Hisense QD6 Hi-QLED 50QD6SR 39.5"

A fantastic Roku smart TV trapped in a 1080p body. Buy it cheap for a secondary room, but don't make it your main screen.

What surprised us most is the HDR performance. It lands in the 78th percentile, which is genuinely impressive for a TV at this price point. Dolby Vision support on a set this cheap is a real treat, making colors pop more than you'd expect. But that's where the good news ends for the panel itself. The 1080p resolution is a letdown, dragging the overall picture quality down to the 37th percentile. The AI 4K upscaler works hard, but it can't create detail that isn't there. Gaming is a strictly 60Hz affair, which is fine for a Switch or a secondary setup, but don't expect next-gen console thrills.

The TCL QM6K Series is the obvious alternative. It's a true 4K set with modern gaming features that makes the QD6's 1080p panel feel ancient. If you're even slightly interested in picture quality, the TCL is the better buy. The Roku Pro Series is another direct competitor that offers a similar smart platform but with a 4K Mini-LED panel, making it a much more future-proof choice. The only reason to pick the Hisense QD6 over these two is if you find it at a steep discount and literally only care about the Roku interface.

The price is all over the map, with a wild $860 spread between vendors. At the low end around $240, this is a compelling buy for a kitchen or kid's room. But if you're looking at the $1100 end of the spectrum, absolutely do not buy this. For that money, you can get a real 4K QLED from TCL or Hisense's own higher-tier lines that will run circles around this thing.

The Hisense QD6 is a budget-friendly Roku TV that nails the basics for casual streaming. The one thing to know is that you're getting a shockingly good smart TV experience and solid HDR support wrapped in a display that's stuck in the past. It's a 1080p panel in a world that's moved on to 4K, and that's the trade-off you have to be okay with.

If you're looking for a primary living room TV for movies and gaming, this isn't it. Go get a TCL QM6K or a Hisense U6 Series instead. You'll get a proper 4K panel and much better overall picture quality for not a lot more money.

The Hisense QD6 is a one-trick pony, but it's a really good trick. If your entire world is streaming apps and you want the simplest, most affordable path to a big-screen Roku experience, this TV delivers. For everyone else, the 1080p resolution is a compromise that's hard to swallow. Only buy this if you find it for under $300 and picture quality isn't your top priority.