LG QNED QNED81: 65" 4K Smart TV LG - Review 🏆

The LG QNED81 is one of LG's flagship 4K TVs for 2023, sitting near the top of their lineup with premium features and performance. This 65-inch model offers LG's new QNED Mini LED display technology for impressive brightness and contrast. It also supports advanced gaming features like 4K 120Hz input, VRR, and low latency for a smooth experience. The QNED81 runs webOS for smart features and access to popular streaming apps. With Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, it delivers cinematic picture and sound quality. Keep reading for an in-depth review of the LG QNED81's display, gaming chops, features, design and more to see if it's the right high-end 4K TV for you.

Display Technology

The LG QNED81 uses LG's latest Quantum Nanocell display technology with mini LED backlighting. This combination aims to deliver the best of quantum dot and NanoCell color while minimizing blooming effects with the denser LED backlight array.

The TV uses LG's Quantum Dot Nanocell color technology, which precisely controls light particles called nanocrystals or quantum dots to produce pure and accurate color. This helps create a wider color gamut for richer, more vibrant visuals.

In addition, the mini LED backlight has around 30,000 tiny LEDs grouped into nearly 2,500 dimming zones. Having more dimming zones allows for finer local dimming control, so bright areas can shine while keeping blacks dark without as much haloing or blooming into surrounding regions. This helps maximize contrast and black levels.

Overall, the Quantum Nanocell technology paired with mini LED backlighting allows this 4K TV to deliver bright, accurate colors and deep blacks for stunning high dynamic range performance with reduced blooming. This technology combination aims to rival OLED TVs in terms of contrast and picture quality.

Picture Quality

The LG QNED81 delivers excellent picture quality with its Quantum Dot NanoCell display. This TV can produce very bright, crisp 4K images that really make content pop on the screen. You'll be able to see fine details in videos and photos thanks to the high 4K resolution and LG's Quad Step Noise Reduction technology that reduces banding and artifacts.

Viewing angles are also a strong point of this TV. The screen maintains its color accuracy and brightness even when viewed from the side, so more people can enjoy the great picture quality no matter where they're sitting. The anti-glare screen coating also helps reduce reflections.

Colors look vivid and realistic on the QNED81. LG says this TV covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, which is the standard used for digital cinema and HDR content. So colors in movies and shows will appear more saturated and true-to-life. The TV also supports Dolby Vision HDR for optimal HDR color and contrast. Overall, the QNED81 delivers excellent, accurate colors whether you're watching HDR or standard content.

Gaming Performance

The LG QNED81 delivers an excellent gaming experience thanks to its advanced gaming features and low input lag.

• Low Input Lag: Input lag measures how long it takes for a TV to process and display image data from a source device. The QNED81 has an impressively low input lag of just 5ms in game mode. This responsiveness allows you to react quickly in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. You'll experience minimal delay between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen.

• HDMI 2.1 Ports: This TV is equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports, enabling support for 4K gaming at 120Hz refresh rate. With the higher bandwidth of HDMI 2.1, you can game in 4K resolution with smooth high frame rates for a fluid and responsive experience. The HDMI ports also support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

• Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Support: The QNED81 is compatible with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium variable refresh rate technologies. This synchronizes the TV's refresh rate with the frame rate output of your graphics card to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering. Gameplay appears buttery smooth without distortion.

With its cutting-edge gaming features, the LG QNED81 delivers incredibly responsive and immersive gameplay. It's an excellent 4K gaming TV that provides a big upgrade over standard TVs.

Smart TV Features

The LG QNED81 comes with LG's intuitive webOS smart platform that provides quick access to popular streaming apps and services. It has built-in support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control certain TV functions and smart home devices with your voice.

Some of the key streaming apps available include:

• Netflix - Watch original shows, movies, and documentaries.
• Disney+ - Stream Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and more.
• YouTube - View video content from YouTube creators and channels.
• Prime Video - Access Amazon Prime movies, shows, and originals.
• Apple TV - View iTunes content and Apple TV+ original programming.

The webOS platform makes it easy to download new apps from the LG Content Store. Navigating between apps and inputs is smooth and responsive thanks to the speedy quad-core processor.

With ThinQ AI and the Magic Remote, you can quickly launch apps, search for content, control smart home devices, and access built-in voice assistants hands-free. The 2022 webOS update also brings Next Pick recommendations for shows to watch next.

Overall, the webOS platform, streaming apps, and smart features provide a great smart TV experience on the LG QNED81.

Sound Quality

The LG QNED81 2023 TV comes with a powerful 60W 4.2 channel speaker system that provides an immersive audio experience. The speakers use Dolby Atmos technology to create a three-dimensional soundscape with audio that seems to come from all around you.

One of the standout audio features is AI Sound Pro, LG's artificial intelligence-based audio tuning system. It analyzes the content you're watching and optimizes the sound specifically for that genre. For example, when watching sports it enhances crowd noise and commentator voices, while for movies it focuses on creating a cinematic atmosphere.

The 4.2 channel speaker configuration has two main drivers located at the bottom of the TV, as well as two side-firing speakers. This creates an expansive soundstage with audio coming from multiple directions. The bass is deep and impactful thanks to the dedicated subwoofer built into the TV.

Overall, the QNED81 delivers an immersive audio experience that complements its stellar visuals. The powerful speaker system and AI-enhanced audio tuning make this one of the best sounding TVs in its class.

Design

The LG QNED81 has an attractive, minimalist design that will look great in any living room. It has an incredibly thin profile, with the panel measuring just 1.7cm thick. This allows it to sit nearly flush to the wall when wall-mounted.

The TV has a three-sided boundless design, with tiny bezels surrounding the top, left and right edges of the screen. This creates a seamless, edge-to-edge viewing experience that draws you into the picture. The bottom bezel is slightly thicker to accommodate the TV's speakers.

The QNED81 utilizes an edge-lit LED backlighting system. The LEDs are precisely controlled through LG's advanced local dimming technology to optimize the contrast and black levels. The slim form factor would not be possible without edge-lighting.

Overall, the QNED81 combines an elegantly slim design profile with tiny bezels to create a TV that makes a statement in your living room, not just because of its picture quality but also its aesthetics. The minimalist style ensures the focus remains on what's on the screen.

Ports and Connectivity

The LG QNED81 comes with a great selection of ports and connectivity options. On the back of the TV, you'll find 4 HDMI ports, with HDMI 2.1 support on ports 1-3. HDMI 2.1 enables 4K video at 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate for gaming, and other advanced features. There are also 3 USB ports, providing ample options for connecting external devices like hard drives.

For wireless connectivity, the QNED81 has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. The WiFi is dual-band, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. Bluetooth allows you to connect wireless headphones, speakers, or other accessories.

Finally, there is an Ethernet port if you want the most reliable wired network connection to your TV. With WiFi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet all built-in, the QNED81 makes it easy to connect in whichever way works best for your setup.

Remote Control

The LG QNED81 comes with LG's Magic Remote, which provides an intuitive way to control the TV. The unique remote has a minimalist design and relies on pointing and clicking instead of buttons. You can easily navigate menus and select options by simply pointing the remote at the screen.

The Magic Remote has a gyro sensor inside, allowing you to move an on-screen cursor by moving the remote. This makes it easy to quickly click on menu items. The remote also has a scroll wheel to smoothly scroll through long lists.

In addition to point and click functionality, the Magic Remote has all the usual buttons like volume, channel, power etc. Voice commands are also supported through the remote's built-in microphone. Overall, LG's Magic Remote is a versatile and user-friendly way to control the QNED81.

Conclusion

The LG QNED81 2023 65" 4K Smart TV offers a compelling package for TV and movie enthusiasts looking for a high-end viewing experience. The Quantum Nanocell display technology produces impressive colors, brightness, and contrast for a very immersive picture. The TV also supports gaming features like 4K 120Hz, VRR, and low input lag for smooth gameplay.

On the downside, the sound quality is just average and may require a separate soundbar purchase. There are also some missing next-gen gaming features like ALLM.

Overall, the QNED81 delivers gorgeous 4K visuals that really make movies and shows pop thanks to the quantum dot nanocell technology. Gamers will also appreciate the low lag time and 120Hz refresh rate support. While not perfect, this LG model provides strong performance and picture quality that make it a great option in its price range for shoppers wanting excellent 4K image quality.