- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- Contrast and black detail
- HDR effect quality
- Factory color reproduction
- Color reproduction after calibration
- Smoothness of tonal transitions
- Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
- Blur and motion smoothness
- Console compatibility and gaming features
- Input lag
- Compatibility with PC
- Viewing angles
- Daytime performance
- TV features
- Apps
- Playing files from USB
- Sound
- Panel details
Haier M90E Review
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Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 144Hz Brand: HAIER Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2025
Haier M90E enters the market with a very strong specification. On paper, it looks impressive: VA matrix, Mini LED backlighting, 144 Hz refresh rate, and brightness exceeding 1000 nits. Theoretically, we are dealing with a complete television for cinema and gaming. However, reality checks these assumptions. During our tests, great contrast measurement results clashed with underdeveloped software and an aggressive dimming algorithm. Is it worth risking image parameters at this price, or is it better to opt for proven solutions from competitors? We checked this.
HAIER M90E - Our verdict
7.1
Overall rating
The Haier M90E is an ambitious attempt by the manufacturer to enter the higher segment of the market. "On paper," the specifications look impressive: Mini LED backlighting, VA panel, and a 144 Hz refresh rate suggest a complete piece of equipment. However, reality verifies these assumptions. We receive a device with two faces: a powerful hardware base that suffocates under the weight of poorly developed software. On one hand, we have excellent brightness, high contrast, and deep black levels, which, combined with low input lag and HDMI 2.1 connections, should make this television a hit. On the other hand, everyday usage is marred by annoying errors: a weak dimming algorithm and an unstable Google TV system. It is clear that the manufacturer lacks experience in optimising such a complex device. Who is this model for? Mainly for conscious users who can overlook system errors in exchange for high brightness. However, for the average consumer, the Haier M90E currently poses too great a risk. In this price range, the competition is enormous. We can easily find proven models from other brands that offer similar picture parameters but provide significantly more stable and predictable performance. Instead of experimenting, it is safer to reach for solutions that do not suffer from "growing pains."
Advantages
High peak brightness in HDR (over 1000 nits)
Very high native contrast and deep black (VA panel)
Supports 144 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports
Very low input lag in mode (<10 ms)
Versatile USB multimedia player
Good sound quality with perceptible bass
Supports dynamic HDR formats (Dolby Vision, HDR10+)
Disadvantages
Aggressive and unstable local dimming algorithm
Poor stability and errors in the functioning of the Google TV system
Lack of font sharpness at 144 Hz refresh rate
Poor tone mapping in standard HDR10 format
Movies and series in UHD quality6.7
Classic TV, YouTube6.1
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)5.9
Gaming on console7.8
TV as a computer monitor6.7
Watching in bright light7.8
Utility functions5.0
Apps9.6
Sound quality8.6
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HAIER M90E - Competing TVs in this price range
HAIER M90E - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (40Gbps) Other inputs: RCA (Chinch) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: Good
Stand type: Central
Bezel color: Silver
Stand: Fixed
Flat design: No
Accessories: Stand
Let's start with the external appearance, as the Haier M90E has been constructed really solidly. The television features slim, minimalist metal frames in a silver colour. Importantly, they are made of metal, which is not typical in this class of equipment and adds elegance to the device. Structurally, the television stands on a robust, central base. This is a significant practical advantage – it can easily fit on narrower furniture, which can be problematic with the widely spaced legs of competitors. The only point of contention might be the lack of cable management at the back of the device. The cables remain loose, which may be bothersome to aesthetes. Despite the fact that the television is rather thick and protrudes considerably from the wall, there is a rationale for this – two subwoofers are located at the back that require space. Overall, however, the workmanship is really decent and gives an impression of durability.
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HAIER M90E - Contrast and black detail
6.9/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 240 (15 x 16)
Result
139,700:1
Result
25,250:1
Result
23,150:1
Result
9,500:1
Result
5,550:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The Haier M90E is a fully-fledged Mini LED television that uses a VA panel. This combination of technology usually guarantees deep blacks and high contrast. In the tested 55-inch model, the backlighting system is based on 240 independent dimming zones, and their number increases proportionally in larger variants of this model. Laboratory measurements confirm the high hardware potential – in synthetic tests with active dimming, the contrast exceeded the value of 100,000:1.
However, the dry measurement data does not translate into an ideal image in real-world applications, which forced us to lower the score in this section. The bottleneck turned out to be the software controlling the zones. The algorithm operates too aggressively and replicates the errors we observed earlier in the more expensive M95E model. The problem becomes evident when bright objects move across a dark background on the screen. The system struggles to smoothly adjust the brightness of individual zones, resulting in unnatural flickering of certain parts of the image. Instead of smooth motion, we see an effect reminiscent of a flickering broken lantern, which was ruthlessly exposed by our test night scene from the film Sicario 2.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
HAIER M90E - HDR effect quality
6.1/10
Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 95.0%, Bt.2020: 75.7%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
1004 nit
Result
517 nit
Result
615 nit
Result
399 nit
Result
774 nit
Haier M90E is a television that does not lack brightness. In most film scenes, the peak luminance exceeds 1000 nits, which gives the image a distinct 'kick' and high dynamics. It performs really well in typical bright HDR materials. However, one must take into account the aforementioned dimming algorithm. In scenes that are not uniformly bathed in light – for example, when displaying single stars on a black sky – the high brightness highlights imperfections in zone control. Instead of a precise point of light, we often see a pronounced halo effect around bright objects. Despite these shortcomings, the overall image presentation can be pleasing, largely due to the colour reproduction. The manufacturer used a phosphor PFS coating, which allows for a wide coverage of the colour palette. In our measurements, the coverage of the DCI-P3 space reached a solid 95%.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
When it comes to reproducing detail in bright scenes, the M90E performs in two ways. Starting with the good news: with most popular films, the television has no trouble accurately presenting details. This is due to the high brightness of the panel – the screen often does not need to apply signal compression (adaptation) because it is physically capable of displaying bright elements with adequate power. This is clearly visible in scenes from the film Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, where the details are clear and natural. However, problems start to arise with content mastered to very high brightness levels (e.g., 4000 nits) that exceed the native capabilities of the panel. Here, the tone mapping algorithm struggles. This is clearly evident in the test scene from the film Pan, where the sun's disc merges into one burned-out spot devoid of any details. Although such demanding content is rare and on an everyday basis the effect of clipping will not be bothersome, it is worth being aware that the television's software has its limitations in this aspect.
HDR luminance chart:
HDR luminance
As we mentioned, the support for the static HDR10 standard is a weakness of this model. The television's ability to tone map in this format is minimal, resulting in a loss of detail in the brightest parts of the image. However, the situation is saved by support for dynamic formats: HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Here, the M90E shows a completely different face. This is perfectly illustrated by our test photo featuring a scene with horses. Switching to the Dolby Vision signal brings a colossal improvement compared to standard HDR10. By using dynamic metadata, the television recovers details that previously blended into a white spot. For the correct implementation of these standards, the manufacturer deserves a clear plus.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
4/10
For the measurements, we selected the Film mode, which is supposed to offer an image closest to the creators' intentions. Unfortunately, in the case of the M90E, its characteristics – apart from the reduced brightness – differ little from the Dynamic mode. Both in SDR and HDR materials, the image is distinctly tinged with a cool blue hue. The white balance is heavily skewed towards blue, which resembles typical, aggressive 'store' settings. This results in an unnatural representation of skin tones and makes the image fatiguing to the eyes over extended viewing periods. The management of brightness also negatively impacts colour fidelity. The television struggles to maintain proper levels – small details are often too dim, while larger, bright areas of the image suffer from clipping. These deviations in the brightness curve, combined with the cool white balance, lead to very significant colour reproduction errors (DeltaE) in the factory settings.
Color reproduction after calibration
6/10
Haier M90E clearly benefits from professional calibration, particularly with SDR content. The television's menu offers a sufficient number of tools to effectively correct factory errors. We managed to 'tame' the white balance and eliminate the dominant blue tint. We also corrected, though to a lesser extent, the brightness curve (gamma), which allowed us to recover some detail in the shadows that were too heavily dimmed out of the box. The final effect in SDR is a picture that is significantly more natural and pleasant to watch. In HDR mode, the success is only partial. Although we were able to improve the white balance here as well, colour reproduction errors (Color Checker) remained at a high level. Analysis of the EOTF curve (responsible for brightness in HDR) indicates the cause of the problem: the television imposes its own interpretation of the signal and does not provide tools for modifying this curve. The source of the high errors is not the calibration itself, but the specific characteristics of the device – aggressive and imprecise zone dimming interferes with measurements and is 'firmly' embedded in the characteristics of this model.
HAIER M90E - Smoothness of tonal transitions
9.1/10
The gradient mapping is one of the strongest points of this model. In the vast majority of film scenes, the Haier M90E handles this task impeccably, smoothly blending adjacent colours. We did not observe any issues with posterisation or clear colour separation (banding) here. Minor imperfections were only noticeable to us on very demanding scenes based on a grey palette. However, even under such difficult conditions, the errors are minimal, and the image remains coherent.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The evaluation of the image processor must be divided into two separate aspects, as the Haier M90E behaves inconsistently here. The first issue is the upscaling itself, that is, scaling lower resolution content to 4K. In this task, the television performs quite decently. The algorithms effectively enhance detail, resulting in a relatively sharp, clear, and legible final image. In this regard, it is hard to have major objections to the device.
The situation is completely different with materials that have a high degree of compression, as encountered in older recordings or on platforms like YouTube with lower bitrate. Here, the processor "struggles" with smoothing tonal transitions and masking imperfections in the source. The television fails to hide compression blocks, resulting in a very harsh, "digital" character of the image. The lack of effective artifact reduction can severely discourage viewing lower quality content on this screen.
HAIER M90E - Blur and motion smoothness
7.2/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
The Haier M90E is equipped with a simple yet functional motion smoothing system (MEMC). In the settings menu, the user will find a three-level adjustment scale: low, medium, and high. This allows for the adjustment of the degree of intervention in the image to one’s own preferences – from gentle smoothing of 24p films to maximum fluidity (the soap opera effect). The system operates stably and fulfills its purpose in typical applications.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (4K@144Hz):
When it comes to the response time of the panel and motion blur, the television behaves typically for LCD constructions based on VA technology. On the test screen with the moving "ufo," there is a visible, albeit slight, trail behind the object. Interestingly, however, is the behaviour of the panel at maximum refresh rates. We noticed that the motion blur becomes more pronounced in the 144 Hz mode designed for PCs than in the standard 120 Hz used by consoles or sports broadcasts. The increase in refresh rate paradoxically worsens the sharpness of rapidly moving objects.
HAIER M90E - Console compatibility and gaming features
7.5/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 144Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
No
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
No
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
No
From a hardware perspective, the Haier M90E is a solid proposition. The television is equipped with two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, which supports key technologies: VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). It is also worth noting the proper implementation of the Dolby Vision mode for gaming, which maintains a relatively low input lag. Problems arise with the software configuration. The biggest drawback is the forced, continuous dynamic tone mapping by the television’s processor. This prevents correct HDR calibration from the console using system test patterns (HGiG) – the television ignores source settings and processes the image on its own terms. We also noted shortcomings in the interface: the M90E does not have a typical "Game Bar" (overlay with parameters), which is standard among competitors. Collaboration with Xbox consoles proved problematic with unusual parameters – the device struggles to correctly display a resolution of 1440p at a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Despite the aforementioned software shortcomings, the Haier M90E remains a very appealing screen for gamers. The overall reception is saved by the solid hardware base. The native refresh rate of 144 Hz and the presence of full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports are advantages that are crucial for everyday use. If we are looking for a television that ensures high fluidity and supports 4K signal, this model will fulfil its task.
HAIER M90E - Input lag
9.8/10
In terms of signal delay, the Haier M90E performs very well. Measurements for a signal with a frequency of 120 Hz showed a value below 10 ms. This result guarantees high responsiveness in games, and the delay between pressing a button on the controller and the reaction on the screen is practically imperceptible to the user.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 17 ms | 2160p60: 17 ms | 2160p60 DV: 20 ms |
| 1080p120: 9 ms | 2160p120: 8 ms | 2160p120 DV: 10 ms |
| 2160p60: 17 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 8 ms |
HAIER M90E - Compatibility with PC
6.7/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): No
Font clarity: Average
Readability of dark text and shapes: Poor
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
Connecting a computer to the M90E yields mixed results. On the hardware side, it’s good: the television supports G-Sync, FreeSync, and refresh rates up to 144 Hz. Everything works correctly in games. The problem arises when displaying the desktop and text. In 144 Hz mode, the television struggles with chroma sampling 4:4:4. Fonts are jagged and fuzzy, which strains the eyes when reading. To achieve readable, sharp text (as seen in our comparison photos), one must drop the refresh rate to 60 Hz. This forces the user to constantly "tweak" the Windows screen settings – 144 Hz for gaming, 60 Hz for browsing the internet or working.
HAIER M90E - Viewing angles
2.9/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 82%
The use of a VA panel has specific consequences. The viewing angles of the M90E are simply very poor. This is a typical characteristic of this technology, but it should be kept in mind before making a purchase. Already with a slight deviation from the central axis, the image begins to degrade. Blacks turn grey, contrast drastically drops, and colours lose saturation and become washed out. In a direct comparison with IPS (or ADS) panels, Haier falls short. Where IPS maintains a consistent image even for viewers sitting at an angle, the M90E requires watching straight on. If you plan to place the television in a wide living room where family members watch films from different locations, this model will not be a good choice.
HAIER M90E - Daytime performance
7.8/10
Panel finish: Satin
Reflection suppression: Decent
Black levels during daytime: Good
The screen is covered with a satin-finish coating. This solution does quite well in suppressing reflections, though it does not eliminate them completely. However, the greatest asset of the M90E in this regard is its high brightness. In everyday use (SDR content), the luminance can exceed the threshold of 1000 nits. This reserve of power ensures that the television can easily "cut through" existing light. The image remains sharp and clear even in very brightly lit rooms.
Panel brightness
Average luminance SDR
Haier M90E: 843 cd/m2
HAIER M90E - TV features
5/10
System: Google TV
System performance: Poor
- HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 40Gbps
- Other inputs: RCA (Chinch)
- Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
- Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
- TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Classic features:
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
- Recording programming: No
- Picture in Picture (PiP): No
- RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
- Backlit remote control: No
- Teletext: Yes
- Audio only mode: No
- Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
- Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: No
Smart features:
- AirPlay: No
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
- Voice search: Yes
- Voice search in native language: Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Smart TV System – Google TV
The Haier M90E operates on the Google TV platform. This means access to a vast database of applications, efficient voice searching, and a built-in Chromecast for streaming content from your phone. Theoretically, the functionality is complete. In practice, the software adaptation by the manufacturer leaves much to be desired. Haier's implementation of the system is unstable and "full of holes." During testing, we repeatedly encountered errors, applications froze, or became unresponsive. It is clear that the company is still gaining experience in optimising such a demanding environment as the Google system. We hope that over time and with further updates, these "growing pains" will be eliminated, but at this moment, the experience can be frustrating.
Traditional and Multimedia Features
In terms of traditional equipment, only one element deserves praise: the physical headphone jack. This connection is increasingly being removed by competitors, and here it is still available, which will be appreciated by owners of older audio equipment. Apart from this exception, the list of features is very average. The television does not offer the ability to record TV channels to a USB memory (PVR). There is also a lack of picture-in-picture (PiP) functionality. We are only provided with the bare minimum, with no added value.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
- Stereo (Mini-Jack): Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
- Dolby True HD 7.1: No
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: No
- DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: No
- DTS-HD Master Audio: No
Senior accessibility
- Numeric keyboard on TV: No
- Font size adjustment: No
- Audio description: No
HAIER M90E - Apps
9.6/10
HAIER M90E - Playing files from USB
9.5/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
The built-in media player is one of the strongest features of this model. We can confidently say that it is one of the best and most "versatile" players we have had the opportunity to test. The device handles virtually every audio and video format. During trials with our test library, the television flawlessly opened almost all files, regardless of the codec or container used. Users with extensive film collections on external drives will have no compatibility issues here.
HAIER M90E - Sound
8.6/10
83dB
Maximum volume
Supported codecs
(TV speakers)
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
Haier M90E offers sound quality that pleasantly surprises, considering the lack of an extensive external audio system (e.g. soundbar). The design is based on hidden main speakers and two visible subwoofers located on the rear wall of the cabinet. This configuration translates into a specific sound characteristic. The television generates clear, audible bass and well-highlighted high tones. The only weaker point is the reproduction of mid tones. Our measurements of the frequency response revealed a slight dip in this range (a dip on the graph). Despite this technical unevenness, the overall sound perception in everyday use remains pleasant.
Sound Quality Test:
Acoustic Measurements
83dBC (Max)
75dBC
HAIER M90E - Panel details
Software version during testing: RTMA.250416.189
Image processor: mt5889
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Backlight Type: PFS LED
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