LG QNED86A / QNED85A / QNED87A Review

QNED85A / QNED86A / QNED87A / A6A / A6B / A6C

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This TV was tested by:

Maciej Koper

Paweł Koper

Last updated::

9/6/2025 5:53:09 PM

LG QNED86A6A is a television that is supposed to revolutionise the market to some extent – or at least that’s how LG wants to position it. It features Mini-LED technology in a budget-friendly version, a 120 Hz panel, and a full set of features for gamers. This model is aimed at those looking for an affordable TV with fast refresh rates and support for modern standards. The question is whether we are indeed witnessing a revolution or merely a well-known design that looks like a refreshed version of last year's QNED87T? You will find out in our review.

LG QNED86A - Our verdict

7.0

Overall rating

QNED86A6A is a television that really does a great job in its price class when it comes to sports, gaming, and everyday TV viewing. The 120 Hz panel makes the image smooth, and the motion sharp, which will be appreciated by both fans and gamers. Additionally, it has low input lag along with a full suite of gaming features such as HGiG, VRR, and ALLM. The television works just as well with a computer as it does with a console, so in the office or on a desk in the 43” version, it will serve excellently as a work monitor. Another strong point is the webOS system. It’s a fast, stable, and app-rich operating system that paired with the Magic Remote provides very convenient operation. The new version of the remote is slimmer and fits better in the hand, and the on-screen cursor is a feature that many competitors lack. On top of that, there are classic features – USB recording, Bluetooth for headphones, and a full set of HDMI 2.1 with eARC and Dolby Atmos support. This makes the televisions from the QNED85 series some of the most "multimedia" televisions in their class. But there’s no point in sugar-coating it; this model also has some significant drawbacks. Its biggest disadvantage is undoubtedly the contrast, or rather the lack thereof. The IPS panel combined with the edge-lit “mini-LED” is just a very bad idea. The screen simply isn’t suitable for watching movies in a dark living room. Blacks are a greyish-blue, and local dimming can create strips of light reminiscent of lasers, which effectively ruins the viewing experience. For home cinema, it’s not a choice that can be recommended with full conviction. The second issue may not be directly related to the television itself but rather its sales. It concerns chaos in the naming conventions and differences in derivative versions. The same model, even with the same designation, can have a different colour frame or stand depending on the store. This can really be frustrating for the buyer and evoke a sense of confusion. To summarise briefly: LG QNED86A6A is a great television for sports, gaming, and everyday TV, with a convenient system and high functionality. But if you’re looking for a screen strictly for movies or series and require deep blacks, it’s better to look towards televisions that can actually be confidently referred to as Mini-LEDs.

Advantages

120 Hz panel, great for sports and gaming
Very low input lag
Excellent for gamers (VRR, ALLM, HGiG etc.)
Full set of HDMI 2.1 ports
Good compatibility with PC (great font readability)
Bright picture (about 700 nits in HDR), suitable for moderately bright rooms
Good viewing angles (IPS)
Support for Dolby Vision
User-friendly webOS operating system with Magic Remote control featuring voice assistant
Ability to record programs to USB

Disadvantages

Very poor black levels and contrast due to the IPS panel
Lack of the advertised 144 Hz in PC mode
Aggressive “light stripes” when local dimming is turned on (edge local dimming ruins evening movie sessions)
Confusion in model names and versions – even TVs with the same name in different stores can have different stands (central or two legs) or frame colours, which can be quite misleading when making a purchase.

Movies and series in UHD quality

6.4
Classic TV, YouTube

6.2
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

7.2
Gaming on console

8.4
TV as a computer monitor

8.0
Watching in bright light

5.8
Utility functions

8.4
Apps

9.1
Sound quality

6.0

LG QNED86A - Competing TVs in this price range

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Samsung QN990F 98”

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TCL C8K 98”

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TCL C6K 98”

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Hisense U7Q 100”

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TCL C655 / C69B 98' 98”

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TCL MQLED85 / C765 98”

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Sony X90L 98”

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Review Samsung Neo QLED QN90D / QN92D Main photo

Samsung Neo QLED QN90D / QN92D 98”

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LG QNED86A - TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Build quality: BuildQuality-Good

Stand type: Central

Kolor ramki: Graphite

Review LG QNED86A / QNED85A / QNED87A Appearance of the TV

Stand: Height adjustment
Flat design: Yes
Accessories: Stand

LG QNED86A looks quite nice and definitely stands out among its competitors in its class. Its slimness is the most distinguishing feature. Thanks to this, with the right mount, it can be hung really close to the wall, creating an almost integrated installation effect. An interesting and practical addition is the central metal stand included in the package. Importantly, it is also adjustable in height, so we can easily fit a soundbar underneath the television. The handling of cables is somewhat lacking. We could have used more cable organizers, which may detract from the minimalist effect. The frame on the tested QNED86A6A model was slim, although finished in plastic that doesn’t provide a truly premium feel. It’s also worth remembering that depending on the version and size, the QNED86A may come with two widely spaced legs instead of a central stand. The problem is that it’s not entirely clear which designation corresponds to which variant. It seems that even the manufacturer and distributors are confused about this, as evidenced by the photos from online store listings showing different versions under the same model name.

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LG QNED86A - Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

3.7/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 6 (1 x 6)

Review LG QNED86A / QNED85A / QNED87A Contrast and black detail

Result

4,050:1

Result

1,750:1

Result

4,800:1

Result

1,850:1

Result

1,350:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

While the manufacturer describes the QNED86A as a Mini-LED television, there’s no sign of the multi-zone local dimming system known from pricier models. In practice, we have a classic edge lighting system, which only allows for dimming horizontal strips of the screen from top to bottom. Combined with a low-contrast IPS/ADS panel, the effect is simply poor. If we choose to leave local dimming on, a problem arises - the television can illuminate selected areas in such a way that it looks like “flying lasers” crossing the screen. This is very distracting and in such conditions, it’s hard to talk about truly cinematic experiences. Therefore, in our opinion, it's better to turn this function off. However, one must reckon with the fact that the contrast then drops to around 1500:1, but at least the image doesn’t irritate with artificial flashes.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

LG QNED86A - HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 95.4%, Bt.2020: 73.4%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review LG QNED86A / QNED85A / QNED87A Brightness measurement

Result

602 nit

Result

524 nit

Result

690 nit

Result

512 nit

Result

500 nit

Against the backdrop of contrast and black, the brightness of the QNED86A and the overall HDR effect fare much better. It's a television that can achieve around 700 nits under the best conditions, so in terms of luminance alone, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. As a result, scenes with strong lights, explosions, flashes, or bright parts of the landscape – look clear and can make an impression. Interestingly, even in tougher moments with small, contrasting elements on the screen, the television does well with backlighting and details are quite visible. The problem arises when there are many dark tones. The lack of effective local dimming means that black virtually disappears, and instead, we get a grey glow spreading across the entire screen. This kills the depth effect and causes the image to appear flat, as if it lacks cinematic character. In bright animations or family films with vibrant colours, this won't be an issue, as the colours and bright light dominate. But in horror films or productions set in darkness, these limitations are strongly felt. As a consolation, it’s worth noting that the QNED86A is essentially a QLED television with an LED PFS filter, which gives it very good coverage of wide colour gamuts. Both the DCI-P3 palette and the wider BT.2020 perform solidly here. This means that colours in HDR films are saturated, juicy, and have the right depth – even if the black itself is disappointing, the colours can save the viewing experience and make the image look appealing.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

Comparing the QNED86A to the most expensive screens on the market, it must be acknowledged that it faced a considerable challenge. And while the very weak blacks often ruined the effect, the viewing experience of some productions was quite decent. The best scene was from the film "Pan," filled with bright colours and dynamic effects. There, the television performed really well, and it was hard to fault it seriously – aside from the previously mentioned greyish blacks, particularly visible in film strips in 21:9 format. However, the scene from "Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk" did not fare as well. In theory simpler, yet more demanding – the fireworks were rendered correctly, but details in dark sections either completely disappeared or were artificially boosted by aggressive dimming from the edges of the screen. This made the image lose coherence and naturalness. The QNED86A is certainly not a screen that can be confidently recommended to every film enthusiast. In dark conditions, its limitations become apparent very quickly and spoil the atmosphere, which is much better preserved in other Mini-LED televisions.

HDR luminance chart:

HDR luminance

As you've probably noticed, the QNED86A doesn't handle static HDR10 mapping very well. The image in this mode can be flat, oversaturated, and lacks natural depth. In such conditions, watching a movie can quickly lose its appeal, as everything looks as if someone has overdone the brightness slider. Fortunately, LG made a step in the right direction in 2025 and restored support for Dolby Vision dynamic metadata, which was missing in last year's QNED87T. This is a significant change because, with Dolby Vision, the television is capable of showing much more detail and maintaining better image consistency in difficult scenes. Of course, it still lacks quite a bit compared to the best competitors in this budget, but the difference between HDR10 and Dolby Vision in this model is clear and often saves the QNED86A from despair.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

LG QNED86A - Smoothness of tonal transitions

8.9/10

Colour gradation is one of the strong points of the QNED86A. In everyday viewing, the picture looks really smooth, without noticeable "steps" or sudden transitions between colours. The TV handles colour blending quite naturally, so with most content, it’s hard to spot any issues with gradation. Any imperfections only appear in extreme conditions – for example, in the darkest parts of films, where even much more expensive TVs can have problems. There, you might notice slight banding or characteristic stripes, but these are marginal situations that shouldn’t be a bother during regular use. Overall, the QNED86A performs well in this category and has nothing to be ashamed of compared to the competition.

Review LG QNED86A / QNED85A / QNED87A Smoothness of tonal transitions — These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7.8/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video. The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

If someone is worried about potential "steps" when blending colours, the QNED86A has a simple solution for that. Just turn on the feature called Smooth Gradation and set it to the medium level. Then the TV really smooths out all those unwanted transitions – especially in older productions – and it does so in a way that the film grain doesn’t disappear, nor do any strange artefacts appear. In other words, you can use it without any worries.

The upscaling itself also turns out quite well. Of course, there are no miracles here – with poorer quality sources, you can notice characteristic jagged edges. Fortunately, there is a sharpness slider in the menu, and if someone prefers a more "soft" image, it can be quickly adjusted to their own taste.

LG QNED86A - Blur and motion smoothness

7.9/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)

BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 240Hz (double contours)

Brightness drop with BFI: 62%

Review LG QNED86A / QNED85A / QNED87A Blur and motion smoothness — The photo presents the motion smoothing settings in the tested TV.

QNED86A has been equipped with a 120 Hz refresh rate panel, so right from the start, it can be said to be suitable for both sports and gaming. And indeed it is – the picture looks smooth, and motion blur isn’t too much of an issue. IPS panels have always had a bit of a problem with this, and here too you can sometimes notice slight blurring, especially in very dynamic scenes, but it’s not something that ruins watching a match or a fast-paced game. For cinema and sports fans, LG has included the traditional TruMotion smoothing feature. In the menu, we have two sliders – one for movies (De-Judder), and the other for sports (De-Blur). The first adds missing frames and allows you to adjust the character of motion – from raw, cinematic to a more fluid, “theatrical” feel. The second improves sharpness during dynamic actions, so it’s worth turning it up a bit if you watch a lot of sports.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

LG QNED86A - Console compatibility and gaming features

9.8/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 120Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
Correct implementation of HGIG: Yes
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: Yes
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: Yes

When it comes to gaming, the LG QNED86A6A is a complete tool. It features four HDMI 2.1 ports with a full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, which means that whether you connect a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X, or a powerful PC – everything will work in full 4K at 120 Hz with support for all functions. This is a significant advantage, as some competitors still only feature two such ports, which can be troublesome when dealing with multiple devices. It also includes VRR, or variable refresh rate, which eliminates screen tearing, and ALLM, which automatically activates game mode when the console powers on. Dolby Vision Gaming is included as well, alongside proper implementation of the HGiG format, so titles that support these formats look livelier and more detailed. Additionally, there's the Game Optimizer – a kind of control centre for gamers. From this interface, you can view image parameters in real time, quickly switch modes, activate additional features, or adjust picture settings to your own preferences. The LG QNED86A6A has basically everything you would expect from a modern gaming television.

LG QNED86A - Input lag

9.9/10

There’s really nothing to complain about here. The QNED86A6A achieves excellent results – around 5 ms with 120 Hz content and about 15 ms with 60 Hz. These values will comfortably satisfy both console gamers and those who connect a PC to the TV. The response to movements is instantaneous, so you can forget about delays between the image and the action on the pad.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 15 ms	2160p60: 14 ms	2160p60 DV: 15 ms
1080p120: 6 ms	2160p120: 6 ms	2160p120 DV: 6 ms
2160p60: 14 ms
2160p120: 6 ms

LG QNED86A - Compatibility with PC

8/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 6ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: RGB

Max refresh rate: 120Hz

G-Sync: Yes

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

LG QNED86A, with its IPS panel, full RGB subpixel layout, and proper implementation of chroma 4:4:4, makes text look fantastic on the QNED86A6A. The text is sharp, clear, and readable, making the TV ideal for office work. This is important as this year the model also debuts in a 43" size, which can easily sit on a desk and serve as a large monitor. Of course, some users opting for the 43" will be gamers, and here too there are no complaints. The TV supports 4K at 120 Hz, so gameplay is smooth and enjoyable. It's a bit of a shame that there wasn't a mode with a higher refresh rate, such as the 144Hz claimed by the manufacturer, as PC gamers would definitely appreciate that. Despite this, the QNED86A6A performs really well as a monitor for gaming and work.

LG QNED86A - Viewing angles

6.9/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 61%

QNED86A6A performs very well in this regard. The IPS panel used here ensures that the image retains its brightness and colour saturation even when viewed at an angle. There is no fading effect here, which often occurs in cheaper TVs with VA panels. Of course – it’s not worth comparing it to the level offered by organic panels, where colours and contrast hold perfectly at almost any angle. But as far as LCD TVs go, this is definitely one of the better results and is more than sufficient for watching movies or sports together on the couch with a larger group.

LG QNED86A - TV efficiency during daytime

5.8/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Decent

Black levels during daytime: Good

QNED86A6A is not a master of brightness, but it manages adequately. Thanks to the moderately high brightness of the panel and quite decent glare reduction, the TV performs well in typical, moderately lit living rooms. The picture remains clear, and the colours do not lose their intensity in daylight. However, let's not kid ourselves, this is not a screen that will handle extremely bright conditions, where sunlight floods in through large windows and strongly saturates the room.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

LG QNED86A / QNED85A / QNED87A: 462 cd/m2

LG QNED86A - TV features

8.4/10

System: WebOS

System performance: Good

HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)

Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): Yes
Recording programming: Yes
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: Yes

Smart features:

AirPlay: Yes
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
Voice search: Yes
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes

Review LG QNED86A / QNED85A / QNED87A TV features

Smart Features: webOS

QNED86A6A runs on the well-known webOS – a system that has been a strong point of LG TVs for years. Everything operates quickly and smoothly, applications launch without significant delays, although the interface can sometimes feel a bit overloaded with ads. Fortunately, day to day, the convenience outweighs the shortcomings. A significant advantage is the Magic Remote, which allows you to control the cursor like a mouse – it's one of those solutions that you quickly get used to and later find hard to give up. In the new version, the remote is slimmer, as it has been stripped of the numeric keypad. Some will appreciate the simplicity, while others will miss the classic set of buttons; it’s more a matter of habit.

Classic Features

On board, we also find some solutions that in 2025 are not always obvious. There is the option to record programs from the built-in DVB-T2 tuners to USB, so you can easily return to a match or series at any time. In the evening, Bluetooth headphone support is handy – especially if someone in the house falls asleep quicker than we do. Additionally, there’s a full set of HDMI 2.1 ports with eARC support and audio formats such as Dolby Digital or Dolby Atmos.

Sound connection options

HDMI audio:

eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)

Other audio outputs:

Toslink: Yes

Wireless audio:

Bluetooth: Yes
WiSA: Yes

Obsługiwane formaty audio:

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
Dolby True HD 7.1: No
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: No
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: No
DTS-HD Master Audio: No

Ułatwienia dla seniorów

Numeric keyboard on TV: No
Font size adjustment: No
Audio description: Yes

LG QNED86A - Apps

9.1/10

LG QNED86A - Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.9/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

The built-in media player in the QNED86A6A handles the most popular audio and video formats quite well. During testing, we had no issues playing MP4, MKV, or MP3 files; everything played smoothly and without hiccups. The TV also managed most images, although here we encountered a common barrier for many manufacturers – the lack of full support for the HEIC format from Apple. So, if you regularly use an iPhone and store photos in this standard, you'll need to convert them beforehand or, better yet, transfer them using AirPlay. Other than that, it's hard to find fault; as far as built-in solutions go, it's really decent.

LG QNED86A - Sound

6/10

84dB

Maximum volume

Supported codecs

(TV speakers)

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

In terms of sound, the QNED86A6A performs quite decently, but let's not kid ourselves – it’s not a level that will impress home cinema enthusiasts. The sound is clear and distinct, dialogues are easily heard, but overall it sounds rather flat and definitely lacks solid bass tones. For everyday TV watching, streaming services, or news, it’s an acceptable level, however, if you're planning to watch movies or play games more often, even a basic soundbar will make a significant difference.