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The Sony Bravia XR X93L was Sony’s step-down Mini LED (miniature light-emitting diode) television (TV) for 2023, sitting just below the flagship X95L. Sony has since replaced it twice, first with the Bravia 7 in 2024 and then with the RGB (red, green, and blue) backlit Bravia 7 II in 2026, so you’ll mostly find the X93L on clearance, open box, or refurbished today. This Sony X93L review explains what the TV still does well, what reviewers criticized, how it compares with its successors, and which current TVs on Amazon deserve a look first.
Quick verdict: The X93L pairs a bright Mini LED backlight with Sony’s excellent picture processing, wide viewing angles for an LCD (liquid crystal display) TV, and great built-in sound. Its weak spots are visible blooming in dark scenes and only two High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2.1 ports. At a deep discount, it remains a strong buy for movie fans; at close to its old price, the newer Bravia 7 offers more for the money. Check the Sony X93L price on Amazon.
Sony X93L at a glance
| Spec | Sony X93L |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2023 (discontinued; replaced by the Bravia 7 and Bravia 7 II) |
| Sizes and launch prices | 65 inches ($2,199.99), 75 inches ($2,999.99), and 85 inches ($4,499.99) |
| Panel | 4K LCD with a 120 hertz (Hz) native refresh rate and X-Wide Angle viewing filter |
| Backlight | Mini LED with full-array local dimming (XR Backlight Master Drive) |
| Processor | Cognitive Processor XR |
| High dynamic range (HDR) formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG); no HDR10+ |
| Inputs | Four HDMI ports: two HDMI 2.1 (4K at 120Hz), one of which is the enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) port |
| Gaming | Variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low-latency mode (ALLM), and Sony’s Game Menu |
| Smart platform | Google TV with Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Google Assistant; works with Amazon Alexa |
| Audio | Acoustic Multi-Audio system with two tweeters, two midrange drivers, and two woofers |
Specs come from Reviewed, CNN Underscored, and Sound & Vision.
Where the X93L fits in Sony’s lineup
In 2023, Sony sold the X93L between the X90L, a full-array LED TV without Mini LEDs, and the flagship X95L. The X93L shares much of its design and hardware with 2022’s X95K, and Reviewed called it nearly identical to that older model. Retailers also sold an X93CL version, which RTINGS groups with the X93L in its review.
Sony then changed its naming. The 2024 Bravia 7 (XR70) replaced the X93L as Sony’s mid-range Mini LED model, and it stayed on sale through 2025. In 2026, Sony launched the Bravia 7 II, which swaps the white Mini LED backlight for what Sony calls True RGB, with separate red, green, and blue LEDs. One more change affects long-term buyers: Sony and TCL agreed in March 2026 to form BRAVIA Inc., a joint venture that TCL controls with a 51% stake. It takes over Sony’s TV business, including customer service, starting in April 2027, according to CE Pro. Sony and Bravia branding will continue.
Design and build
The X93L looks sharp, with a titanium-silver finish, slim bezels, and metal feet. CNN Underscored notes three stand positions: wide at the edges, wide and raised to leave room for a soundbar in front of the screen, or narrow toward the center for smaller furniture. The raised position makes it easy to add a soundbar without blocking the picture. The textured back panel hides cables neatly, and the 65-inch model weighs about 70 pounds, so plan on two people for setup or wall mounting.
Connectivity
The X93L has four HDMI inputs, but only two support HDMI 2.1 features such as 4K at 120Hz. One of those two also serves as the eARC port for a soundbar, so a household with a PlayStation 5 (PS5), an Xbox Series X, and an eARC soundbar will run short on full-speed ports. Reviewed and CNN Underscored both flagged this limitation, especially since rivals like the Samsung QN90C offered four HDMI 2.1 ports at the same price.
Other connections include a digital optical output, two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, Ethernet, a composite video input, a coaxial antenna input, and an infrared (IR) blaster connector. The TV has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth but no headphone jack, so you’ll need Bluetooth headphones for private listening. A rear switch turns off the built-in far-field microphones if you want hands-free voice control disabled.
Smart features: Google TV
The X93L runs Google TV, which pulls recommendations from your streaming apps into one home screen. It supports Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Apple HomeKit, and you can use Google Assistant hands-free or pair the TV with Amazon Alexa devices. Sony also includes its own movie streaming app, Sony Pictures Core (formerly Bravia Core), with a selection of high-bitrate films. Google TV still receives app updates in 2026, though Sony’s major firmware updates for 2023 models have slowed.
Gamers get Sony’s Game Menu, which gathers VRR, motion blur reduction, a crosshair overlay, and a smaller screen-size mode in one place. The X93L also supports Sony’s Perfect for PlayStation 5 features, Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, which set up the TV automatically when you connect a PS5. For more options, see our guide to the best gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox.
Picture quality
Brightness and HDR
The original version of this review said the X93L hit 1,000 nits in HDR and 350 nits in standard dynamic range (SDR). Measurements tell a slightly different story. Reviewed measured a sustained HDR peak of about 1,076 nits on a 25% window and about 612 nits in SDR. Sound & Vision recorded roughly 987 to 1,084 nits in HDR and 414 nits in SDR out of the box. That’s plenty bright for most living rooms and makes HDR highlights pop, though current Mini LED TVs from TCL and Hisense get two to three times brighter.
Contrast and blooming
The Mini LED backlight divides the screen into many independently controlled dimming zones. Sony doesn’t publish the count, but Sound & Vision called it clearly very high and found black levels comparable to an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV in many scenes. The trade-off is blooming, a faint halo around bright objects on dark backgrounds, such as subtitles or stars. Reviewed listed blooming in dark-room viewing as the X93L’s main picture flaw, and RTINGS found that the newer Bravia 7 controls it better. Our explainer on what local dimming is covers why this happens.
Color and processing
Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR is the X93L’s biggest strength. Reviewers praised its natural color, realistic skin tones, smooth gradients, and excellent upscaling of lower-resolution content, such as cable TV and older streaming shows. Reviewed named the processing as one of the TV’s top advantages, and Sound & Vision rated its color, SDR, and HDR performance highly.
Viewing angles and reflections
The original version of this review claimed that the picture degrades noticeably off-axis, as with most vertical alignment (VA) panels. That’s only partly true. The X93L uses Sony’s X-Wide Angle filter, which helps colors and contrast hold up better from the side than a typical VA TV, and RTINGS recommends it over the Bravia 7 for wide seating arrangements. It also has a better anti-reflective coating than the Bravia 7, which helps in bright rooms. Blooming does become more visible from the side, according to Reviewed, and Sound & Vision noticed reflections during dark content.
Motion and gaming performance
Motion looks smooth and clear in sports and fast games, thanks to the 120Hz panel and Sony’s motion processing. Input lag in game mode is low enough for responsive console gaming, and VRR reduces screen tearing when frame rates dip. Reviewed noted that its gaming options trail rivals, mainly because of the two HDMI 2.1 ports and the lack of refresh rates above 120Hz.
Sound
Built-in audio beats most flat TVs. The Acoustic Multi-Audio system uses two tweeters, two midrange drivers, and two woofers to place sound closer to the action on screen, and the TV calibrates audio to your room. If you own a Sony Bravia Theater or HT-A series soundbar, the X93L can use its own speakers as the center channel through Acoustic Center Sync. A Sony soundbar still adds deeper bass for movies.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bright HDR performance with deep blacks
- Excellent color accuracy, processing, and upscaling
- Better viewing angles and reflection handling than most Mini LED TVs
- Flexible three-position stand
- Strong built-in audio with Acoustic Center Sync
- Perfect for PlayStation 5 features
Cons
- Visible blooming in dark scenes
- Only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one shared with eARC
- No HDR10+ support and tops out at 120Hz
- No headphone jack
- Discontinued, with the Bravia 7 offering better contrast for similar money
Sony X93L vs. current Mini LED TVs
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the X93L’s successors and its strongest current rivals. Prices change often, so check the latest deals before you buy.
Compare similar Mini LED TVs on Amazon
| TV | Backlight | Gaming ports | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony X93L (2023) | Mini LED | Two HDMI 2.1, up to 120Hz | Movie fans who find a deep discount | Check price |
| Sony Bravia 7 (2024) | Mini LED with quantum dots | Two HDMI 2.1, up to 120Hz | The X93L’s direct, cheaper successor | Check price |
| Sony Bravia 7 II (2026) | True RGB Mini LED | Two HDMI 2.1, up to 120Hz | The newest Sony picture tech below the Bravia 9 II | Check price |
| Samsung QN90H (2026) | Neo QLED (quantum dot Mini LED) | Four HDMI ports | Bright rooms and anti-glare viewing | Check price |
| TCL QM8L (2026) | Super Quantum Dot (SQD) Mini LED | Four HDMI 2.1, up to 144Hz | Maximum brightness for the money | Check price |
| Hisense UR8SG (2026) | RGB Mini LED | Four HDMI 2.1, up to 180Hz | Gamers who want RGB color on a budget | Check price |
- Sony Bravia 7: RTINGS found that it gets noticeably brighter than the X93L and controls blooming better, though the X93L has wider viewing angles. The 65-inch launched at $1,999.99 but regularly sold for about $1,200 to $1,300 during 2025 sales. See the Sony Bravia 7 on Amazon.
- Sony Bravia 7 II: Tom’s Guide measured about 2,077 nits of HDR brightness and praised its RGB backlight, but the 65-inch lists at $2,599, close to OLED prices, and it still has only two HDMI 2.1 ports. See the Sony Bravia 7 II on Amazon.
- TCL QM8L and Hisense UR8SG: These 2026 models offer more brightness, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and higher refresh rates for less money, though Sony’s processing still leads. Our TCL vs. Hisense comparison explains the brand differences. See the TCL QM8L on Amazon.
- Samsung QN90H: Samsung’s current QN90 model keeps the anti-glare screen that made the Samsung QN90C a bright-room favorite, and the 65-inch lists for about $1,500 at retailers such as P.C. Richard & Son. See the Samsung QN90H on Amazon.
Prefer perfect blacks with no blooming? Sony’s 2023 OLED, covered in our Sony A80L review, makes a good alternative at clearance prices.
Who should buy the Sony X93L?
Buy the X93L if you find it well below the price of a new Bravia 7, you watch mostly movies and streaming shows, and your room has wide seating or windows that cause glare. It suits Sony fans who value natural color and processing over raw brightness. Skip it if you play on more than two current consoles with an eARC soundbar, if you watch mostly in a dark room where blooming stands out, or if you want the brightness and gaming features of a 2026 TCL or Hisense Mini LED TV. A sturdy TV wall mount or one of the picks in our best TV stands for 65-inch TVs will handle its weight.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony X93L discontinued?
Yes. Sony replaced it with the Bravia 7 in 2024 and the Bravia 7 II in 2026. Remaining stock is mostly clearance, open box, or refurbished.
What is the difference between the Sony X93L and X95L?
The X95L was Sony’s 2023 flagship Mini LED TV, with more dimming zones and higher brightness. The X93L uses a similar design and processor at a lower price, with fewer zones and slightly less peak brightness.
Is the Sony X93L good for PS5 gaming?
Yes. It supports 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM on two HDMI 2.1 ports, plus Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for the PS5. Its main limit is the port count.
Does the Sony X93L support Dolby Vision?
Yes. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, but not HDR10+.
Final verdict
The Sony X93L still delivers bright, natural, beautifully processed images, along with wide viewing angles and excellent sound for a TV. Blooming in dark scenes and only two HDMI 2.1 ports kept it from greatness in 2023, and newer TVs have since raised the bar on brightness and gaming. At a strong clearance price, it remains a smart pick for Sony fans; otherwise, look at the Bravia 7 or a 2026 Mini LED model. Check the current Sony X93L price on Amazon, or compare the Sony Bravia 7 on Amazon.