One of the best gaming TVs I’ve tested isn’t from Sony or Samsung

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

I wasn’t anticipating a lot once I arrange the Hisense U8K in my workplace/recreation room. However as I ran the TV by means of my regular gauntlet of checks, the U8K impressed me in each manner that issues. With brilliant, vibrant photos, and crisp audio, in addition to customizable refresh charges and distinction calibration, the Hisense U8K is effectively definitely worth the cash, particularly when you’re a console gamer.

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Whereas the Hisense U8K appears to be like nice within the images I used to be in a position to take, it appears to be like even higher in particular person. Colours are vivid and daring, whites are brilliant, and blacks are about as darkish as you will get outdoors of an OLED panel. Detailing is crisp and well-defined, permitting completely different visible kinds to shine.

Additionally: The best Hisense TVs: Expert Tested

Organising the TV is blessedly fast, going from field to streaming in about 10 minutes; although it could be quicker when you have somebody serving to you. The T-bar toes really feel stable and could be positioned in two completely different positions: slim or broad. This function provides you extra placement choices, particularly when you have a TV stand that is on the smaller facet. I left my take a look at mannequin on the ground as a result of that is the place I’ve probably the most house for a 65-inch TV.

The mini LED panel boasts a peak brightness of 1500 nits, and whereas I do not presently have any testing tools to verify that quantity, I can say that you simply do get a really brilliant display. That brightness is useful in my workplace, which catches a number of direct daylight within the morning. The TV additionally helps each Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+, which assist to boost distinction and detailing, particularly for upscaled content material. The built-in audio system sound superb for the worth level, with music and dialogue sounding clear and clear. 

Additionally: One of the best LG OLED TVs I’ve tested is now hundreds of dollars off, permanently

The perfect function of the Hisense U8K is much and away its skill to help as much as a 144Hz refresh charge at 4K decision. All 4 of the HDMI ports help 2.1 connectivity, which implies you may get a base refresh charge of 120Hz. However two of the HDMI ports are in a position to help a 144Hz native refresh charge, making the Hisense U8K a perfect TV for gaming. 

When you join your recreation console, it’s important to manually allow the upper refresh charge, which could be accomplished within the TV’s settings. I do want that the show setting would mechanically allow, however having the choice to modify is smart for anybody who would possibly nonetheless have an older console that may’t help larger refresh charges.

A Hisense U8K TV showing a water-driven mill in a forest.
Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

I ran the U8K by means of its paces with Batman Forever and M3gan to see how the mini LED panel dealt with upscaling, and movies or exhibits with darker distinction. I additionally linked my PlayStation 5, marathoning Persona 5: Dancing in Moonlight to push the 144Hz refresh charge and Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR to their restrict. Whereas my mind and fingers could not sustain with Our Second in All Night time Mode, the U8K was nonetheless exhibiting easy motion and distinct shapes, that are essential for rhythm video games.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The areas the place the Hisense U8K actually shines are console gaming and streaming. With the 144Hz refresh charge, AMD FreeSync Premium Professional, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, and mini LED panel, you would be hard-pressed to discover a higher TV at this worth level. At round $849 for the 65-inch model, it is a terrific worth for what you are getting.

Keep in mind that you will want loads of house for this TV, because it is not out there in a display measurement smaller than 55 inches. Whereas this measurement may not pose any issues for anybody who prefers to wall-mount their tv, it may be troublesome to search out house for a big display when you want a TV stand. That scenario is very true with a TV just like the Hisense U8K, which has bracket-style toes somewhat than a central pedestal. 

In the event you do not suppose you may ever want the upper native refresh charges, the Hisense U6K is one other good possibility for upgrading your property theater, and it is much more inexpensive.

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