The Hisense U6K is one of the best budget TVs we’ve tested | CNN Underscored (2024)

The trickle down of TV tech is speeding up. This year, Hisense brought Mini LED — which until recently was found only on high-end LCD TVs — to its budget-priced U6 line.

Mini LEDs use lots of little backlights instead of a large one to produce a picture on the screen. The result is better blacks, which translates to more contrast and a better picture overall. The best Mini LED TVs can rival an OLED TV for picture quality.

Adding Mini LEDs to the Hisense U6K makes it one of the best budget TVs you can buy. Its colors stand out, and it produces good contrast. But it can’t rival more expensive TVs that employ Mini LED technology, and you’ll sacrifice some performance in exchange for its low cost.

What we liked about it

It produces impressive color and contrast

The Hisense U6K is one of the best budget TVs we’ve tested | CNN Underscored (2)

As soon as you start watching, you’ll see how deep reds, greens and blues pop off the screen; credit the screen’s quantum-dot technology. When the Great Mothers appear in “Ahsoka,” their red garb radiates from the screen; when Loki (“Loki”) dons his traditional armor, the green looks saturated. The blue skin of the Na’vi and the water in “Avatar: The Way of Water” appear hyperrealistic.

The Mini LEDs help the U6K produce much better contrast than other TVs at this price, including TCL’s Q6. When the Harkonnen attack in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” the night sky was very dark, but you could still see some details; the Q6 looked washed out when playing the same scene.

It has an attractive price

You used to have to pay big bucks for a Mini LED TV, but Hisense, one of the best budget brands around, sells the 65-inch U6K for just $550. It also comes in a 55-inch version for $400 and a 75-inch one for $700. That’s a whole lot of TV for not a lot of cash.

But even at those prices, you can find better-priced alternatives. TCL’s Q6 65-inch TV is currently selling for $448, though it lacks the Mini LED.

The Hisense U6K is one of the best budget TVs we’ve tested | CNN Underscored (3)

It sounds decent

Decent sound might not sound like a compliment, but usually cheap TVs sound cheap. The U6K surprises by delivering a wide sound with clear vocals (though it lacks any significant bass). The U6K actually produces good enough sound that you might not have to buy a soundbar, though your viewing experience will be significantly better with one of our picks for best soundbar.

What we didn’t like about it

It’s underpowered

For many uses, the U6K works great. However, you’ll notice that it’s a bit slow to run Google TV, its smart OS. If you lack patience for it to catch up to your commands, you can add a streaming stick or player to bypass the built-in OS.

The Hisense U6K is one of the best budget TVs we’ve tested | CNN Underscored (4)

A more annoying problem is how it struggles with fast action. If you like to watch live sports — especially in 4K — you’ll see some jumping and stuttering, as if it’s skipping frames. This happened while watching the MLB playoffs in 4K on YouTube TV and Thursday Night Football on Amazon (the Amazon experience was smoother than YouTube TV, but the issue was still noticeable). The problem is likely due to a combination of not enough computing power and the TV’s limited 60Hz frame rate, which keeps it from displaying content as smoothly as more advanced TVs with 120Hz or higher refresh rates.

It has a limited viewing angle

The Hisense U6K is one of the best budget TVs we’ve tested | CNN Underscored (5)

The U6K’s picture is only impressive if you’re sitting directly in front of the TV. As soon as you get too far left or right of center, the colors immediately lose their intensity. This will be an issue if you’re watching with a group of people.

How it compares

Size options

55, 65, 75 inches

55, 65, 75, 85 inches

Dimensions (65-inch model)

57.1 x 33.1 x 3.1 inches

56.9 x 32.8 x 3.2 inches

Panel type

Mini-LED QLED

QLED

Connections

4 HDMI (one eARC)

3 HDMI (one eARC)

HDR

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

HDR PRO+, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

Price From $400 From $450

Bottom line

In the battle for best budget TV, Hisense makes a strong case with the U6K. Thanks to its Mini LED backlighting and quantum-dot QLED screen, it delivers a picture that belies its price tag.

The Hisense U6K is one of the best budget TVs we’ve tested | CNN Underscored (8)

You have choices if you’re on a budget. The TCL Q6 doesn’t look quite as good overall, but it’s available for even less than the U6K. While the Q6 also doesn’t handle Google TV well and suffers from limited viewing angles, it didn’t have issues with fast action.

Overall, the U6K is a better choice than the Q6 for most people. The U6K isn’t perfect, especially if you like to watch live sports with a large group of people. You’ll have to spend more if you want a large 4K TV that has fewer issues. But for people looking for the best picture without spending too much, the U6K will make both their eyes and wallet happy.

The Hisense U6K is one of the best budget TVs we’ve tested | CNN Underscored (2024)

FAQs

The Hisense U6K is one of the best budget TVs we’ve tested | CNN Underscored? ›

Hisense U6K Mini-LED QLED 4K Google TV

Is Hisense considered a good TV? ›

Hisense TVs offer great value for their price, so you won't break the bank buying one. They've recently started to add gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR) support, so they compete with some other brands. However, their TVs can also suffer from quality problems like bugs, uniformity, and motion issues.

Is the Hisense A6K a good TV? ›

The perfect vision

Great picture very easy to set up and use. Sound is really good with various settings movie Standard etc.

What are the disadvantages of Hisense TV? ›

Conclusion. Owning a Hisense TV comes with several advantages, including impressive picture quality, smart features, affordability, and great value for money. However, it's essential to consider the potential downsides such as limited app availability and mixed customer support experiences.

Does Hisense U6K support 120Hz? ›

Gaming features are a mixed-bag

As a result, the U6K can't support 120Hz modes on a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, but that's a common limitation for a TV in this price range.

Is Hisense owned by Samsung? ›

Hisense is a Chinese appliance and electronics manufacturer controlled by the state-owned Qingdao capital fund.

What is the most common problem with Hisense TV? ›

Some of the most common issues are:• The TV does not turn on. This could be due to the remote control batteries, the power outlet, or the TV software. You can try to check the batteries, change the power outlet, or reboot the TV by unplugging and plugging it back in. The TV screen flickers.

Is Hisense better than Samsung? ›

Samsung vs Hisense: Our verdict

Samsung offers more choices for consumers, but Hisense outperforms it in several areas. Those seeking a great deal on a larger TV should consider the latter brand, although Samsung does have some technologies like Neo QLED and its outdoor TV that Hisense lacks.

What is the Hisense controversy? ›

Sharp accused Hisense of damaging its brand equity by utilizing its trademarks on products it deemed to be "shoddily manufactured", including those that it believed to have violated U.S. safety standards for electromagnetic radiation, and deceptive advertising of their quality.

When did the Hisense U6K come out? ›

The Hisense U6 was released in the middle part of 2023 and replaces last year's Hisense U6H. Despite several major improvements to the design of the TV, the Hisense U6 is still incredibly affordable with almost all of its screen sizes being available for under $500.

What is the lowest price of Hisense U6K? ›

Hisense U6K 55 inch Ultra HD 4K Smart QLED TV (55U6K) price in India starts from ₹41,999. It is available at lowest price on Croma in India as on Jul 05, 2024. Take a look at Hisense U6K 55 inch Ultra HD 4K Smart QLED TV (55U6K) detailed specifications and features.

What is the difference between Hisense U6 and U7? ›

Our Verdict. The Hisense U7G is a higher-end TV than the Hisense U6/U6H, so it has more features and better performance. If you're a gamer, the U7G is the better choice as it has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and VRR support to take advantage of the current-gen gaming consoles.

Is Hisense or LG TV better? ›

LG offers a stunning selection of TVs with top-of-the-line features. If you want a budget-friendly TV that gets the job done, you'll probably want to choose Hisense. Otherwise, if you don't mind spending a bit more and want a better selection, video quality, and features, LG is your best bet.

Which is better Roku or Hisense? ›

The Hisense A6/A65K and Roku Plus Series QLED are comparable TVs with different capabilities, although the Roku is better overall. The Hisense has more features, with VRR support, better image processing, and a motion interpolation feature. It can remove 24p judder from more sources.

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