Sony BRAVIA 5 K98XR50 97.5"

The Sony BRAVIA 5 K98XR50 is a monster 98-inch MiniLED TV that sounds as good as it looks, and if you catch a deal, it's one of the best values in giant-screen world. Just don't expect it to beat an OLED in the dark.

The Sony BRAVIA 5 K98XR50 is the kind of TV that makes you rethink your living room wall. It's 98 inches of MiniLED goodness with Sony's excellent processing, and the whole package just works. The bright HDR picture, surprisingly capable built-in audio, and smooth Google TV interface all add up to a theater experience that you'll actually enjoy using without an extra soundbar. But the real kicker? The price on this thing fluctuates wildly, and if you snag it near the low end of its $2596-$6298 spread, you're getting a monstrous deal on a screen this good.

What surprised us most is the audio. A TV this thin usually sounds like a tin can, but Sony's 40W speaker system with Dolby Atmos support and Voice Zoom 3 actually delivers clear dialogue and decent punch. It's in the top tier of built-in audio (92nd percentile in our database), so unless you're a bass-head, you might skip the soundbar. The picture quality is strong, with the MiniLED backlight providing impressive brightness and solid HDR pop, though it sits at the 78th percentile overall. That's not the absolute best, and hardcore videophiles might spot some blooming in tricky scenes, but for everyday watching and gaming, it's a gorgeous panel.

The value story here is all about where you buy. Prices jump from $2596 to $6298 across vendors. At the low end (likely refurb or special deal on Newegg), this TV is an absolute steal. Even at mid-range, a 98-inch Sony MiniLED with this feature set is a strong buy. But if you pay top dollar, you're entering flagship OLED territory, and that's a harder sell. So hunt for a deal, and don't be afraid of a certified refurbished unit.

You can't talk 98-inch TVs without mentioning the Hisense U8 100U8QG. It's a 100-inch MiniLED that often undercuts the Sony on price while delivering comparable brightness and gaming chops. If budget is your main concern, the Hisense is the smarter buy. But the Sony fights back with superior motion handling, better built-in audio, and that XR processor magic that makes everything look a little more natural. On the other hand, if you can downsize to 77 inches, the LG OLED evo C4 is in the same price ballpark and absolutely smokes the Sony on contrast and black levels. It's the picture quality king, but you lose that massive screen presence. So decide if you want size and solid all-around performance, or a smaller TV with perfect blacks.

Home theater enthusiasts who worship black levels and watch in a completely dark room should steer clear. This TV's MiniLED backlight can't match OLED contrast, and you'll notice blooming in starfields or moody HDR scenes. If that's you, go for the LG C4 77-inch instead. Also, if you're setting this up on a bright patio or deck, the outdoor score is dismal, so look at a Samsung The Terrace or something weather-resistant.

Grab the Sony BRAVIA 5 if you have the wall space and can find it for under $3500. It's a big, bold television that handles movies, sports, and gaming with confidence, and the audio is so competent you might not need a separate audio system. Skip it if you're a dark-room cinephile who demands OLED-level black levels, but for everyone else, this is an outstanding home theater centerpiece.