TCL vs. Hisense: Who Holds the Affordable TV Crown?

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.TCL/Hisense4 min readIt’s not the ’90s anymore. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a good TV. I write about this stuff for a living and I’m telling you that most people (I’m talking a good 90 percent) can’t notice the difference between a $500 TV and a $1,500 TV—or they would have to see them perfectly side-by-side to even have a chance at noticing. As long as they both do 4K, let you stream apps and connect consoles, and don’t sound like a tin can, it will be a big upgrade for anyone who hasn’t bought a new TV in five to ten years. These days, when it comes to budget-friendly TVs we turn to two brands, TCL and Hisense.If you're not prioritizing minimalism with an art TV or a fancy laser projector, the question then becomes which TV is the one that will give the most bang for your buck. You'll want something with great picture, vivid colors and dark blacks, and a high refresh rate for games, regardless of whether the word "game" means Sunday Night Football or Grand Theft Auto 6. And of course, access to all your streaming apps like Netflix or Apple TV (where all the good shows are actually at) is a must these days. Both TCL and Hisense are making new TVs to this exact spec, but you only have room in your life for one, don't you?Both these offerings are 55-inch smart Fire TVs with built-in subwoofers. In terms of size, 55 inches is the sweet spot; it won't overpower small-apartment living rooms, but can travel with you when you upgrade to a real home.TCL QM64LProsHalo Control picture processing gives TCL the edge when it comes to blooming and color accuracyDolby Atmos audio with built-in subwooferGame Accelerator modeAlexa+ integrationConsMore glare than the HisenseLimited viewing anglesDimensions11.6 x 48.4 x 30.5 InchesWeight39.6 lbsOSFire TVPeak Brightness~1,000 nitsMax Refresh Rate144 HzThe first contender is from TCL. It is a modern 144Hz 4K TV with impressive contrast, low lag settings for gaming, and a 2.1 surround sound speaker built in. It has access to all the streaming apps you need and has enough HDMI ports for both your PS5 Pro and your Switch 2, as well as a dedicated E-ARC for your soundbar. And with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, it's equipped with all the latest to turn your movie nights into an excuse to show off your home theater. The 55-inch model retails for $550, but is frequently sold for less than $500.Compared to other TVs at its price point, the QM64L excels at showing contrast, light and shadow, and a distinction between deep darks that other TVs at this budget just can't make. I'm really glad TCL didn't save this feature for its high-end offerings, because it's one of the things setting this TV apart. It's also got impressive automated settings for gaming mode, and the refresh rate allows for super high frame rates up to 144 fps. Since pretty much all console games tap out at 120, this is the best you can get without overpaying.One slight downside is the interface. It's not the snappiest streaming service to navigate (admittedly I’ve gotten quite used to Google TVs) and the constant ads for Prime TV shows do, admittedly, get old.If you're using this TV in the daytime in a bright room, the budget starts to show. You will get some glare and the viewing angles are limited, so if you aren't viewing it straight on from the couch on a sunny day, expect some trouble seeing clearly.Hisense U6 ProYou better be okay with Fire OS, because this latest budget offering from Hisense is also a Fire Smart TV. The expert opinion is it’s not the best OS, but it's easy to look past that and see what this TV is great at. Full price is $850 for the 55-inch, but in the past seven months it’s been in the $500 to $650 range. This does make it the more expensive of the two TVs, and in some ways it shows.For starters, it's more vivid than the QM64L, maxing out at a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, which is first off so damn bright, and secondly a higher peak than the competing TCL’s roughly 1,000 nits. I’ve also noticed in my apartment (generally across budget the Hisense TVs versus the TCLs I’ve tested), I get a bit less glare during day time viewing in comparison. However, its darks and shadow tones can't quite match what TCL is doing with its precision dimming, despite it being the more expensive TV. That means when you are watching dark scenes, you might get more of that ugly bloom, or halo effect, when bright images appear on a dark background.Final VerdictI recently replaced my 55-inch TCL TV at home with a 65-inch Hisense U7 (more in the $1,000 range) and it’s been better than what I had. But when it comes to value, I think TCL still has Hisense beat. If you want an entry-level 4K TV that will let you stream movies, game big, or watch the big game, either of these will get the job done. The TCL will just do it for less money.Overall Winner: TCL