I'm a TV expert and these are the 5 Mini-LED TVs that blew me away in 2025

Sony Bravia 9 television mounted on a living room wall above a soundbar
(Image credit: Sony)

If you approached me on the street and asked me what panels the best TVs use right now, I'd respond with two answers: OLED and Mini-LED. If you're someone who wants room-filling brightness and eye-popping color — Mini-LEDs is the answer. They're available in a wider range of prices than OLED TVs, and they tend to pack a much brighter picture on average.

Here's a round-up of five of my favorite Mini-LED TVs that I've spent a ton of time with in 2025. If you're looking to upgrade your living room and you suspect that Mini-LEDs are the way to go, these are the sets I'd check out first.

Quick List

TCL QM5K

The TCL QM5K Mini-LED TV displaying the Google TV home screen

(Image credit: TCL)

Why it's worth buying: This entry-level Mini-LED TV (a Best Buy exclusive) may not deliver the high-level performance of a pricier model, but it's one of the most affordable ways to secure Mini-LED backlighting in 2025. (When I first caught its price in a press release, I did a doubletake.)

I've been recommending the QM5K to readers and friends who don't necessarily need top-shelf performance and an extensive array of features, but who still want a picture that truly feels like an upgrade.

TCL 65" QM5K 4K Mini-LED TV
TCL 65" QM5K 4K Mini-LED TV: was $899 now $499 at Best Buy

This Best Buy-exclusive TV is one of the most affordable ways to secure Mini-LED backlighting. It isn't as bright and packed with features as higher-end Mini-LED TVs from TCL, but as far as bargains go, it's tough to beat.

TCL QM7K

A TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED TV on a side table

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Why it's worth buying: The QM7K gets much, much brighter than entry-level sets like the aforementioned QM5K. It's a great choice for folks who want better performance and more features. If you're worried that the TCL QM5K won't be enough (and you don't mind paying a bit more), the QM7K is a worthy pick.

Casual and dedicated gamers should also that the QM7K offers more gaming features than most of those entry-level models, too. If you want to learn more, head over to our TCL QM7K review.

TCL 55" QM7K 4K Mini-LED TV
TCL 55" QM7K 4K Mini-LED TV: was $697 now $617 at Amazon

The TCL QM7K has been one of my go-to recommendations for major sales events in 2025. This is a budget-friendly, 55-inch set that is perfect for folks who want to upgrade to a truly impressive TV without breaking the bank. It's also an especially good TV for gamers on a budget, thanks to an impressive array of gaming enhancements.

Hisense U8QG

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on a Hisense U8QG Mini-LED TV.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Why it's worth buying: You can read all about it in our Hisense U8QG review, but the first thing you ought to know about this set is that it's one of the brightest TVs we've tested all year. That fact alone will make it a reliable option for people with brighter-than-average living spaces.

But my favorite aspect of this TV is its relatively low price. It can go toe to toe with some of the best Mini-LED TVs on shelves, but it comes in at a price that's much lower than most of those competitors.

Hisense 65" U8QG 4K Mini-LED TV
Hisense 65" U8QG 4K Mini-LED TV: was $1,498 now $1,081 at Amazon

The U8QG is one of the most value-forward Mini-LED TVs of the year, as well as one of the brightest. The U8QG comes with plenty of gaming-friendly features and Google TV built right in.

Samsung QN90F

The Samsung QN90F Neo QLED Mini-LED TV sitting atop a modern credenza. On its screen is a colorful, pink-colored cake and a green-tinted glass bottle.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Why it's worth buying: Samsung's newest Neo QLED flagship might be the best 4K Mini-LED TV the brand has ever made. From the moment I first laid eyes on its bright, punchy picture while visiting Samsung's lab earlier this year, I've been a fan.

Yes, the QN90F will set you back more than most of the Mini-LED TVs on this list. However, it more than makes up for that with its fantastic backlight control, its searing highlights and its boat load of extra features. It's also worth noting that, right now, the 65-inch QN90F is over $500 off, so you are getting a pretty significant discount ahead of the holidays.

Samsung 65" QN90F 4K Neo QLED TV
Samsung 65" QN90F 4K Neo QLED TV: was $2,197 now $1,699 at Amazon

Samsung's Neo QLED lineup expertly blends quantum dot-color with Mini-LED backlighting, and the QN90F might be the best example yet. It's packed with features for gaming, streaming and more.

Sony Bravia 9

Sony Bravia 9 in living room

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Why it's worth buying: Simply put, the Bravia 9 might be the best example of Mini-LED backlighting I've ever seen.

Sure, this TV came out in 2024, but you know what? It's too good not to include here. Besides, this TV has been such a resounding success that Sony has kept it on shelves for an additional year.

In his Sony Bravia 9 review, my colleague Matthew Murray summed up my feelings perfectly when he said the following: "Before the Sony Bravia 9, I would have told you that the future of TVs lay in the realm of QD-OLED more or less ruled by the incredible Sony A95L OLED. Now, the situation is not so clear-cut."

Sony 65" Bravia 9 4K Mini-LED TV
Sony 65" Bravia 9 4K Mini-LED TV: was $2,999 now $2,798 at Amazon

You'll have to pay a steep price for the 65-inch Bravia 9, but make no mistake: It's one of the best Mini-LED TVs ever made. It also arrives with Google TV for streaming and some critical gaming features, too.

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Michael Desjardin
Senior Editor, TV

Michael Desjardin is a Senior Editor for TVs at Tom's Guide. He's been testing and tinkering with TVs professionally for over a decade, previously for Reviewed and USA Today. Michael graduated from Emerson College where he studied media production and screenwriting. He loves cooking, zoning out to ambient music, and getting way too invested in the Red Sox. He considers himself living proof that TV doesn't necessarily rot your brain.

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