LG NANO81 vs NANO85 TV comparison 2021/04

The NanoCell series takes the position of the middle class 4K TVs in LG’s lineup and consists of three TVs, all equipped with an IPS LCD panel. With IPS panels the viewing angle is quite wide, but the performance in dark surroundings is not as convincing as for example devices with VA panels – for a comparison of the two panel types you can have a look at our comparison NanoCell vs QLED. In this article we will compare the two cheaper models of the NanoCell series and we will investigate whether it has to be the more expensive NANO85 or the cheaper NANO81 is completely sufficient.

LG NANO81
LG NANO85
vs
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LG NANO81 and NANO85 compared – Which TV is better?

Reflections
Image quality in bright environments and dealing with reflections
62%
LG NANO81 55"
53%
LG NANO85 55"
Viewing Angle
Picture quality when sitting at an angle to the TV - Also relevant when sitting very close in front of a large TV.
65%
LG NANO81 55"
63%
LG NANO85 55"
SDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in SDR, i.e. anything that is not HDR.
50%
LG NANO81 55"
53%
LG NANO85 55"
HDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in HDR, so everything from HDR, HDR10, HLG to HDR10+ & Dolby Vision.
25%
LG NANO81 55"
34%
LG NANO85 55"
Movies & Series
Use of the TV for movies, series & documentaries - be it as stream, BluRay or in the TV program.
53%
LG NANO81 55"
54%
LG NANO85 55"
Gaming
Gaming performance of the TV especially for responsive games with focus on PS5 and Xbox Series X
77%
LG NANO81 55"
88%
LG NANO85 55"
Sports
Suitability for watching soccer, Formula 1, Olympics and more, even with several persons
63%
LG NANO81 55"
64%
LG NANO85 55"
Equipment
Smart TV features, connections and general equipment of the TV
68%
LG NANO81 55"
80%
LG NANO85 55"
LG NANO81 55"
LG NANO85 55"
Rating v2.0 Alpha

LG NANO81 2020

Edge LED with Local Dimming
Edge LED with Local Dimming
IPS Panel
IPS Panel
Like all televisions with IPS panel, the NANO81 has a wide viewing angle with a quite respectable picture quality in bright surroundings. However, the picture quality gets worse the brighter the surroundings are, which is due to the low contrast ratio of 1400:1 and the shallow black. Its local dimming feature does not really enhance the performance as it is only Edge Lit local dimming, which causes problems like blooming or noticeable dimming zones - that can be quite annoying in dark scenes. Since the NANO81 is the entry level model in the NanoCell series, LG has saved some of the equipment for the more expensive models. Therefore, not much has been integrated besides an Auto Low Latency Mode and a well-done Smart Operating System. Due to the response time of 6ms the motion handling of the 60Hz panel is rather average, which is not necessarily bad in this price range. With fast movements a certain degree of motion blur can be seen.
49" (123cm)
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55" (139cm)
55NANO81ANA
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65" (164cm)
65NANO81ANA
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LG NANO85 2020

Edge LED with Local Dimming
Edge LED with Local Dimming
IPS Panel
IPS Panel
The NANO85 has a quite similar performance in bright and dark surroundings, but can clearly display HDR content better due to the wider color gamut and Dolby Vision IQ, even if it cannot be displayed very impressively. Unfortunately, also the Nano86 does not get very bright, which is not really helpful for HDR content, because bright highlights cannot stand out. The biggest difference can be found in the equipment. The NANO85 has been equipped with an 120Hz display and also has an HDMI 2.1 interface with VRR and ALLM. So it is perfectly prepared for the upcoming Next Gen consoles and can already use them to full capacity with [email protected] - at least for SDR content. In addition there is a HDMI eARC, which supports uncompressed Dolby Atmos via Dolby True HD.
49" (123,9cm)
49NANO85UNA
$596.99*
55" (139cm)
55NANO85UNA
$796.99*
65" (164cm)
65NANO85UNA
Check price

Detailed comparison: LG NANO81 or NANO85

LG NANO81 55" Check Deal
LG NANO85 55" Check Deal
Reflections Comparison
LG NANO81 vs NANO85
62%
Reflections
Reflections visible
No layer against reflections
Contrast
1350:1 :1
Ø Brightness
430 Nits
Video technologies
53%
Reflections
Reflections visible
No layer against reflections
Contrast
1700 :1
Ø Brightness
350 Nits
Video technologies
Viewing Angle Comparison
LG NANO81 vs NANO85
65%
Panel type
IPS Panel
IPS Panel
Viewing Angle
Normal
Wide Viewing Angle Layer not available
Reflections
Reflections visible
Reflections visible
63%
Panel type
IPS Panel
IPS Panel
Viewing Angle
Normal
Wide Viewing Angle Layer not available
Reflections
Reflections visible
Reflections visible
SDR image Comparison
LG NANO81 vs NANO85
50%
Panel type
IPS Panel
IPS Panel
Backlight
Edge LED with Local Dimming
Edge LED with Local Dimming
Local Dimming
Edge Lit Local Dimming with 6 Zones
Contrast
1350:1 :1
Ø Brightness
430 Nits
DCI-P3
70.6%
53%
Panel type
IPS Panel
IPS Panel
Backlight
Edge LED with Local Dimming
Edge LED with Local Dimming
Local Dimming
Contrast
1700 :1
Ø Brightness
350 Nits
DCI-P3
78%
HDR image Comparison
LG NANO81 vs NANO85
25%
Panel type
IPS Panel
IPS Panel
Backlight
Edge LED with Local Dimming
Edge LED with Local Dimming
Local Dimming
Edge Lit Local Dimming with 6 Zones
Contrast
1350:1 :1
Ø Brightness
430 Nits
Max. Brightness
540 Nits
DCI-P3
70.6%
REC 2020
53.6%
Video technologies
34%
Panel type
IPS Panel
IPS Panel
Backlight
Edge LED with Local Dimming
Edge LED with Local Dimming
Local Dimming
Contrast
1700 :1
Ø Brightness
350 Nits
Max. Brightness
570 Nits
DCI-P3
78%
REC 2020
59%
Video technologies
Movies & Series Comparison
LG NANO81 vs NANO85
53%
HDR Image Quality
SDR Image Quality
Environment & Reflections
Tuner
Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-C DVB-S DVB-S2
Twin Tuner
Audio
2.0 Channels with 20 Watt
Surround Sound Formats
HDMI eARC
HDMI ARC
54%
HDR Image Quality
SDR Image Quality
Environment & Reflections
Tuner
Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-C DVB-S DVB-S2
Twin Tuner
Audio
2.0 Channels with 20 Watt
Surround Sound Formats
HDMI eARC
HDMI ARC
Gaming performance Comparison
LG NANO81 vs NANO85
77%
Frequency
60Hz
Response Time
ca. 6ms
HDMI 2.1
Variable Refresh Rate
Input Lag [email protected] +HDR
ca. 10ms
88%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 5ms
HDMI 2.1
2x Connections
Variable Refresh Rate
Input Lag [email protected] +HDR
ca. 17ms
Sports performance Comparison
LG NANO81 vs NANO85
63%
Frequency
60Hz
Response Time
ca. 6ms
64%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 5ms
Equipment Comparison
LG NANO81 vs NANO85
68%
Operating System
webOS 5.0
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
2.0 Channels with 20 Watt
HDMI eARC
HDMI ARC
Surround Sound Formats
USB recording PVR
Timeshift
Apple Airplay
Apple Homekit
Assistants
Google Assistant
integriert
Amazon Alexa
integriert
Ambilight
80%
Operating System
webOS 5.0
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
2.0 Channels with 20 Watt
HDMI eARC
HDMI ARC
Surround Sound Formats
USB recording PVR
Timeshift
Apple Airplay
Apple Homekit
Assistants
Google Assistant
integriert
Amazon Alexa
integriert
Ambilight

Our conclusion:
Same performance, but with more features

tvfindr Vitus
Vitus // tvfindr.com

The picture characteristics of the two TVs are almost identical. So if you are looking for a Smart TV for SDR content in bright rooms, which has a wide viewing angle, you can certainly choose the NANO81. However, due to its reduced features it lacks some of the features that are essential for a more advanced TV experience. The NANO85 has Dolby Vision IQ, which allows HDR content to be displayed better.

For those who want to purchase the new Xbox Series X or Playstation 5 consoles, the NANO85 is clearly the better choice. With the 120Hz panel and the HDMI 2.1 interface a 4K resolution with 120Hz refresh rate is supported, which will be possible with both consoles.

LG NANO81 2020
LG NANO81
  • Low input lag
  • Viewing angle
  • Smart TV Features
  • 60Hz panel
  • Contrast ratio 1400:1
  • Black levels
  • No Dolby Vision & HDR10+
  • No DTS & Dolby Atmos
49" (123cm)
Check price
55" (139cm)
55NANO81ANA
Check price
65" (164cm)
65NANO81ANA
Check price
LG NANO85 2020
LG NANO85
  • 120Hz IPS panel
  • HDMI Forum VRR
  • Input Lag
  • Viewing angle
  • Reflection behavior
  • Dolby Vision & Atmos
  • HDMI 2.1
  • Black levels
  • Contrast ratio 1700 : 1
  • Peak brightness ~550 Nits
49" (123,9cm)
49NANO85UNA
$596.99*
55" (139cm)
55NANO85UNA
$796.99*
65" (164cm)
65NANO85UNA
Check price
* Approximate price incl. VAT, plus shipping costs. Please note that prices shown here may have changed in the meantime.
All data without guarantee. All trademarks, designs and logos displayed are owned by their companies.
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