TVs

LG QNED85A Reddit Verdict: Edge-Lit TV in MiniLED Clothing

Apr 2026

Last Analyzed

4/10

Overall Rating

Positive Reviews

Negative Reviews

Summary

The LG QNED85A is one of the most controversial budget TVs of 2025, primarily because LG markets it as a 'MiniLED' TV while Reddit users have widely confirmed it uses an edge-lit backlight — not a full array. Sentiment across multiple subreddits is largely negative, with the core complaint being deceptive marketing that misleads buyers expecting the contrast and local dimming performance of true MiniLED panels. That said, a small segment of owners who paid budget prices and came from older or entry-level TVs report reasonable satisfaction with color and brightness in well-lit rooms. The QNED85A is best understood as an IPS edge-lit LCD dressed up with quantum dot color enhancement — adequate for casual daytime viewing, but a poor choice for dark room HDR use. The community consensus is clear: if you're spending anywhere near its retail price, better alternatives exist.

Pros

Good color accuracy and brightness for daytime or bright room viewing thanks to QNED (quantum dot) technology
webOS is widely praised as one of the smoothest and most reliable smart TV operating systems on the market
The 100-inch size variant reportedly uses full-array local dimming, making it the only QNED85A configuration worth considering for HDR
At heavily discounted prices (e.g., $400 for a 65" floor model), casual users report it as a solid step up from aging entry-level TVs
120Hz panel on the 85A model offers smoother motion handling compared to the 60Hz QNED70
Larger screen sizes (98"+) provide impressive immersion for non-critical viewers watching at long distances

Cons

Edge-lit backlight causes severe blooming and poor local dimming — users report 'incredible' blooming on dark scenes with only ~6 dimming zones on most sizes
Marketed as MiniLED but is technically edge-lit; LG exploits the LED size definition rather than backlight configuration, which Reddit users widely call deceptive and misleading
Native contrast of ~1000:1 (IPS panel) means grey-black levels in dark rooms — terrible for movie watching or HDR content
At its $800-$1000 retail price range, the TCL QM6K and QM7K offer true full-array MiniLED with dramatically more dimming zones for the same or less money
One confirmed owner noted the 86" version has a bizarre center-mounted power connector requiring cord bending, secured with a twist tie — poor build quality detail
RTINGS scores for older QNED85 variants (2023/2024) are often misapplied to the 85A, leading buyers to overpay based on outdated review scores

Is the QNED85A Actually a MiniLED TV?

Technically yes — but only in the way that allows LG to put 'MiniLED' on the box. The LEDs are smaller, but they're still mounted on the edges, not across a full array. Reddit caught on fast, and the backlash has been significant.

Casual Viewers Don't Hate It — Power Users Do

Owners coming from decade-old TVs or budget sets often end up satisfied, especially in bright living rooms. The QNED85A falls apart when put under the scrutiny of anyone who expected true MiniLED HDR performance.

The 100" Exception Nobody Talks About

Multiple Reddit users have confirmed that only the 100-inch QNED85A uses 'Precision Dimming Technology' (full-array). Every other size gets 'Advanced Local Dimming' — which is edge-lit. If you need a massive screen and true MiniLED, that's the only config worth considering.

User Reviews (41 of 120 analyzed)

Nickool4ur/4kTV16d agonegative

The LG QNED85 and Samsung QN70F are both edge lit TVs, however they're being deceptively marketed as MiniLEDs because the LEDs on the edge of the TV are smaller than what is traditionally used for an edge lit. It's very misleading and it's adding confusion to the market. It still has all the downsides of an edge lit, and none of the benefits of an actual MiniLED.