When I first began evaluating Vizio's 65-inch Mini LED Quantum TV, the primary focus seemed to be Vizio's return along with a quantum-dot television priced under $398, the most affordable option available. After its purchase by Walmart in 2024, Vizio had stayed fairly silent, so releasing a TV with quantum dots for better brightness and color precision at a low cost felt like a solid reentry.

Yet that is not the main point. While those details are interesting, the key development with the Mini LED Quantum TV is that Vizio unintentionally produced the finest dumb TV currently sold.

$398

Walmart acquired Vizio due to its advertising operations. Because Vizio's ad unit accounted for all of the company's profits during the transaction, sustaining that revenue stream is probably the main goal, with the TV operating system serving as the delivery method.

A Walmart account is now required for certain Vizio TV functions, and access to streaming apps on the Mini LED Quantum requires agreement to the activity data policy that permits Walmart to gather all usage information. This is inconvenient yet not uncommon. Smart TVs gather details on viewing habits to deliver targeted suggestions and promotions. (Vizio faced issues for similar actions without permission back in 2017.)

Vizio Mini LED Quantum specs

Display type: Mini LED with quantum dots

HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

OS: Vizio OS

Connections: 3 x HDMI 2.0 (one with eARC), ATSC 1.0 tuner, USB 2.0, optical audio out

Audio support: Dolby Atmos, DTS: X

Gaming features: 4K/60Hz, 1080p/120Hz (65-inch and up)

Sizes available (inches): 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85

Walmart sees potential, similar to Amazon with Fire TVs, in using viewing data to personalize the shopping app experience. If someone watches Star Wars content with family, the Walmart app might later suggest the Luke's Red Five X-wing Smart Lego set. While this could appeal to some, the tight link between the TV system and retailer feels somewhat concerning to me.

It is feasible to circumvent this more thoroughly than on competing systems. Like other TVs, an external streaming device can be added and the Vizio configured to start on the prior input to skip the OS. Even then, Vizio and Walmart may still monitor the HDMI port for viewing data. However, specific setup choices allow the OS to remain inactive (and likely not collect viewing details), something I have not encountered on other sets.

Setup prompts for a Walmart account sign-in or creation. Skipping leads to a confirmation query and notice that payments, subscriptions, and device linking will be unavailable. Since I handle subscriptions directly via each service, this is not a major issue. After accepting Vizio terms and privacy policy, the activity data policy appears to enable smart features. Declining triggers another alert, this one stating Whoops! and noting that skipping means losing all Vizio smart TV capabilities including apps such as Netflix and YouTube.

One final decline turns the Vizio into the simple TV many seek: no operating system and three HDMI ports ready for input. To fully prevent Walmart from accessing information, the TV can be disconnected from the internet by forgetting Wi-Fi details. (Wi-Fi can also be skipped at the start of setup to switch directly to HDMI, though firmware updates may be missed.)

In Calibrated mode the Vizio has a nice, bright image, although its black level is not that deep and the screen is reflective (you can see a reflected picture frame in the middle of the TV).

For a $400 dumb TV, or even a smart model at that price, the 65-inch Vizio Mini LED Quantum performs very well. I viewed several World Cup matches via OTA antenna and regular weekly programs such as Last Week Tonight on my Apple TV, and all appeared solid. Among picture modes, Calibrated and Calibrated Dark offer the best accuracy. Both tilt slightly blue, giving a mild cool tone. Calibrated Dark works best for color precision in a dark room. SDR peaks at 309 nits while HDR reaches 579 nits on small highlights. Calibrated hits 936 nits, which is impressive for a budget set, allowing highlights and overall image to handle room lighting. The glossy screen can cause distracting reflections from nearby lamps, particularly in dark scenes.

Some motion blur occurs during fast action, noticeable in Austrian Grand Prix coverage especially with quick drone shots. The Mini LED Quantum uses an IPS panel rather than VA, resulting in less deep blacks than pricier models and some blooming around bright areas in dark scenes. Most viewers will find the performance satisfying. Even I set aside strict expectations and enjoyed the viewing. At 65 inches under $400, or up to 85 inches for $768, the shortcomings are easy to overlook for regular use.

The back of the TV is all plastic, and the cable management channel along the back of each foot is only big enough for a single cable.

Connections on the Vizio are very limited, with only three HDMI 2.0, USB 2.0, an antenna, and a digital audio out.

The remote is small and cheap, but it gets the job done.

The feet are widely set and only have one possible height.

Cost-cutting shows in other areas. The TV offers just three HDMI 2.0 ports while most sets provide four including at least one HDMI 2.1 (though an ATSC 1.0 tuner is included). The rear is inexpensive plastic, feet have only one height setting, and cable channels on each foot hold only one cable. Multiple HDMI devices mean not all cables fit through the channel. Speakers are loud but lack quality, though this applies to many higher-priced models too.

If using Vizio OS, data collection can be reduced by disabling Viewing Data in privacy settings and deselecting personalized ads on the Vizio account page. The OS is straightforward though occasionally slow. It includes major apps plus AirPlay and Google Cast, with easy input selection via the OS or remote button. After inactivity the TV enters screensaver mode showing WatchFree+ channels with what appear to be AI-generated scenes and music, interrupted occasionally by ads, which reduces relaxation.

How I test TVs

Each TV is placed in my living room on a home theater credenza. Content streams through built-in apps or an Apple TV, discs play on a Magnetar UDP900 MkII 4K Blu-Ray player including the Spears and Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark disc, movies run from a Kaleidescape Strato E player, and games are played on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Testing occurs at various times under different lighting with curtains open, lamps on, or blackout curtains for darkness. Although I hold ISF Level 3 certification, TVs are not calibrated beforehand since most owners skip this step. Performance out of the box with basic menu adjustments is therefore key.

Measurements use Portrait Displays Calman software, a Murideo 8K Seven pattern generator, an X-rite i1 Pro 3 spectrophotometer, Portrait Displays C6 HDR5000 colorimeter, a Konica Minolta LS-100 luminance meter, and Leo Bodnar 4K lag tester.

Of course none of that matters when using the Vizio Mini LED Quantum as a dumb TV. This is not Walmart's intended use but exactly what buyers should do. For apps, a low-cost streamer such as the Fire TV Stick 4K Select at $40 works fine. Using a connected device with Vizio OS active shares viewing data with Walmart per the privacy policy supplement.

My main worry is that the dumb TV option may be unintentional and could change with future updates. If required to use the OS and accept data collection, recommending the TV becomes less appealing. For now the Mini LED Quantum delivers strong value. Those seeking a large dumb TV to avoid constant tracking will find it here, at least temporarily.

Photography / The Verge

Agree to continue: Vizio Mini LED Quantum TV

Every smart device now requires agreement to terms before use, contracts few people read. We began counting agreement prompts during reviews since these are documents most skip and cannot negotiate.

To manage payments, subscriptions, or link the TV to a Walmart account, the following are required:

Sign in to or create a Walmart account
If an existing Vizio account exists, it must merge with a Walmart account

Creating a Walmart account requires an email address and phone number along with agreement to:

Full use of the Vizio Mini LED Quantum TV including Vizio OS requires acceptance of:

Vizio Terms of Service
Vizio Privacy Policy
Accept Activity Data to use streaming apps in Vizio OS
Viewing Data

In total seven main agreements are needed for full function. Three can be bypassed to avoid a Walmart account link, or all can be skipped to make the Vizio a dumb TV during setup of the Mini LED Quantum.

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John Higgins