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Despite its drawbacks, the X80K shines in terms of brightness, input lag, and viewing angles. For the price, it offers a compelling balance of features, but buyers should be aware of its limitations in specific areas like contrast and dark room performance.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
Released in 2022, the Sony X80K is the most budget-friendly model of the new LED backlit options. If you want to get a broader understanding of what’s out there, check out our guide to the best TVs. And for more insight into the display type, we have a great guide to the best 4k TVs.
The TV runs on the Google TV OS and offers a wide array of apps and features. Additionally, the TV includes Sony’s TV webcam, which can be used for making hands-free gestures.
Viewing-wise, the TV has a low contrast ratio and good SDR peak brightness but low HDR brightness levels. Unfortunately, the Sony X80K lacks certain features, like VRR and local dimming.
The TV has four HDMI inputs and 2 additional USB inputs, but it lacks support for HDMI 2.1+. The TV also has a limited refresh rate, as the panel is 60Hz.
Consensus
our Verdict
The feature-balanced Sony X80K TV’s wide 70-degree viewing angles and 341 cd/m² tested peak brightness perform fine in brighter settings, as it handles reflections well and doesn’t experience blooming.
However, the contrast ratio, at 1,173: 1, is very low, hampering performance in dark scenes and HDR. So the blacks are more grey. The TV also lacks a local dimming feature and the color gamut, at 92.92%, is average.
For gaming, it has a very low 11.8 ms input lag, but lacks advanced features and VRR. It only runs on a 60Hz refresh rate. The TV uses Sony’s Google TV interface, with a great app selection and easy navigation.
However, the interface has ads and ultimately, where the brightness sits is middling compared to its peers.
ReasonS to Buy
Fast motion handling
Gamers will appreciate the speedy command inputs; test clock the input lag at 11.4 ms. Overall, this is above average for 4k TVs but not top tier (ref).
Wide viewing angle for group entertainment
Supports high-quality off-angle viewing for large audiences, given its wide, 70-degree viewing angles.
Reason to Avoid
Subpar picture quality
The display disappoints, especially for gaming and HDR content, given its low refresh rate, poor contrast ratio, and low peak brightness.
A low native contrast ratio delivers shallow black levels
During dark scenes, the black levels appear grey, as the TV has a 1,171:1 contrast ratio that is very poor (ref). This is on the lower side for 4k TVs.
Subpar peak brightness
Picture quality seriously degrades and dulls in bright rooms; peak brightness tests at 405 nits, which is toward the bottom of the 4k TV category (ref).
Sony X80K TV Specs
Backlight Type
Direct Lit
Display Type
LED
HDMI Inputs
4
HDR Format
Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
LED Panel Type
LED
Max Resolution
3840 x 2160 (4k)
Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Screen size
55", 65", 75", 85"
Smart Platform
Google TV
Sync Technology
No
VRR
No
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for TVs based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy)
90.83
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv)
92.92
Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy)
62.91
Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv)
68.91
Color Gamut % (sRGB)
0
Color Gamut % (Rec 709)
99.6177
Color Gamut % (BT.2020)
0
Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB)
0
Color Gamut % (BT.709)
0
Contrast Ratio (x:1)
1,173
SDR Brightness (nits)
332
HDR Brightness (nits)
400
Input Lag (ms)
11.6
Response Time (ms)
15.4
Color Washout (Degrees)
38
Color Shift (Degrees)
57
Brightness Loss (Degrees)
37
Reflections (%)
5.3
Low-Freq Extension (Hz)
106.79
Freq Response StdDev @ 70db
1.98
Freq Response StdDev @ 80db
2.43
Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db
0.097
Intermodulation Distortion @80db
2.85
EOTF (600 nit delta)
0.0154
EOTF (1000 nit delta)
0.0154
EOTF (4000 nit delta)
0.0154
All Tests
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Released in 2022, the Sony X80K is the most budget-friendly model of the new LED backlit options. If you want to get a broader understanding…
Released in 2022, the Sony X80K is the most budget-friendly model of the new LED backlit options. If you want to get a broader understanding of what’s out there, check out our guide to the best TVs. And for more insight into the display type, we have a great guide to the best 4k TVs.
The TV runs on the Google TV OS and offers a wide array of apps and features. Additionally, the TV includes Sony’s TV webcam, which can be used for making hands-free gestures.
Viewing-wise, the TV has a low contrast ratio and good SDR peak brightness but low HDR brightness levels. Unfortunately, the Sony X80K lacks certain features, like VRR and local dimming.
The TV has four HDMI inputs and 2 additional USB inputs, but it lacks support for HDMI 2.1+. The TV also has a limited refresh rate, as the panel is 60Hz.
The Sony X85K is the next level upgrade from the X80K in the same line of LED backlit TVs. The X85 K is much better…
The Sony X85K is the next level upgrade from the X80K in the same line of LED backlit TVs. The X85 K is much better for viewing content in dark rooms as it has superior black uniformity and a much better native contrast ratio. It also performs better in bright rooms, given it has a superior peak brightness. Also, gamers will be drawn to the X85K because it supports HDMI 2.1, and the X80K doesn’t. However, the X80K performs better in larger rooms because of its wider viewing angle. If you want a more in-depth look into the more premium model, check out our Sony X85K review.
The Sony X90K is a more premium option of Sony’s 2022 lineup. Manly, the X90K completely outdoes the more budget brand in terms of delivering…
The Sony X90K is a more premium option of Sony’s 2022 lineup. Manly, the X90K completely outdoes the more budget brand in terms of delivering quality blacks and brighter brights. The only measurable area where the X80K outdoes the higher-end model is with a wider viewing angle, which can be useful in large living rooms. Otherwise, the X90K has a handful of great features, including VRR, local dimming, and HDMI 2.1 support. The X90K also has a great 120Hz refresh rate, whereas the X80K only has a 60Hz. However, the TVs are both even in terms of reflection handling. If this option sounds great and you’d like to learn more, check out our full Sony X90K review.
Both the Sony X80K and the Samsung Q60b QLED are offered as entry-level options, but the Samsung holds display advantages given it performs better in…
Both the Sony X80K and the Samsung Q60b QLED are offered as entry-level options, but the Samsung holds display advantages given it performs better in dark rooms, has far superior black uniformity and contrast, and has better peak brightness, both for SDR and HDR content. However, the Sony is superior in larger rooms because it has wider viewing angles. Additionally, Sony has a better response time and motion handling. In terms of high-def input specifications, both have competing features, as Sony supports Dolby Vision, and Samsung supports HDR 10+.
The predecessor to the Sony X80K is the Sony X80J. Overall, these TVs are very similar, but the X80J actually has superior color accuracy and…
The predecessor to the Sony X80K is the Sony X80J. Overall, these TVs are very similar, but the X80J actually has superior color accuracy and boasts a faster response time. The X80K boasts a few advantages, such as an updated remote with more intuitive and comprehensive controls. The X80K also has a large advantage, given it has far less of an issue with stuttering than the X80J. In terms of contrast, both TVs report very low numbers, but the X80J is slightly higher. If you’d like to see a higher-end option from the previous year’s lineup, you can check out the Sony X95J review we’ve written.
