Best QLED and Mini-LED TVs in 2026
Every Model Ranked
Updated April 2026
Quick Picks
Best Overall
Samsung QN90F
From $1,200
3,500 nits, 2,048 zones, Matte Display.
Best Value
TCL Q7C
From $550
Mini-LED under $600. 4K 120Hz.
Best Budget
Hisense U6N
From $350
Cheapest QLED worth buying.
Standard QLED vs Mini-LED QLED
Standard QLED uses a basic LED backlight (edge-lit or direct-lit) with a quantum dot colour layer. Mini-LED QLED uses thousands of tiny LEDs arranged in a dense grid, each zone dimmable independently. The result: Mini-LED has dramatically better local dimming, deeper blacks, and less blooming. The premium of $150-$300 for Mini-LED over standard QLED is almost always worth it for the picture quality improvement.
Every 2026 QLED Model
Samsung QN90F
Neo QLED Mini-LED
55": $1,200 | 65": $1,600
75": $2,300 | 85": $3,200
The QLED benchmark. 2,048 Mini-LED zones, 3,500 nits, Matte Display anti-glare, 4K 144Hz, and Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen 3 processor. Exceptional in bright rooms, excellent for gaming, and the anti-glare coating is a genuine game-changer for sunny living rooms.
Samsung QN85F
Neo QLED Mini-LED
55": $850 | 65": $1,100
75": $1,600 | 85": $2,200
Solid Mini-LED with 720 zones and 1,800 nits. Supports 4K 120Hz with VRR. A step down from QN90F in brightness and zone count but a meaningful step up from budget QLEDs. Good for moderately bright rooms.
TCL QM891G
Mini-LED QLED
55": $1,000 | 65": $1,300
75": $1,800 | 85": $2,500
TCL's flagship Mini-LED packs 2,300 zones, more than the Samsung QN90F, at a lower price. 3,200 nits brightness, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. Excellent value if you want top-tier Mini-LED without paying Samsung premium pricing.
Hisense U8N
Mini-LED ULED
55": $750 | 65": $1,000
75": $1,350 | 85": $1,900
3,000 nits and 1,500 zones at prices that undercut everyone. Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 4K 144Hz, and Hisense's Hi-View Engine X processor. The best value proposition in Mini-LED for 2026.
TCL Q7C
Mini-LED QLED
55": $550 | 65": $700
75": $950 | 85": $1,300
The best TV you can buy under $600 at 55 inches. 480 Mini-LED zones, 1,600 nits, 4K 120Hz, VRR, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. Motion handling is good for sports. The obvious pick for budget-conscious buyers who want Mini-LED quality.
Hisense U6N
Standard QLED
55": $350 | 65": $450
75": $600 | 85": $900
Not Mini-LED but a solid standard QLED with quantum dots for good colour. Dolby Vision support, Google TV, and remarkably good picture for the price. If your budget is truly limited, this is the best picture quality under $500.
Samsung QN85F (IPS)
Neo QLED Mini-LED (IPS)
55": $850 | 65": $1,100
75": $1,600 | 85": N/A
The IPS variant of the QN85F trades contrast for much wider viewing angles. If your seating arrangement has people watching from extreme angles, this is the QLED that handles it best. Trade-off: lower contrast than VA-based QLEDs.
Sony Bravia 9
Mini-LED
55": $1,800 | 65": $2,200
75": $3,200 | 85": N/A
Sony's Bravia XR processor combined with Mini-LED backlighting. 1,900 zones, exceptional upscaling and motion handling. Premium price but the processing is noticeably better than competitors. Dolby Vision support.
Best for Bright Rooms
Ranked by peak brightness and anti-glare performance.
| Rank | Model | Brightness | Anti-Glare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samsung QN90F | 3,500 nits | Matte Display (best in class) |
| 2 | TCL QM891G | 3,200 nits | Low-reflection coating |
| 3 | Hisense U8N | 3,000 nits | Low-reflection coating |
| 4 | Sony Bravia 9 | 2,800 nits | Standard anti-reflective |
| 5 | Samsung QN85F | 1,800 nits | Standard anti-reflective |
QLED Buying FAQ
Is Mini-LED worth the premium over standard QLED?
Yes. Mini-LED has dramatically better local dimming and deeper blacks. The $150-$300 premium is worth it. The TCL Q7C at $550 is a Mini-LED that costs less than many standard QLEDs.
Samsung vs TCL vs Hisense: which brand is best?
Samsung has the best anti-glare technology and ecosystem. TCL offers the most zones per dollar. Hisense provides the best brightness per dollar. For pure value, Hisense U8N or TCL Q7C. For premium features, Samsung QN90F.
Do I need 2,000+ dimming zones?
More zones mean less blooming and better contrast. Under 500 zones is fine for bright rooms but noticeable in dark scenes. 1,000+ zones provide excellent dark-scene performance. 2,000+ zones approach OLED-like contrast.
Should I get QLED or OLED?
QLED is better for bright rooms, sports, and budget buyers. OLED is better for dark rooms, movies, and gaming. If your budget is under $1,000, QLED is the only realistic option.