Key facts
- TCL TVs offer great picture quality at affordable prices, often undercutting competitors like LG, Samsung, and Sony.
- The QM8L is recommended for its excellent brightness, local dimming, and wide color gamut.
- The QM6K is TCL's top budget model, featuring Mini LED technology and a 144Hz refresh rate at a low price point.
- TCL offers extra-large TV models, including 98- and 115-inch options, suitable for home theaters and sports viewing.
- The QM8L features TCL's new SQD (super quantum dots) technology for enhanced color performance.
- The QM8L achieved peak brightness of 3,600 nits in Filmmaker Mode and 85% coverage of the BT.2020 color space.
TCL has established itself as a leading TV brand, recognized for delivering excellent picture quality at competitive prices, often undercutting rivals like LG, Samsung, and Sony. The company's QD-Mini LED and SQD lineups are particularly noted for their vibrant colors and strong contrast.
The QM8L is highlighted as the top overall recommendation, offering a balance of brightness, local dimming, and color performance that rivals flagship models from other brands, frequently at a lower cost due to discounts. It incorporates TCL's new SQD technology, which enhances color reproduction, achieving 85% coverage of the BT.2020 color space and a peak brightness of 3,600 nits. While it exhibits deep blacks and minimal halos, some minor patchiness and flickering shadows were observed in challenging dark scenes. For gaming, it supports a 144Hz refresh rate and features four HDMI 2.1 ports.
For budget-conscious shoppers, the QM6K is presented as the best entry-level QD-Mini LED TV. It provides quantum dots, local dimming, and a 144Hz refresh rate at an accessible price point, typically between $600 and $700 for a 65-inch model. Its main compromise is lower brightness compared to higher-end models, making it less ideal for very bright rooms or for viewers seeking maximum HDR impact. However, its brightness and color are considered sufficient for a worthwhile HDR experience at its price, with good screen uniformity and decent viewing angles for its class.
TCL also caters to those seeking larger displays, boasting a broad selection of extra-large sets, including 98-inch and 115-inch models, suitable for immersive movie nights and sports viewing.