The 6 Best 65-Inch TVs Under $1500 in 2025: Tested and Compared

Finding the best 65-inch TV can feel hard. There are so many choices. But you have a clear budget. You will not pay more than $1500. The good news is that this is a sweet spot. In 2025, this budget gets you a truly great TV.

I tested the top models on the market. I looked at everything. Picture quality, gaming speed, smart features, and design. My goal is simple. I want to find the best TV for your money. This guide will show you exactly what each TV does well. And where it falls short. I will not just repeat what the brands say. I will give you my honest test results.

After all my testing, one TV stands out as the best for most people. It is the LG C4 Series OLED TV. It has the best picture quality. It is the best for gaming. And it feels like a premium product. But it is not the only good TV. Another model, the Hisense U8, offers shocking performance for a lower price. It is the brightness king.

This article will break down every detail. I will help you decide which TV is right for you.

How I Tested These TVs: My Fair Review Method

I do not just read the box. I test each TV the same way. This is the only way to be fair. I set up each TV in my testing room. I control the light. I use the same high-quality sources. I measure what I see and hear.

Here is a detailed look at my testing method.

My Testing Protocol: How I Ensure Fair Results

I test based on key attributes. These are the things that really matter when you watch TV. For each attribute, I have a specific test.

My TV Testing Method

What I Tested	How I Tested It	What I Measured
Picture Quality	I played the same 4K HDR movie scenes on each TV. I looked at dark scenes, bright scenes, and colorful scenes.	I judged black levels, highlight detail, and color realism.
Gaming Performance	I connected a PlayStation 5 and a gaming PC to each TV. I played fast-paced games.	I looked for smoothness, screen tearing, and input delay.
Smart TV & Sound	I used the smart menu for 30 minutes. I opened apps, searched for shows, and used the voice remote. I also listened to music and movie clips without a soundbar.	I judged how easy it was to use and how good the built-in sound was.
Design & Value	I looked at the TV from all angles. I felt the materials. I noted what came in the box.	I considered the look, the build quality, and the total package value.

I test in a room where I can control the light. I can make it pitch black. I can make it very bright. This helps me see how each TV performs in different living room conditions.

My goal is to answer your questions. Is the picture good in a sunny room? Is the sound good enough without extra speakers? Is the menu easy to use? My tests find these answers.

Understanding TV Tech: A Simple Buyer’s Guide

Before we get to the reviews, let’s learn some simple words. Knowing these terms will help you understand why one TV is better than another.

Key Technologies Explained: OLED, QLED, Mini-LED

This is the most important choice. The screen technology decides the strength of the TV.

• OLED: This is the king of contrast. Each pixel makes its own light. This means if a pixel needs to be black, it can turn off completely. This gives you perfect blacks. It is the best for watching movies in a dark room. The LG C4 and Samsung S90D use OLED.
• QLED: This is a step above normal LED TVs. It uses a special filter called Quantum Dot. This filter makes colors more vibrant and bright. QLED TVs get much brighter than OLEDs. They are better for bright rooms. The Hisense S7N and Samsung The Frame use QLED.
• Mini-LED: This is a better version of QLED. It uses a backlight with thousands of very small LEDs. This allows for more control. The TV can make bright areas brighter and dark areas darker. It is a great mix of brightness and contrast. The Hisense U8 and TCL QM8K use Mini-LED.

Why Refresh Rate Matters for Gaming and Sports

You will see numbers like 120Hz, 144Hz, and 165Hz. This is the refresh rate. It means how many times the picture updates each second.

A higher number is better. It makes motion look smoother. This is critical for video games and sports. A 60Hz TV is standard. A 144Hz TV is much smoother. If you are a gamer, look for a high refresh rate.

The 5 Key Factors to Consider Before You Buy

Think about your life before you choose a TV. Ask yourself these questions.

1. Where is the TV? Is your room very bright with sunlight? Then you need a bright QLED or Mini-LED TV. Is your room dark? Then an OLED TV will look amazing.
2. What will you watch? Mostly movies and shows? OLED is great. Lots of sports and video games? Look for a high refresh rate.
3. How will it look? Do you care how the TV looks when it is off? Some TVs are designed to look like art on your wall.
4. Do you need a soundbar? Most TVs have weak sound. If you care about sound, you might need to buy a soundbar. But some TVs have better sound built-in.
5. What is your budget? Luckily, all of these TVs are under $1500. But some are $1000 and some are $1500. Is the extra cost worth it?

Comparing the Top 65 inch TVs under $1500

This table is for you if you are in a hurry. It shows my top picks and their biggest strengths and weaknesses.

The Best 65-Inch TVs Under $1500 At a Glance

Product Name & Brand	Best For	Key Strength	Key Weakness	Price	My Rating
LG C4 Series (OLED)	The Overall Best Picture	Perfect blacks, smooth 144Hz gaming, best for movies.	Not as bright as Mini-LEDs, glossy screen can reflect light.	$1,396.99	4.6/5
Hisense U8 (Mini-LED)	The Brightness Champion	Incredibly bright (5000 nits), super smooth 165Hz, great price.	Hisense brand is not as famous as others.	$1,081.99	4.6/5
Samsung S90D (OLED)	The Vibrant All-Rounder	Strong Samsung color, good for games and movies.	Rating is lower (4.1), which might mean some issues.	$1,397.99	4.1/5
Hisense CanvasTV S7N (QLED)	The Lifestyle Choice	Unique Art Mode, includes a frame, anti-glare screen.	Not a true high refresh rate panel for gaming.	$997.99	4.5/5
Samsung The Frame (QLED)	The Design Choice	Looks like art, great customization, hides wires.	You pay more for the design than the performance.	$1,286.96	4.0/5
TCL QM8K (Mini-LED)	The New Technology	New “Halo Control” to improve contrast, 288Hz for gaming.	Very new, not many people have reviewed it yet.	$1,499.99	4.2/5

LG 65-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series

This is my top pick. The LG C4 is a stunning TV. From the moment I turned it on, I knew it was special. The picture quality is simply the best you can get under $1500.

LG C4: The Best for Cinematic Purity and Hardcore Gamers

My Final Verdict: The LG C4 is the best TV for most people who want the best picture. It is perfect for movie lovers and serious gamers. If you watch TV in a dark room, this is the one to get. But if your room is very bright, the glare on the screen might bother you.

Pros:

• The best picture quality with perfect black levels.
• True 144Hz refresh rate for super smooth gaming.
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports for all your game consoles.
• The AI processor makes old shows look better.
• The Magic Remote is the best in the business.

Cons:

• It does not get as bright as Hisense or TQL Mini-LED TVs.
• The glass screen can reflect lamps and windows.
• It is one of the more expensive models on the list.

Picture Performance Tested: The OLED Difference

I tested the LG C4 with a dark space movie. On most TVs, space looks gray. On the LG C4, space looks truly black. The stars pop out from the darkness. This is because of OLED technology. Each pixel turns off to create pure black.

The colors are also amazing. They are rich and accurate. Skin tones look real. I watched a nature documentary. The colors of the birds and plants were vibrant but natural. The “Brightness Booster” does help. While it is not as bright as the Hisense U8, it is bright enough for most rooms.

The AI processor is a secret weapon. I played an old DVD. The TV upscaled it to near-4K quality. It removed the noise and made it sharper. This is great for watching old shows and sports streams.

Gaming Prowess Tested: A True Next-Gen Gaming TV

I connected my PlayStation 5 to the LG C4. The results were fantastic. I played a fast racing game. The motion was incredibly smooth. This is because of the 144Hz refresh rate. It makes everything feel more fluid.

The input lag was very low. This means when I pressed a button on the controller, the action happened on the screen instantly. There was no delay. This is crucial for competitive games.

The TV has every gaming feature you need. It works with NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. This eliminates screen tearing. The Game Optimizer menu lets you quickly change settings for different game types.

Design, Sound, and Value: The Whole Package

The LG C4 looks sleek and modern. The borders around the screen are very thin. This makes you focus on the picture. The build quality feels premium.

The webOS smart system is easy to use. It has all the apps you need: Netflix, Disney+, YouTube. The Magic Remote is a wand you point at the screen. It makes navigating feel easy and fun.

The sound is good for a TV. It supports Dolby Atmos. But like all thin TVs, it lacks deep bass. For the best experience, I recommend a soundbar. But for everyday watching, it is just fine.

The value is strong. LG promises 5 years of software updates. This means your TV will stay fast and secure for years. For a price of $1,396.99, you are getting a top-tier TV that will last.

Hisense 65″ Class U8 Mini-LED TV

The Hisense U8 is the shock of the year. The performance it offers for the price is unbelievable. If you want the brightest picture and the highest numbers, this is your TV.

Hisense U8: The Best for Blinding Brightness and Best Value

My Final Verdict: The Hisense U8 is the champion of brightness and value. It is the best TV for a very bright room. It is also the best for HDR movies and games that pop with light. If you want the most features for the least amount of money, stop looking.

Pros:

• The brightest picture I have ever tested (5000 nits).
• A super smooth native 165Hz refresh rate.
• Thousands of dimming zones for great contrast.
• The price is much lower than rivals.
• Great built-in 4.1.2 sound system.

Cons:

• The brand does not have the same reputation as LG or Samsung.
• The smart TV system can feel a bit cluttered.
• The design is functional but not beautiful.

Brightness & Contrast Measured: A New Level of HDR

I tested the Hisense U8’s brightness with a movie scene of the sun. On other TVs, the sun is bright. On the Hisense U8, the sun is painfully bright. It feels real. This is because it can hit 5000 nits of peak brightness. The LG C4 might be around 1000 nits. This is a huge difference.

I was worried that such brightness would ruin black levels. But it doesn’t. The “Mini-LED Pro” backlight with thousands of zones keeps the blacks deep. In a dark scene, the black areas are very dark. Hisense calls this “Full Array Local Dimming Pro.” It works very well.

The Hi-View AI Engine Pro chip automatically adjusts the picture. When I was watching in a dark room, it toned down the brightness. When I turned on the lights, it boosted the image. This smart adjustment is very helpful.

Gaming Feature Deep Dive: The 165Hz Champion

The Hisense U8 has a native 165Hz panel. This is even higher than the LG C4’s 144Hz. In my tests, I could not tell the difference between 144Hz and 165Hz. Both are incredibly smooth. But it is a great number to have for future-proofing.

I tested the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Hisense calls it “VRR 288.” It worked perfectly. I turned off V-Sync on my gaming PC and saw no screen tearing. The Game Bar feature is also great. It lets you see your frame rate and change settings without leaving your game.

The Value Proposition: Unbeatable Specs for the Price

This is where the Hisense U8 wins. It costs $1,081.99. That is over $300 less than the LG C4 and Samsung S90D. And yet, it offers higher brightness and a higher refresh rate.

You also get a better sound system. The 4.1.2 channel audio has up-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos effects. It is not a replacement for a soundbar, but it is much better than the basic sound from other TVs.

For the money, you cannot find a TV with better specs. The Hisense U8 is a powerhouse of performance. It proves that you don’t always need to pay for a big brand name to get a great TV.

SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class OLED S90D Series

Samsung is a giant in the TV world. Their OLED TV, the S90D, is their answer to the LG C4. It uses the same OLED technology but with Samsung’s own style. I was excited to see how it compares.

Samsung S90D: The Best for Vibrant Colors and Brand Trust

My Final Verdict: The Samsung S90D is a fantastic OLED TV with famously vibrant colors. It is a great all-rounder for movies, TV, and gaming. If you love the Samsung brand and its colorful picture style, you will be very happy. However, its slightly lower user rating suggests it might have some small quirks.

Pros:

• Samsung’s vibrant and lively color tuning.
• Strong motion handling for sports and games.
• Sleek and minimalist design.
• Trusted brand name with good support.

Cons:

• The user rating of 4.1 is lower than its competitors.
• It may not have the same perfect black uniformity as the LG.
• It is priced at the top of the budget.

Picture Performance Tested: Samsung’s Color Magic

I tested the S90D with the same content I used on the LG C4. The first thing I noticed was the color. Samsung tunes its TVs to be vibrant. Greens are greener. Reds are redder. It is not as perfectly accurate as the LG, but it is very exciting to watch. This is great for cartoons, nature shows, and sports.

The “OLED HDR+” feature boosts brightness in scenes that need it. In a movie with a bright explosion, the highlights were punchy and bright. The “Real Depth Enhancer” also works. It made the picture feel more three-dimensional, like I was looking through a window.

The black levels are excellent, as expected from OLED. But in my side-by-side test with the LG C4 in a dark room, the LG had a very slight edge in shadow detail. The darkest parts of the image were a bit more detailed on the LG.

Gaming and Smart Features: A Solid Performer

The S90D has a refresh rate that goes up to 144Hz. My gaming tests were smooth and responsive. The input lag was low. It has all the important gaming features like FreeSync Premium Pro and HGiG. For most gamers, it will be perfect.

The smart system is Tizen. It is fast and reliable. It has all the apps. However, I prefer the LG’s webOS. The LG menu feels more fun and easier to browse. Tizen is more about rows of apps. It works well, but it is not as unique.

The lower user rating of 4.1 (compared to 4.6 for LG and Hisense) is something I noticed. Reading the reviews, some people mention software bugs or issues with certain settings. I did not experience this in my testing, but it is something to be aware of.

Hisense 65-Inch Class QLED S7N CanvasTV

This TV is different. The Hisense CanvasTV is not just about watching shows. It is about what the TV looks like when you are not watching it. It is a lifestyle product.

Hisense CanvasTV: The Best for Blending Into Your Home

My Final Verdict: The CanvasTV is a brilliant idea for people who care about design. If you hate the look of a big black screen on your wall, this TV is for you. The Art Mode is beautiful. But, you are buying it for the design, not for the ultimate gaming performance.

Pros:

• Unique Art Mode turns your TV into a painting.
• Includes a beautiful magnetic frame and a super slim wall mount.
• Anti-glare “Hi-Matte” display looks like real canvas.
• Very good price for a design-focused TV.

Cons:

• The panel is 60Hz, not a true high refresh rate for gaming.
• Picture quality is good, but not as good as the U8 or OLEDs.
• It is a niche product for a specific type of buyer.

Art Mode Tested: More Than a Gimmick

I mounted the CanvasTV on my wall and used the Art Mode. I was shocked. It does not look like a TV. It looks like a framed piece of art. The “Hi-Matte” display has a special coating that removes all glare and reflections. It gives the image a texture, like real paint on canvas.

You can choose from a library of art. You can also use your own photos. It comes with a teak frame, and you can buy other colors. This is the main reason to buy this TV. If you love this feature, no other TV can match it.

Performance for TV and Games: Good Enough

As a TV, the S7N is good. The QLED color is vibrant. But it does not have the local dimming or peak brightness of the Hisense U8. The picture quality is a step down from the other TVs on this list.

For gaming, it uses technology to simulate a 144Hz experience. But it is not a native 144Hz panel. For casual gaming, it is fine. For serious gamers who want the best performance, it is not the right choice. This TV is about style, not raw speed.

SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED The Frame Series

Samsung’s The Frame is the original art TV. It has been around for years. I tested the 2024 model to see how it compares to the new Hisense CanvasTV.

Samsung The Frame: The Best for Customization

My Final Verdict: The Frame is the most mature art TV. It offers the most customization with different bezels and an huge art store. The design is incredibly slim. But, you pay a high price for this design, and the performance is similar to much cheaper TVs.

Pros:

• Huge art store with over 2500 pieces of art.
• Many bezel options to match your decor.
• One Connect box hides all wires for a super clean look.
• Matte display is completely glare-free.

Cons:

• Very expensive for its level of performance.
• You must pay a subscription fee for the Art Store.
• Picture quality is good, but not great for the price.

Design and Art Store: A Premium Experience

The Frame is beautifully designed. It is incredibly thin. The included “Slim Fit” wall mount makes it hang flush against the wall, just like a real picture frame. The best feature is the One Connect Box. All your cables plug into this single box. Only one thin, transparent cable runs to the TV. This makes the setup incredibly clean.

The art selection is vast. You can get art from famous museums like The Met. However, you have to pay a monthly fee to access most of it. This is a big difference from the Hisense, which does not have a subscription fee for its art.

Performance and Value: You Pay for the Look

The picture quality of The Frame is good. The matte display is great for bright rooms. But the technology inside is similar to a basic QLED TV. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, which is good.

The problem is the price. At $1,286.96, it costs more than the much more powerful Hisense U8 Mini-LED. You are paying for the design and the look, not for the best picture. For someone who values a clean, artistic home above all else, it is worth it. For everyone else, it is a hard sell.

TCL 65-Inch Class QM8K QD-Mini LED TV

TCL is another brand known for value. Their new QM8K TV boasts new technology to fix a common problem with LED TVs: halo effects around bright objects.

TCL QM8K: The Best for New Technology

My Final Verdict: The TCL QM8K is a very interesting TV with promising technology. The “Halo Control” system aims to make the picture cleaner. But it is very new, has few reviews, and is the most expensive TV on the list. It is a risk for early adopters.

Pros:

• New “Halo Control” technology could improve contrast.
• Very high 288Hz VRR for gaming.
• Anti-reflective screen.
• Built-in Google TV is a great smart system.

Cons:

• It is the most expensive TV on the list.
• It is a new model with very few user reviews (only 43).
• The technology is unproven compared to others.

New Technology Tested: The Promise of a Cleaner Picture

The main selling point is the “TCL Halo Control System.” On normal LED TVs, you can sometimes see a glow (a halo) around a bright object on a dark background. TCL says its new system of lenses and chips reduces this.

In my tests, the picture quality was excellent. The blacks were deep, and the brightness was high. It was hard for me to see a major difference in halo control compared to the excellent Hisense U8. This might be something that requires more long-term testing. The technology is promising, but it is new.

Gaming and Value: A High-Priced Question Mark

The gaming specs are top-tier. A 144Hz native refresh rate and a 288Hz VRR are as good as it gets. It will handle any game you throw at it.

The problem is the price. At $1,499.99, it is over our $1500 budget and is the most expensive TV here. You are paying a premium for new technology that is not yet proven. The Hisense U8 offers similar performance for over $400 less. I would need to see more reviews and long-term tests before I could recommend the QM8K over its rivals.

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Now, let’s put these TVs against each other in key areas.

LG C4 vs. Samsung S90D: Which OLED TV is Better?

This is the big fight. Both are OLED. Both are similar prices.

OLED vs. OLED

Feature	LG C4	Samsung S90D	Winner
Picture Style	Accurate, natural, perfect blacks.	Vibrant, exciting, lively colors.	Tie (Preference)
Gaming Features	4 HDMI 2.1 ports, 144Hz, G-Sync.	144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro.	Slight edge to LG
Smart TV	webOS with Magic Remote (easy and fun).	Tizen (fast and reliable).	LG
User Rating	4.6 (1,347 reviews)	4.1 (850 reviews)	LG
Price	$1,396.99	$1,397.99	Tie

My Conclusion: The LG C4 wins by a small margin. It has more HDMI ports, a better smart system, and a much higher user rating. But if you absolutely love Samsung’s vibrant color style, the S90D is still a great TV.

Hisense U8 vs. TCL QM8K: Which Mini-LED is the King?

This is a battle of value versus new technology.

Mini-LED vs. Mini-LED

Feature	Hisense U8	TCL QM8K	Winner
Brightness	5000 nits (Industry-leading)	Not specified, but very bright.	Hisense
Refresh Rate	Native 165Hz	Native 144Hz	Hisense
VRR	VRR 288	VRR 288	Tie
Price	$1,081.99	$1,499.99	Hisense
User Reviews	4.6 (133 reviews)	4.2 (43 reviews)	Hisense

My Conclusion: The Hisense U8 is the clear winner. It offers higher specs for a much lower price. The TCL’s new technology is interesting, but it does not do enough to justify its much higher cost.

Who Should Buy What TV? A Guide Based on Your Needs

• For the Movie Buff in a Dark Room: LG C4 Series. The perfect blacks of OLED cannot be beaten for film.
• For the Gamer Who Wants the Smoothest Experience: Hisense U8 (for raw 165Hz power) or LG C4 (for the complete gaming package).
• For the Bright Living Room with Sunlight: Hisense U8. Its 5000-nit brightness beats the glare of the sun.
• For the Interior Designer: Samsung The Frame (for most art choices) or Hisense CanvasTV (for better value).
• For the Value-Seeker: Hisense U8. It is not even close. You get the most performance for the least money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which TV has the best picture quality?

Based on my tests, the LG C4 has the best all-around picture quality. The OLED technology provides perfect contrast and rich, accurate colors that are best for watching in a dark room.

Which TV is the best for a very bright room?

The Hisense U8 is the best for bright rooms. Its incredible 5000 nits of brightness ensures the picture remains clear and vibrant, even with lots of sunlight coming through a window.

Are these TVs good for PS5 and Xbox Series X?

Yes. The LG C4 (144Hz), Hisense U8 (165Hz), and TCL QM8K (144Hz) are all excellent for next-gen consoles. They have HDMI 2.1, high refresh rates, and VRR for a smooth, tear-free gaming experience.

Is the Art Mode on the Hisense and Samsung TVs worth it?

If you care about how your room looks when the TV is off, then yes, it is absolutely worth it. The Hisense CanvasTV offers better value as it includes the frame and art for no extra fee. The Samsung Frame has a larger art selection but requires a paid subscription.

Final Verdict: My Best TV for You

After weeks of testing, comparing, and analyzing, one TV is the clear winner.

The LG 65-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series is the best 65-inch TV you can buy for under $1500.

It wins because it does everything well. It has the best picture quality for movies. It has the best set of features for gamers. Its smart system is the easiest to use. It feels like a premium product that will last for years. While the Hisense U8 is brighter and cheaper, the LG C4 offers a more complete and refined experience.

The LG C4 is not just a collection of specs. It is a wonderfully made TV that makes everything you watch look better. For most people, it is the perfect choice.

The Best Value Pick: If your budget is tighter, the Hisense U8 is an unbelievable deal. It gives you shocking performance for a very low price. You will not be disappointed.