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The Sony Bravia XR X90CK is the warehouse club version of Sony’s 2022 X90K, a full-array light-emitting diode (LED) television (TV), and in 2026 it’s still a good Sony TV at a deep discount. It sat in the middle of Sony’s lineup. Costco sold it with a nicer remote and extra warranty coverage. This Sony X90CK review covers what the TV does well, where it falls short, how it differs from the regular X90K, and which newer models, from the X90L to the Bravia 5 and Bravia 7 II, make more sense in 2026.
Quick verdict: The X90CK delivers bright, natural, and well-processed images, solid PlayStation 5 (PS5) features, and Google TV at a fair price. Its weak spots are blooming in dark scenes, narrow viewing angles, and only two High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2.1 ports. It’s discontinued, so buy it only at a clear discount on open-box or used listings. Check the Sony X90K and X90CK price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: A discontinued 2022 4K full-array LED TV with a 120 hertz (Hz) panel, sold at Costco in 55- to 85-inch sizes. It matches the X90K except for a backlit remote and longer coverage.
- Who it’s for: Viewers who sit mostly straight in front of the screen and want natural Sony processing with PS5 features.
- Price: Costco sold the 65-inch model for $999.99 in October 2022, versus $1,599.99 for the regular X90K at launch. Today it’s worth buying only well under $700 open box or used, and prices change often.
- Main weaknesses: Blooming in dark scenes, narrow viewing angles, and only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one shared with enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC).
- Successor: The X90L and X90CL replaced it in 2023, followed by the Mini LED Bravia 5 in 2025.
Sony X90CK at a glance
| Spec | Sony X90CK |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2022 (discontinued; followed by the X90L/X90CL in 2023 and the Bravia 5 in 2025) |
| Sizes | 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches |
| Panel | 4K vertical alignment (VA) liquid crystal display (LCD), 120 hertz (Hz) native refresh rate |
| Backlight | Full-array LED with local dimming (no Mini LED) |
| Processor | Cognitive Processor XR |
| High dynamic range (HDR) formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG); no HDR10+ |
| Measured HDR peak brightness | About 964 to 1,027 nits on a 10% window |
| Inputs | Four HDMI ports (ports 3 and 4 are HDMI 2.1; port 3 handles enhanced Audio Return Channel, or eARC), two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, optical, Ethernet |
| Gaming | 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR), and auto low-latency mode (ALLM) |
| Remote | Premium backlit voice remote with a find-my-remote feature |
Specs and measurements come from Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and RTINGS, which reviews the X90K and X90CK together.
Sony X90CK vs. X90K: What’s the difference?
The two TVs share the same panel, processor, ports, and picture performance. The “C” marks the club version, and the main hardware difference is the remote. The X90CK ships with Sony’s premium backlit remote, which lights up in the dark and can beep when you lose it in the couch. The standard X90K remote has no backlight, and TechRadar admitted using a phone flashlight to read its buttons at night.
The X90CK also came with Costco’s usual extras. In October 2022, Costco sold the 65-inch X90CK for $999.99 with an added Allstate protection plan that brought total coverage to five years, according to a Slickdeals listing. By comparison, Sony launched the regular 65-inch X90K at $1,599.99. If you can still find leftover or returned stock, check Costco’s Sony TV listings for the current club models.
Design and setup
The X90CK uses a plain black plastic cabinet with gray feet. It measures about three inches deep, thicker than organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and edge-lit TVs because of its full-array backlight, but it still sits close to the wall with a standard 300 x 300 millimeter Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mount. Our guide to TV wall mounts covers compatible options.
The feet attach in several positions. You can set them wide or narrow, and a raised position lifts the screen about three inches, enough for a soundbar to fit underneath. Side-facing ports stay reachable even when you wall-mount the TV, and cable clips on the back help keep wires tidy.
Ports and connectivity
The X90CK has four HDMI inputs, but only ports 3 and 4 support HDMI 2.1 features like 4K at 120Hz. Port 3 also serves as the eARC connection for a soundbar or receiver, so a soundbar user with a PS5 and an Xbox Series X will have only one full-speed gaming port left. Tom’s Guide wished all four ports were HDMI 2.1.
You also get two USB ports, a digital optical output, Ethernet, a coaxial antenna input, a composite input that doubles as a center speaker input for compatible Sony soundbars, an RS-232 control port, and an infrared (IR) blaster connection. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth come built in.
Smart features: Google TV
The X90CK runs Google TV, which supports Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Apple HomeKit. You can talk to Google Assistant through the remote and control Google Home smart devices from the TV, and it also works with Amazon Alexa speakers. Owners report that early firmware felt sluggish at times, so install all updates first. The X90CK doesn’t offer picture-in-picture, which matters if you want a security camera feed on screen while you watch.
Picture quality
Brightness and HDR
The X90CK gets much brighter than many people assume. Tom’s Guide measured 1,027 nits on a 10% HDR window, and TechRadar recorded 964 nits in standard HDR mode. That’s bright enough for punchy highlights in movies and games, though Mini LED TVs like the Sony X95K and most current TCL and Hisense models get brighter. TechRadar called the X90K’s light output average for its class, and its main shortfall versus Mini LED.
Contrast and blooming
The VA panel delivers deep blacks, and full-array local dimming improves contrast further. With fewer dimming zones than a Mini LED set, though, bright objects on dark backgrounds can show halos, especially subtitles and space scenes. Our explainer on what local dimming is covers why this happens.
Color and processing
Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR handles color, upscaling, and gradients well. Tom’s Guide measured about 96% coverage of the Ultra HD Alliance P3 color space, a strong result for a midrange TV. Some reviewers noticed a slightly cool, bluish tint in pale scenes out of the box, which a quick color temperature tweak fixes.
Viewing angles and reflections
Like most VA TVs, the X90CK looks best from straight ahead. TechRadar found the picture fine within about 30 degrees, roughly the width of a typical sofa, but colors washed out from farther to the side. The X90K lacks the X-Wide Angle layer that Sony used on the X95K. Avoid placing it opposite a bright window.
Gaming performance
Gamers get 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM on the two HDMI 2.1 ports, plus Sony’s Perfect for PlayStation 5 features. Auto HDR Tone Mapping optimizes HDR settings when you connect a PS5, and Auto Genre Picture Mode switches to Game mode when you start playing and back for movies. Input lag measured 13.8 milliseconds for TechRadar and 17 milliseconds for Tom’s Guide, both responsive enough for most players. The TV has no AMD FreeSync support, so PC gamers may see occasional tearing. For newer options, see our list of the best gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox.
Sound
Built-in sound gets loud with clear dialogue, and TechRadar liked its Dolby Atmos effects, but bass sounds thin. Tom’s Guide found the audio turned harsh past about half volume. A Sony soundbar makes a worthwhile upgrade, and the raised feet leave room for one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bright HDR for a full-array LED TV
- Natural color and excellent upscaling
- Deep blacks from the VA panel
- PS5 features plus 4K at 120Hz and VRR
- Backlit remote and longer Costco coverage
- Adjustable feet with room for a soundbar
Cons
- Blooming around bright objects in dark scenes
- Narrow viewing angles
- Only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one shared with eARC
- No HDR10+, FreeSync, or picture-in-picture
- Thin, harsh sound at high volume
- Discontinued
Is the Sony X90CK discontinued?
Yes. Sony replaced the X90K and X90CK with the X90L and its Costco twin, the X90CL, in 2023. The X90L stayed on sale into 2024, and in 2025 Sony launched the Bravia 5, a Mini LED TV that What Hi-Fi describes as the X90L’s replacement. One step up, the 2024 Bravia 7 replaced the Mini LED Sony X93L, and the 2026 Bravia 7 II now uses Sony’s True RGB backlight with separate red, green, and blue LEDs.
Sony X90CK vs. newer midrange TVs
Compare similar midrange TVs on Amazon
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the X90K, its successors, and strong midrange rivals. Prices change often, so check current deals.
| TV | Backlight | Year | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony X90K / X90CK | Full-array LED | 2022 | Bargain hunters who find open-box stock | Check price |
| Sony X90L | Full-array LED | 2023 | A cheaper, slightly improved Sony on clearance | Check price |
| Sony Bravia 5 | Mini LED | 2025 | The current midrange Sony | Check price |
| Sony Bravia 7 II | True RGB Mini LED | 2026 | The newest Sony picture tech under $2,000 | Check price |
| TCL QM7K | Mini LED | 2025 | High brightness and 144Hz gaming for less | Check price |
| Hisense U7SG | Mini LED | 2026 | Bright rooms and gaming on a budget | Check price |
- Sony Bravia 5: Its Mini LED backlight improves contrast over the X90CK, though What Hi-Fi called its two HDMI 2.1 ports a disappointment. It launched at $1,800 for 65 inches and has since dropped in sales. See the Sony Bravia 5 on Amazon.
- Sony Bravia 7 II: Tom’s Guide measured about 2,077 nits of HDR brightness, roughly double the X90CK, and found the 55-inch at $1,699.99. See the Sony Bravia 7 II on Amazon.
- TCL QM7K and Hisense U7SG: These Mini LED sets beat the X90CK on brightness and gaming specs for the money, though Sony’s processing still looks more natural. Our TCL vs. Hisense comparison explains the brand differences, and our best 65-inch TVs under $1,000 list has more value picks.
Who should buy the Sony X90CK?
Buy the X90CK if you find a 65-inch well under $700 open box or used, you sit mostly straight in front of the screen, and you want natural Sony processing with PS5 features. Skip it if your room has wide seating, if you need more than two full-speed HDMI ports, or if you can stretch to a Mini LED TV. Want Sony’s 2022 best instead? Our Sony A95K review covers the flagship quantum dot OLED (QD-OLED) model.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony X90CK the same as the X90K?
Yes, the Sony X90CK is the same as the X90K in picture quality and hardware. The X90CK is the Costco version with a premium backlit remote and Costco’s extended coverage.
Is the Sony X90CK good for gaming?
Yes, the Sony X90CK is good for gaming. It supports 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, with input lag around 14 to 17 milliseconds. Just remember that only two ports run at full speed.
Is the Sony X90CK Mini LED?
No, the Sony X90CK isn’t Mini LED. It uses a full-array LED backlight with local dimming. Sony’s first Mini LED TV was the 2022 X95K.
What replaced the Sony X90CK?
The Sony X90L and X90CL replaced the X90CK in 2023, followed by the Mini LED Bravia 5 in 2025.
Final verdict
The Sony X90CK offered excellent value in 2022: bright, natural images, smart PS5 features, a better remote, and longer Costco coverage. Blooming, narrow viewing angles, and only two HDMI 2.1 ports hold it back, and newer Mini LED TVs now outshine it. At a deep discount, it’s still a good Sony TV; otherwise, look at the Bravia 5 or Bravia 7 II. Check the current Sony X90K price on Amazon.