Key facts
- The TCL QM7L is recommended as the best 85-inch TV for most users due to its balance of performance and price.
- The Samsung S90F is suggested for users prioritizing OLED technology with deeper black levels and wider viewing angles.
- The TCL QM7L utilizes TCL's new SQD (Super Quantum Dot) technology for improved brightness and color performance.
- The QM7L features a Mini LED backlight and achieved peak brightness of around 2,400 nits in testing.
- The QM7L offers a wide color gamut, matching or exceeding other 85-inch TVs in its price range.
- The 85-inch TCL QM7L has an MSRP of $2,500 but is currently selling for $1,698.
The search for the ideal 85-inch television involves balancing screen size, picture quality, and cost. For consumers prioritizing a cinematic experience at home, screen size is paramount, with 85-inch models offering an immersive scale for movies and gaming. However, this size category typically comes with a significant price increase.
The TCL QM7L is identified as the top recommendation for most users, offering a compelling blend of brightness, contrast, and color reproduction through its SQD (Super Quantum Dot) technology and Mini LED backlight. This model represents an upgrade from its predecessor, the QM7K, with enhanced performance metrics, including a peak brightness of approximately 2,400 nits. The QM7L also boasts a wide color gamut, covering a substantial portion of the BT.2020 and P3 color spaces, which is competitive within its price bracket.
While the QM7L provides solid black levels and good contrast, its Mini LED technology does exhibit some light bleed and off-axis viewing limitations, common in this class of TV. For those seeking superior black levels and wider viewing angles, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is suggested as a premium alternative, though it comes at a higher price point.
For budget-conscious buyers, the TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is presented as an entry-level Mini LED option that still offers strong image quality for its cost, featuring a matte screen to reduce reflections and supporting a 144Hz refresh rate.