Best Mini-LED TV

Brightness is the most heavily weighted criterion because it is the defining advantage of Mini-LED technology. Buyers choosing Mini-LED over OLED are typically doing so because they need a TV that performs well in bright environments or want the most impactful HDR highlights possible.

The Samsung QN90C scores 10/10 for brightness. It reaches approximately 2000 nits in a 10% HDR window, which is the highest of any Mini-LED TV at this price point. This brightness level makes HDR content genuinely impactful. Specular highlights in films, sunlight in nature documentaries and explosions in games all benefit from this headroom. In a bright room, the picture remains vivid and clearly visible.

The Hisense U8K scores 8/10 with approximately 1500 nits. This is an impressive figure for the price and more than enough for most viewing environments. The TCL C845 scores 7/10 at approximately 1100 nits, which is solid for a Mini-LED TV but noticeably less punchy than the Samsung or Hisense in side-by-side comparisons. The Sony X90L scores 6/10 at approximately 1000 nits, the lowest in this comparison, though Sony's tone mapping algorithm makes efficient use of the available brightness.

Local dimming quality is rated critical because it directly determines how close a Mini-LED TV gets to OLED-like contrast. The number of dimming zones and the quality of the dimming algorithm both matter.

The Samsung QN90C scores 9/10 with over 600 dimming zones. Samsung's dimming algorithm is refined and aggressive, producing deep blacks in dark areas while maintaining bright highlights nearby. Blooming is minimal in normal viewing content, though it can occasionally be spotted during extreme test patterns like white text on a pure black background.

The Hisense U8K scores 8/10 with approximately 500 dimming zones and a competent dimming algorithm. The TCL C845 scores 7/10 with approximately 300 zones, which is fewer but still sufficient for good contrast in most content. Blooming is more noticeable on the TCL during dark scenes with bright objects. The Sony X90L scores 6/10 with approximately 200 zones, the fewest in this comparison, though Sony's processing does an admirable job of minimising blooming through intelligent zone control.

HDR performance encompasses tone mapping quality, format support and the overall impact of high dynamic range content. All four TVs support HDR10 and HLG. The Samsung supports HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision. The TCL and Hisense support both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The Sony supports Dolby Vision but not HDR10+.

The Samsung QN90C scores 9/10. Its raw brightness advantage makes HDR highlights the most impactful of any TV in this comparison. Samsung's HDR10+ processing is excellent, though the lack of Dolby Vision is a notable omission for Netflix and Apple TV+ content. The TCL C845 scores 8/10 with the broadest HDR format support and solid tone mapping. The Hisense U8K scores 7/10 with good HDR impact from its high brightness, though tone mapping can occasionally clip highlights. The Sony X90L scores 7/10 with the best tone mapping algorithm of the group, making the most of its lower brightness ceiling, and Dolby Vision support adds value for streaming.

The Samsung QN90C scores 9/10 for gaming. It is one of the best gaming TVs available at any price, with four HDMI 2.1 ports (the most in this comparison), approximately 5ms input lag in Game Mode, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and full 4K 120Hz support. The high brightness makes HDR gaming particularly impressive on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

The Sony X90L scores 8/10, with two HDMI 2.1 ports, good input lag and excellent motion handling that benefits fast-paced games. The TCL C845 scores 7/10 with two HDMI 2.1 ports and solid gaming specs, though input lag is slightly higher than the Samsung. The Hisense U8K scores 7/10 with capable gaming features and good brightness for HDR games, but its Game Mode processing is less refined than Samsung's or Sony's.

The TCL C845 scores 9/10 for value at approximately £699. It delivers solid Mini-LED performance with Dolby Vision support and 120Hz refresh rate at roughly half the price of the Samsung. For most viewers, the TCL provides an excellent Mini-LED experience without the premium price tag. The Hisense U8K scores 9/10 at approximately £649, offering the cheapest entry into Mini-LED with impressive brightness for the money.

The Sony X90L scores 7/10 at approximately £899, positioned as a mid-range option with Sony's superior processing but lower brightness and fewer dimming zones. The Samsung QN90C scores 7/10 at approximately £1199, justified by its class-leading brightness, dimming zones and anti-reflection technology, but it is nearly double the price of the budget options.