Not LG, Not Sony: Consumer Reports Names Their Top-Rated 65-Inch TV For Under $1,000 In 2026

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Sony and LG. When most people think of smart TV brands, they are often the first ones that come to mind. And honestly, it makes sense. They both have been in the market for quite a while and are known for their feature-rich TVs and beautiful displays. However, there is another major player in the game when it comes to making TVs, one that Consumer Reports says makes the best 65-inch TVs under $1,000. That is Samsung. Out of the dozens of TVs under $1000 tested by CR, the Samsung QN65S84FA OLED 4K TV came out the top. According to Consumer Reports, the TV delivered excellent overall picture quality, strong fine-detail reproduction, amazing color accuracy, good HDR performance, and excellent viewing angles.

Its sound was another pleasant surprise. This is important as many modern sleek TVs have bad sound, which often pushes buyers to get separate soundbars. In fact, Consumer Reports specifically suggests that buyers should listen to the built-in speakers first before buying extra audio equipment. It is also important to note here that Consumer Reports does not rank TVs based on one feature alone. Its overall evaluation combines expert lab testing with owner survey data.

Talking about owners, shoppers on Best Buy seem to love the Samsung QN65S84FA. It has a nearly perfect rating, and customers consistently praise its picture quality, deep blacks, vibrant colors, and strong contrast. In fact, one buyer even said that its display made everything feel "more alive." Put simply, if you do not mind spending a $1000 on a TV, the Samsung QN65S84FA is a good choice.

As great as the Samsung QN65S84FA is, it is not perfect. For instance, some Best Buy reviewers had complaints about the software side of the experience. Unlike many modern smart TVs, which run on Android, the Samsung QN65S84FA runs on Tizen — an operating system made by Samsung itself that a few buyers said felt crowded and clunky. Likewise, some other buyers also noted that they were frustrated by brightness settings changing during normal viewing, or the operating system feeling slow. The TV's connectivity came up in some negative reviews, too.

For instance, a few buyers mentioned trouble with wireless internet, external devices, soundbars, apps, or streaming services. Now, these issues do not seem to reflect most Best Buy reviews. However, they are still worth considering if you rely heavily on external devices or want a very simple smart TV interface when trying to build an entertainment room in your home.

Other than that, Consumer Reports mentioned that it may not be the ideal option for placement in a particularly bright room. So, make sure you consider the sunlight situation in the room. Not doing it is one of the biggest mistakes everyone makes when buying TVs. It is also worth noting here that this TV may also be more than some people actually need. For instance, if you just watch basic cable and news, OLED is an overkill. In that case, a cheaper LED or QLED TV might make more sense. Sure, you won't get the same deep blacks or cinematic contrast, but you will save a few hundred dollars and still get a big, sharp screen.