Hisense vs TCL — Both TV Brands For the Budget-Conscious, But Which is Our Pick?

If you're currently in the market for a new television, you're likely considering how to get the best technology at the lowest price. This means you might be exploring options from brands typically associated with the lower end of the market.

Hisense and TCL are two such brands, offering the latest technology at a more affordable price point if you know what to look for. But how do you choose between them, and can their TVs really compete with those from high-profile manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, and LG?

We've been closely monitoring the developments from various home cinema brands over the past year, and we're here to say that both Hisense and TCL are excellent options. We've compared the offerings from both below, so keep reading if you're having trouble making a decision. For more information, you can refer to our guide on the best TV brands.

Hisense vs TCL: Pricing

Both Hisense and TCL are well-known for offering budget-friendly TVs with impressive features. Generally, both brands offer a good value proposition, with comparable prices and a range of options to suit different budgets. While Hisense may offer slightly cheaper options for high-end models, TCL counters this with advanced technology and exceptional performance.

• Verdict: While TCL is the right choice for a super-super-budget standard LED model, you will save money with Hisense in most other areas, including 8K resolution.

Hisense vs TCL: Display technology

The key distinction between TCL and Hisense lies in their display technologies. Both brands offer advanced display technologies to enhance the viewing experience. Hisense stands out with ULED and superior contrast ratios, while TCL shines with QLED and better color production. This allows consumers to prioritize specific display features when making a choice.

• Verdict: Hisense wins by a hair, with superior sound technology and its own Quantum ULED technology. That said, the display tech and image quality for TCL is also good, and you won't go far wrong with either so long as you do your research.

Hisense vs TCL: Formats and operating systems

Many people have personal preferences when it comes to smart TV platforms, and we know that they can make or break a TV purchase. Unlike Samsung, LG, and some other brands, TCL and Hisense don't have their own operating systems, so the choice comes down to Roku, Android, or Google TV. Many models even give you an option.

Speaking of that choice, Hisense has more Android TV than TCL, while the opposite is true for Roku and, more or less, even for Google TV. If you want our opinion on that particular system (tease: we love it!), you can read our review of the Chromecast with Google TV.

Smart assistants are strictly Google Assistant territory, and you won't find Alexa built into a TCL or Hisense television right now. Both brands support compatibility for the smart assistant on various models, however, and for Apple's Siri if you already have the system at home.

• Verdict: It's a tie! Whether you want to go for Roku, Google or Android streaming technology comes down to how you navigate and watch TV, while Google Assistant is the name of the game across both brands' ranges.

Hisense vs TCL: Our verdict

• Winner: Hisense

TCL and Hisense offer great, affordable options that lack some of the buzz and style of the more well-known brands but have plenty of substance. In most cases, the pair were neck and neck in our comparisons, but if pressured to pick a winner, we would give the trophy to Hisense with its slightly lower prices.

In 2024, TCL launched a 115-inch TV, offering 37.7% more screen area than a 98-inch model. Hisense also introduced a 110-inch ultra-bright TV.

Hisense and TCL offer competitive options in the high-end TV market. Hisense focuses on providing essential features at affordable prices, excelling in contrast ratios, local dimming, and motion handling. On the other hand, TCL is known for superior color production, peak brightness, and wider viewing angles, primarily focusing on QLED technology and FALD. Both brands also offer various smart TV platforms and support for virtual assistants like Google Assistant and Siri.