Haier K85F vs LG NANO81A / NANO80A

Direct comparison

K85F / K85FUX

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”75”86”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Panel type: LCD IPS

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: WebOS

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

5.4

5.7

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    5.2

    5.1

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    5.2

    5.1

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    4.6

    5.4

  • Gaming on console

    6.4

    6.7

  • TV as a computer monitor

    6.0

    6.0

  • Watching in bright light

    4.1

    4.0

  • Utility functions

    5.5

    6.6

  • Apps

    9.6

    9.1

  • Sound quality

    4.8

    6.2

Advantages

  • Low input lag, great for gaming

  • Surprisingly good file player via USB

  • High contrast and decent blacks (VA panel)

  • Good text readability in PC monitor mode

  • Presence of gaming features: ALLM and VRR

  • Access to many applications thanks to GoogleTV

  • Wide viewing angles (IPS panel)

  • Very low input lag (around 10-12 ms)

  • Smooth webOS 2025 system

  • Intuitive Magic remote with cursor

  • Better color gamut coverage thanks to NanoCell filter

  • Excellent as a PC monitor (sharp text, Chroma 4:4:4)

  • Decent features for gamers (VRR, ALLM, HGiG)

  • Extensive calibration options and natural colors after adjustments

  • Good image processing and efficient scaling of older content

  • Noticeable bass in the sound

Disadvantages

No like
  • Catastrophic picture quality in HDR mode

  • Poor quality of workmanship and fit of materials

  • Slow, glitchy, and poorly translated Google TV system

  • Very poor sound quality from built-in speakers

  • Problematic remote (and no batteries included)

  • Poor viewing angles

  • Low brightness and weak anti-reflective coating

  • Low color gamut coverage

  • Poor black and low contrast

  • Low brightness (about 250 nits – weak for very bright rooms)

  • Panel refresh rate only 60 Hz

  • USB player without support for HEIC files and very large photos (over 20 Mpix)

Our verdict

The debut of the Haier brand in the European TV market with the K85F model gives the impression of being rushed, and after thorough testing, it feels almost unfinished. Analyzing this product, we come to a fundamental conclusion: its biggest problem is not the quality of the panel used. Given its price segment, this is simply average, with the typical advantages of VA technology in the form of high contrast and equally typical disadvantages such as poor viewing angles. What actually disqualifies this model as a home entertainment center is the glaring lack of engineering and, above all, software refinement. The list of shortcomings is long and starts from the first contact with the device. Careless assembly, which could have been avoided at the quality control stage, a poorly optimized and poorly translated Google TV system, and annoying issues with such basic functions as pairing the remote—these all contribute to the picture of a product that seems to have been released to market without due diligence. The catastrophic picture quality in HDR mode, resulting not only from low brightness but also from a complete lack of intelligent adaptation to the signal, only adds to this disappointing image. However, it turns out that this model has its second, surprising face. It is enough to look at it not through the prism of a home TV, but rather as a large and cheap display for special tasks. Then its shortcomings take a backseat, and unexpected advantages come to the forefront: an exceptionally well-functioning media player with USB, outstanding font readability from a PC, and access to a huge database of applications. In such a role—as a screen in a conference room, hotel lobby, or simple advertising player—the Haier K85F performs surprisingly well. For the typical user seeking a reliable and simply well-functioning TV for the living room in 2025, however, the Haier K85F is a proposition that is extremely difficult to recommend with a clear conscience. It is a product full of contradictions that fails in its primary function intended by the manufacturer on too many fronts.

LG NANO81A is essentially a continuation of the NanoCell series, which has hardly changed over the past few years. Aside from a new operating system, a refreshed remote, and a few marketing additions, we are dealing with practically the same design that we have known for years. Thanks to the nanofilter, the TV is capable of displaying better, cleaner colors than standard budget TVs, and the IPS panel guarantees really decent viewing angles. Unfortunately, for these advantages, we pay a very weak black level and low contrast, which is immediately noticeable during nighttime viewings. Although webOS is still one of the best systems on the market, the biggest problem with the NANO81A is its price, which we simply do not understand. In 2025, this model faces enormous competition not only from brands like TCL or Hisense but... at LG itself. The model we tested earlier, QNED80A, is equipped with local dimming technology, has a brighter panel, and offers a wider color gamut. Interestingly, at the time of writing this review, the technically superior QNED80A is often much cheaper than the NANO81A. In this situation, the existence of the NanoCell model loses its meaning – unless wide viewing angles are your only priority, but in our opinion, the price you have to pay for them (at the cost of tragic blacks and a higher expenditure) is simply too high.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
Other inputs
RCA (Chinch)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
BuildQuality-Budget
Average
Stand type
Legs
Central
Bezel color
Black
Graphite
Stand
Fixed
Fixed
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

5.6/10

1.5/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: No

Contrast:

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

3,550:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

5,200:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

5,350:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

5,400:1

Review Haier K85F Contrast and black detail

Result

3,500:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

800:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

850:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

900:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

900:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

750:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Check the visibility of bright lights on a dark background. Mini-LEDs often struggle with this. The photo does not compare black levels – that’s what the video below is for.

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.

Well, let's get to the meat of the matter, which is how the Haier K85F handles black levels and contrast. The key information is that the television uses a VA panel, which is crucial for picture quality in dark scenes. Thanks to this, the contrast is really solid – our measurements showed values around 5000:1, which is much better than those of popular IPS panels.

However, it's important to remember that we are talking about budget equipment. So, we should not expect any advanced technologies, such as local dimming. The backlighting works across the entire screen at all times. How did it look during viewing? We took the movie “Oblivion” with its cosmic landscapes for a test, and we also checked classic black bars in other productions. The effect was quite decent. The blacks had a good depth, but they weren't perfectly inky – a slight, bluish glow could be seen, revealing that the backlighting of the panel was still active.

The NanoCell series, including the NANO81 model we tested, is based on an IPS panel. For anyone who has even a little knowledge about screens, this means one thing: significant problems with black levels and contrast. Our measurements are ruthless here. A result of 800:1 is, quite frankly, a tragic score. In practice, this means that what should appear on the screen as deep black looks like a dark gray blot at night. Watching dark films or series in a completely dark room will simply be torturous – the image will lose all its depth and will appear flat. If you decide to go with this model, we have one key piece of advice for you: don't watch it in complete darkness. To salvage the situation somewhat, it's best to leave a soft light on in the room, and the ideal solution would be to install an LED strip behind the television. Such wall lighting will trick your eye (this is known as simultaneous contrast) and make that grayness on the screen seem a bit darker. Nonetheless, the start of the test in terms of cinematic experiences looks bleak.

HDR effect quality

3.4/10

3.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10
HDR10, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 81.8%, Bt.2020: 61.4%
DCI P3: 87.6%, Bt.2020: 65.3%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

217 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

212 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

278 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

250 nit

Review Haier K85F Brightness measurement

Result

273 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

228 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

193 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

250 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

168 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

252 nit

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.

Static HDR10

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).

HDR luminance chart:

LG NANO81A / NANO80A

Haier K85F

Now let's move on to one of the hottest topics in the world of televisions, which is the quality of HDR effect. In the case of the Haier K85F model, we must unfortunately make it clear: if you are looking for equipment to watch content in a wide dynamic range, you should steer clear of this model. The main issue is its very low peak brightness, which during our tests barely reached 250 nits. To give you a better idea of what this means – such a value is okay for watching standard SDR materials, but it is absolutely insufficient to show any real benefits of HDR. The image simply lacks the "power" to generate bright, striking bursts. All our measurements and tests on specialist patterns only confirmed this. As if that weren't enough, the television also struggles with color reproduction. In this budget model, we won't find any technologies that expand the color palette, such as quantum dot layers (known in marketing as "QLED"). As a result, the coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, which is crucial for HDR materials, is only about 80%. In practice, this means that the image will not only be dark but also devoid of vibrant, saturated colors that the director wanted to show us.

If you're counting on HDR in the NANO81A to bring tears to your eyes, I have to disappoint you. This TV is simply too dark to show what this format is really about. With a brightness of just 250 nits, HDR here essentially exists only on paper. In practice, during a viewing session, it's very hard to distinguish whether we're watching high dynamic range content or regular SDR – it simply lacks that "punch" of light in bright areas of the image. But, to not have all criticism, we do have a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel – and it’s quite clear. It's about color gamut coverage. Here, the NanoCell filter shows that it's not just marketing nonsense. Our measurements indicated that the coverage of the DCI-P3 space is around 88%. This is really a solid result that positions this model significantly above typical budget models based on regular white LED lights without any filters. Of course, it's still a bit lacking compared to the level of quantum dot TVs (QLED) or advanced panels with PFS filtering, but for this price range, the colors are surprisingly saturated and vibrant. It's just a shame that this low brightness doesn’t allow them to fully "spread their wings" with the Nano filter.

Factory color reproduction

3.8/10

5.3/10

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

Well, how does the television perform with colors straight from the factory, without any intervention from our side? The Haier K85F offers a full range of picture modes, such as Dynamic or Eco, but for anyone who wants to watch movies according to the creators' intentions, only one really matters: Film mode. This is the mode we focused our tests on, and unfortunately, its name has little to do with reality. The picture in the factory settings is far from what we could call cinematic fidelity and requires many adjustments. Let's start with the white balance, which has a clear lack of red color. In practice, this means that the whole picture has a cool, bluish tint. The situation is even worse when it comes to brightness management, specifically gamma curves (for SDR) and EOTF (for HDR). Their graph resembles a real rollercoaster, which has a disastrous effect on the viewing experience. This results in unnatural dimming of SDR content, causing details in the shadows to get lost, and in the case of HDR – excessive brightness, which further exacerbates the issue of highlights. This combination, meaning too cool white combined with chaotic brightness and excessive blue color saturation, causes enormous errors in color reproduction. Our measurements on a specialized ColorChecker chart showed errors (Delta E) regularly reaching and exceeding values of 8-9. In simpler terms: errors above the threshold of 3 are easily noticeable to the naked eye, so such a result means that the colors on the screen are simply heavily distorted.

For every movie fan, the natural choice in LG televisions is the Filmmaker Mode. This mode is designed to display the image as the director intended – without unnecessary "enhancements." Unfortunately, in the case of our test unit NANO81A, the factory settings left something to be desired. The main issue turned out to be white balance. Measurements showed a clear deficiency of blue color, which practically translated to many scenes having a slightly yellowish, almost "too yellow" tint. The white was not perfectly clean, which detracted from the freshness of the image. Additionally, brightness management was not ideal either – the factory-set gamma was too low. The image often appeared oversaturated, as if it had been pulled too much from the shadows, losing its naturalness and depth. Fortunately, LG, even in this relatively low price segment, does not block access to advanced settings. The calibration capabilities of this model are immense, which is a big plus for those who like to "dig around" in the menu. We decided to approach the topic in our own way and see how much we could extract from this panel with professional calibration.

Color reproduction after calibration

6.2/10

7.5/10

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

Well, is there anything we can do about this image? Can professional calibration save the situation? The answer is: both yes and no. It must be clearly stated that there are certain things we cannot overcome. The limitations of the construction itself, namely a poor panel and its narrow color coverage, mean that you can forget about achieving meaningful HDR – we won’t sugarcoat it for you. The biggest beneficiary of our adjustments is undoubtedly the SDR mode, and it is precisely for watching such content, after calibration, that this television begins to make sense. We managed to tame the white balance in our own way. Although the TV only offers basic 2-point adjustment (instead of precise 20-point), it’s not perfect, but we successfully eliminated that unpleasant, cold "chill" in the image. Above all, however, we recorded a significant improvement in brightness management. The gamma curve, which previously resembled a rollercoaster, looks like an almost perfectly straight line after calibration. This is a sign that the TV can finally display images without artificially dimming or brightening them. The conclusion is simple: even in the case of such a cheap television, professional adjustment of the settings can achieve a lot and draw out its maximum potential.

After calibrating the NANO81A, it's a completely different television. What LG offers in terms of image enhancement tools even in such an inexpensive model deserves a big plus. We were able to completely eliminate that annoying yellowing of whites and make the colors natural, juicy, and simply "true." In SDR content (such as regular TV, YouTube, or older films), the picture now looks infinitely better – it's clear, well-balanced, and no longer strains the eyes with strange hues. It's evident that this panel has considerable potential, which is simply wasted by poor presets out of the box. However, we have one serious reservation that calibration cannot fully overcome – it's about brightness management in HDR mode. The algorithm LG uses in this model is designed very conservatively. The television deliberately dims the image in HDR to avoid overexposing an already weak black from the IPS panel. The developers faced a choice: either provide more light and accept that black will turn light gray, or reduce the brightness to maintain any contrast. They chose the latter. Nevertheless, after our adjustments, watching anything on the NANO81 is significantly better.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.6/10

9.3/10

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.

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.

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.

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.

It's time to address an issue that many may overlook, but to the trained (and not only) eye, it can be quite irritating. We're talking about the smoothness of tonal transitions, or how smoothly the screen displays transitions between very similar shades of one color – for example, on a clear blue sky. We must admit that in this category, the Haier K85F, considering its price, performs quite decently. In bright scenes, such as the aforementioned sky or expansive landscapes in the movie "The Martian," there are no harsh, contrasting bands visible. Indeed, if we look closely, we can spot minimal imperfections, but generally, the effect is more than satisfactory. However, the situation changes when darker scenes are on the screen, such as gloomy corridors in games or nighttime landscapes. Here, banding, or the posterization effect, becomes much more noticeable. Transitions in shadows and shades of gray are no longer as smooth and can irritate the more sensitive eye. This is not a level that would completely disqualify the television, but it is evident that this is an area where costs were cut.

The fluidity of tonal transitions is an element where NANO81A really shines. LG proves here that it can refine image processing algorithms even in its cheaper models. During testing, we practically did not record the phenomenon of banding, that is, the annoying "steps" visible where one color should smoothly transition into another. Everything looks incredibly natural and smooth. This is especially evident in the bright scenes from the movie Kingsman, where the backgrounds remain clean and free from digital artifacts. However, even more impressive is how the television handles the extremely challenging, dark, and foggy shots in The Revenant. Where many budget panels falter and deliver ugly splotches instead of a smooth mist, the NANO81A maintains its composure, offering very velvety transitions. The only downside is that with darker shades, you will notice the weaker blacks of this TV rather than any issues with color transitions.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

4/10

7/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
No
OK

Smooth transition function

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video.

Image scaling SD (576i)

The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

Let's move on to digital processing and image scaling, that is, how the Haier K85F handles lower resolution signals, for example, from standard television. Right from the start, we encounter an extremely annoying and completely incomprehensible issue – the overscan feature is enabled by default. This means that the television artificially enlarges the image, cropping its edges, and this occurs on every source, even 1080p. To see the full frame, you have to dig into the screen settings every time and manually switch the format to "stretch to 16:9." It's a detail, but incredibly frustrating. The scaling of content to 4K resolution can be described in one word: acceptable. And that's basically it. The image processor does not strip the image of details, nor does it generate jagged edges or other artifacts. It simply does its job, without any fireworks. It's fine, but nothing more. The biggest and most noticeable shortcoming in the digital processing section is the absence of a banding smoothing function. This is an algorithm that could significantly reduce the annoying banding effect we mentioned earlier. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not implement such a solution, condemning us to watch the imperfections of the panel and low-quality materials in all their glory.

It often happens that cheap 4K panels mercilessly bring all the "dirt" and imperfections of lower resolution materials to light. However, in the case of the LG NANO81A, the situation is quite different. It’s a really solid performer when it comes to handling content that is far from ideal. The built-in processor does a great job with upscaling. Even older recordings look quite decent on this screen – the image is coherent, cleaned of digital noise, and simply pleasant to the eye. A big plus is the gradation reduction feature that you will find in the settings. It is exceptionally effective in combating color banding, which is a lifesaver when watching low bitrate materials, for example from some streaming services or older files from the internet. However, it is worth maintaining a certain vigilance. Since we are dealing with a less efficient chip than in LG's top models here, too aggressive an adjustment of this option can sometimes result in minor artifacts or a slight blurring of details. Despite this risk, I definitely encourage experimentation with this feature – in many cases, it can save the viewing experience and make low-quality material fully watchable.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.5/10

4.6/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
No
No
BFI function 60Hz
-
No
BFI function 120Hz
-
No
Brightness drop with BFI
-%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

The panel in the K85F model operates at a native refresh rate of 60 Hz, which already sets certain expectations for smoothness of the image right from the start. However, we must admit that we were very positively surprised when we found not one, but two separate sliders for motion control in the settings menu: one labeled "Blur Reduction" and the other "De-Judder." Such generosity in this price segment is an absolute rarity, as usually manufacturers offer at most one common option. Unfortunately, our enthusiasm quickly dwindled as fast as it appeared. It soon became clear why Haier was so "generous" – the slider responsible for blur reduction is simply a dummy. Moving it does not produce any visible effect on the screen; thus, only one of the two options actually works.

In terms of motion fluidity, the NANO81A unfortunately has a few drawbacks. The TV is based on a panel with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. If you're looking for perfect sharpness in dynamic football matches or fast-paced action games, you might feel somewhat unsatisfied. With such a low native refresh rate, fast-moving objects on the screen will always be a bit blurry.

Console compatibility and gaming features

4/10

6/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 60Hz
    48 - 60Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    No
    No
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    No
    No
  • Game bar
    No
    Yes

Let's move on to the features for gamers, although we must point out right away that this is more of a proposal for "casual" players. The manufacturer boasts in the specifications about the presence of HDMI 2.1 ports, which looks impressive on paper, but in reality, it is largely a marketing gimmick. What good is a modern port when the heart of the television is a panel with a refresh rate of 60 Hz? It physically cannot display a signal at 120 frames per second, even at lower resolutions, which takes away HDMI 2.1's most important advantage. That's a shame. (That’s why we mark it as HDMI 2.0 ports in our tests). Another oddity is the television's response to attempts to calibrate HDR from the console. Changes in brightness settings cause very unnatural behavior of the image, which might suggest an incorrect implementation of the HGiG standard. To be honest, however, you shouldn't worry too much about this, because as we have mentioned multiple times, we simply do not recommend using any HDR content on this screen. However, to make it not so bitter, the Haier K85F also has two significant and unexpected advantages. The first is the presence of ALLM, or Auto Low Latency Mode, which switches the television to low latency mode as soon as it detects a connected console. The second, even bigger surprise is support for VRR, or Variable Refresh Rate. Although it works in a very modest range of 48-60 Hz, its very presence is commendable. Thanks to this, the image in games can stutter less, which truly improves the gaming experience.

NANO81A is unfortunately not a device designed for e-sports. The lack of support for a 120 Hz signal is a fact that users planning to purchase this model must simply come to terms with. Nevertheless, LG engineers have worked hard to squeeze the maximum capabilities out of this 60 Hz panel, offering a set of features that genuinely enhance the gaming experience. Above all, the television supports VRR technology (in the range of 48–60 Hz) and ALLM. As a result, the image remains stable and does not "tear," and the device automatically switches to low-latency mode as soon as it detects a signal from the console. Managing these settings is incredibly simple thanks to a dedicated system overlay that allows for a quick overview of parameters without leaving the game. A significant advantage is the support for the HGiG format. This solution is crucial for owners of modern consoles, as it enables the TV to correctly "understand" the intentions of game developers regarding HDR tone mapping. In practice, this helps avoid the effect of "blown out" bright spots, such as clouds or light sources, which unfortunately is a common issue in budget LCD televisions.

Input lag

10/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
13 ms
1080p120
2160p60
13 ms
12 ms
2160p120

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
12 ms
2160p120
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
13 ms
2160p120 DV

However, we have to give credit to Haier – there is one parameter where this television absolutely shines and embarrasses many more expensive models. We are talking about input lag, or signal delay. Our measurements showed a remarkably low result of only 13 ms. This is a huge advantage that makes controlling games instantaneous and extremely responsive. In this regard, the K85F performs excellently.

In terms of response speed, the LG NANO81A performs exceptionally well. The input lag we measured is about 12 ms. This is a very low result, which means one thing for a gamer – the delay between moving the joystick on the controller and the reaction on the screen is practically imperceptible. The television performs excellently in dynamic titles, where every millisecond matters, and in this regard, it does not fall behind significantly more expensive models.

Compatibility with PC

6/10

6/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Very Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
13ms
12ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
Max refresh rate
60Hz
60Hz
G-Sync
No
No

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.

And what if we try to use this Haier as a computer monitor? Here, what was a big surprise for us, the TV performs exceptionally well. For office work – it’s perfect. All thanks to the fact that it properly supports the so-called chroma sampling 4:4:4. To put it simply: every single letter on the screen is sharp, without annoying colored halos or blurriness. Sure, let’s be straightforward – this is not equipment for PC gamers. 60 Hz is too low for them. But if you just need a big screen for text work, browsing the internet, coding, or displaying presentations, then the K85F will perform excellently in this role. It’s one of its strongest and, to be honest, most unexpected applications.

Nano81A is a really solid monitor for text work. Thanks to the IPS panel and proper implementation of Chroma 4:4:4, fonts are very clear and sharp – practically anyone will be satisfied with how this screen performs as a monitor. We only noticed one small detail that we caught with our laboratory scrutiny: vertical lines of dark text are slightly darker than those horizontal ones. However, this phenomenon is minimal enough that we decided not to deduct points for it. The ratings went down only for features typical for PC gamers – it lacks G-Sync support and high refresh rates above 60 Hz, which will be a significant drawback for those looking for a screen for fast-paced computer games.

Viewing angles

2.8/10

6.1/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
67%
66%

At almost the very end of the evaluation of the panel itself, we left the viewing angles, which unfortunately are one of its biggest weaknesses. However, we must honestly admit that this is no surprise – it is simply a natural and widely known characteristic of VA-type panels. In the unit we tested, interestingly, the brightness of the image did not drop drastically when we moved away from the center of the screen. The real problem, however, is the colors, which instantly begin to fade. A slight change in position on the sofa is enough for the hues to lose their saturation and become washed out. In this regard, the Haier K85F presents a very average level, typical for this technology.

This is the moment when the LG NANO81A can finally "breathe" and make up for the points lost in the black and contrast category. Thanks to the use of an IPS panel, the viewing angles are simply very good here. This is where the tested model gains the most and clearly shows its advantage over competing televisions equipped with VA panels. In practice, this means that the image does not lose quality, even when viewed from a wide angle. This makes the NANO81A a great option for those who have a wide furniture layout in their living room or frequently watch games and movies with a larger group.

Daytime performance

4.1/10

4/10

Panel finish
Satin
Satin
Reflection suppression
Average
Decent
Black levels during daytime
Good
Good

Panel brightness

LG NANO81A / NANO80A : 247 cd/m2

Haier K85F: 276 cd/m2

And how does the television perform in confrontation with daylight, for example in a heavily sunlit living room? Unfortunately, we don't have good news here. As we've established, this is a television with relatively low brightness, which becomes a serious drawback in the face of sunlight. The situation is further worsened by the applied screen coating. Instead of effectively suppressing reflections, its satin structure tends to unfavorably scatter them. In practice, this means that the reflection of a window or lamp turns into a large, blurred, milky halo, which degrades contrast and effectively hinders viewing. The conclusion is therefore clear: if the television is to be placed in a bright room, the K85F model will not be a good choice.

NANO81A is a relatively dark television, so it works best in rooms where you have control over the lighting. With a brightness reaching around 250 nits, it is hard to recommend it wholeheartedly for very bright, heavily sunlit living rooms – under such conditions, the image will simply lack punch. Nevertheless, LG deserves a small plus for the screen finish. The satin panel used here dampens reflections quite decently. As a result, even if there is a bit of light in the room, you won't see reflections of every detail from your surroundings on the screen. So, if you can slightly close the blinds, a daytime viewing experience will be quite possible, but this model was simply not designed to "fight" against full sunlight.

Panel details

Backlight Type
White LED
White LED
Software version during testing
UKN2.241219.053
33.21.62
Image processor
mt5896

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review Haier K85F TV Panel details
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A TV Panel details

Haier K85F

LG NANO81A / NANO80A

TV features

5.5/10

6.6/10

  • HDMI inputs
    4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • Other inputs
    RCA (Chinch)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

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

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    No
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review Haier K85F TV features
Review Haier K85F TV features
Review Haier K85F TV features
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  TV features
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  TV features
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  TV features
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  TV features

GoogleTV on Haier K85F

The heart of the television is the Google TV system, which in theory should be its huge advantage. Access to thousands of applications and a wealth of features are promises we are familiar with. Unfortunately, in Haier's execution, this is one of the worst implementations of this software we have encountered. The system operates painfully slowly, and the interface notoriously freezes. However, the real nightmare is the incorrect and often downright comical translations of some menu options, making it at times difficult to figure out what is being referred to. To make matters worse, during our tests, we were unable to launch the AirPlay function, which simply did not work.

Classic features on Haier K85F

Let's move on to the classic features and ports, because this story is even more interesting. A plus is certainly the rich set of ports, including four HDMI inputs and a rarely found mini-jack headphone output. Unfortunately, the television does not offer either USB recording or PiP mode. However, the real ordeal begins with the remote. Our first attempts to pair it via Bluetooth to activate radio frequency (RF) control and voice functions ended in total failure. After several dozen attempts, we were sure it was simply a manufacturing defect. And here's the surprise: after a long struggle, we discovered that the remote can be paired, but it needs to be done from the native Google TV settings, completely bypassing Haier's non-functioning system overlay. This is a perfect example of how terrible software can ruin basic functionality. Oh, and one more thing. In the box... there weren’t even any batteries for the remote.

Smart Features: WebOS

One of the biggest advantages of the NANO81A model is its “brain,” which is the operating system. LG has implemented a full-fledged WebOS version for 2025, which in terms of fluidity and user experience is on par with the more expensive models of this brand. Applications launch smoothly, and navigating the menu is a pure pleasure – there is no sign of irritating lags that often occur with budget competitors. All of this is thanks to the unique remote control with a pointer (cursor) function, which has undergone a visual makeover this year. The manufacturer has opted for minimalism – the new Magic remote is significantly smaller and more ergonomic than its predecessors. It sits perfectly in the hand, but this change has a downside as well. The physical number pad has completely disappeared from the casing. For younger users, accustomed to streaming and selecting tiles, this will not be a problem. However, older household members, who are used to entering channel numbers from memory, will have to change their long-standing habits.

Everyday Use

In terms of features we would call “classic,” the NANO81A relies on proven standards. It is not a multimedia powerhouse that will surprise you with exotic additions, but it performs flawlessly in everyday television tasks. The handling of traditional terrestrial or cable television, including the old good Teletext, is correct and intuitive. Wireless communication also deserves praise. The Bluetooth module works very reliably, allowing for quick and stable connections to game console controllers or wireless headphones and speakers. It’s simply a TV that “works” – it is stable, predictable, and does not create unnecessary complications in daily use.

Apps

9.6/10

9.1/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
No
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
OK
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link

Playing files from USB

9.4/10

8.2/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
Yes
No
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
Yes
No
WebP
Yes
No
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
No
24 Mpix
Yes
No
28 Mpix
Yes
No
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

After all our complaints about the unfinished software, the moment came when we experienced absolute shock. It turns out that within this error-prone and slow system, there is a function that works almost perfectly and puts industry veterans to shame. We are talking about the built-in media player for USB drives. It is a true multimedia powerhouse that played virtually every video format we threw at it without the slightest hesitation – from the most popular to the completely niche. Haier, a newcomer to the TV market, has achieved something that many manufacturers with decades of experience have struggled with for years. Who knows, perhaps it was intended to be a reliable player for conference rooms? Regardless of its origin, the result is outstanding!

Many users still use their own USB drives to display movies or photos on the big screen. In this regard, the NANO81A performs quite decently – the built-in player supports a wide range of video and audio codecs, so most movie libraries will start up "right away." However, it is important to remember the specifics of the WebOS system. Since it is a closed environment, we are limited to what the manufacturer has prepared for us. There is no possibility of installing alternative players (like the popular VLC), so if the system player cannot handle something, there is not much that can be done about it. During tests, we encountered a few specific limitations. Above all, there is a lack of support for HEIC files. If you take photos with an iPhone and want to view them directly from the USB drive, the TV simply will not see them – it's worth changing the format to JPG on your phone right away. We also noticed that the player has difficulty processing very large graphic files. Photos with a resolution of around 20–28 Mpix may not load or cause system errors. Aside from these exceptions, daily multimedia handling is hassle-free.

Sound

4.8/10

6.2/10

  • Maximum volume
    83dB
    81dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    Yes
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    No
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    No
    No

Unfortunately, the review regarding the sound will be very short. The biggest advantage of the built-in speakers of the K85F is actually that they are simply there and produce sound. Aside from that, the sound is completely flat, lacking any bass tones and just anemic. Yes, the TV box features a Dolby Atmos logo, but in light of the physical capabilities of these drivers, it is a function that exists only on paper. Therefore, the verdict can only be one: when planning to purchase this TV, one should immediately add a soundbar to the budget.

When it comes to audio, the LG NANO81A pleasantly surprises compared to its higher-positioned sibling, the QNED80A model. Interestingly, NanoCell sounds slightly better, which is likely due to its somewhat thicker casing. The increased volume allows for the extraction of some low-end nuances – the bass may not be powerful, but it is more distinctly defined than in thinner constructions. However, one shouldn't expect miracles. It is still a standard 2.0 speaker arrangement with a total power of 20 W, so the overall sound characteristics remain similar to other models in this price range. The mid and high tones are acceptable, making dialogues in movies and news programs clear. While this slight improvement in the lower registers is pleasing, for true home cinema or music listening, it is still worth considering the purchase of at least a simple soundbar.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

83dBC (Max)

75dBC

81dBC (Max)

75dBC