Hisense U8N: Best Midrange TV of 2024

 When has it last happened to you, that you got something more than what you paid for? With respect to a world where price more often than not is contrasted with features or performance, the Hisense U8N Mini-LED ULED 4K Google TV comes out refreshing. It forms a jaw-dropping blend of performance, picture quality, and affordability—making it the midrange TV most people should buy in 2024.

Budget Powerhouse

Hisense has taken last year's U8K — already one of the finest contenders for best cheap TV in 2023 — up a notch with a new, more advanced processor and bumped-up brightness. Its 65-inch model often sells for around $1,000, making the U8N an overall pretty strong TV for the money.

Picture and Performance Impress

The picture quality from the U8N really punches above its price. It sports mini LED backlighting which makes it offer a much more even image than you find on most LCD TVs, including much of Sony's and Samsung's range. It also gets ridiculously bright – this is the perfect model for those who like to watch TV in well-lit rooms. Color reproduction is good, especially when this telly's dealing with Dolby Vision-supported content.

This brightness, coupled with backlighting, creates awesome contrast—most details are visible in the "House of the Dragon" or the "Dune: Part Two" dimly lit scenes. Though it can sometimes look a little washed out, few TVs will better that contrast performance at this price.

Equipped with Google TV, the U8N is designed to work well with even the most demanding TV processors. Apps launch quickly, and the interface response is good, offering picture adjustment options aplenty to suit your taste. For gamers, features like auto low latency and variable refresh rate make sure gameplay on consoles such as the PS5 or Xbox Series X are silky smooth.

Attractive Pricing

The list price for the U8N is $1,500 for the 65-inch model, but Best Buy sells it for $1,100. The closest competitor would be TCL QM8, listed for $1,500 but usually on Amazon for around $998. Yes, maybe there could be cheaper TVs, but none of them would bring such a picture and all the characteristics like U8N. Further up, the more expensive ones are LG C4 and Samsung QN90D, which cost close to $1,800-$2,000; these are targeted more at advanced viewers.

Better-Than-Expected Sound Quality

The 65" variant of the U8N sports a 2.1.2 speaker setup, with a wide soundstage courtesy of Dolby Atmos support. While it won't replace a good soundbar, it has enough depth to hold its own in action scenes. Budget-conscious buyers will likely find that the U8N's sound system is decent enough to wait a while longer before purchasing a separate soundbar.

Areas for Improvemen
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Poor Upconverting

The U8N's processor has some issues upconverting HD signals to 4K like more expensive models such as the LG C4 or Samsung QN90D. Sport shows like Eurocup and Copa America can appear blurrier than usual, making it a bit lacking compared to high-end devices.

Complicated Stand Assembly

The 65- and 75-inch U8N models have a sturdy center stand, so you can safely place them on narrower consoles. The downside is that assembly requires a minimum of two people, and the included guide is next to useless. It's a minor hassle, but one you'll only need to suffer through once.

How the U8N Compares

FeatureHisense U8NTCL QM8

Size Options55, 65, 75 in.65, 75, 85, 98 in.

Dimensions (65-in. model)57.0 x 33.1 x 2.9 in.56.9 x 32.6 x 1.7 in.

Panel Type&nbspMini LED ULED&nbspMini LED QLED&nbsp.Connections&nbsp4 HDMI — including one eARC, two HDMI 2.1&nbsp4 HDMI — including one eARC&nbspHDR&nbspDolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Advanced HDR&nbspHDR ULTRA, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG&nbspPrice&nbsp$1,100&nbsp$998&nbspFinal Thoughts

For any person who will buy a TV in 2024, Hisense's U8N must be a front-runner, regardless of budget. While it's perhaps a touch too expensive for some wallets on a budget TV search, the U8N offers superior image quality and performance to most. Viewers looking to spend a little more may well find the U8N fits their bill without such extra cost.

While it can't quite keep up with pricier sets in terms of upconverting, and some viewers may be holding out for a picture that's essentially perfect, the U8N strikes such a good balance among brightness, color, and contrast that most users won't have any major complaints. Those looking for something even cheaper, meanwhile, may want to consider the Hisense U6N, which is currently available for around $700 for a 65-inch model. It delivers pretty good performance for its price, though the picture simply isn't as compelling as some other options.

In a world where value's a rare thing, the U8N's a TV that gives more than its price would suggest.