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::

9/4/2025 3:23:08 PM

LG QNED86A6A is a television that is supposed to revolutionize the market to some extent – or at least that's how LG wants to position it. Here we get Mini-LED technology in a budget version, a 120 Hz panel, and a full set of features for gamers. This model is aimed at those who are looking for a reasonably priced television with fast refresh rates and support for modern standards. The question is whether we are actually dealing with a revolution or rather 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 watching. The 120 Hz panel makes the picture smooth and the motion sharp, which will be appreciated by both fans and gamers. Additionally, it has low input lag along with a full set of gaming features such as HGiG, VRR, and ALLM. The TV 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 perform excellently as a work monitor. Another strong point is the webOS system. It is a fast, stable, and app-rich operating system that, paired with the Magic remote, provides very convenient control. The new version of the remote is slimmer and fits better in the hand, and the cursor on the screen is a solution that many competitors lack. It also includes classic features – USB recording, Bluetooth for headphones, and a full set of HDMI 2.1 with eARC and Dolby Atmos support. This makes the QNED85 series TVs some of the most "multimedia" televisions in their class. But let's not sugarcoat it; this model also has its significant drawbacks. Its biggest flaw is undoubtedly the contrast, or rather the lack of it. The IPS panel combined with edge "mini-LED" is simply a very bad idea. The screen is simply not suitable for watching movies in a dark living room. The blacks are grayish-blue, and local dimming can generate light stripes resembling lasers, which effectively ruins the viewing experience. For home theater, this is not a choice that can be recommended with full conviction. The second problem may not be directly related to the TV itself but to its sales. It concerns the chaos in naming and the differences in derivative versions. The same model, even with the same designation, can have a different frame color or stand depending on the store. This can really be frustrating for the buyer and create a sense of confusion. In summary: LG QNED86A6A is a great TV for sports, gaming, and everyday television, with a convenient system and great functionality. But if you are looking for a screen specifically for movies or series and require deep blacks, it is better to look towards TVs that can truly be called Mini-LEDs with full confidence.

Advantages

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

Disadvantages

Very poor black and contrast due to the IPS panel
Lack of the declared 144 Hz in PC mode
Aggressive "light bars" when dimming is enabled (edge local dimming ruins evening movie screenings)
Confusion in markings and versions – even TVs with the same name in different stores can have different stands (central or two legs) or frame colors, which can be very misleading when purchasing.

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

7.6

Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5) 55”

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Samsung Q7F 55”

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Philips OLED910 55”

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Philips OLED820 55”

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Hisense U8Q 55”

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7.4

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SAMSUNG OLED S95F (QD-OLED) 55”

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TCL C6K 55”

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Sony Bravia 8 MK2 55”

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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

The LG QNED86A looks quite nice and definitely does not lag behind its competitors in its class. Its most distinguishing feature is its slimness. This allows it to be mounted really close to the wall with the right bracket, creating an effect of almost integrated installation. An interesting and practical addition is the central metal stand included in the package. Importantly, it is also height-adjustable, so we can easily fit a soundbar under the TV. The cable management is somewhat lacking, as we missed having more cable organizers, which can somewhat spoil the minimalist effect. The frame on the tested QNED86A6A model was slim, although finished in plastic that doesn’t convey as premium a feel. It’s also worth noting that depending on the version and size, the QNED86A can come with two widely spaced legs instead of the 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 have gotten confused about this, and the best evidence of this is the photos from 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:

Although the manufacturer describes the QNED86A as a Mini-LED television, one would be hard-pressed to find the multi-zone local dimming system known from more expensive models. In practice, we are dealing with classic edge lighting that only allows for dimming horizontal bands of the screen from top to bottom. Combined with the low-contrast IPS/ADS panel, the effect is simply poor. If we decide to keep local dimming enabled, a problem arises – the television can illuminate selected areas in such a way that it appears like “flying lasers” crossing the screen. This is very distracting, and it is difficult to claim a truly cinematic experience under such conditions. Therefore, in our opinion, it is better to disable this function. However, one has to reckon with the fact that the contrast then drops to around 1500:1, but at least the image does not irritate with artificial flashes.

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 performs much better. This is a television that can reach around 700 nits in the best conditions, so in terms of brightness alone, there is 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 more challenging moments with small, contrasting elements on the screen, the television handles their backlighting well, and the details are quite visible. The problem resurfaces when there are a lot of dark tones. The lack of effective local dimming causes black to virtually disappear, and instead, we get a gray glow spreading across the entire screen. This kills the sense of depth and makes the image look flat, as if it lacks a cinematic quality. In bright animations or colorful family films, this won't be an issue because colors and bright light dominate there. But in horrors or productions set in darkness, these limitations are very palpable. As a consolation, it’s worth mentioning that the QNED86A is actually a QLED television with a PFS LED filter, which gives it very good coverage of wide color gamuts. Both the DCI-P3 palette and the wider BT.2020 perform really solid here. This ensures that colors in HDR films are saturated, vibrant, and have the right depth – even if the black itself disappoints, the colors can save the viewing experience and make the image look attractive.

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 admitted that it faced a considerable challenge. Although the very weak black often spoiled the effect, the viewing experience of some productions was quite decent. The best performance was in the scene from the movie Mr., full of bright colors and dynamic effects. In that scene, the television performed really well, and it was hard to criticize it seriously—aside from the previously mentioned grayish black, particularly noticeable on film strips in the 21:9 format. However, the scene from Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk fared worse. In theory simpler, yet more demanding—the fireworks were rendered correctly, but details in the dark segments either completely disappeared or were artificially brightened by aggressive dimming from the edges of the screen. This caused the image to lose coherence and naturalness. The QNED86A is certainly not a screen that can be confidently recommended to every movie enthusiast. In dark conditions, its limitations become evident very quickly and spoil the atmosphere, which is much better preserved in other Mini-LED televisions.

HDR luminance chart:

HDR luminance

As you may have noticed, the QNED86A does not handle static HDR10 mapping very well. The image in this mode can be flattened, overly brightened, and lacks natural depth. In such conditions, watching a movie can quickly lose its meaning, as everything looks like someone exaggerated the brightness slider. Fortunately, LG took a step in the right direction in 2025 and restored support for dynamic Dolby Vision metadata, which was missing in last year's QNED87T. This is truly a significant change, as thanks to Dolby Vision, the television can display much more detail and maintain better image consistency in challenging scenes. Of course, it still lacks a lot compared to the best competition in this budget, but the difference between HDR10 and Dolby Vision in this model is clear and often rescues the QNED86A from distress.

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

The blending of colors is one of the stronger points of the QNED86A. In everyday viewing, the image appears really smooth, without noticeable "steps" or sudden transitions between colors. The television handles color blending quite naturally, so with most materials, it's hard to spot issues with gradation. Any imperfections only appear in extreme conditions – for example, in the darkest scenes of movies, where even much more expensive televisions can have problems. There, you might notice slight banding or characteristic stripes, but these are marginal situations that shouldn't interfere with normal usage. 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 possible "steps" when connecting colors, there is a simple way in the QNED86A. Just turn on the feature called Smooth Gradation and set it to medium level. Then the TV really smooths out all those unwanted transitions – especially in older productions – and does it in such a way that the film grain doesn't disappear, nor do strange artifacts appear. In other words, you can use it without worry.

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

The QNED86A is equipped with a 120 Hz refresh rate panel, so right from the start, it's safe to say that it's suitable for both sports and gaming. And indeed, this is true – the image looks smooth, and motion blur is not very noticeable. IPS panels have always had some issues with this, and you can sometimes notice slight blurring here as well, especially in very dynamic scenes, but it's not something that ruins watching a match or a fast-paced game. For movie and sports fans, LG has added the traditional TruMotion smoother. In the menu, we have two sliders – one for movies (De-Judder), the other for sports (De-Blur). The first adds missing frames and allows you to adjust the character of motion – from raw, cinematic to more fluid, "theatrical." The second enhances sharpness during dynamic actions, so it's worth turning it up a bit if you're watching 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

In terms of gaming, the LG QNED86A6A is a complete tool. It features four HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, which means that whether you connect a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or a powerful PC – everything will work at full 4K 120 Hz with support for all features. This is a big plus, as some competitors still have only two such ports, which can be problematic with a larger number of devices. It also has VRR, or variable refresh rate, which eliminates screen tearing, and ALLM, which automatically activates game mode when the console is turned on. There’s also Dolby Vision Gaming and a proper implementation of the HGiG format, so titles supporting these formats look more vivid and detailed. Added to all of this is the Game Optimizer – a kind of control center for the gamer. From this level, you can view image parameters in real-time, quickly change modes, activate additional features, or adjust image settings to your preferences. The LG QNED86A6A essentially has everything one can 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 for 120 Hz content and about 15 ms for 60 Hz. These are values that will easily 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 controller.

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.

The LG QNED86A, thanks to its IPS matrix, full RGB subpixel layout, and correct implementation of chroma 4:4:4, makes fonts look stunning. Text is sharp, clear, and legible, making this TV great for office work. This is important because this year the model is also debuting in a 43" size, and such a variant can comfortably land on a desk and serve as a large monitor. Of course, some users who opt for the 43" will be gamers, and there are also no complaints here. The TV supports 4K at 120 Hz, so gameplay is smooth and enjoyable. It’s a bit of a shame that there's no higher refresh rate mode like the 144Hz declared by the manufacturer, as PC gamers would surely appreciate that. Nevertheless, 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 color saturation even when viewed at an angle. There is no fading effect that often appears in cheaper TVs with VA panels. Of course, there is no comparison to the level offered by organic panels, where colors and contrast hold up perfectly at almost any angle. But for an LCD TV, it is definitely one of the better results and is easily 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 brightness master, but it manages just fine. Thanks to the moderately high brightness of the panel and quite decent glare reduction, the television performs well in typical, moderately lit living rooms. The image remains clear, and colors 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 pours in through huge windows and floods 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 stably, and apps launch without significant delays, though the interface can be somewhat overwhelmed by advertisements at times. Fortunately, the convenience is more noticeable in daily use than the shortcomings. A significant advantage is the Magic Remote, which allows you to control the cursor like a mouse – it's one of those features that you can easily get used to and later find hard to give up. The new version of 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

Onboard, there are also a few solutions that are not always obvious in 2025. There is the ability to record programs from built-in DVB-T2 tuners onto USB, so you can calmly return to a match or series at any moment. In the evening, Bluetooth headphone support will come in handy – especially if someone in the house falls asleep faster than we do. Additionally, there is a full set of HDMI 2.1 ports with eARC support and audio formats like Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos.

Sound connection options

HDMI audio:

Other audio outputs:

Toslink: Yes

Wireless audio:

Bluetooth: Yes
WiSA: Yes

Obsługiwane formaty audio:

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes

Ułatwienia dla seniorów

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 performs quite well with the most popular audio and video formats. During testing, we had no trouble playing MP4, MKV, or MP3 files; everything played smoothly without glitches. The TV also handled most images, although here we encountered a typical 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, preferably, transfer them using AirPlay. Other than that, it's hard to find fault as the built-in solution is 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 hide it – this is not the level that will impress home cinema enthusiasts. The sound is clean and clear, dialogues are easily heard, but overall it sounds rather flat and there is definitely a lack of solid bass. For everyday watching of television, streaming services, or news, this is an acceptable level; however, if you plan to watch movies or play games more often, even a basic soundbar will make a significant difference.