TCL vs Hisense: Which Budget TV Brand Wins the Value Crown in 2026?
Based on RTINGS testing, expert comparisons, and real user experiences
The short answer: Hisense wins this Death Match by a narrow margin. Deeper blacks, slightly better color accuracy, and superior built-in audio give it the edge over TCL in picture quality. But both brands have reliability concerns—buy from retailers with strong return policies. Hisense U8N on Amazon for $1,097 →
The Fighters
| TCL | Hisense | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250-1,500 on Amazon | $300-1,300 on Amazon |
| Best For | Bright rooms, Roku users | Dark rooms, movie watchers |
| Top Model | QM8K Mini-LED | U8N Mini-LED |
| Smart Platform | Google TV / Roku | Google TV / VIDAA |
| Panel Tech | QD-Mini LED, QLED | Mini-LED, ULED |
The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner
We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!
Round 1: Picture Quality & Contrast
This is where Hisense edges ahead. RTINGS' direct comparison of the flagship models found the Hisense U8N "displays deeper blacks that are approaching OLED" with better overall contrast than the TCL QM8.
Hisense's ULED technology focuses on contrast enhancement, and it shows. In dark room viewing, shadows have more detail and black letterboxing virtually disappears. Tom's Guide confirms the Hisense "has better accuracy in SDR and HDR, so it sticks closer to the content creator's intent."
TCL's QM8K is brighter, which helps in well-lit rooms, but can't match Hisense's black levels when the lights go down.
| TCL | Hisense |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 9/10 |
Round 1 Winner: Hisense — Deeper blacks mean better movie nights.
Score after Round 1: TCL: 7 | Hisense: 9
Round 2: Brightness & HDR Performance
TCL fights back with raw brightness. The QM8K pumps out more nits than the Hisense U8N, making it the better choice for rooms with lots of windows or ambient light.
Popular Mechanics notes that TCL "produces a brighter picture, so it's a solid option if you watch TV in a room with a lot of ambient light."
For HDR highlights—explosions, sunsets, neon signs—TCL's extra brightness makes them pop more. However, RTINGS notes Hisense "has slightly worse reflection handling," partially offsetting TCL's brightness advantage in bright rooms.
| TCL | Hisense |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 7/10 |
Round 2 Winner: TCL — More brightness for daytime viewing.
Score after Round 2: TCL: 16 | Hisense: 16
Round 3: Smart Platform & Interface
TCL offers more platform choices. You can get TCL TVs with Google TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV depending on your preference. The Roku-powered models are particularly popular for their clean, ad-light interface and massive app library.
Hisense primarily uses Google TV on premium models and their proprietary VIDAA OS on budget sets. What Hi-Fi? reports some users find "Hisense's user interface is not as user-friendly as TCL's Roku platform."
For cord-cutters who want the simplest streaming experience, TCL's Roku option is hard to beat.
| TCL | Hisense |
|---|---|
| 8/10 | 6/10 |
Round 3 Winner: TCL — More platform options and a cleaner interface.
Score after Round 3: TCL: 24 | Hisense: 22
Round 4: Audio Quality
Hisense takes audio seriously. Premium models feature multi-channel speaker systems with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support built-in. The U8N includes a 2.1.2 channel system that delivers surprisingly competent sound without a soundbar.
Eneba's comparison notes that "Hisense focuses on multi-channel audio systems and advanced audio technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for a cinematic sound experience."
TCL's audio is adequate but unremarkable—you'll likely want a soundbar. Hisense lets you delay that purchase.
| TCL | Hisense |
|---|---|
| 5/10 | 8/10 |
Round 4 Winner: Hisense — Better built-in audio delays the soundbar purchase.
Score after Round 4: TCL: 29 | Hisense: 30
Round 5: Gaming Performance
Both brands deliver solid gaming performance with 4K/120Hz support, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) on premium models. Input lag is competitive with pricier brands.
RTINGS' testing found TCL has a slight edge in input latency, but both are excellent for PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming.
The TCL QM8K supports up to 144Hz for PC gamers, which Hisense doesn't match. For console gaming, it's essentially a tie—for PC gaming, TCL has a slight advantage.
| TCL | Hisense |
|---|---|
| 8/10 | 7/10 |
Round 5 Winner: TCL — 144Hz support gives PC gamers an edge.
Score after Round 5: TCL: 37 | Hisense: 37
Round 6: Reliability & Customer Support
Neither brand excels here—this is the ugly truth about budget TVs.
TCL has 492 reviews on PissedConsumer with a 1.7/5 rating. Common complaints include black screens, WiFi connectivity issues, and TVs "dying after just four uses."
Hisense faces a class action lawsuit alleging defective main boards causing "lagging, sluggishness and continuous software crashing" across multiple model lines including the U6 and U8 series. Consumer Reports data suggests a 20% failure rate within 5 years.
Both brands have poor customer service reputations. The smart move: buy from Costco, Best Buy, or Amazon for their strong return policies and consider extended warranties.
| TCL | Hisense |
|---|---|
| 5/10 | 5/10 |
Round 6 Winner: Tie — Both have reliability concerns and poor support.
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Hisense | 42/60 | WINNER |
| TCL | 42/60 |
The Winner: Hisense (by tiebreaker)
It's a dead heat at 42-42, but Hisense wins the tiebreaker on picture quality—the primary reason you buy a TV. Those deeper blacks and better color accuracy matter more than extra brightness for most viewing scenarios.
Both brands have transformed the budget TV market. As Popular Mechanics notes, they "now occupy a well-earned spot at the forefront of the TV market, offering feature-packed models in every size and price point."
The margin is razor-thin. If you watch primarily in bright rooms or strongly prefer Roku, TCL is equally valid. But for movie lovers in typical living rooms, Hisense's contrast advantage seals the deal.
Ready to buy the winner? Get Hisense U8N on Amazon →
When the Loser Actually Wins
TCL isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:
- Your room is very bright — TCL's higher brightness fights ambient light better
- You love Roku — TCL's Roku TVs have the cleanest streaming interface
- You're a PC gamer — 144Hz support beats Hisense's 120Hz cap
- You prefer Google TV — Both offer it, but TCL's implementation is more polished
TCL might be right for you: Check TCL QM8K on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are TCL and Hisense as good as Samsung or LG?
For picture quality per dollar, often yes—sometimes better. Both brands' premium Mini-LED TVs compete with (and occasionally beat) Samsung's mid-tier QLED offerings. However, Samsung and LG have better reliability records and customer support.
Which brand has better longevity?
Neither is great. Both brands have significant reliability complaints. Consumer Reports data suggests buying from retailers with strong return policies and considering extended warranties is wise regardless of which brand you choose.
Which is better for sports?
Slight edge to TCL for its higher brightness and 144Hz support for smooth motion. Both handle fast action well at 120Hz with their motion processing enabled.
Should I get Mini-LED or standard LED?
Mini-LED (Hisense U7/U8, TCL QM6K/QM8K) offers dramatically better contrast and local dimming. If your budget allows, Mini-LED is worth the upgrade—it's the biggest picture quality jump in the budget TV space.