Sony A3000 85 Inch 85" 2022 Review

Buy the Sony X85K for the giant 85-inch size and great gaming speed, not for groundbreaking picture quality. It's a big, fast, middle-of-the-road TV.

The Sony X85K is a big, fast screen that's surprisingly good for gaming, but you're buying it for the size, not the picture quality. That's the one thing to know. It's an 85-inch 4K TV with a native 120Hz panel, which is a killer combo for a home theater or living room where you want to feel immersed in movies and games. But our data shows its picture quality and audio scores land in the middle of the pack, so while it's a solid performer, it's not going to wow you with deep blacks or incredible brightness like a high-end model.

The gaming performance is what surprised us. It lands in the 84th percentile, which is excellent for a mid-range LED TV. The native 120Hz refresh rate and Sony's motion handling mean fast-paced games look smooth and blur-free. But the HDR, while decent at the 77th percentile, doesn't have the punch of a Mini-LED or OLED. You get Dolby Vision support, which is great, but the overall picture quality score is only at the 45th percentile. So it's fast, but the image is just good, not great.

At around $2800 for an 85-inch screen, the value is okay, not amazing. You're getting a lot of TV for your money in terms of sheer size and solid gaming features. But if your top priority is the absolute best picture, this isn't it. You're trading some image quality for that giant canvas.

This sits in a weird spot. The Sony BRAVIA 5 (Mini-LED) and TCL QM8 (QD-Mini LED) will both destroy it in brightness and contrast for similar or less money, but you'd have to step down to a 75-inch or 65-inch model. If you must have an 85-inch screen and can't afford an OLED, this is a contender. But the LG OLED evo G5, while way more expensive, offers a perfect picture. The X85K is the pragmatic choice for a big room where you sit far back and just want a reliable, large screen that's good for gaming.

Skip this if you're a videophile or sit close to the screen. The average picture quality won't justify the price for you. Go get a 75-inch TCL QM8 or Sony BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED instead for a much better picture, even on a smaller screen.

We recommend the Sony X85K if your living room demands an 85-inch screen and you're a casual gamer or movie watcher who prioritizes size over perfect picture quality. It's a reliable workhorse. But if you sit closer, care deeply about HDR impact, or can compromise on size for a 75-inch Mini-LED, you'll get a much better viewing experience for your money elsewhere.