Comparing the Best 65-Inch TVs From Samsung, Sony, LG & TCL

For years now, the 65-inch TV has been the ultimate sweet spot for overall screen size. It’s not so big that it completely overwhelms the living room, but it’s not too small either. Now, with nearly all TVs being 4K models, 65 inches tends to be an ideal size for watching 4K movies and shows, along with upscaled HD content. 

With high-quality products from LG, Sony, and Samsung (plus some great budget options from Vizio, TCL, and Amazon Fire TV), the best 65-inch TVs bring cutting-edge smart home features and stunning displays to any living room.

New TVs are a big purchase, and it’s important to get the best TV for the best value. To help make the right decision, here are our top 12 picks at a glance, but keep scrolling for even more top-rated TVs.

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Best 65-Inch TVs at a Glance

1. Best Overall: Samsung QN90B — Starting at $1,267.95

2. Best Picture: LG C2 OLED TV — $1,596.99

3. Best Sound: Sony Bravia XR A80K OLED TV  — $1,898.00

4. Best For Gaming: LG NanoCell 90 — $998.08

5. Best 8K TV: Samsung QN900B 8K TV — Starting at $3,706.50

6. Best Design: LG G2 OLED EVO — $1,999.99

7. Best Under $1,000: Samsung Q60B 65-Inch QLED TV — Starting at $947.95

8. Best For Streaming: Amazon Fire TV Omni — $599.99

9. Best Voice Controls: Samsung Crystal UHD AU8000 — $747.95

10. Most Affordable OLED: LG B2 Series — $1,399.00

11. Best Value: TCL 6-Series — $999.99

The Top 65-Inch TVs for Sale

Although TVs are a significant investment, buyers will most likely be spending a ton of time in front of the tube, and a new flatscreen TV from a top brand can last around a decade,. Our recommendations below have you covered, from the best OLED options to budget-conscious binge-watching smart TVs.

Also, please note that we’ve divided our choices into price categories: premium, mid-range and budget 65-inch TVs. While Sony and LG’s top OLED TVs can’t be beaten in terms of picture quality, there are plenty more top-rated TVs available for one-third the price. We believe we’ve presented some great options for every budget, with quality options starting at just $599.

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Read More: Reviewing The Best Samsung TVs

Key Specs: 

The Samsung QN90B is our top pick among the best 65-inch televisions. Powered by Samsung’s cutting-edge Quantum Matrix Technology, individual light zones of Quantum Mini LEDs deliver some of the most precise and engaging color, contrast, and brightness we’ve seen on any 4K TV. The QN90B is also equipped with Quantum HDR 32X processing to analyze movies and TV shows frame-by-frame, ensuring that the final onscreen image is exactly as the creatives behind the content intended for things to appear.

The QN90B also features an anti-glare screen for TV-watching in brightly-lit rooms, Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound effectively simulate a three-dimensional surround sound experience, and with Samsung’s Tizen smart TV platform, Multi-View, users can watch two different sources at the same time. To top it off, the QN90B features four HDMI 2.1 inputs for future-proofing against next-gen components, like Blu-ray players and game systems.

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Full Review: A Powerful OLED TV Tailor-Made for Gamers

Key Specs: 

When it comes to cinematic brilliance, the LG C2 OLED is one of the best-looking 65-inch TVs on the market today. Built around an all-new OLED Evo panel that delivers color, contrast, and jaw-dropping brightness, the C2 will completely change the look and feel of movies, TV shows, and streaming content. And with LG’s powerful a9 Gen 5 AI Processor and Filmmaker Mode, image upscaling reaches new heights, creating a picture that the world’s most esteemed movie directors can be proud of.

Gamers will also feel at home with the LG C2, thanks to features like NVIDIA G-Sync, FreeSync Premium, VRR, and four HDMI 2.1 inputs for ensuring the smoothest, lag-free frame rates for today’s pulse-pounding PS5 and Xbox Series X titles. LG’s WebOS is back in action, too, offering up an app-rich streaming experience with plenty of smart TV discoveries and customizations right at your fingertips.

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Read More: Sony’s Future-Proof 4K X90J TV Is Built for 2022 But Ready for 2024

Key Specs:

If you’re looking to maximize the sound of your TV without investing in a soundbar, and still want a breathtaking picture to go along with your pulse-pounding audio, the Sony A80K is the set for you. Built with Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, a series of actuators and two internal woofers turn the A80K screen into a giant speaker. On top of filling a room with immersive sound, the A80K uses Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR and XR OLED Triluminos Pro to deliver some of the most impressive 4K images and upscaled HD content we’ve seen on an OLED to date. 

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Read More: The Best Soundbars To Bring Your Home Entertainment System To the Next Level

Key Specs:

Owners of the PS5 or Xbox Series X will probably want to pick up a new TV to take full advantage of the new console. And the new NanoCell 90 series from LG is an excellent choice for an upgrade. This model is compatible with FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, and it has its own game optimizer mode to reduce input lag, screen stuttering, and tearing. The 120Hz refresh rate means buttery smooth motion in cinematic cutscenes and intense action sections.

With Dolby Vision IQ HDR and Dolby Atmos, users also get an excellent picture and immersive sound to create the best gaming experience possible. The updated a7 processor also works with artificial intelligence to provide great native and upscaled 4K resolution, so any game — from retro classics to the latest releases — looks high quality. And with four HDMI inputs, this TV can to connect a variety of consoles.

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Read More: 9 Best 4K TVs for Gaming & Streaming in 2022

Key Specs:

This new model from Samsung is the perfect way to future-proof any home theater. While there isn’t native 8K content from any broadcast or streaming services, the super-powerful processor upscales HD and 4K picture to 8K for tons of clean detailing. With Samsung’s excellent Quantum Matrix Pro and Mini LED lighting, as well as the panel’s industry-leading color, contrast, and brightness, no detail is left to the imagination.

This TV has all of the features its 4K cousins have, including built-in voice controls, MultiView, Tap View, and adaptive picture and sound capabilities. It’s also compatible with OneConnect so there can just be a single cable connecting audio equipment, playback devices, and game consoles for a cleaner-looking home theater.

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Read More: LG’s UltraGear GP9 Review

Key Specs:

Building upon the all-arresting imagery of the LG G1, the brand’s latest take on its Gallery Edition TV features LG’s new and improved Evo panel, making for one of the brightest screens on the market. This being the Gallery Series, LG fully intends for this model to be wall-mounted somewhere prominent. Once it’s up, the G2 Gallery features minimal spacing between the back of the TV and the wall it’s going on, making for an aesthetically-pleasing experience all around.

The set is also packed with the latest LG 4K upscaling tech, picture processing, and the brand’s tried and true WebOS system for all your smart TV needs.

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Read More: The Best Soundbars for Samsung TVs

Key Specs:

If searching for a Samsung QLED TV that won’t break the bank, the Samsung Q60B is a great option to consider. Thanks to Quantum Dot technology and Samsung’s super-fast 4K processor, this TV boasts excellent color accuracy and contrast, albeit not quite as great as an OLED.

Movie fans and gamers alike will also appreciate the Q60B’s immersive Object Tracking Sound Lite that simulates a fully three-dimensional surround sound experience. There’s plenty of web content to unlock, too, with TV apps and the smart interface powered by Samsung’s sleek and intuitive Tizen platform.

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Full Review: Amazon Fire TV Omni

Key Specs:

Once the move’s been made exclusively to streaming content, the all-new Fire TV Omni from Amazon is the perfect medium. It uses the Amazon Fire operating system to put apps like Spotify, Paramount+, and Hulu into one easy-to-access hub menu. The remote and TV have built-in microphones that work with Alexa for hands-free controls, and both mics can be physically muted to protect privacy and prevent accidental app switching via conversation. Alexa Skills can be downloaded directly to the TV, allowing users to turn it into the ultimate entertainment and communication hub.

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Read More: The Best Home Theater Systems 

Key Specs:

For those who can’t live without their favorite virtual assistant, the AU8000 from Samsung is a good choice for a new TV. It features a voice-enabled remote that works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung’s Bixby for hands-free controls; Alexa and Bixby also are built into the TV, so users can start using them right out of the box. The TV can also remotely access any PC or Apple computer, providing access to Cortana and Siri. The LED panel provides excellent 4K resolution and color, and the MultiView and Tap View features let users watch multiple video sources at once and instantly share their mobile device screen. It also has integrated cable management channels to help keep the living room and home theater looking more neat and organized.

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Read More: 8 Best OLED TVs for Sale

Key Specs:

LG is one of the go-to names for OLED sets, and even if opting out of OLED with the LG name, there’s a good chance that LG Display made the screen for it. But if sticking with a reputable OLED brand for a lower cost, stick with the titans of self-emissive pixels and get the LG B2 Series. While not as bright as its C2 older brother and featuring less powerful picture processing, the B2 is still built with LG’s a7 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K, allowing the TV to upscale and calibrate the picture. It includes four HDMI 2.1 inputs and support for HDR formats including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG.

Read More: The Best 55-inch TVs to Buy Today

Key Specs:

Yes, TCLs are priced like budget TVs, but the 6-series certainly doesn’t perform like one. Its built-in smart Roku platform is incredibly easy to navigate and saves users from buying an expensive streaming device. The 6-Series’ picture quality also comes close to the top QLED TVs while only costing a fraction of the price, and even get a true 120hz refresh rate, which isn’t a feature that all high-end sets have. This 65-inch TCL TV is a smart, affordable choice.

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How We Picked the Best 65-inch TVs

When looking at TVs to add to this list, we looked at a few criteria in each model to ensure they were the best. These included:

We tried to balance these five criteria when selecting the best 65-inch TVs. Anyone can admire the technical brilliance of a cutting-edge OLED TV, but at the end of the day, it’s important to get a product that fits the budget. Plenty of premium options will cost several thousand dollars, but the more budget-savvy customer can still find great TVs at more modest prices.

TCL is a well-known brand for offering some of the most affordable televisions that still give 4K resolution and streaming capabilities. LG and Sony offer OLED models, and while they will be more costly than QLED or LED models, you can still find a few that won’t give off a nasty sticker shock. Samsung and Sony also have the home audio game locked down with object tracking sound and TVs that turn the entire screen into a speaker for better syncing and richer tones.

Finally, what good is a new TV if it can’t connect to home audio equipment or game consoles? Connectivity is essential for controlling the TV with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. It’s also important if there are several devices connected to your TV simultaneously. Most people have a media streaming device, whether it be a Fire Stick or Chromecast, a gaming system, a soundbar, or some sort of sound system connected to their TV — that’s four HDMI ports. We looked for TVs that have three to four HDMI ports to keep all devices connected to a new, 65-inch TV. Some cheaper models only have two to three HDMI ports, but that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.

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Display Technology: QLED vs. OLED TVs

The two most common TV types among the best 65-inch TVs are QLED TVs and OLED TVs: QLED stands for quantum light-emitting diode, while OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode.

QLED TVs use quantum-dot technology. OLED TVs, meanwhile, are the current king of the hill when it comes to TV technology. Unlike QLED displays, OLEDs don’t have individual LCD pixels and LED lights. Instead, each individual LED is also a pixel that can generate color. Combined with millions of other LEDs, they can generate a picture with superior colors compared to a QLED. And because OLEDs don’t have to light up the black parts of a picture, it also has an infinite contrast ratio. Best of all, they tend to be thinner and lighter than LED panels. Of course, buyers end up paying a premium for the advanced technology. Today, OLED TVs can’t be beaten in terms of picture quality. It’s that simple.

Read More: What’s The Difference Between LED, QLED and OLED TVs?

The contrast ratio is the difference between your screen’s brightest and darkest parts. The goal is for your TV to achieve perfect black. Most LED TVs have light leakage, so even the darkest spots have some light shining through. An excellent contrast ratio for a QLED TV, for instance, will be something like 10000:1. The brightest part of your screen is 10,000 times brighter than the darkest areas.

OLED TVs are the only TV to date with an infinite contrast ratio. The picture pops off of the screen with a high contrast ratio. The one downside to OLED TVs is that they aren’t able to get as bright as QLED TVs, which means that they may not be ideal for bright environments.

While color and brightness are two separate things, they go hand in hand. The advantage of getting a QLED TV over an OLED is that a brighter TV will look better in a brighter room. And with 4K TVs having all those pixels crammed into the panel, color and brightness look as incredible as ever, even on more affordable models like the Hisense and TCL 6-Series.

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Why 65-Inch TVs Are the Perfect Size

Size matters, and no one wants a TV that’s so big it overwhelms a room, nor one that’s too small and asks viewers to lean in to see what’s happening. The average size of a living room in a home is about 340 square feet. Even though the exact dimensions can vary depending on the room’s layout, it’s still the largest room in a home on average.

With room dimensions in mind, it’s also important to calculate the proper viewing distance. Ideally, the distance one should be sitting is double the TV’s screen size. Knowing that we’re dealing with 65-inch TVs, that comes out to 130 inches, or about 10.8 feet away. Considering that we’re dealing with roughly 340 square feet, 65-inch TVs are suitable enough to create enough distance for a comfortable viewing experience.

Barring mansions or tiny studio apartments, 65-inch TVs are the perfect size for most living rooms, providing enough real estate to lay out the rest of the furniture strategically.

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Should I Buy a New 65-inch TV?

A new TV will last anywhere from eight to 11 years. By purchasing a 65-inch TV for $1,200 and keeping it for the average lifespan, that’s only $100 a year or $8.33 a month — less than what many pay for a Netflix subscription. A top-rated 65-inch TV is economical and far more attainable than many have initially thought. If planning a purchase, Amazon Prime Day is one of the best times to buy a premium 4K TV, thanks to the major cost savings, and it’s right around the corner.

When browsing Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart, it’s clear that 65-inch TVs are some of the most popular choices. They offer a balance between screen size, price, and features. A TV that is too big for a space can make the room feel crowded or even cause motion sickness. A 65-inch screen gives plenty of viewing area without feeling overwhelming. This size class is also on the more affordable end of the spectrum, especially when foregoing brand loyalty and going with a smaller company like TCL or Hisense. It’s easy to find a new TV from these companies for $500 or less without having to give up things like HDR support or virtual surround sound.

The Big Three (Samsung, Sony, and LG) have leaped into the future of home entertainment by introducing TVs capable of native 8K resolution. While 8K content is still a few years away, big spenders can snag one of these models and future-proof their home theater.

The average person watches 3,639 movies and 31,507 episodes of TV shows in their lifetime, according to OnePoll. With numbers like that, it’s crucial to get one of the best 65-inch TVs for binge-watching, and gamers will appreciate their favorite titles in a whole new way once they upgrade to a 120 Hz refresh rate. Finally, a brand-new 65-inch TV always makes a fantastic gift for the entire family.

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Why Trust SPY When Shopping for TVs?

SPY.com relies on a team of tech editors, e-commerce journalists, and product reviewers to bring you only the best home entertainment gadgets. Over the years, we’ve reviewed countless TVs. From January to December, we’re constantly looking for the newest releases in this product category. We have shopping guides for virtually every type of television, including the thinnest TVs, affordable flatscreen TVs, the best 75-inch TVs, curved TVs and more. We also closely monitor new TV display technology such as next-generation Micro LED displays and rolling screens.

Simply put, if looking for the best 65-inch TVs available today, trust us to provide only expert recommendations. SPY’s former tech editor Adrian Covert and television writer Taylor Clemons contributed to this shopping guide. As new products are released, we’ll be sure to update this guide with new options.