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The Hisense QD5 is one of the cheapest ways to put a 98-inch screen on your wall. The 2025 98-inch model (98QD5QG) pairs quantum dot color with a 144-hertz (Hz) panel and Google TV, and Best Buy has repeatedly sold it for around $900 to $1,000. This Hisense QD5 review explains what you actually get for that money, where the original marketing overpromises, how the different QD5 models differ, and which budget quantum dot TVs on Amazon you should compare before buying.
Quick verdict: The 98-inch QD5 gives you a giant 4K screen, a fast 144Hz panel for gaming, and broad high dynamic range (HDR) support at a price that undercuts almost everything else this size. It has no local dimming and modest brightness, so contrast and HDR punch fall well short of Mini light-emitting diode (Mini-LED) TVs. Buy it for size per dollar, not for picture quality. Check the Hisense 98-inch QD5 price on Amazon.
Hisense QD5 at a glance
| Spec | Hisense 98-inch QD5 (98QD5QG) |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 98-inch class (97.5 inches diagonal) |
| Display type | Quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) liquid crystal display (LCD), 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) |
| Backlight | Direct full-array backlight with no local dimming |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz native; Motion Rate 480 with motion estimation and motion compensation (MEMC) |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision Gaming, HDR10, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) |
| Gaming | Variable refresh rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and AMD FreeSync Premium |
| Inputs | Four High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2.1 ports; enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) on HDMI 1 |
| Audio | 50-watt 2.1-channel speakers with Dolby Atmos decoding |
| Smart platform | Google TV, with Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, and Amazon Alexa support |
| Wireless | Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Size and weight | About 86.1 inches wide; 120.2 pounds without the stand |
| Price | List price around $2,300; Best Buy sales of $899.99 to $999.99 in 2025 and 2026 |
Specs come from the Hisense 98QD5QG specification sheet, with lab context from RTINGS’ 98QD5QG review.
Which Hisense QD5 is which?
Hisense uses the QD5 name for its entry-level QLED series, and the lineup changes every year. Before you buy, check the model number, because the three versions differ a lot:
- QD5N (2024): A Google TV model sold in 43- to 65-inch sizes in the U.S., with a 60Hz panel and four HDMI ports. Best Buy sold the 65-inch for $329.99 during sales.
- 98QD5QG (2025): The 98-inch Google TV model this review focuses on, and the only QD5 with a 144Hz panel.
- QD5SR (2026): The newest QD5 switches to the Roku TV platform. According to Hisense’s specs, it uses a full-array backlight rated at 280 nits, a 60Hz panel, and three HDMI 2.0 ports. Best Buy dropped the 55-inch to $199.99 in October 2026.
The original version of this review described the QD5 only as a 98-inch TV. That’s true of the 2025 model, but if you shop for a 55- or 65-inch QD5, you’ll get a much simpler 60Hz TV.
Design and setup
A 98-inch TV changes a room. The 98QD5QG measures about 86 inches wide and weighs over 120 pounds, so plan for two or three people to unbox and mount it. Owners report that the stand feet span about 70 inches, which means you need a very long media console, and wall mounting requires a heavy-duty mount that fits its 800 x 400 millimeter VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) pattern. A heavy-duty 98-inch TV wall mount is worth checking before delivery day.
Also measure your doorways, stairwells, and elevator before you order. The shipping box is much larger than the TV itself. For more giant-screen options and planning tips, see our guide to 100-inch TVs.
Picture quality
The QD5 uses quantum dots, which help it produce more saturated colors than basic LED TVs. Hisense’s artificial intelligence (AI) 4K Upscaler sharpens lower-resolution content, which matters on a screen this big, where cable TV and older streams can look soft.
The biggest limitation is contrast. The original review listed “Full Array Local Dimming” as a key feature, but Hisense’s own specification sheet says the 98QD5QG has no local dimming. The backlight sits directly behind the panel, yet it can’t dim separate zones to darken black areas of the image. As a result, dark scenes look grayer, and HDR highlights lack punch.
RTINGS calls the 98QD5QG “a very basic 4K TV” and one of the cheapest TVs in its size range. In its comparison tool, RTINGS rates the much smaller TCL QM6K as “much better,” citing the TCL’s local dimming, stronger HDR brightness, and lower motion blur. That’s the trade-off in plain terms: the QD5 sells size, not premium picture quality.
Gaming performance
Gaming is the 98-inch QD5’s strongest feature. Its native 144Hz panel and four HDMI 2.1 ports let a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X run at 120 frames per second (fps), and a gaming personal computer (PC) can push up to 144fps. VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium reduce screen tearing, ALLM switches to game mode automatically, and Dolby Vision Gaming support helps Xbox players. Hisense’s Game Bar lets you check frame rate and adjust settings without leaving your game.
RTINGS notes more motion blur than on the TCL QM6K, so fast action won’t look as crisp as on pricier TVs. Still, few TVs this size offer 144Hz for anywhere near this price.
Smart features and sound
Google TV gives you every major streaming app, personalized recommendations, and Google Assistant voice control. The QD5 also works with Apple AirPlay, Apple Home, and Amazon Alexa, so it fits into almost any smart home.
The 50-watt 2.1-channel speakers include a built-in subwoofer channel and decode Dolby Atmos, which beats most budget TVs. However, built-in speakers can’t fill a room the way a 98-inch picture does. Hisense’s own soundbars or Dolby Atmos soundbars under $500 on Amazon make a sensible upgrade.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Huge 98-inch screen for about $900 to $1,000 on sale
- Native 144Hz panel with VRR and FreeSync Premium
- Four HDMI 2.1 ports
- Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- Google TV with AirPlay, Alexa, and Apple Home support
- Stronger built-in speakers than most budget TVs
Cons
- No local dimming, so blacks look gray in dark scenes
- Limited HDR brightness
- More motion blur than Mini-LED rivals
- Very heavy and wide, with a stand that needs a long console
- Smaller QD5 models are far more basic 60Hz TVs
Hisense QD5 vs. other budget QLED TVs
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the QD5’s closest big-screen rivals and several budget QLED TVs in smaller sizes. Here’s how they compare:
Compare similar budget QLED TVs on Amazon
| TV | Sizes | Backlight | Refresh rate | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense QD5 (98QD5QG) | 98 inches | Direct full-array, no local dimming | 144Hz | The cheapest 98-inch gaming screen | Check price |
| Hisense QD6 | 43 to 100 inches | Direct-lit QLED | 60Hz | Fire TV fans who want a 100-inch option | Check price |
| Hisense QD7 | 50 to 100 inches | Mini-LED with local dimming | 60Hz (50 to 65 inches); 144Hz (85 inches and up) | Better contrast without a big price jump | Check price |
| TCL QM6K | 50 to 98 inches | Quantum dot Mini-LED with local dimming | Up to 144Hz | The best picture for the money | Check price |
| Samsung Q7F | 43 to 85 inches | Direct-lit QLED | 60Hz (most sizes) | Samsung’s interface and support | Check price |
- Hisense QD6: The 100-inch QD6 runs Fire TV and costs more than the 98-inch QD5, but it lacks the QD5’s 144Hz panel. See the 100-inch Hisense QD6 on Amazon.
- Hisense QD7: It adds Mini-LED local dimming for noticeably deeper blacks, and the larger sizes keep 144Hz gaming. See the Hisense QD7 on Amazon.
- TCL QM6K: RTINGS rates it much better than the 98-inch QD5 for picture quality. The 98-inch version costs more, but its smaller sizes are bargains. See the TCL QM6K on Amazon.
- Samsung Q7F: A simple, reliable QLED for buyers who prefer Samsung. For a step up, read our Samsung Q8F review. See the Samsung Q7F on Amazon.
Shopping for a smaller QLED instead? Our roundup of the best 55-inch TVs under $500 includes several QLED models that outperform the 55-inch QD5.
Who should buy the Hisense QD5?
Buy the 98-inch QD5 if you want the biggest possible screen for the least money, especially for sports, gaming, and watch parties in a room you can darken. Its 144Hz panel makes it a fun console and PC gaming screen, and it also suits basements, game rooms, and covered patio bars.
Skip it if you care about deep blacks and bright HDR. In that case, a Mini-LED TV like the TCL QM6K or Hisense QD7 will look far better, even in a smaller size. And if you’re looking at the 55- or 65-inch QD5, compare it with the Hisense QD6 and TCL QM6K first, since those models offer more for similar money.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Hisense QD5 have local dimming?
No. The 98-inch 98QD5QG uses a direct full-array backlight, but Hisense’s specification sheet confirms it has no local dimming.
Is the Hisense QD5 a 120Hz TV?
The 98-inch model has a native 144Hz panel, so it handles 120fps console games and up to 144fps on a PC. The smaller 2024 and 2026 QD5 models use 60Hz panels.
Does the Hisense QD5 run Fire TV or Google TV?
The 2024 QD5N and the 2025 98-inch QD5 run Google TV. The 2026 QD5SR models run Roku TV. Hisense’s Fire TV models in this price range are the QD6 and QD7.
How much does the 98-inch Hisense QD5 cost?
Its list price sits around $2,300, but Best Buy has sold it for $899.99 to $999.99 several times in 2025 and 2026. Prices change often, so check current deals.
Final verdict
The Hisense QD5 is a value play, plain and simple. The 98-inch model gives you a massive 4K screen, a real 144Hz gaming panel, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and Google TV for roughly what many brands charge for a good 75-inch TV. It can’t match Mini-LED rivals for contrast or HDR, and the original claim of local dimming was wrong. If screen size matters most, it’s hard to beat. Check the current Hisense 98-inch QD5 price on Amazon.
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