Why 85 inch TVs are the new normal

TVs just keep getting bigger and bigger, with better quality pictures. A few years ago, 85” 4K TVs – the new gold standard in home entertainment – were the price of a prestige German car, but now they are an affordable everyday luxury. No wonder so many people are upgrading to get the full cinematic experience at home. Here’s what you need to know before shopping for your new extra big-screen TV.

Want to expand your entertainment? Discover all there is to know about Big Screen TVs Here

Why Should I Buy An 85” TV?

There are many benefits to having a really big screen, so this is like asking, “Why would I go to the cinema when I can watch Netflix on my phone?”. Big screen TVs are more immersive; you feel like you’re actually at the game or more invested in the movie experience.

The higher the definition of a TV (1080p, 4K, 8K, etc.), the larger the screen you can comfortably watch because there are more pixels per inch. That means you can sit closer to a bigger 8K TV than you ever could to a Full HD TV, so sizes you might have ruled out before suddenly are worth looking at.

“It means you can have more people watching at good viewing angles, depending on the shape of your room, so you can host watch parties and be the envy of your friendship group,” says Jason Tavoletti, The Good Guys Buyer - Televisions and Accessories.

“Big screen TVs are more immersive; you feel like you’re actually at the game or more invested in the movie experience.”

What Are The Best 85” TVs?

Sony is a real leader when it comes to huge-screen TVs, and the 85” X95J 4K Bravia XR Full Array Google is one of the best. Sony TVs are famous for their powerful processors that make light work of upscaling lower definition movies and sports events into 4K, and this model is no exception. It also delivers real-world textures and ultra-realistic pictures on screen, in vivid colours that are both beautiful and natural to the human eye.

What Is The Best Way To Display An 85” TV?

The good news is that an 85” TV will work in any living room with an area large enough to house this beast of entertainment. 85” TVs are big, about 185cm x 107cm, plus the stand, and they’re also pretty heavy, around 45kgs. So, there’s a chance your old TV unit might not be up to the task. Often, the best approach is to wall mount a TV this big.

Because of the size, Jason Tavoletti has this advice: “When it comes to big, heavy TVs, we always recommend using a professional installer to make sure everything is set up as perfectly and safely as possible.”

The Good Guys Home Services can help by sending a trusted professional to your place to get everything sorted, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Want to mount your TV? Check out the best TVs for wall mounting here

How Far Should I Sit From An 85” TV?

There are a few things to keep in mind when setting up your ultimate home theatre. The first is that the TV should be at eye-height, and the best seat in the house is the one right in the middle of the screen.

There are also two different ways to look at optimum viewing distance: field of view and getting the most out of the resolution. For a cinema-like experience, you want a 40° field of view, and 30° for everything else, so with an 85” TV, that’s 2.59m and 3.52m respectively.

However, to get the most detail out of that beautiful 4K HDR picture, 1.8-3m is the ideal seating distance.

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What Other Features Should I Look For?

The big things you want to look out for in a new TV these days are definition, refresh rate, and HDMI 2.1.

Definition is the most important feature to look for. The minimum you want for an 85" TV is 4K. Of course, 8K screens double that resolution again. 8K TVs are starting to come in and may well become the new standard. But, if you do choose an 8K model, you will need HDMI 2.1.

Refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 are particularly important for gamers, because the higher the refresh rate (preferably around 120Hz), the smoother the playing experience. HDMI 2.1 is key because the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X rely on that new standard to be able to display those high refresh rates. It’s also going to be important for newer, higher definition Blu-Ray and other media players.

When you’re ready to upgrade to the best home cinema experience, we’re ready to help you find your perfect match. Just head in store or go online for the biggest range, best prices, and friendliest assistance.

FAQs

Is an 85 inch TV good for watching sport?

An 85 inch TV is one of the best ways to watch sport at home. The large screen puts you closer to the action, making it easier to follow the play across the full width of the ground, whether that's an AFL match at the MCG, a cricket Test, or the Premier League. The most important spec to look for when buying an 85 inch TV for sport is a high refresh rate, ideally 120Hz native, which keeps fast movement sharp and smooth without motion blur or judder. Many TVs also include a dedicated sports mode that boosts motion handling and colour saturation to make the picture pop. For the best result, look for a model with a high peak brightness and good local dimming, so the green of the pitch looks vibrant even in a bright room. QLED and Mini LED panels tend to suit sport viewing particularly well thanks to their brightness and colour volume, while OLED delivers outstanding contrast if you're watching in a darker space. Pair your TV with a quality soundbar and an 85 inch screen turns game day into something pretty special.

Is an 85 inch TV worth it?

If you have the space for it, yes. An 85 inch TV is one of the best upgrades you can make to a home entertainment setup. The larger screen makes a noticeable difference for movies, sport, and gaming, bringing you closer to a cinema-like experience at home. Paired with a 4K resolution panel and features like Dolby Vision or HDR10+, the extra screen real estate means more detail, more immersion, and a better experience for everyone watching. Most 85 inch TVs also support large-format panel technologies like QLED, Mini LED, or OLED, which further improve picture quality at bigger sizes.

What is the difference between an 85 inch and 75 inch TV?

The jump from 75 to 85 inches adds around 25% more screen area, which is more significant than it sounds. In practical terms, you get a noticeably bigger, more immersive picture, with more room for detail in 4K content. The viewing distance sweet spot shifts slightly, so an 85 inch TV works best when you have a bit more space between the screen and your couch. If you're sitting 3 metres or more from the TV, an 85 inch screen will typically look more natural and engaging than a 75 inch. For home theatre rooms, large lounge areas, or anyone who loves watching sport, the 85 inch is usually worth the step up.