A large 85-inch TV can drastically improve your home entertainment. From the unparalleled big screen experience to its advanced features, it’s easy to understand why these TVs are so sought after despite their hefty price tag.
While budgeting, remember that a decent model will cost you at least $1,500. In addition, be sure to leave enough space in your living room or theater. To help make your life easier when deciding on which one to buy, I have compiled the following list of the eight best 85" TV models available on the market today.
Key Considerations When Buying an 85-Inch TV
Here are some of the most important factors to evaluate when shopping for an 85-inch television:
Room Size – These TVs need adequate space for viewing. Measure where you plan to place it and make sure you leave at least 1.5x the screen size as a viewing distance. An 85-inch screen would need a viewing distance of at least 10-12 feet.
Resolution – Aim for 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) or 8K (7,680 × 4,320 pixels) resolution. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed the picture, especially for larger screens. Anything lower will look fuzzy.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) – HDR enabled TVs produce images closer to what your eyes see in real life. This technology expands the range of color, contrast and brightness for a truly immersive experience.
Refresh Rate – For watching sports and gaming, a higher refresh rate results in clear, fluid, blur-free motion. Look for at least 120Hz; 240Hz is ideal.
Smart TV Platform – All modern TVs can connect to the internet for streaming. Choose a user-friendly, feature-packed platform like WebOS, Roku TV or Android TV.
Keeping these parameters in mind while evaluating the top contenders will help you identify the perfect 85-inch television for your needs and budget.
The 8 Best 85-Inch TVs
Based on my extensive product research and hands-on testing, here are my top recommendations:
1. Best Overall: Samsung QN90B 85-Inch
SAMSUNG 85-inch QLED 4K QN90B Series Smart TV
If you simply want the best 85-inch TV money can buy today with exceptional picture quality and smart features, the Samsung QN90B 85-Inch QLED 4K TV is my top choice.
This 2022 Neo QLED model utilizes advanced Mini LED backlighting with Quantum Matrix and Quantum HDR 32x technologies to deliver unmatched contrast and mesmerizing depth. With 2,000 nits peak brightness, over a billion colors through Quantum Dot technology and precision black details even in dark rooms, images come alive with startiling realism.
Gaming is sublime too thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, 5.8ms response time and Nvidia G-Sync/AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support.
On the smart side, you have Samsung‘s polished Tizen platform with voice assistants, screen mirroring and auto low latency mode. For sound, Object Tracking Sound+ realistically aligns audio with on-screen movement.
Simply put, if you want the most phenomenal 85-inch viewing experience money can buy in 2023 with the best combination of display quality, features and innovative technology like Mini LED – this Samsung Neo QLED smart TV is peerless.
2. Best OLED TV: LG G2 Series 85-Inch
LG 85" Class G2 Gallery Design 4K Smart TV
The LG G2 lineup represents the pinnacle of OLED TV technology in 2023. While more expensive than traditional LED-LCD televisions, the 85-inch G2 delivers perfect black levels, infinite contrast, wider viewing angles and exceptional HDR performance that no LED TV can match.
LG‘s new Evo OLED panel with Brightness Booster provides higher peak brightness while retaining OLED‘s inherent strengths – so images pop with vivid nuance and dynamic range. α9 Gen5 AI Processor 4K also leverages deep learning for stellar upscaling and processing.
For gaming, it ticks all the right boxes too with 4K 120Hz, sub 1ms response times, VRR and ALLM support. WebOS smart platform has all streaming apps. Dolby Vision/Atmos support rounds off immacive entertainment.
If your budget allows, this outstanding 85-inch LG OLED TV provides the ultimate viewing experience – especially for movies, HDR content and gaming thanks to perfect blacks and lightning reflexes.
3. Best 8K TV: Samsung Q900A Series 85-Inch
SAMSUNG 85-Inch Class Neo QLED 8K
While native 8K content is still limited, the Samsung Q900A Series 85-Inch 8K QLED TV makes the most compelling case for upgrading thanks to AI-based 8K upscaling and other technological magic that make 4K content look better.
Featuring next level Quantum Mini LED backlighting with precise illumination control, it hits 4000 nits peak brightness while retaining deep blacks with million plus dimming zones. Translating to stunning dynamic range, highlights and shadow details. Quantum 8K processor significantly enhances lower resolution content by considering multiple high quality 8K data points for up-conversion.
Gaming specs are futureproof too with HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 8K/60fps/4:4:4 signals. Freesync Premium Pro caters for hardcore players. Meticulous build quality fleshes out an immaculate do-it-all 8K TV.
If you want cutting edge display technology for tomorrow‘s content alongside unrivaled picture quality improvements for today‘s 4K videos/movies and preserved investment value – look no further.
4. Best Value: Hisense U8H 85-Inch
Hisense 85U8H Quantum Series 85-Inch Class ULED Premium 4K Smart Google TV
The Hisense U8H Quantum Series provides the most bang for your buck if you want a large, feature-packed 85-inch TV from a popular brand costing far less than tier 1 rivals.
Central to exceptional picture quality is the premium ULED panel hitting 1000 nits brightness alongside full array local dimming for phenomenal contrast – no complaints for the price. Quantum Dot color technology heightens realism with over a billion hues. The sleek design with thin bezels blends beautifully into contemporary decors.
For smarts, it leverages the user-friendly Google TV platform providing endless entertainment options and voice control convenience. Gaming specs like 4K 120Hz VRR/ALLM cater to console/PC players. Support for Dolby Vision/Atmos elevates movies.
For shoppers wanting great visuals without breaking the bank, the U8H checks all boxes as an value-packed 85-inch TV that punches well above its price.
5. Best Picture Quality: Sony X95K 85-inch
Sony 85 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X95K Series: BRAVIA – 2022 Model
Sony‘s top-tier X95K LED television combines class-leading picture quality with the brand‘s renowned processing capabilities for the ultimate viewing experience.
Headlining visuals is the advanced full array LED backlight powering searing brightness and local dimming excellence for jaw-dropping dynamic range. The cognitive XR processor meticulously optimizes every pixel. Acclaimed XR Triluminos Pro enhances colors with subtle sophistication.
Additionally, Sony‘s peerless upscaling ensures lower resolution movies/sports appear pristine. While the XR Motion Clarity perfectly balances fluidity and clarity during fast action. Optimized presets customize the experience for any content.
Gamers are well served too by HDMI 2.1 support, fast response times and input lag with VRR/ALLM. Google TV smart platform completes an imposing package.
Bearing Sony‘s signature premium design and innovations, the 85-inch X95K is a stunning LED TV that realizes visual potential with unrivaled intelligence – highly recommended!
6. Best Viewing Angles: LG NANO91 85-inch
LG 85" Class 4K Smart UHD NanoCell TV w/ AI ThinQ® (3840 x 2160)
The LG NANO91 is a great 85-inch LED TV for spacious rooms with wide seating where people watch from multiple angles. LG‘s advanced NanoCell technology enriches colors while filtering purity. The resulting extended viewing angles reinforce immersion for everyone.
Vibrant, accurate visuals are enabled by LG‘s α7 Gen 4 AI Processor 4K providing excellent upscaling. With Quad Step Noise and Bandwidth reduction eliminating artifacts. Full array local dimming dynamically boosts contrast. Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG high dynamic range formats expand the color gamut spectacularly.
Gaming responsiveness is impressive too thanks to HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 4K/120Hz signals, VRR and ALLM. webOS smart platform makes navigating menus and selecting content intuitive even for guests.
Overall, with amazing clarity from almost any place in the room, this 2022 NanoCell television is perfect for large gatherings with seating dispersed across multiple positions.
7. Best Built-In Sound: Sony X90K 85-inch
Sony 85" 4K Ultra HD TV: X90K Series
While external audio systems provide the ultimate experience, shoppers wanting premium integrated sound in an 85-inch package needn‘t look further than the Sony X90K. Leveraging the company‘s extensive audio heritage, it uses special tweeters packing X-Balanced speakers precisely directing sound. Additionally, a dedicated central speaker enhances dialogue – resulting in detailed sound reproduction seemingly defying the ultra slim nature.
Vivid picture quality comes courtesy of the cognitive processor enhancing color, contrast and clarity with intelligence. Full array local dimming heightens dynamics across 90 zones. Bright, accurate visuals impress across wide spaces. Acoustic center sync produces clear voices. Dolby Atmos decoding completes the goods missing nothing.
For buyers unwilling to configure costly additions, the Sony X90K supplies complete cinematic immersion in a brilliant one body solution.
Conclusion
When searching for the perfect 85-inch TV to realize your large screen home cinema ambitions, the options and technical jargon can get overwhelming quickly. I hope breaking down my top recommendations into helpful categories has simplified the buying decision. Over the years testing hundreds of televisions, these models provide the very best performance to dollar ratio tailored specifically for 85-inch shoppers. Finding the ideal blend of display technology and smart functions balancing your priorities is key – rather than paying extra for capabilities that may be underutilized. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
