LG 85 Series QNED 65.1" 2024 Review
The LG 85 Series QNED TV scores well for gaming but lands in the middle of the pack for picture quality. Is its $760 price and 120Hz panel enough to compete?
The 30-Second Version
This 65-inch QNED TV is a solid mid-range pick for gamers, scoring in the 74th percentile for gaming features. Its picture quality is about average, and the audio is a weak spot. For $760, you get great gaming specs but compromise on the overall viewing experience.
Overview
The LG 85 Series QNED is a 65-inch 4K TV priced at $760. It's built around LG's QNED tech, which combines Quantum Dot for color and NanoCell for filtering, aiming for a brighter, more vivid picture than traditional LEDs. The core specs are a 120Hz refresh rate for gaming, HDR10 support, and LG's webOS smart platform, all driven by an α8 AI Processor that promises to auto-tune settings.
Performance
This TV lands in the middle of the pack for picture quality, sitting in the 43rd percentile in our database. That means its overall image performance is about average for a modern 4K TV. The gaming score is its strongest area, hitting the 74th percentile thanks to the 120Hz panel, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and support for FreeSync and VRR. For HDR and smart features, it's solid but not a standout, scoring in the 58th and 63rd percentiles respectively. The real weak spots are audio and display quality, which fall into the 31st and 27th percentiles. You'll want a soundbar, and the overall panel performance lags behind many competitors.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong gaming setup with 120Hz, VRR, and four HDMI 2.1 ports, ranking in the 74th percentile. 91th
- Solid smart platform with webOS, which scores in the 63rd percentile for ease of use. 89th
- Good connectivity score (56th percentile) with Bluetooth 5.1 and ample HDMI inputs.
- HDR10 Pro support provides decent HDR performance, landing in the 58th percentile.
- The α8 AI Processor and Filmmaker Mode offer convenient auto-tuning for different content.
Cons
- Audio performance is underwhelming, scoring in the 31st percentile. 20th
- Overall display quality is a weak spot, landing in the 27th percentile. 27th
- Picture quality is about average (43rd percentile), not a standout.
- Social proof score is low (19th percentile), indicating limited buzz or reviews.
- The QNED technology, while bright, doesn't match the contrast of higher-tier Mini-LED or OLED.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 65.1" |
| Panel Type | QLED |
HDR
| HDR Formats | HDR 10 |
Gaming
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| VRR | FreeSync, VRR |
Smart TV
| Platform | webOS |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 4 |
| HDMI Version | 2.1 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 |
Value & Pricing
At $760, this TV is priced as a mid-range option. Its value hinges on if you prioritize gaming features over pure picture quality. For the price, you get a well-above-average gaming setup, but you're accepting average picture and below-average audio. Compared to LG's own OLEDs or competing Mini-LED TVs, it's a budget-friendly path to 120Hz and HDMI 2.1, but you sacrifice peak image performance.
Price History
vs Competition
The Sony BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED will likely crush it in picture quality and HDR. Samsung's Neo QLEDs offer brighter, more contrast-rich images. Hisense's U6 Series Mini-LED is a direct budget competitor that might beat it in contrast. And LG's own C5 OLED, while more expensive, offers perfect blacks and superior picture quality. This QNED's trade-off is clear: you get the gaming ports and smooth motion of more expensive TVs, but you pay for it with a picture that's firmly in the middle of the pack.
| Spec | LG 85 Series QNED 65.1" | Hisense U65QF Mini-LED Hisense - 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED QLED UHD 4K | TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K TCL - 65" Class QM6K Series 4K UHD HDR QD Mini LED | Sony Bravia Sony BRAVIA 2 II 75" 4K HDR Smart LED TV | Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro Roku - 55" Class Pro Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Smart | Samsung Neo QLED Samsung QN80F 55" 4K HDR Smart Neo QLED Mini-LED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 65.0999984741211 | 75 | 65 | 75 | 55 | 55 |
| Resolution | - | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | QLED | MiniLED | MiniLED | LED | MiniLED | MiniLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120 | 144 | 144 | 60 | 120 | 120 |
| Hdr | HDR 10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | HDR 10+ |
| Smart Platform | webOS | Fire TV | Google TV | Google TV | Roku TV | Tizen |
| Dolby Vision | - | true | true | false | true | false |
| Dolby Atmos | - | true | true | false | true | true |
| Hdmi Version | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | - | 2.1 | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Hdr | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG 85 Series QNED 65.1" | 50.8 | 27.4 | 54.4 | 90.9 | 38.5 | 88.6 | 19.6 | 43 |
| Hisense U65QF Mini-LED 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED Compare | 98.8 | 90.4 | 93.8 | 96.5 | 69.1 | 97.2 | 97.6 | 97.1 |
| TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K 65" Class QM6K Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 98.6 | 98.4 | 62.4 | 96 | 97.6 | 86.1 |
| Sony Bravia 2 II 75" Compare | 81.7 | 73.3 | 91.6 | 51.6 | 69.1 | 90.3 | 94.3 | 83.3 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 55" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.4 | 56.8 | 97.2 | 98.8 | 86.1 |
| Samsung Neo QLED QN80F 55" Compare | 50.8 | 90.4 | 96.6 | 94.3 | 56.8 | 92.4 | 94.3 | 86.1 |
Common Questions
Q: How good is this TV for gaming?
It's one of its strongest areas. With a 120Hz refresh rate, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and support for VRR and FreeSync, it scores in the 74th percentile in our database for gaming, which is well above average.
Q: Is the picture quality as good as an OLED?
No. Our data puts its overall picture quality in the 43rd percentile, which is about average. OLED TVs, like LG's C5 series, offer perfect blacks and much higher contrast, typically ranking in the top percentiles.
Q: Do I need a separate sound system?
Almost certainly. The TV's audio performance scores in the 31st percentile, which is underwhelming. For a good home theater experience, pairing it with a soundbar or external speakers is a smart move.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this TV if you're a movie buff chasing the best possible picture. Its display and picture quality scores (27th and 43rd percentiles) show it falls behind many competitors, especially Mini-LED and OLED models. Also, if you want great built-in sound, its 31st percentile audio score means you'll be disappointed. This is a TV for gamers who value features over peak image fidelity.
Verdict
If you're a gamer who wants 120Hz and VRR on a budget, and you're willing to add a soundbar, this TV makes a data-backed case. Its gaming score is well above average. But if your primary goal is the best possible picture for movies, the data shows you should look at Mini-LED or OLED competitors. The average picture and poor audio scores are hard to ignore for a home theater focus.