Hisense U88QG Series 65U88QG 65"

With 5000 nits of peak brightness, the Hisense U88QG delivers picture quality in the 99th percentile, making it one of the most vibrant TVs you can buy. The 4.1.2 audio system also surprises, and gaming is smooth at 165Hz. The smart platform is sluggish and connectivity is limited, but at $1400, it's a brilliant value for the picture alone.

Our testing shows the U88QG's MiniLED backlight and quantum dot filter produce a picture that's, frankly, stunning. That 5000-nit peak is legit, and HDR content doesn't just pop, it punches you in the face. In scenes with bright highlights against dark backdrops, it handles blooming well enough that you won't miss an OLED unless you're pixel-peeping in a pitch-black room. Color accuracy is also on point, with excellent coverage of the DCI-P3 spectrum. We measured gaming performance at 75th percentile overall, which is good but not class-leading. The 165Hz VRR support and FreeSync make fast-paced games feel buttery smooth, though some gamers might want slightly lower input lag for competitive shooters. Audio is a genuine surprise: the 4.1.2 channels with a built-in subwoofer deliver clear dialog and decent bass, ranking in the 86th percentile. It's no replacement for a dedicated soundbar, but it's a cut above what most TVs offer.

Stacked against the LG C5 OLED, the U88QG crushes it in brightness and has much better built-in audio, but the C5's perfect blacks and infinite contrast are still the benchmark for home theater purists. Samsung's QN85D matches the Hisense on gaming features but falls short on peak brightness and costs a bit more. The TCL QM8K comes closest, offering similar Mini-LED perks, yet our data shows the Hisense edges it out in picture quality and audio rankings. Where the Hisense stumbles is smart TV experience: the Google TV interface here is notably laggy, and streaming box owners might prefer the snappier Tizen on the Samsung or Roku's simplicity on the budget-friendly Plus Series.

At $1400 for a 65-inch Mini-LED TV that hits 5000 nits and sounds this good, the U88QG is a steal. You'd need to spend hundreds more for a comparable Samsung QN85D or an LG OLED, and you wouldn't get anywhere near this brightness. The TCL QM8K is a close competitor in the Mini-LED space, but its audio doesn't match up and its picture, while excellent, isn't quite as bright. For sheer dollar-per-nit value, Hisense has the lead.

The Hisense U88QG is a 65-inch Mini-LED TV that packs a ridiculous 5000 nits of peak brightness. That's a number you'd typically see on displays costing double or more, and it lands this set in our database's 99th percentile for picture quality. With a 4.9-star average from over 1,200 buyers, it's easily one of the most loved TVs we've tracked. At $1400, it's a serious contender for anyone who wants a bright, vibrant living room centerpiece without taking out a loan. You also get a 165Hz panel with FreeSync for gaming, and a built-in 4.1.2 Dolby Atmos sound system that outclasses most built-in TV audio. But there are some rough edges. The Google TV software falls into the bottom third of our rankings for smart platforms, and connectivity is seriously limited with just a single USB port. Still, if you prioritize picture quality and brightness, this Hisense is hard to ignore.

If you need a seamless smart TV experience with lots of connectivity, this isn't your set. The Google TV platform here feels like an afterthought, and the single USB port means you'll be juggling devices. Sports fans might also want to look elsewhere: our outdoor viewing score of 59.9 and sports score of 69 out of 100 suggest it doesn't handle motion or bright-room reflections as well as some competitors. And if you're deep into HDR movie collections, the average HDR performance might disappoint next to a higher-end Samsung or Sony.

The Hisense U88QG is a straightforward proposition: you get some of the best picture quality we've ever measured, wrapped in a package that's loud and bright enough for a sun-drenched living room, all for $1400. The trade-offs are real though. If you rely on your TV's built-in smart apps, you'll probably find the experience frustrating, and the single USB port feels like a throwback. But if you're pairing this with a streaming stick or a console anyway, those gripes barely matter. For pure visual impact at this price, it's a winner.