Are Hisense TVs suitable for gaming enthusiasts? Diving into the world of mid-range TVs can be a maze, but the Hisense U7H seems to stand out, especially for gamers on a budget.
Equipped with features like 4K HDR, VRR, and ALLM, we put it to the test on next-gen consoles. Here’s our honest review of how the Hisense U7H holds up for gaming.
6 reasons why Hisense TVs are good for gaming
For this review, I’m going to talk about the Hisense U7H, which supports 4K HDR and has gaming features like VRR and ALLM. I’ve tested the Hisense U7H on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Here are 6 aspects of the Hisense U7H to consider for gaming.
Bright and colorful picture
After setting up my Hisense TV, I was amazed at the picture quality. My Hisense TV, an LED model, has more pixels and displays over a billion vivid colors.
With its high pixel count, any 4K content viewed on it looks great.
What’s more, it can also upscale non-4K content on the screen to near 4K resolutions. Standard definition shows or channels look better on the Hisense TV than on non-4K TVs.
The TV supports Dolby Vision HDR, enhancing brightness and color in movies or shows on apps like Netflix and Disney Plus. However, like other non-OLED TVs, its black levels aren’t “jet black”. LED models can’t match OLED’s deep blacks.
But for a budget-friendly QLED TV, the contrast is decent enough.
Supports VRR and ALLM
When it comes to gaming, this particular Hisense TV ticks most of the boxes. This Hisense TV features a dedicated gaming mode that reduces input lag and optimizes the display for gaming.
This Hisense TV can display the latest games in high quality. It also supports 4K 120Hz, displaying the latest games at 4K resolution with 120 frames per second.
This Hisense TV supports features not found in many other affordable TVs. These are the Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
Games from the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 will use a variable refresh rate instead of a fixed frame rate, resulting in smoother gameplay and less stuttering.
A budget TV like this, supporting 4K VRR and ALLM, is excellent for gaming.
The input lag is not the best
As for the input lag, the Hisense TV is rated at 20 milliseconds. The Hisense TV isn’t as fast as many gaming-focused monitors and TVs. However, for casual play, its speed is adequate.
I’ve tried playing Modern Warfare 2 on it, but the experience was not satisfactory. Racing games and story-driven games, like The Last of Us, work well with this TV.
If you’re a dedicated gamer seeking the best performance, the Hisense TV might not meet your needs. For casual gamers, the Hisense TV suits most games.
The anti-glare screen works well
When I unboxed my Hisense TV for the first time, I immediately noticed the screen had a matte (anti-glare) coating. This means it will reduce reflections while watching during the day.
If you put the TV near a window, you might see reflections on sunny days. However, the anti-glare screen performs well in typical settings.
I find it easy to watch the TV directly or from a 20- to 30-degree angle.
At a 40-degree angle, the TV’s colors begin to fade. The anti-glare screen is a great feature; viewing the TV head-on gives the best experience. I’ve used other TVs, costing five to six times more, that didn’t match the quality of my Hisense TV.
Hisense TVs have different types of ports
The Hisense U7H has all the connectivity options you need for gaming.
I like that the Hisense U7H has two HDMI 2.1 inputs for 4K gaming at 120Hz. Note that one of these inputs is also an eARC port. Here are the ports on the back of the TV:
- 2x HDMI 2.1 (4K @ 120Hz, 1x HDMI ARC/eARC)
- 2x HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz)
- 1x USB 3.0
- 1x USB 2.0
- RF connection (cable/antenna)
- Ethernet (LAN) input
- Digital audio output (optical)
- Composite input (with adapter)
- 3.5mm audio jack
Hisense TVs have very loud speakers
The TV is compact but has impressively loud speakers. The TV supports DTS Virtual:X, ensuring clear and distortion-free sound. I often adjust the TV’s EQ settings.
You can adjust the bass on the TV.
You can also toggle Dialog Clarity ON or OFF. This lets you fine-tune the sound for your viewing. I believe this TV might have one of the first built-in equalizers.
In my tests, the volume level never had to exceed 20. Often, 15 was enough. This Hisense TV impresses me with its sound quality. If you prefer external sound, the TV offers eARC support.
You can connect an AVR or soundbar. It enhances gaming audio.
Should you buy a Hisense TV?
Finding a TV under $600 that has a Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, and HDMI 2.1 inputs for 4K gaming at 120Hz is tough.
In its price range, there’s no better gaming TV on the market than the Hisense U7H.
For TVs sized 55 or 65 inches, none in the $400 to $700 range offer such versatility. The Hisense U7H‘s top gaming features make it the top pick for budget-conscious gamers.
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