TCL Q68 85Q681G 85"

An 85-inch QLED with 98th percentile HDR for $1,352 is the best big-screen value we've tested. Buy it for the picture, ignore the mediocre smart platform.

The HDR performance genuinely surprised us. This thing sits in the 98th percentile for HDR in our database, which is wild for a TV at this price. 600 nits peak brightness doesn't sound like much on paper, but TCL's AIPQ processor squeezes every bit of it out. Picture quality lands at 88th percentile, which means it's one of the best on the market for the money. Gaming is solid at 72nd percentile with 120Hz and 240 VRR, though the smart platform and connectivity are where corners got cut.

Against the LG C5 OLED, you're giving up perfect blacks and infinite contrast for $1,352 versus OLED pricing that's easily double or triple. The Sony BRAVIA XR A95L is a better TV in every way except price, it costs as much as a used car. The Hisense U8 100-inch is the closest real competitor, offering similar value but with better smart features. The Roku Pro Series has a better smart platform but smaller screen and weaker HDR. For pure size and HDR per dollar, the TCL wins.

This is the best dollar-per-inch deal we've seen in the 85-inch class. You're getting a 98th percentile HDR performer for $1,352. That's not a typo. If you want a giant screen that makes movies and sports look great without spending OLED money, this is it. No hedging here, buy it.

The TCL Q68 85Q681G is the big-screen budget king for people who want an 85-inch 4K QLED without taking out a second mortgage. At $1,352, you're getting a massive panel with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and a 120Hz refresh rate that punches way above its price class. The one thing to know? This TV is all about size and HDR brightness for the dollar, not about being the smartest or most connected set in the room.

If you're looking for a premium smart TV experience with blazing fast menus and tons of connectivity options, this isn't it. Go get the Roku Pro Series or spend up for the Sony BRAVIA XR instead. Also skip this if you need something portable, the 31.2 portability score means this 85-inch beast stays where you put it.

Buy the TCL Q68 85Q681G if you want the biggest, brightest-for-the-money screen in your living room and don't care about having the fanciest smart TV interface. It's not perfect, the smart platform is meh and connectivity is limited, but the core experience of watching movies and sports on an 85-inch QLED with excellent HDR at this price is unbeatable. This is the TV we'd recommend to friends who want a theater experience without theater prices.