Samsung Series 8 QN50Q8FAAF 50"

The Samsung QN50Q8FAAF has a decent QLED panel and surprisingly good audio, but the 60Hz refresh rate and awful HDR hold it back hard. At $475 refurbished, it's a mediocre value. Only consider it if you want a Samsung badge and don't care about gaming or cinematic HDR.

The display itself is the highlight here. 74th percentile means it's above average for brightness and clarity, and QLED color can pop in a bright room. Audio is also respectable at 70th percentile, which is rare for a TV this thin. But gaming sits at 52nd percentile, basically middle of the pack, and that 60Hz refresh rate is the culprit. You get VRR and HDMI 2.1 on paper, but without 120Hz you're leaving a lot of gaming performance on the table. HDR is where this thing falls apart, 13th percentile is one of the worst we've seen. Expect washed-out highlights and weak contrast in dark scenes.

Stack this against the TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 and the Samsung gets embarrassed on HDR and gaming. The TCL and Hisense both bring 120Hz panels and far better contrast. The LG C5 is in another league entirely, OLED blacks and perfect HDR, though it costs more. Even the Roku Pro Series offers a smarter, more user-friendly experience. The Samsung's only real edge is brand recognition and that QLED brightness in a bright living room. But brightness without good HDR processing is like a sports car with a governor on it.

At $475 refurbished, this is a tough sell. You're paying for the Samsung name and a QLED panel, but the HDR weakness and 60Hz cap mean you're not getting the full modern TV experience. There are budget models from TCL and Hisense that deliver better picture quality and gaming performance for similar money. If you find this on a deeper discount, maybe. But at this price, it's hard to recommend over the competition.

The Samsung QN50Q8FAAF is a 50-inch 4K QLED that sits in a weird spot. It's got the QLED name and some modern tricks like HDMI 2.1 and VRR, but the 60Hz panel and middling picture scores tell a different story. This is a refurbished unit floating around for about $475, and at that price it's competing with some serious budget contenders.

Our database puts the display at a solid 74th percentile, which is fine. But picture quality overall lands at 36th percentile and HDR is a rough 13th. So you're getting a decent panel with some real limitations once you push it.

Skip this if you're a gamer who wants 120Hz, a movie buff who cares about HDR, or anyone who wants a smart TV that feels modern. The Tizen OS here scores below average, and the picture quality limitations will bug you every time you watch something with dark scenes. If you need a TV for a bright kitchen or a kids' room and find it under $400, fine. Otherwise, put your money toward a TCL or Hisense.

This TV is for someone who wants a Samsung QLED on a budget and doesn't care about gaming or HDR. If you mostly watch cable news, sitcoms, and sports in a bright room, the display brightness will serve you fine. But if you're buying a 4K TV in 2025 for movies or gaming, you should look elsewhere. The 60Hz panel and terrible HDR are dealbreakers for most people.