The Best Large TVs (Over 75 Inches) for Sports, Movies, and More

All of my choices for the best big TVs start at 83-inches or higher. We've linked to that general size option, but many models go bigger, including options at 98 inches or above. I chose models based on their availability in large sizes, of course, but only my favorite models designed to scale well made the cut.

I've carefully selected these TVs based on a balance between their value and performance, which is extremely important when you're watching on a big screen. After all, what's the use of getting a giant TV if it doesn't look good? Traits I look for in a large TV include good brightness and contrast, advanced local dimming (read: good backlighting) to reduce light bleed from bright objects on dark backgrounds, accuracy to the director's intent, and impressive color saturation, especially for HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. For backlit TVs especially, I looked for good screen uniformity, or a lack of noticeable abberations from their mini LEDs that light up the TV panel in weird or glow-y ways.

Image processing, or a TV's ability to reduce artifacts and bring out details, is another major consideration for large TVs, because the bigger the image, the more likely you are to notice fuzzy details or image inconsistencies. 4K Ultra HD (UHD) resolution is a must, of course, but so is good upscaling to raise the quality of lower resolution images such as High Definition (HD) or even Standard Definition (SD) broadcasts like old movies or classic TV shows. While it's not a hard rule, in general, the more premium the TV the better the processing. Premium brands like LG, Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic are still the top options in this category.

With that in mind, this guide is designed to help you make an informed choice about where you're willing to splurge. People rarely regret getting a larger TV, but it's important to weigh how big a screen you actually need (and how easy it is to set up and move) with your performance demands. This list has something for every budget, but personally, I'd happily give up some quantity for quality. For me, that means buying OLED, where each pixel is its own backlight, but I also recognize everyone's needs are different.

The majority of backlit TVs (read: non-OLED) struggle to some degree with off-angle or off-axis performance when you're looking at them from the side. This means a loss of color saturation, clarity, and even control of light spillage from bright objects on dark backgrounds (aka “blooming”). I've strived to find TVs with a good balance between overall performance and pricing, which includes solid off-axis performance, but be aware that the larger the TV, the more likely folks will notice these issues. Cheaper models like the QM6K and the U75QG struggle most, so if that's of high importance to you, I suggest moving up to one of the OLED models or the Sony Bravia 9, which offers among the best off-axis performance I've tested in an LED backlit TV.

In OLED's early days, the biggest concern with organic LED technology was the increased risk of burn-in, or image retention, compared to displays that use LED or mini-LED backlighting. Due to a variety of factors, including the use of organic materials (OLED stands for “Organic Light Emitting Diode”), OLED panels can degrade at different levels over time, leading to variations in brightness and colors, especially for images left on screen for extended periods.

The issue is much less common these days, thanks to features like screen savers, static image detection, and other innovations designed to reduce and repair image retention. While burn-in remains a mild concern, it's usually only applicable for gamers or Fox News viewers who keep a static image on-screen for hours at a time every day. Even then, it usually isn't permanent. For most folks, OLED burn-in isn't something to worry about, but it's worth noting that it could be more noticeable on larger screen sizes. I've had an LG C1 OLED in my home for over six years and have never had an issue. That said, if you're worried about burn-in, I recommend buying one of the mini-LED models on this list instead.

You can find out more about different display technologies and their strengths and weaknesses in our guide on How to Choose the Right TV , as well as the “Helpful Definitions” section in our Best TVs guide.

While the four best TVs in the most recent cycle are all OLEDs, only one, the G5, was from LG. Panasonic's Z95B, Sony's Bravia 8 II, and Samsung's S95F all made our list of mind-blowing TVs that stood above all others.

For this guide, however, LG TVs made the most sense for two important reasons: First, only LG and Samsung sell an OLED TV bigger than 77-inches. Second, and most notable, Samsung's 83-inch OLED does not use the same quantum-dot-enabled OLED screen (aka QD-OLED) as its smaller sizes. Instead, its 83-inch model uses an OLED panel likely made by LG Display. So, if you're buying a big OLED, it makes sense to stick with LG. Not to mention, the LG G5 was my favorite TV last year, and the best screen I've ever tested (so far). The LG G6 is on its way soon, so we'll see how it compares.

Projectors were by far the best option for most big-screen fans for years, because they were the only reliable and affordable way to get a size over 85 inches. While there is a slight learning curve, it's a lot easier to handle a small box and roll-out screen than a gargantuan hunk of glass and plastic, and new short throw and ultrashort throw (UST) projectors that produce a massive image from very short distances make things simpler than ever.

While TVs have continued to have an advantage in brightness and black levels for more striking contrast, projectors have improved in their own right. If you don't mind dimming the lights a bit, a projector setup could be the right answer for your big-screen needs, especially if you want the largest possible size (there are projectors that go up to 200 inches, which isn't true of TVs yet). Before you go all out, it's worth perusing our favorite projectors to see if one of these options might be a good fit.