Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector: review
Want to take your beloved Nintendo Switch 2 on the road without the fear of damage and destruction? Well, the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector could be the ideal fit for you.
This package provides you with a case that can hold your Switch 2 console (including the Joy-Con 2 controllers), six game cartridges, and some smaller accessories, like Joy-Con straps, for example. Of course, you also get a screen protector thrown in for good measure – more on that later.
I want to start by discussing the case, which I found to be very solid indeed. It’s well finished, with the Switch 2 logo front and center, and aptly, it has red and blue colored handles on the two zips, which feel smooth and easy to do up. The case also has a pleasantly durable feel to it, and when dropping it a couple of times and giving it a good scratching, I couldn’t see even a spec of wear – that’s the sort of quality I’d expect from the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.
Inside, there are three compartments: one on each side of the case to hold the console, and another that can hold small accessories, with room for six cartridges above. Could there be a few more game card slots? Yes, but personally, six physical slots will be enough for me if I’m taking a short trip – there’s enough room for some party games like Mario Kart Worldand Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV, as well as a few single-player adventures.
(Image credit: Future)
The amount of storage in that third compartment is limited – you’re not gonna get your dock in here. I could fit a pair of earbuds or Joy-Con straps without issue, but if you’re hoping to store an item like a USB camera or the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, you might want to check out a larger option. One upside here is that the case remains slim and tight to the console, meaning you can easily slot it in a bag without worrying about it being too bulky.
I did generally really like this case, and I might use it instead of my official Nintendo Switch 2 All-in-One Carry Case if I'm not planning to play docked. But one thing I did realize is that it's very prone to fingerprints. Even when shooting the photos you see in this guide, I had to wipe it down a few times – it’s a small thing, but worth flagging.
As I mentioned earlier, this package also includes a screen protector, but I was feeling much less positive about this. You’ll have to temper your expectations here – after all, you’re not getting a tempered glass screen protector! Instead, it’s an anti-scratch piece of film, which is hardly the most protective option on the market.
You don’t get a frame to help apply the screen protector – you have to fit it freehand. But even though I lined it up pretty nicely, I still ran into some issues, like excessive air bubbles, which were a struggle to squeeze out. I put it through the same testing process as the Genki Aegis Shield, for example. And although my console got out unscathed, I would still recommend getting a tempered glass option for better protection and peace of mind.
(Image credit: Future)
Ultimately, I’m going to treat the screen protector more as an extra. The focus for me is on the case, which I consider to be good value, especially for UK and Aussie buyers who are spending £20.99 / AU$39.95 at most to get this model – I’ve already seen it on sale for less. In the US, availability appears to be inconsistent, and the proportionally higher $39.99 price tag is a bit of a shame.
Still, you’re getting a slim, well-finished, and durable case that’s ideal for taking on the go. And in the end, I think Nintendo's official case remains well worth considering.
Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector review: price & specs
Price
$39.99 / £20.99 / AU$39.95
Dimensions
13.4 x 5.6 x 1.7in / 340 x 142 x 42mm
Weight
310g
Number of game card slots
6
Compartments
3
Handle
No
Color
Black
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Sleek look with nice finish and durable build, but a little prone to fingerprints.
4/5
Storage
Could have some more game card slots, but for a slim case stores console and Joy-Con 2s effectively.
4/5
Value
A tad pricey in the US, but solid durability, good looks, and decent storage in this size class.
4/5
Buy it if…
You want a lightweight Switch 2 case If you don’t need a case that’s big enough to fit your dock, and you just need a lightweight option, then this model could be perfect for you. It's slim, stylish, and can easily slot into a bag for on-the-go play.
You want something with dashing looks A few of the third-party options we’ve tested here at TechRadar aren’t the prettiest, but personally, I’m a fan of how Nintendo’s official carrying case looks. The red and blue zip handles playfully contrast the case’s textured black exterior, and it's got a slightly curved look that’s very easy on the eye.
Don’t buy it if…
You want a great screen protector Sure, the screen protector here is functional, and it's a decent extra considering the moderate pricing of this package. But it's not the most durable protective layer on the market, and fitting it freehand isn’t ideal. I’d instead recommend checking out the DBrand Prism 2.0 for Nintendo Switch 2 or the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector separately.
You need everything to play in TV mode If you need a case that can fit all the gear for TV mode play, this ain’t it. Instead, I’d recommend picking up the official Nintendo Switch 2 All-in-One Carry Case, which can fit your dock, cables, console, a Pro Controller, and more with ease.
Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector review: also consider
Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case This one comes at quite the cost, but if you need one case for everything Switch 2, it doesn't get a whole lot better. With seven compartments custom-built for your dock, controllers, console, and more, you'll have oodles of space to play with. This case is pretty hardy too, and even comes with a handle for improved portability. It's the model I use the most, and if you like to play in TV mode, it will suit you to a T.
Nacon Protection Case XL for Nintendo Switch 2 OK, it isn't being sold in the United States just yet, but if the Nacon Protection Case XL is available in your region, I highly recommend it. It's got enough room to house all the gear for TV mode play, but it’s only a little more expensive than this slim model. Great value, great durability, and lots of storage – what more could you want?
How I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector
(Image credit: Future)
Tested over the course of multiple days
Took with me on public transport and to the office
Trialled by a Nintendo Switch 2 owner and life-long gamer
I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector over the course of a few days. I packed it with my Nintendo Switch 2 console, Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a charging cable, and it held out well, as expected.
In order to judge the case’s durability, I tried dropping it from a decent distance, and also gave the exterior a scratch. I then checked for any wear and tear after the testing period came to a close. Where appropriate, I compared this case to rivals on aspects like sturdiness and storage space.
Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector: review
Want to take your beloved Nintendo Switch 2 on the road without the fear of damage and destruction? Well, the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector could be the ideal fit for you.
This package provides you with a case that can hold your Switch 2 console (including the Joy-Con 2 controllers), six game cartridges, and some smaller accessories, like Joy-Con straps, for example. Of course, you also get a screen protector thrown in for good measure – more on that later.
I want to start by discussing the case, which I found to be very solid indeed. It’s well finished, with the Switch 2 logo front and center, and aptly, it has red and blue colored handles on the two zips, which feel smooth and easy to do up. The case also has a pleasantly durable feel to it, and when dropping it a couple of times and giving it a good scratching, I couldn’t see even a spec of wear – that’s the sort of quality I’d expect from the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.
Inside, there are three compartments: one on each side of the case to hold the console, and another that can hold small accessories, with room for six cartridges above. Could there be a few more game card slots? Yes, but personally, six physical slots will be enough for me if I’m taking a short trip – there’s enough room for some party games like Mario Kart Worldand Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV, as well as a few single-player adventures.
(Image credit: Future)
The amount of storage in that third compartment is limited – you’re not gonna get your dock in here. I could fit a pair of earbuds or Joy-Con straps without issue, but if you’re hoping to store an item like a USB camera or the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, you might want to check out a larger option. One upside here is that the case remains slim and tight to the console, meaning you can easily slot it in a bag without worrying about it being too bulky.
I did generally really like this case, and I might use it instead of my official Nintendo Switch 2 All-in-One Carry Case if I'm not planning to play docked. But one thing I did realize is that it's very prone to fingerprints. Even when shooting the photos you see in this guide, I had to wipe it down a few times – it’s a small thing, but worth flagging.
As I mentioned earlier, this package also includes a screen protector, but I was feeling much less positive about this. You’ll have to temper your expectations here – after all, you’re not getting a tempered glass screen protector! Instead, it’s an anti-scratch piece of film, which is hardly the most protective option on the market.
You don’t get a frame to help apply the screen protector – you have to fit it freehand. But even though I lined it up pretty nicely, I still ran into some issues, like excessive air bubbles, which were a struggle to squeeze out. I put it through the same testing process as the Genki Aegis Shield, for example. And although my console got out unscathed, I would still recommend getting a tempered glass option for better protection and peace of mind.
(Image credit: Future)
Ultimately, I’m going to treat the screen protector more as an extra. The focus for me is on the case, which I consider to be good value, especially for UK and Aussie buyers who are spending £20.99 / AU$39.95 at most to get this model – I’ve already seen it on sale for less. In the US, availability appears to be inconsistent, and the proportionally higher $39.99 price tag is a bit of a shame.
Still, you’re getting a slim, well-finished, and durable case that’s ideal for taking on the go. And in the end, I think Nintendo's official case remains well worth considering.
Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector review: price & specs
Price
$39.99 / £20.99 / AU$39.95
Dimensions
13.4 x 5.6 x 1.7in / 340 x 142 x 42mm
Weight
310g
Number of game card slots
6
Compartments
3
Handle
No
Color
Black
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Sleek look with nice finish and durable build, but a little prone to fingerprints.
4/5
Storage
Could have some more game card slots, but for a slim case stores console and Joy-Con 2s effectively.
4/5
Value
A tad pricey in the US, but solid durability, good looks, and decent storage in this size class.
4/5
Buy it if…
You want a lightweight Switch 2 case If you don’t need a case that’s big enough to fit your dock, and you just need a lightweight option, then this model could be perfect for you. It's slim, stylish, and can easily slot into a bag for on-the-go play.
You want something with dashing looks A few of the third-party options we’ve tested here at TechRadar aren’t the prettiest, but personally, I’m a fan of how Nintendo’s official carrying case looks. The red and blue zip handles playfully contrast the case’s textured black exterior, and it's got a slightly curved look that’s very easy on the eye.
Don’t buy it if…
You want a great screen protector Sure, the screen protector here is functional, and it's a decent extra considering the moderate pricing of this package. But it's not the most durable protective layer on the market, and fitting it freehand isn’t ideal. I’d instead recommend checking out the DBrand Prism 2.0 for Nintendo Switch 2 or the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector separately.
You need everything to play in TV mode If you need a case that can fit all the gear for TV mode play, this ain’t it. Instead, I’d recommend picking up the official Nintendo Switch 2 All-in-One Carry Case, which can fit your dock, cables, console, a Pro Controller, and more with ease.
Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector review: also consider
Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case This one comes at quite the cost, but if you need one case for everything Switch 2, it doesn't get a whole lot better. With seven compartments custom-built for your dock, controllers, console, and more, you'll have oodles of space to play with. This case is pretty hardy too, and even comes with a handle for improved portability. It's the model I use the most, and if you like to play in TV mode, it will suit you to a T.
Nacon Protection Case XL for Nintendo Switch 2 OK, it isn't being sold in the United States just yet, but if the Nacon Protection Case XL is available in your region, I highly recommend it. It's got enough room to house all the gear for TV mode play, but it’s only a little more expensive than this slim model. Great value, great durability, and lots of storage – what more could you want?
How I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector
(Image credit: Future)
Tested over the course of multiple days
Took with me on public transport and to the office
Trialled by a Nintendo Switch 2 owner and life-long gamer
I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector over the course of a few days. I packed it with my Nintendo Switch 2 console, Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a charging cable, and it held out well, as expected.
In order to judge the case’s durability, I tried dropping it from a decent distance, and also gave the exterior a scratch. I then checked for any wear and tear after the testing period came to a close. Where appropriate, I compared this case to rivals on aspects like sturdiness and storage space.
The Marshall Heston 60 is a small Dolby Atmos soundbar that aims to deliver immersive sound for movies and music alike – something that’s proven to be quite the challenge for a number of rivals in this size-class.
But luckily, the Heston 60 has risen to that challenge. Sure, it may be limited in size, but its performance would suggest otherwise. It nails the basics, with ultra-clear dialogue and a nice variety of sound modes to suit whatever content you’re consuming. But it also gets those tricker elements right too.
For instance, the level of expansiveness on offer makes the Heston 60 one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars in its weight class, I’d argue. It isn’t going to wow you with the incredible width of the Marshall Heston 120 or other larger rivals, but the Heston 60 still creates an impressive sense of height while watching Atmos movies, and the width of the soundstage is strong given the bar’s physical confines.
Like its larger sibling, the Heston 60 is also musically astute. It separates out instruments and positions them beautifully in the Atmos format, and takes a relatively impactful, nuanced approach to stereo.
Something that a lot of smaller soundbars struggle to do, is muster up weighty, hard-hitting low-end output, but the Heston 60 certainly bucks that trend. I was taken aback by the rumble of jet engines and roar of explosions when watching movies, and pumping bass in my favorite tracks.
You won’t get the same room-swallowing bass the Heston 120 serves up, and you may want to add the Marshall Heston 200 or a separate sub for enhanced low end, but for a model of this size, it sure packs a punch.
If you want to adapt the Heston 60’s sound, you can do so via the Marshall app. This opens up a range of features, like EQ adjustment, sound mode alteration, room calibration, and so on. I did encounter a few issues with setup, with a few bugs rearing their head from time to time. But for the most part, the app felt intuitive and easy to use – pretty important, given the omission of a physical remote.
(Image credit: Future)
Something that really makes the Heston 60 stand out is its design. Like the Heston 120, this has a gorgeous, amp-inspired aesthetic with frets and stunning golden details. However, the Marshall logo and control panel are now magnetic, meaning you can optimize the look of this model for wall-mounted use. Parts are also repairable, making this bar worth investing in for the long-haul.
And I don’t use the term ‘invest’ lightly here – this is a pretty pricey option. The Heston 60 comes in at just under $700 / £500 / AU$1,000. In the US, that’s quite a bit more than its clear competitor, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, but you do get DTS:X compatibility, a far more premium look, and a wider range of connectivity options.
It’s worth noting that you could get a strong multi-box soundbar at a similar cost to the Heston 60 – including models that support HDMI passthrough (unlike Marshall’s smaller soundbar).
But if you’re a little tight on space or using a smaller-sized TV, then the Marshall Heston 60 is one of the best soundbars in its class. It delivers on Dolby Atmos and punchy audio, it’s a classy looker, and it's built to last. Combine all of that, and the Heston 60 is easy to recommend.
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: price & release date
$699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999
Launched in September 2025
The Marshall Heston 60 released in September 2025, about three months after the Marshall Heston 120, upon which I bestowed the elusive five star rating. It's a smaller version of its larger sibling, but has a largely similar design and also uses the revamped Marshall app.
You can purchase the Heston 60 in either black or cream, and it costs $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999. That’s pretty competitive against its main rival, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, which has a list price of $499 / £499 / $799.
5.1 speaker configuration with seven active drivers
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
App opens up strong set of features
The Marshall Heston 60 has a 5.1 speaker configuration, but is powered by seven active drivers. There are two 25W and five 5W class D amplifiers on board, and the soundbar is capable of a 56W maximum power output.
This is an all-in-one offering from Marshall, you won’t get a subwoofer or rears included from the off. However, you are now able to purchase the Heston Sub 200 – a wireless sub that I tried pairing to the Heston 60, and this can give you some extension below the 45Hz mark – the lowest the soundbar can go.
Even as a one-box option, the Heston 60 aims to create spacious, immersive audio with the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, as well as DTS:X. That latter format is missing on the Sonos Beam Gen 2, making the Heston 60 an attractive option for cinephiles.
On top of that, there are a number of ways to connect up to the Heston 60. Of course, there’s HDMI eARC, which I used for the majority of my testing time. However, you can also connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, as well as USB-C and 3.5mm, plus RCA – which can be used to add a third-party subwoofer.
Unfortunately, there’s no HDMI passthrough here, something that was included on the larger Heston 120. This would be a nice touch for those who want to unlock extra space for an HDMI-reliant device like a PS5 or Nintendo Switch 2, though it is pretty common for smaller models to leave this out.
If you head on over to the Marshall app, you’ll also discover that there’s Auracast compatibility – a type of Bluetooth technology that enables you to tune into an audio broadcast transmitted from a phone, TV or similar device without any pairing.
But there’s more! Marshall has once again integrated a wide range of music services, such as: Google Cast; Spotify Connect; Internet Radio; Tidal Connect; and Apple AirPlay 2. If you’re going to return to Internet Radio or Spotify on the reg, you can set the ‘Prog’ button to a specific service and gain easy access.
Let’s talk a little more about the Marshall app – this is revamped, but separate to the software used for Bluetooth speakers including the Marshall Kilburn III and Marshall Bromley 750. It supplies a five-band equalizer, AV sync to adjust audio delays, and Room correction, which cycles through an array of sounds to optimize performance for your listening space. It also lets you change between the Movie, Music, Voice, and Night modes – all of which are very well differentiated.
I’ll speak more about my experience with the app in the ‘Setup & usability’ section, but I will say that it was a little buggy. When it got into gear, I was very pleased with the options on offer, though.
As we saw with the Heston 120, there’s no physical remote control lumped in the box – you’re going to be using the app only. The app lets you adjust volume, manually switch between different sound modes or sources, and view whether Atmos or DTS:X are in-use or not. If you’re connected to the soundbar via HDMI eARC, you can also use your standard remote to ramp up or dampen volume too.
Features score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: performance
Fantastic vocal clarity
Impressive bass for a small soundbar
Fairly expansive too
The Marshall Heston 60 performs pretty admirably for such a small soundbar. Of course, there are a few limitations due to its small size and moderate maximum power output of 56W. Still, the power the Heston 60 does have is used to great effect.
Let’s start by talking about dialogue quality, an area I always expect significant improvement over plain TV audio. And I was very impressed by the clarity and definition of vocals in the mix while using the Heston 60. While watching a 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Top Gun: Maverick, I was struck by the separation of voices in a large open space, as well as the natural replication of echo and breathy details.
Even when layered with a grand score and booming sound effects, voices remained clear-cut throughout the movie’s runtime, making for a great viewing experience.
Another area the Heston 60 held its own, was in the bass department. For such a lil’ guy, this soundbar can produce pretty imposing low-end sound. Sticking with Top Gun: Maverick, and the roar of jet engines firing up was both impactful and attention-grabbing.
Sure, it wasn’t that room-swallowing bass that the Heston 120 offers, and when I paired up the Heston Sub 200, rumble was considerably enhanced. But for its size, the Heston 60 performs pretty well in the bass department. For instance, when watching The Batman, an explosion during a chase scene erupted with intent, despite the soundbar’s confined physical form.
I was really hoping the Heston 60 would deliver on the Dolby Atmos front, especially as a lot of small models either struggle here or skip on it entirely. Luckily, Marshall has done a good job here once more, and the soundbar whipped up a very solid spatial impression.
With The Batman, I flicked to a scene with bats flying towards me, and the sense that they soared over my shoulder was captured with commendable accuracy. Back to Maverick, and the classic scene of the jet flying overhead came through effectively, and provided more vertical extension than you’d expect from such a compact product.
In The Boy and the Heron on Netflix Premium, the Atmos effects were pretty convincing too, with the flight of the Heron mapped fairly well. The Heston 60 didn’t have the pinpoint accuracy of its larger sibling – but I was still well immersed in the on-screen action.
Let’s start with Atmos, and although I don’t always love these mixes, a few tracks impressed me on the Heston 60. For instance, in Song for my Father by Horace Silver, I was satisfied with the positioning and separation of various instruments, with percussion playing rhythmically on the right side, while keys panned across the left side of the bar.
In I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby by Barry White, I enjoyed deft keys and well-balanced percussion, as smooth vocals oozed from the center. Guitars weren’t as prominent in the mix as I’d like, and didn’t have the expansive quality I experienced with the 120. Bass was perhaps a touch overeager too, though luckily EQ options can be accessed in the app to tailor audio to your taste.
Moving over to the stereo format, I was instantly hit by pumping bass in Never Would by M-High, although lighter electronic elements were a touch overshadowed. The soundbar produced controlled audio, however, even at higher volumes. On tracks where sub-bass came into the equation, those ultra-low notes didn’t come through with all too much force. Of course, if you pair the soundbar with the Heston Sub 200, you’ll get the low-end extension required for that, but the soundbar still sounded strong overall.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: design
Gorgeous fret-infused aesthetic
Simple yet effective button controls
Magnetic features for wall mounting
If you read my Marshall Heston 120 review, it won’t surprise you to find that I love the look of this soundbar too. The Heston 60 is, in essence, the same as its sibling, just smaller. I’m a huge fan of the amp-inspired look and eye-catching golden details, and it's nice to see the option to grab this in cream – a nice break from the homogeneous swathe of plain black competitors.
One key difference on the Heston 60, though, is that the tactile control knobs from the Heston 120 have been ditched. This time around, there are simple button controls. These are easy to use and effective, and although they’re not as satisfying to use as the Heston 120’s physical controls, they're less prone to catching reflections from the TV.
Another is the inclusion of a magnetic Marshall logo and control panel. This enables you to optimize the look of the soundbar for a wall-mounted configuration,which is highly practical and considered. Wall mount grommets are also included in the box, which I was glad to see, as rivals will often sell these separately.
Unlike its larger cousin, the Heston 60 is a lightweight, highly compact option. It’s just 28.7 inches / 730mm wide and 6.1lbs / 2.8kg in weight, making it easy to install and slot beneath smaller-sized TVs. All in all, it's an ideal pick for those working with limited space, or if you’re not looking for a full-length behemoth.
One more thing – I also liked the inclusion of a panel on the reverse side, which protects the various ports and enables improved cable management. It’s an all-round great effort from Marshall, and I’ve never tried a small soundbar with so much style and care injected into its design.
Design score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: setup & usability
Plug and play setup
Companion app could be improved
Wide variety of connectivity options
The initial part of the setup process here was as easy as it comes. I simply plugged the Heston 60 into the power, and connected an HDMI lead from the soundbar to a TV. Using the HDMI eARC connectivity option, you’ll be able to use your standard TV remote to alter the soundbar’s volume, which is very convenient.
Unfortunately, I did experience a few issues when pairing the soundbar to the Marshall app, though. I wasn’t getting a pairing request on my phone, and neither the wireless or Bluetooth methods functioned at first. After trying again the following day, these woes were resolved, and I was able to proceed with room correction, play around with EQ options and more, but I did encounter a few other small bugs and loading issues with the app.
For the majority of my testing time, everything worked just fine, thankfully. And when the app behaves itself, it’s a fantastic tool, filled with plenty of personalization settings, and integrated services.
This soundbar has a range of connectivity options too, and it's very easy to stream songs over Wi-Fi, connect to a phone over Bluetooth, or hook up devices using RCA or an analogue method.
Setup & usability score: 3.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: value
Priced competitively against Sonos – albeit less so for US buyers
Though you can still get a great multi-box option at a similar cost
Repairability ensures long-term return on investment
I suspect that the sticking point a lot of people will have with the Marshall Heston 60 is its price, which – for a small model like this – is undoubtedly high. It comes in at $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999, so US buyers are proportionally splashing out a fair bit more, although I still think there’s plenty of value here.
Firstly, this soundbar is priced competitively against the Sonos Beam Gen 2 – the Heston 60’s clear and obvious competition. The Beam Gen 2 comes in with a list price of $499 / £499 / $799, and although it has a higher peak power output, it doesn’t support DTS:X, Bluetooth connectivity, plus we felt that the height of its Atmos effects were lacking.
Meanwhile, the Heston 60 still has plenty of power and effective Dolby Atmos effects, but it also supports DTS:X and Bluetooth. In my view, it also has a more premium design, and many will appreciate its RCA sub out port.
Marshall’s ramped-up sustainability efforts are also being demonstrated with the Heston 60, which is largely repairable. Head over to the manufacturer’s site, and you can access repair services and get spare parts, including frets, end-caps, and drivers. This gives additional longevity to the soundbar, which will make your investment more worthwhile in the long run.
Despite all of this, it’s still worth pointing to the fact that the $700 / £500 / AU$1,000 you spend on the Heston 60 could equally be spent on a very capable multi-box option. In the US and Australia, the same sum of money can net you the Samsung HW-QS700F, which comes with a full length bar, as well as a dual-driver sub.
If we’re talking about soundbars in this weight class, though, few can compete with the Heston 60. Its surprisingly good Atmos performance, imposing bass, and ultra-clear dialogue make it a real standout. Pair that with a pretty exterior and admirable repairability, and I’d still argue it's a good value pick.
Value score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Marshall Heston 60?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Atmos and DTS:X, feature-rich companion app, good connectivity options but no HDMI passthrough.
Easy to install, app is feature-rich but has a few bugs.
3.5/5
Value
It’s undoubtedly pricey, but still competitive against the Beam Gen 2 and feels worth the investment long-term.
4/5
Buy it if…
You want great performance but you’re tight on space If you’ve got a smaller TV or you’re tight on space, you don’t have to sacrifice on quality. And the Heston 60 proves that. It offers surprisingly immersive Dolby Atmos effects, impactful bass, and ultra-clear dialogue in a single, highly compact model.
You want your soundbar to be a statement piece Sure, the Heston 60 sounds good, but it looks even better! This thing is just as much a statement piece as it is a soundbar, boasting a gorgeous amp-inspired design and golden details. The magnetic logo and control panel also ensure it looks top-class while wall mounted too.
Don’t buy it if…
You want the true surround sound experience So, if you’re looking for an enveloping surround sound experience, the Heston 60 might not quite do it for you. Sure, it does well with Atmos for movies and music alike, but there’s no sub or rear speakers for that true wraparound sound. If that’s what you’re after, I’d highly recommend the Samsung HW-Q990F.
You’re expecting thunderous power Similarly, the Heston 60’s physical restrictions mean that it can’t quite blast out the roaring power some may well crave. I’d suggest grabbing an option that pairs a sub, or maybe even spending a bit more to get the Heston Sub 200.
Marshall Heston 60 review: also consider
Marshall Heston 60
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Samsung HW-QS700F
Price
$699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999
$449 / £449 / $699
$699.99 / £749 / AU$999
Dimensions
28.7 x 4.9 x 2.7 inches / 730 x 124 x 68mm
25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches / 651 x 68 x 100mm
Main soundbar: 43.7 x 2.4 x 4.7 inches / 1110.7 x 60.4 x 120mm; subwoofer: 8.3 x 15.9 x 15.9 inches / 210 x 403 x 403mm
HDMI eARC, HDMI input, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X
Yes / Yes
Yes / No
Yes / Yes
Sub included
No
No
Yes
Rear speakers included
No
No
No
Sonos Beam Gen 2 It’s four years old now, but the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is still a great option for anyone seeking out cinematic audio in a condensed package. With decent Dolby Atmos effects, a surprisingly wide soundstage, and a classy build, it’s still easy to recommend.
Samsung HW-QS700F Looking for a little more power? Then the Samsung HW-QS700F is a top choice. In the US and Australia, you can get this for the same as the Heston 60, even though it adds a dual-driver sub and the bar itself is full-sized. I’d also recommend checking for the Samsung HW-Q800D if you can find it on sale, although I omitted it due to low stock in a lot of territories. Read our full Samsung HW-QS700F review.
How I tested the Marshall Heston 60
(Image credit: Future)
Tested across a week-long period
Used in our TV testing space at Future Labs
Sometimes tried in conjunction with Marshall Heston 200 sub
During my time testing the Marshall Heston 60, I had it connected to the TCL C6K mini-LED TV via HDMI eARC.
In my time with the Heston 60, the soundbar was placed beneath the display at our TV testing space at Future Labs. I watched – and indeed listened – to a variety of content during an intensive testing period. This included a number of movies on both Netflix Premium and on 4K UHD Blu-Ray via the Panasonic DP-UB820. I also listened to music via Tidal Connect in both Dolby Atmos and stereo formats.
I also made extensive use of each listening mode: Movie; Music; Voice; and Night. Of course, I also exhausted the soundbar’s additional settings through the Marshall app, ensuring each feature functioned as advertised.
More generally, I've tested tons of soundbars here at TechRadar – everything from ultra-cheap options like the Hisense HS214 through to pricier models like the Samsung HW-Q800D. I also reviewed the Marshall Heston 120, which released earlier this year, and have interviewed audio engineers at Marshall on its home cinema tech, so have a strong understanding of the product.
The Marshall Heston 60 is a small Dolby Atmos soundbar that aims to deliver immersive sound for movies and music alike – something that’s proven to be quite the challenge for a number of rivals in this size-class.
But luckily, the Heston 60 has risen to that challenge. Sure, it may be limited in size, but its performance would suggest otherwise. It nails the basics, with ultra-clear dialogue and a nice variety of sound modes to suit whatever content you’re consuming. But it also gets those tricker elements right too.
For instance, the level of expansiveness on offer makes the Heston 60 one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars in its weight class, I’d argue. It isn’t going to wow you with the incredible width of the Marshall Heston 120 or other larger rivals, but the Heston 60 still creates an impressive sense of height while watching Atmos movies, and the width of the soundstage is strong given the bar’s physical confines.
Like its larger sibling, the Heston 60 is also musically astute. It separates out instruments and positions them beautifully in the Atmos format, and takes a relatively impactful, nuanced approach to stereo.
Something that a lot of smaller soundbars struggle to do, is muster up weighty, hard-hitting low-end output, but the Heston 60 certainly bucks that trend. I was taken aback by the rumble of jet engines and roar of explosions when watching movies, and pumping bass in my favorite tracks.
You won’t get the same room-swallowing bass the Heston 120 serves up, and you may want to add the Marshall Heston 200 or a separate sub for enhanced low end, but for a model of this size, it sure packs a punch.
If you want to adapt the Heston 60’s sound, you can do so via the Marshall app. This opens up a range of features, like EQ adjustment, sound mode alteration, room calibration, and so on. I did encounter a few issues with setup, with a few bugs rearing their head from time to time. But for the most part, the app felt intuitive and easy to use – pretty important, given the omission of a physical remote.
(Image credit: Future)
Something that really makes the Heston 60 stand out is its design. Like the Heston 120, this has a gorgeous, amp-inspired aesthetic with frets and stunning golden details. However, the Marshall logo and control panel are now magnetic, meaning you can optimize the look of this model for wall-mounted use. Parts are also repairable, making this bar worth investing in for the long-haul.
And I don’t use the term ‘invest’ lightly here – this is a pretty pricey option. The Heston 60 comes in at just under $700 / £500 / AU$1,000. In the US, that’s quite a bit more than its clear competitor, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, but you do get DTS:X compatibility, a far more premium look, and a wider range of connectivity options.
It’s worth noting that you could get a strong multi-box soundbar at a similar cost to the Heston 60 – including models that support HDMI passthrough (unlike Marshall’s smaller soundbar).
But if you’re a little tight on space or using a smaller-sized TV, then the Marshall Heston 60 is one of the best soundbars in its class. It delivers on Dolby Atmos and punchy audio, it’s a classy looker, and it's built to last. Combine all of that, and the Heston 60 is easy to recommend.
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: price & release date
$699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999
Launched in September 2025
The Marshall Heston 60 released in September 2025, about three months after the Marshall Heston 120, upon which I bestowed the elusive five star rating. It's a smaller version of its larger sibling, but has a largely similar design and also uses the revamped Marshall app.
You can purchase the Heston 60 in either black or cream, and it costs $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999. That’s pretty competitive against its main rival, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, which has a list price of $499 / £499 / $799.
5.1 speaker configuration with seven active drivers
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
App opens up strong set of features
The Marshall Heston 60 has a 5.1 speaker configuration, but is powered by seven active drivers. There are two 25W and five 5W class D amplifiers on board, and the soundbar is capable of a 56W maximum power output.
This is an all-in-one offering from Marshall, you won’t get a subwoofer or rears included from the off. However, you are now able to purchase the Heston Sub 200 – a wireless sub that I tried pairing to the Heston 60, and this can give you some extension below the 45Hz mark – the lowest the soundbar can go.
Even as a one-box option, the Heston 60 aims to create spacious, immersive audio with the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, as well as DTS:X. That latter format is missing on the Sonos Beam Gen 2, making the Heston 60 an attractive option for cinephiles.
On top of that, there are a number of ways to connect up to the Heston 60. Of course, there’s HDMI eARC, which I used for the majority of my testing time. However, you can also connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, as well as USB-C and 3.5mm, plus RCA – which can be used to add a third-party subwoofer.
Unfortunately, there’s no HDMI passthrough here, something that was included on the larger Heston 120. This would be a nice touch for those who want to unlock extra space for an HDMI-reliant device like a PS5 or Nintendo Switch 2, though it is pretty common for smaller models to leave this out.
If you head on over to the Marshall app, you’ll also discover that there’s Auracast compatibility – a type of Bluetooth technology that enables you to tune into an audio broadcast transmitted from a phone, TV or similar device without any pairing.
But there’s more! Marshall has once again integrated a wide range of music services, such as: Google Cast; Spotify Connect; Internet Radio; Tidal Connect; and Apple AirPlay 2. If you’re going to return to Internet Radio or Spotify on the reg, you can set the ‘Prog’ button to a specific service and gain easy access.
Let’s talk a little more about the Marshall app – this is revamped, but separate to the software used for Bluetooth speakers including the Marshall Kilburn III and Marshall Bromley 750. It supplies a five-band equalizer, AV sync to adjust audio delays, and Room correction, which cycles through an array of sounds to optimize performance for your listening space. It also lets you change between the Movie, Music, Voice, and Night modes – all of which are very well differentiated.
I’ll speak more about my experience with the app in the ‘Setup & usability’ section, but I will say that it was a little buggy. When it got into gear, I was very pleased with the options on offer, though.
As we saw with the Heston 120, there’s no physical remote control lumped in the box – you’re going to be using the app only. The app lets you adjust volume, manually switch between different sound modes or sources, and view whether Atmos or DTS:X are in-use or not. If you’re connected to the soundbar via HDMI eARC, you can also use your standard remote to ramp up or dampen volume too.
Features score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: performance
Fantastic vocal clarity
Impressive bass for a small soundbar
Fairly expansive too
The Marshall Heston 60 performs pretty admirably for such a small soundbar. Of course, there are a few limitations due to its small size and moderate maximum power output of 56W. Still, the power the Heston 60 does have is used to great effect.
Let’s start by talking about dialogue quality, an area I always expect significant improvement over plain TV audio. And I was very impressed by the clarity and definition of vocals in the mix while using the Heston 60. While watching a 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Top Gun: Maverick, I was struck by the separation of voices in a large open space, as well as the natural replication of echo and breathy details.
Even when layered with a grand score and booming sound effects, voices remained clear-cut throughout the movie’s runtime, making for a great viewing experience.
Another area the Heston 60 held its own, was in the bass department. For such a lil’ guy, this soundbar can produce pretty imposing low-end sound. Sticking with Top Gun: Maverick, and the roar of jet engines firing up was both impactful and attention-grabbing.
Sure, it wasn’t that room-swallowing bass that the Heston 120 offers, and when I paired up the Heston Sub 200, rumble was considerably enhanced. But for its size, the Heston 60 performs pretty well in the bass department. For instance, when watching The Batman, an explosion during a chase scene erupted with intent, despite the soundbar’s confined physical form.
I was really hoping the Heston 60 would deliver on the Dolby Atmos front, especially as a lot of small models either struggle here or skip on it entirely. Luckily, Marshall has done a good job here once more, and the soundbar whipped up a very solid spatial impression.
With The Batman, I flicked to a scene with bats flying towards me, and the sense that they soared over my shoulder was captured with commendable accuracy. Back to Maverick, and the classic scene of the jet flying overhead came through effectively, and provided more vertical extension than you’d expect from such a compact product.
In The Boy and the Heron on Netflix Premium, the Atmos effects were pretty convincing too, with the flight of the Heron mapped fairly well. The Heston 60 didn’t have the pinpoint accuracy of its larger sibling – but I was still well immersed in the on-screen action.
Let’s start with Atmos, and although I don’t always love these mixes, a few tracks impressed me on the Heston 60. For instance, in Song for my Father by Horace Silver, I was satisfied with the positioning and separation of various instruments, with percussion playing rhythmically on the right side, while keys panned across the left side of the bar.
In I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby by Barry White, I enjoyed deft keys and well-balanced percussion, as smooth vocals oozed from the center. Guitars weren’t as prominent in the mix as I’d like, and didn’t have the expansive quality I experienced with the 120. Bass was perhaps a touch overeager too, though luckily EQ options can be accessed in the app to tailor audio to your taste.
Moving over to the stereo format, I was instantly hit by pumping bass in Never Would by M-High, although lighter electronic elements were a touch overshadowed. The soundbar produced controlled audio, however, even at higher volumes. On tracks where sub-bass came into the equation, those ultra-low notes didn’t come through with all too much force. Of course, if you pair the soundbar with the Heston Sub 200, you’ll get the low-end extension required for that, but the soundbar still sounded strong overall.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: design
Gorgeous fret-infused aesthetic
Simple yet effective button controls
Magnetic features for wall mounting
If you read my Marshall Heston 120 review, it won’t surprise you to find that I love the look of this soundbar too. The Heston 60 is, in essence, the same as its sibling, just smaller. I’m a huge fan of the amp-inspired look and eye-catching golden details, and it's nice to see the option to grab this in cream – a nice break from the homogeneous swathe of plain black competitors.
One key difference on the Heston 60, though, is that the tactile control knobs from the Heston 120 have been ditched. This time around, there are simple button controls. These are easy to use and effective, and although they’re not as satisfying to use as the Heston 120’s physical controls, they're less prone to catching reflections from the TV.
Another is the inclusion of a magnetic Marshall logo and control panel. This enables you to optimize the look of the soundbar for a wall-mounted configuration,which is highly practical and considered. Wall mount grommets are also included in the box, which I was glad to see, as rivals will often sell these separately.
Unlike its larger cousin, the Heston 60 is a lightweight, highly compact option. It’s just 28.7 inches / 730mm wide and 6.1lbs / 2.8kg in weight, making it easy to install and slot beneath smaller-sized TVs. All in all, it's an ideal pick for those working with limited space, or if you’re not looking for a full-length behemoth.
One more thing – I also liked the inclusion of a panel on the reverse side, which protects the various ports and enables improved cable management. It’s an all-round great effort from Marshall, and I’ve never tried a small soundbar with so much style and care injected into its design.
Design score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: setup & usability
Plug and play setup
Companion app could be improved
Wide variety of connectivity options
The initial part of the setup process here was as easy as it comes. I simply plugged the Heston 60 into the power, and connected an HDMI lead from the soundbar to a TV. Using the HDMI eARC connectivity option, you’ll be able to use your standard TV remote to alter the soundbar’s volume, which is very convenient.
Unfortunately, I did experience a few issues when pairing the soundbar to the Marshall app, though. I wasn’t getting a pairing request on my phone, and neither the wireless or Bluetooth methods functioned at first. After trying again the following day, these woes were resolved, and I was able to proceed with room correction, play around with EQ options and more, but I did encounter a few other small bugs and loading issues with the app.
For the majority of my testing time, everything worked just fine, thankfully. And when the app behaves itself, it’s a fantastic tool, filled with plenty of personalization settings, and integrated services.
This soundbar has a range of connectivity options too, and it's very easy to stream songs over Wi-Fi, connect to a phone over Bluetooth, or hook up devices using RCA or an analogue method.
Setup & usability score: 3.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Marshall Heston 60 review: value
Priced competitively against Sonos – albeit less so for US buyers
Though you can still get a great multi-box option at a similar cost
Repairability ensures long-term return on investment
I suspect that the sticking point a lot of people will have with the Marshall Heston 60 is its price, which – for a small model like this – is undoubtedly high. It comes in at $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999, so US buyers are proportionally splashing out a fair bit more, although I still think there’s plenty of value here.
Firstly, this soundbar is priced competitively against the Sonos Beam Gen 2 – the Heston 60’s clear and obvious competition. The Beam Gen 2 comes in with a list price of $499 / £499 / $799, and although it has a higher peak power output, it doesn’t support DTS:X, Bluetooth connectivity, plus we felt that the height of its Atmos effects were lacking.
Meanwhile, the Heston 60 still has plenty of power and effective Dolby Atmos effects, but it also supports DTS:X and Bluetooth. In my view, it also has a more premium design, and many will appreciate its RCA sub out port.
Marshall’s ramped-up sustainability efforts are also being demonstrated with the Heston 60, which is largely repairable. Head over to the manufacturer’s site, and you can access repair services and get spare parts, including frets, end-caps, and drivers. This gives additional longevity to the soundbar, which will make your investment more worthwhile in the long run.
Despite all of this, it’s still worth pointing to the fact that the $700 / £500 / AU$1,000 you spend on the Heston 60 could equally be spent on a very capable multi-box option. In the US and Australia, the same sum of money can net you the Samsung HW-QS700F, which comes with a full length bar, as well as a dual-driver sub.
If we’re talking about soundbars in this weight class, though, few can compete with the Heston 60. Its surprisingly good Atmos performance, imposing bass, and ultra-clear dialogue make it a real standout. Pair that with a pretty exterior and admirable repairability, and I’d still argue it's a good value pick.
Value score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Marshall Heston 60?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Atmos and DTS:X, feature-rich companion app, good connectivity options but no HDMI passthrough.
Easy to install, app is feature-rich but has a few bugs.
3.5/5
Value
It’s undoubtedly pricey, but still competitive against the Beam Gen 2 and feels worth the investment long-term.
4/5
Buy it if…
You want great performance but you’re tight on space If you’ve got a smaller TV or you’re tight on space, you don’t have to sacrifice on quality. And the Heston 60 proves that. It offers surprisingly immersive Dolby Atmos effects, impactful bass, and ultra-clear dialogue in a single, highly compact model.
You want your soundbar to be a statement piece Sure, the Heston 60 sounds good, but it looks even better! This thing is just as much a statement piece as it is a soundbar, boasting a gorgeous amp-inspired design and golden details. The magnetic logo and control panel also ensure it looks top-class while wall mounted too.
Don’t buy it if…
You want the true surround sound experience So, if you’re looking for an enveloping surround sound experience, the Heston 60 might not quite do it for you. Sure, it does well with Atmos for movies and music alike, but there’s no sub or rear speakers for that true wraparound sound. If that’s what you’re after, I’d highly recommend the Samsung HW-Q990F.
You’re expecting thunderous power Similarly, the Heston 60’s physical restrictions mean that it can’t quite blast out the roaring power some may well crave. I’d suggest grabbing an option that pairs a sub, or maybe even spending a bit more to get the Heston Sub 200.
Marshall Heston 60 review: also consider
Marshall Heston 60
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Samsung HW-QS700F
Price
$699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999
$449 / £449 / $699
$699.99 / £749 / AU$999
Dimensions
28.7 x 4.9 x 2.7 inches / 730 x 124 x 68mm
25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches / 651 x 68 x 100mm
Main soundbar: 43.7 x 2.4 x 4.7 inches / 1110.7 x 60.4 x 120mm; subwoofer: 8.3 x 15.9 x 15.9 inches / 210 x 403 x 403mm
HDMI eARC, HDMI input, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X
Yes / Yes
Yes / No
Yes / Yes
Sub included
No
No
Yes
Rear speakers included
No
No
No
Sonos Beam Gen 2 It’s four years old now, but the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is still a great option for anyone seeking out cinematic audio in a condensed package. With decent Dolby Atmos effects, a surprisingly wide soundstage, and a classy build, it’s still easy to recommend.
Samsung HW-QS700F Looking for a little more power? Then the Samsung HW-QS700F is a top choice. In the US and Australia, you can get this for the same as the Heston 60, even though it adds a dual-driver sub and the bar itself is full-sized. I’d also recommend checking for the Samsung HW-Q800D if you can find it on sale, although I omitted it due to low stock in a lot of territories. Read our full Samsung HW-QS700F review.
How I tested the Marshall Heston 60
(Image credit: Future)
Tested across a week-long period
Used in our TV testing space at Future Labs
Sometimes tried in conjunction with Marshall Heston 200 sub
During my time testing the Marshall Heston 60, I had it connected to the TCL C6K mini-LED TV via HDMI eARC.
In my time with the Heston 60, the soundbar was placed beneath the display at our TV testing space at Future Labs. I watched – and indeed listened – to a variety of content during an intensive testing period. This included a number of movies on both Netflix Premium and on 4K UHD Blu-Ray via the Panasonic DP-UB820. I also listened to music via Tidal Connect in both Dolby Atmos and stereo formats.
I also made extensive use of each listening mode: Movie; Music; Voice; and Night. Of course, I also exhausted the soundbar’s additional settings through the Marshall app, ensuring each feature functioned as advertised.
More generally, I've tested tons of soundbars here at TechRadar – everything from ultra-cheap options like the Hisense HS214 through to pricier models like the Samsung HW-Q800D. I also reviewed the Marshall Heston 120, which released earlier this year, and have interviewed audio engineers at Marshall on its home cinema tech, so have a strong understanding of the product.
The Hisense U75QG is a solid performer that packs a lot of features in for the price. Typically, flagship TVs are the ones that get the most attention, but people usually aren’t buying the best of the best from any brand. Instead, buying considerations usually fall to midrange TVs like this one.
The Hisense U75QG is a mini-LED display that delivers brightness we generally don’t see from TVs in this price range – I measured over 3,000 nits in HDR Filmmaker Mode, a level that exceeds many of the best TVs from most manufacturers. That makes the U7 an excellent choice for bright spaces where ambient light is difficult to control, such as a living room with large picture windows.
Accuracy with SDR sources is impressive, so while watching broadcast TV or non-HDR streamed shows, the U75QG will deliver nice, accurate colors. HDR has a few issues in color temperature and accuracy, but they’re not drastic enough to distract and pull you out of the viewing experience. They can also be mostly corrected with a professional calibration, if you’re up for spending extra for that.
The U75QG’s Google TV OS is, as expected, quick to use and easy to navigate. Google has been the top built-in smart TV platform for a few years now, and Hisense uses it well. Picture adjustments are easy to find and change, especially with a Settings button on the backlit remote, and the Google Store offers hundreds of apps for download, including all the major streamers and smaller ones as well. And for those that want over-the-air broadcasts, the U75QG includes a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner.
The Hisense has great gaming support, with the ability for high refresh rate up to 165Hz on all four HDMI 2.1 ports, with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium, Dolby Vision gaming, and a game bar to easily access gaming settings. There are some issues with image smearing when using VRR that can detract a little, but casual gamers should be more than happy with the features and performance.
Hisense TVs always see an almost immediate dip in pricing after release, and the same has happened with the U75QG. Those discounts make it an even better value, and it stacks up well against the TCL QM7K – its primary competitor. When everything is taken into account, the Hisense U75QG stands as one of the best value midrange TVs I’ve seen in 2025.
Hisense U75QG review: Price and release date
The Hisense U75QG's picture is bright enough to even watch in well-lit rooms (Image credit: Future)
Release date: May 2025
55-inch: $1,300
65-inch: $1,500
75-inch: $1,999
85-inch: $2,499
100-inch: $4,999
116-inch: $21,999
The U75QG is Hisense’s midrange mini-LED TV, falling between the Hisense U8QG and U65QF (a model that uses the Amazon Fire TV OS) in its lineup. The series ranges in size from a 55-inch to a massive 116-inch model – the largest Hisense mini-LED TV available. As is typical for Hisense TVs, prices for all models, apart from the 116-inch, have fallen significantly since the series was released in May. The 55-inch TV can now be found for as little as $698, with prices ranging to just under $3,000 for the 100-inch.
The U75QG pricing is similar to the TCL QM7K, the midrange competitor from that manufacturer. Although the Hisense is currently $100 to $700 more expensive than the TCL, depending on screen size.
The U75QG's ports are split between side-mounted and rear-mounted input sections (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2
(Image credit: Future)
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
Hi-View AI Engine Pro processor
VA panel with good anti-reflection
The U75QG is a mini-LED TV with an anti-reflection VA panel, which does a great job handling ambient room light reflections. The VA panel does not provide it with wide viewing angles, however, with desaturated colors and raised black levels easily visible starting at around 30 degrees off-center.
Hisense upgraded last year’s Hi-View Engine Pro found in the U7N to the Hi-View AI Engine Pro, which is the same processor the company is using in its step-up U8QG model. Hisense claims improved performance over the previous chip with a 1.6x faster CPU, 2.2x faster GPU, and 1.5x faster NPU, all to deliver a better optimized image.
The Hisense U75QG includes wide-ranging HDR support, including both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic formats. Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive modes use the TV’s processing power to automatically adjust the picture based on the ambient light viewing conditions in your room. Dolby Vision Gaming is included, and, of course, the TV supports HDR10 and HLG.
Console and PC gamers will be happy with the included features on the U75QG. All four HDMI 2.1 ports support a refresh rate up to 165Hz with a Game Booster 288Hz (at 1080p), VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Hisense Game Bar, and the aforementioned HDR gaming modes. Although, as we’ll get into below, there are some minor clarity issues with gaming on the U75QG.
The U75QG runs the Google TV OS, which allows access to thousands of streaming apps. It also has an ATSC 3.0 tuner for those in areas that are broadcasting NextGen TV signals.
Features Score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Picture quality
The U75QG's picture displays good color accuracy (Image credit: Future)
Incredibly bright for a midrange TV
Impressive SDR color accuracy
HDR benefits from a pro calibration
Hisense has been a leader over the past few years in pushing display brightness to its limits, so there’s no surprise that the U75QG gets nice and bright, especially for a midrange TV. With local dimming and peak brightness set to High, and using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software, in Filmmaker Mode from a 10% window, the Hisense blasts out 3,126 nits. That’s more than double what its predecessor, the Hisense U7N, was capable of, and more than the flagship Sony Bravia 9 mini-LED TV. A fullscreen white measurement tops out at 780 nits.
With local dimming on, the Hisense also delivers deep blacks even when there are some bright images on screen. During starfield shots — the opening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi or many scenes in Gravity — there’s excellent separation between the stars, especially for a mid-tier mini-LED TV, and there isn’t a significant amount of blooming along the edges of the Shuttle Explorer against the darkness of space. When bright objects are moving, the blooming is exacerbated a little bit, but overall performance is still great for the price of the TV.
Measurements in Filmmaker Mode out of the box show the U75QG tracks the target EOTF (gamma for HDR) beautifully, so the TV isn’t overbrightening the midtones at all. HDR color accuracy also leaves a little to be desired, with things like grass being a little yellow and skin tones slightly undersaturated. None of this takes away from the overall enjoyment of a movie or TV show, though.
The U75QG excels with SDR content. Grayscale tracks D65 across the range incredibly well, with an average dE of 0.8 and 2.4 gamma. Colors are also impressively accurate for a midrange TV, with skin tones in particular looking exactly as they should.
It’s possible to get similar performance with HDR content. The U75QG has an autocal feature in Calman, the software TechRadar uses to measure TVs, so the TV can be easily calibrated within just a few minutes by a TV calibration professional. And after calibration, the TV’s accuracy is significantly better. Some color temperature issues remain in brighter grays, but if you’re able to make it happen, a calibration is worth it to get the most out of the U75QG.
Picture quality score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Sound quality
A rear-mounted subwoofer adds some low-end heft to the U75QG's sound (Image credit: Future)
2.1.2-channel speaker system
Clear dialogue
Would benefit from a soundbar
The back of the U75QG features an oval subwoofer, part of the TV’s 2.1.2-channel speaker system. Along its edges are speakers to handle the left and right channels, as well as two up-firing speakers for height. In my room, I didn’t find that the up-firing speakers accomplished much, and there isn’t a room calibration system to make them work better.
Overall sound performance is above average for a TV. There’s a decent amount of bass and vocal clarity is good, but it’s still worth pairing the TV with one of the best soundbars for a more immersive experience.
Sound quality score: 3.5/5
Hisense U75QG review: Design
The U75QG's "pedestal stand" is actually two support feet with a plastic plate mounted on top (Image credit: Future)
Center pedestal is really two feet with a plastic plate
High enough lift for soundbar
Backlit remote control
The Hisense U75QG has a slightly redesigned stand over last year’s U7N. It still utilizes a center pedestal, but instead of a trapezoidal design, the U75QG consists of two feet that are covered by a rectangular plastic plate. The TV feels sturdy on its stand, although the plastic cover is a bit flimsy – which is honestly to be expected at this price point.
While the stand lifts the TV a little over three inches to accommodate a soundbar, the front sticks out a bit, so some extra space on your credenza or table will be needed to put the soundbar in front of it. The 100- and 116-inch models use two separated legs instead of the pedestal base.
The TV is a bit on the thick side, and more so than the comparable TCL QM7K by about half an inch. Connections are split between two panels. The majority are side-facing — including four 165Hz-capable HDMI 2.1 ports (one eARC), the ATSC 3.0 coax inputs, a USB 3.0 port, a 3.5 mm audio out, and an AV in (which requires an adapter). An additional USB 2.0 port, optical digital audio out, and Ethernet port are in a rear-facing cutout. If you plan to use wired Ethernet and wall-mount the TV, this could cause some mounting issues and require the TV to be slightly out from the wall to keep the Ethernet cable from bending and putting stress on the connection. The U75QG supports a Wi-Fi 6E wireless connection as well.
The remote is the same as the one that was introduced with 2024 Hisense TVs. It’s a long silver handset with backlit buttons, which include settings and input buttons (these are sadly absent from some competitors’ remotes). Because of its length, reaching all the buttons – at least for my average-sized hand – required some jostling of the remote, but overall the design is comfortable and easy to use.
Design score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Smart TV and menus
The U75QG's Google TV smart interface (Image credit: Future)
Google TV OS
Loads of streaming apps available
Some ads on the home page
Google TV is the OS of choice for the U7 series, and it runs well on the TV. The OS is one of the best built-in options when it comes to the combination of usability and streaming app support. On the U75QG, home page navigation is quick, and menus are intuitive. There are thousands of apps available for download – including the major streaming ones such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV – as well as more niche options not included on all platforms, like F1 TV and Dropout.
The gear button on the remote pulls up the menus for adjusting any TV settings. There’s a selection of quick access menus for things like Picture and Sound, or you can call up the full settings menu. It’s pretty easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for — different settings are sensibly placed instead of hidden under a multitude of submenus.
Smart TV & menus score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Gaming
Hisense's Game Bar onscreen menu (Image credit: Future)
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 165Hz support
9.8ms input lag time
FreeSync Premium Pro
The TV has lots of features meant to satisfy gamers, and for the most part, gamers will be happy with the U75QG. The four HDMI 2.1 inputs accept high refresh rate signals up to 165Hz from a computer in 4K, and Game Booster allows for 1080p/288Hz gaming. Consoles will be able to play games at 120Hz with VRR (including HDMI Forum VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and G-Sync compatibility) and Dolby Vision gaming.
The U75QG has the Hisense Game Bar, where adjustments can quickly be made to settings like Dark Detail, Brightness, the Game Genre, and for adding a crosshair for aiming. It also displays your current frame rate, HDR, VRR, and ALLM status.
When in Game/PC picture mode, the input lag on the U75QG with a 4K 60Hz signal is a very low 9.8ms. It’s excellent for gamers who regularly play against others, or for reaction-based games. I played a good amount of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which requires some button timing for dodges and parries, and didn’t feel any lag.
While I found gaming on the U75QG to be an overall good experience, there’s some smearing when VRR is on, particularly with bright objects across a darker background, that can be a bit distracting. I saw this more when using my PC (from an RTX 4070 Ti Super) than on console, so if you’re a PC gamer, you might also see this more.
Gaming score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Value
The U75QG's backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)
Excellent picture quality for the price
Really needs a soundbar for best experience
Four HDMI 2.1 ports and backlit remote
Hisense has been delivering significant value from its televisions for years now, and that continues with the U75QG, which might deliver the best performance-to-price ratio of any Hisense TV. Hisense historically lowers its TV pricing after release by a good bit, and the TVs are always on sale during shopping events, so that increases its value proposition even further.
The midrange TV market is fierce, though. The U75QG’s primary competitor is the TCL QM7K, another solid performer with high value. It’s not nearly as bright as the Hisense, and it also has some HDR inaccuracies (overly blue grayscale and some color issues) out of the box. Only two of the TCL’s HDMI ports are version 2.1, as well, although I prefer its overall design.
It gets interesting when we compare against the next tier up. The TCL QM8K has had some deep discounts recently, putting it within a couple of hundred dollars of the Hisense. At that price, the TCL is an absolute steal. Not only is it a much better TV than both the U75QG and QM7K, I think it's one of the best TCL TVs ever made – although the TCL QM9K likely takes that title.
Value score: 4.5/5
Should I buy the Hisense U75QG?
(Image credit: Future)
Hisense U75QG
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Good HDR support and gaming features
4/5
Picture quality
Excellent brightness and great overall picture quality for the price
4/5
Sound quality
2.1.2-channel speakers deliver clear dialogue but limited height effects with Atmos soundtracks
3.5/5
Design
Good overall design with backlit remote and plentiful connections
4/5
Smart TV and menus
Google TV is a solid smart interface with plenty of apps
4/5
Gaming
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 165Hz support but some picture smearing with VRR, particularly with PCs
4/5
Value
A great overall value given the TV's picture quality and features
4.5/5
Buy it if...
You want a good all-around TV While the U75QG isn’t without flaws, its overall performance is impressive for the price.
Your TV room is bathed in ambient light Brightness output from the Hisense is more than other comparable TVs and stands up well against uncontrollable ambient light.
You have multiple gaming consoles/PCs The Hisense U75QG has four HDMI 2.1 165Hz-compatible inputs, while its main competitor, the TCL QM7K, only has two. If you have multiple consoles and a PC to connect, the U75QG is the pick.
Don't buy it if…
You’re looking for top-tier gaming performance The U75QG has decent gaming performance and a nice game bar option, but its VRR performance doesn’t match competitors.
You want amazing sound from a TV The sound performance is okay, but you’ll really want to add a soundbar for a better sonic experience.
You watch events with big groups Picture quality degrades pretty quickly as you move from off from center screen, so any friends that are over and have to sit to the side will see a lower-quality image.
Also consider...
Hisense U75QG
TCL QM7K
Hisense U8QG
Samsung QN90F
Price (65-inch)
$1,500
$1,499
$2,199
$2,499
Screen type
mini-LED w/ QLED
mini-LED w/ QLED
mini-LED w/ QLED
mini-LED w/ QLED
Refresh rate
Up to 165Hz
Up to 144Hz
Up to 165Hz
165Hz
HDR support
Dolby Vision IQ//HDR10+ Adaptive/HLG
Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV
Google TV
Google TV
Google TV
Tizen
HDMI ports
4 HDMI 2.1
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
3x HDMI 2.1
4x HDMI 2.1
TCL QM7K The TCL QM7K is another great mid-range mini-LED TV with an affordable price tag. It has a better design than the Hisense, but its picture isn't as powerfully bright and its gaming flexibility is limited by having only two HDMI 2.1 ports.
Hisense U8QG The Hisense U8QG has a similar feature set to the U75QG but a better overall design with a sturdy aluminum pedestal stand. Its picture brightness is about the same, although the U8QG's 4.1.2-channel speaker array provides more immersive sound. It's a bit more expensive than the U75QG but not by much.
Samsung QN90F The Samsung QN90F is the best mini-LED TV on the market when you take into account picture quality, design, and gaming features and performance. It's notably more expensive than the Hisense U75QG but has much better off-axis picture uniformity and is also available in a wide range of sizes, including 43- and 98-inch models.
Used a variety of test material from streaming and discs
I watched a wide range of content on the Hisense U75QG, including movies and TV shows streaming from the built-in Google TV OS on Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu. I also used a Kaleidescape Strato V for high-quality movies, along with 4K UHD Blu-ray discs played on an Oppo UDP-203 disc player. Games were played on an Xbox Series X.
For grayscale and color accuracy testing, I used a Portrait Displays C6 HDR5000 colorimeter profiled to an X-rite i1 Pro 3 spectrophotometer, Murideo Seven-G 8K pattern generator, Konica Minolta LS-100 luminance meter, and Calman calibration software by Portrait Displays. I used a Leo Bodnar 4K lag tester to check input lag.
I’ve been testing TVs, monitors, and projectors for a few decades, and am an ISF Level III certified calibrator.
The Hisense U75QG is a solid performer that packs a lot of features in for the price. Typically, flagship TVs are the ones that get the most attention, but people usually aren’t buying the best of the best from any brand. Instead, buying considerations usually fall to midrange TVs like this one.
The Hisense U75QG is a mini-LED display that delivers brightness we generally don’t see from TVs in this price range – I measured over 3,000 nits in HDR Filmmaker Mode, a level that exceeds many of the best TVs from most manufacturers. That makes the U7 an excellent choice for bright spaces where ambient light is difficult to control, such as a living room with large picture windows.
Accuracy with SDR sources is impressive, so while watching broadcast TV or non-HDR streamed shows, the U75QG will deliver nice, accurate colors. HDR has a few issues in color temperature and accuracy, but they’re not drastic enough to distract and pull you out of the viewing experience. They can also be mostly corrected with a professional calibration, if you’re up for spending extra for that.
The U75QG’s Google TV OS is, as expected, quick to use and easy to navigate. Google has been the top built-in smart TV platform for a few years now, and Hisense uses it well. Picture adjustments are easy to find and change, especially with a Settings button on the backlit remote, and the Google Store offers hundreds of apps for download, including all the major streamers and smaller ones as well. And for those that want over-the-air broadcasts, the U75QG includes a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner.
The Hisense has great gaming support, with the ability for high refresh rate up to 165Hz on all four HDMI 2.1 ports, with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium, Dolby Vision gaming, and a game bar to easily access gaming settings. There are some issues with image smearing when using VRR that can detract a little, but casual gamers should be more than happy with the features and performance.
Hisense TVs always see an almost immediate dip in pricing after release, and the same has happened with the U75QG. Those discounts make it an even better value, and it stacks up well against the TCL QM7K – its primary competitor. When everything is taken into account, the Hisense U75QG stands as one of the best value midrange TVs I’ve seen in 2025.
Hisense U75QG review: Price and release date
The Hisense U75QG's picture is bright enough to even watch in well-lit rooms (Image credit: Future)
Release date: May 2025
55-inch: $1,300
65-inch: $1,500
75-inch: $1,999
85-inch: $2,499
100-inch: $4,999
116-inch: $21,999
The U75QG is Hisense’s midrange mini-LED TV, falling between the Hisense U8QG and U65QF (a model that uses the Amazon Fire TV OS) in its lineup. The series ranges in size from a 55-inch to a massive 116-inch model – the largest Hisense mini-LED TV available. As is typical for Hisense TVs, prices for all models, apart from the 116-inch, have fallen significantly since the series was released in May. The 55-inch TV can now be found for as little as $698, with prices ranging to just under $3,000 for the 100-inch.
The U75QG pricing is similar to the TCL QM7K, the midrange competitor from that manufacturer. Although the Hisense is currently $100 to $700 more expensive than the TCL, depending on screen size.
The U75QG's ports are split between side-mounted and rear-mounted input sections (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2
(Image credit: Future)
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
Hi-View AI Engine Pro processor
VA panel with good anti-reflection
The U75QG is a mini-LED TV with an anti-reflection VA panel, which does a great job handling ambient room light reflections. The VA panel does not provide it with wide viewing angles, however, with desaturated colors and raised black levels easily visible starting at around 30 degrees off-center.
Hisense upgraded last year’s Hi-View Engine Pro found in the U7N to the Hi-View AI Engine Pro, which is the same processor the company is using in its step-up U8QG model. Hisense claims improved performance over the previous chip with a 1.6x faster CPU, 2.2x faster GPU, and 1.5x faster NPU, all to deliver a better optimized image.
The Hisense U75QG includes wide-ranging HDR support, including both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic formats. Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive modes use the TV’s processing power to automatically adjust the picture based on the ambient light viewing conditions in your room. Dolby Vision Gaming is included, and, of course, the TV supports HDR10 and HLG.
Console and PC gamers will be happy with the included features on the U75QG. All four HDMI 2.1 ports support a refresh rate up to 165Hz with a Game Booster 288Hz (at 1080p), VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Hisense Game Bar, and the aforementioned HDR gaming modes. Although, as we’ll get into below, there are some minor clarity issues with gaming on the U75QG.
The U75QG runs the Google TV OS, which allows access to thousands of streaming apps. It also has an ATSC 3.0 tuner for those in areas that are broadcasting NextGen TV signals.
Features Score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Picture quality
The U75QG's picture displays good color accuracy (Image credit: Future)
Incredibly bright for a midrange TV
Impressive SDR color accuracy
HDR benefits from a pro calibration
Hisense has been a leader over the past few years in pushing display brightness to its limits, so there’s no surprise that the U75QG gets nice and bright, especially for a midrange TV. With local dimming and peak brightness set to High, and using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software, in Filmmaker Mode from a 10% window, the Hisense blasts out 3,126 nits. That’s more than double what its predecessor, the Hisense U7N, was capable of, and more than the flagship Sony Bravia 9 mini-LED TV. A fullscreen white measurement tops out at 780 nits.
With local dimming on, the Hisense also delivers deep blacks even when there are some bright images on screen. During starfield shots — the opening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi or many scenes in Gravity — there’s excellent separation between the stars, especially for a mid-tier mini-LED TV, and there isn’t a significant amount of blooming along the edges of the Shuttle Explorer against the darkness of space. When bright objects are moving, the blooming is exacerbated a little bit, but overall performance is still great for the price of the TV.
Measurements in Filmmaker Mode out of the box show the U75QG tracks the target EOTF (gamma for HDR) beautifully, so the TV isn’t overbrightening the midtones at all. HDR color accuracy also leaves a little to be desired, with things like grass being a little yellow and skin tones slightly undersaturated. None of this takes away from the overall enjoyment of a movie or TV show, though.
The U75QG excels with SDR content. Grayscale tracks D65 across the range incredibly well, with an average dE of 0.8 and 2.4 gamma. Colors are also impressively accurate for a midrange TV, with skin tones in particular looking exactly as they should.
It’s possible to get similar performance with HDR content. The U75QG has an autocal feature in Calman, the software TechRadar uses to measure TVs, so the TV can be easily calibrated within just a few minutes by a TV calibration professional. And after calibration, the TV’s accuracy is significantly better. Some color temperature issues remain in brighter grays, but if you’re able to make it happen, a calibration is worth it to get the most out of the U75QG.
Picture quality score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Sound quality
A rear-mounted subwoofer adds some low-end heft to the U75QG's sound (Image credit: Future)
2.1.2-channel speaker system
Clear dialogue
Would benefit from a soundbar
The back of the U75QG features an oval subwoofer, part of the TV’s 2.1.2-channel speaker system. Along its edges are speakers to handle the left and right channels, as well as two up-firing speakers for height. In my room, I didn’t find that the up-firing speakers accomplished much, and there isn’t a room calibration system to make them work better.
Overall sound performance is above average for a TV. There’s a decent amount of bass and vocal clarity is good, but it’s still worth pairing the TV with one of the best soundbars for a more immersive experience.
Sound quality score: 3.5/5
Hisense U75QG review: Design
The U75QG's "pedestal stand" is actually two support feet with a plastic plate mounted on top (Image credit: Future)
Center pedestal is really two feet with a plastic plate
High enough lift for soundbar
Backlit remote control
The Hisense U75QG has a slightly redesigned stand over last year’s U7N. It still utilizes a center pedestal, but instead of a trapezoidal design, the U75QG consists of two feet that are covered by a rectangular plastic plate. The TV feels sturdy on its stand, although the plastic cover is a bit flimsy – which is honestly to be expected at this price point.
While the stand lifts the TV a little over three inches to accommodate a soundbar, the front sticks out a bit, so some extra space on your credenza or table will be needed to put the soundbar in front of it. The 100- and 116-inch models use two separated legs instead of the pedestal base.
The TV is a bit on the thick side, and more so than the comparable TCL QM7K by about half an inch. Connections are split between two panels. The majority are side-facing — including four 165Hz-capable HDMI 2.1 ports (one eARC), the ATSC 3.0 coax inputs, a USB 3.0 port, a 3.5 mm audio out, and an AV in (which requires an adapter). An additional USB 2.0 port, optical digital audio out, and Ethernet port are in a rear-facing cutout. If you plan to use wired Ethernet and wall-mount the TV, this could cause some mounting issues and require the TV to be slightly out from the wall to keep the Ethernet cable from bending and putting stress on the connection. The U75QG supports a Wi-Fi 6E wireless connection as well.
The remote is the same as the one that was introduced with 2024 Hisense TVs. It’s a long silver handset with backlit buttons, which include settings and input buttons (these are sadly absent from some competitors’ remotes). Because of its length, reaching all the buttons – at least for my average-sized hand – required some jostling of the remote, but overall the design is comfortable and easy to use.
Design score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Smart TV and menus
The U75QG's Google TV smart interface (Image credit: Future)
Google TV OS
Loads of streaming apps available
Some ads on the home page
Google TV is the OS of choice for the U7 series, and it runs well on the TV. The OS is one of the best built-in options when it comes to the combination of usability and streaming app support. On the U75QG, home page navigation is quick, and menus are intuitive. There are thousands of apps available for download – including the major streaming ones such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV – as well as more niche options not included on all platforms, like F1 TV and Dropout.
The gear button on the remote pulls up the menus for adjusting any TV settings. There’s a selection of quick access menus for things like Picture and Sound, or you can call up the full settings menu. It’s pretty easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for — different settings are sensibly placed instead of hidden under a multitude of submenus.
Smart TV & menus score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Gaming
Hisense's Game Bar onscreen menu (Image credit: Future)
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 165Hz support
9.8ms input lag time
FreeSync Premium Pro
The TV has lots of features meant to satisfy gamers, and for the most part, gamers will be happy with the U75QG. The four HDMI 2.1 inputs accept high refresh rate signals up to 165Hz from a computer in 4K, and Game Booster allows for 1080p/288Hz gaming. Consoles will be able to play games at 120Hz with VRR (including HDMI Forum VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and G-Sync compatibility) and Dolby Vision gaming.
The U75QG has the Hisense Game Bar, where adjustments can quickly be made to settings like Dark Detail, Brightness, the Game Genre, and for adding a crosshair for aiming. It also displays your current frame rate, HDR, VRR, and ALLM status.
When in Game/PC picture mode, the input lag on the U75QG with a 4K 60Hz signal is a very low 9.8ms. It’s excellent for gamers who regularly play against others, or for reaction-based games. I played a good amount of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which requires some button timing for dodges and parries, and didn’t feel any lag.
While I found gaming on the U75QG to be an overall good experience, there’s some smearing when VRR is on, particularly with bright objects across a darker background, that can be a bit distracting. I saw this more when using my PC (from an RTX 4070 Ti Super) than on console, so if you’re a PC gamer, you might also see this more.
Gaming score: 4/5
Hisense U75QG review: Value
The U75QG's backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)
Excellent picture quality for the price
Really needs a soundbar for best experience
Four HDMI 2.1 ports and backlit remote
Hisense has been delivering significant value from its televisions for years now, and that continues with the U75QG, which might deliver the best performance-to-price ratio of any Hisense TV. Hisense historically lowers its TV pricing after release by a good bit, and the TVs are always on sale during shopping events, so that increases its value proposition even further.
The midrange TV market is fierce, though. The U75QG’s primary competitor is the TCL QM7K, another solid performer with high value. It’s not nearly as bright as the Hisense, and it also has some HDR inaccuracies (overly blue grayscale and some color issues) out of the box. Only two of the TCL’s HDMI ports are version 2.1, as well, although I prefer its overall design.
It gets interesting when we compare against the next tier up. The TCL QM8K has had some deep discounts recently, putting it within a couple of hundred dollars of the Hisense. At that price, the TCL is an absolute steal. Not only is it a much better TV than both the U75QG and QM7K, I think it's one of the best TCL TVs ever made – although the TCL QM9K likely takes that title.
Value score: 4.5/5
Should I buy the Hisense U75QG?
(Image credit: Future)
Hisense U75QG
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Good HDR support and gaming features
4/5
Picture quality
Excellent brightness and great overall picture quality for the price
4/5
Sound quality
2.1.2-channel speakers deliver clear dialogue but limited height effects with Atmos soundtracks
3.5/5
Design
Good overall design with backlit remote and plentiful connections
4/5
Smart TV and menus
Google TV is a solid smart interface with plenty of apps
4/5
Gaming
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 165Hz support but some picture smearing with VRR, particularly with PCs
4/5
Value
A great overall value given the TV's picture quality and features
4.5/5
Buy it if...
You want a good all-around TV While the U75QG isn’t without flaws, its overall performance is impressive for the price.
Your TV room is bathed in ambient light Brightness output from the Hisense is more than other comparable TVs and stands up well against uncontrollable ambient light.
You have multiple gaming consoles/PCs The Hisense U75QG has four HDMI 2.1 165Hz-compatible inputs, while its main competitor, the TCL QM7K, only has two. If you have multiple consoles and a PC to connect, the U75QG is the pick.
Don't buy it if…
You’re looking for top-tier gaming performance The U75QG has decent gaming performance and a nice game bar option, but its VRR performance doesn’t match competitors.
You want amazing sound from a TV The sound performance is okay, but you’ll really want to add a soundbar for a better sonic experience.
You watch events with big groups Picture quality degrades pretty quickly as you move from off from center screen, so any friends that are over and have to sit to the side will see a lower-quality image.
Also consider...
Hisense U75QG
TCL QM7K
Hisense U8QG
Samsung QN90F
Price (65-inch)
$1,500
$1,499
$2,199
$2,499
Screen type
mini-LED w/ QLED
mini-LED w/ QLED
mini-LED w/ QLED
mini-LED w/ QLED
Refresh rate
Up to 165Hz
Up to 144Hz
Up to 165Hz
165Hz
HDR support
Dolby Vision IQ//HDR10+ Adaptive/HLG
Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV
Google TV
Google TV
Google TV
Tizen
HDMI ports
4 HDMI 2.1
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
3x HDMI 2.1
4x HDMI 2.1
TCL QM7K The TCL QM7K is another great mid-range mini-LED TV with an affordable price tag. It has a better design than the Hisense, but its picture isn't as powerfully bright and its gaming flexibility is limited by having only two HDMI 2.1 ports.
Hisense U8QG The Hisense U8QG has a similar feature set to the U75QG but a better overall design with a sturdy aluminum pedestal stand. Its picture brightness is about the same, although the U8QG's 4.1.2-channel speaker array provides more immersive sound. It's a bit more expensive than the U75QG but not by much.
Samsung QN90F The Samsung QN90F is the best mini-LED TV on the market when you take into account picture quality, design, and gaming features and performance. It's notably more expensive than the Hisense U75QG but has much better off-axis picture uniformity and is also available in a wide range of sizes, including 43- and 98-inch models.
Used a variety of test material from streaming and discs
I watched a wide range of content on the Hisense U75QG, including movies and TV shows streaming from the built-in Google TV OS on Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu. I also used a Kaleidescape Strato V for high-quality movies, along with 4K UHD Blu-ray discs played on an Oppo UDP-203 disc player. Games were played on an Xbox Series X.
For grayscale and color accuracy testing, I used a Portrait Displays C6 HDR5000 colorimeter profiled to an X-rite i1 Pro 3 spectrophotometer, Murideo Seven-G 8K pattern generator, Konica Minolta LS-100 luminance meter, and Calman calibration software by Portrait Displays. I used a Leo Bodnar 4K lag tester to check input lag.
I’ve been testing TVs, monitors, and projectors for a few decades, and am an ISF Level III certified calibrator.
The Bar 1000MK2 kit with wireless surround speakers, remote control, and accessory cables and mounts (subwoofer not shown) (Image credit: Future)
The JBL Bar 1000MK2 is designed to address a problem inherent to the discrete surround speakers that come with soundbar systems: what happens when you don’t have a suitable place to plug them in?
It’s a challenge the JBL Bar 1000MK2 addresses elegantly by using detachable, rechargeable surround speakers that can be placed almost anywhere — with or without power.
Along with its detachable surround speakers, this model goes beyond most of the best soundbars by including not one, but three dedicated HDMI inputs. It’s blistering with wireless connections, too, including AirPlay and Google Cast. The included 10-inch wireless sub completes the picture, turning the Bar 1000MK2 into a highly flexible home theater system.
It creates highly immersive, cinematic experiences that put you in the middle of the action, but it’s not without its flaws. Height channel effects, the hallmark of a great Dolby Atmos or DTS:X soundtrack, can be a little underwhelming, and dialogue isn’t quite as clear as other soundbars such as the Sonos Arc Ultra or Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. Music quality can vary: modern recordings (especially those mixed as Dolby Atmos tracks) shine, but older material loses something on playback.
Still, all in, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 is a fun, powerful, and versatile addition to any TV setup.
JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Price & release date
The Bar 1000MK2 uses the JBL One app for setup control, but most functions can be carried out using the included hardware remote (Image credit: Future)
$1,199.95 / £899.99 (about AU$1,845)
Released June 2025
JBL launched the Bar 1000MK2 in June 2025 in both the US and the UK. Additional countries are planned for October and beyond, but pricing for these markets has yet to be announced.
As an update to the Bar 1000, JBL has kept the main ingredients (the included sub, detachable surrounds, and three dedicated HDMI inputs), but has made some small changes to the components. Instead of five racetrack drivers and three tweeters on the main bar, there are now six racetracks and only two tweeters. The deleted tweeter might make a difference: it was centrally located, where it played a role in dialogue clarity.
The detachable surrounds have also been modified. Here again, JBL has swapped tweeters for full-range racetrack drivers. The surrounds can now be used in another room for remote TV listening, or as an alternative to the main bar and subwoofer in Night mode.
Curiously, JBL’s pricing creates different comparisons depending on where you live. In the US, it’s $200 more expensive than the Sonos Arc Ultra ($999) and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($999), and yet, in the UK, all three products are priced alike at £899. The Bar 1000MK2's price has dropped in the US since launch, however, with it now widely available for $999.
Given that the Bar 1000MK2 comes with its own wireless subwoofer and surround speakers, which isn’t the case for Sonos or Bose, it may make more sense for buyers to compare it to similarly equipped products like Samsung’s HW-Q930F ($1,399) or LG’s S90TR ($1,199).
JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Specs
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Soundbar: 33.6 x 2.0 x 5.0 inches; detachable surround speaker (each): 7.4 x 2.0 x 5.0 inches; subwoofer: 12.8 x 15.7 x 12.8 inches
Speaker channels
7.1.4
Connections:
1x HDMI out (with eARC), 3x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-A
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Sub included
Yes
Rear speakers included
Yes
Features
AirPlay 2, Google Cast, HDMI 2.1, 4K 60Hz, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision pass-through, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Dolby Atmos Music, Roon Ready, rear speaker broadcast mode, Night Listening mode, native integration of music services including Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and more
JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Features
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The Bar 1000MK2 provides 3 HDMI inputs along with an HDMI output (with eARC); the fully wireless surround speakers dock into the soundbar's sides for charging and also have a USB-C port for power (Image credit: Future)
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Three dedicated HDMI inputs with 4K/HDR passthrough
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with comprehensive streaming support
Fully wireless surround speakers that can be placed anywhere
JBL’s top-tier products have a reputation for being chock-full of features, and the Bar 1000MK2 is no exception. I’m thrilled when a soundbar offers even one HDMI input to compensate for the one it takes up on the TV. With three of these inputs, the Bar 1000MK2 doubles as an AV receiver alternative, letting you hook up multiple devices like Blu-ray players or game consoles.
I’m a little disappointed that the optical connection is strictly an alternative to the HDMI eARC port (you can’t use it as its own discrete input), and gamers should take note that the soundbar’s video passthrough is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate.
With both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, plus Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect, you can stream just about any music source to the Bar 1000MK2. Better yet, JBL lets you natively stream services like Tidal and Amazon Music from within the JBL One companion app, ensuring compatibility with Dolby Atmos Music tracks (when available). Longtime JBL fans should note that, unlike previous JBL soundbars, the Bar 1000MK2 isn’t compatible with Amazon Alexa for voice control or multiroom audio.
JBL remains the only soundbar maker that uses fully wireless surround speakers, which enable a huge range of placement options. New on the MK2 is the ability to use them as auxiliary TV speakers for listening in a different room, or as personal “night mode” speakers.
Wondering about what it’s like to use rechargeable speakers? Honestly, it’s pretty great. JBL estimates a single charge will get you about 10 hours of use, depending on your volume level. For me, that translated into two weeks between charges, watching about 1.5-2 hours of TV per day. And that included a three-hour continuous listening session where I put the system through a series of test clips and playlists.
I really appreciate that JBL includes wall-mounting hardware for both the main bar and the surrounds. And, cleverly, the mounts for the surrounds are designed for easy on-and-off placement to help with recharging. Finding a way to leave them plugged in via USB-C while wall-mounted, on the other hand, might prove tricky, and JBL doesn’t include chargers in the box.
Features score: 5 / 5
JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Performance
Both the soundbar and wireless surrounds (shown here docked on the soundbar for charging) feature upfiring Atmos speakers (Image credit: Future)
Impressive surround sound
Lackluster height channels and precision
Slightly harsh music rendering
With a total of 10 drivers in the main soundbar, two drivers in each surround module, and a big, 10-inch cone on the down-firing subwoofer, the Bar 1000MK2 has all the ingredients needed for a full-throated home theater experience.
Whether you’ve got access to Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or just good ol’ Dolby Digital 5.1, this soundbar does a great job of putting you in the middle of the action.
With the speaker’s PureVoice mode on (the default), I found dialogue clarity adequate, but not as crystal-clear as the Sonos Arc Ultra or Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. It’s not a deal-breaker, but at this price, I expect top-notch dialogue quality.
JBL’s 7.1.4-channel system successfully decoded Dolby Atmos up to 9.1.6 and DTS:X at up to 7.1.4. There isn’t a lot of DTS:X content out there, but it’s nice to know the Bar 1000MK2 can handle it.
Those detachable, fully wireless surround speakers may look like toys, but they’re the real deal. Placing them on either end of my couch created an excellent sound field. During key moments in Ford v Ferrari, race cars could clearly be heard careening from my left to my right as they battled for dominance on (and sometimes off) the track.
Ideally, they should be placed just behind your listening position, but it’s not vital.
However, leaving the surround speakers attached to the main soundbar (where they recharge if you don’t want to use your own chargers) will give you much less immersive sound. The Bar 1000MK2 simply isn’t as adept at creating virtual surround and rear height effects from the front of your room. If you want a single bar that can do that, the Sonos Arc Ultra, Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, and Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus are better choices.
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The Bar 1000MK2 system's large, ported subwoofer features a downfiring 10-inch cone driver (Image credit: Future)
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Despite its impressive overall performance, there are some specific weaknesses. Some soundtrack elements lack sufficient dynamic range. During the classic courtyard shootout scene from No Time To Die, when James Bond sits stoically as his Aston Martin gets riddled with bullets, the automatic gunfire ricochets all around the room, as it should. But the overhead church bells sound flat, and in the moments leading up to this scene, the car chase lacks presence and immediacy.
Similarly, even with the soundbar’s Atmos setting at max (the loudest you can push the height drivers), it was hard to hear the difference between surround and overhead effects.
I’ve reviewed a lot of single-speaker soundbars recently, and the Bar 1000MK2 reminded me that even the best of these units can’t compete with a dedicated subwoofer. Though the power and impact of this sub seem disproportionately low when compared to its size, the unit does what it needs to do. Of the available five subwoofer power levels, I found levels four and five to be plenty of punch for movies. For music, however, I needed to tone it down: levels one to three were more enjoyable.
Speaking of music, I’m sad to report that it’s an uneven aspect of the Bar 1000MK2’s performance. It seems that JBL hasn’t moved the needle much since it released the Bar 9.1 -- its first soundbar with wireless surrounds. Like that speaker, the Bar 1000MK2 has trouble with its midranges, and the highs have a tendency to get shouty and shrill, particularly at higher volumes.
On the bright side, the system is compatible with hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, and it seems to love tracks that have been produced in recent years. Modern recordings, especially those in Dolby Atmos Music, really shine. But older songs lose a lot. There are no EQ presets (e.g., Music, Movies, Sports, etc.); however, JBL does offer an equalizer in the JBL One app. Still, all my tweaking didn’t resolve the issue. Strangely, equalizer adjustments are universal; there’s no way to save your changes or apply different settings to each input.
Using the wireless speakers for portable TV audio (Broadcasting mode) is a clever idea. If you’ve ever grouped a Sonos kitchen speaker with a Sonos soundbar, it’s the same concept. And the wireless speakers have an impressive range. With the soundbar in my basement, I was still able to get a stable signal on our third floor.
You can even choose mono or stereo sound. Where the idea stumbles, somewhat, is that the speakers don’t have their own built-in volume control. Changing the volume on the main system affects that of the wireless speakers. You can make it slightly quieter or louder using the JBL One app’s three rear channel settings: low, medium, and high.
Quiet, personal listening (Night listening mode) works well, too, cutting sound from the main bar and sub and routing it all to the wireless speakers. In this mode, it’s the regular volume level that controls what you hear. I’m just a bit sad that JBL doesn’t offer the choice of mono/stereo in Night listening mode.
Performance score: 3.5 / 5
JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Design
The Bar 1000MK2 has a bright alphanumeric LED display for control feedback (Image credit: Future)
Magnetic covers provide a finished look to both the bar and surrounds
Ultra short height keeps it from obstructing your TV’s lower frame
Lack of front-firing tweeters may diminish dialogue crispness
It’s impossible to overlook the Bar 1000MK2’s main design element: those detachable wireless surrounds. It’s unique, it’s clever, and it works. It may not be for everyone, but the flexibility of placement and the elimination of wires are a boon to those with awkward spaces.
With a utilitarian, black plastic body and plastic grille, the Bar 1000 MK2’s design won’t win any beauty contests. But if you’re of the opinion that soundbars should be heard, not seen, the 1000MK2 is a stunner.
As powerful soundbars go, the Bar 1000MK2 is remarkably compact, especially when you remove the wireless surround speakers. At just two inches tall, the MK2 is one of the shortest soundbars I’ve ever tested. Most folks won’t have to worry about it blocking the IR receiver (or screen) on their TVs.
A front-mounted alphanumeric display briefly comes to life to inform you of input changes, volume level, audio format (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, etc.), and a wealth of other settings and alerts, which I find very helpful. I don’t like being forced to consult an app for these details (as is the case with many soundbars). It would be perfect if only you could adjust its brightness or disable it entirely.
The included magnetic end-caps aren’t a very elegant solution to the problem of how to hide the exposed charging contacts, but once installed, they do provide a very elegant finish to both the soundbar and the surrounds.
It’s harder to be enthusiastic about the included wireless subwoofer. At 15 inches tall and with a nearly 13-inch square footprint, it’s big, and that makes it harder to tuck away. You may be able to get away with placing objects on its flat top surface -- one of our cats decided it was the ideal spot for a nap and was surprisingly unfazed by the low-frequency rumbles, which I suppose is a quirky testament to the cabinet’s ability to dampen vibrations.
The soundbar’s top controls are basic in the extreme: Volume and input selection. If you’re using the speaker purely for TV audio, the sparse offering is fine. If you’re using it for music, it can feel limiting, especially the lack of muting, play/pause, and track skipping.
Good thing the Bar 1000MK2 ships with a remote. It covers all of those missing functions and then some. But I’m baffled by JBL’s decision to use icons instead of words to label buttons that control sub, surround, Atmos levels, and calibration. Curiously, this is only on the North American model. The European version gets English labels, even though that part of the world speaks many more languages than in Canada, the US, and Mexico.
Behind the front and top grilles on the main bar, JBL has installed six 1.7x3.1-inch racetrack drivers, two 1-inch tweeters, and two 2.75-inch up-firing full-range drivers.
It’s an unusual configuration: JBL uses the two tweeters as side beam drivers -- meaning they’re used to help with surround channels. It relies on the six racetrack drivers for the all-important center channel, which may explain why I found the Bar 1000MK2 less crisp on the dialogue front than other soundbars. Bose uses a central tweeter on the Smart Ultra Soundbar, and Sonos puts three front-firing tweeters on the Arc Ultra.
Each wireless surround has a 1.7x3.5-inch racetrack driver and a 2.75-inch, up-firing full-range driver.
Design score: 4 / 5
JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Setup & usability
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Set up, adjustment, and music streaming app screens on the JBL One app (Image credit: Future)
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Easy setup and calibration
Front display provides vital feedback
JBL One app is simple and easy to use
Getting the Bar 1000MK2 set up is a snap. For basic use as a TV speaker, you can simply plug it into power and your TV’s HDMI (or optical) connection, plug in the subwoofer, and you’re done.
But it’s worth it to download the free and intuitive JBL One app. The app walks you through getting the soundbar connected to Wi-Fi – which takes less than one minute – after which you can access software updates and use streaming platforms like Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect.
There’s also native support for several streaming music services, including Tidal and Amazon Music, which helps to ensure you’re getting Dolby Atmos Music when available (Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Google Cast aren’t currently compatible with this format).
If you own more than one JBL Wi-Fi-based audio product, e.g., Charge 5 Wi-Fi, or one of the Authentics models, the app also lets you control these speakers individually or as groups.
Most of the time, you won’t need the app after the initial setup. Thanks to the built-in display, most tasks are easily performed with the remote. Exceptions to this are changing the EQ setting and switching to Night or Broadcast listening. You don’t need the app to perform the room calibration of the wireless surrounds, but it’s easier than using the remote and built-in display.
Calibration is very easy, and only involves two automated steps: a reading of the room with the surround speakers positioned where you normally sit, and another with the speakers placed in their regular positions off to the sides of your listening spot.
Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5
JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Value
Following discounts, the Bar 1000MK2's US price matches all-in-one soundbars like the Sonos Arc Ultra and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar (Image credit: Future)
Good bang for the buck
Dialogue, Atmos effects, and music could be stronger
Incredibly versatile
Is the JBL Bar 1000MK2 a perfect soundbar? No, but for the price, it packs a feature set you simply won’t find anywhere else. Multiple HDMI inputs, full Wi-Fi streaming options, excellent cinematic surround sound, and of course, those funky detachable wireless speakers.
Its nearest direct competitors, the Samsung HW-Q930F ($1,399) and LG S90TR ($1,199), are, like the 1000MK2, priced just under each brand’s flagships.
TechRadar hasn’t reviewed these models, but if our experiences with their higher-end siblings (Samsung HW-Q990F and LG S95TR) are any indication, they’ll deliver better overall sound quality.
What they won’t give you is the Bar 1000MK2’s three HDMI inputs (they only have one), its fully wireless surround speakers (they have power cords), or the ability to use those speakers for remote/night listening.
Value score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the JBL Bar 1000MK2?
Section
Notes
Score
Features
Three HDMI inputs, fully wireless surround speakers and extensive wireless streaming support
5 / 5
Performance
Good surround immersion but lackluster Atmos effects, dialogue clarity and music performance
3.5 / 5
Design
Detachable wireless surround speakers dock into soundbar; slim profile with large alphanumeric LED display
4 / 5
Setup & usability
Simple setup and calibration; feature-packed JBL One app, but most functions can be controlled with hardware remote
4.5 / 5
Value
Impressive features and versatility for price but performance could be stronger
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want full cinematic surround sound at a reasonable price Companies like Bose, Sonos, and Marshall don’t include subwoofers and surrounds with their soundbars. Adding them increases the price of a full home theater setup by up to 100% or more. The Bar 1000MK2 comes with everything you need.
You have an unusual TV room Not everyone has conveniently located power outlets or even good spots to mount surround speakers. The Bar 1000MK2, with its compact and fully wireless surrounds, provides far more versatility of placement.
You own multiple video devices like game consoles, disc players, or streamers With three dedicated HDMI inputs, the Bar 1000MK2 not only compensates for the HDMI port it occupies on your TV, it actually adds two more. For some, this will eliminate the need for a separate HDMI switcher.
Don't buy it if...
You need crystal-clear dialogue The Bar 1000MK2 is generally very good for dialogue quality, but you’ll find that most of its competitors (Bose, Sony, Sonos, etc.) offer more clarity.
You don’t want to compromise on surround power As convenient as the Bar 1000MK2’s fully wireless surrounds are, they aren’t as big or as powerful as those in similar all-in-one systems from Samsung or LG.
Music listening is just as important as movies and TV The Bar 1000MK2 is perfectly competent as a music speaker, but it’s clear that it was designed primarily for movies and shows. There’s a slight harshness to the upper-mids and highs that detracts from some music (especially older recordings), though it can be quite thrilling as a Dolby Atmos Music system.
JBL Bar 1000MK2 review: Also consider
JBL Bar 1000MK2
Sonos Arc Ultra
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
LG S90TR
Price
$1,199.95 / £899.99 (about AU$1,845)
$999 / £999 / AU$1,799
$899 / £899 / AU$1499
$1,199.99
Dimensions (w x h x d)
Soundbar: 33.6 x 2.0 x 5.0 inches; subwoofer: 12.8 x 15.7 x 12.8 inches; surround speaker: 5.0 x 7.4 x 2.0 inches
46.38 x 2.95 x 4.35 inches
41 x 2.3 x 4.2 inches
Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 inches; subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 inches; surround speaker: 3.9 x 6.9 x 4.7 inches
Speaker channels
9.1.4
9.1.4
5.1.2
7.1.3
Connections
HDMI out (with eARC), 3x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-A
1HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
HDMI eARC, digital optical, Ethernet, bass module, IR blaster, USB (service only), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
HDMI out (with eARC), HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-A
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/Yes
Sonos Arc Ultra
If you’re content to build a system starting with a single-speaker soundbar, the Sonos Arc Ultra costs a little less ($999 in the U.S.) and addresses both the dialogue clarity and music performance concerns on the JBL Bar 1000MK2. It offers impressive virtual surround sound, though it can’t match the power and immersion of an all-in-one system like the Bar 1000MK2.
Bose's top all-in-one soundbar, like the Sonos Arc Ultra, costs $999 in the US and can be added on with optional wireless surround speakers and a subwoofer. It also has superior dialogue clarity and music performance compared to the JBL Bar 1000MK2.
If you don’t want to compromise on the full home theater experience, the LG S90TR is the same price ($1,199) and will likely deliver better dialogue and music, though with only one HDMI input and the need to plug its surrounds into power, it’s not as versatile as the Bar 1000MK2.
How I tested the JBL Bar 1000MK2
(Image credit: Future)
Used JBL Bar 1000MK2 as main audio system for two weeks
Tested in basement media room
Main source was an Apple TV 4K, and streamed music from various apps
I spent two weeks with the JBL Bar 1000MK2 as my main audio system for watching movies, shows, and music in my basement media room. During that time, I ran through my usual battery of Dolby Atmos test clips from movies like No Time To Die, Ford v Ferrari, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dune, and Unbroken, paying special attention to details like dialogue clarity, surround sound, and height channel impact.
I streamed most content from an Apple TV 4K connected via an LG OLED TV, which fed the MK2 from its ARC output, but I also connected an Nvidia Shield TV to one of the MK2's HDMI inputs to test its passthrough capabilities.
For music, I used a variety of apps, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, and Amazon Music, listening to a wide range of genres and formats, like Dolby Atmos Music. Some were played from apps on the Apple TV 4K, while others were streamed wirelessly using AirPlay, Bluetooth and Google Cast.
My Lazarus review verdict might make you think I'm being hypocritical about Harlan Coben's new Prime Video show, but I stand by it. Lazarus is at once my favorite TV story in the ever-growing Harlan Coben collection, but it's also the least effective so far.
So, why have I managed to get so much out of it? Two words: ambitious storytelling. It's always much more satisfying to watch something that takes huge swings that don't entirely land than to watch something that stays meek. Lazarus is anything but the latter.
Coben hasn't exactly nailed his first original script (co-written with showrunner Danny Brocklehurst), but you can't say it's not dynamic. The story follows psychiatrist Joel Lazarus (Sam Claflin), who is forced to confront a series of cold cases after the death of his father Dr. Jonathan Lazarus (Bill Nighy) leads him to start having visions of his dad's dead patients.
The best way I can sum up the series is to describe it as a cross between The Silence of the Lambsand The Sixth Sense, but neither the show's synopsis nor nailing it to cultural references as well known as the famous line "I see dead people" does the experience justice.
Alongside The Girlfriend, I'd confidently sayHarlan Coben's Lazarus is Prime Video's most fascinating crime or psychological thriller of the year. Given the fact that I'm still thinking about it nearly a month after first seeing it, I'm happy to let it be imperfect in its execution.
Harlan Coben's Lazarus is a daringly ambitious Prime Video thriller, but it's not perfect
There's a lot to like here. Lazarus is visually stunning, thanks to how the creative team has chosen to weave together two contrasting timelines into its production design. Indeed, the 'best fictional psychologist's office' award is firmly won by Dr. Jonathan's astonishing fortress.
It's in his office that the bulk of exciting storytelling takes place. Joel encounters his father's former clients behind closed doors, and that's when reality and delusion begin to converge into one soupy mess. Claflin's performance completely sells Joel's inner turmoil, keeping a firm hand on the tiller when we've got no idea what's going on.
The advantage of being kept in the dark is that we've got an abundance of twists and turns that genuinely shock us. Each episode is capped off with a mysterious question that made me want watch the next one, unable to tear myself away from the screen until I got some answer, any answer.
They do come, as well. The door has slyly been left open for a second season to be possible, but for the most part, our mysteries are wrapped up. This in itself is a rarity for 2020s television, which is often desperate to keep things open-ended in the hopes it'll be picked up for more episodes. That's not the way Coben has ever worked, and it's to our advantage.
Being imperfect isn't a sign of failure, actually
Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy in Harlan Coben's Lazarus. (Image credit: Amazon Prime Video)
There is a big downside to the show, though – Harlan Coben's Lazarus is a slew of conflicting storylines that don't sit well together as a whole. There's everything going on with Joel inside his dad's office, alongside a present-day mystery surrounding how Dr. Johnathan actually died and whether it was more nefarious than first thought.
It goes without saying that both storylines are indeed linked, but it took me at least three to four episodes to figure out what was actually happening, bearing in mind Lazarus has six episodes in total. There are no clear markers for whether we're in the past or present in any given moment, and so much happens at once that you need a breather (or a whiteboard thought mapping session) to digest what you've seen.
For me, that payoff comes a little too late, and it's information overload up until that point. I can see viewers tuning out before the reveal, feeling as though they're putting in a second shift at work just to watch a TV show in their downtime. It was hard enough for me watching it as my actual job.
On top of that, Prime Video's marketing really oversells how much Nighy is actually in the series. His scenes are pivotal, that's for sure, but blink and you'll miss him. However, the names you'll recognize in its ensemble are as formidable as you'd expect.
As I've said, I don't mind that Coben's first real shot at scriptwriting is chaotic and flawed, and I genuinely do feel enriched by watching Lazarus. In an age where crime procedurals fit a cookie-cutter mould that's ripe for consumption, Coben is taking risks, going bold and giving audiences something he hasn't shown them before.
If this is where Coben's first original script gets him, imagine where the second or third will end up. Ultimately, he still nailed the things his books are renowned for – intelligent reveals, satisfying conclusions and well-thought out character dynamics.
Critically engaging with something that doesn't quite work but leaves us with lots of questions isn't a bad way for us to spend our free time.
All six episodes of Harlan Coben's Lazarus are available to stream on Prime Video from October 22.
The TCL QM9K is the final TV series the companylaunched in 2025, and it was clearly saving the best for last. As the company’s flagship mini-LED TV series, it arrives packed with the highest level of performance, along with the latest and greatest features, with some of those exclusive to the QM9K.
A key exclusive feature of the TCL QM9K at launch is Google TV with Gemini. This adds the Gemini AI chatbot to what is otherwise the same Google TV smart interface found on many of the best TVs. Gemini enables you to conduct not just content searches, but research on essentially any topic, from dinner recipes to ancient Roman civilization, using the TV’s built-in far-field mic.
The contextual, conversational Gemini lets you ask follow-up questions without losing the thread, and for those concerned about privacy, queries get deleted after 10 minutes. Other Gemini capabilities include image generation, and the screensavers you create can pop up on the screen automatically when you enter the room, thanks to the TV’s built-in presence sensor (another QM9K exclusive).
On the picture-quality front, the QM9K features a mini-LED panel with up to 6,500 local dimming zones, and TCL’s Halo Control System works to minimize incidences of backlight blooming – something it does remarkably well. The result is an exceptionally bright picture with powerful contrast, deep, uniform blacks, and detailed shadows.
Other features that enhance the QM9K’s picture are an AIPQ Pro processor, a wide viewing angle feature, and an anti-reflective screen. Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats are both supported, and the TV features Filmmaker Mode and is IMAX Enhanced.
The QM9K’s Audio by Bang & Olufsen speaker system provides potent Dolby Atmos sound with clear dialogue and an impressive level of bass for a TV. And if you want even better sound, the QM9K is one of the first TVs to support Dolby FlexConnect, which can output wireless Atmos sound to the company’s Z100 speakers and Z100-SW subwoofer, as well as automatically configure the system for optimal performance.
TCL’s Zero Bezel design for the QM9K reduces the screen’s bezel width to 3.2mm for a striking, “all-picture” look. An adjustable height pedestal stand provides solid support and can clear space for a soundbar, and the TV's edges taper in at the sides to give it a slim profile.
A respectable number of gaming features are provided on the QM9K, including two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming. A pop-up Game Bar menu lets you make quick adjustments, and a Game Accelerator 288 feature enables 288Hz gaming at 1080p resolution.
TCL QM9K review: Price and release date
The QM9K's high brightness and refined local dimming help to bring out fine details in images (Image credit: Future)
Release date: September 2025
65-inch: $2,999.99
75-inch: $3,499.99
85-inch: $3,999.99
98-inch: $5,999.99
The TCL QM9K is available in 65- to 98-inch screen sizes. As TCL’s flagship TV, it is priced higher than other series in the company’s mini-LED TV lineup, with the 75-inch model I tested priced at $3,499 at launch. To put the QM9K’s price in perspective, the step-down TCL QM8K mini-LED launched in May at $3,199 for the 75-inch size, and is now selling for around $2,000.
Similar to the QM8K, prices for the QM9K are already starting to drop, with the 75-inch model having been reduced to $2,499. Other flagship mini-LEDs in a 75-inch size that the QM9K is competing with include the Samsung QN90F (currently selling for $2,099) and Hisense U8QG (currently selling for $1,899).
TCL QM9K review: Specs
Screen type:
QLED with mini-LED
Refresh rate:
144Hz
HDR support:
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:
Dolby Atmos
Smart TV:
Google TV
HDMI ports:
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
Built-in tuner:
ATSC 3.0
TCL QM9K review: Benchmark results
TCL QM9K review: Features
The QM9K has two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support, plus two HDMI 2.0 ports (Image credit: Future)
Wide viewing angle and anti-reflective screen
Audio by Bang & Olufsen
Google TV with Gemini
The TCL QM9K features a high-contrast display panel with a wide viewing angle and an anti-reflective screen. A Halo Control System with a 23-bit controller and dynamic light algorithm is used to minimize blooming from the TV’s mini-LED backlight, which provides up to 6,500 local dimming zones, and the company’s AIPQ Pro processor is used for upscaling and noise reduction.
High dynamic range support includes both the Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ formats. The QM9K is also IMAX Enhanced certified and features a Filmmaker Mode picture preset, a new addition to TCL TVs in 2025.
The QM9K’s Audio by Bang & Olufsen built-in speaker system features Dolby Atmos support, and there's pass-through for DTS:X. Upfiring speakers for Atmos height effects are located on the TV’s top surface, and there are dual subwoofers on the back panel.
TCL’s Zero Border design for the QM9K provides a disappearingly thin bezel that allows for virtually the full screen area to be filled with the picture. A built-in sensor can be configured to turn the TV on when it detects your nearby presence, and it will then be switched to ambient mode, displaying artwork or photos. A built-in far-field mic lets you use voice commands to control the TV, and there’s also a built-in mic on the backlit remote control that lets you do the same.
The QM9K is the first Google TV with Gemini AI, which lets you carry out contextual, voice-based content search, among other things. Gemini can be used to control Google Assistant smart home devices, and the TV additionally works with Alexa and Apple HomeKit and jas AirPlay and Chromecast built-in support.
Gaming features include 4K 144Hz support on two of the TV’s four HDMI ports, FreeSync Pro, and Game Accelerator 288, which lets you game in 1080p resolution at a 288Hz refresh rate. There is also a Game Bar onscreen display that lets you make gaming-related adjustments without having to exit to a menu.
Features Score: 4.5/5
TCL QM9K review: Picture quality
The QM9K's high brightness and anti-glare screen make it a great option for bright room viewing (Image credit: Future)
Exceptional brightness and contrast
Rich color and excellent detail
Wide viewing angle
When I previously reviewed the TCL QM9K’s step-down sibling, the TCL QM8K, one of that TV’s high points was its exceptional brightness. In my testing, the QM9K proved to be even brighter than the QM8K, with a measured peak HDR brightness of 3,322 nits in Filmmaker Mode and 3,811 nits in Standard mode. Fullscreen HDR brightness was also impressive, with the QM9K hitting around 660 nits in both Filmmaker and Standard modes.
The QM9K’s HDR color gamut coverage was also very good, with the TV measuring 96.7% for UHDA-P3 and 79.7 for BT-2020. Color point accuracy was similarly good, with the Delta-E value (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen, with a result lower than 3 being undetectable by the human eye) averaging out to 1.8, and to 2.8 for grayscale accuracy.
The QM9K’s high brightness, combined with its extended, accurate color and refined local dimming translated into an exceptional picture. Watching the animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on 4K Blu-ray, a scene where Spider-Man battles the Green Goblin had powerful contrast, and it caused the scene’s psychedelic color palette to pop more than I’m used to seeing on most TVs. The film’s animated textures were also displayed with a high level of detail, giving it a near 3D-like effect.
The QM9K’s impressive detail carried over to Ripley, which I streamed in 4K with Dolby Vision from Netflix. Watched in the TV’s Dolby Vision Dark picture mode, textures in clothing and objects were clearly visible, and it gave the picture a strong sense of depth. The show’s black and white images looked completely uniform, and subtle gray tones were easily revealed.
Test patterns on the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray confirmed that the QM9K’s CrystGlow WHVA Panel worked as well in maintaining uniform color and contrast over a wide viewing angle as the TCL QM8K did when I tested it. The disc’s local dimming torture tests also confirmed the effectiveness of TCL’s Halo Control System at minimizing backlight blooming in high contrast images.
With its Ultra Wide Angle feature, the QM9K's picture looks uniformly good over a range of seating positions (Image credit: Future)
The only area where the QM9K stumbled a bit was in its motion handling. Watching a scene from the James Bond film No Time to Die, where Bond walks across a craggy hillside cemetery, there was a fair amount of judder, although this could be eliminated by making adjustments to the Custom mode in the TV’s Motion menu without introducing too much “soap opera” effect.
There was also a very slight degree of vignetting at the edges of the screen, an effect likely related to its Zero Border design. This was mostly visible on test patterns, however, and I rarely spotted it on TV shows or movies.
The QM9K’s anti-reflection screen proved effective at reducing screen glare from overhead lights and maintaining picture contrast. I did see some reflections from lamps when placed in the path of the screen, but it was minimal and mostly an issue for dark images.
Picture quality score: 4.5/5
TCL QM9K review: Sound quality
The QM9K's Audio by Bang & Olufsen speaker system features upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos height effects and dual subwoofers on the TV's rear (shown) (Image credit: Future)
Audio by Bang & Olufsen with Beosonic interface
Dolby FlexConnect support
Potent sound with good directional effects
TCL doesn’t provide much in the way of audio specs for its TVs, but the QM9K does have an Audio by Bang & Olufsen Dolby Atmos speaker system with upfiring drivers and built-in subwoofers. There’s no DTS Virtual:X processing, but DTS:X pass-through is supported.
The QM9K is also compatible with Dolby FlexConnect, which lets you use the TV with the company’s Z100 wireless FlexConnect speakers and Z100-SW wireless subwoofer. FlexConnect automatically configures and calibrates the system from the TV, and it gives you the freedom to position the speakers anywhere you want in the room, not just in the standard home theater positions to the side of the screen, or behind you to the sides.
One notable feature related to the Audio by Bang & Olufsen on the QM9K is its Beosonic interface, which becomes available when you select the TV’s Custom sound preset.
The graphic interface features a cursor that allows you to move between Relaxed, Energetic, Bright, and Warm quadrants to adjust the sound to your liking. Using this, I was able to warm up the TV’s too-bright sound, though I ended up leaving the Movie preset in place for most of my testing.
Overall, I found the QM9K’s sound to be pretty potent, with clear dialogue and a good helping of bass. When I watched the chase scene through the town square in No Time to Die, the crashes and gunfire had good impact and directionality, and the sound of ringing church bells in the Dolby Atmos soundtrack had a notably strong height effect.
I imagine many viewers will be fine with using the QM9K’s built-in speakers, though I’d recommend adding one of the best soundbars or taking advantage of its FlexConnect feature to get sound quality that equals the picture.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
TCL QM9K review: Design
The TV's pedestal stand can be installed flush or at an elevated height (shown) to accommodate a soundbar (Image credit: Future)
ZeroBorder design
Height-adjustable pedestal stand
Full-size, backlit remote control
TCL’s ZeroBorder design minimizes the QM9K’s bezel to a vanishingly small 3.2mm, giving it a true “all-picture” look. The panel itself has a two-inch depth, although its sides taper inward in a manner that gives the TV a slimmer look when viewed from the side.
A pedestal stand comes with the QM9K in screen sizes up to 85 inches, while the 98-inch version features support feet. The stand is made of metal covered with a faux brushed metal plastic, and it has two height positions, with the higher option clearing space for a soundbar.
Connections on the QM9K include four HDMI ports (one with eARC), two USB type-A, Ethernet, and an optical digital audio output. There is also an ATSC 3.0 tuner input for connecting an antenna.
TCL’s full-size remote control features a backlit keypad. The layout is uncluttered, and includes three direct access buttons for apps (Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube) plus an input select button, and a Free TV button that takes you to the TV’s free and ad-supported streaming channels portal.
Design score: 4/5
TCL QM9K review: Smart TV and menus
Image 1 of 2
The QM9K's Google TV smart interface with the Gemini AI icon, (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2
Google TV's Live TV grid guide (Image credit: Future)
Google TV with Gemini AI
Live program grid with broadcast channels
Quick menu for basic adjustments
The QM9K is notable for being the first Google TV with Gemini AI chatbot support. This feature lets you essentially carry on a conversation with the TV using either the set’s built-in far-field mic or the remote control’s mic.
Using Gemini, you can ask a question like, “Show me a list of Samurai movies from the 1960s to the present.” The contextual nature of Gemini search lets you then ask follow-up questions to drill down deeper, such as “Show me the ones with an 80% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score that are available on HBO Max or Netflix.”
Gemini has much more in its bag of tricks: You can ask about anything you want, from questions about astronomy or astrology to recipes to top attractions to see when visiting cities. It can create news briefs with video links and also generate images from prompts (“Fantasy twilight landscape with white deer”) to use as screensavers.
The QM9K features a built-in presence sensor, and it can be configured to activate your AI-generated screensavers, or even a rotating photo gallery drawn from a Google Photos account, automatically when you enter the room.
A Live TV portal in Google TV provides a grid guide of broadcasts pulled in by the QM9K’s ATSC 3.0 tuner, including NextGen channels, and these are displayed along with Google TV Freeplay and TCL free ad-supported TV channels. Google TV gives you multiple options to sort these, including by genre (Reality TV, News, etc.) or antenna-only.
Both AirPlay and Chromecast built-in are supported by the QM9K, which also works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.
The QM9K's quick menu lets you easily adjust basic settings (Image credit: Future)
There are extensive settings in the QM9K’s menus to satisfy picture and sound tweakers. The Brightness section of the Picture menu provides multiple gamma settings and contrast adjustments. For sound, there are various audio presets, including a custom Audio by Bang & Olufsen Beosonic adjustment that lets you EQ the sound based on parameters like Bright, Relaxed, Energetic, and Warm.
Accessing these settings is done by pressing the gear icon on the remote control or by clicking the same icon in the Google TV home screen. Another option is to press the quick menu icon on the remote, which calls up a menu at the screen’s bottom with a range of picture and sound setup options.
Smart TV & menus score: 4.5/5
TCL QM9K review: Gaming
The QM9K's Game Bar menu (Image credit: Future)
Two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support
FreeSync Premium Pro and Game Accelerator 288
12.9ms input lag is average
Gaming features on the QM9K include two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming. There is also a Game Accelerator 288 feature that lets you game at 288Hz in 108p resolution and a Game Bar onscreen overlay for making quick adjustments to gaming-related settings.
The QM9K’s bright, contrast-rich picture makes all manner of games look great. Performance is also responsive, with the TCL measuring at 12.9ms when tested with a Leo Bodnar 4K input lag meter.
Gaming score: 4/5
TCL QM9K review: Value
The QM9K's full-size, fully backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)
Priced higher than top mini-LED competition
Less extensive gaming features than competition
Google TV with Gemini enhances value
The TCL QM9K is a fantastic TV, but its raw value is taken down a notch by the fact that there is plenty of great mini-LED TV competition in 2025.
At the time of writing, TCL had already lowered the price of the 75-inch QM9K by $1,000 to $2,499. Even so, other 75-inch flagship mini-LED TVs such as the Samsung QN90F are now selling for $2,099. The QM9K has higher peak HDR brightness than the Samsung, and it also beats competitors such as the Hisense U8QG on that test. But the Samsung has superior gaming features and performance, and its great overall picture quality was one of the main reasons why it earned a five out of five stars overall rating in our Samsung QN90F review.
TCL’s own step-down mini-LED TV, the TCL QM8K, also provides very impressive picture quality, and it features the ZeroBorder screen, ultra wide viewing angle, and anti-reflection screen features found in the QM9K.
I’d have said that Google TV with Gemini, which is currently exclusive to the QM9K, was its ace-in-the-hole when it comes to value, but that feature is also coming to the QM8K at some point in 2025, and it should also be available as an upgrade for the Hisense U8QG. The QM9K is the only TV of the three with a built-in presence sensor, so that is one exclusive feature the QM9K can claim.
Value score: 4/5
Should I buy the TCL QM9K?
A Gemini-generated fantasy image, used as a screensaver (Image credit: Future)
TCL QM9K
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Google TV with Gemini, Dolby FlexConnect and comprehensive HDR support
4.5/5
Picture quality
Exceptional brightness and refined local dimming combined with a ultra wide viewing angle feature and anti-reflective screen make this a great all-around TV
4.5/5
Sound quality
Very good built-in sound from Audio by Bang & Olufsen Dolby Atmos speaker system
4.5/5
Design
ZeroBorder screen minimizes bezel for all picture look. Adjustable height pedestal stand can clear space for a soundbar
4/5
Smart TV and menus
Google TV is enhanced by Gemini AI, plus the quick menu provides easy access to basic settings
4.5/5
Gaming
4K 144Hz and FreeSync Premium Pro supported, but only on two HDMI ports
4/5
Value
A bit pricier than most of the current flagship mini-LED TV competition. Step-down QM8K model is a better overall value
4/5
Buy it if...
You want to watch in a bright room The QM9K’s high brightness and anti-reflective screen make it a good option for viewing in bright rooms. An ultra wide angle feature also makes it a good choice for viewing sports with groups.
You don’t want to use a soundbar The QM9K’s built-in Audio by Bang & Olufsen speakers deliver clear dialogue, good bass, and immersive Atmos effects. Many viewers likely won’t feel the need to add a soundbar.
You want a TV with sophisticated AI The QM9K’s Google TV interface features the Gemini AI chatbot, which takes content searching and other smart TV-related activities to the next level.
Don't buy it if…
You want to save some money The QM9K’s step-down sibling, the QM8K, also delivers a bright picture with refined local dimming and has many of the same picture quality and sound features. TCL says the QM8K will also be getting Gemini in a future update.
You’re nervous about AI Google says that any queries made to Google TV using the Gemini AI feature are erased after 10 minutes, but those with serious privacy concerns may want to tread lightly.
TCL QM9K: Also consider...
TCL QM9K
Samsung QN90F
TCL QM8K
Hisense U8QG
Price (65-inch)
$2,999
$2,499.99
$2,499.99
$2,199
Screen type
QLED w/ mini-LED
QLED w/ mini-LED
QLED w/ mini-LED
QLED w/ mini-LED
Refresh rate
144Hz
165Hz
144Hz
165Hz
HDR support
DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV
Google TV (with Gemini)
Tizen
Google TV
Google TV
HDMI ports
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
4x HDMI 2.1
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
3x HDMI 2.1
Samsung QN90F Samsung’s flagship mini-LED TV is priced even lower than the QM9K following a series of discounts. This TV has superior gaming features and an even more effective anti-reflection screen, though it lacks TCL’s Google TV Gemini feature.
TCL QM8K The QM8K is the step-down model in TCL’s mini-LED TV lineup, but it also has a bright picture with effective local dimming, plus an ultra wide viewing angle feature and an anti-reflective screen. The QM8K is also slated to get Gemini added to its Google TV interface in a future update.
Hisense U8QG The Hisense U8QG also has exceptional brightness and is slated to get the Gemini feature added to its Google TV interface in an update. Compared to the TCL QM9K, its picture quality isn’t as good at off-center seats, and its built-in speakers aren’t as good.
Measuring a 10% HDR white window pattern during testing (Image credit: Future)
I spent about 15 viewing hours in total measuring and evaluating
Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests
When I test TVs, I first spend a few days or even weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-the-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments.
I next select the most accurate preset (usually Filmmaker Mode, Movie or Cinema) and measure grayscale and color accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category, and allow for an assessment of the TV’s overall accuracy.
Along with those tests, I make measurements of peak light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color space is also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the TV can render the extended color range in ultra high-definition sources – you can read more about this process in our guide to how we test TVs at TechRadar.
For the TCL QM9K, I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, along with 4K HDR shows streamed from Max, Netflix, and other services.
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar: One minute review
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar with optional Flexus SURR 200 rear speakers and Flexus SUB 200 subwoofer (Image credit: Future)
The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 isn’t the cheapest Dolby Atmos soundbar you can buy, but those who can afford it will find it matches the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on just about every level.
Now, it might not be the best soundbar for everyone. Aside from the big price tag, it’s also physically big. But it does everything else right. It has all the ports one could want, and it has all the features you’d expect to see in the best soundbars. Most importantly, it sounds really good. And once you set it up with the Dirac Live feature, the sound quality goes from really good to great. It’s that last bit that really puts it over the edge for me.
If you’re looking for a soundbar system that gives a true theater experience at home, the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is more than capable, and the experience gets even more immersive when you add the accompanying surround speakers and subwoofer.
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Price & release date
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 system packaging (Image credit: Future)
Price: $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830)
First available: September 2025
The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar system reviewed here is anything but cheap. In fact,the Core 300 soundbar, with the Sub 200 subwoofer, and Surr 200 surround speakers that I tested will set you back an eye-wateringly high $2,299.97 / £1,827 (about AU$3,500).
Individually, the Core 300 soundbar goes for $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830), while the Sub 200 subwoofer is $599.99 / £419.00 (about AU$910) and the Surr 200 surround sound speakers are $499.99 / £359.00 (about AU$760) per pair. There are cheaper versions available of the subwoofer and surround speakers, so you can get away with a lower system cost, but you won’t have the same experience.
Also. Aussies will have to sit this one out (at least at the time of writing).
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Specs
Dimensions (W x H x D)
soundbar: 54 x 3 x 5 inch / 1371 x 76.2 x 127mm; subwoofer: 15.25 x 15.25 x 15.25 inches (387 x 387 x 387mm); surround speaker: 4.1 x 8.75 x 4.31 inches 105 x 222.25 x 109.5mm
Speaker channels
5.1.2 (soundbar), 7.1.4 (with sub and surround speakers)
4K 120Hz passthrough, Dirac Live room calibration, AirPlay, Google Cast, Google Home support
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Features
The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar and the optional wireless sub and rear speakers uses wireless dongles to transmit and receive audio signals (Image credit: Future)
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Night and dialog
Can adjust the volume of individual speakers
As you would expect from its price, the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is feature-filled. It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and you can add an optional subwoofer (or two subwoofers since dual subs are supported) and wireless surround speakers for a full surround sound experience. On top of that, it has built-in Dirac Live, a calibration software that minimizes the effects of room reflections on the sound.
The Flexus Core 300 features movie and music modes, along with a night mode that compresses the audio dynamic range for late-night viewing. A dialog mode offers three different levels to emphasize the specific part of the mid-range where dialog sits. This is a bit more subtle than what I’ve found on other soundbars, but still effective.
In the app, there are quite a few additional options for fine-tuning the sound. There’s a three-band EQ, and you can adjust the individual volume of each channel if you feel like something is out of balance. The only thing missing, surprisingly, is any kind of voice assistant support – a feature typically found on the more expensive soundbars.
WiFi streaming supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay, and Google Cast. Google Home is the only supported smart home ecosystem.
Features score: 5 / 5
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Performance
Both the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar and SUB 200 subwoofer are large compared to most soundbar systems (Image credit: Future)
Basic sound quality is very good
Dirac Live elevates sound clarity
Immersive soundstage
There are two experiences when listening to the Klipsch Flexus Core 300: with and without Dirac Live. Without it, the soundbar sounds very good. Action movies like The Workman have that oomph you expect from a movie theater experience, where you can just feel the subwoofer. Whether it’s a sound effect of someone getting punched or the low notes in the score that add a sense of foreboding, the sound has an impressive sense of weight to it.
The treble is as good as you would expect from a soundbar this pricey as well, with synths, flutes, and windchimes sounding crisp with no loss of detail.
The mid-range is what suffers the most without Dirac Live as it sounds a bit overstuffed without adjustments and dialogue can get lost just a little bit. You can offset with a three-band EQ that provides a 6 dB boost or cut, and changes to the EQ, even with presets active, are noticeable.
But, the real solution is to use Dirac Live (which I describe below in the usability and setup section). Once you’ve gone through the Dirac Live setup, the soundbar will create a custom EQ profile to adjust for the reflections of soundwaves bouncing around your media room, and the difference is stark. Dirac Live makes this soundbar go from good to amazing, with everything sounding clean, especially in the mid-range.
I watched The Batman, the first episode of The Residence, and an Eagles vs Cowboys football game, along with plenty of music during my testing. No matter how complex the soundtrack or music was, I could hear everything with precision. That alone justifies the Flexus Core 300’s price. Other room calibration systems I’ve tried can be very good, but this one is great.
I also experienced immersive sound when testing the surround sound speakers, even when they were not as widely placed as they should be. For the most part, their presentation was subtle; I would almost not realize that there was audio coming through them until I paid attention and realized that I was hearing the sound of wind.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Design
The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 has a bright alphanumeric LED display for control feedback (Image credit: Future)
Modern, elegant look
Large soundbar and subwoofer
Extensive ports
While the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 comes in basic black, there’s something about its look that’s more elegant than a lot of the competition. (A walnut version is also available.) The soundbar and subwoofer both have wood grain showing through the black (not so for the surround sound speakers), and a silver Klipsch logo is featured prominently on each unit.
Now, don’t mistake that elegance for compact. This isn’t Apple. The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar is 54 inches wide, and the SUB 200 subwoofer is a 15-inch cube. The SURR 200 surround speakers are just under nine inches tall and a bit over four inches wide and deep. If you’re limited on space, this is not the system for you.
Focusing on just the soundbar, I really appreciate that the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 has an alphanumeric LED display that’s bright and sizable enough that it’s easy to read.
As far as controls go, most of the functionality is either on the remote or in the app. The soundbar itself just has power, input, and volume up and down buttons situated off-center on top.
The Flexus Core 300 comes with just about everything portone could ask for, including but not limited to multiple HDMI ports featuring eARC and 4K 120Hz passthrough, along with an optical digital input and RCA subwoofer output. Of course, there’s Bluetooth as well.
Most of your interaction with the soundbar will probably be through the remote. While I wish it was rechargeable instead of using AAA batteries, that’s really the only criticism I can throw at it. It feels good to hold with its rounded back, and the layout allows you to adjust most functions without having to use the app, including switching sound modes and adjusting the volume of the surround speakers and subwoofer.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Setup & usability
Klipsch's control app lets you adjust all system functions and is also used for Dirac Live calibration (Image credit: Future)
Generally easy to set up
Sub and surround speakers use wireless dongles
Dirac Live calibration requires silence
Klipsch packs the soundbar, subwoofer, and surround speakers with their own manual, and setting them up is a fairly straightforward process, though not exactly plug-and-play. I’ve set up a few soundbar systems with wireless connections before, and those typically get paired right out of the box. Here, both the subwoofer and surround sound speakers come with their own wireless dongle that needs to be plugged into the soundbar before pairing.
Considering that the sub and surround speakers are separate purchases, that makes sense. But it’s an additional step, and you have to press the pairing button on each external speaker and wait for the soundbar to connect.
If you want to get the most functionality out of Klipsch’s system, you also need to set up the app. This part was easy – all I had to do was connect it to Wi-Fi and answer some personalization questions.
The only thing I found a little difficult was setting up the Dirac Live calibration, which is finicky compared to other automatic calibration systems I’ve used. But then again, Dirac Live is the standard that audiophiles use for room correction.
The soundbar comes with a wired microphone that gets placed around the sitting area, and the calibration process requires complete silence. If a pet passes by or someone calls out during the ten-minute Dirac Live calibration, or if the air conditioner is too loud, then the test will fail and need to be run again.
Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Value
Klipsch's SURR 200 rear speakers are easy to setup and deliver immersive surround sound (Image credit: Future)
Expensive compared to other premium soundbars
Other premium systems not as well designed
Competition doesn’t support Dirac Live
As great as the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System is, it’s expensive compared to the competition. That’s especially true if you compare the system to premium models from large manufacturers like Samsung and LG, and not boutique audiophile brands that typically go for even more money.
As far as specific examples go, the LG S95AR is an impressive soundbar system in its own right – I gave it a very favorable review – and comes with surround speakers and a subwoofer without requiring an extra purchase. Its price tag of $1,699.99 (about £1,260 / AUD$2,610) might seem higher than the Flexus Core 300’s price tag of $1,199.99 / £1,049.00 / AU$1,695, but it’s actually a good deal when you consider it’s a complete package. The Klipsch is more aesthetically pleasing and sounds better, but both are quality systems.
The Samsung HW-Q990F, which retails for $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995. Is a feature-filled 11.1.4 system that also makes the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System feel overpriced. Again, there’s a difference in aesthetics and the Samsung (along with the LG) doesn’t support Dirac Live room calibration, although they do provide their own proprietary calibrations.
Value score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Klipsch Flexus Core 300?
Section
Notes
Score
Features
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Night and Dialog mode are all here along with Dirac Live room EQ
5 / 5
Performance
Very good immersion and basic sound quality that is strongly enhanced by Dirac Live
5 / 5
Design
Classy looking and with an LED display, but large for a soundbar
4.5 / 5
Setup & usability
Relatively easy to set up, though Dirac Live calibration can be finicky if you don’t have complete silence
4.5 / 5
Value
As great as this soundbar system is, it’s among the more expensive options
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a true home theater experience This system is probably the closest you can get to a home theater experience with a soundbar. It not only sounds good, but you can feel it.
You want great sound, no matter the room With Dirac Live, you’ll get clear, balanced sound even if you’re putting the soundbar in a less-than-ideal room
You want all the features Whether it’s Dolby Atmos, room calibration via Dirac Live, or HDMI passthrough with 4K 120Hz support, you’ll find it here.
Don't buy it if...
You have a small space This is a big system, and the sound will overwhelm smaller spaces. If you have a cramped or small media room, there are other, much less expensive options that will give you a good experience.
You want a smart home system other than Google Google Home is the only smart home ecosystem the soundbar supports. Considering that many people use Alexa or Apple HomeKit instead, the limited support is, well, limiting.
Klipsch Flexus Core 300 review: Also consider
Klipsch Flexus Core 300
Samsung HW-Q990F
LG S95AR
Sonos Arc Ultra
Price
$1,199.99 / £1,049.00 (about AU$1,830)
$1,999 / £1,699 / AU$2,099
$1,699.99 (about £1,260 / AU$2,610)
$999 / £999 / AU$1,799
Dimensions (w x h x d)
Soundbar: 54 x 3 x 5 inch / 1371 x 76.2 x 127mm; subwoofer: 15.25 x 15.25 x 15.25 inches (387 x 387 x 387mm); surround speaker: 4.1 x 8.75 x 4.31 inches 105 x 222.25 x 109.5mm
Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138 mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inch); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249 mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inch); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4 mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inch)
Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 in (1250 x 63.5 x 134.6mm); subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 in (200 x 406 x 404mm); rear speakers: 6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 in (160 x 223.5 x 142mm)
2.95 x 46.38 x 4.35 inches (75 x 1178 x 110.6mm)
Speaker channels
5.1.2 (soundbar), 7.1.4 (with sub and surround speakers)
1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
2x HDMI (1 with eARC), optical, digital, Bluetooth, USB type-A
1x HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
Yes/No
Samsung HW-Q990F
If you want a powerful, all-encompassing surround sound and Dolby Atmos-equipped soundbar, the Samsung HW-Q990F has about as much going for it as the LG S95AR. Like the LG soundbar, it’s also a bit pricey and has an obscured LED display.
The LG S95AR is a premium surround sound system that sounds great and has a whole list of features, including some that only work with LG TVs (and therefore you won’t find with other soundbar systems). It is a minor update from its predecessor, and expensive, though not nearly as pricey as the Klipsch.
Sonos’ flagship 9.1.4-channel soundbar is less pricey and more compact than the Klipsch, and it can also be extended with the company’s wireless subwoofers and surround speakers. Unlike the Klipsch, there is no HDMI passthrough or DTS support, and the design of the Sonos app prioritizes multiroom music streaming over soundbar functionality.
I used the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar system for several weeks
Tested with TV, movies, games, and music
I used the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Soundbar System regularly for several weeks with TV, movies, games, and music. I tested the different modes and inputs, and I spent a lot of time with the Dirac Live calibration.
I’ve tested plenty of tech gear over the years ,from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.
