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Best 100-Inch TVs in the UK (2026): Hisense U8Q vs U7Q vs E78 PRO Compared
Three years ago a 100-inch TV was a trade-show curiosity. Now it's a genuine — if still serious — living-room decision. Here's how the three 100-inch models currently sold in the UK differ, and what each one really costs you in practice.
Our verdict, short version
- Best overall: the 100U8QTUK — the flagship of the three, with the strongest spec sheet and the highest refresh-rate ceiling.
- Best value: the 100E78STUK PRO — the cheapest route to a 100-inch screen, and the only one here with a built-in subwoofer.
- Best for gaming: the 100U7QTUK — 165Hz and a gaming-focused mode, at a lower price than the flagship.
- Before anything else: measure your doorway. More 100-inch purchases go wrong on delivery day than on picture quality.
The three models side by side
| Model | Backlight | Refresh rate | Audio | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100U8QTUK U8Q series · flagship |
Mini LED | 165Hz | Standard TV audio | Best picture, bright rooms, mixed film and sport |
| 100U7QTUK U7Q series · upper mid |
Mini LED | 165Hz | Standard TV audio | Console gaming and movie nights, lower spend |
| 100E78STUK PRO E78 PRO · value |
Hi-QLED (non-Mini LED) | 144Hz | Built-in subwoofer | Biggest screen for the least money, no soundbar needed |
The headline difference is the backlight. Two of the three use Mini LED, which means hundreds of individually dimmed zones behind the panel — that's what allows a big screen to show a bright highlight next to a dark shadow without the whole picture washing out. The E78 PRO uses a conventional LED backlight with a quantum-dot style layer, which is why it can be sold for less.
100U8QTUK — the flagship
Who it's for
Someone who has decided on 100 inches and doesn't want to compromise on the panel. It's the set to look at if your room has big windows, if you watch a lot of HDR content, or if you simply want the best of what's available at this size right now.
- Mini LED backlight with the highest spec ceiling of the three
- 165Hz panel — headroom for PC gaming as well as console
- Flagship-level processing for upscaling broadcast TV
- The safest choice for bright, south-facing rooms
- The most expensive of the three, by a clear margin
- Built-in audio is typical TV audio — budget for a soundbar
- At this size, panel uniformity matters more; check on delivery
100U7QTUK — the gaming pick
Who it's for
The sweet spot for most buyers. You keep the Mini LED backlight and the full 165Hz refresh rate, and you give up only the flagship-level extras. If a console is plugged into this TV more often than a Sky box, this is the one to put on the shortlist.
- Mini LED backlight at a lower price than the flagship
- 165Hz and dedicated game-mode features
- Strong choice for PS5, Xbox and PC at 100 inches
- Not the brightest option for very sunny rooms
- Still a large-screen price tag, just a smaller one
- Confirm which HDMI port carries the full 165Hz signal
100E78STUK PRO — the value pick
Who it's for
If the priority is simply "as much screen as possible for the money", start here. It's the cheapest of the three, drops from 165Hz to 144Hz, and swaps the Mini LED backlight for a conventional one — but it's also the only model here with a subwoofer built in, which removes the soundbar from your shopping list.
- Lowest entry price into 100 inches
- Built-in subwoofer — better than average TV sound out of the box
- 144Hz is still comfortably ahead of standard TV
- No Mini LED dimming — less punch in HDR highlights
- Lower brightness ceiling than the U8Q and U7Q
- 144Hz rather than 165Hz for high-end PC gaming
Before you buy a 100-inch TV: the practical checklist
- Measure the route, not just the wall. The box is usually around 2.4m across. Measure your front door, hallway and any stairwell turn before you order — this is the single most common reason a 100-inch TV gets returned.
- Check the wall. For wall mounting, the bracket must fix into studs or solid masonry. Plasterboard alone will not safely carry a screen this size. If in doubt, pay for installation.
- Work out your viewing distance. Around 2.5–3.5 metres suits a 100-inch 4K screen for mixed viewing. Much closer and standard-definition broadcast content will look soft; much further and you lose the benefit of the size.
- Be honest about room brightness. Big screens make reflections more obvious. If your room is bright, the extra brightness of the Mini LED models is worth paying for.
- Budget for sound. Only the E78 PRO has a built-in subwoofer. The other two will want a soundbar, and at 100 inches a decent one makes a genuine difference.
- Think about running cost. A screen this size uses noticeably more electricity than a 55-inch TV, especially in vivid mode. Standard or film presets are both better-looking and cheaper to run.
FAQ
How far should you sit from a 100-inch TV?
For a 100-inch 4K screen, roughly 2.5 to 3.5 metres works well for mixed TV and film. Closer than about 2.2m can make lower-quality broadcast content look soft; beyond roughly 4.5m you stop benefiting from the extra size.
Will a 100-inch TV fit through a UK doorway?
Usually yes, but measure first. The box is typically around 2.4m wide, while most UK internal doorways are about 76cm wide — so the box must be carried upright and tilted through. Measure your widest door, hallway turns and stairwell before ordering.
Do 100-inch TVs use a lot of electricity?
More than a mid-size TV, certainly, especially at high brightness. Using a standard or film preset rather than vivid mode, and enabling any ambient-light or eco setting, makes a real difference to running cost.
Is a 100-inch TV good for gaming?
Yes, at this level. Two of the models compared here are rated at 165Hz and one at 144Hz, with variable refresh rate support. Check which HDMI port carries the full refresh rate on the model you buy.
Can you wall-mount a 100-inch TV?
Yes, but the mount and wall matter more than at smaller sizes. Use a bracket rated well above the TV's weight and fix into studs or solid masonry rather than plasterboard alone. Professional installation is worth it at this size.
Why are some 100-inch TVs much cheaper than others?
Backlight technology and processing are the main differences. Mini LED models use many more dimming zones and reach higher brightness; cheaper large screens use simpler backlights. Refresh rate, gaming features and built-in audio also differ.