Over the years, buying a premium TV meant spending big on models from Samsung and LG, with budget options typically sacrificing picture quality and gaming features. TCL and Hisense have changed that narrative by offering high-performance TVs at more affordable prices. Flagship models like the TCL QM8 and Hisense U8N pack impressive Mini-LED backlighting, quantum dot technology, sharp 4K resolution, and advanced gaming features that compete with TVs costing hundreds more. Make no mistake, these are some of the best TVs available, reshaping what buyers can expect from mid-range and budget brands.
TCL and Hisense have grown in popularity by focusing on features that matter to consumers: impressive brightness and contrast, next-generation gaming capabilities like variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM), and robust smart features. While they may have entered the U.S. market as budget brands, TCL and Hisense are catching up to competitors.
TCL and Hisense now occupy a well-earned spot at the forefront of the TV market, offering feature-packed models in every size and price point. When choosing between these two brands, you’ll find remarkably similar offerings in terms of value, technology, and performance. However, there are a few differences in specs, features, and more that give some picks a slight edge. Ahead, we compared each brands’ TV offerings to help you come to a sound purchase decision.
TCL Versus Hisense
Key Differences Between TCL and Hisense TVs
TCL and Hisense target budget-conscious shoppers, offering similar features at competitive prices. Both brands utilize similar panel technologies, including mini LED in their high-end models. While they’re quite comparable overall in terms of quality and value, they do differ in a few key areas.
Both brands take different approaches to display technology.
TCL incorporates quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) technology in its TVs. Originally developed by Samsung, QLED uses a layer of quantum dots to convert blue LED light into pure red and green light. This process results in vibrant colors and a picture that maintains its brilliance even in bright environments, making QLED ideal for rooms with a lot of ambient light.
While QLED delivers excellent color performance and brightness, it has its drawbacks. Unlike OLED, QLED TVs still rely on LED backlighting, which means they can’t achieve the perfect blacks that OLED displays are known for. However, QLED typically offers better brightness levels and doesn’t risk permanent discoloration (AKA burn-in).
Meanwhile, Hisense utilizes its proprietary ultra LED (ULED) technology in some of its TVs. ULED focuses on four key areas: color, contrast, motion, and resolution. The technology enhances color accuracy through advanced calibration, while also reducing motion blur during fast-moving scenes, ensuring smooth and sharp visuals.
We mentioned before that TCL and Hisense also employ mini LED technology in some of its models. This tech uses thousands of tiny LEDs behind the screen for more precise local dimming and improved contrast compared to standard LED backlights. Mini LED offers superior brightness than OLED, and comes impressively close in terms of contrast, providing excellent picture quality even in bright rooms. By bridging the gap between traditional LED and OLED, mini LED has become a popular choice because it offers premium performance without the exorbitant cost (or risk of burn-in).
Each brands’ smart platforms offer different experiences.
Both TCL and Hisense have smart platforms for accessing your favorite streaming services, TV settings, and more. Although all of our picks below operate using Google TV, both brands’ other TV offerings come with different platforms that have their own formats and features.
Most Hisense TVs come with either Google TV or Roku TV—Google TV is generally available on its premium TVs, which are included in this list, while Roku TV is found on its budget and mid-range models. Similarly, TCL TVs often run Google TV, which all of our picks operate on, though the brand is also well-known for offering TVs that run Roku TV and Fire TV.
Google TV offers personalized recommendations and easy access to popular movies and TV shows from streaming services like Hulu, Max, and Disney Plus. Additionally, Google Assistant is built into the software, allowing you to search across apps, ask questions (e.g. “What’s the weather outside?”), and control your smart home devices. A casting feature also lets you beam photos, movies, and more from your phone or tablet to your TV.
If you’re opting for TV outside of this list, from either brand, there’s a chance it may use Roku TV as the smart platform. This option is a little more straightforward, featuring a customizable grid-based interface with access to streaming services and apps. Personalized recommendations show you content based on what you like, while voice support allows you to search for movies and TV shows, launch apps, and control your smart home devices. Roku TV’s universal search function also makes it easy to find and launch content across different streaming services. Moreover, the Roku mobile app lets you control the interface with a virtual remote and connect headphones for private listening.
How We Selected
Drawing from my decade of experience reviewing TVs, I combined hands-on knowledge with professional reviews from trusted industry sources. Rather than comparing TVs across all possible specifications and price points, we narrowed our selection process to three key size ranges: 40 inches, 55 inches, and 65 inches. This approach makes more practical sense since most shoppers start their TV search with a specific size in mind. Within each size range, we identified the best-performing model from both TCL and Hisense, focusing on TVs that offer the strongest combination of picture quality, features, and value.
When evaluating these TVs, we focused on several key areas. For picture quality, we examined each TV’s display technology (QLED, ULED, Mini-LED), peak brightness levels, contrast ratios, and local dimming capabilities. We also looked at refresh rates and features like VRR, prioritizing TVs with 120 Hz panels and HDMI 2.1 ports which directly enhance this spec and make activities like gaming all the more smoother.
After evaluating all of these factors, we found three pairs of TVs from both TCL and Hisense that we believe are an even match. However, we broke down every subtle difference between each matchup to help you decide on the most suitable option for your home and lifestyle.
TCL vs Hisense: Best 40-inch TVs (TCL Q6 Series vs Hisense A7N)
TCL Q6 QLED 4K Smart TV
Now 16% Off
KEY SPECS
‣ Panel Type: QLED (W)
‣ Resolution: 3840 x 2160
‣ HDMI Ports: 3x HDMI 2.0
‣ Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
Hisense A7 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
Now 20% Off
KEY SPECS
‣ Panel Type: LCD
‣ Resolution: 3840 x 2160
‣ HDMI Ports: 3x HDMI 2.0
‣ Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
The TCL Q6 and Hisense A7N are two really great 4K models for under $500. Both picks feature 4K resolution, HDMI 2.0, and 60 Hz panels, making them excellent entry-level options for anyone upgrading from an HD TV (or something even older).
While these two TVs are similar in terms of price and quality, the TCL Q6 has a leg up in a few areas. Its quantum dot technology produces more vibrant and accurate colors than the A7N’s traditional LED display, while also delivering higher peak brightness. The Q6’s brighter display also prevents the picture from looking washed out in well-lit rooms. For gamers, the Q6 can upscale 1080p content to 120 Hz for smoother gameplay, despite its native 60 Hz refresh rate.
The Hisense A7N doesn’t offer the same brightness, though it handles reflections well, so the picture remains vibrant in well-lit rooms. It offers low input lag, so there’s minimal delay between pressing a button on your controller and seeing the action on screen. For gaming, it features full VRR support to prevent screen tearing and deliver smoother animations, although its top refresh rate is only 60 Hz. Meanwhile, it supports a 4K upscaler, so non-HD content looks sharper. Plus, it has Dolby Vision and HDR10+ which both optimize picture quality scene by scene.
Neither TV offers full array local dimming or comes with HDMI 2.1 ports, features that have become standard in TVs that don’t cost that much more. Ultimately, the two TVs are pretty evenly matched, though the TCL Q6 has an advantage thanks to the use of quantum dot technology, which provides a more vibrant display.
TCL vs Hisense: Best 55-inch TVs (TCL QM7 vs Hisense U6N)
TCL QM7 QLED 4K Smart LED TV
Pros
- 4K at 120Hz and VRR are great for gaming
- Excellent contrast for deep blacks
Cons
- Viewing angles beyond 30 degrees result in washed out picture
KEY SPECS
‣ Panel Type: Mini-LED
‣ Resolution: 3840 x 2160
‣ HDMI Ports: 4 (2x HDMI 2.1 at 144 Hz, 2x HDMI 2.0)
‣ Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
A 55-inch TV is the sweet spot for most setups. I’ve had a 55-inch TV for the past decade because it fits perfectly into my space, providing the best balance between screen real estate and comfort. The TCL QM7 and Hisense U6N are two excellent picks in this size range, offering 4K resolution, quantum dot technology, and mini LED backlighting. The best part? These premium features don’t come with the premium price tag.
Mini-LED backlight technology uses thousands of tiny LEDs compared to traditional LED displays, allowing for more precise local dimming zones. This means the QM7 and U6N can control brightness and contrast with greater accuracy, producing deep blacks in dark scenes while maintaining bright highlights. In movies that are quite literally dark, shadows look dramatic and detailed, while lights remain bright and punchy.
While both TVs feature mini LED, the QM7 is the better option for gaming. Its 120 Hz panel and support for VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro ensure smooth, tear-free gameplay on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The U6N, however, is limited to 60 Hz, so gameplay won’t look quite as smooth. Despite this drawback, it does include MEMC (motion estimation, motion compensation) technology to help improve motion clarity during gameplay. Beyond that, both TVs support Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and come preloaded with Google TV, so your software experience will be the same.
Ultimately, the QM7 and U6N are both excellent options and bring premium features like mini LED and quantum dots to a more accessible price point. That said, the QM7 is the clear winner for gaming, thanks to its 120 Hz panel and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. However, the U6N remains a compelling choice considering it’s about $100 cheaper (as of this writing).
At first glance, the TCL QM8 and Hisense U8N are virtually identical on paper, offering similar performance, features, and specifications. Both TVs boast mini LED backlighting, quantum dot technology, and support for advanced formats like Dolby Vision. They also share a similar suite of ports, including HDMI 2.1 for gaming, and run on Google TV.
The QM8 is the more affordable option, coming in at $899 (as of this writing). The TV combines quantum dot technology with mini LED to deliver exceptional brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. This combination allows the QM8 to achieve eye-searing brightness levels and a wide color range, making it a standout for HDR content and bright-room viewing. The quantum dot layer enhances color purity and vibrancy, while support for full array local dimming ensures deep blacks and precise contrast. For gamers, the QM8 also packs HDMI 2.1 support, enabling features like 4K at 120Hz refresh rate, VRR, and ALLM, making it a great choice for consoles and PC gaming.
Hisense’s U8N also boasts mini LED and pairs nicely with the brand’s ULED enhancements for even finer control over local dimming zones—clusters of backlights that darken to heighten color accuracy. This approach results in a premium movie night experience filled with optimized brightness and contrast, along with stunning detail in both highlights and shadows. Like the QM8, the U8N also includes HDMI 2.1 support, with features such as 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, ensuring a smooth and responsive gaming experience. However, the U8N features Wi-Fi 6E, providing improved wireless performance over the QM8’s Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
Both TVs offer similar features like mini LED backlighting, quantum dots, and HDR support, but they excel in different environments. The Hisense U8N delivers slightly better overall performance thanks to its ULED enhancements, making it great for watching movies in the dark. That said, the TCL QM8 produces a brighter picture, so it’s a solid option if you watch TV in a room with a lot of ambient light.
Brandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.
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