The Best Large TVs (Best Over 75 Inches): Samsung, LG, and More | WIRED

Overview

The Best Large TVs (Over 75 Inches) for Sports, Movies, and More

TVs have (literally) never been bigger. TV brands like LG, Samsung, TCL, Sony, and others have gotten the message buyers have been sending for some time now: Go big or go home. The demand has led to exponential growth for the big-screen TV—virtually every brand I talk to cites this as their fastest growing segment—and thanks to a dizzying array of major leaps in display technology across brands, the best large TVs have never looked better or cost less.

Details

While I know it's tempting to grab the cheapest jumbo screen you can find at Costco or Best Buy and call it a day, I urge you to fight that notion. I've tested dozens of TVs for WIRED, including all the top screens from the latest TV cycle, and the truth is, not everything will look good at megascale. With that in mind, I've curated my favorite options at multiple price points, from mini LEDs to OLEDs, along with some key shopping tips so you can go big, stay home, and feel good about your choice.

Full disclosure: I have not tested all these TVs at every size, but they all include the same technology and features as the smaller versions (unless noted otherwise), which I have seen and tested extensively. We typically test 65 or 75-inch models when possible, as larger TVs are so big they can be very difficult to setup and test without multiple helpers for mounting. This leads me to a final point: Get help when you set these up! They're very large and unwieldy, which means you'll want at least two, preferably three large and strong people to help. Larger TVs are also typically more expensive than smaller ones, so be aware when we say “affordable," it means in the context of large TVs.

While you're learning what I like, make sure to check out our other A/V guides, including our main Best TVs guide, Best OLEDs, Best Cheap TVs, and Best Soundbars.

Best Large TV for Most People Photograph: Ryan Waniata Photograph: Ryan Waniata Photograph: Ryan Waniata Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist TCLQM6K QLED (85-inch)

As my favorite TV for most people, it's perhaps no surprise that the TCL QM6K is also my top pick on a larger scale. After seeing the TV at its largest size, a colossal 98 inches, I came away impressed by how well its picture performed at full wall size. Like all backlit TVs (i.e. non-organic LED, where each pixel is its own backlight), it struggles some with side viewing, and its image processing doesn't make things quite as beautiful as more premium TVs, but most people won't notice these differences if they're watching via streaming services in a normal living room.

As part of TCL's Precise Dimming series, the QM6K includes advanced mini LED tech that means amazingly accurate backlight, so no light “blooms” around objects that appear on dark backgrounds. It also means upgrades in color accuracy, screen uniformity, and overall contrast. The QM6K doesn't have the eye-burning brightness of pricier models, but its balanced approach leads to serious value at this size, while high-end gaming features for fast refresh rates and an intuitive Google TV interface make it a great all-around set at any size. As long as you don't have the world's brightest living room, this is the best huge TV for most people.

Our Second Choice Photograph: Ryan Waniata Photograph: Ryan Waniata Photograph: Ryan Waniata Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Hisense U75QG QLED (85-inch)

Another price-conscious model from an innovative Chinese brand, the Hisense U75QG has a standout advantage over TCL QM6K above: crazy-hot brightness. Its mini LED backlighting offers nearly three times the brightness of any show or film you can even stream, and enough juice to showcase even challenging 4K UHD Blu-rays, which get even brighter. This makes it an amazing TV for anyone with a very bright living room, or folks who like to watch TV while also enjoying a view. Along with brightness, you'll get excellent black levels with minimal light bloom around objects for striking contrast, vibrant colors, and an impressively clean image in sizes up to 116 inches.

We might prefer the more natural colors of the TCL above, but the U75QG has one thing the TCL doesn't: It has a class-leading four HDMI 2.1 ports for features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which is two more than the QM6K, gand reat for folks with Blu-ray players and gaming systems. The breezy Google TV interface makes it a great choice, thanks to excellent apps and voice search. Like many midrange offerings, its biggest drawbacks are mediocre side viewing performance and mid-tier image processing—hence why we prefer the TCL—but at a price well below $2,500 for a 100-inch model, this Hisense is a good deal on a huge screen.

Best Premium Big Screen Photograph: Ryan Waniata Photograph: Ryan Waniata Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist LGG5 OLED (83-inch)

OLED TVs have a natural advantage in larger sizes because, unlike backlit TVs, which require more dimming zones to maintain consistency, OLEDs produce light at the pixel level. This lets them scale up while keeping contrast and black levels virtually flawless across sizes. As one of the top TVs I've ever tested, the LG G5 is about as flawless as it gets, offering breakthrough brightness and great glare reduction for brighter rooms, perfect black levels, natural colors, top-notch picture processing, and accuracy that delivers the director's intent to your living room. Unlike mini LED TVs, there's zero light bleed behind any of the image, because each of the millions of pixels is controlled individually.

There are some (very) minor drawbacks besides the higher price, including some mild color loss at a sharp sideways viewing angle, but this model performs much better from the side than any mini LED TV I've tested so far. LG's web OS interface is generally solid (expect occasional needs to restart, like with most modern electronics), and is backed by excellent features like a built-in cloud gaming hub. It's all delivered in an elegant, flush-mountable design that screams premium. This TV even comes in a massive 97-inch size, but it costs a cool $20K, and doesn't use the same potent tandem panel I tested, meaning it doesn't get as bright. As such, most folks should stick with the 83-incher.

Best Big OLED TV for the Money Photograph: Parker Hall Photograph: Parker Hall Photograph: Parker Hall Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist LGC5 OLED (83-inch)

My original pick for a value-packed OLED was LG's entry-tier B5 model, which impressed me with its fantastic mix of performance and features for the money. It still might be the right choice for some folks, but given that the step-up C5's more advanced display tech gets nearly twice as bright for a relatively minimal price rise, it makes sense for most folks to step up to the mid-tier model. At these prices, an extra couple hundred dollars is actually worth the splurge.

While both sets offer great gaming chops and connectivity, the C5, with its upgraded panel and processing, gives a more refined touch to everything you watch, including more punchy colors and insane shadow detail. When combined with its higher brightness and higher build quality, it's a better investment for your big-screen needs, especially since folks tend to hold onto larger screens for longer. That said, the B5 is still a good choice if you're on a stricter budget, especially when the sale price drops well below its C5 cousin.

Best Bright Room Big Screen Photograph: Ryan Waniata Photograph: Ryan Waniata Photograph: Ryan Waniata Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Sony Bravia 9 QLED (85-inches)

Sony's bold and beautiful Bravia 9 is the best backlit TV I've ever tested. Its mini LED system gets fantastically bright, while offering a sophisticated touch for darker scenes that rivals some OLED models. Colors are beautiful and natural-looking, and Sony's fantastic image processing—the main draw of the brand, which recently signed a deal with TCL for the Chinese brand to provide all its future panels—provides among the clearest and most detailed image on the market.

The Bravia 9 addresses common issues in cheaper mini-LED models, with very little light bloom around dark objects, and relatively impressive performance when sitting off to the side. Burn-in, where TVs hold a previous image while showing something else over the top, is rarer in modern OLEDs, but if you're a gamer who plays for long hours all day and always has a menu up, or a TV news viewer who watches the same channel all the time, this TV alleviates those concerns. Its black levels and contrast still can't match OLED, and it only offers two HDMI 2.1 inputs. Otherwise, as long as you don't need a screen larger than 85 inches, this is a great option for bright rooms and folks who like perfect color.

A Good Wall Mount Courtesy of Sanus Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Sanus Tilting TV Wall Mount

I haven't personally tested this mount—WIRED tests TVs on their legs or center pedestals on top of TV stands—but it's a very popular option from a solid brand, and it comes recommended from many people in the industry. It's designed to conform to virtually any TV and supports models in the 90-inch range. With anything larger, you may want to get your set professionally mounted—dropping a massive TV you just unboxed is not a fun time, ask any TV reviewer.

It's also important to note that while most TVs conform to basic VESA guidelines, some brands (like Samsung) use a different bolt size, so before you begin to mount your TV, make sure you've got the proper accessories and measurements from your specific model, or be prepared for a trip to Home Depot.

All of my choices for the best big TVs start at 83-inches or higher. We've linked to that general size option, but many models go bigger, including options at 98 inches or above. I chose models based on their availability in large sizes, of course, but only my favorite models designed to scale well made the cut.

I've carefully selected these TVs based on a balance between their value and performance, which is extremely important when you're watching on a big screen. After all, what's the use of getting a giant TV if it doesn't look good? Traits I look for in a large TV include good brightness and contrast, advanced local dimming (read: good backlighting) to reduce light bleed from bright objects on dark backgrounds, accuracy to the director's intent, and impressive color saturation, especially for HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. For backlit TVs especially, I looked for good screen uniformity, or a lack of noticeable abberations from their mini LEDs that light up the TV panel in weird or glow-y ways.

Image processing, or a TV's ability to reduce artifacts and bring out details, is another major consideration for large TVs, because the bigger the image, the more likely you are to notice fuzzy details or image inconsistencies. 4K Ultra HD (UHD) resolution is a must, of course, but so is good upscaling to raise the quality of lower resolution images such as High Definition (HD) or even Standard Definition (SD) broadcasts like old movies or classic TV shows. While it's not a hard rule, in general, the more premium the TV the better the processing. Premium brands like LG, Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic are still the top options in this category.

With that in mind, this guide is designed to help you make an informed choice about where you're willing to splurge. People rarely regret getting a larger TV, but it's important to weigh how big a screen you actually need (and how easy it is to set up and move) with your performance demands. This list has something for every budget, but personally, I'd happily give up some quantity for quality. For me, that means buying OLED, where each pizel is its own backlight, but I also recognize everyone's needs are different.

The majority of backlit TVs (read: non-OLED) struggle to some degree with off-angle or off-axis performance when you're looking at them from the side. This means a loss of color saturation, clarity, and even control of light spillage from bright objects on dark backgrounds (AKA “blooming”). I've strived to find TVs with a good balance between overall performance and pricing, which includes solid off-axis performance, but be aware that the larger the TV, the more likely folks will notice these issues. Cheaper models like the QM6K and the U75QG struggle most, so if that's of high important to you, I suggest moving up to one of the OLED models or the Sony Bravia 9, which offers among the best off-axis performance I've tested in an LED backlit TV.

In OLED's early days, the biggest concern with organic LED technology was the increased risk of burn-in, or image retention, compared to displays that use LED or mini LED backlighting. Due to a variety of factors, including the use of organic materials (OLED stands for “Organic Light Emitting Diode”), OLED panels can degrade at different levels over time, leading to variations in brightness and colors, especially for images left on screen for extended periods.

The issue is much less common these days, thanks to features like screen savers, static image detection, and other innovations designed to reduce and repair image retention. While burn-in remains a mild concern, it's usually only applicable for gamers or Fox News viewers who keep a static image onscreen for hours at a time every day. Even then, it usually isn't permanent. For most folks, OLED burn-in isn't something to worry about, but it's worth noting that it could be more noticeable on larger screen sizes. I've had an LG C1 OLED in my home for over 6 years and have never had an issue. That said, if you're worried about burn-in, I recommend buying one of the mini LED models on this list instead.

You can find out more about different display technologies and their strenghts and weaknesses in our guide on How to Choose the Right TV , as well as the “Helpful Definitions” section in our Best TVs guide.

While the four best TVs in the most recent cycle are all OLEDs, only one, the G5, was from LG. Panasonic's Z95B, Sony's Bravia 8 II, and Samsung's S95F all made our list of mind blowing TVs that stood above all others.

For this guide, however, LG TVs made the most sense for two important reasons: First, only LG and Samsung sell an OLED TV bigger than 77-inches. Second, and most notable, Samsung's 83-inch OLED does not use the same quantum-dot-enabled OLED screen (AKA QD-OLED) as its smaller sizes. Instead, its 83-inch model uses an OLED panel likely made by LG Display. So, if you're buying a big OLED, it makes sense to stick with LG. Not to mention, the LG G5 was my favorite TV last year, and the best screen I've ever tested (so far). The LG G6 is on its way soon, so we'll see how it compares.

Projectors were by far the best option for most big-screen fans for years, because they were the only reliable and affordable way to get a size over 85 inches. While there is a slight learning curve, it's a lot easier to handle a small box and roll-out screen than a gargantuan hunk of glass and plastic, and new short throw and ultra short throw (UST) projectors that produce a massive image from very short distances make things simpler than ever.

While TVs have continued to have an advantage in brightness and black levels for more striking contrast, projectors have improved in their own right. If you don't mind dimming the lights a bit, a projector setup could be the right answer for your big-screen needs, especially if you want the largest possible size (there are projectors that go up to 200 inches, which isn't true of TVs yet). Before you go all out, it's worth perusing our favorite projectors to see if one of these options might be a good fit.

Squarespace Promo Code: 20% Off Annual Acuity Subscriptions

50% Off Doordash Promo Code For New & Existing Users

Key Takeaways

• The Best Large TVs (Over 75 Inches) for Sports, Movies, and More

• TVs have (literally) never been bigger

• While I know it's tempting to grab the cheapest jumbo screen you can find at Costco or Best Buy and call it a day, I urge you to fight that notion

• Full disclosure: I have not tested all these TVs at every size, but they all include the same technology and features as the smaller versions (unless noted otherwise), which I have seen and tested extensively

• While you're learning what I like, make sure to check out our other A/V guides, including our main Best TVs guide, Best OLEDs, Best Cheap TVs, and Best Soundbars