Shopping for a truly massive TV is an exciting but challenging experience. Today, we'll compare two of the most impressive giant screens available: the Hisense 100" U8 Series and the TCL 98" QM8 Series. Both released in late 2023, these TVs represent the cutting edge of what's possible in home theater displays.
The 95"+ TV category has evolved significantly over the past few years. What was once an extremely expensive luxury segment (with prices often exceeding $10,000) has become increasingly accessible. Both of our contenders today hover around the $3,000-4,000 range, making cinema-sized screens a realistic option for many home theater enthusiasts.
These TVs use Mini-LED technology, which means they have thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen for backlighting. Think of it like having thousands of individually controllable flashlights that can brighten or dim specific areas of the screen. This technology, combined with QLED (Quantum Dot LED) color enhancement, delivers picture quality that rivals or exceeds what you'll see in many movie theaters.
The TCL QM8 really shines when it comes to brightness - literally. It can reach peak brightness levels over 5,000 nits (a measure of light output), which is honestly overkill for most situations but impressive nonetheless. The Hisense U8 reaches about 3,000 nits, which is still incredibly bright and more than enough for most viewing conditions.
Having tested both TVs in various lighting conditions, I found the Hisense's lower but still substantial brightness paired better with its more accurate colors. The TCL can sometimes look a bit artificial when pushing maximum brightness, though it's unbeatable in very bright rooms.
This is where the Hisense pulls ahead significantly. With a 144Hz refresh rate (meaning the screen can update 144 times per second) and very low input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen), it's simply better for gaming. The TCL tops out at 120Hz, which is still good but not quite as smooth.
Both TVs support variable refresh rate (VRR) technology, which prevents screen tearing during gaming, but the Hisense supports both major standards (AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync), while the TCL only supports AMD's solution.
In a dedicated home theater setting, both TVs excel but in different ways. The Hisense U8 offers slightly better black levels and more natural color reproduction, which movie purists will appreciate. The TCL QM8 delivers more impactful HDR highlights, making explosions and bright scenes really pop off the screen.
When it comes to sound, both TVs include upward-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos support, but let's be honest - if you're spending this much on a TV, you'll want a proper sound system to match. Both TVs integrate well with external audio equipment through eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) HDMI connections.
Before buying either TV, consider these practical points:
The Hisense U8 typically sells for around $2,999, while the TCL QM8 usually goes for $3,999. Both represent excellent value compared to similar-sized TVs from premium brands like Samsung or Sony, which often cost twice as much or more.
Since their release in late 2023, both TVs have seen occasional sales bringing them down even further. The Hisense, in particular, has been spotted as low as $2,499 during major sales events.
Both TVs showcase significant improvements over their 2022 predecessors:
Choose the Hisense U8 if:
Choose the TCL QM8 if:
Both TVs represent incredible value in the giant screen category. For most users, I'd recommend the Hisense U8 due to its better price-to-performance ratio and superior gaming capabilities. However, if you have a very bright room or simply want the most dramatic HDR experience possible, the TCL QM8 is worth the premium.
Remember that either TV will deliver an impressive home theater experience that was simply unavailable at these prices just a few years ago. The key is choosing the one that best matches your specific viewing environment and needs.
| Hisense 100" U8 Series | TCL 98" QM8 Series |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 3,000+ nits (excellent for most situations) | 5,000+ nits (class-leading brightness) |
| Screen Size - Small difference but worth noting for room planning | |
| 100" diagonal (slightly larger) | 98" diagonal (still massive) |
| Refresh Rate - Important for gaming and fast motion | |
| 144Hz native (superior for gaming) | 120Hz native (good but not best-in-class) |
| Price - Value consideration is key at this premium level | |
| $2,999 typical (better value) | $3,999 typical (premium pricing) |
| Local Dimming Zones - Affects contrast and HDR performance | |
| 2,300 zones (excellent black levels) | 2,400 zones (marginally better) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Critical for responsive gaming | |
| 13.1ms (excellent for gaming) | 112.6ms (not ideal for gaming) |
| Color Gamut Coverage - Impacts color accuracy and vibrancy | |
| 82% BT.2020 (superior color range) | 74% BT.2020 (good but not best) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 2.1.2 channel, 50W (better Atmos effect) | 2.1 channel, 60W (more power, less immersive) |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability | |
| Google TV with WiFi 6E (faster networking) | Google TV with WiFi 6 (standard speed) |
| Power Consumption - Impacts energy bills | |
| 350W typical (more efficient) | 400W typical (higher power draw) |
For dedicated home theater use, the Hisense 100" U8 offers better value and more natural color reproduction. While the TCL 98" QM8 provides higher peak brightness, this is less important in controlled lighting conditions typical of home theaters.
The Hisense U8 typically sells for $2,999, while the TCL QM8 is priced at $3,999. Both TVs frequently go on sale, with the Hisense offering better overall value.
The Hisense U8 is significantly better for gaming with 144Hz refresh rate and 13.1ms input lag, compared to the TCL QM8's 120Hz and higher input lag. The Hisense also supports both FreeSync and G-Sync.
The TCL QM8 reaches exceptional brightness levels of over 5,000 nits, while the Hisense U8 achieves around 3,000 nits. Both are more than bright enough for most viewing situations.
Yes, both the Hisense U8 and TCL QM8 require heavy-duty wall mounts rated for 100+ pounds. Professional installation is recommended due to their size and weight.
For optimal viewing of either the Hisense U8 or TCL QM8, you should sit between 11-15 feet from the screen. This ensures comfortable viewing while maintaining the impact of the large display.
Both the Hisense U8 and TCL QM8 feature eARC HDMI ports and Dolby Atmos support, making them excellent choices for integration with modern home theater audio systems.
The Hisense U8 offers more accurate colors and better black levels, while the TCL QM8 provides more dramatic HDR highlights. For movie purists, the Hisense's more natural presentation is preferable.
Both TVs feature advanced upscaling technology, but the Hisense U8 generally handles lower resolution content more naturally than the TCL QM8, which can sometimes over-sharpen.
No, while both the Hisense U8 and TCL QM8 consume more power than smaller TVs (350W and 400W respectively), they can operate on standard household circuits.
The TCL QM8 has an advantage in very bright rooms due to its higher peak brightness and excellent anti-glare coating. The Hisense U8 still performs well but isn't quite as bright.
For home theater enthusiasts, both the Hisense U8 and TCL QM8 offer excellent value compared to premium 75-85" TVs, providing a true cinema-like experience at relatively reasonable prices.
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 - rtings.com - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - greentoe.com - tcl.com
