Our pick of the best 65-inch TVs you can buy right now
When it comes to TV entertainment, size often does matter and, in recent years, we’ve seen both John Lewis and Currys report surges in popularity for big screen TVs.
Many manufacturers are now making models at over 100 inches, while a 2022 study found that securing a bigger screen is one of the biggest reasons many buyers upgrade their TV.
For many of us, 65 inches will be the sweet spot when it comes to screen size. It’s indulgent without being over the top, so it’s easy to see why it's become one of the most popular options for buyers.
However, with the latest crop of 65-inch 4K TVs offering a multiplicity of HDR standards, wildly different audio systems, and a variety of smart TV platforms, choosing the right one can often feel a chore.
That’s where we come in. We’ve put the best models in this size range through their paces at the Good Housekeeping Institute, accessing picture quality, gaming features, smart technologies and design.
Read on for our list of the best 65-inch TVs to buy in 2025.
How we test TVs
To help you buy the best big screen TV, we put models through a series of rigorous tests based on how you would use them at home, to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Picture quality is obviously a top priority. So, we watch a variety of shows and films to see if the sets deliver the sharpest possible clarity, whether you're watching a moody film or a technicolour TV drama.
One big differentiator is a TV's ability to handle HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. We measure peak brightness using industry standard patterns, comparing models against others in their class.
We check how each set performs in different viewing situations, as some will shine in bright rooms while others are better in darker environments. We also assess design and how it will fit into your living space.
We consider ease of use, taking a close look at the smart TV platform each model uses. Is the set easy to install? Are the onscreen prompts clear and concise?
Finally, we turn our attention to sound. Some models have complex sound systems for a cinematic viewing experience, while others offer basic stereo. We award points for clarity of dialogue and the ability to excite with dynamic bass.
We take all this into account to award a final score.
TV-55Z95A 4K OLED TV
Score: 98/100
This latest flagship OLED TV from Panasonic is dazzling. Featuring an all new, Master OLED Ultimate panel that uses brightness-boosting Micro Lens Array technology for superior dynamics, it has a powerful processor for pin-sharp 4K pictures and offers film fans extensive high dynamic range support.
With Dolby Vision IQ, HLG, HDR10 and HDR10+ Adaptive support available, no matter what your source, be it a Blu-ray disc, premium TV channel, or streaming service, this TV has what it needs to impress for big screen entertainment.
The sound system is genuinely immersive. Its Technics-tuned Dolby Atmos system has multiple speakers, which fire forward, to the side and upwards. There’s even a built-in subwoofer and it gets loud too, with a considerable 150W of amplification available.
There’s also plenty to appeal to gamers here, with a dashboard offering quick access to all the key gaming settings, along with low input lag. There’s support for high frame rate 4K 120Hz gameplay on two of the set’s four HDMI inputs too.
Interestingly, Panasonic has abandoned its own smart TV platform in favour of Amazon’s Fire TV service. It also comes with Freely, the internet-delivered TV service (from the makers of Freeview), which means you no longer need to plug in an aerial lead to watch linear TV channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. You just connect the set to your wifi, and peruse the TV guide as usual.
55OLED909
Score: 95/100
This 65-inch flatscreen combines high performance with a real sense of style. It’s beautifully finished, with an ultra thin bezel, and it comes with Philips Ambilight mood lighting that, when not mirroring the colours of onscreen images on the wall behind your TV, can be integrated as part of a wider home lighting design.
The TV runs on the Google TV smart platform, which is easy to navigate and comes with a number of top streaming apps. However, it’s let down here in the catch-up TV department, which at the time of testing was limited to ITVx and My5. A separate TV set-top box or streaming stick will plug the gap though.
Its picture performance is top notch, too. Philips is using a next-generation OLED panel here, alongside the brand’s latest P5 AI processor, which results in bright images that have excellent dynamic range. If you watch an HDR show from Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon, you’ll appreciate the three dimensionality of its presentation.
This set isn’t just a winner when it comes to films and TV shows; it looks great with sports (courtesy of some smooth motion handling) and will go down well with console gamers, thanks to low input lag. On test, we also found the audio quality excellent, thanks to a forward-facing Bowers & Wilkins speaker system. While we wouldn't deem this a home cinema system, the clarity of sound is extremely high.
QE65S95D QD-OLED 4K TV
Score: 93/100
This third generation QD-OLED model from Samsung uses a “Quantum Dot” colour filter for vibrant pictures with superb dynamics. But that’s only half the story. The set also introduces a novel, glare-free panel, which combats unwanted reflections. On test, we found that strong sources of light, be they a window or lamp, are hardly noticeable at all on this screen. It ensures your daylight viewing isn’t compromised, making it ideal for sports or afternoon telly.
Installation is a little different from rival screens, though. That’s because the set comes with a separate One Connect box. This is where you connect your aerial input, as well as all your HDMI sources. The box sends sound and vision up a single cable to the TV, which also delivers power – it comes into its own if you intend to wall mount, because it cuts down on cables, but it may not be ideal if you don't plan on hanging it.
While this TV has outstanding HDR performance, there’s no Dolby Vision support, which may alienate movie fans. On test, we didn’t feel shortchanged by its picture performance though, and HLG, HDR10 and HDR10+ formats are all covered. The overall colour fidelity is excellent, with rich, inky blacks and loads of fine detail.
Samsung’s Tizen smart platform offers all the major players, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Prime Video; there’s also all the essential catch-up TV services, including BBC iPlayer, ITVx, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Tizen also offers a dedicated Game Hub, which groups together all the popular gaming settings. 120Hz 4K gameplay from the newest consoles is supported on all four HDMI inputs, and there’s also a 144Hz frame rate mode for PC gamers.
The sound is very good too – Samsung directs audio around the set’s speakers, creating a sense of sonic movement. The S95D also offers “Q Symphony” sound when coupled with a compatible Samsung soundbar, where the soundbar and TV speakers play simultaneously.
Bravia 8 K65XR80 OLED TV
Score: 90/100
The Bravia 8 was the only new OLED TV from Sony in 2024, but it's an impressive release. It has a stylish, minimalist design, featuring a wafer-thin frame, and it's a premium performer. The feet can be placed centrally, or to the edge of the panel, making this big screen relatively easy to accommodate on narrow AV furniture. We like that the set ships with two remote controls too; one is a conventional zapper while the other is slim and USB-powered, with a built-in backlight.
On test, we found the picture quality sublime, full of the nuance and detail we’d expect from a Sony screen. Working in tandem with a high brightness OLED panel is the latest Bravia XR processor, which uses AI wizardry to enhance fine detail and tonal gradations. The set’s HDR performance is very good, although it isn't quite the brightest OLED you can buy right now.
To see the set at its best, you may want to opt for the Vivid picture preset. The set's motion handling is a particular strength, which makes this a great option for sports fans. And its gaming performance is excellent too – there’s support for 120Hz 4K playback on two of the four HDMI inputs, a dedicated game dashboard, and the input lag is low.
The audio quality is also well above average, thanks to Sony’s Dolby Atmos compatible Acoustic Surface Audio+ system. This uses two actuators that effectively turn the panel into a stereo speaker. They're augmented by a built-in subwoofer, for fulsome bass.
The smart platform here is Google TV, which comes with all the key streaming service apps. There’s also a full complement of mainstream TV catch-up players (BBC iPlayer, ITVx, Channel 4, etc), courtesy of the set’s YouView tuner.
Fire TV 65-inch Omni Mini-LED series
Score: 89/100
Amazon’s first-generation own-brand TVs haven’t always impressed us, but this premium Mini LED model is a doozy. It’s refreshingly slim, but thanks to Mini LED backlighting, there’s no compromise when it comes to picture fidelity. The set manages deep black levels, with bright HDR highlights, thanks to its implementation of local dimming. To see the TV at its best, change the default picture setting from Standard (which is a power saving mode) to Vivid, which is the punchiest picture preset.
There’s a full roster of HDR support, including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HLG and regular HDR10. On test, we found the precision of its HDR imagery impressive. And, as you might expect, the integration with Amazon’s Fire TV service is faultless.
The interface will be familiar to anyone who has used a Fire TV stick, but here it comes with the Fire TV Ambient Experience. This allows the set to display artwork (you get to pick from 2,000 pieces, at the time of writing), photos, and assorted info, when the TV is in standby mode. All the popular streaming services are onboard, as well as a full selection of mainstream catch-up players.
The set also has built-in microphones, for hands free Alexa control. You can use your voice to turn it on and search for films and shows. The built-in audio system is fine, but unremarkable. The good news is that in addition to hooking up a soundbar for more immersive Dolby Atmos cinema sound, you can also pair your Bluetooth headphones, for higher quality private listening. For gamers, it’s worth noting that the input lag is low, and there’s a 120Hz input for optimised console gaming.
65-inch OLED65C4 4K TV
Score: 88/100
The latest in LG’s popular C Series OLED TVs, the C4 is a solid choice for gamers as well as film fans. All four of its HDMI ports support 120Hz gameplay at 4K, with compatibility available for smooth PC gaming too. There’s a “Game Optimiser” and dedicated dashboard for gaming settings to make life easier as well, while the input lag is low, making this screen a great option for serious joypad jockeys.
The set is built around LG’s webOS platform, so you’ll find a wide selection of streaming apps and the full cupboard of catch-up TV services when you need them. Its ease of use impressed us too, and we think it’s particularly suited to families because webOS now offers dedicated user profiles, which can be locked with a unique PIN, for personalised content recommendations.
There’s highly effective brightness-boosting picture processing that ensures the HDR performance doesn’t disappoint. This TV does a great job with HDR-enhanced shows, with bright reflective highlights, deep, convincing blacks and plenty of depth to enhance shadow detail. The audio performance is good enough, too.
There’s a stereo speaker array with 20W of amplification to call on, although our recommendation would be to pair the set with a matching LG soundbar, which opens the door to so-called “Wow Orchestra” functionality. This means that both the soundbar and the set’s loudspeakers can work together, for a significantly bigger wall of sound.
65 C805 4K QD Mini LED 4K HDR TV
Score: 86/100
This Mini LED model is a great pick for value. For under £800, you get a leading display, which utilises thousands of small LED lamps to give a high brightness picture, with precise black level control. It’s well-made, with a stylish brushed titanium metal bezel, and we found it easy to accommodate in our living space, thanks to its central pedestal stand.
There’s support for high frame rate (4K at 120Hz) gaming on all four HDMI inputs, as well as 4K at 144Hz support for PC owners. For home cinema enthusiasts, you’re treated to impressive Dolby Vision HDR, with high peak brightness and perfect inky blacks. Thanks to the quantum dot layer, the colours are rich and lush too.
The smart TV service used here is Google TV, so you get Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Prime Video among others. However, as with other Google TV models, the catch-up TV services are lacking. If you want BBC iPlayer, you’ll need another device connected to your TV (be it a games console, set-top box or a streaming device).
On the plus side, the set has Google Assistant voice control and works with Alexa too. It also features a stereo sound system designed by Onkyo, which works well, but it’s worth upgrading to a soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos.
What size room is good for a 65-inch TV?
Screen size anxiety is a real thing. Most of us suffer from it when considering our next TV purchase – we often hanker for a set larger than our last, to level up film nights and make big sporting events more exciting, but we often fear it will dominate the living room.
Do you pick one of the best 55-inch TVs? A 40 to 43-inch screen? Or is a smaller 32-inch TV enough for your bedroom instead?
There’s no doubt that for film buffs and sports enthusiasts, a larger screen will enhance the viewing experience – action scenes are more involving and sports more dynamic.
The good news is that it’s a lot easier to accommodate a big flatscreen in the average living room than it used to be. Today’s 65-inch models boast minimalist designs with ultra-narrow bezels. OLED and LED screen tech has paved the way for thinner panels, offering superior picture quality without impinging on your decor. These slimmer sets are also a lot easier to wall mount.
It is a little more challenging (although not impossible!) to find top 65-inch sets among the best TVs under £500, however, so factor that in if you're on a budget.
If your living room measures somewhere around 4.5 x 6 meters, a 65-inch TV will feel perfectly at home. We have a full guide to how to pick the right TV screen size for your room too, which may help you work out the best option for your space.
For a comfortable, immersive viewing experience, the rule of thumb is to sit about 1.5 times the diagonal screen size away from the TV. For a 65-inch screen, that equates to a distance of just over two metres.
With 4K UHD TVs offering a higher pixel density than older HD TVs, and an increasing amount of native 4K TV available from the likes of Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, it’s best not to sit too far away.
Things to consider when buying a 65-inch TV
With countless models on the market, finding the perfect telly for your needs can feel overwhelming. Today’s 65-inch screens offer more than just big pictures and the associated technical jargon can often seem intimidating.
Your choice of panel technology should be informed by your viewing habits. OLED models offer perfect blacks, with subtle shadow details, vibrant colours, and often dramatic HDR (High Dynamic Range). This makes them a great choice for movie fans who enjoy watching films in low light conditions.
LED-based screens employ a backlight (they’re not self-emissive like OLED) so tend to be brighter, which makes them ideal for well-lit rooms and daylight viewing in general. They also have exceptionally high peak brightness when it comes to HDR.
QLED (Quantum Dot LED) models provide enhanced colour accuracy and brightness. They’re awesome for sports and gaming.
There are various types of HDR (High Dynamic Range), and not all TVs support all variations. The standard is HDR10, but Dolby Vision is a favourite among film fans. HDR10+ is similar, but not so widely adopted. It’s not a bad idea to try to cover as many HDR formats as you can.
One increasingly important specification to look out for is high frame rate support. Next-generation games consoles, like the Playstation 5, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, can run 4K at 120Hz. If you’re a keen gamer or shopping for one, this is well worth having. Many models offer at least two HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz compatibility, while some offer four. If you’re not a gamer, a standard refresh rate of 60Hz will be fine for general viewing.
One big differentiator when it comes to large TVs is their sound system. While stereo is the standard, some flagship sets have Dolby Atmos cinematic sound. Remember, a stereo TV can always be upgraded with a soundbar at a later date.
All of today’s 65-inch TVs are smart, which means they connect to the internet and support apps for streaming. There’s a wide variety of similar looking, smart TV platforms, including Google TV, Tizen, and webOS, but not all will offer a full complement of catch-up TV services, so be sure to check this if you want BBC iPlayer and other catch-up players built-in.
You can also always connect a set-top box if you want to record live TV, or one of the best TV streaming devices if you want to improve the TV’s streaming interface or gain certain features only available on the Apple TV 4K or Amazon Fire TV Cube, for example.
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