TCL QM8K vs Hisense U8K
TCL QM8K vs Hisense U8K 2026: the value Mini-LED face-off
The two budget Mini-LED kings. TCL QM8K at $999 wins on raw picture (more zones, more nits). Hisense U8K at $799 wins on value (you save $200 for slightly less spec). Both run Google TV. Both support Dolby Vision Gaming.
TCL QM8K vs Hisense U8K head-to-head
| Spec | TCL QM8K | Hisense U8K |
|---|---|---|
| Panel | Mini-LED LCD | Mini-LED LCD |
| Peak Nits (10% window) | 4,000 nits | 3,200 nits |
| Local dimming zones (65") | ~2,500 | ~1,500 |
| Black level | 0.0015 nits | 0.0012 nits |
| HDR support | DV + DV Gaming + HDR10+ | DV + DV Gaming + HDR10+ |
| HDMI 2.1 ports | 4 | 2 (plus 2 HDMI 2.0) |
| Input lag (Game Mode) | 6.2 ms | 6.8 ms |
| Response time | 4.5 ms | 5.2 ms |
| Operating system | Google TV | Google TV |
| Anti-reflective coating | Matte | Matte |
| Audio | 2.1ch with Onkyo tuning | 2.1ch CineStage |
| Warranty | 2 years standard | 1 year standard |
| 65 inch USD street price | $999 | $799 |
The $200 question: where does the money go?
The TCL QM8K's $200 premium over the Hisense U8K buys: 800 more nits of peak brightness, around 1,000 more dimming zones, two more full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, slightly better motion handling, and a longer standard warranty. For picture-quality first, that's good value.
If you don't need 4,000 nits (most rooms don't) and don't connect 3+ HDMI 2.1 devices, the Hisense U8K is the rational pick at $200 less.
Budget Mini-LED picks 2026
QM8K vs U8K questions answered
Is TCL QM8K or Hisense U8K better in 2026?+
TCL QM8K wins on raw picture (4,000 nits vs 3,200 nits, more dimming zones, slightly better processing). Hisense U8K wins on value ($799 vs $999 at 65 inch) and on software (cleaner Google TV implementation). For picture quality, TCL. For maximum dollar-per-nit, Hisense.
Which has more dimming zones, TCL QM8K or Hisense U8K?+
TCL QM8K 65 inch has around 2,500 local dimming zones. Hisense U8K 65 inch has around 1,500 zones. More zones means finer control over local brightness and less blooming around bright objects on dark backgrounds. Both are dramatically better than older Mini-LED with 100 to 300 zones.
Do TCL QM8K and Hisense U8K both support Dolby Vision?+
Yes, both support Dolby Vision including Dolby Vision Gaming at 4K/120Hz. They also both support HDR10+. This makes them more format-agnostic than Samsung TVs (Samsung dropped Dolby Vision entirely).
Which has better gaming, TCL QM8K or Hisense U8K?+
TCL QM8K has 4 HDMI 2.1 ports vs Hisense U8K's 2 plus 2 (2 HDMI 2.1 and 2 HDMI 2.0). For multi-console setups TCL is the better pick. Input lag is similar (6.2ms TCL vs 6.8ms Hisense, both excellent for non-competitive gaming). Both support VRR and ALLM.
Sources: TCL (tcl.com), Hisense (hisense.com), RTings (rtings.com). April 2026.