Televisions have come a long way from the early black-and-white cathode ray tube (CRT) sets that first brought broadcast programs into households back in the late 1920s. Those first TVs had screen sizes of just 12 to 14 inches diagonally. Nowadays, some of the biggest consumer TVs on the market are pushing 100 inches – that‘s over 8 feet diagonally!
So what constitutes a "massive" television in today‘s world of ever-expanding screen sizes and constantly improving display technology? While tastes and budgets vary, for our purposes let‘s define any TV from 85 inches up to a room-dominating 98 inches as truly massive. These giant screens range from the width of some entire walls to wider, and deliver an intensely immersive viewing experience.
Why Bigger TVs Are Better
There are several key reasons to consider splurging on one of the biggest TVs available today:
- More Screen Real Estate – A wider, taller screen fills more of your field of vision for a theater-like viewing experience at home. This pulls you deeper into the on-screen action.
- Higher Resolution – Bigger screens better leverage 4K and eventual 8K ultra high definition resolutions by spreading all those extra pixels over more display area. The image often looks sharper and more detailed as a result.
- Bolder HDR – High dynamic range (HDR) technology expands a TV‘s contrast ratio and color range/volume for improved realism. Giant screens show off the fuller intensity and nuance of HDR to its best advantage.
- OLED Display Technology – Many contemporary massive TVs utilize OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays where each pixel generates its own light. This enables perfect black levels for spectacular contrast that makes images pop beautifully.
Plus there‘s the sheer wow factor of watching films, sports, or playing immersive video games on a TV screen the size of a small movie theater screen. Let‘s take a look at some of the key specs and features of today‘s most massive consumer televisions.
Massive TV Size and Spec Overview
| Screen Size | 85" – 98" |
|---|---|
| Display Type | OLED, QLED, Mini-LED enhanced LCD |
| Resolution | 4K, 8K |
| HDR Support | HDR10, Dolby Vision, etc |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz |
| Smart TV | Built-in streaming & voice control |
| Audio | 60W+ speakers, Dolby Atmos |
| Price Range | $5,000 – $30,000 |
As you can see, today‘s biggest TVs aimed at consumers pack top-tier performance capabilities into their giant screens to deliver a best-in-class viewing experience. Let‘s look at some current specific models and sizes available.
The Biggest TVs Money Can Buy
Here is a selection of the most massive TVs on the market currently, from several premium brands:
Samsung 98-Inch Q900 QLED 8K Smart TV
- $14,999 MSRP
- 98" diagonal screen
- 33 million pixels (7680 x 4320 resolution)
- Quantum Processor 8K for upscaling
- OTS+ audio with 6.2.2 channel speakers
This absolute beast of a television from Samsung leverages their very latest display innovations to deliver a jaw-dropping 8K viewing experience on an impressively svelte 1.5 inch thick screen.
Sony 85-Inch X95K LED 4K Smart Google TV
- $3,499 MSRP
- 85" screen size
- 4K cognitive processor XR
- Acoustic multi-audio with XR Surround
- BRAVIA CAM for video chat
Sony‘s newest 2023 LED LCD TVs get a boost from their Cognitive Processor XR that optimizes every pixel for lifelike realism. The integrated surround sound audio matches the stunning picture.
LG 97-Inch G2 Series OLED evo 4K Smart TV
- $29,999 MSRP
- Self-lit OLED display
- a9 Gen5 AI Processor
- 4 HDMI ports
- Dolby Atmos audio
- Game Optimizer mode
- 97.6" screen
At nearly $30K, this 97-inch G2 with LG‘s latest OLED evo panel delivers self-lit pixel perfection paired with the a9 Gen5 AI Processor to optimize HDR, surround sound audio, and gaming performance.
And this is just a small sampling – Samsung, Sony, LG and other brands offer 85, 88, and 98-inch television models showcasing their best innovations and engineering. Availability of specific very large sizes can vary. Prices range from around $3,000 on the lower end for an 85-inch Sony or Samsung LED LCD TV, up to $60,000 or more for something like Samsung‘s modular 146-inch The Wall.
Considerations for Integrating Massive Screens
Installing and viewing one of these absolute unit TVs requires a bit more planning and accommodation than your average flat screen:
- Room Size – Make sure you have ample wall space and comfortable viewing distance for the mammoth screen. Budget for professional installation.
- Seating Arrangements – Arrange seating so viewers avoid excessive side viewing angles, which can compromise picture quality, especially on LED screens.
- Ambient Lighting – Limit light falling directly on the giant screen, including sunlight, to avoid washout and glare. Backlight bias lighting can help boost contrast.
- Audio Set-up – To match the big screen immersion, plan for a full surround sound system and subwoofers worthy of blockbuster movies.
Proper placement and set-up are key to enjoying these super-sized TVs as intended. But when done right, they provide a mesmerizing home theater experience.
History of Progressively Bigger TVs
The television display market has been locked in an decades-long arms race to develop bigger and better screens. Here‘s a quick history of TV size milestones:
- 1930s – The first commercially sold TVs emerge with displays under 15 inches diagonally. Most TV broadcasts are still experimental.
- 1940s – TV adoption begins taking off in America. Screen sizes grow to around 17 inches.
- 1950s – 20+ inch CRT televisions become more commonplace as prices drop and choice expands.
- 1960s – Color televisions drive another wave of TV sales. Screen sizes break 30 inches.
- 1970s – Console televisions with 25 inch screens decline in popularity as standalone component systems emerge allowing more flexibility.
- 1980s – First big-screen rear-projection televisions reach 40 to 50 inches, but are prohibitively expensive for most.
- 1990s – HD, LCD & plasma displays arrive. Hitachi unveils first 60" plasma prototype in 1997.
- 2000s – Flat panels & HD televisions dominate. Panasonic debuts world‘s largest plasma TV at 152 inches in 2009.
- 2010s – 4K UHD TVs go mainstream as screen widths routinely surpass 70 inches.
- 2020s – OLED & MicroLED allow screens over 100 inches. Resolution pushes toward 8K with no size limit in sight!
The trajectory seems clear – bigger is better when it comes to television screens. More inches and more pixels translate into more lifelike, immersive viewing. Today‘s living room reality would seem like science fiction to someone just a couple decades ago.
Now 4K resolution up to 98 inch screens outfitted with OLED panels raises the bar higher still – the biggest TV you can buy today offers an unparalleled viewing experience. What might the next decade of display innovation hold? 16K MicroLED theaters in every home? We‘ll have to wait and see!
In the meantime, for unrivaled immersion, modern television buyers would do well to consider one of today‘s most massive screens paired with a premium display technology like self-emissive QD-OLED or OLED evo along with integrated surround sound. Let‘s compare some top options across popular categories…
Best Massive TVs – Comparison Guide
Overall #1 Biggest & Best
LG 97" Class OLED G2 Series
With LG‘s latest generation OLED evo panel powered by their a9 AI video processor, Dolby Atmos audio and sleek gallery design, this 97-inch stunner offers a sublime viewing experience.
Biggest 8K Beast
Samsung 98" Q900B QLED 8K Smart TV
Boasting 33 million pixels across its upgraded Neo QLED mini-LED screen paired with Dolby Atmos audio, Samsung‘s 2023 flagship 8K television condenses a whole cinema into one stunning 98-inch display.
Most Feature-Packed Smart TV
Sony 85" Class BRAVIA XR X95K LED Smart Google TV
Powered by Sony‘s cognitive processor for optimizing every pixel, with integrated surround sound by Acoustic Multi-Audio for truly immersive viewing and smart capabilities via Google TV – this 2023 model has all latest innovations.
Best Budget Giant Screen
TCL 85" 6-Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV
TCL packs superb 4K QLED picture quality with Dolby Vision HDR into its extra-large 6-Series screens, along with smooth gaming performance – all at a reasonable price.
For more recommendations, see our guides to:
And when even 98 inches doesn‘t seem big enough, custom installers can go bigger by cobbling together massive video walls – though costs quickly skyrocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What‘s the biggest TV I can buy?
Among new consumer TVs targeted at home use, screen sizes currently max out at 98 inches diagonally. Models in this range come from TCL, Samsung, Sony, LG and other major brands.
Is The Wall by Samsung the world‘s biggest TV?
Samsung offers an even larger modular screen called The Wall primarily aimed at commercial installations. It can be configured up to 292 inches! But sizes this big come at caviar prices starting around $100K.
What features should I look for in massive TVs?
With TVs 85 inches and up, key specs to compare include display technology (OLED vs LED vs QLED etc.), 4K or 8K pixel resolution, high dynamic range (HDR) support, smart TV capabilities, and audio power/quality.
What price range do 85-98 inch TVs fall under?
While smaller budget models start under $3000, most premium 98-inch TVs run $15,000 – $30,000 at typical retail pricing. High-end 88 inch 8K screens land around $10K. Of course, deals and sales happen too.
How far should I sit from a 98-inch TV?
Ideal viewing distance depends on screen size and resolution. For a 98" 4K screen, plan on 10-12 feet for proper immersion without excessive eye movement. An 85" to 90" TV can work well 8-10 feet away.
Still have questions? Feel free to Contact Me or leave a comment below!
