There are big TVs and then you have really big TVs. If you're willing to go all-out on a giant display, you have to look into the best 85-inch TVs on the market. Whether you want a more immersive home theater or gaming experience, such a massive screen is guaranteed to blow your mind away.
Huge brands, such as Samsung, Sony and LG, have produced large-screen flagship models, mostly packed with tons of really cool features. These big-screen TVs are certainly turning the game on its head, from OLED screens and expanded voice controls to 4K/8K and object tracking sound capabilities. Furthermore, all of these come with a smart TV setup, ensuring you get all the modern digital convenience from just one device.
But before you fork out thousands of dollars on an 85-inch TV, it's important to make sure you have enough room for it, as well as sit far away [10-12 feet] enough to enjoy it fully. That being said, what are the best 85-inch TV options at your disposal?
1. Best Overall: Samsung Q90T 85-Inch TV
SAMSUNG 85-inch Class QLED Q90T Series - 4K UHD Direct...
- DIRECT FULL ARRAY 20X* [85" Only]: Additional lighting zones...
- ULTRA VIEWING ANGLE: Engineered to reduce glare and enhance...
- QUANTUM HDR 16X: A wider range of brightness and color come...
- OBJECT TRACKING SOUND: Two top and two bottom built-in TV...
- QUANTUM PROCESSOR 4K: This powerful processor uses deep learning...
It comes as no surprise that Samsung has the best 85-inch TV around. The Q90T is a QLED screen capable of producing over one billion colors and spectacular 4K UHD resolution!
It comes with an anti-glare coating and an ultra-wide viewing angle to offer the viewing experience no matter where you sit. It has an array of dimming zones that augment contrast and inky blacks, plus an ambient lighting sensor that modifies the picture to suit the room's lighting environment automatically. It also has a built-in mic that monitors ambient sounds to adjust the audio from the media playing accordingly.
Its updated Tizen OS gives you access to all your preferred streaming apps. The Samsung Q90T also supports Samsung Bixby, Google Assistant and Alexa. These built-in virtual assistants give you full hands-free control over the TV. Four built-in speakers use object tracking to produce 3D audio, which gives you a more immersive audio experience. Just as key, its Multi-View feature also allows screen mirroring, which allows you to broadcast your iOS or Android device on an 85-inch TV screen.
2. Best 8K: Samsung QN900A 85-Inch QLED 8K TV
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SAMSUNG 85-inch Class QN900A Series – Neo QLED 8K...
- QUANTUM MATRIX TECHNOLOGY WITH MINI LED: A brilliantly intense...
- SAMSUNG NEO QUANTUM PROCESSOR 8K: Upgrade every picture to 8K...
- INFINITY SCREEN: Immerse yourself in the stunning sharpness and...
- OBJECT TRACKING SOUND+: Dynamic sound that tracks and follows on...
- QUANTUM HDR 64X: Witness extreme brilliance across the spectrum...
Unveiled as part of the latest Neo QLED TV technology, the QN900A stands out as one of the most affordable 85-inch 8K TVs. It's built around an entirely new Quantum 8K processor, which features an integrated neural network that learns as you watch. This optimizes picture and sound while also recommending new movies and shows to watch.
The dual 40W speakers, featuring Samsung's proprietary SpaceFit Sound technology, use eco sensors to adjust sound and volume to match your space. The screen has both anti-glare and anti-reflection coatings, which provide optimal viewing angles from just about anywhere in the room. An updated Multi-View lets you watch up to 4 videos at a go, making the most out of an 85-inch TV. It also allows Samsung Galaxy users to use the tap-view feature for screen mirroring.
The QN900A comes with a voice-enabled remote control for virtual assistants. To cap it all off, the remote runs on a solar panel powered by ambient light.
3. Best 4K: Samsung Q70T 85-Inch TV
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SAMSUNG 85-inch Class QLED Q70T Series - 4K UHD Dual...
- QUANTUM PROCESSOR 4K: This powerful processor uses deep learning...
- MOTION RATE 240: Minimizes motion blur on screen, so...
- AMBIENT MODE+: Blends into your space by turning a blank screen...
- QUANTUM HDR: Expands the range of color and detail beyond what's...
- DUAL LED: A system of dedicated warm and cool LED backlights...
If you simply want a great large-format 4K display, the Samsung Q70T is arguably the best 85-inch TV you could get. Just like the Q90T reviewed earlier, it's a QLED panel with an updated processor that excels at 4K UHD resolution, including intelligently scaling up non-UHD content.
This Smart TV features the updated Tizen OS, which allows you access to your favorite streaming apps. It has built-in Samsung Bixby and Alexa controls while also compatible with Google Assistant. Furthermore, the multi-view function allows you to mirror your smart devices. Gamers will also relish the AMD FreeSync technology, which prevents screen tearing and stuttering.
It has dual LED lighting, both warm and cool colors, which produces enhanced color volume and saturation. It also comes with ambient light and sound sensors, meaning your picture and sound adjust automatically to deliver the best viewing experience in all environments. Worth pointing out, it has an Ambient Mode+, which turns your TV into a splendid work of art when it's not in use.
4. Best Sony: Sony X950H 85-Inch TV
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Sony X950H 85-inch TV: 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV with...
- PICTURE PROCESSOR X1 ULTIMATE: Sony’s best processor analyzes...
- TRILUMINOS Display: See exactly what the creator intended with...
- FULL ARRAY LED with local dimming: Experience brighter highlights...
- GAME MODE: Take your PlayStation experience to the next level...
- SMART ANDROID TV with GOOGLE ASSISTANT: Use your voice to control...
A "best 85-inch TV" product guide would be incomplete without a Sony television. The X950H is the best the company has to offer.
It comes with an all-new X1 Ultimate processor. This uses ambient light and sound eco-sensors to automatically optimize the picture and sound to suit your room. It uses Sony's Triluminos technology and Dolby Vision HDR for arguably the best 4K resolution outside of an OLED TV. Plus, it also features Netflix Calibrated and IMAX Enhanced modes so that you can enjoy your favorite movies and shows just as their creators intended. Plus, Sony's Acoustic Multi-Audio technology -two speakers and dual tweeters- creates the impression that the entire screen creates the sound. An immersive cinematic experience becomes the least of your worries.
The X950H also comes with the Android TV OS, giving you access to the built-in Google Assistant as well as pre-loaded streaming apps, all right out of the box. Alternatively, you can mirror your Android or iOS device to the TV using Chromecast, or AirPlay2, respectively. Console gamers will certainly appreciate the dedicated game mode, specifically optimized for the PS4, which minimizes input lay while optimizing the refresh rates.
5. Best Value: Samsung TU8000 85-Inch 4K TV
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SAMSUNG 85-inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series - 4K...
- CRYSTAL PROCESSOR 4K: This ultra-fast processor transforms...
- MULTI VOICE: Smart TV with Alexa and Bixby
- SMART TV POWERED BY TIZEN : Go beyond Smart TV with next-gen...
- HDR: Unveils shades of color you can't find on HDTV.
- CRYSTAL DISPLAY: Experience crystal clear colors that are...
If you're looking for a budget large-format TV that gives you the most band for your buck, you might want to consider the Samsung TU-8000.
This 85-inch TV runs on the updated Tizen OS, coming with preloaded apps such as YouTube, Hulu, Netflix and even AppleTV+. This also includes the Samsung TV app, which lets you watch dozens of live TV channels without cable or satellite subscriptions. It features integrated Bluetooth connectivity so that you can include a soundbar or wireless speakers, including connecting to your smartphone.
The latest crystal display combines with HDR to deliver crisp, clean 4K resolution. Considering it also has remarkably narrow bezels, the viewing experience is simply amazing and immersive. The back of the unit has integrated cable management channels and clips for organization, which is always a plus.
What Can You Expect from the Best 85-inch TV?
The good thing is large-format TVs will certainly enhance the viewing experience, delivering a truly cinematic one for movie buffs and a fully immersive one for gamers. For starters, at their price points, 85-inch TVs come with a wide variety of technologies and software to produce breathtaking resolutions, crisp detailing and augmented contrast. Furthermore, you can equally rely on the latest panel technology for a remarkably thin, less bulky and sleek TV that compliments your home theater decor.
Big screens also have wider viewing angles and enhance color saturation and great volume at extreme angles, the latter thanks to Dolby Atmos support. This means everyone gets a full treat regardless of where they sit. Since these are smart TVs, they also have plenty of smart features, such as voice commands, streaming apps and screen mirroring capabilities to give you more control over your TV and deliver a more fulfilling home entertainment experience.
85-inch TVs are equally nifty for gaming since they support both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technology. This means better contrast and detailing while never having to worry about screen tearing and stuttering. More so, automatic low latency modes minimize input lag for nearly real-time reactions, giving you that upper hand you need to stay competitive.
Things to Consider
As you'd expect, there's plenty to consider when you're buying the best 85-inch TV. After all, you'll be spending a handsome sum; you might as well get full value for your buck.
1. Display Technology
All modern TVs use LED lighting as their screen basis, the difference coming in how they are applied to deliver different picture qualities. The best 85-inch TV will have one of these two:
a]. OLED
This is the most expensive technology but also provides the best picture quality. OLED works through individually lit pixels to deliver deep inky blacks for sharper contrast and organic compounds for richer, bright colors.
However, OLED panels still bear the risk for "burn-in": Like the older Plasma and Projection TVs, when used for too long or the same image displays over an extended period, it can potentially create a ghost image and gradually damage the unit. It's worth noting the risk is far less likely on OLED than with older technologies.
Additionally, the substrate that produces color in OLED is made from organic materials, which break down over time and use. This makes the panels susceptible to color degradation or dulling. However, this drawback also takes pretty long before it sets in.
b]. QLED
Some TV manufacturers, such as Samsung, have developed proprietary QLED ["Quantum-dot LED"] panels to deliver excellent picture quality at a price lower than OLED. The quantum dots substitute the organic materials found in OLED, thus mitigating the risk of burn-in and color degradation. Since several quantum dots can fit per pixel, QLED TVs deliver excellent detailing, great color ranges, sharp contrast and volume. However, the picture quality is not as exquisite as OLED.
2. Resolution
There are several resolution options for 85-inch TVs:
- Full HD 1080p - Earliest of all options, 1080p is capable of producing decent picture quality. As far as 2021 goes, this is arguably a middling resolution, and it might not get the most out of an 85-inch TV.
- 4K UHD - The new gold standard in home entertainment, 4K delivers enhanced picture quality. 4K capability often includes HDR support, such as Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma [HLG] or Technicolor HDR, to produce near-real world color and contrast levels.
- Future-Proof 8K - Brands such as Sony and LG are waltzing into the future with their 8K technology, with 4 times the pixels of a 4K unit and 16 times that of a 1080p TV. As you'd expect, 8K 85-inch TVs are quite expensive, plus there's very limited 8K content at the moment.
The jump in picture quality from 1080p to 4K is quite dramatic, but the same cannot be said of 4K to 8K. But that's not to say the change is not noticeable to a degree.
3. Refresh Rates
Refresh rate refers to the number of times the image displayed on the screen is refreshed or repainted per second, normally expressed in Hertz [Hz]. 60Hz and 120 Hz are the most common rates, although some units feature variable refresh rates, changing between the two depending on the media showing.
A higher refresh rate means the image is updated faster, hence smoother image motion and enhanced overall picture quality. This is somewhat more significant to gamers, oftentimes coupled with automatic low latency. Both combine to deliver a more seamless gaming experience, especially during fast-paced action scenes.
4. Additional Factors
You'll also have to keep in mind other secondary factors when you're buying an 85-inch TV. For instance, you might need a couple of built-in HDMI connections, particularly an HDMI 2.1, to accommodate current and future UHD sources.
With all the bells and whistles that come with 85-inch TVs, you probably won't get the best sound quality. This is mainly because the characteristic thin -but snazzy- profile leaves very little room for large, powerful speakers. As such, you might need a quality soundbar or surround sound system to get fuller, richer sounds.
Even though you'll digging a bit deeper into your pocket to get an 85-inch TV, you can always find and take advantage of cheap deals if you're willing to look for a bargain. For example, you can check out upcoming sales and see if you can make some small concessions. The best bargains can also help you to save a few hundred or even thousands of dollars.
Just as important, you'll also want your TV to come with a price protection policy. Most manufacturers give around a one-year warranty. To be fair, you're buying a top-of-the-line device, so the components are remarkably resilient, more often than not. But it's better to have the warranty and not need it than the converse.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which one is better: OLED to QLED?
Both are great! However, with its cutting edge technology, OLED produces a wider range of colors, enhanced detailing and deeper contrasts, all culminating into undeniably breathtaking picture quality. However, it is worth noting while QLED might not match the former, it does make up for OLED's drawbacks.
2. Is an 8K TV worth it?
Honestly, no. At least not at the moment. First off, 8K TVs are generally pretty expensive, yet there's incredibly limited 8K content available. If you're really considering this capability, it's only prudent to wait a few more years. In any case, tech evolves insanely fast. It'll only be a short while before 8K goes mainstream. Currently, 4K resolution is plausibly the most ideal choice for the best 85-inch TV.