Hisense S7 Canvas 55S7N 54.6"

The Hisense CanvasTV is a killer Samsung Frame alternative that costs way less, looks just as good on the wall, and games at 144Hz—just don't expect great sound or top-tier picture quality.

Hisense just made the art TV attainable. The CanvasTV looks like a framed painting on your wall, costs half what Samsung's Frame does, and the magnetic frame and flush mount are actually in the box. It's not the best TV for movie buffs, but it's the only one that'll genuinely fool your guests into thinking it's decor. With a 144Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium, it doubles as a sneaky gaming display, and Google TV smarts keep everything snappy. You're trading absolute picture quality for a killer design, but at this price, that trade makes a ton of sense.

We expected a pretty art mode and middling specs, but the gaming chops caught us off guard. At 144Hz with FreeSync Premium and HDMI 2.1, motion is buttery smooth, and input lag is nearly imperceptible in Game Mode PRO. In our database, that puts it near the top among TVs for gaming. The picture, though, is where things get real. The edge-lit QLED panel delivers vibrant colors in SDR, but HDR highlights lack punch and contrast is just okay—it falls behind most mid-range TVs we've tested. If you're used to OLED or even a good full-array set, you'll notice the bloom in dark scenes. It's a fine casual watching panel, but the performance really shines when you're fragging opponents, not marveling at shadow detail.

If you've lusted after a Frame TV but balked at the price, this is your moment. The CanvasTV typically sits around $700-$800 at reputable retailers like Best Buy, which is a screaming deal compared to Samsung's $1,500-plus for a 55-inch Frame. Sure, we spotted prices as low as $300 from sketchy third-party sellers and as high as a jaw-dropping $277,647 (maybe that one ships to the moon?), but stick to legit stores and you're getting a style-forward TV with real gaming chops for a fraction of the premium cost. You'll probably need to add a soundbar, but even then it's a value champion.

The Samsung Frame is the obvious rival, and Hisense stole its lunch money. The Frame offers better picture quality and a more polished remote experience, but the CanvasTV matches the art illusion, adds a 144Hz gaming mode, and actually includes the magnetic frame and flush mount. Samsung's art store costs extra after a trial; Hisense's is free. If you're a head-to-head spec hunter, the TCL QM7K will give you vastly superior contrast and brightness for less money, but it looks like a regular TV on the wall. For anyone wanting that 'is that a painting?' moment without a second mortgage, the CanvasTV is the no-brainer.

If you care more about picture quality than aesthetics, skip this and get a TCL QM7K. It's cheaper and delivers far superior contrast and brightness. The CanvasTV is for people who want their screen to disappear into their decor—if you're a movie purist, you'll be disappointed by the edge-lit panel and tinny sound.

For the price, the Hisense CanvasTV is the art TV to buy right now. It's not perfect—audio needs a soundbar and the picture won't wow cinephiles—but the seamless art mode, 144Hz gaming, and sleek in-wall design make it a winner for style-conscious buyers. If Samsung's Frame had this feature set at this price, we'd call it a masterpiece. Hisense just made it happen.