How much brightness do you need? That's a big question worth considering as TV makers ramp up the nits in what TV folks sometimes call “the brightness wars.” Hisense’s U8N, one of the brightest 4K HDR TVs of the season, is among the first recruits in this year’s battle to arrive on my doorstep. It boasts significantly higher peak brightness than its predecessor, the U8K (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which was one of 2023’s brightest TVs.
Part of the U8N’s arsenal is a “Peak Brightness” setting which can juice up whatever you’re watching to eye-popping levels (literally, it can bleed into discomfort in some settings). Luckily, it’s easy enough to shut off or adjust to enjoy the same fine-tuned mini LED backlighting and vivid quantum dot colors—things that have helped make the U8 series a top performer in any light.
Atomic brightness aside, there’s plenty to like about Hisense’s latest flagship TV. From its stylish new design and punchy picture to loads of gaming and smart features, the U8 series once again stakes an early claim as one of the best TVs in its class. If you're shopping for a new model (and especially if you watch in a sunlit room), this is a good option.
Updated September 17, 2024: This review applies to the 65-inch model we reviewed. The 55-inch model offers lower peak brightness, while the 75-inch model offers a different panel type. The 85 and 100-inch variations have similar brightness and should test similarly.
Better Style, Swifter Smarts
Due in part to its loaded full-array backlight system, the U8 series has always been a heavy lift. Its dapper new pedestal stand ups the ante even more. The thick metal plate adds 12 pounds to the package, pushing the 65-inch model I evaluated to over 68 pounds. It takes a bit more time to set up than last year’s easy-peasy screw-on feet.
The end result is worth the extra sweat, trading the duck-skate stands from previous models for a more elegant solution. The centered stand fits on nearly any console and includes a raised position for fitting a soundbar. The TV’s thick backplate gives way to a luxe look up front, with slim bezels and sharp lines that stand tall with pricier options from Samsung, Sony, LG, and others.
The U8N's Google TV operating system makes setting up network and smarts about as painless as possible between the Google Home mobile app and on-screen prompts that let you swiftly lock in apps and services. Signing in with a Google account lets you end-run some options like voice prompt personalization for Google Assistant commands, and you can use Google Photos as screen savers.