LG QNED85A 65"

The LG QNED85A has the best built-in audio we've ever measured at 99th percentile, with 9.1.5 channels and Dolby Atmos. Picture quality is strong at 78th percentile with Mini-LED brightness and vivid color. But the remote has no mute button, and owners are not happy about it.

The α8 AI Processor 4K drives a 120Hz native panel with VRR, ALLM, and HDMI 2.1, which puts gaming at a solid 79th percentile. Not top of the charts, but well above average for this class. The Mini-LED local dimming is the real star here. Combined with Quantum Dot and NanoCell layers, you get the kind of contrast and color pop that makes sports look fantastic. Our sports score of 75.8 out of 100 backs that up.

Audio is where this thing gets weird in the best way. 9.1.5 channels built into a TV is overkill, and we love it. The 99th percentile audio ranking means this is literally one of the best-sounding TVs we've ever tracked. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support mean you might not even need a soundbar for a smaller room. That said, some owners report the sound settings occasionally reset to internal speakers, which is annoying when you've got everything dialed in.

Against the Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L, the LG can't touch Sony's OLED contrast, but it costs significantly less and has better built-in audio. The Samsung Neo QLED QN990F is a closer fight, with Samsung typically edging out LG on brightness and processing, but the QNED85A's 99th percentile audio is a genuine differentiator. The TCL QM8K and Hisense U8 Series both offer strong Mini-LED performance at lower prices, so if you're pairing with a soundbar anyway, those might make more sense. The Roku Pro Series is the budget pick, but it can't match the LG's gaming features or audio chops.

At $1,600 USD for the 65 inch model, the QNED85A is priced competitively for a Mini-LED set with this feature set. The bundle includes a Monster HDMI cable, surge protector, and a 12 month protection plan, which adds some real-world value if you were going to buy those anyway. Owners consistently mention good value for the money, and with the audio performance this strong, you might skip a soundbar entirely. That's a few hundred bucks saved right there.

The LG QNED85A lands in our database with a 99th percentile audio score, which is basically unheard of for a TV without a soundbar. The 9.1.5 channel setup with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support puts it at the absolute top of the charts for built-in sound. Picture quality sits at a strong 78th percentile, with the Mini-LED backlight and Quantum Dot plus NanoCell combo doing real work for brightness and color.

But here's the thing. The user sentiment score is 52nd percentile, dead average. And the reason is almost entirely about the remote. A 4.3 star rating across 203 reviews sounds fine until you read what people are actually saying. The picture gets praised, the setup gets praised, the value gets praised. Then someone tries to mute the TV and the whole experience falls apart.

If you're someone who mutes the TV during commercials or needs quick volume control without thinking about it, this TV will drive you up the wall. The remote situation is bad enough that some owners considered returning the set. Also, if you already have a high-end soundbar, you're paying for the 99th percentile audio you won't use. In that case, the TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 Series give you similar Mini-LED picture quality for less money. And if you want the best HDR performance, the 52nd percentile HDR score means this isn't the set for you.

The QNED85A is a genuinely good TV with one baffling design decision. The picture is bright and vibrant, gaming is smooth, and the audio is best-in-class. But the remote situation is a real problem. Multiple verified owners describe the lack of a mute button as a dealbreaker, with some considering returns or switching to streaming devices just to get basic volume control. If you can live with a workaround or plan to use a universal remote, this is a strong buy. If you want the remote that comes in the box to just work, think twice.