Hisense TV Review: A Comprehensive Guide
If you‘re in the market for a new TV but don‘t want to spend a fortune, Hisense is a brand worth considering. This Chinese electronics manufacturer has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years thanks to its affordable, feature-packed televisions. But are Hisense TVs any good? In this comprehensive Hisense TV review, we‘ll take an in-depth look at the brand‘s models, features, performance, customer reviews, and more to help you decide if a Hisense TV is right for you.
About Hisense
Hisense was founded in China in 1969 and has grown into a global electronics powerhouse. The company manufactures a wide range of products including TVs, home appliances, smartphones, and more. In the TV market, Hisense has become known for offering cutting-edge technology and features at budget-friendly prices.
Over the years, Hisense has earned accolades and positive reviews for its TVs. In 2020, the brand received the "Best of Innovation" award at CES for its L5 Series Laser TV. Hisense has also been praised by expert reviewers at RTINGS.com, Tom‘s Guide, and Wirecutter for models that deliver excellent performance for the price.
While Hisense may not be as much of a household name as Samsung, LG, or Sony, the brand has built up an impressive fan base. Hisense‘s official Facebook page has over 3 million followers – a testament to its growing popularity and customer loyalty.
Hisense TV Series and Models
Hisense offers a wide selection of TVs to fit different sizes, budgets, and feature preferences. Here‘s an overview of the brand‘s main series:
A Series
Hisense‘s entry-level TV series, the A Series offers 720p HD and 1080p Full HD models in sizes ranging from 32 to 40 inches. These basic smart TVs provide good picture quality and built-in streaming apps at very low prices. A Series models use Hisense‘s own VIDAA smart platform.
H Series
Stepping up to 4K resolution, the H Series provides Ultra HD Hisense models with HDR support in sizes from 43 to 85 inches. Premium options like quantum dot color and a bezel-less design are available on select models. The H Series runs on the Android TV platform.
U Series
Hisense‘s high-end ULED TV series features advanced technologies like quantum dot, full array local dimming, Dolby Vision/HDR10+, and up to 2000-nit peak brightness for incredible picture quality. Available in sizes from 55 to 85 inches, the U Series offers some of Hisense‘s best performance for a premium price. Recent models boast a sleek design, hands-free voice control, and the new Google TV operating system.
L Series
For a truly cinematic experience, Hisense‘s L Series uses short-throw laser projection to create a massive 100-inch 4K picture. Billed as a "Laser TV", the L Series is designed to be an alternative to big-screen LED TVs. It comes with a special screen and integrated Dolby Atmos sound system. The Laser TV is pricey at $3,500+ but offers a unique large-format viewing option.
Picture and Sound Quality
Hisense TVs offer solid performance for the price when it comes to picture and sound quality. While not always on par with top-tier OLEDs and QLEDs from brands like LG and Samsung, Hisense‘s 4K models deliver crisp detail, vibrant colors, and satisfying contrast.
The brand‘s ULED Series TVs use advanced technologies to further enhance image quality. Quantum dot helps produce a wider color gamut for more lifelike hues. Full-array local dimming allows the backlight to adjust in zones for better contrast and black levels. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range support enables expanded brightness and color.
Hisense TVs generally offer decent built-in sound, with many models featuring Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound. The Laser TV uniquely comes with a powerful front-firing speaker system with dedicated tweeters and subwoofer for room-filling audio. Most Hisense TVs also work well with soundbars and home theater systems for those wanting an external audio upgrade.
In terms of gaming performance, Hisense‘s higher-end models offer an excellent experience. The U8G Series has HDMI 2.1 ports, auto low latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR) and a 120Hz panel for smooth, responsive gameplay. It‘s a great choice for PS5 and Xbox Series X owners.
Smart TV Platform & Features
Hisense utilizes a few different smart TV platforms across its models. Basic TVs in the A Series run the brand‘s proprietary VIDAA operating system, which provides access to major apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube. The VIDAA interface is fairly intuitive but the app selection is more limited compared to other smart TV platforms.
Step-up H Series and U Series models have featured Android TV in recent years, with the latest versions moving to the new Google TV platform. Both provide a wide range of streaming apps through the Google Play Store, plus features like built-in Chromecast, Google Assistant voice control, and smart home integration. The Google TV home screen offers personalized content recommendations and a watchlist to help you keep track of shows.
Higher-end Hisense models also often include a voice remote to easily search for content, control the TV, and interact with Google Assistant. Some premium U Series TVs even offer hands-free voice control, so you can simply say commands out loud without the remote.
Customer Reviews & Ratings
To get a sense of how Hisense TVs perform in the real world, let‘s take a look at some customer reviews and ratings from popular retailers. Keep in mind that experiences can vary, but this feedback can provide helpful insights.
On Best Buy‘s website, the 55" U8G 4K TV has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 100 reviews. Positive remarks praise the U8G‘s impressive picture quality, brightness, and gaming features. Several customers say it outperforms more expensive TVs they‘ve owned. Less favorable reviews mention issues with sound leveling and the Google TV interface being buggy at times.
The 65" U7G Android TV has a 4.4-star rating from nearly 450 reviews at Amazon. Owners love the U7G‘s vibrant quantum dot color, local dimming, and overall value for the price. A few negative reviews report problems with lighting uniformity and the panel lottery of quality control.
Hisense‘s 40" A4G Full HD TV scores a 4.2 out of 5 on Walmart.com across 50+ reviews. Customers are generally pleased with the A4G‘s basic smart TV features and picture quality for casual viewing. Those with complaints say the built-in speakers are lacking, and a few had issues with defective units.
Warranty & Customer Service
Hisense offers a standard one-year warranty on parts and labor for its TVs. This is in line with much of the TV industry, though some brands like Samsung, LG and Sony provide more premium warranty options for certain high-end models.
The company‘s warranty terms state that a one-year warranty applies to TVs purchased from an authorized retailer, which includes major stores like Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and more. Hisense has a claim form on its support website where you can submit a request for service if you encounter any defects.
In terms of customer service, Hisense provides several ways to get support:
- Phone support at 1-888-935-8880, available Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 9 PM EST and weekends 9 AM to 6 PM EST
- Live chat on Hisense‘s website
- A detailed online knowledge base with FAQs, manuals, setup guides, and firmware updates
- Email support through a contact form on the website
While Hisense‘s one-year warranty is pretty standard, the company does offer a unique 100 Day "No Regrets" guarantee on select models over 65 inches, giving you more time to decide if you‘re satisfied with the TV.
Conclusion: Is A Hisense TV Worth Buying?
After examining Hisense‘s TV lineup, features, performance, customer reviews, and support, it‘s clear the brand delivers a lot of value. Hisense TVs offer an appealing blend of good picture quality, smart features, and affordability that make them a compelling choice for many shoppers.
Budget-conscious consumers looking for a basic smart TV will find Hisense‘s A Series models to be some of the best options under $300. The 1080p resolution, VIDAA operating system, and built-in streaming provide everything you need for casual viewing.
If you want a future-proofed 4K TV with excellent image quality, Hisense‘s ULED Series is definitely worth considering. Models like the U8G and U7G offer advanced features like quantum dot color, full-array local dimming, HDMI 2.1, and Dolby Vision/HDR10+ for significantly less than comparable TVs from top-tier brands. Gamers in particular will appreciate the U8G as one of the most affordable 4K 120Hz TVs available.
Hisense‘s Laser TV is more of a niche product, but it could be enticing if you want a truly big-screen experience and have the space to accommodate it. For the price of a premium 85-inch TV, you can get a 100-inch 4K picture with cinema-like audio, albeit not as versatile for different room setups and lighting conditions.
Of course, Hisense TVs aren‘t perfect. Quality control, customer service, and long-term durability are hard to gauge, and the brand doesn‘t quite have the reputation of a Samsung, LG, or Sony. But Hisense‘s growth and the positive reception for its products show that the old assumptions about "cheap" TV brands don‘t apply like they used to.
For most people, a Hisense TV is absolutely worth considering. You‘ll be surprised at how much TV you can get for your money. Be sure to research models in your price range, and look for promotions and discounts. Hisense frequently has sales events, and its partnerships with major retailers means you can often find models in your local store to see in person.
The TV market is more competitive than ever, but Hisense is proving it deserves to be in the conversation with major brands. If you keep an open mind, a Hisense TV could be the best value choice for your living room.
