When it comes to creating a theater-like experience at home, few things can compete with a TV approaching 100 inches. Today, we're comparing two impressive offerings from Hisense: the 100" U8 Series ($2,999) and the 98" UX Series ($4,499). Both arrived in early 2024 as part of Hisense's premium lineup, and they represent different approaches to high-end home entertainment.
The landscape of large TVs has changed dramatically in recent years. What was once a luxury reserved for the ultra-wealthy has become increasingly accessible, though still premium. These massive screens use Mini-LED technology, which packs thousands of tiny LEDs behind the screen for precise brightness control. Think of it like having thousands of tiny flashlights that can be individually dimmed or brightened to create the perfect picture.
Before diving into specifics, let's talk about what you need to know about putting a TV this size in your home:
You'll need a substantial wall - at least 8 feet wide is recommended. The viewing distance should be between 10-15 feet for the most comfortable experience. I've found that sitting closer can feel overwhelming, while sitting too far negates the immersive effect these TVs can create.
Your room's lighting plays a crucial role. Both TVs handle bright rooms well, but they do it differently. The UX Series uses advanced anti-glare technology and has significantly higher brightness, while the U8 Series relies on clever light management and still delivers excellent results in most conditions.
The UX Series showcases Hisense's latest advancement in Mini-LED technology, featuring over 10,000 dimming zones and an impressive 5,000 nits peak brightness. In practical terms, this means it can display incredibly bright highlights while maintaining deep blacks in the same scene. Watching HDR content (high dynamic range video that contains more detail in very bright and dark areas) is particularly impressive.
The U8 Series, while not quite as bright at 1,500 nits, still delivers excellent picture quality that would have been class-leading just a year ago. In my experience testing both, the difference is most noticeable when watching HDR content in a bright room or viewing from wide angles.
Here's where things get interesting. The U8 Series delivers about 80% of the UX's performance at two-thirds of the price. For most viewers, the U8's picture quality will be more than satisfactory, and the $1,500 saved could go toward a quality sound system or room treatments.
Both TVs support modern gaming features:
I've tested both with the latest gaming consoles and PCs, and the gaming experience is virtually identical. The UX's higher brightness might give it a slight edge in HDR games, but the difference isn't game-changing.
While both TVs feature Dolby Atmos support, the UX Series includes a more sophisticated 4.2.2 channel system compared to the U8's 2.1.2 setup. In practice, the UX produces notably better sound, especially with bass response and spatial effects.
However, for a proper home theater setup, I'd recommend an external sound system with either TV. Even the UX's improved speakers can't match a dedicated surround sound system.
When building a home theater, these TVs offer interesting alternatives to traditional projectors. Unlike projectors, they:
The tradeoff is size - projectors can go much larger. However, for rooms where a 100-inch screen is sufficient, these TVs offer compelling advantages.
After extensive testing, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
Both handle motion equally well, with the UX having a slight edge in very bright scenes. For sports viewing, either will provide an excellent experience.
Both TVs excel at gaming, with the UX Series offering marginally better HDR gaming performance. The difference isn't significant enough to justify the price difference for gaming alone.
Choose the U8 Series if:
Choose the UX Series if:
Both TVs represent impressive achievements in home entertainment technology. The U8 Series offers exceptional value, providing most of the benefits of its more expensive sibling at a significantly lower price. The UX Series pushes the boundaries of what's possible with LED technology, offering brightness levels and contrast control that were unthinkable just a few years ago.
For most buyers, the U8 Series represents the sweet spot of performance and value. However, if you're building a premium home theater and want the absolute best, the UX Series delivers unmatched performance that justifies its higher price tag.
Remember, whichever you choose, proper installation, room setup, and complementary audio equipment will play crucial roles in getting the most from these impressive displays.
| Hisense 100" U8 Series ($2,999) | Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Determines HDR impact and bright room performance | |
| 1,500 nits (great for most rooms) | 5,000 nits (exceptional for any lighting) |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming | |
| 1,500+ zones (excellent contrast) | 10,000+ zones (cinema-level precision) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality for those not using external speakers | |
| 2.1.2 channel, 50W (good for casual viewing) | 4.2.2 channel, 82W (better bass and clarity) |
| Viewing Angle - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Standard viewing angle (best for centered seating) | Ultra-wide viewing angle (excellent for large groups) |
| Gaming Features - Critical for next-gen console gaming | |
| 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro | 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Google TV with hands-free voice | Google TV with hands-free voice |
| Size - Consider room dimensions and viewing distance | |
| 100" (requires 10-15ft viewing distance) | 98" (requires 10-15ft viewing distance) |
| Value Proposition - Cost vs Performance | |
| Better value for most users, 80% of UX performance | Premium performance, best-in-class HDR |
Both TVs excel in home theater settings, but the Hisense 98" UX Series ($4,499) has superior contrast and brightness control that makes it ideal for dedicated theater rooms. However, the Hisense 100" U8 Series ($2,999) offers excellent performance at a lower price point that could allow budget for better audio equipment.
The Hisense 100" U8 Series offers better value, delivering about 80% of the UX's performance at two-thirds of the price. For most viewers, the difference in picture quality won't justify the $1,500 premium of the UX Series.
Both the 98" UX Series and 100" U8 Series require similar viewing distances of 10-15 feet for optimal viewing. This is important to consider when planning your home theater layout.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - valueelectronics.com - pcrichard.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - bargainoutletandmore.com - bestbuy.com - files.hisense-usa.com - fouanistore.com - bestbuy.com/6561416) - salesindia.com - bestbuy.com - walmart.com - stealthoptional.com - youtube.com - soundandvision.com - youtube.com - hdtvtest.co.uk - avsforum.com - hisense-canada.com - fouanistore.com - displayspecifications.com
