Hisense 55E78QTUK Televisions - Review and opinions
Is it worth it?
If you want a 55-inch living-room TV that gives you QLED colour, 4K detail and a straightforward smart-TV route without paying for a high-refresh gaming panel, the Hisense 55E78QTUK lands in a sensible middle ground. Its strongest pull is the mix of Quantum Dot Colour, Dolby Vision and a direct-lit full-array backlight, which gives it a clear edge over plain entry-level sets for films, sport and everyday streaming. The trade-off is just as clear: this is a 60 Hz screen, so it is not the set to buy if next-gen console gaming is the priority.
This is the sort of TV to buy for a main lounge or family room where picture richness and easy day-to-day use matter more than gaming credentials. It suits buyers who want a big 4K screen with stronger colour and HDR handling than basic LED models, plus built-in apps and voice control, and it is less convincing for anyone chasing 120 Hz motion or a cinema-first premium panel. The sound and setup story looks broadly positive, but the real decision turns on whether you value balanced all-round use over specialist performance.
| Screen size | 55 Inches |
|---|---|
| Panel type | QLED |
| Resolution | 4K |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
| Dimensions | 29.8D x 123.4W x 75.1H centimetres |
Picture that lifts everyday viewing
The QLED panel, 4K resolution and Quantum Dot Colour are the core picture story here, and they matter because they move the set beyond a plain living-room screen. In practice, that means more vivid colour for films, sharper-looking streaming and a better chance of making older TV content look respectable rather than flat.
The limitation is that this is still a 60 Hz television, so motion handling sits in the standard range rather than the premium one. That is fine for broadcast TV, box sets and most family viewing, but it keeps serious gaming and ultra-smooth sports chasing in the next category up.
Direct-lit backlight for room use
The direct-lit full-array design is the feature that gives the TV its practical edge in an ordinary room, because it is built to spread light more evenly across the panel. That helps the screen look more consistent from edge to edge and gives dark scenes a better base than a simple edge-lit budget set.
For a buyer, that matters most in mixed lighting where films, news and sport all share the same screen. It is a sensible compromise for a family lounge, though not a substitute for the deeper black control you would buy an OLED for.
Smart use without much faff
Wi‑Fi, Freely and the big streaming names make this a straightforward TV to live with, and the setup comments back up the idea that it gets out of the way quickly. The included remote and instructions also help keep the first install simple.
The practical upside is that it suits a household that wants to switch between live TV and apps without building a separate streaming stack. The downside is less about missing basics and more about tidiness, with some buyers finding the app side cluttered enough to notice.
Use evaluation
In a typical lounge setup, the first thing that matters is whether the picture earns the wall space, and this one does that through colour and clarity rather than outright premium contrast. The 55-inch size gives enough scale for films and sport, while the direct-lit full-array backlight and Quantum Dot Colour are the sort of combination that makes bright scenes look lively and dark scenes cleaner than you get from a basic budget set. For a buyer moving up from an older 1080p TV, the 4K panel and HDR support are the meaningful step change; for someone already used to a higher-end OLED, the more limited black-level ambition is the trade-off that keeps it in the mid-range lane.
For daily use, the smart side matters because this is the kind of TV that gets judged on how quickly it becomes part of the room routine. Wi‑Fi connectivity, Freely, Netflix, YouTube and Disney+ give it an easy path into normal streaming habits, and the repeated praise for simple setup and intuitive menus fits that role. The 60 Hz refresh rate keeps motion in the standard TV bracket rather than the gaming bracket, so it is a better match for films, live TV and casual sport than for fast console play. That makes the buying rule fairly clean: if your evenings are mostly streaming and broadcast viewing, the balance works; if you want a screen that doubles as a serious gaming display, this is the wrong lane.
The physical side also helps the case. At 123.4 cm wide and 29.8 cm deep, it is a substantial set, but the comments about it being surprisingly light and easy to mount matter because they reduce the usual hassle of a 55-inch install. The included stand, remote, cable and instructions cover the basics without extra shopping, and that keeps the first-hour friction low. The one caution worth keeping in mind is audio and app housekeeping: the built-in speakers are described as good by some and poor by others, while the presence of bloatware-style apps is a real annoyance for buyers who want a cleaner home screen from day one.
Pros
- Strong 55-inch 4K QLED picture for films, streaming and general family viewing.
- Direct-lit full-array design gives the screen a more even, confident look than a basic edge-lit set.
- Easy setup and light enough to mount without much fuss.
- Good value positioning for a TV with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and the main streaming apps.
Cons
- Only 60 Hz, so it is not the right pick for high-refresh gaming.
- Smart-TV clutter and bloatware can get in the way of a clean home screen.
- Built-in sound divides opinion, so a soundbar remains the safer route for buyers who care about audio.
- It does not promise the deep-black cinema punch of a premium OLED.
Community
User reviews
The overall pattern is easy to read: people are most satisfied when they want a big, sharp, good-value TV for normal viewing, and most frustrated when they expect cleaner software or more polished audio. The useful lesson is that this model wins on picture and value first, then asks you to accept a few small compromises in the smart-TV experience and speaker quality.
Fantastic tv. Good size and sharp and crisp picture. Price included wall mounting, and the tv cost was incredible. Certainly recommend this tv. Thanks.
I’ve been using this TV for over 6 months and I’m absolutely blown away by the picture quality. I own other, more expensive brands and honestly think the Hisense looks better, and it’s a few hundred pounds cheaper.
The kit is good and the TV is surprisingly light and easy to install. The delivery experience was less so, but the TV itself is great value.
Great picture and clear sound, only downside is inability to remove bloatware apps from the TV.
Comparison
| Attribute | Hisense 55E78QTUK Current | Hisense 50E78QTUK | TCL 50T6C-UK | Hisense 43E78QTUK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £329.00 | £299.00 | £279.00 | £249.00 |
| Screen size | 55 Inches | 50 Inches | 50 Inches | 43 Inches |
| Resolution | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Panel type | QLED | QLED | QLED | QLED |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth | - |
| Dimensions | 29.8D x 123.4W x 75.1H centimetres | - | - | 23.8D x 96.3W x 61.4H centimetres |
| Editorial score | 7.7/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.2/10 |
Against the Hisense 50E78QTUK and TCL 50T6C-UK, this 55E78QTUK makes sense if you want a larger 55-inch screen and the same general QLED 4K 60 Hz class without moving into a pricier tier. Those 50-inch rivals suit smaller rooms or tighter budgets, but this model is the better fit when the extra size matters more than saving a little on the purchase.
Compared with a gaming-first TV that offers 120 Hz and HDMI 2.1, this Hisense is the calmer, more everyday option. That makes it better for streaming, live TV and mixed household use, while the gaming route is more logical if smooth console motion and next-gen features are the main reason you are buying. If you want a living-room screen rather than a gaming display, this is the more balanced choice.
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Is the Hisense 55E78QTUK TV worth it?
The Hisense 55E78QTUK is a strong buy for anyone who wants a large, good-looking 4K TV for films, streaming and everyday family viewing without paying for specialist gaming hardware. Its mix of QLED colour, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Freely and simple setup makes it easy to recommend as a practical main-room set, and the current offer looks especially persuasive if you value picture size and convenience over premium-panel bragging rights.
Skip it if you want 120 Hz gaming, cleaner software or the deepest possible black levels, because those are the places where the compromises show. For buyers who mainly want a balanced 55-inch TV with strong value and a straightforward living-room experience, this is the better route; for everyone else, especially gamers and cinema purists, there are clearer alternatives.
FAQ
Is this a good TV for console gaming?
It is fine for casual play, but the 60 Hz panel keeps it out of the serious gaming category.
Does it work well as a main family-room TV?
Yes, the 55-inch QLED screen, Wi‑Fi apps and easy mounting make it a sensible all-round lounge choice.