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Looking for the cheapest 85-inch TV that’s actually worth buying this Black Friday 2025? Here are tested budget picks, what to watch for, realistic price expectations.
Cheapest 85-Inch TVs Worth Buying — Black Friday 2025 Value Guide.
Black Friday 2025 is the year big-screen TVs get ridiculously affordable — even the 85-inch category has some jaw-dropping value deals. But “cheap” doesn’t always mean “good.” This guide helps you find the cheapest 85-inch TVs that deliver actual value: solid picture, smart platform, usable HDR, and reliable support — without wasting money on a poorly built set.
Below you’ll find:
- Why 85-inch TVs are suddenly affordable
- The best budget 85-inch picks to watch this Black Friday (with price expectations)
- How to choose the right cheap 85″ TV (features that matter)
- Buying & deal-hunting strategy + affiliate placement tips
Why 85-inch TVs are suddenly within reach (and where the bargains are coming from)
Two trends drove prices down this year: improved panel manufacturing (more suppliers, cheaper mini-LED and QLED options) and aggressive retailer competition during Black Friday. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and mass-market brands have been pushing oversized sets into loss-leader territory to drive store traffic. You’re seeing real, significant markdowns across big brands and value brands alike. TechRadar+1
That means you can realistically score an 85-inch 4K smart TV that’s actually usable for movies and sports for a fraction of what similar sets cost two years ago. But — buyer beware — some ultra-cheap sets sacrifice brightness, local dimming, or sound quality. Below are the cheapest worth buying picks to add to your watchlist.
Top cheapest 85-inch TVs worth buying this Black Friday 2025
Cheapest 85-Inch TVs Worth Buying — Black Friday 2025 Value Guide.
I’ve grouped these by value tiers — “ultra-cheap,” “best mid-range value,” and “stretch for performance.” Prices are Black Friday predictions / observed early deals (watch retailer pages for live drops).
1) Ultra-cheap value: Insignia / Amazon-branded 85″ 4K — Best absolute price pick
Why watch: Insignia (Amazon brand) often leads in pure price vs size. TechRadar’s roundup flagged an Insignia 85″ deal that dropped to an unbelievable price in early Black Friday coverage — an option to consider if your priority is screen size above all. Expect extremely low prices and a basic Fire TV smart platform.
Pros: Massive screen for minimal cash; Fire TV built-in; good for casual viewing.
Cons: Lower peak brightness, limited local dimming, middling HDR
Price expectation (Black Friday): $499–$699 (watch for lightning deals).
2) Best mid-range value: Hisense QD7 / Hisense 85″ QLED — Great picture for the price
Why watch: Hisense’s large-panel QLEDs (QD7 and similar) deliver quantum-dot color and full-array local dimming in a value package — and early Black Friday coverage already shows sub-$800 pricing on some 85-inch Hisense models. If you want decent HDR and gaming features for under $1,000, this is the sweet spot.
Pros: Strong color, solid contrast for the money, useful smart platform (often Fire TV).
Cons: Peak brightness still trails premium sets; motion handling varies by model.
Price expectation (Black Friday): $797–$999 (excellent mid-range value).
3) Best budget from a top brand: Samsung U7 / U7900 (85″) — Trusted brand + good warranty
Why watch: Samsung’s 85-inch Crystal UHD and Neo QLED entry models often get deep retailer discounts — Best Buy’s Black Friday pages list Samsung 85″ sets near the $999 mark in current Black Friday sections. If you want a known brand with reliable software and service, Samsung’s discounted lines are strong picks.
Pros: Reliable software (Tizen), good warranty and store support, consistent performance.
Cons: You’ll sacrifice the top OLED/mini-LED contrast of premium lines.
Price expectation (Black Friday): $899–$1,199 for entry Neo/Crystal models.
4) Stretch pick (best performance under $2k): TCL QM6K / QM8K mini-LED 85″
Why watch: If you can stretch your budget, TCL’s QM6K mini-LED and QM8K deliver much better local dimming, higher brightness and gaming features (120Hz, VRR). TechRadar and RTINGS often recommend TCL as a value leader for picture quality in larger sizes. If you want an 85″ with noticeably better contrast, aim for TCL mini-LED deals.
Pros: Superior local dimming, better HDR, gaming features.
Cons: Pricier than entry level, but still a bargain vs flagship OLED.
Price expectation (Black Friday): $997–$1,799 depending on model and retailer.
Feature checklist — what matters when buying a cheap 85″ TV
When you’re choosing a budget 85-inch TV, don’t get blinded by size. Prioritize the features below:
- Panel type & backlight (LED / QLED / mini-LED / OLED) — Mini-LED and QLED are better for HDR; basic LED will still be fine for daily TV.
- Local dimming — Improves contrast on big screens; absence is painful on dark scenes.
- Peak brightness — Aim for higher nits if your room has lots of light — budget sets often struggle here.
- Resolution & upscaling — 4K is standard; look for a good upscaler if you watch HD content.
- Smart platform — Fire TV, Roku, Google TV, or Tizen — pick the ecosystem you use.
- Input lag & refresh rate — If you game, look for 120Hz/VRR/ALLM support.
- Ports & audio — Plenty of HDMI (at least one HDMI 2.1 if gaming). Consider a soundbar budget too.
- Warranty & return window — Big TVs benefit from retailer backing; check holiday return policies.
If a TV hits most of these (especially local dimming + reasonable peak brightness), you’ve found a budget winner — even if brand and price suggest it’s “cheap.”
Cheapest 85-Inch TVs Worth Buying — Black Friday 2025 Value Guide.
Where to buy and when — realistic Black Friday timing & tactics
- Early deals vs Doorbusters: Retailers launch early promotions in November; some best buys are “early Black Friday” and repeat on the main date. Others are true doorbusters that sell out. Keep an eye on Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and manufacturer outlets.
- Price alerts: Use Keepa (Amazon), Honey, and Best Buy wishlists to get instant alerts.
- Stacks that matter: Retailer discount + credit-card instant savings + trade-in or cashback apps can drop the final price significantly.
- Check model year/specs: Sometimes a cheaper 85″ is an older panel; confirm exact model number before buying.
- In-store pickup: For big TVs, sometimes in-store pickup avoids shipping delays and offers easier returns.
Sound & accessories — don’t forget these often-missed costs
A cheap 85-inch TV will likely need a soundbar (built-in speakers are weak on large panels). Budget for:
- Soundbar (budget): $100–$300
- Wall mount & pro installation: $50–$200 (large TVs need safe mounting)
- Surge protector & HDMI cables: $20–$60
Factor these into your total Black Friday budget — they’re essential for a good big-screen experience.
Cheapest 85-Inch TVs Worth Buying — Black Friday 2025 Value Guide.
ALSO READ-Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which Day Has Better Deals? Experts Weigh In (2025 Guide)
Quick comparison cheat-sheet (copy into your post)
| Pick | Why buy | Black Friday price range |
|---|---|---|
| Insignia 85″ (Fire TV) | Cheapest size option | $499–$699. |
| Hisense 85″ QD7 / QLED | Best color & value | $797–$999. |
| Samsung 85″ U7900 / Crystal | Trusted brand + support | $899–$1,199. |
| TCL QM6K / QM8K mini-LED | Best contrast under $2k | $997–$1,799. |
Final verdict — which cheapest 85″ should you buy this Black Friday?
- If your top priority is sheer screen size at the lowest possible price — go Insignia or similar value brand, but accept tradeoffs in HDR & contrast.
- If you want best picture for the money and decent HDR, aim for Hisense 85″ QLED deals — these are the best balance of price and performance.
- If you prefer brand reliability and service, Samsung discounted 85″ entry Neo/Crystal models at Best Buy are excellent choices.
- If you want a real step up (mini-LED / better HDR), plan to stretch to TCL QM6K/QM8K when they dip on Black Friday.
Quick action steps (for buyers)
- Make a short watchlist of 2–3 models above.
- Set price alerts in Keepa/Honey and Best Buy/Amazon wishlists.
- Compare final price including shipping, tax, and accessories.
- Have a backup model — doorbusters sell out fast.
- Use your affiliate links and capture emails if you’re publishing this as content.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.