Hisense U8QG Mini-LED Hisense - 65" Class U8 Series MiniLED QLED UHD 4K Review

This is a gaming monitor disguised as a TV. Unbeatable smoothness for the price, but you'll need a soundbar and shouldn't expect reference-grade movie picture quality. Shop for the sale price.

The Hisense 65U8QG is a gaming TV first and foremost. That 165Hz refresh rate is the real headline here, putting it in a league with dedicated gaming monitors. But the one thing you need to know is this: it's a performance beast for the price, but you're making some serious trade-offs in picture quality and audio to get there. It's built to win in esports and fast-paced shooters, not to be your perfect home theater centerpiece.

The gaming performance is genuinely surprising for the price. Sitting in the 92nd percentile, it's faster than almost everything else in our database. That 165Hz panel is no gimmick, and the input lag is low enough to give you a real edge. What's also surprising, but not in a good way, is the audio score landing in the 31st percentile. For a TV that shouts about Dolby Atmos, the built-in sound is pretty thin. You'll want a soundbar, no question.

At its best price of $898, this TV is a steal for a dedicated gamer. At its worst price of $1700, it's a hard pass. That massive price spread means you need to shop carefully. If you can find it near that $900 mark, you're getting gaming specs that punch way above their weight. Pay much more, and you're better off with a more balanced TV.

This TV lives in a weird spot. It out-guns the cheaper Hisense U6 Series, but the U6 often has better picture quality scores for movies. Against the Samsung Neo QLED QN90F, you lose on overall polish, HDR pop, and smart features, but you save a ton of cash and get a higher native refresh rate. The real question is whether you want a gaming monitor that's TV-sized or a true all-rounder. For the latter, look at LG's OLEDs or higher-end Sony models.

If you're looking for the best all-around TV for movies, sports, and family viewing, this isn't it. The middling picture quality score tells the story. Go get a Sony Bravia 5 or a mid-range LG OLED instead. They'll cost more, but they won't make you choose between gaming speed and everything else.

We recommend the Hisense 65U8QG for one person: the serious console or PC gamer who prioritizes smoothness and response time above all else, and who plans to use a separate sound system. If that's you, and you find it on sale, buy it. For everyone else—movie buffs, casual viewers, sports fans who also want great audio—there are better, more balanced options for your money.