Hisense QLED HISENSE - 98" Class QD5 Series 4K UHD QLED Smart Review

The Hisense 98QD5QG is a 98-inch QLED TV that offers a massive screen and great 144Hz gaming performance for around $1300. It's a solid choice for gamers wanting a huge display without a huge price tag, but you'll need a soundbar and shouldn't expect the absolute best picture quality.

If you're hunting for a massive 98-inch TV that won't completely demolish your bank account, the Hisense 98QD5QG is a serious contender. This 2025 model QLED TV is all about delivering a huge screen for gaming and movies at a price that's surprisingly approachable for its size. It's packing a 144Hz refresh rate with FreeSync for smooth gameplay, Dolby Vision for HDR content, and the familiar Google TV smart platform. For around $1300, you're getting a lot of screen real estate, but there are some trade-offs you should know about before you commit.

Let's talk gaming, because that's where this TV shines brightest in our database. Its gaming performance score lands in the 93rd percentile, which is genuinely impressive for a TV at this price. The 144Hz panel and FreeSync support mean fast-paced games feel smooth, with minimal tearing. For sports and streaming, the scores are more middle-of-the-road at 50.4 and 47.3 out of 100, respectively. The picture quality percentile sits at 45, which tells us that while it's decent, it's not going to compete with high-end Mini-LED or OLED models on pure contrast and black levels. The built-in audio, scoring in the 36th percentile, is what you'd expect from a slim TV—functional, but you'll want a soundbar.

At roughly $1300, the value proposition here is straightforward: immense size per dollar. You are simply not finding many 98-inch TVs near this price point. The catch is that you're making compromises on peak picture quality and audio to get that giant screen. If your top priority is sheer scale for a home theater or gaming cave on a budget, this makes sense. If your budget is tighter and you can live with a 75 or 85-inch screen, you could get a TV with better overall picture quality for the same money or less.

This TV sits in a weird and interesting spot. It's going head-to-head with giants like the LG OLED evo G5 and Sony BRAVIA 5, but at a fraction of their price. The LG and Sony will obliterate it in contrast, black levels, and overall picture fidelity, but they'll cost three to five times as much. Closer in price are models like the Hisense U6 Series Mini-LED or the TCL QM8. A 75-inch TCL QM8, for example, will likely offer better HDR brightness and local dimming, but you're giving up 23 inches of screen. It's a classic trade-off: size versus picture quality. The Samsung Neo QLEDs are also in a higher tier for performance and price.

Skip this TV if you're a home theater purist chasing the best possible picture quality. Its average picture and audio scores mean enthusiasts will be left wanting. Also, avoid it if you have a small room or can't handle a 120-pound behemoth. Instead, look at higher-tier 75-inch or 85-inch models from TCL, Hisense's own U7/U8 series, or Sony if your budget allows for a better picture on a slightly smaller canvas.

So, should you buy the Hisense 98QD5QG? If your main goal is to get the biggest possible screen for your money and your primary use is console or PC gaming, then yes, it's a compelling buy. The 144Hz gaming features are legit. But if you're a videophile who values perfect blacks, stunning contrast, and the best HDR experience, you'll be disappointed. This is a TV for maximizing immersion on a budget, not for winning picture quality awards. Think of it as a big, fun canvas that's good at gaming, rather than a reference-quality display.