85 Inch TVs: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Hey guys! So you're thinking about getting a massive 85-inch TV, huh? That's awesome! Stepping up to this size is a total game-changer for your home theater experience. But before you take the plunge, there's a lot to consider. Don't worry, though, I'm here to walk you through everything you need to know to make the perfect choice.

Why Go Big with an 85-Inch TV?

Let's start with the obvious: size matters! An 85-inch screen is seriously immersive. It fills your field of vision, making movies and games feel way more cinematic. It’s like having your own personal movie theater right in your living room. Seriously, once you go big, it's hard to go back. With an 85-inch TV, you're not just watching; you're experiencing. You'll catch details you never noticed before, and the sense of scale is just incredible. Think of those epic landscapes in nature documentaries or the sprawling battle scenes in your favorite action flick – they'll be absolutely breathtaking on a screen this size.

Beyond just the wow factor, an 85-inch TV can also be a smart choice for larger rooms. If you have a big living space, a smaller TV can look lost and feel distant. An 85-inch screen, on the other hand, will command attention and create a focal point in the room. Plus, with more and more content being produced in 4K and even 8K, you'll want a screen that can truly showcase all that detail. An 85-inch TV is the perfect canvas for those stunning visuals. But hey, it's not just about size, right? You also want to make sure the picture quality is top-notch.

When you're investing in a screen this big, you want every pixel to count. That means looking for features like 4K resolution, HDR (High Dynamic Range), and a good refresh rate. These technologies work together to deliver a picture that's sharp, vibrant, and incredibly lifelike. Imagine watching a nature documentary and feeling like you're right there in the jungle, or playing a video game and getting totally lost in the immersive world. That's the power of a high-quality 85-inch TV. So, yeah, going big is awesome, but let’s dive into what really makes these TVs tick.

Key Features to Look For

Okay, so you're sold on the size, but what else should you be looking for? Let's break down the key features that will make or break your 85-inch TV experience.

Resolution: 4K is the New Standard

First up, resolution. You absolutely want a 4K TV at this size. Trust me on this one. 4K, also known as Ultra HD, has four times the number of pixels as 1080p Full HD. That means a much sharper and more detailed picture. On a big screen like an 85-inch, those extra pixels make a huge difference. You'll see finer textures, smoother lines, and an overall level of clarity that's simply stunning. Think about it: you're investing in a massive display, so you want to make sure the image quality is equally impressive. With 4K, you'll be able to appreciate every single detail, from the subtle nuances in a movie scene to the intricate graphics in your favorite video game.

While 8K TVs are starting to emerge, they're still quite expensive and there isn't a ton of 8K content available yet. 4K is the sweet spot right now, offering incredible picture quality at a more reasonable price point. Plus, most streaming services and Blu-ray discs are readily available in 4K, so you'll have plenty of content to enjoy. So, yeah, 4K is the way to go. It’s the industry standard for a reason, and it'll ensure that your 85-inch TV looks its absolute best for years to come. But resolution is just one piece of the puzzle. Let’s talk about something that can really make colors pop: HDR.

HDR: Making Colors Pop

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is another must-have feature. HDR expands the range of colors and contrast that a TV can display, resulting in a picture that's more vibrant, realistic, and lifelike. Imagine watching a sunset on a regular TV versus an HDR TV. On the regular TV, the colors might look a bit flat and washed out. But on an HDR TV, the sunset will explode with rich, saturated hues, making you feel like you're right there on the beach. That's the magic of HDR. It brings scenes to life in a way that traditional TVs simply can't match.

There are several different HDR formats, including HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. HDR10 is the most common and is supported by most 4K TVs and content. Dolby Vision is a more advanced format that offers even greater color accuracy and dynamic range, but it's less widely supported. HLG is primarily used for broadcast content. Ideally, you'll want a TV that supports multiple HDR formats, just to ensure compatibility with a wide range of content. But honestly, any HDR is better than no HDR. It's a game-changer for picture quality, adding depth and richness to everything you watch. Trust me, once you've seen HDR in action, you won't want to go back. Okay, so we've covered resolution and HDR. Now, let's talk about something that's especially important for gamers and action movie fans: refresh rate.

Refresh Rate: Smooth Motion is Key

The refresh rate of a TV is the number of times per second that the screen updates its image, measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate means smoother motion, which is especially important for fast-paced content like sports, action movies, and video games. You'll often see TVs advertised with refresh rates of 60Hz or 120Hz. A 60Hz TV updates its image 60 times per second, while a 120Hz TV updates its image 120 times per second. The higher refresh rate results in less motion blur and a clearer, more fluid picture.

If you're a gamer, a 120Hz refresh rate is a must. It will make a huge difference in your gaming experience, reducing input lag and making the action feel much more responsive. Even if you're not a gamer, a 120Hz TV is still a good investment, especially if you watch a lot of sports or action movies. The smoother motion will make these types of content look much more natural and less jarring. However, a higher refresh rate often comes with a higher price tag. So, if you're on a budget, a 60Hz TV can still deliver a good picture, especially if it has other features like motion smoothing technology. But if you want the absolute best motion performance, 120Hz is the way to go. We've talked about the core picture quality features, but what about the technology that actually makes the pixels light up? Let's dive into different display types.

Display Types: LED, OLED, and QLED

When it comes to 85-inch TVs, you'll typically find three main display types: LED, OLED, and QLED. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, so let's break them down.

LED TVs: The Budget-Friendly Option

LED TVs are the most common type of TV on the market. They use an LED backlight to illuminate an LCD panel. LED TVs are generally more affordable than OLED or QLED TVs, making them a good option if you're on a budget. They can also get very bright, which is great for watching TV in well-lit rooms. However, LED TVs typically don't offer the same level of contrast and color accuracy as OLED or QLED TVs. The black levels, in particular, can be a bit weak, which can make dark scenes look a bit washed out. Think about those intense night scenes in a thriller – you want those blacks to be deep and inky, not grayish.

If you're primarily watching TV in a bright room and aren't too concerned about having the absolute best picture quality, an LED TV can be a good choice. But if you're a cinephile or a gamer who values picture quality above all else, you might want to consider OLED or QLED. These technologies offer a significant step up in performance, especially when it comes to contrast and color. So, while LED TVs are a solid option, let's see what the other contenders bring to the table. Next up: OLED, the king of contrast.

OLED TVs: The King of Contrast

OLED TVs are known for their incredible contrast and black levels. Unlike LED TVs, OLED TVs don't use a backlight. Instead, each pixel is self-emissive, meaning it can turn on and off independently. This allows OLED TVs to achieve perfect blacks, as individual pixels can be completely turned off. The result is a picture with stunning contrast and depth. Imagine watching a sci-fi movie with scenes set in deep space – on an OLED TV, the stars will shine brilliantly against a truly black background, creating a sense of immersion that's hard to beat.

OLED TVs also offer excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. Colors look vibrant and natural, and the picture doesn't degrade when viewed from off-center. This makes OLED TVs a great choice for families or anyone who frequently watches TV with a group of people. The only real downsides of OLED TVs are their price and brightness. OLED TVs are typically more expensive than LED TVs, and they don't get as bright, which can be a factor in very bright rooms. However, the picture quality of OLED TVs is so good that many people are willing to pay the premium. If you're a serious movie buff or gamer and you want the best possible picture quality, OLED is definitely worth considering. But what about QLED? Let's see how it stacks up.

QLED TVs: Bright and Colorful

QLED TVs are a technology developed by Samsung. They use a quantum dot filter to enhance the color and brightness of an LED backlight. QLED TVs are known for their vibrant colors and high brightness levels, making them a great choice for bright rooms. They also offer excellent color volume, meaning they can display a wide range of colors at high brightness levels. This is particularly important for HDR content, which often contains very bright and colorful scenes. Think of a fireworks display – on a QLED TV, the colors will be incredibly vivid and lifelike, even in a brightly lit room.

QLED TVs typically don't offer the same level of contrast as OLED TVs, but they are generally more affordable. They're a good middle ground between LED and OLED, offering a great balance of picture quality and price. If you want a TV that can handle bright rooms and deliver vibrant colors, QLED is a solid option. Plus, Samsung has been consistently pushing the boundaries of QLED technology, with newer models offering improved black levels and viewing angles. So, whether you go for LED, OLED, or QLED, there's a great 85-inch TV out there for you. But let's not forget about the brains of the operation: the smart features.

Smart Features: More Than Just a Pretty Picture

These days, TVs are more than just displays; they're full-fledged smart devices. Most 85-inch TVs come with built-in smart platforms that allow you to stream movies and TV shows from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. They also often include voice control, allowing you to control your TV with your voice. This is super handy for things like searching for content, adjusting the volume, or even controlling other smart home devices.

The smart platform on your TV can make a big difference in your overall experience. Some platforms are more user-friendly than others, and some offer a wider range of apps. Popular smart TV platforms include:

• Tizen (Samsung): Tizen is known for its smooth performance and intuitive interface. It offers a wide range of apps and features, including Samsung's Bixby voice assistant.
• webOS (LG): webOS is another popular platform that's praised for its ease of use and sleek design. It also offers a good selection of apps and supports LG's ThinQ AI voice assistant.
• Android TV (Sony, Hisense, TCL): Android TV is a versatile platform that offers a vast library of apps through the Google Play Store. It also integrates seamlessly with other Google services, like Google Assistant.
• Roku TV (TCL, Hisense): Roku TV is a simple and straightforward platform that's known for its user-friendliness. It offers access to a huge number of streaming channels and supports Roku's voice remote.

When choosing a smart TV, it's worth taking some time to explore the different platforms and see which one you prefer. Think about the apps you use most often, the voice assistants you're comfortable with, and the overall user experience. After all, you'll be interacting with this platform every time you turn on your TV, so you want to make sure it's a good fit for you. We've covered the internal workings of the TV, but what about the external connections? Let’s talk about ports.

Ports and Connectivity: Connecting Your World

Make sure your 85-inch TV has enough ports to connect all your devices. You'll want multiple HDMI ports for things like your cable box, Blu-ray player, and gaming consoles. HDMI 2.1 is the latest standard and offers the best performance for 4K gaming at 120Hz, so if you're a gamer, look for TVs that support HDMI 2.1. You'll also want a USB port for connecting external hard drives or USB sticks, and an optical audio output for connecting a soundbar or receiver. If you're planning on using the TV's built-in smart features, you'll also need an Ethernet port or Wi-Fi connectivity.

Think about all the devices you'll want to connect to your TV, both now and in the future, and make sure the TV has enough ports to accommodate them. It's always better to have a few extra ports than to run out of space. Trust me, you don’t want to be scrambling for an open HDMI port when you’re trying to hook up a new game console. So, yeah, ports matter. Make sure you’ve got enough to handle all your gadgets. Okay, we’ve covered the technical stuff. Let’s get real about the elephant in the room: the budget.

Budget: How Much Will This Cost?

85-inch TVs are a significant investment, so it's important to set a budget before you start shopping. Prices can range from around $1,500 for a basic LED TV to $5,000 or more for a high-end OLED TV. The price will depend on the display type, features, and brand. LED TVs are generally the most affordable, followed by QLED TVs, and then OLED TVs. Features like 4K resolution, HDR, and a 120Hz refresh rate will also increase the price.

Think about what features are most important to you and prioritize accordingly. If you're on a tight budget, you might be willing to sacrifice some features to get a larger screen. Or, you might prefer to spend a bit more to get a TV with better picture quality. It's all about finding the right balance for your needs and budget. And don’t forget to factor in things like wall mounting and extended warranties, which can add to the overall cost. So, yeah, think about your budget, figure out what’s most important to you, and then start shopping around. Speaking of shopping around, let's talk about where you're going to put this beast!

Viewing Distance and Room Size: Finding the Perfect Fit

An 85-inch TV is a big screen, so you'll need a room that's large enough to accommodate it. The ideal viewing distance for an 85-inch TV is around 10 to 12 feet. If you sit too close, the picture will look overwhelming and you'll be able to see individual pixels. If you sit too far away, you won't get the full immersive experience. Measure your viewing distance before you buy a TV to make sure it's a good fit for your room.

Also, consider the size of your room and the placement of your furniture. You'll want to make sure you have enough wall space for the TV, and that your seating is positioned at the optimal viewing distance. Think about things like glare from windows and the height of your TV stand. All of these factors can impact your viewing experience. So, take some time to assess your room and make sure it's ready for an 85-inch TV. It's a big investment, so you want to make sure you're setting yourself up for the best possible viewing experience. Okay, we’ve covered a lot of ground here. Let’s wrap things up with some final thoughts.

Final Thoughts: Is an 85-Inch TV Right for You?

So, is an 85-inch TV right for you? It really depends on your needs, budget, and viewing environment. If you have a large room and you want a truly immersive viewing experience, an 85-inch TV can be a fantastic choice. The massive screen size will draw you into the action and make movies, TV shows, and games feel more lifelike than ever before. Think about it – you’re basically creating your own personal home theater! But it's also important to consider the other factors we've discussed, such as resolution, HDR, refresh rate, display type, and smart features.

Do your research, compare different models, and read reviews before you make a decision. And don't be afraid to ask questions! Talk to the sales staff at your local electronics store, or reach out to online experts for advice. Buying a new TV is a big decision, so you want to make sure you're making the right choice. But hey, if you do your homework, I'm confident you'll find the perfect 85-inch TV to transform your home entertainment experience. Happy watching, guys!