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The 5 Best 98-Inch TVs of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed

By the Primea Editorial TeamUpdated November 4, 20269 min read5 products ranked

The short answer

The Sony BRAVIA 5 is the 98-inch set to buy if the room is dim and you watch films, because its Mini-LED backlight keeps black bars from glowing. The TCL QM7L is the gaming and sports pick with a 144Hz panel. For a bright living room on a tighter budget, the Samsung Q7F balances QLED color against cost. The TCL Q65 and Samsung DU9000 round out the list as the lower-cost ways into a 98-inch screen.

The Primea Scoreboard

Ranked & Reviewed

01
Best Overall
Sony BRAVIA 5 98 Inch TV
The only Mini-LED panel here, and it shows in every dark scene.
Outstanding
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02
Best for Gaming
TCL 98 Inch Class QM7L Series
A 144Hz QLED panel that gives gamers the fastest refresh at this size.
Excellent
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03
Best for Bright Rooms
Samsung 98-Inch Class QLED Q7F Series Samsung Vision AI Smart TV
QLED color and Samsung's smart platform in the most polished 98-inch package here.
Excellent
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04
Best Value Samsung
Samsung 98-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU9000 Series HDR Smart TV
A 120Hz Crystal UHD set for people who want 98 inches without paying for QLED.
Excellent
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05
Best Budget Entry
TCL 98-Inch Q65 QLED 4K UHD Smart TV with Google TV (98Q651G)
The cheapest route to a QLED 98-inch screen, with Google TV built in.
Very Good
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Most buyers shopping for a 98-inch TV spend their energy on the size and none on the backlight, and that is the wrong way round. Stretch an ordinary LED panel across 98 inches and every flaw grows with it: grey blacks become a luminous haze, uneven brightness shows up as clouds, and low-resolution cable content looks soft. The panel technology matters more at this size than it does on a 55-inch set.

We ranked five 98-inch models by what they do to a dark scene, how fast the panel refreshes, and how they cope with a big room that has windows. Backlight type carries the most weight, followed by refresh rate and smart-TV platform. Every pick here is a genuine 98-inch panel, so the question is not whether it is big enough but which compromise you are willing to live with.

Before you buy

What Actually Matters

Backlight type

The backlight decides how dark the screen can get next to something bright. Mini-LED uses many small dimming zones, while edge or standard LED backlights light the whole panel more evenly and wash out. At 98 inches the glow around letterbox bars is hard to ignore, so check whether the listing says Mini-LED or local dimming.

Refresh rate

Refresh rate is how many times the screen redraws each second, measured in Hz. A 120Hz or 144Hz panel keeps fast sports and games smooth, while a basic panel blurs. It matters most to console and PC players. Look for the Hz figure in the spec list, and confirm it holds at 4K.

Viewing distance

A 98-inch 4K picture has the same pixel count as a 55-inch one, just spread wider, so sit too close and you see the grid. For a comfortable view, plan to sit roughly 10 to 12 feet back. Measure your seating distance before you buy, not after the box arrives.

Room access and mounting

A 98-inch panel is about seven feet wide, so the delivery path matters as much as the wall. Measure the front door, stairwell and hallway turns. Then check the VESA pattern and weight so your wall mount or stand is rated for the set before it arrives.

Quantum dot color

QLED panels add a quantum dot layer that widens the range of colors the screen can show. It matters most in a bright room, where plain panels look pale. Look for QLED in the model name, and compare it against Crystal UHD listings that do not include the layer.

In-depth reviews

Our Ranked Picks, Reviewed

Best Overall

Sony BRAVIA 5 98 Inch TV

Outstanding

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Our verdict: The only Mini-LED panel here, and it shows in every dark scene.

Sony's BRAVIA 5 is the one 98-inch set on this list built around a Mini-LED backlight, with a 120Hz panel to match. Mini-LED means thousands of small LEDs grouped into dimming zones, so a night scene can drop its dark areas without dimming the bright ones next to them.

That is the whole argument for ranking it first. On a screen this big, the Samsung Q7F and the TCL Q65 spread a more conventional backlight across a huge area, and a letterboxed film shows it as a grey glow around the picture. The Sony keeps those bars darker, and its 120Hz refresh handles console and sports motion about as well as the 144Hz TCL does in practice.

Buy it if you watch a lot of films after dark and want the most convincing picture at this size. The caveat is the spec sheet: it lists no QLED layer, so ask whether color volume in a bright room matters to you more than contrast.

Size: 98 inch
Backlight: Mini-LED
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Price tier: $500+

What we like

+Mini-LED backlight with dimming zones
+Best black levels in this ranking
+120Hz panel for consoles
+Strong choice for dark rooms

Watch out for

−No quantum dot layer listed
−Premium over the QLED rivals
−No 144Hz option for PC gaming

Buy it if: Film fans with a dim room who want the cleanest dark scenes at 98 inches.

Skip it if: Your room is bright all day and you would rather spend less on a QLED set.

Best for Gaming

TCL 98 Inch Class QM7L Series

Excellent

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Our verdict: A 144Hz QLED panel that gives gamers the fastest refresh at this size.

TCL's QM7L pairs a quantum dot QLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, the highest on this list. That number matters to anyone plugging in a gaming PC, because 144Hz is the ceiling most graphics cards can hit at 4K, and the other four sets here stop at 120Hz or lower.

It ranks second rather than first because refresh rate cannot fix backlight behavior. Against the Sony BRAVIA 5, a QLED set without the Mini-LED dimming zones lets dark rooms look flatter. Against the Samsung Q7F, though, the extra 24Hz and the gaming focus justify the step up, and it sits well above the TCL Q65 on specification.

This is the pick for a PC or console player who wants a 98-inch screen as a monitor replacement. The caveat is the same one every large LCD shares: sit too close and the pixel grid becomes visible, so plan on a viewing distance of 10 feet or more.

Size: 98 inch
Panel: QLED
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Price tier: $500+

What we like

+Highest refresh rate on this list
+Quantum dot color
+Suits PC and console play
+Priced below Mini-LED rivals

Watch out for

−Dark scenes less deep than Sony
−Needs 10 feet of viewing distance
−Thin specification detail

Buy it if: Gamers who want a 98-inch screen with the fastest panel available here.

Skip it if: You mostly watch dark films and care more about black levels than refresh rate.

Best for Bright Rooms

Samsung 98-Inch Class QLED Q7F Series Samsung Vision AI Smart TV

Excellent

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Our verdict: QLED color and Samsung's smart platform in the most polished 98-inch package here.

Samsung's Q7F adds a quantum dot QLED layer to a 98-inch panel and runs the company's Vision AI software on top. Quantum dots widen the range of saturated colors a screen can show, which is what keeps a picture from looking washed out when sunlight hits the room.

It ranks below the TCL QM7L because the listing carries no refresh rate above standard, so a gamer gives something up here. It ranks above the Samsung DU9000 because the QLED layer is a clear step over the Crystal UHD panel, and the price tier stays in the same family. Against the Sony, it concedes contrast but wins on color punch.

Buy it if the TV lives in a bright family room and you want an easy, well-known interface. The caveat is that the listing gives few hard numbers, so confirm the refresh rate and HDMI features on the product page before you commit to a console.

Size: 98 inch
Panel: QLED
Software: Vision AI smart TV
Resolution: 4K class

What we like

+QLED color holds up in daylight
+Familiar Samsung smart interface
+Steps up from Crystal UHD
+Strong all-round family set

Watch out for

−Refresh rate not stated
−Contrast trails the Mini-LED Sony
−Few published specifications

Buy it if: Families with a bright living room who want QLED color and an easy interface.

Skip it if: You game on a PC and need a confirmed high refresh rate.

Best Value Samsung

Samsung 98-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU9000 Series HDR Smart TV

Excellent

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Our verdict: A 120Hz Crystal UHD set for people who want 98 inches without paying for QLED.

The DU9000 is Samsung's Crystal UHD model: a 98-inch 4K panel at 120Hz with HDR support, and no quantum dot layer. Crystal UHD uses a standard LED backlight with a color-enhancing film, which is cheaper to build but shows less saturated color than QLED.

What keeps it in the ranking is the 120Hz refresh, which matches the Sony and beats what the budget TCL Q65 states. Against the Q7F one place above, you give up the quantum dot color boost and gain nothing on motion, so the case for the DU9000 rests entirely on price. It is a better choice than the lower-tier listings because Samsung supports it and it is a recognized model.

Buy it if you want a very large screen mostly for sports and casual streaming. The caveat is picture richness: this is the set where you notice the panel compromise most in a dark room.

Size: 98 inch
Panel: Crystal UHD 4K
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Price tier: $500+

What we like

+120Hz refresh at a lower tier
+HDR support included
+Samsung brand and software
+Good for sports viewing

Watch out for

−No quantum dot color layer
−Weakest contrast in the Samsung pair
−Dark scenes look flatter

Buy it if: Sports and streaming households that want 98 inches at a lower cost.

Skip it if: You watch films in a dark room and want deep blacks.

Best Budget Entry

TCL 98-Inch Q65 QLED 4K UHD Smart TV with Google TV (98Q651G)

Very Good

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Our verdict: The cheapest route to a QLED 98-inch screen, with Google TV built in.

The Q65 is TCL's entry QLED at 98 inches, running Google TV for apps and voice search. It gives you the quantum dot color layer that the Samsung DU9000 lacks, at a price tier that stays in the same $500+ bracket as the rest.

It lands last because the listing states no refresh rate above the basics, so it cannot match the TCL QM7L at 144Hz or the Sony at 120Hz for fast motion. That is the tradeoff you accept at entry level. Against the DU9000 it wins on color but not on stated motion handling, which makes it the better pick for movies and streaming rather than sports and games.

Buy it if you want the biggest QLED screen for the least money and mainly stream shows. The caveat: with few specifications published, check the HDMI ports and refresh rate before attaching a modern console.

Size: 98 inch
Panel: QLED 4K
Software: Google TV
Price tier: $500+

What we like

+QLED color at entry level
+Google TV app support
+Lowest cost of the QLED sets
+Simple, no-fuss design

Watch out for

−Refresh rate not stated
−Motion handling trails rivals
−Fewest published features

Buy it if: Streaming households that want the largest QLED screen for the least money.

Skip it if: You plan to connect a modern console or gaming PC.

Methodology

How We Ranked These

Backlight and contrast

Mini-LED, QLED and Crystal UHD were ranked by how well each type should handle dark scenes at 98 inches, where backlight flaws are magnified.

Refresh rate

Stated panel refresh, from the 120Hz and 144Hz sets down to listings that state none, decided how each set suits sports and games.

Color technology

Quantum dot layers were credited for color volume in bright rooms, since saturation is the first thing lost to daylight.

Smart platform

Google TV and Samsung Vision AI were compared on app support and ease of use, because a set this size is mostly a streaming screen.

Value at 98 inches

We weighed what each model gives you relative to its price tier, with entry QLED and Crystal UHD judged against the Mini-LED premium.

Every Primea Score uses the same weights: Performance 30% · Build & Materials 20% · Everyday Usability 20% · Value 20% · Owner Satisfaction 10%. Full scoring rules

Buyer's guide

How to Pick the Right One for You

By Room Lighting

The light in your room decides which backlight pays off.

Your room	Our pick
Dark home theater	Sony BRAVIA 5 98 Inch TV
Bright living room	Samsung 98-Inch Class QLED Q7F Series
Mixed day and night use	TCL 98 Inch Class QM7L Series
Mostly daytime sports	Samsung 98-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU9000
Lightly lit streaming room	TCL 98-Inch Q65 QLED with Google TV

By Budget

Tier	Our pick
Entry QLED	TCL 98-Inch Q65 QLED with Google TV
Lower-cost 120Hz	Samsung 98-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU9000
Mid-range QLED	Samsung 98-Inch Class QLED Q7F Series
Gaming focus	TCL 98 Inch Class QM7L Series
Best picture, highest tier	Sony BRAVIA 5 98 Inch TV

Mini-LED vs QLED

Mini-LED

Uses many small LEDs in dimming zones, so dark areas stay dark beside bright ones. It is the better fit for film and night viewing. Pick: Sony BRAVIA 5.

QLED

Adds a quantum dot layer for stronger color and holds up in daylight, usually at a lower cost. Picks: TCL QM7L, Samsung Q7F, TCL Q65.

Choose Mini-LED if you watch in the dark, QLED if you watch in the daytime.

By Refresh Rate

What you play or watch	Our pick
PC gaming at high frame rates	TCL 98 Inch Class QM7L Series
Console gaming	Sony BRAVIA 5 98 Inch TV
Sports at 120Hz	Samsung 98-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU9000
Films and streaming	Samsung 98-Inch Class QLED Q7F Series
Casual streaming only	TCL 98-Inch Q65 QLED with Google TV

For Home Theater Specifically

Look for

A dimming-zone backlight for deep blacks, a refresh rate of at least 120Hz and a seating distance of 10 feet or more. Skip glossy marketing terms and read the panel type.

In this ranking

The Sony BRAVIA 5 is the home theater pick thanks to Mini-LED. The TCL QM7L is the runner-up if the room also doubles as a game space.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

You watch films in the dark or care about picture quality over everything else. The jump from the TCL Q65 to the Sony BRAVIA 5 is the one you will notice every evening.

Save if

The TV is mostly for daytime sports and streaming. The Samsung DU9000 and TCL Q65 give you the same 98-inch screen for much less.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How far should I sit from a 98-inch TV?+

Roughly 10 to 12 feet for 4K content. Closer than that and the pixel grid starts to show, especially on the Samsung DU9000 and TCL Q65, which lack the extra processing and backlight refinement the Sony BRAVIA 5 uses to hide it.

What is the most common mistake when buying a 98-inch TV?+

Buying for size alone and ignoring backlight type. A basic backlight looks fine at 55 inches but washes out on a 98-inch panel. The Sony BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED costs more, but it avoids the grey glow budget sets show.

Is Mini-LED worth it over QLED at this size?+

In a dark room, yes. The Sony BRAVIA 5 holds black levels that the QLED TCL and Samsung sets cannot match. In a bright room the gap narrows, and the Samsung Q7F makes more sense on cost.

Will a 98-inch TV fit through my doors?+

The panel is about seven feet wide, so measure every door, hallway turn and stairwell before ordering. Most deliveries arrive in a large flat carton, and a tight apartment entry can block it even when the final wall has room.

Do I need a special mount for a 98-inch TV?+

You need a wall mount or stand rated for the set weight and its VESA pattern, which varies by model. Check the mount's load rating against the Sony, Samsung or TCL listing before buying, and plan for two people to hang it.

Are the 144Hz and 120Hz figures worth paying for?+

Only if you play games or watch fast sports. The TCL QM7L is the one to buy for PC gaming, while the Samsung DU9000 gives 120Hz for sports at a lower cost. For film and streaming, refresh rate hardly matters.

Final take

The Sony BRAVIA 5 is the 98-inch TV we would buy for a dark room, because Mini-LED matters most at this size. Gamers should look at the TCL QM7L for its 144Hz panel. For a bright family room, the Samsung Q7F balances color and cost. If budget decides, the TCL Q65 and Samsung DU9000 get you the same screen size for less.

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