By Robin Owens 11 days ago, TVs
Such a large 86-inch TV allows me to establish a cinema-like environment at home for viewing films, sports competitions, and playing video games, which would all be less enjoyable on a smaller screen.
I selected models with a crisp 4K resolution, a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate, crisp HDR colors, and smart functionality with streaming support. 86 inches is also a great size for my living room.
Display: LED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | OS: WebOS
The LG UQ7590 is the best 86-inch TV in its price range, as it offers fantastic specs across the board. It produces a detailed, sharp picture with rich colors. Whether I’m watching a movie or playing the latest AAA game, I get to enjoy breathtaking visuals. The sound is also of satisfyingly high quality, filling my room with deep, immersive audio that doesn’t even require a dedicated soundbar.
Installing and configuring this 86-in TV is also pleasantly simple due to its intuitive UI, and the lack of integrated Google TV made my experience even better. This model comes with such handy features as Filmmaker Mode, HDR support, and Game Optimizer.
Thanks to such streaming platforms as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and many others being installed already and the provided compatibility with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple AirPlay2, this TV for streaming has proven to be the perfect solution for all my entertainment needs.
Display: LED| Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | OS: WebOS
The LG QNED85T is a high-quality 86-inch TV supplied with Quantum Dot NanoCell tech, an a8 AI Processor, 4K resolution, HDR10 Pro support, and a terrific 120Hz refresh rate. It offers rich, natural colors and fantastic sharpness that doesn’t wash out the picture. You can fully immerse yourself in your movie or sports game while its high refresh rate ensures all motion flows smoothly regardless of what’s happening on the screen.
This model is pleasantly lightweight and slim given its 86-inch screen, meaning you’ll have no problem installing it using a corner TV wall mount. The AI-based a8 processor is a unique addition that analyzes the content I’m viewing and configures the picture to provide optimized quality without forcing me to adjust settings manually.
Its Magic Remote is also fantastic, particularly due to its convenient voice assistant functionality. If you like playing games, you’ll like the AMD FreeSynch and Game Mode features. Lastly, this 86-inch TV comes with integrated support for apps like Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, and Prime Video.
Display: LED| Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | OS: Tizen
The Samsung TU9000 is an 86-inch smart TV that offers exceptional image quality, crisp colors, and silky smooth motion. It has a minimalist design that fits into any interior while also providing impressively wide viewing angles. The TV is packed with a 4K Crystal Processor that makes even low-res movies and shows look good. I also greatly appreciate the Motion Rate 240 feature that makes my gaming sessions more fluid and responsive.
The provided Tizen smart TV functionality ensures I have zero issues using any of my main streaming platforms without having to rely on separate third-party media players. The inclusion of Alexa’s voice command support has also proven to be very useful.
One click on the remote and I can configure all the parameters completely hands-free. This HDR TV has native compatibility with such applications as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube, as well as different web browsers – all packed into an intuitive UI.
Display: LED| Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | Connectivity: HDMI, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | OS: WebOS
The LG NANO75 86” TV invites you to enjoy high-end visual fidelity thanks to its NanoCell tech that produces crisp colors and true blacks that infuse every movie you watch with life and energy. It also has such handy inclusions as a Billion Rich Colors, Active HDR, and an a7 Gen5 AI Processor with 4K resolution support, ensuring you’re watching your favorite films, streaming shows, and games in top quality.
Its AI-based Processor is particularly worthy of praise for optimizing the image and audio quality based on the content you’re viewing without requiring any user input.
The LG NANO75 is also equipped with smart features that encompass native compatibility with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Apple AirPlay as well as the Game Optimizer dashboard, designed to ensure all your video game settings are optimized. Additionally, this 86-inch TV offers good audio quality that can fill a medium-sized room without requiring you to purchase a dedicated speaker.
Display: QLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 144 Hz | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI | Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1| OS: Google TV
The TCL QM85 is a TV with 86 inches of screen real estate that is perfect for watching movies and streaming series in 4K resolution. It produces rich colors and deep blacks, while its brightness level of 5,000 nits excels at rendering bright scenes with eye-catching highlights. It has a 120Hz panel and a 144Hz variable refresh rate, which makes it suitable for action-packed video games and films, as it minimizes motion blur and secures smooth motion.
I also decided to test the TCL QM85 as a TV for PC monitor and was happy with the results. The provided fast refresh rate and response time, the big screen, and the expansive HDR support (which covers Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG) ensure the picture looks sharp and clear regardless of what I’m using this TV for, be it gaming or watching Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Hulu, or YouTube.
Display: LED| Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120 Hz | Connectivity: HDMI, Bluetooth, USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | OS: Google TV
Sony X90L is an 86” smart TV supplied with Sony’s first-party Cognitive Processor XR that is capable of producing an ultra-realistic image with an impeccable level of detail, dynamic contrast, and true-to-life colors. It also comes with XR Triluminos Pro which can reproduce billions of different hues, making each scene deeper and more realistic.
You can take advantage of X90L's Game Menu which features all your gaming parameters in a single UI while also providing special features for PlayStation® 5. It’s also a great TV for conference room meetings and viewings due to its large screen size and convenient controls.
I leveraged Motionflow XR tech to enjoy a detailed, sharp picture without any motion blur. The Sony X90L also lets me issue voice commands with minimum delay. The implemented Google TV UI is pleasant enough to use and makes it easy to navigate my favorite apps. The provided Alexa support is very convenient. I connected this TV with my pair of Echo Dots speakers and the delivered stereo audio was a joy to listen to.
Display: Mini-LED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI, Bluetooth | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | OS: Google TV
The U6 might be the best 86-inch TV when it comes to providing rich contrast, true blacks, and shiny whites that ensure everything you watch looks vibrant. The QLED Quantum Dot excels at reproducing billions of colors that breathe life into every environment shown on screen.
Meanwhile, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos help immerse you into the action, whether it’s a blockbuster film, reality show, or the latest video game. Moreover, if you manage to catch a sale, you can get this TV under $700, which is a steal.
If you’re looking for a TV for gaming, you'll greatly enjoy the Game Mode Plus which provides VRR, ALLM, and AMD FreeSync, which minimize lag and screen tear. The integrated Google TV UI makes using popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube a breeze without requiring any additional gear.
Living room or family room. If you own an open-plan or bigger living room, an 86-inch TV can be the main item that ties the room together during family events, movie nights, and sports games. For a TV of this size, the recommended viewing distance lies between 10 and 14 feet to secure maximum comfort. It’s also a good idea to have blackout curtains or blinds to improve the picture quality when using the TV during the day. Wall-mounted or dimmable lighting fixtures are perfect for movie nights, as they don’t cause glare.
Home theater room. If you set up a home theater, an 86” TV will allow you to enjoy a cinema-like experience on a big screen. Dark-toned walls and ceilings are less reflective, so it’s a good idea to pick a darker room color to improve the contrast and color accuracy of your TV. Additionally, a home theatre with a surround sound setup or soundproofed walls can help enhance your viewing experience even further.
Basement or gaming room. It’s advised to pick a room that has a depth of 16 to 20 feet or more so that you aren’t overwhelmed by the TV’s display size. If you want to install it in a basement, consider adding a carpet, some rugs, or sound-absorbing panels to minimize echo and vibration, enriching your viewing and listening experience.
Master bedroom (if large enough). In a big master bedroom (20 feet or even more spacious) an 86-inch TV can provide a luxury hotel atmosphere. Install it on the opposite wall from your bed to ensure maximum comfort. Consider mounting it on the wall to save space and have a tidier interior. Just be sure to pick an appropriate height that ensures watching the TV feels convenient.
The answer to his question is determined by the size of your space and the viewing distance. In this case, it’s advised to be at least 10 feet away from the screen. If you get any closer, you’ll start seeing individual pixels and suffer from eye strain. If such a distance is unachievable in your room, consider getting a smaller TV.
OLED TVs provide deeper blacks and better contrast, which is perfect for watching content in a dark room. Meanwhile, QLED models tend to offer better brightness and look better in well-lit spaces. Both types have their benefits, so you should follow your personal preferences. OLED is often picked by cinema fans while QLED is the superior choice for bright living spaces and rich colors.
Most 86” models are suited for gaming, especially TVs that come with HDMU 2.1 ports, have a 120Hz refresh rate, minimize input lag, and support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). These specs provide smooth and highly responsive gaming sessions, particularly with the latest consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X).
Even though such TVs usually have solid integrated speakers, many people prefer to also get a soundbar or a dedicated audio system to improve their listening experience. Bigger rooms and action-packed content can be significantly enhanced with proper audio gear, particularly if you value immersion above everything else.
Pick a TV with an OS that feels easy to learn, be it WebOS (LG), Tizen (Samsung), Google TV/Android TV, or Roku TV. You should also prioritize models with integrated voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant), support for smart home gadgets, and an expansive selection of streaming services (for example, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu) to make your life as convenient as possible.
The cost can differ a lot depending on the manufacturer, screen panel technology, and functionality. A premium 86-inch LED or QLED TV will typically send you back between $1,500 and $3,000. More wallet-friendly options can cost about $1,000-$1,500 but they usually lack some of the advanced features.
