- 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
The Haier M90E enters the market with very strong specifications. On paper, it looks impressive: VA panel, 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 verifies these assumptions. During our tests, excellent contrast measurement results collided with underdeveloped software and an aggressive dimming algorithm. Is it worth taking the risk for the image parameters at this price, or is it better to rely on proven solutions from the competition? We checked.
HAIER M90E - Our verdict
7.1
Overall rating
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, a VA panel, and a refresh rate of 144 Hz suggest a complete piece of equipment. However, reality verifies these assumptions. We get a device with two faces: a powerful hardware base that struggles under the weight of unrefined software. On one hand, we have excellent brightness, high contrast, and deep blacks, which combined with low input lag and HDMI 2.1 ports should make this television a hit. On the other hand, daily use is marred by annoying bugs: a poor dimming algorithm and an unstable Google TV system. It is clear that the manufacturer lacks experience in optimizing 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 a significantly more stable and predictable operation. Rather than experiment, it would be 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)
Support for 144 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports
Very low input lag in mode (<10 ms)
Versatile USB media player
Good sound quality with noticeable bass
Support for dynamic HDR formats (Dolby Vision, HDR10+)
Disadvantages
Aggressive and unstable local dimming algorithm
Poor stability and errors in the operation of the Google TV system
Narrow viewing angles
Lack of font sharpness at 144 Hz refresh rate
Poor tone mapping in the 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 exterior, because the Haier M90E has been made really solidly here. The television features metal frames in silver color that are very minimalist and narrow. Importantly, they are made of metal, which is not at all the norm in this class of equipment and adds elegance to the device. Structurally, the television stands on a solid, central base. This is a huge practical advantage – it easily fits even on narrower furniture, which can be problematic with competitors that have widely spaced legs. The only thing that could be criticized is the lack of cable management on the back of the device. Cables remain loose, which can be bothersome for aesthetics. Even though the television is quite thick and protrudes significantly from the wall, there is a justification for this – there are two subwoofers on the back that need space. Overall, however, the construction is really decent and gives the impression of being durable.
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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:
Haier M90E is a fully-fledged Mini LED television utilizing a VA panel. Such a technological combination usually guarantees deep blacks and high contrast. In the tested model with a 55-inch diagonal, the backlighting system is based on 240 independent dimming zones, and their number increases proportionally in the larger variants of this model. Laboratory measurements confirm the high hardware potential – in synthetic tests with active dimming, the contrast exceeded 100,000:1.
However, the dry measurement data does not translate into an ideal picture 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 errors we observed earlier in the more expensive M95E model. The problem becomes apparent when bright objects move against a dark background on the screen. The system struggles to smoothly adjust the brightness of individual zones, resulting in unnatural flickering of specific parts of the image. Instead of smooth motion, we see an effect reminiscent of a flickering damaged streetlight, which our test night scene from the film Sicario 2 ruthlessly exposed.
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 movie scenes, peak luminance exceeds 1000 nits, which gives the image a clear "kick" and high dynamics. In typical, bright HDR materials, this looks really good. However, one must take into account the previously mentioned dimming algorithm. In scenes that are not evenly flooded with light – for instance, when displaying individual stars in a black sky – high brightness underscores the imperfections of zone control. Instead of a precise light point, we often see a distinct halo effect around bright objects. Despite these shortcomings, the overall image presentation can be pleasing, largely thanks to color reproduction. The manufacturer applied a PFS phosphor coating, allowing for wide coverage of the color palette. In our measurements, the coverage of the DCI-P3 space was a solid 95%.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
In terms of reproducing details in highlights, the M90E performs in two ways. Starting with the good news: with most popular film materials, the television does not have issues 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 the appropriate intensity. This is clearly visible in scenes from the film Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, where details are clear and natural. However, problems begin with materials mastered to very high brightness levels (e.g., 4000 nits), which exceed the native capabilities of the matrix. Here, the tone mapping algorithm performs poorly. This is clearly visible in the test scene from the film Pan, where the sun's disk merges into one, burned-out spot devoid of any details. Although such demanding content is rare and the burning effect will not be bothersome on a daily basis, 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 weak point of this model. The television's ability to tone map in this format is minimal, resulting in a loss of details 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 side. This is perfectly illustrated by our test photo with the scene of horses. Switching to the Dolby Vision signal brings a colossal improvement over the standard HDR10. Thanks to the use of dynamic metadata, the television recovers details that previously blended into a white blur. For the correct implementation of these standards, the manufacturer deserves clear praise.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
4/10
For the measurements, we chose the Film mode, which should ideally offer an image closest to the creators' intentions. Unfortunately, in the case of the M90E, its characteristics – besides the reduced brightness – do not differ much from the Dynamic mode. Both in SDR and HDR content, the image is clearly tinged with a cool blue hue. The white balance is heavily skewed towards blue, reminiscent of typical aggressive "store" settings. This results in an unnatural representation of skin tones and makes the image straining on the eyes during longer viewing sessions. The way brightness is managed also negatively affects color fidelity. The television struggles to maintain proper levels – small details are often too dim, while larger, bright areas of the image tend to get blown out. These deviations in the brightness curve, combined with the cool white balance, lead to very significant color reproduction errors (DeltaE) in the factory settings.
Color reproduction after calibration
6/10
Haier M90E clearly benefits from professional calibration, especially for SDR content. The TV 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 adjusted, albeit to a lesser extent, the brightness curve (gamma), which allowed us to recover some details in the shadows that were too heavily muted from the factory. The end result for SDR is a picture that is definitely more natural and pleasant to watch. In the case of HDR mode, the success is only partial. Although it was possible to improve the white balance here as well, the color reproduction errors (Color Checker) remained at a high level. Analysis of the EOTF curve (responsible for brightness in HDR) points to the root of the problem: the TV imposes its own interpretation of the signal and does not provide tools to modify this curve. The source of the high errors is not the calibration itself, but the specifics of the device – aggressive and imprecise zone dimming interferes with measurements and is "stiffly" embedded in the characteristics of this model.
HAIER M90E - Smoothness of tonal transitions
9.1/10
The gradient reproduction is one of the strongest points of this model. In the vast majority of film scenes, the Haier M90E handles this task flawlessly, seamlessly blending adjacent colors. We did not observe any issues with posterization or clear color separation (banding) here. Minor imperfections were only noticeable in very demanding frames based on a gray palette. However, even under such challenging conditions, the errors are minimal, and the image remains consistent.
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 in this regard. 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 the detail, resulting in a final image that is relatively sharp, clear, and readable. In this respect, it's hard to have major complaints about the device.
The situation looks completely different with materials that have a high degree of compression, which we encounter in older recordings or on platforms like YouTube with lower bitrate. Here, the processor falters in smoothing tonal transitions and masking source imperfections. The television cannot hide compression blocks, resulting in a very harsh, "digital" character of the image. The lack of effective artifact reduction can effectively 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 tailoring the degree of interference with the image to personal preferences – from gentle smoothing of 24p movies to maximum fluidity (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 response times and motion blur, the television behaves typically for LCD constructions based on VA technology. On the test pattern with the moving "ufo," a visible, albeit slight, trail follows the object. However, an interesting observation is the panel's behavior at maximum refresh rate. 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 objects in fast motion.
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 TV is equipped with two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, which ensures support for key technologies: VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (automatic low-latency mode). A plus is also the correct implementation of the Dolby Vision mode for gaming, which maintains a relatively low input lag. Problems arise with software configuration. The biggest drawback is the forced, continuous dynamic tone mapping by the TV's processor. This prevents proper HDR calibration from the console using system panels (HGiG) – the TV ignores source settings and processes the image its own way. We also noted shortcomings in the interface: the M90E does not have a typical "Game Bar" (overlay with parameters), which is a standard among competitors. Cooperation with Xbox consoles at unusual parameters turned out to be problematic – the device has difficulty correctly displaying 1440p resolution at 120 Hz refresh rate. Despite the aforementioned shortcomings in the software, the Haier M90E remains a very attractive screen for gamers. The final impression is saved by a solid hardware base. Native panel refresh at 144 Hz and the presence of full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports are advantages that are crucial in daily use. If we are looking for a TV that provides high fluidity and supports 4K signals, this model will fulfill its task.
HAIER M90E - Input lag
9.8/10
In terms of signal delay, the Haier M90E performs very favorably. Measurements for a signal frequency of 120 Hz showed a value below 10 ms. Such a 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. Hardware-wise, it's good: the TV supports G-Sync, FreeSync, and refresh rates up to 144 Hz. In games, everything works properly. The issue arises when displaying the desktop and text. In 144 Hz mode, the TV struggles with chroma subsampling 4:4:4. Fonts appear jagged and unclear, making reading tiring for the eyes. To achieve readable, sharp text (as seen in our comparative photos), one must lower the refresh rate to 60 Hz. This forces the user to constantly "tweak" the settings in Windows – 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 comes with specific consequences. The viewing angles on the M90E are simply very poor. This is a typical characteristic of this technology, but it's important to be aware of it before making a purchase. Even with a slight deviation from the central axis, the image begins to degrade. Blacks turn gray, contrast drops drastically, and colors lose saturation and become washed out. In direct comparison with IPS (or ADS) panels, Haier falls short. Where IPS maintains a consistent image even for viewers sitting to the side, the M90E requires viewing straight on. If you plan to set the television in a wide living room where family members watch movies from different places, 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. This solution does quite well at reducing glare, although it does not eliminate it completely. The greatest advantage of the M90E in this aspect is its high brightness. In everyday use (SDR content), luminance can exceed the 1000-nit threshold. Such a power reserve allows the TV to easily "break through" existing light. The image remains clear and readable 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
Haier M90E operates on the Google TV platform. This means access to a vast library of applications, efficient voice search, 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. The system in Haier's execution is unstable and "buggy." During testing, we repeatedly encountered errors, apps would freeze or refuse to cooperate. It is clear that the company is still gaining experience in optimizing such a demanding environment as the Google system. We hope that over time and with subsequent updates, these "growing pains" will be eliminated, but at this moment, the experience can be frustrating.
Classic and Multimedia Features
In terms of traditional equipment, only one element truly deserves praise: the physical headphone output. This connection is increasingly being removed by competitors, and here it is still available, which will be appreciated by owners of older audio equipment. Aside from this exception, the list of features is very average. The TV 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. Here, we only get the essential minimum, without any 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 state that it is one of the best and most "universal" players we have had the opportunity to test. The device handles practically every audio and video format. During tests with our test library, the television flawlessly opened the vast majority of files, regardless of the codec or container used. Users with extensive movie collections on external drives will not have 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
The Haier M90E offers sound quality that pleasantly surprises, considering the lack of a sophisticated external audio system (e.g., soundbar). The design relies on hidden main speakers and two visible subwoofers located on the back wall of the casing. This configuration results in a specific sound characteristic. The TV generates clear, audible bass and well-exposed high tones. The only weaker point is the reproduction of mid tones. Our measurements of the frequency response indicated a slight dip in this range (a dip on the graph). Despite this technical inconsistency, the overall sound experience in daily use remains enjoyable.
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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