The best mini-LED 4K TVs that will elevate everything from movies to sports
The best mini-LED TVs deliver both high brightness and deep black tones, creating a high-contrast display that works exceptionally well for both sports and movies. A mini-LED TV uses technology similar to a regular LED TV, where a backlight panel shines light through a grid of pixel, which create the color and detail. But in this case, the individual LED chips that comprise the set’s backlight are significantly smaller, so there can be many more of them, increasing brightness.
The tiny LEDs used for the backlight in the best mini-LED TVs also allow for finer control over local dimming, a process where individual LED clusters (zones) are dynamically dimmed, or switched off completely, based on areas of light and dark in images. When a high number of local dimming zones are used, mini-LED TVs can display deep, detailed shadows, resulting in pictures that put them among the best TVs available today.
The best mini-LED TVs are generally bulkier and heavier than the best OLED TVs, which don’t require a backlight, though some high-end models from Samsung are almost impossibly thin. When we review TVs, we take design factors into account, but more importantly we test the set’s performance and features relative to models that use similar display technology. We measure the brightness, color accuracy and other elements of the picture using specialist equipment, as well making subjective judgments about the picture quality – you can read more about our process in our “How we test mini-LED TVs” section.
Prices for the best mini-LED TVs range from expensive to downright cheap, with several new manufacturers competing aggressively with established brands, so our reviews in this category place a strong weight on value. You may find different models are available in the US and UK for some manufacturers, so we’ve highlighted this were it’s relevant.The quick list
Want to cut to the chase and find out which mini-LED TVs are the best? Below, you’ll find a roundup of our choices. You can also jump to a more detailed review of every pick and our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.The best mini-LED TVs of 2024The best mini-LED TV overall
The Hisense U8N is the best mini-LED TV for most people when you take into account its picture and sound quality, features, gaming support, and value.
A main draw with this TV is its high brightness – we called it “astonishingly bright” in our review – which exceeds that of even more expensive TVs and makes it an excellent option for sports viewing. But the Hisense U8N is no one-trick pony, because its brightness is complemented by refined local dimming for deep and detailed shadows. This combination, along with the U8N’s support for both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats, make the U8N a great TV for watching movies as well,
The U8N is packed with features for a mid-range TV. Its 2.1.2-channel built-in speakers deliver clear dialogue and weighty bass, and there’s support for both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtrack formats. Gaming features include two HDMI 2.1 ports with support for up to 4K 144Hz and Dolby Vision gaming. For a smart TV system, the U8N runs Google TV in the US, and Hisense’s own VIDAA platform in other countries.
Hisense’s U8N is an outstanding value in the US, with a 65-inch model regularly priced at lower than $1,000, though it’s a more expensive proposition in the UK currently (but prices will keep falling). But even though the price you’ll pay in the UK is around the same as entry-level Samsung mini-LED TVs such as the Samsung QN85D, we still maintain that the U8N is the best all-around mini-LED TV for most people.
Read our full Hisense U8N review
^ Back to the topThe best budget mini-LED TV in the US
The Hisense U7N delivers solid picture quality and an excellent range of gaming features in a variety of sizes while keeping the price down – its 55-inch model has already fallen as low as $599.
The U7N’s rich detail and vibrant colors really shine when displaying 4K HDR sources, though we found in our review that it “looked good with whatever was thrown its way.” Black levels and contrast are surprisingly strong for a TV in this range. Viewing angles are limited and there is some backlight blooming, but at this price, the U7N more than outperforms.
For a budget TV, the Hisense U7N is stacked with gaming features, including 4K 144Hz support, VRR (with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM. That combined with a solid 13.1ms input lag time makes the U7N a great budget gaming TV. It does only come with two HDMI 2.1 ports, but that is one of the U7N’s few gaming setbacks.
The U7N also uses Google TV as its smart interface and carries a solid design. Combine all these elements with its affordable price tag, and the U7N comes out as the perfect option for those who want a mini-LED TV on a budget.
Read our Hisense U7N review
^ Back to the topThe best budget mini-LED TV in the UK
The TCL C805 comes in a wide variety of screen sizes and delivers brilliant picture quality, a near-full suite of gaming features and great performance at unbeatable value in the UK.
