Last Updated on June 20, 2023 by Tim Wells
If you’ve been shopping for a new Android TV anytime recently, you’ve likely come across Hisense already. And you probably hadn’t heard of them before that, right?
It turns out, you’ve probably been seeing their products for years without realizing it. Hisense has, at one point or another, manufactured TV’s for brands like Toshiba, RCA and Sharp.
Today, I want to take a look at the current Hisense Android TV’s, and figure out what makes one different than another.
Since Hisense makes one of the least expensive Android TV’s on the market, it’s an easy (and inexpensive) way to get started with Android TV.
Let’s get started.
Android TV on Hisense TV’s
While most specs will vary pretty significantly between Hisense models, their take on Android TV doesn’t.
All current Hisense Android TV’s come standard with Android 9.0 Pie. Furthermore, they all come standard with 1.5 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage space.
That’s not a lot of RAM, so I wouldn’t expect as snappy a response as your NVIDIA Shield. Native Android gaming may also be a challenge.
However, that should be more than enough for streaming apps and services.
Overview of Features
| Feature | H55 Series | H65 Series | H8 Series | H9 Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Resolution | 720p / 1080p | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Screen | LCD | LCD | ULED | ULED |
| Native Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Motion Rate | 120 | 120 | 240 | 480 |
| Brightness | – | – | 700 nits | 1000 nits |
| DTS Studio Sound | Yes | |||
| DTS Virtual X | Yes | |||
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes | ||
| Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| HDR | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| HDR10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| HDR10+ | Yes | Yes | ||
| HLG | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| RAM | 1.5 GB | 1.5 GB | 1.5 GB | 1.5 GB |
| Storage | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| HDMI Ports | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Ethernet Port | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| USB 2.0 Ports | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Composite Video | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Digital Audio Port | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sizes | 32″, 43″ | 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 70″, 75″, 85″ | 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″ | 55″, 65″ |
Current Hisense Android TV Models
“What’s the difference between this TV and that TV?”
Back when I worked in an electronics store, that was one of the hardest questions to answer. It was harder still when both TV’s were the same brand.
No matter what brand you’re looking at (Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, etc.), there are subtle differences between the models that can sometimes add hundreds of dollars to the price.
Sure, the top-of-the-line model may be better…but do you need the features that make it better?
In this section, I’m going to help you answer that question.
We’re going to cover the entire lineup of Hisense Android TV’s, and explain what you’re getting when you step up from one series to the next.
To help explain it better, I’m going to use a “good, better, best” model.
Since Hisense has four series of televisions that use Android TV, I’m also going to add a “basic” category at the low-end.
Let me be clear: the “best TV” is only the best Android TV that Hisense makes, not necessarily the best in the market. We’re solely looking at Hisense TV’s here.
“Basic” Android TV: Hisense H55 Series (32″ & 43″)
Starting at the low end, the Hisense H55 series is one of the cheapest ways to get a new Android TV’s today. Starting at only $149, you’ll get Android TV 9.0, Google Assistant and a pretty nice voice remote control.
Unfortunately, to help get to that low price-point, you only get HD resolution.
The 32H5500G outputs 720p resolution over a 32″ screen, while the 43H5500G is has a 1080p resolution and a 43″ screen.
For many people, that may sound like a deal-breaker. However, these TV’s small sizes make it less of an issue than you might think.
Image quality on the 32″ was really good for the price. It’s not going to replace your high-end 4K TV. But unless you’re staring at an image, trying to pick out the individual hairs on someone’s head, you’re probably not going to think about it.
Audio options are limited, as you’d expect. DTS Studio Sound is included. However, you won’t see any of the Dolby formats until you go higher in the Hisense range.
Similarly, system RAM is limited to only 1.5 GB, and you only get 8 GB of storage (about 4.5GB usable).
You’ve still got access to the Google Play Store, so you can install thousands of apps and games. However the amount of storage you get means you’ll need to be selective, or you’ll need to free up space pretty often.
With all that in mind, I would only recommend the Hisense H55 series for smaller areas like a kitchen, office or a kid’s room.
See the full spec sheet here (pdf file).
You should buy it if: You need a smaller, basic TV and don’t care about having 4K resolution.
You should move up if: You want 4K playback or a 50″ TV (or bigger).
For around the price of an NVIDIA Shield, you could have a 32" HD-TV running Android TV. The Hisense H55 series of Android TV's come in either 32" or 43" screen sizes.
“Good” Android TV: Hisense H65 Series (43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 70″, 75″ & 85″)
In my opinion, most people will find their decision coming down to either the H65 series or the H8 series.
The H65 series comes in by far the most number of screen sizes, from 43″ all the way up to 85″. It offers the same LCD screen as the H55 series, but ups the ante to a full 4K resolution.
As you might expect, image quality is noticeably better. With Dolby Vision, images are sharper and you can start to notice little details in the image that you couldn’t in the H55 series.
Overall brightness is good, but not great. Although the H65 has HDR10, it only outputs at 260 nits. In my opinion, that really limits what HDR can do, and is one of the main reasons to upgrade to the H8 series.
Audio is improved and now includes DTS Virtual X. That simulates surround without needing a room-full of speakers.
Unfortunately, there’s no change to the amount of system RAM or storage that you get upgrading to the H65. You’re still limited to 1.5 GB RAM and 8 GB of storage space.
I think the H65 series is an awesome choice for budget-conscious shoppers who want a larger, 4K TV without spending a fortune.
See the full spec sheet here (pdf file).
You should buy it if: You want 4K resolution still at a great price-point, or the biggest TV in the Hisense lineup.
You should move up if: You want better HDR picture quality or Dolby Atmos.
The Hisense H65 series of Android TV's is available from 43″ all the way up to a massive 85″ screen. Each boasts 4K resolution, HDR10 and Dolby Vision for amazing picture quality at an extremely affordable price.
“Better” Android TV: Hisense H8 Android TV (50″, 55″, 65″ & 75″)
If you find yourself wanting a little more than the H65 series provides, then you’re going to love the H8 series. It’s a huge leap forward in picture quality compared to the H65 without a huge increase in price.
The H8 series is the first TV we’ve seen so far that has Hisense’s Quantum Dot technology. If you’re familiar with Samsung’s QLED TV’s, Quantum Dot uses the same technology.
They use incredibly small particles that are intermixed in an LCD screen to enhance the brightness. I’ve got to say, they really make the picture look like it’s jumping off the screen.
That extra brightness comes at a cost however.
The H8 series doesn’t handle grays as well as some other TV’s I’ve seen. The black levels are very good, but transitions from black to dark gray to lighter grays are more noticeable.
That said, the overall HDR experience is great for the price.
The H8 has Dolby Vision and HDR10, similar to the H65 series, but it adds HDR10+. It has a brightness level of around 700 nits. That’s less than the H9 series, but on par with other TV’s in this price range.
Audio gets an upgrade as well with Dolby Atmos support. Power output is still only 10 watts out of two speakers, so you won’t be able to crank it. Still, it’s nice to know that you don’t need to buy a soundbar with this TV.
There are a couple of drawbacks however.
Unfortunately the native refresh rate is only 60 Hz. To compensate for that it’s firmware can enhance that up to a Motion Rate of 240.
Finally, the Hisense H8 series has the same 1.5 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage space as the other Android TV’s in the lineup.
Overall, this is the sweet spot in the Hisense Android TV lineup. If I had to choose a model for my living room, it would be the H8 series.
See the full spec sheet here (pdf file).
You should buy it if: You’re looking for the most well-rounded TV in the lineup.
You should move up if: You need the fastest response time there is and don’t care so much about overall size.
My favorite Android TV checks all the boxes: 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. It gives you terrific, top-tier performance for hundreds less than an equivalent Sony or LG TV.
“Best” Android TV: Hisense H9 Android TV (55″ & 65″)
The Hisense H9 series takes what makes the H8 series a really great, affordable TV and turns it up a notch.
The two series of TV’s are very similar. Both have Dolby Vision, which their Samsung competition lacks, and HDR10+ for great image quality. Both have Dolby Atmos for amazing sound.
HDR picture quality is improved on the H9 series by increasing the brightness to 1000 nits – almost a third higher than on the H8.
The biggest improvement for me, personally, is the native refresh rate.
The H9 series is the only Hisense Android TV with a native 120 Hz refresh rate. Software further enhances that to a Motion Rate of 480.
Unfortunately, the H9 series is only available in two sizes: 55″ and 65″ and there’s a considerable price jump from the equivalent H8 series model.
However, if you’re in the market for the best Hisense Android TV, with amazing picture quality and a 120 Hz refresh rate, then this is the TV for you.
See the full spec sheet here (pdf file).
You should buy it if: You’re a sports enthusiasts or gamer who watches a lot of fast-moving content. Also consider the Hisense H9 if you have a bright room and need the brightest TV there is.
You should NOT buy it if: You want a larger screen size then you should stick to the H8 Series. You’re limited to 65″ max.
Hisense's H9 series of Android TV comes in either 55" or 65" and offers similar performance to Sony & LG TV's costing hundreds of dollars more. This TV has a native 120 Hz refresh rate so fast--moving sports and action movies look amazing!
Conclusion
If you haven’t heard of Hisense TV’s, then you’re missing out. They’re easily one of the best values in televisions, never mind one with Android TV built in.
With sizes starting at 32″ and going all the way up to 85″, it’s easy to find a size that fits your room. But the best part for me is that “perfect size” TV will usually end up costing much less than many of it’s competitors.
Hisense is driving to be the best value you can get in an Android TV.
So far, I think they’re doing a great job.
After a brief hiatus from the industry he's back at the helm of AndroidTVNews.com to bring Android TV and TV boxes to the forefront of the streaming world.
When he's not writing, he spends as much time as he can with his beautiful wife and his bulldog.
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