Hisense QD5 QLED 55" Class QD5 Series 2024 Review

This is a smart TV first, a display second. It scores in the 99th percentile for smart features but only the 45th for picture quality. At $250, you get elite streaming convenience and full HDR support on an average QLED panel. Great for casual viewing, not for gaming or critical movie nights.

The Hisense QD5 is a 55-inch QLED TV that's a bit of a split personality. On one hand, its smart features are top-tier, landing in the 99th percentile against all TVs in our database. That means Google TV, voice control, and all the streaming apps you'd want are fast and intuitive. On the other hand, its core picture performance sits around the 45th percentile, which is solidly average. For $250, you're getting a very smart screen that's great for streaming, but you're not buying a picture quality champion.

Let's break down what those percentiles mean. The 99th percentile smart score is no joke. This TV's Google TV interface is snappy, and its connectivity options are excellent, landing in the 88th percentile. Where it gets interesting is the HDR support, which is in the 94th percentile. That's because it supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, which is a fantastic suite for a budget TV. However, the actual picture quality and display metrics are in the 40s, meaning its QLED panel and direct-lit backlight can't fully exploit that HDR potential. Gaming performance is its weakest point at the 37th percentile, thanks to a 60Hz panel and HDMI 2.0 ports.

At $250, the value proposition is clear: you're paying for a premium smart TV experience on a budget panel. You're getting 99th percentile smart features and 94th percentile HDR format support for the price of a basic 4K TV. That's a good deal if your priority is a slick, connected hub for streaming. Just know you're not getting top-tier picture quality for that money.

Compared to its main rivals, the QD5 carves a niche. The TCL QM8 Mini-LED will crush it in brightness and contrast for a few hundred dollars more. The Hisense U6 Series Mini-LED is a direct step-up with better local dimming. Even the Sony BRAVIA 5, while more expensive, offers better processing. The QD5's ace is its smart platform and HDR support at this price point. If you care more about the apps than the absolute best blacks, it's a contender. If picture quality is king, you'll want to look at those Mini-LED competitors.

Skip the Hisense QD5 if you're a gamer or a movie buff looking for the best picture. Its 37th percentile gaming score and 45th percentile picture quality mean it's not built for those use cases. Also, if your room is very bright, its 42.7 score for outdoor viewing indicates you'll have visibility issues. Pay a bit more for a TV with better performance percentiles in those areas.

We recommend the Hisense QD5 if you want a super-smart TV for streaming movies and shows, and you're on a tight budget. The data shows its strengths are all in the software and connectivity. We'd steer gamers or videophiles toward options with higher refresh rates and better picture quality percentiles. For the price, it's a capable daily driver for a bedroom or secondary room, not a home theater centerpiece.