Choosing a 65-inch TV for the money is about finding the right balance between performance and long-term value. At this screen size, you’re typically sitting at a true cinematic distance, which means contrast depth, brightness control, motion clarity, and HDR performance matter far more than basic specifications on paper. A great value 65-inch TV should feel immersive in everyday use for movies, responsive for gaming, and bright enough for mixed lighting — without pushing into unnecessary premium pricing.
In 2026, the best 65-inch TVs for the money combine strong contrast, high refresh rates, modern smart platforms, and efficient backlight technology. Whether you prefer the precision of Mini-LED or the cinematic depth of OLED, the four models below represent the best balance of performance and price in the 65-inch class — ranked from strongest overall value to budget-friendly practicality.
1. Best Overall 65-Inch TV for the Money — Hisense 65U8QG
The Hisense 65U8QG, part of the Hisense U8QG series, delivers one of the strongest overall value propositions in the 65-inch category. Using a Mini-LED QLED backlight, it achieves impressive brightness levels while maintaining strong local dimming control for deeper blacks and reduced blooming. This makes it highly versatile for both bright living rooms and darker movie nights.
One of its biggest advantages in 2026 is the native 165Hz panel, which gives it smoother motion performance than most competitors in this price tier. Sports and gaming benefit immediately, while fast-moving HDR scenes remain stable and clear. HDR support includes Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, ensuring broad compatibility across streaming platforms and disc-based content.
Running on Google TV, navigation feels modern and app support is extensive. For buyers who want premium-level performance without stepping into OLED pricing, the U8QG offers arguably the best performance-per-dollar ratio in the 65-inch class.
Best for: Buyers who want the strongest overall balance of brightness, contrast, gaming performance, and price in a 65-inch TV.
| Hisense 65U8QG (65-inch Hisense U8QG) Prices | |
| Walmart.com… | Amazon.com… |
2. Best Premium 65-Inch TV for the Money — Samsung QN65S90FAFXZA
The Samsung QN65S90FAFXZA, part of the Samsung S90F series, represents the premium side of value. While OLED TVs traditionally cost more, this QD-OLED model delivers performance that justifies its pricing within the 65-inch segment.
QD-OLED technology delivers perfect black levels, exceptional contrast uniformity, and vibrant color volume. For cinematic viewing, it offers depth and dimensionality that Mini-LED models can’t fully replicate. The native 144Hz panel ensures smooth motion for sports and high-frame-rate gaming, making it a versatile premium option.
HDR support includes HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. Powered by Tizen OS, the interface remains fast and intuitive, with strong ecosystem integration for Samsung users.
Although it sits at a higher price point than the other models on this list, the S90F earns its spot by delivering true premium OLED performance at a competitive 65-inch price tier.
Best for: Viewers who want a cinematic QD-OLED experience while still maintaining strong overall value.
| Samsung QN65S90FAFXZA (65-inch Samsung S90F) Prices | |
| Walmart.com… | Amazon.com… |
3. Best Mid-Range 65-Inch TV for the Money — TCL 65QM7K
The TCL 65QM7K, part of the TCL QM7K series, sits comfortably in the upper mid-range tier, offering a strong blend of Mini-LED precision and accessible pricing. Its QD-Mini LED backlight improves brightness control and color vibrancy compared to standard LED TVs, while maintaining solid contrast performance.
The TV features a native 144Hz panel, which keeps motion fluid for sports and gaming. For most households, this refresh rate strikes an excellent balance between performance and affordability. HDR formats typically include Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, making it flexible for modern content.
With Google TV onboard, users get a smooth interface and strong app support. The QM7K doesn’t push into ultra-premium territory, but it delivers enough brightness and contrast to feel significantly more advanced than entry-level models.
Best for: Buyers who want Mini-LED performance and high refresh rate capability without paying premium prices.
| TCL 65QM7K (65-inch TCL QM7K) Prices | |
| Walmart.com… | Amazon.com… |
4. Best Budget 65-Inch TV for the Money — Hisense 65U65QF
The Hisense 65U65QF, part of the Hisense U65QF series, focuses on delivering Mini-LED performance at a more accessible price. Compared to standard LED models, its Mini-LED backlight provides improved local dimming and stronger brightness control, helping HDR highlights appear more impactful while maintaining better contrast in darker scenes.
It uses a native 144Hz panel, which is impressive for its price class and gives it an advantage over many budget competitors that remain limited to 60Hz. Motion remains stable for sports and gaming, making it a practical all-around option. The TV supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, ensuring wide compatibility across modern streaming platforms and disc-based content — a feature that further strengthens its value in the 65-inch category.
Running on Fire TV, it offers straightforward streaming access with integrated voice support. While it doesn’t reach the brightness or dimming precision of the U8QG, it still provides strong value for buyers seeking an affordable large-screen experience.
Best for: Buyers who want a budget-friendly 65-inch Mini-LED TV with high refresh rate capability.
| Hisense 65U65QF (65-inch Hisense U65QF) Prices | |
| Walmart.com (N/A) | Amazon.com… |
Quick Buying Tips for 65-Inch TVs for the Money
- Mini-LED offers the best brightness-to-price ratio: If you watch in a bright living room, Mini-LED models like the Hisense U8QG or TCL QM7K provide stronger peak brightness and better glare control than standard LED TVs.
- OLED delivers superior contrast for dark-room viewing: If you primarily watch movies at night, QD-OLED models such as the Samsung S90F produce perfect blacks and exceptional contrast uniformity.
- Refresh rate matters for gaming and sports: A native 144Hz or 165Hz panel helps reduce motion blur and improves responsiveness. All four models on this list exceed basic 60Hz performance.
- Smart platform preference can affect daily usability: Google TV offers broad app flexibility and personalization, Tizen integrates well within Samsung ecosystems, and Fire TV keeps streaming simple and voice-friendly.
- Value doesn’t always mean cheapest: The best “for the money” TV balances performance and longevity. Spending slightly more for better dimming control or higher refresh rates often results in a noticeably better long-term experience.
Quick Summary
In the 65-inch TV class, value is defined by performance per dollar rather than raw specifications alone. The Hisense 65U8QG stands out as the strongest overall value thanks to its Mini-LED brightness, 165Hz panel, and balanced pricing. The Samsung QN65S90FAFXZA delivers the most cinematic experience with QD-OLED technology for buyers willing to step into premium territory. The TCL 65QM7K offers a compelling mid-range Mini-LED option with strong gaming capability, while the Hisense 65U65QF makes high-refresh Mini-LED more accessible for budget-focused buyers.
| Rank | Model | Panel / Backlight | Native Refresh Rate | Smart Platform | HDR Support | Best For | Check Price |
| 1 | Hisense 65U8QG | Mini-LED QLED | 165Hz | Google TV | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Best overall value | Amazon.com… |
| 2 | Samsung QN65S90FAFXZA | QD-OLED | 144Hz | Tizen OS | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Premium cinematic performance | Amazon.com… |
| 3 | TCL 65QM7K | QD-Mini LED | 144Hz | Google TV | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Mid-range Mini-LED value | Amazon.com… |
| 4 | Hisense 65U65QF | Mini-LED QLED | 144Hz | Fire TV | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Budget Mini-LED option | Amazon.com… |