5 of the Best QLED TVs You Can Buy in 2026 (So Far)

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Television technology is constantly evolving and advancements are happening faster than ever. It seems like just yesterday the world was losing its mind over LED backlighting, whether edge-lit or full-on. It was hard to imagine that LED TVs would become brighter or more colorful, but brands like TCL, Hisense, and Samsung weren’t content to rest on their laurels. So, we now have Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode TVs, or QLED for short.

Quantum dots are charged nanoparticles arranged in a grid. When LEDs shine light onto the particles, a chemical reaction occurs that increases the overall brightness of the panel. Dots also increase color volume, making many scenes more vibrant and realistic. Believe it or not, QLED technology is already a relic; Most LED TV manufacturers are focusing on mini RGB LEDs, at least for 2026.

You will still be able to buy QLED TVs; the fanfare around imaging technology is just beginning to die down. That is, unless you’re TCL, a renowned TV maker that bucked tradition in 2026 by doubling down on QLED technology. The first of the five QLED TVs we’ll talk about is a TCL model that uses what the manufacturer calls “super quantum dots.”

TCL is no stranger to industry-lauded TVs, and high-end models like the TCL QM7L are some of the best QLEDs on the market. Available in multiple sizes, the QM7L offers exceptional image quality at a reasonable price; the 65-inch has a list price of $1,500, and you’ll often find discounts (at the time of writing, the set was marked down to $1,200 on Amazon). New for 2026 is TCL’s Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology, introduced to improve color brightness.

This is in addition to technologies like TCL’s AIPQ Pro processor, which uses AI to optimize picture quality in real time, and 2,100 local dimming zones. The QM7L also uses Mini LED lighting, allowing you to watch in a well-lit room without much hassle (the VA panel also does a decent job of reducing glare). The QM7L also supports up to 144Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 on two inputs, making it a great choice for gaming.

More than 60 Amazon users have written about the QM7L, giving the TV a 4.2 out of 5 stars. The overwhelming majority favor the QLED’s stunning visuals, but one reviewer’s TV began experiencing audio issues after just two years of use. That said, we don’t think this is reason enough to start worrying about TCL’s quality control.

Hisense often comes second to TCL, and vice versa when the former takes first prize. The Hisense U8QG is a 2025 version that you can still find brand new. This is also last year’s flagship set, and it offers truly unparalleled brightness. PCMag measured 3,200 nits for an 18% window in HDR; This is one of the brightest QLED TVs we’ve ever heard of!

The U8QG ditches traditional LEDs for smaller mini LEDs, which makes colors pop. The TV also features a native 165Hz refresh rate, full HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and support for all major HDR formats, including HDR10+. We also appreciate the USB-C port, which can be used as a DisplayPort connection for gaming PCs. You’ll notice a bit of glow when looking at the screen off-center, but it’s not as bad as other LED halos we’ve seen.

More than 700 Amazon buyers have written about the U8QG, earning the TV a 4.3 out of 5 star rating. Most people like the bright, vivid picture the TV produces, but one user was disappointed with Google TV’s operating system. Another user mentioned that Dolby Vision content looks dark and washed out; However, the review was released in February this year. Hisense may have released a software update to resolve the issue.

Samsung offers a wide range of TVs, from entry-level LED models to award-winning QD-OLED TVs like the Samsung S95H. Today, however, we’re going to highlight one of the brand’s mid-range QLED TV options: the Samsung QN80H. Why should you like this TV? Out of the box, the QN80H delivers impressive maximum brightness and stunning SDR color accuracy.

The TV is no slouch for HDR either; TechRadar measured over 1,100 nits using the TV’s Movie and Cinematographer mode presets. The QN80H also has a native refresh rate of 144Hz, which can be increased to 240Hz, but at the cost of 4K visuals (the TV will need to upgrade to 1080p). Something to keep in mind: the QN80H doesn’t have the best handling of reflections, which can impact your overall HDR experience.

What do people like you and me have to say about the QN80H? Mostly good things. On Amazon, the TV has a 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 40 reviews. Most of these reviews were 5-star, but one 1-star blurb caught our eye: This individual dealt with dead pixels right out of the box on two 55-inch QN80H TVs, back to back. When you buy yours, be sure to check and test its functionality.

Roku may be best known for its streaming devices, but the company also makes TVs. There are a few models you can choose from, and the Roku Pro series is one of the best. Offering up to 4K/120Hz, the Pro Series comes in three sizes (55, 65, and 75 inches) and features HDMI 2.1 on two of its four inputs. It’s also one of the only mid-range TVs with a USB-C port on the market, and it can decode all mainstream HDR formats.

One of the strengths of the Pro series is its vibrant image quality. The TV’s quantum dots help enhance HDR highlights, and its wide color gamut delivers rich, lifelike visuals on everything from old TV shows to brand new 4K movies. The Pro Series gets bright enough to avoid some glare, but the panel struggles with direct reflections; It might be worth investing in blackout curtains for an unruly window.

Best Buy shoppers gave the Pro Series (65-inch) a 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 100 reviews. Our friends at CNET also praised the TV and praised its contrast levels and streaming features.

Vizio was once a brand that could be found wherever TVs were sold, but Hisense and TCL pushed it out of the spotlight. Walmart also bought the company in 2024, so you’ll now only find Vizio TVs at Walmart and Sam’s Club. That said, when it comes to budget QLED sets, we were particularly impressed with the Vizio VQM55C-10. This model features a layer of quantum dots and uses Mini LED lighting. Expect a bright image with rich colors.

Like the Hisense U8QG mentioned earlier, the VQM55C only has three HDMI ports, but all three are HDMI 2.1 certified. The TV is limited to 60Hz, but it supports variable refresh rate and has fairly low input lag (less than 10 milliseconds). It might not be the best TV for gaming, but it’s definitely one of the cheaper options. Additionally, the VQM55C doesn’t skimp on HDR support; all three major formats can be decoded, including HDR10+.

On Walmart’s site, the 55-inch Vizio VQM55C earned 4.4 out of 5 stars based on more than 280 user reviews, most of which are 5 stars. People like the low cost, excellent picture quality, and simple setup, but it’s worth pointing out that Vizio uses its own smart TV platform (Vizio OS), which doesn’t support as many apps as systems like Google TV or Roku OS.

It’s funny to think that TV manufacturers have already adopted new and improved technology when it comes to LED panels. QLED technology isn’t as revolutionary as it was three years ago, to the point where only TCL is championing its benefits. But if you like a bright, colorful picture that can fit in a bright room, a QLED TV is worth considering.

When choosing TVs for this list, we didn’t include any models that received less than 4 stars on sites like Amazon and Best Buy. We also relied on proven TV companies and referenced both user feedback and hands-on professional reviews to inform each article.