TCL and Hisense have earned their keep within the TV set industry, but which is better? While it’s the brand name that makes an impression, oftentimes, it’s the product line and the product itself that matters. You don’t want to make the wrong choice and invest in a TV that disappoints.
To help you get the better option, our media team came to grips which TV innovator is a step ahead in this TCL vs Hisense comparison.
TCL or Hisense?
32S327
- Easy voice control
- Many streaming services
- Direct-lit LED
- 3 HDMI ports
Class H8
- Quantum Dot Technology
- 240 motion rate
- Dolby Vision and HDR 10
- Full array local dimming
Features Comparison:
TCL Versus Hisense
Our team of engineers has banded together to list out important features to help you compare TCL VS Hisense. These are the capabilities and characteristics that will guarantee fantastic picture quality and an enjoyable viewing experience.
Track Record
When comparing Hisense VS TCL, both are known for products at a lower price. Many people associate the standard of the TV with the price point, but our team says it’s just a number. Hisense, for starters, ranks pretty well with our experts as many of their TVs, regardless of size, were decent. They feature great picture quality, are simple to use, and support most applications.
TCL ranks very high with us as well due to the very reasonable prices for many of their products, and they are all of great quality. On top of that, they provide near-perfect, good picture quality, and the Roku smart TV operating system is one that consumers favor.
In short, both brands are reliable and have a stellar track record for the most part.
Price Points
The reason why our team has included a section for the price point is because it’s many consumers’ first consideration. While it may not be the best feature to influence your decision, it does play a large role. Luckily, both Hisense and TCL TV manufacturers pride themselves on affordability, and we can see that in their budget TVs.
If we had to pick a winner for this round, the title would go to TCL TVs. This came from a careful comparison of different product lines and products within the same class and range. Our team has found that Hisense is a little pricier than TCL, so you get more bang for your buck with TCL TVs.
Picture Quality
Let’s discuss the picture quality offered by Hisense television and TCL. While both brands do deliver on the picture quality front, TCL still edges out its competitor, however slightly. Many of their models use vertical alignment panel displays, offering better contrast ratio and vivid colors to enhance the picture. Of course, there are different technical features that you can find from both Hisense and TCL that can boost your viewing experience.
Our team’s first example is local dimming. This is a feature that will improve the dark and black details on your screen. TCL TV sets are known for this feature. Hisense and TCL both offer ultra high definition, or UHD image resolution, which really makes their TV sets seem much more higher-end than the price suggests.
Motion handling is another important feature aside from game mode when it comes to smooth gameplay. Both lines create TV units that focus on gaming quality with the above features and motion blur. Motion blur will make sure the picture quality is still relatively clear even at a fast frame or refresh rate.
Speaking of refresh rate, it’s also another key feature to look for if you are an avid gamer. This figure is measured in Hz [1], and you can find 60 and 120 Hz models on the market, but our team suggests 120Hz at the very least for the best performance.
Then there are the proprietary technologies that each brand features to further improve your viewing. For example, if you are looking at a QLED TV in one of the product lines, it will operate with Quantum Dot that will enhance the color portrayal to new heights. You can also find Dolby Vision from both labels.
As far as picture quality goes, our team gives the edge to TCL for its dynamic display, even though there are products from both Hisense and TCL that were exceptional.
Audio Quality
People instinctively link TVs to pictures and moving images, which is why they focus mostly on the specs of these features. However, our media team has brought in our sound experts to assess the audio quality as well. All modern TV sets have in-built speakers, and the sound capabilities will also significantly impact your viewing.
Expensive brands may incorporate advanced features such as Harman Kardon speakers and even surround sound tech in the factory TV speakers. You may not always find this in TCL and Hisense TVs, but they still offer decent audio.
After watching movies on the TCL TV and Hisense TV, our audio team can conclude that Hisense is the winner for factory stereo speakers. But that’s okay because TCL also makes soundbars that are a great match for their TVs. You can easily pair two of their devices together to propel the audio quality forward and even surpass Hisense TV speakers.
(Having a hard time with your television? Here are some quick fixes for common Hisense TV problems)
Technology
The overall technological features in both operating systems of Hisense and TCL TVs are excellent. You can find UHD (Ultra High Definition), HDR (High Dynamic Range), and even Dolby Vision depending on the smart TV you choose. What really sets them apart from each other is in the finer details.
We give one point to TCL TV sets due to the Roku Smart TV platform. Roku TV is a highly coveted interface preferred by a lot of users — but this round isn’t over just yet. Hisense uses an Android-based operating system for its smart TVs. An Android system could be a plus for some other users because they are used to the intuitive interface that resembles their smartphones.
If you have a system that is mainly Android-focused, then Hisense offers more compatibility features such as Chromecast, Google Games, and Google Assistant voice control. TCL can also work with Google Assistant even though the brands have different operating systems. This makes TCL a good TV brand.
Smart TV Features
Let’s compare Hisense VS TCL TVs in terms of smart features. Both run on different operating systems, but both are very streaming-friendly. Our experts may be a bit partial to TCL because of the Roku system, but that’s not to say that Roku TVs are automatically better.
TCL offers users access to almost every streaming app and service out there, which greatly enhances user convenience. The platform is also simple and straightforward for those who are not used to Android.
(Want to watch TV channels for free? Find out whether or not Smart TVs require antennas here)
Connectivity
Do Hisense or TCL TV models have easier connectivity? The answer is they both do. It really depends on the two TV sets you’re comparing. Common connectivity features seen in both Hisense and TCL are HDMI, with some models offering more than one HDMI port for convenience and increased compatibility.
Our media team says to look for wireless connections such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi or both. Other brands that are pricier will definitely offer all of the above, and our experts found it great that these more affordable options can still bring this element of convenience.
Wireless connectivity will allow for a cleaner and clutter-free setup and easy pairing with all your devices as long as they support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can also find USB ports on TVs from TCL and Hisense that offer fast media file playback.
Design and Build
The build quality is what determines longevity and easy use. Both Hisense and TCL have smart TV options with very thin profiles. You can also find large screen and small screen options to suit your space. Visually, they are both quite pleasing, but our experts have to award TCL as the winner for build quality and design.
They have a sturdier feel overall, and their support legs seem to be more reliable than Hisense.
(For other great build and design options, you can also check the TCL TV and Samsung TV comparison here)
Durability
The build and design affect the durability, but so do the materials used to build your Hisense TV or TCL TV. For durability, both Hisense and TCL rank even. Since they are more affordable models, their bodies are largely made from plastic. But don’t worry, it’s durable plastic. They do last a good amount of time but the structure of a television set from one of these brands may not compare to something much higher end.
TCL has slightly thicker profiles compared to Hisense TV models, which can be a pro or a con depending on how you look at it. A con of a thicker screen is the space it takes up, but the pro would be the strength and durability of the TV over time. Since we are talking about the durability and potential wear in this section, the winner is TCL.
You do get what you pay for in terms of material quality, but our team also suggests users look into the warranty. Most consumers, including our team of engineers, feel more at ease purchasing expensive products that have a lengthy warranty.
In some cases, the period of the warranty will also reflect on the quality of the product. If you compare a product with a 1-year warranty to one that has a limited lifetime warranty, which one would you pick?
There isn’t a winner for either TCL or Hisense in this section because they both offer a 1-year warranty. Our experts just wanted to remind our readers about the importance of buyer’s protection.
TV Selections Offered
What types of TVs do TCL and Hisense offer consumers? The first type is QLED TVs, which use the Quantum Dot like we mentioned to bring more colorful hues. Then there are the ULED TVs, which is short for Ultra Light Emitting Diodes, that can bring peak brightness and better resolution for all screen sizes.
As of now, TCL doesn’t seem to have incorporated ULED TVs into their lines, so you will only be able to find these models within Hisense. However, you can find two TVs from both lines that have UHD or Ultra High Definition. UHD isn’t your run-of-the-mill full HD. It’s much higher than that and encompasses 4K and 8K resolution.
Recently, curved TV sets have been introduced into the market. You can find a curved large screen or small screen, but the effects are better felt in larger models. What is the benefit of having a curved screen? For starters, it helps with your viewing angle. The purpose is a wider field of vision, to give you a more encompassing experience no matter where you are sitting. You can find curved screens from both brands.
In this section, our team members believe Hisense is the winner as they offer more features, such as the ULED TV that TCL has yet to adopt. Perhaps they will implement this technology into some of their products in a few years, but as of now, Hisense wins.
(Planning to wall mount your TV? Here’s how you can calculate TV dimensions for proper installation)
FAQ
Which is better, TCL or Hisense?
TCL is better than Hisense. There are some categories where TCL falls short of its competitor, such as ULED TV models. Both TCL and Hisense offer a good price for their products, but in terms of build, picture, design, and technology, TCL comes out as the superior brand.
Is TCL made by Hisense?
No, TCL is not made by Hisense. TCL and Hisense are independent companies that produce affordable yet very top-notch and durable products. They are both Chinese companies with headquarters in the country and export their products to other parts of the world.
Overall Winner: TCL
Our media and audio teams give the crown for the better brand to TCL. Both competitors went through a rigorous assessment, but TCL has consistently beat out Hisense in many aspects. Their flatscreens are intuitive with the Roku TV smart platform, and the image quality is amazing with a dynamic contrast ratio.
To know more about these great TV companies, we also have these pages for you:
