Kogan 65″ QLED 4K TV Review – Bang for your buck, how is this possible?

Part of me is convinced that the biggest TV brands are too focused on creating a software and content business and losing sight of the simplicity of a TV. 19 years ago Ruslan Kogan hit the market with his own branded TVs and today, they are continuing to push the value offer to Aussie consumers with their buyers perhaps being the most savvy of them all. In the EFTM office this week is the Kogan 65 inch QLED 4K Google TV – and it’s a cracker.

Kogan could honestly never match the klout of LG or Samsung at the table of the big streaming and Network TV companies to get their apps listed, prioritised and sell them advertising, so while LG and Samsung among others are out there doing deals to take over the home screen of their TVs, Kogan appears to have just looked at the market for the best option for their TV users and as I’ve said for many years, Google TV is just that – the best TV operating system.

So pack that into a 65 inch TV and we’re talking.

Now when Kogan sent me this, they told me it was a Mini LED TV – but I see no mention of the backlighting technology on the Kogan website. Frankly, it doesn’t matter though, because whatever it is it’s doing a great job.

Update, it’s NOT Mini LED – there’s another one, less than $200 more that is – so reserve judgement on that, but I’ve gotta say, that might be even better value right there.

On many of the Google TV menus I appear to be seeing some blooming of light around the border of the TV, which would indicate edge lighting, but then when I fired up Top Gun Maverick I saw nothing of the sort in the black screen titles.

In fact, on the core Top Gun Maverick title, the blooming of light around the vibrant white title was visible, but minimal.

So certainly not OLED like, but for me, as good as I’ve seen on many TVs.

For perspective, this TV is listed at $1,499 RRP, but today it’s $829 or cheaper for Kogan First members. At $829 it makes it the second cheapest TV if it was listed under 65 inch models on the JB HiFi website. In fact, it’s technological peers would be in that $1400-$1900 price range, so I suspect that RRP reflects it’s place in the market, while the $829 price tag reflects the value Kogan brings to the segment.

Why is Google TV the right choice? Well it means Kogan TVs like this one have all the apps you need, everything from Kayo to Stan, Netflix and Amazon, even Foxtel.

Plus Google continues to evolve and gets smarter with time, the voice control is outstanding, I just Asked for Top Gun Maverick and it showed me where I’d previously bought it and it was streaming in seconds.

Quality was outstanding, and I always hate writing these reviews because my photos don’t do this justice.

Plus the reflections from the EFTM warehouse area are evident so it’s not ideal – but trust me, excellent picture.

It has a strong fast refresh rate, something in years gone by was a clear point of compromise for TVs at the lower price point, and I honestly had plenty of double takes at the quality while watching the movie and also Netflix’s Drive to Survive.

I watch that because I know it’s been shot and edited in the highest quality. I also know it’s audio editing is gold class. Which does expose a flaw in this TV – the sound. Pumped close to 100 (and max) I didn’t get immersed in Drive to Survive.

But folks, this is an $829 TV. Buy a soundbar and you’re mind will be blown!

Setup of a Google TV is awesome, and the settings options from the main screen are I think among the easiest to manage on any TV.

It just lacks a shortcut to picture modes while inside content like a movie if I was being picky.

Is this as good as a $1,900 LED TV from another brand. For a videophile – probably not – but I wouldn’t notice the difference. For me, I’d need to spend $2,000 or more to really understand the clear benefits of increased brightness levels and perhaps also a stronger focus on the design of the TV too.

A Samsung NEO QLED is the benchmark for top class design. Kogan’s basic frame and lets are on par with it’s peers no doubt, but little things like the gap from screen to frame at the top are like panel gaps in a Telsa, something you’d gloss over, but at a concours quality examination, you’d question it.

Right now, If my brother calls and says I need a new TV, 65 inches, what should I buy, if he says his budget is $1500 or less, then I’m saving him $$ and suggesting this Kogan QLED 4K Google TV and perhaps suggest a soundbar to go with it.

And hey, it’s delivered to your door!

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