LG QNED 65QNED85AUA 65.1"

The LG QNED 65QNED85AUA is a 65-inch MiniLED 4K TV with vivid colors, a smooth 120Hz gaming experience, and a user-friendly webOS smart platform. It lacks Dolby Vision and has mediocre built-in speakers, so plan on a soundbar. Shop around for pricing between $900 and $1,100 to get the best deal.

If you're hunting for a 65-inch 4K TV that won't smash your bank account but still feels premium, the LG QNED 65QNED85AUA is a very tempting option. It's part of LG's MiniLED lineup, using tiny LEDs behind the screen to boost brightness and contrast over regular LED sets. The result is a picture that's crisp, colorful, and handles dark scenes much better than you'd expect for the price, especially with Dimming Pro controlling the backlight zones. And because it's running webOS, you get one of the slickest smart TV platforms around, with free LG Channels, all the major apps, and voice assistants built right in.

We've seen this TV priced anywhere between $900 and $1,100 depending on sales, which puts it right in the competitive sweet spot against Samsung's QN85D and Hisense's U7 series. The 65-inch size is perfect for most living rooms, and with a 120Hz native panel and FreeSync Premium, it's clearly aimed at gamers too. While it's not an OLED, the MiniLED tech closes the gap significantly, especially when you're watching in a room with some ambient light.

For streaming, the Alpha 8 AI Processor Gen2 does a solid job upscaling older content and optimizing picture and sound on the fly. And if you're deep into smart home stuff, the connectivity here is best-in-class, with Wi-Fi 6E and plenty of HDMI 2.1 ports. It's the kind of TV that feels like a long-term investment, especially since LG promises up to five years of webOS updates.

Let's talk numbers and real-world feel. In our database, this LG's picture quality sits around the 79th percentile, which means it's well above average and easily beats most budget 4K sets. Colors are accurate and vibrant thanks to 100% Color Volume, and MiniLED backlighting with local dimming helps keep black levels deeper than typical edge-lit TVs. That said, HDR performance is just okay at the 51st percentile; HDR10 Pro looks fine for most movies, but without Dolby Vision, you won't get scene-by-scene optimization on Netflix or Disney Plus the way you would on a Sony or Samsung flagship.

Gaming performance is a standout. The 120Hz panel, FreeSync Premium, and HDMI 2.1 ports deliver smooth, tear-free gameplay whether you're on an Xbox Series X or a gaming PC. Input lag stays low in Game Mode, and the Game Optimizer menu puts all your settings in one place. Connectivity is seriously impressive too, ranking in the 96th percentile among all TVs. Four HDMI ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and eARC mean you won't run out of ways to hook up soundbars, consoles, and streaming sticks.

At the time of writing, you'll find the LG QNED 65QNED85AUA selling for anywhere between $900 and $1,100, so it pays to shop around. The lowest prices tend to pop up at retailers like Best Buy during sales events. For around $900, this TV is a very strong value, offering MiniLED backlighting, 120Hz gaming chops, and a top-tier smart platform. But if you're paying closer to $1,100, the Samsung QN85D starts to look attractive when it's on sale, and the Hisense U7 gives you similar brightness for noticeably less cash, though its Google TV interface isn't as polished as webOS.

Pinned against its main rivals, this LG slots in nicely. The Samsung QN85D is the most direct competitor: both are 65-inch MiniLED TVs with 120Hz panels and excellent gaming features. Samsung's Neo QLED often gets a bit brighter and supports HDR10+ Adaptive, but its Tizen OS can feel cluttered compared to webOS. The Hisense U7 65U75QG is usually $100-$200 cheaper and also packs MiniLED with impressive brightness, but its local dimming algorithm is less refined, and the Google TV experience annoys some with ads. If you're a fan of a simpler interface, the TCL QM8K Series 75QM8K is a larger 75-inch option with Roku built in, but you'll trade some picture processing polish for that bigger screen. The Sony BRAVIA 5 K55XR50 is a 55-inch model, so it's not a direct size match, but it's worth mentioning because Sony's processor and upscaling are class-leading, and you get Dolby Vision. It costs more, though, and you'd be losing 10 inches of screen real estate. For most people, the LG hits a sweet spot of picture quality, gaming, and smart features without breaking the bank.

If audio quality is a big deal and you don't want the extra expense of a soundbar, or if you need Dolby Vision for the best streaming HDR, you'll likely be happier with a Sony BRAVIA 5 or an LG OLED. Also, if you're on a strict budget, the Hisense U7 delivers similar MiniLED brightness for less, though its smart experience isn't as polished. Anyone who watches mostly in a sun-drenched room might also want a TV with better anti-reflection, as this one isn't the best at handling direct light.

Should you buy the LG QNED 65QNED85AUA? If you want a big, beautiful MiniLED screen that handles both streaming and gaming with ease, and you don't mind adding a soundbar, the answer is yes, especially if you can snag it around the $900 mark. The picture is crisp and colorful, webOS is a joy to use, and the connectivity options future-proof your setup for years. Just don't expect the absolute deepest blacks or Dolby Vision, and know that the built-in audio won't do the visuals justice on its own. For an everyday family TV that's also a solid gaming display, it's a smart buy.