Vizio Mini LED Quantum TV: A cheap smart TV that can be used as a dumb TV
Vizio's Mini LED Quantum TV at $398 offers quantum dot and Mini LED technology, but the standout feature is the ability to use it as a dumb TV by bypassing data collection and Walmart account requirements.
Vizio, acquired by Walmart in 2024, has released the Mini LED Quantum TV, which at $398 for the 65-inch model is the cheapest quantum dot TV on the market. The TV delivers bright images and accurate colors, but the biggest news is the option to use it as a dumb TV without connecting to the internet or agreeing to data collection policies.
During setup, Vizio asks for a Walmart account login or creation and requires acceptance of an activity data policy that allows Walmart to collect viewing habits. However, users can skip these steps: decline the Walmart account and reject the activity data policy. After that, the TV operates as a plain dumb screen with three HDMI ports awaiting signals from external devices. For extra privacy, users can disconnect the TV from the internet entirely by forgetting Wi-Fi settings.
Picture quality for the price is impressive: SDR max brightness is 309 nits, HDR reaches 579 nits, and Calibrated mode hits 936 nits. However, the IPS panel results in less deep blacks and a reflective screen. There is some motion blur in fast scenes. Limitations include only three HDMI 2.0 ports (no HDMI 2.1), a cheap plastic back, and basic speakers.
If users choose to use Vizio OS, they can limit data collection by turning off viewing data in privacy settings. Even with an external streaming device, Vizio and Walmart still scan the HDMI port. The main concern is that the dumb TV functionality may be accidental and could be removed in future software updates. Until then, the Mini LED Quantum remains an excellent cheap dumb TV.
