This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
If you’re looking for a big TV but don’t have much money to spend, you’re in luck. It’s a great time to be in the market for a budget TV.
Two of the best recent options are Hisense’s U6K and TCL’s Q6. Both feature technologies that even a few years ago were only available on TVs that cost more than $2,000.
For precious little of your money, you’ll get a bright, bold 4K picture and smart TV features. You won’t get wide viewing angles or the latest gaming tech, however. While both the Q6 and the U6K are good values, one generally stands out above the other.
Hisense U6K vs. TCL Q6 at a glance
Thanks to Mini-LED tech and its QLED screen, the U6K delivers vivid colors and good contrast. But it has limited viewing angles and it struggles with fast action, such as live sports.
The QLED screen on the Q6 produces good color and handles HDR content well. However, it runs Google TV slowly and sounds tinny.
Specs comparison
|
|
Hisense U6K
|
|---|---|
| Size options (inches) | 55, 65, 75 |
| Dimensions (65-inch model) | 57.1 x 33.1 x 3.1 in. |
| Panel type | Mini LED LCD |
| Connections | 4 HDMI |
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
|
|
TCL Q6
|
|---|---|
| Size options (inches) | 55, 65, 75, 85 |
| Dimensions (65-inch model) | 56.9 x 32.8 x 3.2 in. |
| Panel type | QLED |
| Connections | 3 HDMI (1 eARC) |
| HDR | HDR Pro+, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
The U6K has the better picture
TCL and Hisense have been turning out good-looking pictures for the past few years and they keep improving what you get for your money.
Hisense added Mini-LED backlighting to the U6K’s quantum-dot screen, which helps it produce colors that leap off the screen and contrast that makes details emerge in dark scenes. You’ll enjoy the vibrant reds, greens and blues whether you’re watching movies or sports.
The Q6 also has quantum dots, so it handles colors well too, especially when the video is in Dolby Vision. But the Q6 lacks Mini LEDs and doesn’t have nearly as good contrast as the U6K; dark scenes looked washed out and lacked detail.
TL; DR: The U6K’s Mini LEDs produce better contrast, and a better overall picture, than the Q6.
The Q6 costs less, usually
Whether you choose the Q6 or the U6K, you get a lot of TV for your money. When the two TVs were first released, the Q6 was cheaper than the U6K — but that’s no longer always the case.
The list price for the U6K runs from $400 to $700, depending on size. But currently you can find a 55-inch U6K for $370 from Best Buy — although Amazon is selling it for $400. The 65-inch seems to be unavailable, though you can find the 75-inch model for $650.
The Q6, on the other hand, costs $450 for the 55-inch version and $500 for the 65-inch model. The 75-inch runs $600 and the Q6 offers an 85-inch model for $900 — a size the U6K isn’t available in.
TL;DR: There are excellent deals on the 55-inch U6K, but from most retailers, the Q6 is cheaper — and easier to find in a variety of sizes.
Both have performance issues
You can’t expect to get everything in a budget TV. With these two TVs, you give up some performance in exchange for the lower price.
The Q6 and U6K run Google TV and both struggle with it. Google TV has a lot of features and seems to be a bit of a processor hog; high-end TVs can run it smoothly, but few low-cost models can. On the U6K, this results in some stuttering when watching live TV, especially in 4K. The Q6 didn’t have that problem, but apps launched slowly.
Neither TV looked very good when you moved away from the center of the screen, so they’re not ideal for large groups. And both lack HDMI 2.1 and feature 60Hz refresh rates, which means gamers won’t be able to take advantage of all of the latest game console features.
TL;DR: Neither TV is fast or features the latest tech.
The U6K sounds better
While it’d be a stretch to say the built-in speakers on the U6K sound good, they don’t sound terrible — a rarity for a low-cost TV. The TV produces a wide sound and voices sound clear, though it lacks bass of any note. But if you’re really on a budget and can’t afford a soundbar, the sound quality of the U6K may tilt the competition in its favor.
The Q6, on the other hand, actually sounds worse than most TVs, with tinny sound that makes voices hard to hear. You’ll definitely want to budget for a soundbar if you go with the Q6.
TL;DR: The U6K produces better sound than the Q6.
Bottom line
If you’re on a budget and looking for a 4K smart TV, two of your best options are the TCL Q6 and the Hisense U6K. The U6K is the better choice between the two.
The U6K delivers a better picture and better sound, though it may cost you more than the Q6.
However, if you can’t find a U6K — or can’t find it in the size you want — the Q6 will probably meet your needs. With either TV, you need to manage your expectations against the value you’re getting. But the picture you’ll get for the money is still pretty amazing.