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For many homes, a 65-inch TV offers a great balance between size, budget, and performance. This tier is large enough to immerse you in movies, games, and sports without completely taking over your room. But figuring out which models are actually worth the money isn't always straightforward. Specs and marketing claims only tell part of the story, which is why my team and I test popular models year-round to find the best 65-inch TVs you can buy.
If you want the quick answer, the Samsung S90F 4K TV is my top pick overall. Its OLED panel delivers excellent contrast with deep black levels, and its quantum dot tech helps colors look rich and vibrant. If you're trying to spend less, the TCL QM6K 4K TV is a good alternative. It's not as bright as pricier models, but it offers impressive performance for the money.
I've been reviewing home entertainment gear for more than a decade, and that experience helps me spot a TV's strengths and weaknesses. The best 65-inch TVs stand out because they get the fundamentals right: picture quality, smart features, ease of use, gaming capabilities, and overall value. The right choice still depends on your setup and priorities, but all of these picks deliver a great viewing experience.
Our top picks for the best 65-inch TVs
Best overall: Samsung S90F - See at Amazon
Best budget: TCL QM6K - See at Amazon
Best high-end: LG G5 - See at Amazon
Best RGB LED: Sony Bravia 7 II - See at Sony
Best anti-glare: Samsung S95F - See at Amazon
Best overall
Balancing performance and price, the Samsung S90F is the best 65-inch TV — and my pick for the best TV overall — currently available. It offers excellent picture quality and a packed set of smart features for a typical sale price of under $1,400. That's an incredible value for a display of this caliber.
Part of what makes the 65-inch S90F so impressive is the TV's use of an OLED panel with quantum dots — a combination that lets it achieve richer, more vibrant colors than similarly priced LG OLEDs that lack this tech. The S90F also offers impressive brightness for a TV of this type. In testing, our reviewer measured a peak brightness at about 1,460 nits, which is enough to deliver great HDR performance in a typical living room.
Deal alert: The S90F is back down to an all-time low price of $1,198 on Amazon. This is a 2025 model, so stock is expected to get harder to find as the year goes on. With that in mind, I recommend grabbing it while it's still heavily discounted.
Combined with the panel's deep black levels and infinite contrast ratio, movies look wonderfully detailed and dynamic. That said, the TV's black levels rise slightly when the panel is exposed to light, but the effect isn't particularly noticeable when watching most content. And in a dark room, black levels are essentially perfect.
On the downside, Samsung still doesn't support Dolby Vision, which is considered the best format for accurate HDR playback. However, the S90F's performance using other HDR formats, such as HDR10 and HDR10+, is so strong that I don't consider this a significant issue. You can learn more about different HDR formats in our HDR TV guide. Upscaling from HD or lower-resolution sources also looks great, though Samsung's processing is still slightly behind Sony's premium TVs.
From dark-room movie nights to daytime sports viewing, the S90F shines in every scenario. It offers wide viewing angles, so picture quality remains consistent even when viewed off-center, and Samsung's latest Tizen smart TV platform feels faster and smoother than ever. The interface still isn't as intuitive as Google TV or Roku, but it gets the job done. Gamers also receive great perks, including built-in access to Xbox Game Pass streaming and support for up to a 144Hz refresh rate when connected to a PC with an ultra-high-speed HDMI cable.
Buyers should note that Samsung also has a 2026 version of this TV, the S90H. My team also reviewed the S90H, and its performance is similar to the S90F. However, the S90H features a glare-free screen, which greatly reduces reflections at the cost of lowering contrast in bright rooms. If glare is a major headache, the S90H could be worth the extra money, but for most people, the cheaper S90F remains my top pick.
Read our full Samsung S90F TV review.
Check out our complete guide to the best Samsung TVs.
Best budget
The QM6K is proof that budget-friendly TVs don't have to sacrifice performance. This QLED set is one of the most affordable displays available with a Mini LED backlight, which helps it stand out from similarly priced competitors.
Many 65-inch TVs in this tier have low contrast, dim images, and limited color capabilities. But the QM6K offers a wide range of vivid colors and delivers solid contrast and brightness for its class. Picture quality still isn't on par with pricier TVs, but TCL has managed to pack in several advanced features while keeping the price attractive.
During my review, the TV reached 557 nits with a 10% HDR test pattern and about 736 nits with a 50% test pattern. Those are respectable numbers for a budget TV, and they're good enough for a solid entry-level HDR experience. That said, the TV isn't the best fit for rooms with lots of ambient light.
The QM6K's Mini LED local dimming provides good contrast control, keeping dark portions of the image relatively dark. However, black levels appear slightly lighter than those on midrange and high-end QLED models, and they're not as precise as those of an OLED. This is most evident when watching TV with the lights off. Although the viewing angles are slightly wider than those of TCL's older Q65 model, the QM6K's image still washes out when viewed from off-center.
But while most TVs in this price range are limited to 60Hz, the QM6K can reach 144Hz, making it an excellent budget gaming TV. This means you receive full support for 120Hz modes on a PS5 or Xbox Series X, enabling smoother motion in compatible games.
I was also impressed by how quick the QM6K's Google TV operating system is. It offers access to all the most popular streaming apps, and I didn't encounter any notable glitches.
Read our TCL QM6K TV review.
Check out our guides to all the best budget TVs and best TCL TVs.
Best high-end
The LG G5 is the high-end TV to beat. This premium model's biggest benefit over most OLED TVs is its exceptional brightness. Though OLEDs used to struggle with brightness, the G5 can actually outperform several flagship QLED sets.
On an industry-standard 10% test pattern, I measured a peak of 2,410 nits using the set's most accurate picture mode. That's more than 1,000 nits higher than midrange OLEDs like the Samsung S90F.
This high luminance provides bright HDR highlights, such as explosions and shimmering reflections, with a noticeable boost in overall impact. At the same time, the G5's OLED screen maintains perfect black levels and pixel-level contrast control, so there's none of the blooming or backlight patchiness that you might see on even the most expensive QLED TVs. Check out our QLED vs. OLED comparison for more details.
The G5 also features wide viewing angles, ensuring the image doesn't fade or wash out when you sit to the side of the TV. Gaming capabilities are strong, thanks to a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz with a PC or 120Hz with a current-gen console, such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. LG also now supports the Xbox app, which allows Game Pass members to stream games without an Xbox system.
Like all LG TVs, the G5 runs webOS, which is sufficient for most people's streaming needs. However, I don't love how much the interface emphasizes shopping recommendations, and its content curation isn't the best. The G5's fantastic image quality far outweighs any of these software hiccups; however, you can achieve a more reliable smart TV experience with other platforms, such as Roku and Google TV.
From a design perspective, the G5 boasts a premium aesthetic, high-quality materials, and a flush wall mount that enables seamless installation with no visible gaps. On the downside, this model does not include a pedestal stand. If wall mounting isn't possible in your space, you'll need to buy a stand separately.
LG also offers a 2026 edition of the G5, called the G6. I got an early look at the G6, and it offers improved processing to minimize banding and a better anti-reflective filter. However, it costs around $700 to $1,000 more than the G5. Dedicated enthusiasts who don't mind paying top dollar should consider the G6, but the G5 remains a stronger value. You can learn more in my roundup of 2026 LG OLED TVs.
Read our LG G5 4K TV review.
Check out our guides to the best LG TVs and best TVs for picture quality.
Best RGB LED
RGB LED TVs are the latest innovation in display technology. Several brands have released various models, but Sony's take on the tech has impressed me the most. The Bravia 7 II is its most affordable offering and delivers exceptional performance, balancing premium picture quality with a reasonable price. This is one of the few RGB LED TVs I've tested so far that genuinely offers better overall performance than most traditional QLED and Mini LED models.
The Bravia 7 II is part of Sony's True RGB lineup, which uses an advanced backlight system with red, green, and blue diodes. This enables a wider, purer, and brighter range of colors than you'd get with a typical LED TV, which uses only white or blue light. You can learn more in our RGB LED vs. Mini LED comparison.
In practice, the Bravia 7 II's advanced backlight system delivers gorgeous colors. I measured around 87% of the expanded BT.2020 color space. Though it's rare for movies and TV shows to use BT.2020, such an extensive gamut is great for futureproofing, and the TV hits nearly 100% of the more widely used P3 gamut.
Deal alert: The 65-inch Bravia 7 II is $600 off at Sony and Best Buy. This is one of the first big discounts this model has received since its release in late May.
Sony's True RGB system delivers other benefits beyond just color, including some of the best contrast performance I've seen on an LED TV. Black levels are fantastic, with a deep, inky quality that often disappears in a dark room. I did see a faint hint of light bleed in black bars on some widescreen movies, but noticeable blooming and halos were essentially absent. Brightness is also impressive, reaching around 2,243 nits, enabling impactful HDR highlights.
One of the most pleasant surprises was just how solid the TV's viewing angles are. The RGB backlight system helps here too, enabling wider off-axis performance. The TV actually lets you toggle the RGB backlight on and off, and the difference in viewing angles during my HDR test scene from "Ex Machina" was dramatic when I turned it off. With the color setting on, the scene maintained its red lightning well, but with it off, the red lighting shifted to a faded orange when viewed from the side.
I also love the Bravia 7 II's Google TV interface, which is quick, easy to navigate, and packed with features, including Gemini AI voice control. The Bravia 7 II comes with Sony's unique Mirage Stand, which uses optical refraction to hide cables routed behind it, making them almost invisible. It's a cool little design choice that adds a bit of extra wow factor.
Sony also sells a step-up True RGB model, called the Bravia 9 II, that costs about $1,000 more and has nearly double the peak brightness, slightly better contrast, a rechargeable backlit remote, and a highly effective anti-glare screen. It's a better fit for big enthusiasts with deep pockets, but the Bravia 7 II gets remarkably close to matching the 9 II's best features for less money.
Check out our guide to the best Sony TVs.
Best anti-glare
If your living room gets a lot of sunlight, dealing with glare on your TV screen can be a major headache. Most TVs use glossy panels that deliver great contrast but are prone to mirror-like reflections. The Samsung S95F tackles this issue head-on with a unique matte screen coating that dramatically reduces glare.
The results are impressive. During my testing, the S95F nearly eliminated direct reflections while watching TV in a brightly lit room. This kind of matte screen could be a genuine game changer for spaces with big windows. Additionally, the S95F can get exceptionally bright for an OLED TV, hitting around 2,170 nits in HDR and 1,000 nits in SDR. Combined with the matte screen, these specs make the S95F one of the best 65-inch TVs for daytime viewing.
That said, the matte finish introduces one notable tradeoff. When light hits the screen, it scatters in such a way that it lifts black levels, giving darker scenes a faintly hazy look. This isn't a big deal while watching bright or colorful content, but when watching moody, low-light scenes, the image appears a bit flat, and shadow detail gets lost. In a dark room, though, the S95F delivers the deep, inky black levels that all OLED TVs are known for.
Ultimately, whether you prefer the S95F's matte screen over a typical glossy panel comes down to your setup and viewing habits. If glare is a big frustration, the benefits here far outweigh the cons.
An updated version of the S95F, called the S95H, is now available as well. I tested the S95H model, and it delivers an even brighter picture, along with a revised design featuring a frame-like bezel. Big enthusiasts should consider the pricier S95H, but for now, most people are still better off with the more affordable S95F.
Read our Samsung S95F 4K TV review.
How we test 65-inch TVs
To select the best 65-inch TVs, our reviewers relied on hands-on testing, bolstered by more than a decade of experience covering home entertainment products. To test displays, we evaluate general picture clarity, contrast performance, HDR peak brightness, color, off-axis viewing, smart TV features, gaming capabilities, and value for the money.
Brightness and other objective display attributes are measured using a meter and test patterns via the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc.
But while test patterns are essential for getting a sense of a display's capabilities, they only tell part of the story. What's even more important is how a TV actually looks when displaying real-world content. With that in mind, we use these displays for day-to-day viewing and watch numerous scenes from movies and TV shows, selecting clips specifically to emphasize black levels, highlights, color capabilities, and upscaling. Our demo material includes a mix of 4K, 1080p high-definition (HD), and standard-definition (SD) content from streaming devices, cable TV, and Blu-ray discs. We also watch content in different lighting conditions to evaluate bright-room and dark-room performance.
The best 65-inch TVs will also feature excellent smart TV capabilities, so we test overall navigation speed, app stability, voice search, digital assistant integration, and additional perks like game streaming support.
For more info on our review process, visit our page detailing how we test tech products.
Meet the expert behind this guide:
Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I've been reviewing home theater gear for over a decade, and every year my team and I test the latest TVs from all the big brands. I also studied film production, so I'm a big nerd when it comes to picture accuracy. I want movies and shows to look exactly the way their creators intended. I use professional calibration tools and benchmark discs to measure things like brightness and color performance, but those numbers only tell you so much. I also live with every TV I review the same way I would if I bought it myself — watching movies, streaming shows, gaming, and just flipping channels to see how it handles everyday viewing. The models in this guide rose above the rest and represent the best 65-inch TVs in their respective categories.
Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.
65-inch TV FAQs
Is 65 inches a good size for a TV?
Traditionally, brands use 65 inches as their flagship size to showcase their most popular TVs, as it delivers big-screen immersion without occupying too much space. However, as the industry continues to adopt larger screen sizes, some companies have started using 75 inches as the entry point for their high-end offerings. Though it's still rare to find a TV that's not available in 65 inches, some premium sets, like the TCL X11L, aren't sold in that size.
If you're looking for a media console or mount to use with a 65-inch TV, check out our guides to the best TV stands and best TV wall mounts for our top picks.
Of course, you can still find excellent TV models in smaller sizes if you need something more compact. Likewise, top displays are available in larger sizes for an even more immersive experience.
Check out our other size-specific guides for more display recommendations:
How much should you spend on a 65-inch TV?
How much you should spend on a 65-inch TV really depends on the level of performance you're after. Prices range from about $300 to more than $3,000. You can snag an entry-level 65-inch model for under $400, but we generally recommend stepping up to one of our picks above for a noticeably better experience.
If you're shopping in the midrange, plan to spend between $550 and $1,000. This tier features strong 65-inch QLED options with local dimming and solid brightness levels, typically ranging from 600 to 1,800 nits.
Shoppers seeking upper-midrange or high-end performance can expect to pay between $1,000 and $4,000. In the $1,000 to $2,000 range, you'll see premium QLED models capable of hitting up to 4,000 nits. Meanwhile, the best OLED TVs typically range in price from $1,300 to $4,000.
And good news for deal hunters: the best 65-inch TVs go on sale year-round. The deepest discounts pop up during events like Prime Day and Black Friday, as well as around sports events like the Super Bowl.
How far should you sit from a 65-inch 4K TV?
The benefits of a 4K screen become most noticeable when you sit at a distance of around one to 1.5 times the size of your TV. At that distance, you'll be able to see the extra detail that 4K resolution offers compared to a 1080p high-definition screen. The ideal viewing distance for a 65-inch 4K TV is between 5.4 and 8.1 feet.
You can sit farther away and still enjoy a 65-inch 4K TV, but the optimal viewing distance will yield the best visible detail. Otherwise, you'll want a larger screen to fully appreciate the benefits of 4K resolution.
Do 65-inch TVs have good sound quality?
Although many of the best 65-inch TVs have better built-in speaker systems than smaller displays, their performance is still limited compared to a separate soundbar or a surround sound setup. Speakers built into most TVs use small audio drivers, which can lead to weak bass and muddy dialogue.
We recommend purchasing a soundbar to enhance your audio performance. For the most immersive experience, look for models that support Dolby Atmos, a spatial audio format that can spread sound effects around your room.
Check out our speaker and soundbar guides to see our top recommendations:
- Best soundbars
- Best budget soundbars
- Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
- Best soundbars with subwoofers
- Best Bose soundbars
- Best Sonos soundbars
- Best surround sound systems
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