Best 8K TVs (2026)

TL;DR

Top pick: Samsung QN900F 75" (~$4,299) — best 8K TV money can buy; outscores Samsung's own flagship on upscaling and value.
Best flagship: Samsung QN990F 75" (~$6,499) — Wireless One Connect Box, NQ8 AI Gen3, 1,680-nit HDR peak.
Best legacy value: Samsung QN900D 65" (~$2,500-$3,000 closeout) — last year's flagship at half off.

8K TV market contracted sharply in 2025-2026 — Sony, LG, and TCL exited; Samsung is now the only major manufacturer producing new 8K sets for North America. [src3, src5]

The 8K TV market collapsed between 2023 and 2026. TCL exited in 2023, Sony stopped producing the Z9K in 2025 with no successor, and LG halted both 8K OLED and 8K QNED LCD development in late 2025. Samsung now stands alone as the only major manufacturer releasing new 8K TVs in North America for 2026. Total 8K sales since 2015 sit at roughly 1.6 million units worldwide — versus nearly 1 billion 4K units in active use — which collapsed manufacturer interest. [src3, src5, src6]

For 2026, Samsung's lineup carries over the QN900F (mainstream 8K, $3,299–$5,500) and QN990F (flagship with Wireless One Connect Box, $5,499–$39,999) from 2025, plus the new QN990H 98-inch for ultra-large rooms. RTINGS rates the QN990F as the single best 8K TV available, while reviews from Tom's Guide and Trusted Reviews argue the QN900F is actually better value because its upscaling on 1080p content is cleaner than the more expensive QN990F. Both run Samsung's NQ8 AI Gen2/Gen3 processor with hundreds of neural networks for 4K-to-8K upscaling. [src1, src2, src4, src7, src8]

The remaining options — LG's QNED99T (2024) and Sony's Z9K (2022) — are end-of-life inventory still listed on Amazon at deep discounts but with no firmware roadmap or successor. They are buyable only as legacy bargains; do not expect future feature updates. Native 8K content remains essentially zero (no streamer offers it, no Blu-ray supports it), so every advantage on these TVs is realised through AI upscaling, not source resolution. [src3, src5, src6]

Best Overall: Samsung QN900F 75" (~$4,299) — Check price

RTINGS, Tom's Guide, and Trusted Reviews all converge on the QN900F as the best 8K value in 2026. Trusted Reviews calls it "arguably the best 8K TV money can buy, not just because it's thousands cheaper" — the QN900F's 8K AI Upscaling Pro outperforms even the flagship QN990F on 1080p content (the QN990F's upscaling falls flat on lower-res sources). 1,446 local dimming zones at the 75-inch size, 1,588-nit HDR peak, native 120Hz / 240Hz VRR, glare-free coating, NQ8 AI Gen2 processor with 256 neural networks. [src1, src4]

Best Flagship (Wireless Connect): Samsung QN990F 75" (~$6,499) — Check price

RTINGS' #1 pick overall in the 8K category. The QN990F's headline feature is the Wireless One Connect Box, which beams 8K @ 120Hz to the TV from up to 10 m via wireless. NQ8 AI Gen3 processor (newer than the QN900F's Gen2), 1,680-nit HDR peak (10% Movie-mode window), 4.2.2-ch 90 W speaker system. Catch: the wireless link adds ~36.5 ms input lag at 4K @ 60Hz — too slow for competitive gaming. Pay the premium only if cable management or 240Hz wireless 4K matter; otherwise the QN900F wins on price/performance. [src2, src7, src8]

Best for Massive Rooms (98-inch+): Samsung QN990H 98" (~$15,000)

The only new 8K SKU Samsung announced for 2026, available exclusively in 98-inch in many markets. EUR 9,999 / CHF 8,999 in Europe (model QE85QN990H also exists at 85" in EU pricing). NQ8 AI Gen3, 3 × HDMI 2.1, full Tizen / Vision AI suite. At this size, the 8K-vs-4K resolution gain finally becomes detectable at typical living-room distances. [src9]

Best Legacy Value: Samsung QN900D 65" (~$2,500-$3,000) — Check price

Last year's flagship at near-half-price. Same NQ8 AI Gen2 processor as the QN900F, ~2,000-nit HDR peak, 4 HDMI 2.1 ports via One Connect Box, Object Tracking Sound Pro. The 2026 successor brought brighter peaks and AI Gen3 on the QN990F line, but the QN900D remains a competitive 8K panel — and Amazon US still has 65", 75", and 85" SKUs in stock as of mid-2026. [src1, src7]

Best Premium Sound: Sony Z9K 85" (~$8,000) — Check price

Even as a discontinued 2022 model, the Z9K's 8.2-channel 85 W Acoustic Multi-Audio+ system (with surface-mounting actuators that turn the panel into a speaker) beats any current Samsung 8K on built-in audio. Cognitive Processor XR delivers Sony's signature reference-grade upscaling and motion. Limitation: only 2 of 4 HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1, meaning gamers connecting more than two next-gen sources need an AVR. No further firmware features expected. [src6]

Best for OLED Black Levels (rare): LG Z3 OLED 88" (~$30,000)

LG produced the Z3 8K OLED through 2025 and discontinued it without a 2026 successor — the only self-emissive 8K option ever made commercially. Perfect blacks, infinite contrast, but only ~700-nit peak HDR (less than half what Samsung's QN990F hits). New stock is essentially unavailable in 2026; included for completeness if buyer happens to find inventory. [src5]

Best Last-Gen LCD 8K: LG QNED99T 86" (~$4,999) — Check price

LG's swansong 8K LCD before exiting the category. α11 AI Processor 8K, 4 × HDMI 2.1 with 120Hz, webOS 24, Dolby Vision IQ + Dolby Atmos. Slightly lower peak brightness (~1,400 nits) than Samsung Neo QLED 8K, but Dolby Vision support — which Samsung 8K sets still refuse to ship — makes this a one-of-a-kind 8K Dolby Vision option. [src5, src7]

Best Future-Proof (only realistic pick): Samsung QN990F 85" (~$9,999) — Check price

With Samsung as the sole remaining 8K manufacturer, ongoing firmware support and Vision AI feature drops will concentrate on the QN990F line. Buying this is the only 8K purchase where you can reasonably expect 5+ years of platform updates. NQ8 AI Gen3, glare-free, 240Hz wireless 4K, full Tizen ecosystem. [src2, src7, src9]

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Samsung QN900F vs Samsung QN990F

The QN990F is Samsung's flagship and RTINGS' top pick — but Trusted Reviews, T3, and Tom's Guide all argue the QN900F is better value because the QN900F's NQ8 AI Gen2 upscaler handles 1080p content better than the newer Gen3 in the QN990F (the Gen3 muddies low-res content according to T3). The QN990F adds wireless One Connect, a marginally newer processor, and ~5% more brightness — for roughly 60% more money. [src1, src2, src4, src8]

Pick QN900F if: you want the best 8K picture quality per dollar and most of your content is sub-4K (which it is, in 2026).
Pick QN990F if: you need wireless source connection, the 240Hz 4K wireless gaming mode, or want the longest manufacturer support window.

Samsung QN900F vs LG QNED99T

Samsung's NQ8 AI Gen2 upscaling is widely considered the gold standard, and the QN900F hits ~200 more nits of HDR peak than the LG. LG's counter-punch is Dolby Vision support — Samsung sets refuse to license it, sticking with HDR10+. If your media library has heavy Dolby Vision content (most Disney+ and Apple TV+ originals), the QNED99T preserves it; the QN900F does not. The LG is also EOL, so no firmware updates after late 2025. [src5, src7]

Pick QN900F if: you want active firmware support, the strongest upscaling engine, and HDR10+ content is fine.
Pick LG QNED99T if: Dolby Vision is non-negotiable and you're comfortable buying a discontinued model.

Samsung QN990F vs Sony Z9K

The QN990F is the only one of the two with a 2026-current platform — Sony exited 8K in 2025. Samsung wins on processor (NQ8 AI Gen3 vs Cognitive Processor XR from 2022), brightness (1,680 vs ~1,300 nits in HDR Movie), and wireless connectivity. Sony wins on built-in audio (8.2-ch with Acoustic Multi-Audio+ vs Samsung's 6.2.4-ch) and on motion handling for sports/film. [src2, src6, src7]

Pick QN990F if: you want current-gen support, the best 8K upscaler, and wireless source connection.
Pick Sony Z9K if: you find a steep clearance price and care more about built-in audio than future firmware.

Samsung QN900F vs Samsung QN900D (last gen)

Same processor family (NQ8 AI Gen2), same Object Tracking Sound Pro, same Tizen platform. The QN900F upgrades the panel coating to glare-free, bumps peak HDR brightness ~10–20%, and adds Samsung Vision AI features. If you can find the QN900D at $1,000+ less, the picture-quality delta does not justify the new-model premium for most buyers. [src1, src7]

Pick QN900F if: glare-free finish (bright living rooms) or Vision AI features matter to you.
Pick QN900D if: you find clearance pricing $800+ below the QN900F at the same screen size — the picture difference is small.

Decision Logic

If budget is $3,000-$4,500 and you want 65-75 inch 8K

→ Samsung QN900F 65" or 75" (~$3,299 / $4,299). Best 8K value, glare-free, best-in-class upscaling. Skip the QN990F unless wireless One Connect matters. [src1, src4]

If budget is $5,500+ and you want flagship features

→ Samsung QN990F 75" (~$6,499). Wireless One Connect Box, NQ8 AI Gen3, longest support window. Only 8K TV with active 2026+ firmware roadmap. [src2, src7]

If you want the largest possible 8K screen

→ Samsung QN990F 85" (~$9,999) or QN990H 98" (~$15,000+). At 85"+ the resolution advantage finally becomes detectable from a normal couch distance. [src9]

If Dolby Vision is required

→ LG QNED99T 75" or 86" (~$3,499–$4,999). Only 8K LCD with Dolby Vision support, since Samsung refuses to license it. Caveat: model is end-of-life with no further firmware updates. [src5]

If primary use is competitive gaming

→ Skip 8K entirely. PS5/Xbox cap at 4K @ 120Hz; 8K resolution is unused. The QN990F's wireless link adds 36.5 ms input lag at 4K 60Hz, which is too high for esports. Pick a 4K Mini-LED gaming TV. [src8]

If buyer is in the EU

→ Expect ~30% lower default brightness than US/global SKUs because of EEI energy limits. Same panel — Eco mode is on by default in EU firmware. Manually switch to Standard/Movie modes to access full HDR peak.

Default recommendation (unknown requirements)

→ Samsung QN900F 75" (~$4,299). Best 8K-per-dollar, active platform support, strongest upscaling, glare-free for any room. The safest pick if buyer requirements are unclear. [src1, src4, src7]

• Sony, LG, and TCL all exited 8K: Sony's last 8K (Z9K) discontinued in 2025 with no successor — its 2026 lineup, including the Bravia 8 II QD-OLED and the upcoming RGB Mini-LED, is exclusively 4K. LG halted both 8K OLED (Z3) and 8K QNED (QNED99T) panel development in late 2025. TCL left in 2023. Samsung is the only remaining major player. [src3, src5, src6]
• Total cumulative 8K sales: ~1.6 M units since 2015: Versus nearly 1 billion 4K sets in active use — manufacturers concluded the 8K bet was lost. [src5]
• Native 8K content is still effectively zero: No major streamer (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Max) offers 8K in 2026. No physical media format. Every advantage on these TVs comes from AI upscaling 4K-and-below to 8K, not source resolution. [src3]
• Samsung's 2026 strategy is consolidation, not expansion: Carry over QN900F and QN990F from 2025; add the QN990H 98-inch as the only "new" SKU. No QN800-class 8K refresh — Samsung's mid-range 2026 lineup is entirely 4K (QN80F/QN90F). [src9]
• Wireless One Connect Box is Samsung's headline 8K differentiator: QN990F transmits 8K @ 120Hz / 4K @ 240Hz wirelessly up to 10 m. Removes the cable run problem for wall-mounted installs. Tradeoff: ~36 ms added input lag, problematic for competitive gaming. [src8]
• EU energy efficiency rules suppress default 8K brightness: 8K panels exceed the EEI cap by larger margins than 4K equivalents (more pixels at the same panel size = more backlight per pixel-area), forcing tighter Eco-mode defaults in EU firmware.
• At 75" and below, 8K is functionally invisible: SMPTE/THX viewing-distance math shows that at typical 8 ft seating distance, 8K vs 4K is undetectable below ~85 inches even at 20/20 vision. The genuine resolution benefit only materialises on 85"+ panels at <8 ft. [src3]

• Prices are MSRPs and approximate street prices as of May 2026. 8K TVs swing $500–$2,000 in a single Black Friday or Memorial Day promotion — Samsung discounted the QN900F 65" by 20–30% on flash sales in April 2026.
• The 65", 75", and 85" QN990F SKUs use different Wireless One Connect Box hardware revisions; do not assume cross-compatibility if buying replacement boxes.
• Native 8K content does not exist on any major streamer in 2026 — the only sources are 8K-encoded YouTube test footage (rare and bandwidth-intensive). Buyers paying for 8K resolution are paying for upscaling quality and future-proofing, not a current content advantage.
• LG QNED99T, Sony Z9K, and any TCL 8K SKUs are end-of-life and will not receive new firmware features. Active platform updates concentrate on Samsung QN900F / QN990F / QN990H only.
• The glare-free coating on 2025/2026 Samsung 8K TVs makes a measurable difference in bright rooms but reduces direct-view contrast slightly versus glossy panels — important for dedicated dark-room home theaters.
• Dolby Vision support: Samsung 8K sets do not support it (HDR10+ only); LG and Sony do. If the buyer's library leans heavily Dolby Vision (Disney+ / Apple TV+ originals), this matters more than peak nits.