Sony BRAVIA 9 K65XR90 64.5"

The BRAVIA 9's Mini-LED panel delivers punchy HDR and excellent motion, with audio that genuinely impresses. Gaming is smooth at 120Hz, and buyers love it—social proof is near the top of our charts. Outdoor viewing is its Achilles' heel, but if you're indoors, it's a wonderful TV for movies and gaming.

Sony's BRAVIA 9 K65XR90 is a 65-inch Mini-LED QLED TV that aims to bring the movie theater home with serious brightness and color fidelity. It packs the XR processor, Dolby Vision, and a 120Hz panel into a package that's built as much for cinephiles as it is for gamers. The spec sheet is stacked, with 4 HDMI ports, Bluetooth 5.3, and a hefty 70W audio system that actually supports Dolby Atmos without making you reach for a soundbar immediately. It's not perfect, especially if you're hoping to use it in a sun-drenched room, but for most living rooms, it's a strong contender.

We threw everything we had at this thing, and the numbers back up the hype. In our database, its social proof sits in the 98th percentile, which means actual buyers are pretty thrilled. The display quality landed in the 85th percentile, and while it's not topping every chart, it's firmly in "one of the best on the market" territory for Mini-LED. Google TV runs the show, so you get a clean smart interface and built-in Chromecast. Just know that "budget" here is relative; at its typical price, you're paying a premium for that Sony badge.

The BRAVIA 9 lives up to its name in most key areas. Display metrics put it in the 85th percentile, with black levels and peak brightness that make HDR content pop, especially Dolby Vision. Gaming is smooth thanks to 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, and while it's not the absolute fastest panel we've tested, the 79th percentile gaming score means it'll keep up with a PS5 or Xbox without complaint. The audio is a pleasant surprise: 70W total and Dolby Atmos support deliver clear dialogue and decent bass for built-in speakers, hitting the 79th percentile. Picture quality and HDR handling both sit around the 76th-79th percentile mark, which is solid, but the smart platform lands at a more middling 71st percentile—Google TV is snappy but not revolutionary. The biggest downer is outdoor viewing, where it scored a dismal 57.2/100; this TV really isn't meant for patios or bright sunrooms.

Pricing across vendors is currently a mess, ranging from $1800 for refurbished units to a nonsensical $653,245. The sweet spot looks to be around that sub-$2k refurb or open-box price from Newegg or Best Buy. If you can snag it near the low end, it's a great deal for a premium Mini-LED that outmuscles most mid-range competition. At the higher new-in-box price, you're stepping into OLED territory, and that's where the value argument gets shaky. For what it delivers, we'd say hunt for a sale or a trusted refurb listing to make the most of your cash.

Stacked up against the Hisense U8 65U8QG, the Sony pulls ahead in out-of-the-box color accuracy and motion handling, but the Hisense often costs less and gets brighter in small highlights. Samsung's QN900F is an 8K monster with better smart software, but you'll pay a lot more for resolution most people won't notice. The LG G5 OLED is the pick if you want perfect blacks and wide viewing angles, though it can't match the BRAVIA 9's peak brightness in a sunny room. TCL's QM8K delivers similar Mini-LED tech at a usually lower price, but Sony's image processing and audio quality give it an edge for movie buffs. The Roku Plus Series isn't even in the same league; it's a budget option that just can't keep up.

If you're setting up in a room with floor-to-ceiling windows or a bright sunroom, look elsewhere. The poor outdoor and reflection handling will drive you nuts. Also, if you're sensitive to off-angle color shifts, an OLED like the LG G5 is a better fit despite costing more.

The Sony BRAVIA 9 K65XR90 is for the person who wants a cinematic experience without the hassle of a projector or the fear of OLED burn-in. It shines in a dark or moderately lit room, handles gaming with ease, and actually sounds good. If you can find it at a non-insane price, it's a brilliant buy. Just keep the curtains drawn.