With regards to resolution, 8K picture technology is (slowly, but surely) what’s coming next, with brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL, and a number of others all offering 8K TV models which can be engineered to take your breath away.
Delivering double the pixel count of 4K/UHD TVs, one of the best 8K TVs are also optimized to dish out incredible picture upscaling, in addition to vibrant and colourful imagery, whatever the source, and many smart TV capabilities, too. And while TVs with 8K resolution collect slightly less attention than today’s leading 4K TV models, that does not imply they must be ignored. In any case, hardware tends to drop before software, so we’re hoping there will be loads of 8K content to enjoy over the subsequent few years. Fingers crossed.
But should you’re desirous about buying an 8K TV today, and also you’re OK with paying a premium for it, what model do you have to go for? Without delay, our greatest pick is the stunning Samsung QN900B, with its gorgeous QLED picture and upscaling capabilities. But as experts on all things AV, we have done the digging for more of one of the best 8K TVs in the marketplace to show you how to determine.
Samsung
65-inch Samsung QN900B
One of the best 8K TV overall
Pros
- Implausible picture quality
- 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs (8K/120Hz)
- Supports Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+
- Fast and smooth Tizen interface
- Does an awesome job at upscaling 4K sources
Cons
- Not so great at upscaling 1080p sources
- No Dolby Vision support
- Expensive
- Some minor blooming
Why you must buy it: You wish greater than just 8K resolution in your next big TV purchase. In truth, you are in search of as many cutting-edge picture features as you possibly can get.
Who it’s for: Dedicated TV watchers that care as much about future-proofing as they do a tremendous picture.
Why we selected the Samsung QN900B:
Samsung has been a pacesetter in QLED technology for a few years now, with the corporate’s impressive Neo QLED displays taking home laurels for all the pieces from brightness, colours, and contrast to picture upscaling. And while we predict the Samsung QN90B is among the finest 4K QLEDs you possibly can buy, we predict the identical in terms of Samsung’s QN900B, an 8K TV that utilizes all the identical core picture tech, with a number of extra tweaks to accommodate the upper pixel count.
Behind the scenes, Samsung’s Quantum Matrix Technology Pro works in unison with the QN900B’s mini-LED lighting to create one among the fastest and most accurate local dimming systems we have seen on a TV up to now. In execution, this implies intense contrast and lifelike colours with minimal light blooming. That is on top of Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 8K which does a incredible job at upscaling 4K sources to near-8K standards, and a fairly decent job at polishing up 1080p sources, too.
HDR compatibility is one other area where the QN900B gets to shine. For those who think that incredible colours and contrast is a giant win for normal SDR sources, just wait until you watch something in HDR10 or HDR10+. And with the QN900B’s 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs, all of which output 8K/120Hz, you possibly can rest assured that whatever AV components you buy over the subsequent several years will all perform at their best.
Yes, the QN900B is one among the costlier 8K TVs in the marketplace, but should you’re in search of a premium picture matched by premium features, Samsung’s 8K champ is difficult to pass up.
65-inch Samsung QN900B
One of the best 8K TV overall
Samsung
65-inch Samsung QN800B
The runner-up 8K TV
Pros
- Cheaper than the QN900B
- 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs (8K/120Hz)
- Top-notch brightness and wealthy colours
Cons
- No Dolby Vision support
- Weaker version of Samsung’s HDR Matrix tech
- Less powerful speaker system
- Slight halo effect
Why you must buy it: You are a fan of Samsung’s QLED technology and wish to spend slightly lower than one would on the flagship QN900B.
Who it’s for: Samsung devotees which can be in search of a wonderful 8K TV for a rather more cost-effective price.
Why we selected the Samsung QN800B:
It will probably be slightly frustrating when a TV brand releases two different models which can be nearly similar in terms of picture features and overall performance, and within the case of Samsung’s QN800B and QN900B, the similarities are likely to outnumber the differences, but not entirely.
For starters, the QN800B is rather a lot inexpensive than the QN900B — around $600 cheaper for the 65-inch model, with price drops on every available size (75- and 85-inch options are also available). The QN800B can be equipped with Samsung’s incredible mini-LED lighting and the Quantum Matrix Technology Pro for lightning-fast local dimming, a feature you will find on the QN900B.
By way of what’s different, design-wise, the QN800B ditches the near-bezel-less Infinity Screen of the flagship QN900B, leading to a rather greater frame and chassis all-around. The QN800B also uses the marginally weaker Quantum HDR 32X specification, in comparison with the QN900B’s Quantum HDR 48X for the 65-inch model, and 64X for each the 75- and 85-inch sizes. The QN800B also runs a rather less powerful sound system than the QN900B (70 watts versus 90 watts), and can’t deliver the 4K/144Hz optimized gaming experience you will get with the QN900B.
These aren’t the most important losses on this planet, and fundamentally, the QN800B looks and looks like a top-dollar Samsung TV, complete with Tizen OS for all things streaming and voice assistant support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby.
65-inch Samsung QN800B
The runner-up 8K TV
Dan Baker/Digital Trends
65-inch TCL 6-Series
One of the best 8K TV for the value
Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- Surprisingly good sound
- Improved Roku TV distant
- Easy setup
- Excellent for gaming
Cons
- Poor off-axis performance
Why you must buy it: You will not discover a mini-LED 8K TV at a greater price in 2022.
Who it’s for: Those that want all the advantages of 8K resolution (and loads of handy extras) at a (relatively) reasonably priced price.
Why we selected the TCL 6-Series Mini-LED QLED 8K TV:
It would be a number of more years before 8K TVs turn out to be as reasonably priced as 4K TVs, but within the meantime, TCL’s 6-Series Mini-LED 8K QLED TVs are a tremendous value. Available in 65- and 75-inch screen sizes, these Roku-powered TVs deliver all the pieces we love about 8K resolution after which some.
It starts with the 8K panel —TCL’s very first 8K panel — which makes images tack-sharp and incredibly detailed. It’s bolstered by TCL’s upscaling technology which does an admirable job of converting 4K material to 8K resolution. Full HD (1080p) content is not quite as sharp, but that is to be expected — it’s hard to render a picture with 16 times more resolution than it was shot at, without losing slightly in the method.
But the massive reason to speculate within the TCL 6-Series is the LED backlighting. OLED TVs will remain the kings of contrast and black levels for a while to return, but mini-LED, with its 1000’s of tiny LEDs, is the subsequent smartest thing. And in a brightly lit room, it even outperforms all but the costliest OLED TVs.
The 6-Series Mini-LED 8K QLED TV is not just about picture quality. TCL has also equipped this model with a surprisingly good sound system, complete with a built-in subwoofer, stereo tweeters, and down-firing midrange drivers. It won’t outshine a extremely good soundbar or dedicated speaker system, but should you’re determined to keep on with only a TV, the 6-Series will make you completely satisfied indeed.
This TV also scores on usability. With regards to smart TV interfaces, it’s hard to beat the Roku OS for ease of use and ease. But in 2022, TCL went under the hood to make picture adjustments just as easy as finding something to stream. A wise settings algorithm pays attention to how you wish one input or source to behave by way of brightness, contrast, etc., after which mechanically applies that to the TV’s other inputs and sources. You possibly can tweak them individually, but having them closer to where you wish them saves loads of effort and time.
Speaking of inputs, it is also price noting that TCL has given the 6-Series two HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K/120Hz, and that is over and above the HDMI 2.1 you get on the dedicated HDMI eARC port.
65-inch TCL 6-Series
One of the best 8K TV for the value
Dan Baker/Digital Trends
85-inch Sony Bravia XR Z9J
One of the best 8K TV for upscaling
Pros
- Untouchable picture quality
- Next-level picture upscaling
- Impressive anti-glare screen
- Fast and responsive Google TV interface
Why you must buy it: Sony is a top brand in terms of arresting picture quality, and the Z9J is one other addition to the corporate’s portfolio of prolific TVs.
Who it’s for: Sony fans and anyone in search of one among the sharpest and most colourful 8K TVs in the marketplace.
Why we selected the Sony XR Z9J:
In comparison with Samsung and LG, Sony gets slightly less attention within the TV marketplace, however the brand’s command of the limelight is actually still on the strong side. And let’s be frank: it’s almost unimaginable to beat the extent of color detail you will get with any flagship Sony TV, a feat that the corporate manages to top themselves on, yet again, with the amazing Z9J Master Series.
Available in 75- and 85-inch sizes, the Z9J uses Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR with XR Triluminos Pro to deliver jaw-dropping picture without even dipping our toes into 8K sources. The sort of upscaling you will get with the Z9J is just next level, and Sony has definitely set the bar high for its competitors.
The Z9J can be equipped with 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs that deliver 8K/120Hz, and rocks a Google TV user interface, among the finest ways to experience all of the comforts and thrills of your Netflix and Disney+ subscriptions. We also love the X-Wide Angle and Anti-Reflection technology, ensuring the Z9J looks incredible from any angle.
Sony recently released the 2022 Z9K, which introduces mini-LED lighting to the Master Series, nevertheless it’s $3,000 greater than the Z9J, which remains to be a tremendous 2021 TV you possibly can get your hands on while supplies last.
85-inch Sony Bravia XR Z9J
One of the best 8K TV for upscaling
88-inch LG ZX Series 8K OLED TV
One of the best 8K TV money should purchase
Pros
- Breathtaking colours and contrast
- Attention-grabbing design
- Excellent picture upscaling
Why you must buy it: OLED remains to be the leader in terms of picture quality, and that is the one 8K OLED TV you possibly can buy, which just about makes it a no brainer so long as you could have deep pockets.
Who it’s for: Those that want the best possible 8K TV on the planet and have the means to pay the sky-high price.
Why we selected the LG ZX OLED TV:
For those who’ve been following our TV coverage over the past few years, you understand we’re simply gaga about OLED. With regards to picture quality, viewing angles, and black levels, it’s simply one of the best style of TV display you possibly can buy, and LG’s ZX Series is the actual TV of the longer term, locked behind a formidable paywall.
Because true 8K content goes to be hard to return by for the subsequent 12 months or two until the studio and streaming worlds catch up, an 8K TV must do a wonderful job of upscaling 4K or Full HD content. Otherwise, you are just wasting all of those pixels. The 2019 Z9 featured LG’s second-gen Alpha 9 8K upscaling, and once we did A/B comparisons between 4K and native 8K versions of the identical content on our Z9 review TV, the visible differences were minimal. The ZX gets LG’s third-gen Alpha 9 8K upscaling, delivering even greater and higher upscaling.
Design-wise, the 88-inch version of the ZX series (which can be available as a 77-inch model) can be a stunner physically, with a refined aluminum stand that turns the TV right into a sculpture worthy of a contemporary art display. The one downside: The stand and the display are integrated to the purpose where wall-mounting the panel portion individually is unimaginable.
Unfortunately, LG wasn’t in a position to bring the value of the 88-inch LG Z9 8K OLED down from 2019 (it’s still a heart-attack-inducing $30,000) but there is a 77-inch model available for the marginally less frightening figure of $20,000. Though who’s kidding who? For those who can afford a $20,000 TV, what’s one other 10 grand?
88-inch LG ZX Series 8K OLED TV
One of the best 8K TV money should purchase
Today’s tech news, curated and condensed to your inbox
Check your inbox!
Please provide a sound email address to proceed.
This email address is currently on file. For those who should not receiving newsletters, please check your spam folder.
Sorry, an error occurred during subscription. Please try again later.
Editors’ Recommendations
