LG UT90 Series 98.2" 2024 Review

This is the biggest TV you can get for under $2,000. It scores in the 74th percentile for gaming, making it a great big-screen gaming pick. Just know that its picture quality (43rd percentile) and audio (31st) are budget-tier to hit that price and size.

The LG UT90 is a 98-inch 4K TV that's all about size. At this price point, you're getting a massive screen for under $2,000, which is a rarity. The big number here is the 74th percentile gaming score, thanks to its 120Hz panel and LG's Game Optimizer. That makes it a surprisingly capable big-screen gaming option, even if it's not the absolute top tier.

But you have to know what you're trading for that size. Its picture quality sits in the 43rd percentile, and its audio is down at the 31st. This isn't a TV that wins on pure visual fidelity. It wins by being a huge, bright, and reasonably responsive canvas for movies, sports, and games, all wrapped up in LG's familiar webOS smart platform.

Performance is a mixed bag, heavily dependent on what you're measuring. For gaming, it's strong. That 74th percentile ranking means it's faster and more responsive than about three-quarters of the TVs in our database, which is impressive for a budget-friendly 98-inch model. The 120Hz refresh rate and low input lag are the stars here.

For everything else, the numbers are more modest. The α8 AI Processor 4K does its job with upscaling and motion, but the HDR performance is in the 59th percentile, and overall picture quality is just 43rd. This tells us the panel itself is the limiting factor. It's a standard LED backlight, not a Mini-LED or OLED, so don't expect the infinite contrast or pinpoint local dimming of more expensive sets. It gets bright and colorful, but it's not a reference display.

The value proposition is incredibly simple: size per dollar. At around $1,800, you are getting a screen that is physically larger than almost anything else near this price. The Sony BRAVIA 5 85" costs more for a smaller screen. The trade-off is in panel technology. You're getting a big, basic LED screen instead of a smaller, more advanced Mini-LED or OLED. If your primary goal is to fill a wall with a bright, functional image for a low price, the math works. If your goal is the best possible picture, you spend the same money on a smaller, better TV.

Stacked against key competitors, the UT90's role is clear. The Sony BRAVIA 5 85" will destroy it in picture quality (Mini-LED vs. standard LED) but costs more for 13 fewer inches. The Hisense U6 Series 75" Mini-LED is likely a better picture for similar money, but again, you're giving up 23 inches of screen real estate. The LG OLED evo G5 77" offers arguably the best picture quality available, but at a much higher price point for a smaller screen. The UT90 doesn't win on specs. It wins by being the biggest TV you can get without jumping into the $3,000+ range. It's for the 'bigger is better' crowd on a budget.

Skip this TV if you're a home theater purist. The 43rd percentile picture quality and 59th percentile HDR score mean you're making a big compromise on image fidelity for the sake of size. Also, avoid it if you have a small room—a 98-inch screen needs serious viewing distance. Finally, if you hate the idea of needing external audio, the 31st percentile audio performance is a deal-breaker on its own.

We recommend the LG 98" UT90 for one specific buyer: someone who values sheer screen size above all else and has a tight budget. Its 74th percentile gaming chops are a legit bonus for console or PC gamers wanting an immersive setup. For everyone else—especially home theater enthusiasts who care about contrast, black levels, and HDR impact—the middling 43rd percentile picture quality is a deal-breaker. You'd be happier with a 75-inch or 85-inch Mini-LED from Hisense, TCL, or Sony for the same or slightly more money. This TV is a situational tool, not a universal winner.