I recommend this mini-LED TV to anyone looking for the best value for money

ZDNET's key takeaways

• The Hisense U8N is regularly priced at between $1,099 and $2,799.
• The U8N has a 144Hz native refresh rate and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, making it a great TV for console gaming.
• Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision deliver enhanced picture quality with virtual surround sound for an immersive experience.

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If you're a console gamer or entertainment enthusiast seeking a high-quality, dedicated TV, the Hisense U8N is an excellent choice. With a 144Hz native refresh rate, motion blur is practically nonexistent. The TV is also equipped with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, which helps prevent screen tearing and stuttering. If those aren't enough reasons to pick up the TV, you can get the Hisense U8N right now at Best Buy for the 85-inch version for $1,710.

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While I'm primarily a PC gamer, I do have a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, so I can keep up with platform exclusives and play party games with friends whenever the stars align (and we all have a Saturday free.) My main TV is an older 50-inch Samsung TU7000, which is fine for gaming. The Hisense U8K I previously tested has pride of place in the master bedroom, where it's mostly used as a glorified YouTube and Netflix box. Even though the 2023 Hisense U8K served me well, the U8N definitely has it beat. 

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Right away, you'll notice the bright, bold colors and deep contrast the mini LED panel offers, even in Google TV's dynamic home menus. Setting up the U8N is quick and simple, just like its predecessor. If you don't install the pedestal base backward at first, as I did, you can go from box to streaming or gaming in about 15 minutes. 

I appreciate the pedestal foot more than the traditional TV feet, as it definitely feels more sturdy and durable. This is necessary since the 65-inch TV is a heavy model, so the 75- and 85-inch models require even more reliable support.  

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I have my Switch set up in my office/gaming room, and the PS5 is in the main living room because I also use it as a Blu-ray/DVD player for my extensive physical media collection, excluding music CDs, which is a topic for another article. While I could easily move the consoles around the house, especially the Switch, since it's quite literally designed to be a mobile game device, it's still a hassle to unhook everything, untangle the cables, and move it all without tripping over the cats. 

The U8N helps address this issue by supporting the PlayStation Remote Play app. This app allows you to play your PS5 or PS4 games anywhere, as long as you have a controller and a stable Wi-Fi connection. 

Since my console was located in the next room, and I have a robust mesh network set up for work, I was pleasantly surprised at just how well the remote play app works. Aside from a few visual artifacts upon launch as the connection stabilized, I would have had difficulty distinguishing between remote and console-direct gameplay. 

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And though I'm sure the lag would be more difficult to deal with if I were across the country or traveling internationally, I'd be willing to put up with it for the novelty of putzing around Cyberpunk 2077 in my hotel room after a day on the beach or exploring a real city with a disappointing lack of free junk laying around to pick up and sell for extra cash.

Pairing an old PlayStation 4 DualShock controller with the Hisense TV via Bluetooth was simple enough. As long as the battery is charged or you're plugged into a USB power source, there shouldn't be any connectivity issues. Setting up the remote play connection was about as easy as it could get: just go to [Settings], select the [System] tab, then [Remote Play], where you'll find the toggle button to enable remote play for your console. 

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Playing games on my Nintendo Switch was a perfect opportunity to see just what the Hisense U8N's QLED panel was capable of regarding color accuracy and contrast. Many Nintendo titles have brightly colored visuals and distinct art styles that are best appreciated on a full TV screen, and the Hisense U8N didn't disappoint. 

I was finally able to pick up a digital copy of Super Mario Bros Wonder, and the U8N did an incredible job of rendering the radically different art styles and color palettes. From dark purples of subterranean caves and the deep blacks of space to warm desert tones and crisp blues of icy passages, the TV handled each level beautifully. I spent countless minutes just admiring the background details and flavor animations between badge challenges and collecting every level star. 

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I also did a quick Hades run on the Switch, which helped show off the U8N's deep contrast with the harsh, dark art style, as well as the TV's built-in audio, which was pleasantly clear. The built-in speakers handle in-game dialogue wonderfully, delivering crisp audio that is easy to understand, even without subtitles. 

And the game's gorgeous, sweeping soundtrack and heavy, satisfying battle sound effects helped test the limits of the TV's Dolby Atmos capabilities. You'll definitely get your money's worth if you dislike wearing a headset for console gaming, but I suggest investing in a dedicated gaming speaker system, such as the SteelSeries Arena 9, if you want to maximize your audio experience. 

ZDNET's buying advice

Even if you aren't a big console gamer, the Hisense U8N is an excellent TV for streaming movies, music, and TV shows, thanks to its bold colors and contrast, as well as immersive audio. With a 144Hz refresh rate, you'll get smoother motion during fast-paced movie and game scenes as well as live sports broadcasts. 

Dolby Atmos support provides virtual surround sound without the need for a headset or an expensive home audio setup, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR helps prevent screen tearing and stuttering. 

The U8N is available in screen sizes ranging from 55 to 85 inches, typically retailing from $1,100 to $2,800. While this is on the more expensive side, the Hisense U8N packs plenty of premium-grade features to make it a worthwhile investment, especially if you are looking for a TV that you won't have to replace in five years.  

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