TCL QM8 vs Hisense U8: The 65" Mini-LED Battle
Last updated: July 2026
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Shopping for the right 65-inch TV in 2026 almost always ends at these two. The TCL QM8 and Hisense U8 are the mini-LED value kings — both land just under $1,300, both run VA panels with quantum dots, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, and both game at 4K/144Hz. But they win in very different ways.
Spec-by-Spec
| Feature | TCL QM8 | Hisense U8 |
|---|---|---|
| Peak brightness | Up to ~5,000 nits WINNER | ~2,000–3,000 nits |
| Local dimming zones | Up to ~3,800 WINNER | 1,000+ |
| Panel | VA, quantum dot | VA, quantum dot |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ |
| Gaming | 4K @ 144Hz, VRR, 2× HDMI 2.1 | 4K @ 144Hz, VRR, 2× HDMI 2.1 |
| Out-of-box color accuracy | Good, benefits from calibration | Noticeably better out of the box WINNER |
| Smart platform | Google TV (varies by region/model) | Google TV, more unified experience |
| Wall-mount friendliness | Standard | Rigid chassis, centered VESA — easier DIY WINNER |
| Typical 65" price | ~$1,300 | ~$1,300 |
Pros & Cons
TCL QM8
- Class-leading brightness — HDR highlights pop even in sunlit rooms
- Roughly 3× the dimming zones for deeper blacks and less blooming
- Excellent 4K/144Hz gaming support
- Colors need calibration to look their best
- Slightly less refined smart-TV experience
Hisense U8
- Best-in-class color accuracy straight out of the box
- Bright, punchy HDR with a cohesive Google TV experience
- Rigid build and centered mount make DIY wall-mounting easier
- Far fewer dimming zones than the QM8
- Can't match TCL's peak brightness
The Verdict: The TCL QM8 beats the Hisense U8
At the same price, the TCL QM8's brightness and dimming-zone advantage is the difference you'll actually see every night: better HDR, deeper blacks, less halo around bright objects. That's why it's our pick for most people.
Buy the Hisense U8 instead if you want great color without ever touching a settings menu, or you're wall-mounting it yourself.