by-side tests, the QN90B QLED screen is closer than ever to matching it.
Among Samsung's lineup of its many QLED TVs, the QN90B stands out as a premium model, second only to their versions with 8K resolution. It's a 2022 model, and while the 2024 version QN90D looks very similar in terms of features, we expect it to deliver similar image quality, though we have yet to review it.
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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: 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: 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: When it comes to 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 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 listed above.
Check out How We Test TVs for more details.
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.
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. Models with very slim frames are on the lower end; the 85-inch Samsung QN90A is 74.5 inches wide, for example, while the slightly thicker-framed 85-inch TCL 4-Series is 74.9 inches wide. 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.
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 another 10 to 20 pounds. Refer to the manufacturer's website for the exact weights of a particular 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 just yet. Stick with 4K for now when buying a 85-inch TV and check out our guide to TV resolutions for more information.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.
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.
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