Tested using Methodology v2.1
Updated Nov 17, 2025 04:48 PM
Tested using Methodology v2.1
Updated Feb 03, 2026 08:40 PM
Sony X90L/X90CL
Sony BRAVIA 5
The Sony X90L/X90CL is better overall than the Sony BRAVIA 5. The X90L is brighter overall, providing a more impactful HDR experience and making it better suited for a well-lit room. Colors are also brighter and punchier on the X90L, and they're more accurate out of the box. On the other hand, the BRAVIA 5 has slightly better contrast, lower input lag, and less stutter, but all of these things are minor, and the X90L is the better option for almost anyone.
Sony X90L/X90CL
Sony BRAVIA 5
Comments
Sony X90L/X90CL vs Sony BRAVIA 5: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.
The Bravia 5 is the successor to the X90L only in the USA, where there was a USA-only X93L model pitched between the X90L and the flagship X95L, and where the X85L was never sold.
Outside the USA, the X93L didn’t exist, but the X85L did, making the Bravia 7 the successor to the X90L, not the Bravia 5:
X80L - replaced by Bravia 3 X85L - replaced by Bravia 5 X90L - replaced by Bravia 7 X95L - replaced by Bravia 9
I was really looking forward to the Bravia 5, since my 11 year old Sony television have a lot of problems recently.
But now, I will go with the X90L. I just don’t get it, how Sony can make the successor inferior to the old model…
I guess making the Bravia 5 inferior to the X90L is Sony’s way of making it even more distinguishable from the Bravia 7. Maybe making the Bravia 8 II inferior to the A95L is their way of getting rid of the A95L while reserving top performance for the Bravia 9 flagship. If you have an extended warranty on your X90L and you need a warranty replacement unit, your choices would be either to take an inferior replacement or pay the difference for one of the higher tier models.