Did you know that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a high-quality TV?
Instead…
You can just buy from Hisense or TCL…
The 2 leading brands of the best budget TVs in the market.
But how are they different?
And which 1 is better?
To answer that…
Continue reading to find out:
- Which brand has the better picture quality.
- How much TCL and Hisense TVs differ in price.
- 5 key differences between Hisense and TCL TVs.
- And a lot more…
Which is better, TCL or Hisense?
TCL is better than Hisense. TCL TVs are at least $50 to $100 cheaper than the TVs from the latter brand. TCL TVs also have better picture quality and sturdier build than TVs from Hisense do.
Hisense vs TCL: 5 key differences
#1: Price
If you’re thinking about choosing between these 2 brands…
Then it’s safe to assume that you want the best bang for your buck.
And props to you because you’re on the right track.
TCL and Hisense are 2 of the most popular budget TVs in the market.
But between the 2 of them…
Which 1 can you save the most money from?
This category doesn’t need much thinking.
Because TCL would easily win the price aspect of this competition.
While comparing TVs of the same sizes with similar features…
Hisense TVs tend to be at least $50 to $100 more expensive than TCL TVs are.
Take these 2 TVs, for example:
TCL 50S425 | Hisense 50H8F | |
Suggested retail price | $349 | $399 |
Screen Size | 50 inches | 50 inches |
Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
Display Technology | LED | ULED |
Enabled Connections | Ethernet, Wifi, | Ethernet, Wifi, Bluetooth |
The TCL TV is $50 cheaper than the Hisense 1, despite having similar specs.
So if the price is a crucial deciding factor for you, you should get a unit from TCL.
#2: Screen’s Picture Quality
Considering their low prices…
It’s natural not to expect TCL and Hisense TVs to have the highest screen picture quality.
However…
Don’t let their inexpensiveness trick you.
Both brands have surprisingly high-quality pictures.
And in fact, most TCL and Hisense TVs have true UHD and HDR settings display.
Which means you can still watch 4K resolution videos on your large screen…
Despite paying less than 1 grand.
But of course…
It’s not surprising for these 2 brands to have some imperfections or flaws.
TCL and Hisense TVs tend to lose their optimal image quality…
When viewed from angles that aren’t directly facing the screen.
But except for this minor detail, both TVs still have distinct strengths in other areas.
TCL TVs, for example, are well known for having a high-quality color uniformity.
And Hisense TVs, on the other hand, are known for having less motion blur…
Which makes them optimal for gaming or watching action movies.
But between these 2 brands…
Which 1 will beat the other for having better picture quality?
The answer to that is none other than…
The TCL TV. Yet again.
For 1, they have a greater contrast ratio and richer colors than Hisense TVs.
Not only that, but TCL models also have a local dimming feature.
Which improves the dark areas and details of their TV screen…
Further making the colors around these dimmed parts pop out.
So with that being said…
The winner of the picture quality category is the TCL TV.
#3: Operating System
For the past 2 categories…
Both Hisense and TCL TVs have been pretty similar.
But for their operating systems, the 2 are completely unique from each other.
Before I proceed…
What’s an operating system?
Also known as an OS, it’s the software that controls and manages your device.
If you’re an Apple user…
You’re probably familiar with the term iOS.
That’s the operating system of all Apple devices.
For Samsung users, their devices’ OS is Android.
Now, different operating systems have different advantages.
And with that in mind, let’s go back to comparing the 2 TV brands.
Hisense uses Android for their Smart OS, while TCL TVs run on Roku.
And to see which 1 of them is better…
Let’s look at what benefits each operating system offers to its users.
With Android operating its system, Hisense TVs will allow you to:
- Play games and music from Google.
- Access popular services like Youtube, Netflix, and Hulu for free.
- Use Chromecast to cast media from your mobile device to your screen.
On the other hand, TCL’s Roku system will give you benefits like:
- The access to Netflix, ESPN, Youtube, Hulu, and HBO.
- Being able to watch more than 500 000 shows and movies for free.
As you can see, both have their pros…
But the crown for this category will have to go to Hisense TVs.
On top of having more features…
The user interface of Android is more user-friendly compared to Roku TVs.
Moreover…
Hisense also allows users to have easier access to Alexa and Google Assistant.
Which are helpful AIs for busy individuals.
So, although it’s a close call…
Hisense TVs win the category of having the better operating system.
For more information about what an OS does, you can also watch this video:
#4: Audio Quality
Of course…
The visual aspect isn’t the only crucial factor in buying TVs.
Because if you’re like me…
You also give high importance to the quality of your TV’s audio.
After all, isn’t it much better to watch shows with a rich sound?
Nothing sucks more than watching an emotional scene…
Only for you not to hear the famous lines of your favorite characters.
Like Ironman whispering, “l love you 3000.”
Now, while both Hisense and TCL TVs have built-in stereo speakers…
Only their pricier models have the “surround sound settings.”
What’s that?
An audio effect that lets users have realistic audio experiences…
By letting each stereo speaker have different volume levels, depending on the scene.
However, except for this 1 minor drawback, both TVs have constant, decent audio outputs.
But of course, 1 will always be better than the other.
And for the audio quality category…
The better models are the Hisense TVs.
How do I know this?
By comparing Hisense 32H5500F TV to the 32S325 TCL TV.
While both have the same size and a relatively close price range…
The Hisense model is better equipped with 6W speakers…
While the TCL TV only has 5W speakers built-in.
So…
The winner of the audio category is Hisense.
Further reading: (9 Fixes) TCL TV No Sound
#5: Durability
Everybody wants a long-term investment when it comes to appliances.
So it’s no surprise that durability is 1 of the factors you must consider when buying a new TV.
Nobody wants to buy a unit that’ll need to be replaced after only a year or 2, right?
So if you want to know which brand has a more durable build, I got you.
Both TVs have plastic bodies.
But although they’re made with similar materials…
TCL TVs have considerably thicker frames and sturdier leg stands.
Which makes them more durable than Hisense TVs are.
So for the durability factor, the winner is TCL.
You might also want to know: 3 Ways To Turn On A Hisense TV Without Remote
Final Conclusion
TVs from Hisense and TCL prove that you don’t need to spend too much money to get a high-quality TV.
Both offer UHD or HDR display that allows you to watch in 4K resolution.
Like you’d be able to in TV models from higher price points.
Both TVs are a good buy. But comparing the 2 closely…
I’d pick TCL as the better TV.
TCL TVs last longer for their price.
And they’re also able to provide higher picture quality than Hisense TVs can.
Not to mention…
They’re also more durable than the other brand.
People also ask:
Is Hisense a good TV brand?
Hisense is a good TV brand. Even with its lower prices, the brand still gives its customers a high picture and audio quality. Hisense TVs also have a long warranty, making them a popular TV choice for household families.
Is TCL a reliable brand?
TCL is a reliable brand. Although cheap, they can provide users with a 4K display and long durability. They’re known to last up to 7 years of regular, heavy use. And they also have tight frames and sturdy stands that make them 1 of the most durable budget TVs.