An 85-inch TV delivers a true cinematic home experience, bringing massive screen immersion to large living rooms and dedicated media spaces. At this size, movies feel more theatrical, sports appear more lifelike, and modern 4K content benefits from the added scale and detail visibility. However, choosing the right model isn’t just about size — brightness performance, contrast control, refresh rate capability, and smart platform responsiveness all play major roles in long-term value.
In 2026, the best 85-inch TVs for the money combine Mini-LED and OLED display technologies, high native refresh rates, HDMI 2.1 gaming support, and polished smart systems. Whether you prioritize maximum brightness for daytime viewing, perfect OLED contrast for movie nights, or balanced performance at a lower price tier, the four models below represent the strongest overall 85-inch class value picks available in 2026.
1. Best Overall 85-Inch TV for the Money — Hisense 85U8QG
The Hisense 85U8QG, part of Hisense U8QG series, stands out as the most balanced performer in the 85-inch category. It features a Mini-LED backlight with Quantum Dot color, allowing it to reach impressive peak brightness while maintaining strong local dimming precision. This helps HDR content look vibrant and dynamic, even in brighter rooms.
With a native 165Hz refresh rate and full HDMI 2.1 support, the TV also performs exceptionally well for gaming. Motion remains smooth during fast-paced sports and action scenes, while VRR and ALLM help reduce input lag and screen tearing.
HDR support includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, and it runs on Google TV, offering a clean interface with excellent streaming app availability.
Best for: Buyers who want the best overall combination of brightness, gaming performance, and value in an 85-inch TV.
| Hisense 85U8QG (85-inch Hisense U8QG) Prices | |
| Walmart.com… | Amazon.com… |
2. Best Premium 85-Inch Class TV for the Money — LG OLED83C5PUA
The LG OLED83C5PUA, part of LG C5 series, is technically an 83-inch OLED TV, but it competes directly in the 85-inch class and represents the premium option in this size tier. For buyers prioritizing picture quality over the slightly larger 85-inch panel size, it delivers one of the most refined large-screen experiences available in 2026.
As an OLED model, it uses self-lit pixels that can turn completely off, producing perfect blacks and near-infinite contrast. On a massive 83-inch display, this creates exceptional cinematic depth and uniformity that LED-based models cannot fully replicate.
It offers a native 144Hz refresh rate with HDMI 2.1 support, ensuring fluid motion and near-instant response times that minimize blur during fast action scenes or gaming sessions.
HDR formats include Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, and the TV runs on webOS, known for smooth navigation and strong app support.
Best for: Viewers who prioritize a premium OLED home theater experience with exceptional contrast on a massive screen.
| LG OLED83C5PUA (83-inch LG C5) Prices | |
| LG.com… | Amazon.com… |
3. Best Mid-Range 85-Inch TV for the Money — TCL 85QM7K
The TCL 85QM7K, part of TCL QM7K series, delivers strong performance at a more accessible price. It uses a QD-Mini LED backlight, combining Quantum Dot color with Mini-LED local dimming for improved brightness and contrast over traditional LED TVs.
With a native 144Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 compatibility, motion handling remains smooth for both sports and gaming. HDR highlights appear punchy, and TCL has improved its local dimming precision compared to previous generations.
HDR support includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, and it runs on Google TV, offering an intuitive and content-focused smart experience.
Best for: Buyers seeking a large 85-inch Mini-LED TV with modern features at a mid-range price.
| TCL 85QM7K (85-inch TCL QM7K) Prices | |
| Walmart.com… | Amazon.com… |
4. Best Budget 85-Inch TV for the Money — Hisense 85U65QF
The Hisense 85U65QF, part of Hisense U65QF series, serves as the most affordable option in this lineup while still maintaining modern capabilities. It features a Mini-LED QLED panel, delivering better brightness and contrast control than many standard LED models in this price range.
It includes a native 144Hz refresh rate, which is uncommon at this tier for an 85-inch TV. While it doesn’t reach the brightness or dimming precision of the U8QG, it still provides solid everyday performance for movies, sports, and casual gaming.
HDR support includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, and it runs on Fire TV, offering a simple interface with built-in Alexa support.
Best for: Shoppers who want an affordable 85-inch TV with modern refresh-rate support and dependable overall performance.
| Hisense 85U65QF (85-inch Hisense U65QF) Prices | |
| Walmart.com (N/A) | Amazon.com… |
Quick Buying Tips for 85-Inch TVs
- Mini-LED TVs provide higher brightness, making them ideal for large, bright living rooms.
- OLED delivers superior contrast and viewing angles, perfect for dedicated home theater environments.
- 144Hz or 165Hz refresh rates improve motion clarity for sports and gaming.
- HDMI 2.1 with VRR and ALLM ensures compatibility with modern consoles and gaming PCs.
- An 85-inch TV typically performs best at a viewing distance of 8–12 feet.
Quick Summary
In the 85-inch class category, performance and value scale with size. The Hisense 85U8QG leads overall thanks to its Mini-LED brightness and 165Hz capability. The LG OLED83C5PUA (83-inch) delivers the most premium cinematic experience with perfect OLED contrast, making it the top choice for buyers prioritizing picture quality over absolute screen size. The TCL 85QM7K provides strong mid-range Mini-LED value, while the Hisense 85U65QF remains the best budget-friendly large-screen option.
| Rank | Model | Panel / Backlight | Native Refresh Rate | Smart Platform | HDR Support | Best For | Check Price |
| 1 | Hisense 85U8QG | Mini-LED QLED | 165 Hz | Google TV | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Best overall balance | Amazon.com… |
| 2 | LG OLED83C5PUA | OLED | 144 Hz | webOS | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Premium OLED performance | Amazon.com… |
| 3 | TCL 85QM7K | QD-Mini LED | 144 Hz | Google TV | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Strong mid-range value | Amazon.com… |
| 4 | Hisense 85U65QF | Mini-LED QLED | 144 Hz | Fire TV | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Best budget option | Amazon.com… |