Best QLED TVs of 2026

The Hisense U8QG represents a significant leap forward in affordable Mini-LED television technology. As the flagship model in Hisense's 2025 ULED lineup, this TV delivers record-breaking brightness levels exceeding 5,700 nits in some measurements, placing it among the brightest consumer televisions ever tested. The display combines quantum dot color technology with up to 5,376 local dimming zones (depending on size) to produce OLED-rivaling black levels alongside eye-searing HDR highlights. Gaming enthusiasts benefit from a native 165Hz refresh rate, three HDMI 2.1 ports, and an innovative USB-C display port input. While the TV excels in bright rooms and mixed-usage scenarios, it struggles with subpar EOTF tracking that over-brightens HDR content, slow pixel response times that blur fast motion, and viewing angles that degrade image quality from off-center positions. The Google TV interface provides smooth operation with comprehensive app support, though the platform includes unavoidable advertisements. For consumers seeking flagship-level picture quality without premium pricing, the U8QG delivers exceptional value despite specific technical compromises.

The TCL QM6K represents a significant step forward in the entry-level mini-LED segment, launching in early 2025 as one of the first televisions to market this year. This television leverages quantum dot technology with mini-LED backlighting to deliver deep blacks, vibrant colors, and exceptional out-of-the-box accuracy that punches well above its sub-\$1000 price point. TCL's proprietary Halo Control System minimizes the blooming effect common in zone-dimmed displays, while a native 144Hz refresh rate and Game Accelerator 240 feature make this a compelling choice for gamers. However, the television struggles with peak HDR brightness compared to premium competitors, and the built-in speaker system fails to match the visual performance. For viewers upgrading from older LED panels or seeking excellent value in the mid-range segment, the QM6K delivers a surprisingly premium experience at an entry-level investment.

The Samsung QN90D represents a significant step forward in the Neo QLED lineup, delivering exceptional HDR performance with peak brightness reaching over 2,000 nits and excellent local dimming control. This upper mid-range 4K television excels in bright room viewing while maintaining deep blacks in dark environments, making it versatile for varied lighting conditions. Powered by Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen2 processor and equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting up to 144Hz refresh rates, the QN90D targets enthusiasts who demand high performance for both content consumption and gaming. Despite its impressive technical capabilities, the television faces criticism for omitting Dolby Vision support and an ATSC 3.0 tuner, features increasingly expected at this price point. The TV also exhibits noticeable brightness reduction when switching to Game Mode and suffers from slower pixel response times compared to competing models. Available in seven sizes ranging from 43 to 98 inches, the QN90D offers flexibility for different room configurations, though consumers should weigh its premium positioning against more affordable alternatives that deliver comparable or superior performance in specific areas.

The TCL QM8K represents a significant leap forward in mini LED technology, delivering flagship-level performance that challenges both premium OLED and competing mini LED displays. This 2025 model features TCL's new WHVA panel technology with up to 3,800 dimming zones, peak brightness exceeding 3,000 nits in testing, and comprehensive gaming support including 4K at 144Hz and 1080p at 288Hz. The television employs quantum dot enhancement for vibrant color reproduction and supports all major HDR formats including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. While out-of-box color accuracy requires calibration for critical viewing, the combination of deep uniform blacks, exceptional brightness control, and Bang \& Olufsen-tuned audio creates a compelling package that trades blows with displays costing substantially more.

The TCL QM7K QLED represents a compelling mid-range mini-LED television that delivers professional-grade picture quality without premium pricing. Released in 2025, this quantum dot display features up to 2,800 local dimming zones, impressive HDR brightness reaching over 1,700 nits, and native 144Hz refresh rates that cater equally to cinephiles and competitive gamers. The television's standout feature is TCL's proprietary Halo Control technology, which effectively minimizes the blooming artifacts that typically plague mini-LED displays. With Bang \& Olufsen-tuned audio, comprehensive HDR format support including Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, and Google TV smart platform integration, the QM7K positions itself as a versatile entertainment hub. Available in six sizes from 55 to 115 inches, this television targets consumers seeking near-flagship performance without the associated cost premium.

The Samsung Q7F represents the brand's 2025 entry point into QLED technology, positioning quantum dot color enhancement at a price point that undercuts premium models by substantial margins. This television delivers solid out-of-box color accuracy and adequate performance for standard definition content, but compromises are evident throughout. The 60Hz panel lacks variable refresh rate support, local dimming, and the brightness needed for compelling HDR experiences. Available in sizes from 43 to 98 inches, the Q7F runs Samsung's Tizen operating system with reduced features compared to flagship models, omitting TV-to-Mobile and Ambient Mode+. The design emphasizes clean aesthetics with three-sided slim bezels and adjustable feet that accommodate various furniture configurations. While professional reviews highlight significant performance gaps compared to competitors at similar price points, consumer feedback skews positive, with buyers appreciating picture clarity, ease of setup, and the solar-powered remote.

The Sony BRAVIA 9 represents Sony's most ambitious foray into Mini-LED technology, featuring the company's XR Backlight Master Drive system that controls thousands of individually-addressable LEDs with precision borrowed from professional mastering monitors. This flagship model achieves record-breaking brightness levels while maintaining exceptional black depth and minimal blooming, characteristics typically reserved for OLED displays. With measured peak HDR brightness exceeding 2,200 nits and outstanding color accuracy, the BRAVIA 9 delivers a cinematic experience that satisfies both enthusiast videophiles and everyday viewers. The TV runs Google TV, includes beam tweeters for enhanced audio, and supports gaming features like 4K at 120Hz with VRR on two HDMI 2.1 ports. While it carries inherent LCD limitations like narrower viewing angles and occasional blooming in specific game modes, the BRAVIA 9's combination of Mini-LED brightness with Sony's industry-leading processing makes it one of the most compelling high-end LCD televisions available.

The Hisense U8N represents a compelling value proposition in the 2024 television market, delivering performance characteristics that rival far more expensive models. This mini-LED QLED television achieves record-breaking brightness levels exceeding 3,000 nits while maintaining impressive contrast ratios and color accuracy. Positioned as a successor to the popular U8K, the U8N refines its predecessor's formula with improved local dimming control across up to 2,000+ zones on larger models and enhanced gaming features including 144Hz refresh rates. Critics consistently praise its ability to deliver OLED-like black levels at a fraction of the cost, though some note compromises in viewing angles and motion processing. For consumers seeking theatrical brightness, gaming versatility, and excellent HDR performance without premium positioning, the U8N emerges as one of 2024's most recommended televisions.

The Samsung S90F OLED represents a sweet spot in the 2025 OLED television market, delivering near-flagship picture quality at a mid-range position. This display leverages Quantum Dot OLED technology in select models to achieve exceptional color volume, covering 100% of the UHDA-P3 gamut and an impressive 89% of the Rec2020 color space. With four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 4K at 144Hz, the S90F caters equally to cinephiles and gamers . The television features Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen3 processor, which powers upscaling and processing duties while running the mature Tizen operating system. While it lacks Dolby Vision support and anti-glare technology found on the flagship S95F, the S90F compensates with strong HDR brightness reaching 1,162 nits and remarkable contrast. Available in six sizes from 42 to 83 inches, the display uses different panel technologies depending on size and region, with larger models featuring QD-OLED panels and smaller variants using WOLED technology.

The TCL Q-Series 115-inch represents an ambitious engineering achievement that brings cinema-scale viewing to residential spaces without requiring dedicated theater rooms or projection equipment. With its QD-mini LED backlighting system utilizing over 20,000 local dimming zones and peak brightness reaching 5,000 nits, this television delivers HDR performance that competes with professional displays while maintaining the convenience and reliability of LED technology. Professional reviewers consistently praise its immersive viewing experience, exceptional contrast capabilities, and gaming performance with 144Hz variable refresh rate support and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. However, the television faces criticism for out-of-box color accuracy issues, limited off-angle viewing performance, and the need for professional calibration to achieve reference-grade picture quality. Consumer feedback emphasizes the overwhelming sense of scale and theatrical presence, though some users note the display amplifies source material quality issues and may prove too bright for certain viewing environments. The Google TV platform integration provides comprehensive app support and voice control functionality, while the Onkyo-tuned 6.2.2 speaker system with Dolby Atmos delivers surprisingly robust audio for a flat-panel television.