The best 65-inch TVs offer a big-screen experience that's ideal for movies, TV shows, and sports. With the March Madness tournament in full swing, it's now the perfect time to snag a new set for viewing parties. However, the right 65-inch TV for your needs will vary depending on your budget and viewing habits.
To help narrow your search, our tech experts conducted extensive hands-on testing to select the best 65-inch TVs you can buy. We've been reviewing TVs for over a decade and have used that experience to inform our selection. The Samsung S90D 4K TV is our top pick overall. Thanks to its OLED panel and quantum dot technology, it delivers stunning contrast and a wide range of vibrant colors. But if that's too pricey, the Hisense U6N is the best 65-inch TV for budget-conscious shoppers. It boasts better picture quality than any other TV we've tested in its price range.
Below are all five of our picks for the best 65-inch TVs. Our carefully vetted recommendations cover every display type and price range, so you're sure to find something here to suit your needs.
Our top picks for the best 65-inch TVs
Best overall: Samsung S90D - See at Amazon
Best on a budget: Hisense U6N - See at Amazon
Best premium display: Sony A95L - See at Amazon
Best midrange model: TCL QM7 - See at Amazon
Best smart TV interface: Roku Pro Series - See at Walmart
Best overall
The S90D is our favorite TV overall. Its QD-OLED panel delivers a high-contrast image with vivid colors, wide viewing angles, and impressive brightness for this class.
- Excellent peak brightness for a midrange OLED
- High color volume with quantum dot technology
- Wide viewing angles so picture doesn't degrade when sitting off center
- Smart TV interface is OK but not the best
- Issue with update notifications
- Dolby Vision isn't supported
When factoring in performance and price, the Samsung S90D is the best 65-inch TV — and our pick for the best TV period — that you can buy. It wowed us in all our tests, and it can often be found for around $1,500 to $1,700, which is fantastic for such an impressive display.
Part of what makes the 65-inch S90D so impressive is the display's use of an OLED panel with quantum dots. Similarly priced LG OLED TVs are missing quantum dots, and this feature enables the S90D to produce brighter colors. Coupled with the TV's infinite contrast ratio, the S90D's quantum dot filter leads to gorgeous high-dynamic-range (HDR) images. In our testing, we measured a peak brightness of around 1,240 nits, which is excellent for a midrange OLED and about 200 nits more than Samsung's older S90C TV.
And though it's disappointing that Samsung doesn't support the Dolby Vision format, which can provide a more finely-tuned HDR image, the S90D's HDR10 and HDR10+ capabilities are so strong that we don't think most people will notice a difference. You can learn more about how various HDR formats compare in our HDR TV guide. The S90D also upscales lower-resolution content well, but it can't match the picture processing of high-end Sony displays.
Whether you're watching 4K movies in a dark room or enjoying sports in an average living room during the day, the S90D looks great. It also has wide viewing angles, so you can sit to the side without a loss in image quality. The smart TV interface is solid as well, though its navigation speed isn't as consistent as we'd like. We also ran into some glitches related to notification pop-ups and automatic app start-ups, but these issues should be easy to fix with firmware.
On the plus side, Samsung's OS is one of the few smart TV platforms supporting Xbox Game Pass, which lets members stream high-end games without a console. The TV also supports a high 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC, making this an ideal gaming display.
Buyers should note that a 2025 version of this TV, called the S90F, is set for release in the spring. The new model is expected to get even brighter but will cost more when it launches. Given current sale prices, we think the S90D is still an excellent buy and will likely remain the better value of the two for much of the year.
Check out our full guide to the best Samsung TVs.
Best on a budget
The U6N is one of the top budget TVs available. The 4K QLED display uses quantum dots, local dimming, and a Mini LED backlight to deliver higher contrast and a wider range of colors than most competitors in its class.
- Great contrast for the money thanks to local dimming with Mini LEDs
- Quantum dots enable wide range of vivid colors
- Performance matches many midrange TVs that cost more
- The TV's 60Hz panel isn't ideal for gamers
- Picture quality degrades a lot from an angle
- Noticeable color banding in some streaming content
Hisense's U6N is our pick for the best 65-inch TV on a budget. Despite some performance tradeoffs, the U6N delivers incredible value at this size, with image quality that's a step above other similarly priced offerings.
Like the brand's older U6K TV, this budget-friendly TV uses a QLED display with local dimming. While there are direct competitors with those features, the U6N is one of the few TVs in this class that also uses Mini LED technology. Mini LEDs enable more precise control of a TV's light output to produce better contrast and less blooming (halos around bright objects). And though the U6K also had Mini LEDs, the U6N uses more dimming zones, which enables even better contrast performance.
But while the U6N's dimming performance is great for its class, black levels aren't quite as precise as they are on more expensive QLED sets. We also noticed some banding (blocky rather than smooth color gradients) when watching certain streaming apps, which is something that pricier sets handle better.
The U6N also has a dimmer image compared to premium QLEDs, so it's not ideal for rooms that let in a lot of light. That said, the TV's brightness is still solid for the money. We measured a peak of around 625 nits, and the TV produces highlights with just enough intensity to demonstrate the perks of high-dynamic-range content. And thanks to its quantum dot filter, the U6N offers a wide range of colors when watching HDR videos. You'll just want to view those videos from a centered view since colors distort if you sit at an angle.
Poor off-axis performance is the norm for budget TVs, but this drawback is important to keep in mind. And like most TVs in this price range, the U6N has a 60Hz screen rather than 120Hz. This means the TV can't support high-frame-rate modes on a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S. But with sale prices as low as $500, there simply isn't another 65-inch TV this cheap that can beat the U6N.
Check out our guides to all the best budget TVs and best TVs under $500.
Best premium display
Sony's A95L is the best high-end TV you can buy. Though pricey, its QD-OLED panel delivers the most impressive picture quality we've seen. It's also got a premium design and Google's convenient smart TV interface.
- One of the brightest OLEDs on the market
- Sony's processing offers top image accuracy
- Comes with a webcam for video calls and gesture controls
- Pricier than similar OLEDs
- Only has two 4K/120Hz HDMI ports
- No 144Hz mode for PC gaming
Sony's A95L OLED is built for home theater enthusiasts. It's expensive, but the display edges out the picture performance of every other 4K TV we've reviewed.
Compared to its already impressive predecessor, the A95K, the A95L offers a big upgrade in one key area: peak brightness. We measured a peak of around 1,500 nits on a 5% test pattern with the TV set in its most accurate picture mode. That's a 50% increase over the previous model and one of the highest brightness levels we've ever seen on an OLED. This lets the TV display specular highlights (like explosions) with more realistic intensity when watching HDR content graded beyond 1,000 nits.
But while the A95L's brightness is impressive, the Samsung S95D, LG G4, and Panasonic Z95 OLEDs can surpass it. However, the A95L still distinguishes itself from competitors thanks to Sony's proprietary picture processing powered by its "Cognitive Processor XR." Though that sounds like marketing jargon, this tech makes a difference when optimizing the TV's images. Its HDR tone mapping is also more accurate than Samsung's. And unlike Samsung it supports Dolby Vision, so you'll get slightly better high-dynamic-range performance when watching Dolby Vision content.
The display complements its high-end picture with a premium design and a unique stand that can be attached in a low- or high-profile configuration. Low allows the TV to sit flush with your entertainment console, while high gives you enough room to put a soundbar in front.
The A95L also boasts reliable Google TV streaming and comes with a webcam that can be used for video calls and gesture controls, which is a cool extra perk. From image quality to design, the A95L fully earns its premium status. We wish it had more HDMI 2.1 ports and a 144Hz mode for PC gaming, but those omissions are minor compared to everything the A95L does right.
Though most people will be satisfied with a less expensive TV, the A95L is ideal for videophiles willing to pay a premium to get the best movie-watching experience. However, shoppers willing to wait should note that Sony is set to release a new version of this TV, called the Bravia 8 II, later this year. The Bravia 8 II promises even better picture performance, but pricing and an exact release date haven't been announced yet.
Best midrange model
The TCL QM7 is an impressive midrange QLED TV. Its Mini LED contrast performance, high brightness, and 144Hz gaming capabilities are nearly unrivaled at this price range.
- High brightness at a midrange price
- Good contrast performance thanks to Mini LED local dimming
- Fast 144Hz refresh rate for smooth gaming
- Snappy smart TV navigation
- Black-level imperfections and fluctuations
- Occasional motion stuttering with some streaming content
- Small OS glitches here and there
- Mediocre viewing angles
TCL's QM7 is one of the best 65-inch TVs on a midrange budget. The display's QLED panel delivers a peak of around 1,700 nits, which makes it one of the brightest displays in its price range. This high brightness gives HDR images sparkling intensity and gives you plenty of headroom to pump up SDR (standard dynamic range) luminance to combat glare. This is especially useful when watching sports in a room with lots of windows.
Like its predecessor, the Q7 QLED, the QM7 has local dimming support. This feature allows the TV to precisely adjust its light output across specific zones. Even better, the QM7 uses Mini LEDs rather than the standard-sized LEDs found on the Q7. As a result, the display can pack in more zones, which leads to better contrast control.
This leads to excellent image performance, and we didn't notice any major blooming around bright objects during our review. That said, black levels aren't perfect, and they don't quite disappear into a dark room the way they would on an OLED model. And though decent, the TV's handling of lower-quality sources isn't as sharp and clean as we've seen on pricier sets from brands like Sony, LG, and Samsung.
Like most QLED TVs, viewing angles are also mediocre, so colors and contrast fade if you sit to the side of the display. On the plus side, the TV is well-equipped for gaming. It's one of the most affordable 144Hz displays on the market, which enables smooth gameplay when paired with a compatible PC.
We were also impressed by the TV's snappy Google TV interface, which offers access to all of the best streaming services. Some glitches did pop up during our testing, but nothing was bothersome enough to impact our overall experience.
Buyers should note that TCL just released a new 2025 version of this TV, called the QM7K, which promises an even brighter picture and improved dimming performance. However, the QM7K costs considerably more. We'll be testing the QM7K soon and will update this guide with more details in the coming weeks.
Read our TCL QM7 4K TV review.
Check out our guide to the best sports TVs.
Best smart TV interface
Roku's flagship Pro Series TV is a great all-around 4K QLED. Though similarly priced TCL and Hisense models have an edge in image quality, Roku's intuitive smart TV interface, handy backlit voice remote, and easy assembly make the Pro Series a worthy competitor.
- Great black levels and contrast for a QLED
- Good brightness and quantum-dot color performance
- Simple and intuitive Roku smart TV interface
- Voice remote is rechargeable and backlit
- Narrow viewing angles
- Minor motion and picture processing issues
- Notable screen reflections in bright rooms
- No dedicated gaming bar feature
There are many smart TV interfaces out there, but Roku's OS (operating system) is our favorite for its ease of use. The brand's OS is available on some entry-level TVs from TCL and Hisense, but none of those options perform as well as Roku's own flagship Pro Series TV.
Like the TCL QM7, the Roku Pro Series features a QLED panel with a Mini LED backlight and local dimming. This gives it great control over its light output, with better black level and contrast performance than cheaper QLED TVs, like the Hisense U6N. It can also get much brighter than that model with over 1,000 nits of peak luminance.
That said, the Pro Series can't quite match the brightness or backlight precision of other QLEDs in this class, like the TCL QM7, and it's capped at 120Hz rather than 144Hz. It also suffers from poor viewing angles and reflections in bright rooms, but those are common drawbacks for most QLEDs.
Thankfully, the Roku Pro Series makes up for these cons with quick smart TV navigation and key design perks. The Roku homepage is simple to use and puts all your favorite apps upfront as large tiles that you can organize as you wish. We prefer this over the more content-heavy focus of other platforms, like the Fire TV OS, which can come across as a bit cluttered. Moving through services is speedy and we didn't encounter any major hiccups in our tests.
We also love the TV's compact remote, which charges via USB, so you don't need batteries. It has backlit keys, too, for easy use in a dark room. You can access voice search by speaking a wake word or by pressing a button on the remote. And if you ever lose the remote, it has a built-in speaker that will chime when you press a button on the TV.
This focus on user-friendly conveniences extends to the TV's stand as well. The left and right feet don't require tools to attach and instead use a knob system that you can turn with your hands. The stand can also be positioned in a high or low setting to make room for a soundbar.
There are other QLEDs with better image quality in this price range, but the Roku Pro Series is the best 65-inch TV for buyers who want an upper midrange display that emphasizes general ease of use.
Read our Roku Pro Series 4K TV review.
Check out our guides to all the best smart TVs and best Roku TVs.
How we test 65-inch TVs
To pick the best 65-inch TVs, our experts relied on hands-on testing bolstered by more than a decade's worth of experience reviewing home entertainment products. To test displays, we evaluate them for general picture clarity, contrast performance, HDR peak brightness, color, off-axis viewing, smart TV interface, and value for the money.
Brightness is measured using an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter. Other objective display capabilities are evaluated using test patterns found on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc.
To get a sense of real-world performance, we also watch scenes from movies and TV shows with clips specifically selected to emphasize a display's 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 have excellent smart TV features, so we test overall navigation speed and app stability, voice search, digital assistant integration, and extra perks like game streaming support.
For more info on our review process, visit our page detailing how we test tech products.
65-inch TV FAQs
Is it worth buying a 65-inch TV?
If you have the space for it, we think 65 inches is the ideal size to consider when shopping for a new TV, especially a 4K model. Many brands use 65 inches as their flagship size to showcase their best 4K TVs, and this size is great for delivering big-screen immersion without taking up too much room. 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 if you want an even more immersive screen.
Check out our other size-specific guides for more display recommendations:
When will 2025 65-inch TV models be released?
Several TV brands announced new 65-inch TVs at CES in January 2025. LG has already launched preorders for its C5 and G5 OLED TVs, and TCL is selling its new QM6K and QM7K QLED TVs. However, pricing and specific release dates are still pending for most 2025 displays. Based on previous launch windows, we expect more new TVs to hit stores in the spring.
That said, 2024 TV models should remain available for the better part of the year and will likely be discounted to much lower prices than their 2025 counterparts. We'll be reviewing new 2025 models as they're released to determine which 65-inch models offer the best value.
For more details on upcoming 65-inch displays, check out our roundup of new TVs announced at CES 2025 and our breakdown of 2025 TV trends.
How much should you spend on a 65-inch TV?
Exactly how much you should spend on a 65-inch TV depends on your viewing needs. The best 65-inch TVs range in price from around $500 to over $3,000. You can also find cheaper entry-level 65-inch TVs for under $400, but we generally recommend paying more for one of our above-mentioned picks.
Buyers shopping for a midrange 65-inch TV should expect to spend $500-$1,000. In this price range, you can find 65-inch QLED TVs that offer advanced picture quality features, like local dimming, and good brightness performance that can reach 600-1,700 nits.
Buyers who want an upper-midrange or high-end 65-inch TV should be looking to spend $1,000-$3,000. You can find advanced 65-inch QLED TVs that deliver up to 3,000 nits of brightness in the $1,000-$2,000 range, while the best OLED TVs with infinite contrast ratios tend to sell for $1,600-$3,000.
The best 65-inch TVs often go on sale throughout the year, but the lowest prices are available during sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday and around major sports championships like the Super Bowl and March Madness.
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 should be between 5.4 and 8.1 feet from your TV.
You can sit farther away and still enjoy a 65-inch 4K TV, but that range will yield the best visible detail. Otherwise, you'll want a bigger screen to get the full benefits of 4K.
Should you purchase a 65-inch 8K TV?
Though some brands do sell 65-inch 8K TVs, we don't recommend buying one in this screen size. When viewing it at a reasonable distance, 65 inches just isn't big enough to show off the benefits of an 8K resolution screen.
A 75-inch or larger 8K TV is better suited for highlighting the additional detail you get with 8K resolution, but even then, the benefits are subtle. We recommend saving money and going with a 4K model if you want a 65-inch TV.
Do 65-inch TVs have good sound quality?
Though the best 65-inch TV models have better built-in speaker systems than smaller displays, performance is still limited compared to a separate soundbar or surround sound setup. Speakers integrated into most TVs use small audio drivers that can lead to weak bass and muddy dialogue.
We recommend buying a soundbar to improve 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
Do TVs include free access to local networks?
The best 65-inch TVs all feature integrated digital tuners that allow you to hook up an antenna (sold separately) to receive free over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts. So long as you have good reception in your area, you can watch local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox without a cable subscription.
Check out our guide to the best indoor TV antennas to see our top recommendations. And if you're willing to pay for a subscription to access more channels, check out our guide to the best live TV streaming services.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
