TCL vs Hisense: the two value Mini LED brands, line by line
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Short answer
Both sell Mini LED TVs with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ at prices below LG, Samsung and Sony. Hisense wins on inputs and refresh: the U7 has four HDMI 2.1 inputs, the U7 and U8 have native 165 Hz panels, the U8 adds USB-C DisplayPort, and both have ATSC 3.0 tuners. TCL wins on weight and huge sizes: its QM6K is the lightest TV at most sizes we list, and its QM-series reaches 98 inches, but each line has two 4K 120 Hz inputs and only the QM8K has ATSC 3.0. Line for line: U6 vs QM6K, U7 vs QM7K, U8 vs QM8K.
Key takeaways
- Inputs: Hisense U7 4 of 4, U8 3 + USB-C DP; TCL QM-series 2 of 4.
- Refresh: Hisense U7/U8 native 165 Hz; TCL 144 Hz.
- ATSC 3.0: Hisense U7, U8; TCL QM8K.
- Biggest sizes: Hisense 100 in (U7, U8); TCL 98 in (QM6K, QM7K, QM8K).
TCL and Hisense have pushed Mini LED down to prices that used to buy a basic LED TV. Their ranges mirror each other tier for tier, so the comparison is easiest line against line.
Line against line
| Tier | TCL | Hisense | Key differences on the sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Mini LED | QM6K | U6 | Both 2 of 4 fast inputs; QM6K lighter, reaches 98 in; U6 85 in max |
| Mid Mini LED | QM7K | U7 | U7: 4 of 4 HDMI 2.1, native 165 Hz, ATSC 3.0, 100 in; QM7K: anti-reflection panel, 98 in |
| Top Mini LED | QM8K | U8 | U8: 165 Hz, USB-C DP, 100 in; QM8K: WHVA anti-reflective, 98 in. Both ATSC 3.0 |
Everything we list from both
| TV line | Type | Panel (as marketed) | Refresh / max VRR | 4K 120 Hz+ inputs | HDR formats | Anti-reflection | Sizes we list | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense U6 (U65QF) 2025 | Mini LED | Mini-LED, full-array local dimming | 144 / 144 Hz | 2 of 4 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | – | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | Amazon |
| Hisense U7 (U75QG) 2025 | Mini LED | Mini-LED with anti-glare low-reflection panel | 165 / 165 Hz | 4 of 4 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | Anti-Glare Low Reflection | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, 100″ | Amazon |
| Hisense U8 (U8QG) 2025 | Mini LED | Mini-LED Pro with anti-glare low-reflection panel | 165 / 165 Hz | 3 of 3 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | Anti-Glare Low Reflection | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, 100″ | Amazon |
| TCL QM6K 2025 | Mini LED | QD-Mini LED | 144 / 144 Hz | 2 of 4 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | – | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, 98″ | Amazon |
| TCL QM7K 2025 | Mini LED | QD-Mini LED, CrystGlow HVA anti-reflection panel | 144 / 144 Hz | 2 of 4 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | CrystGlow HVA (anti-reflection) | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, 98″ | Amazon |
| TCL QM8K 2025 | Mini LED | QD-Mini LED, CrystGlow WHVA anti-reflective panel | 144 / 144 Hz | 2 of 4 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | CrystGlow WHVA (anti-reflective) | 65″, 85″, 98″ | Amazon |
TCL’s spec sheets say “4 HDMI” without saying how many take 4K 120 Hz; the “2 of 4” figure comes from independent reviews, as noted in our catalogue. TCL also doesn’t publish stand widths, so measure the feet before choosing furniture.
Weight and size
TCL’s QM-series is consistently lighter. At 65 inches, the QM6K weighs 37.4 lb against the U6’s 45 lb; at 85 inches, 71.8 lb against 86.6 lb. That makes a difference on a wall mount or a moving day. For the largest screens, Hisense’s U7 and U8 come in 100 inches and TCL’s three lines in 98 inches: see 98 and 100-inch TVs.
Picture and panels
Both brands use quantum dots with Mini LED backlights in every line here, and both support Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which LG, Samsung and Sony don’t combine. Differences show up in the panels:
- TCL QM7K and QM8K use TCL’s own CrystGlow HVA/WHVA panels with anti-reflection treatment; the QM8K’s WHVA is designed for wider viewing angles than standard VA.
- Hisense U7 and U8 use anti-glare, low-reflection panels with native 165 Hz refresh.
- Entry lines (QM6K, U6) have no marketed anti-reflection layer.
Brightness, dimming-zone counts, blooming and viewing angle are where reviews separate these TVs, and they differ by size. Check measured results for the size you’ll buy.
Gaming and PC
| TCL QM6K / QM7K / QM8K | Hisense U6 | Hisense U7 | Hisense U8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4K 120 Hz+ inputs | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 + USB-C DP |
| Max refresh | 144 Hz | 144 Hz | 165 Hz | 165 Hz |
| VRR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Vision gaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
For one console, any of them. For two consoles and a soundbar, the U7. For a PC, the U8 with its USB-C DisplayPort input (rare on a TV), or the U7. See best TV for a PC monitor.
Antenna, smart TV and support
- ATSC 3.0: Hisense U7 and U8, and TCL QM8K. The others have ATSC 1.0 tuners. See ATSC 3.0 TVs.
- Smart platform: TCL’s QM-series uses Google TV; Hisense sells models with Google TV and other platforms, so check the model number. See smart TV platforms.
- Stands: Hisense’s U7 and U8 use center pedestals (the U8’s is height-adjustable); the U6 has end feet. TCL doesn’t publish its stand widths.
Picks
Drawn from the spec sheet, not a photo
Best of the two overall
Hisense U7 Mini-LED (2025)
Mini-LED with anti-glare low-reflection panel · 2025 model
- Mini LED
- 165 Hz
- VRR to 165 Hz
- Dolby Vision
- HDR10+
- ATSC 3.0
- Anti-glare
4K 120 Hz+ on 4 of 4 HDMI inputs
Sizes55″ 55U75QG65″ 65U75QG75″ 75U75QG85″ 85U75QG100″ 100U75QG
Check price on AmazonDrawn from the spec sheet, not a photo
Best TCL
TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED
QD-Mini LED, CrystGlow HVA anti-reflection panel · 2025 model
- Mini LED
- 144 Hz
- VRR to 144 Hz
- Dolby Vision
- HDR10+
- Anti-glare
4K 120 Hz+ on 2 of 4 HDMI inputs
Sizes55″ 55QM7K65″ 65QM7K75″ 75QM7K85″ 85QM7K98″ 98QM7K
Check price on AmazonOur take
For gaming with several devices, antenna TV or a PC, Hisense’s U7 or U8 has the better input set. For the lightest TV at a given size, a 98-inch screen, or an anti-reflective panel in the middle tier, TCL’s QM7K or QM8K. Both brands’ weak points (processing, off-axis viewing) are best judged from lab reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Is TCL or Hisense better?
On paper, Hisense’s U7 and U8 have more fast inputs, higher native refresh and ATSC 3.0. TCL’s QM lines are lighter and offer anti-reflective panels on the QM7K and QM8K. Compare the exact tier you can afford.
Which is more reliable, TCL or Hisense?
There’s no robust public reliability data that separates the two. Both are among the largest TV makers, and long-term tests (such as RTINGS’) show panel and backlight type matter more than brand.
Are TCL and Hisense good TVs?
Their Mini LED lines offer features found on far more expensive TVs, such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+, 144–165 Hz and local dimming. Lab reviews show processing and viewing angles as their usual weak points.
Hisense U8 vs TCL QM8K?
The U8 has a native 165 Hz panel, three HDMI 2.1 inputs plus USB-C DisplayPort, and a 100-inch size; the QM8K has an anti-reflective WHVA panel, a 98-inch size, and two 4K 120 Hz inputs. Both have ATSC 3.0.
Do TCL and Hisense TVs have Dolby Vision?
Yes. Every TCL QM-series and Hisense U-series line we list supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+.