Why I Recommend This Tcl Mini Led Tv Over Pricier Oled Models (especially At $800 Off)

1 week ago

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

The TCL QM8K (65-inch) is presently disposable for $997 connected Amazon.
It handles HDR contented pinch eye-popping, true-to-life brightness.
The summation of a soundbar would make its audio much immersive.

Various TCL QM8K sizes are presently discounted (up to $1,500) crossed awesome retailers for illustration Amazon and Best Buy.

TCL continually punches supra its weight, offering awesome TV tech astatine prices that request a cost-benefit study erstwhile considering different brands.

For that reason, I've recommended a fewer caller TCL models to readers, friends, and family. After spending respective weeks pinch nan 65-inch QM8K successful our testing lab, I recovered retired what separates nan company's 2025 flagship exemplary from others successful its class.

First impressions and setup

Not agelong ago, I reviewed nan step-down QM7K, which is simply a terrific Mini LED. My superior critique was nan rumor of installing nan base/stand connected that TV, which required 12 screws and much head-scratching clip than I attraction for. Disappointingly, nan QM8K required nan nonstop aforesaid procedure; location was nary betterment location contempt nan $1,200 quality successful nan 2 models.

Also: Why I urge this Amazon Fire TV soundbar to astir group - particularly astatine this caller debased price

The QM8K boasts a "ZeroBorder" design, which is close, but not precisely accurate: its existent bezel is astir 4mm wide. That's not bad astatine all, but "zero" intends none, not 4 millimeters. Still, you'll beryllium looking astatine a floating rectangle of bright imagery that holds up good moreover successful a sun-drenched room pinch tons of windows.

Its distant power is identical to nan QM7K's, a spot plasticky for a flagship product. While it doesn't consciousness arsenic premium arsenic nan TV it controls, it is simply a backlit distant (thankfully), and you tin run nan TV hands-free pinch sound power done Google Assistant.

Once you person nan QM8K connected its feet -- aliases its 1 large ft -- nan setup process is straightforward and reasonably quick. Getting my various streaming apps up and moving was painless, guided by nan acquainted Google TV interface. With built-in Chromecast, it offers entree to each nan accustomed streaming apps for illustration Netflix, Hulu, and Prime (it's besides compatible pinch Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit).

Bright, bold, but not perfect

The main arena for immoderate TV is image quality, and this is wherever nan QM8K's strengths and weaknesses go evident. The QM8K boasts a highest brightness of up to 5,000 nits. Our testing concluded pinch highest brightness levels conscionable complete 4,500 nits astatine 70% of nan screen, which is nary joke. Translation: its HDR contented tin beryllium dazzling. Brightly lit scenes look stunning, and nan QM8K is plentifulness capable to flooded glare successful a room.

Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn't hold to do it)

Brightness is only portion of nan equation, though. While nan QM8K has 35% much dimming zones than its predecessor and a "new halo power system," it's not immune to a faint blooming effect astir agleam objects. For a Mini-LED astatine $2,200, that's not a disappointment, but it is simply a consideration.

Deep, inky blacks are getting ever person to OLED territory successful TCL's evolution. In a pitch-black room, pinch a very circumstantial trial pattern, you mightiness still spot a hint of blooming connected nan QM8K. But successful real-world viewing, watching a movie for illustration "Dune 2" pinch its stark, high-contrast scenes, nan achromatic levels were outstanding. For 99% of my viewing, it was a non-issue.

Picture guidance and gaming

The QM8K's AiPQ Pro processor is nan aforesaid crossed nan 3 products successful this series. However, nan beingness assemblage of this TV (the panel, backlight, and different components) mixed pinch its package optimizes it for superior wide image capacity complete nan QM7K.

One specified constituent is nan sheet itself, which TCL calls a CrystGlow WHVA Panel. This sheet offers a wider viewing perspective and decreased glare compared to nan QM7K. The QM8K's viewing angles, while improved, still show immoderate colour and opposition degradation erstwhile you move off-center -- a noticeable rumor for a family dispersed retired connected a wide couch.

Even nan QM6K, successful fact, is equipped pinch nan CrystGlow WHVA. While this is simply a characteristic that performs champion pinch nan QM8K's hardware advances, I person to opportunity nan quality is hardly visible to nan naked oculus successful position of viewing perspective among nan QM6K done nan QM8K.

Also: How to move disconnected ACR connected your TV (and what your TV stops search erstwhile you do)

The QM8K's autochthonal 144Hz refresh rate, coupled pinch support for VRR and ALLM, makes for a fluid and responsive gaming experience. Hooking up a PS5, I recovered "Helldivers 2" to beryllium incredibly smooth, and nan debased input lag is simply a clear advantage successful competitory play.

While nan TV has 4 HDMI ports, it's important to cognize which ones support nan afloat HDMI 2.1 characteristic group needed for 4K astatine 144Hz because only 2 of nan 4 ports do that. This could beryllium a limitation if you ain aggregate next-gen consoles aliases a high-end PC. It's an area wherever flagship competitors often supply much flexibility.

Great sound, though not rather cinematic

TCL's business pinch Bang & Olufsen successful nan QM8K's speaker strategy is simply a commendable measurement up for this year's series. The sound strategy is robust, speech is clear, and there's capable assemblage to nan sound to make movies and shows enjoyable without instantly reaching for different remote.

That said, nan B&O branding mightiness not unrecorded up to an audiophile's expectations, chiefly because nan beingness limitations of speakers packed into a bladed TV chassis still apply. The bass is coming but lacks nan deep, room-shaking rumble of a dedicated subwoofer. While it's a superior built-in system, it won't switch moreover a midrange soundbar for those who prioritize immersive audio.

ZDNET's buying advice

As I indicated above, successful a brightly lit room, wherever my OLED sometimes struggles pinch reflections and washed-out colors, nan TCL QM8K is simply a torch. HDR content, successful particular, is explosive. Sunsets successful 4K samples, submersed coral reef exploration, nan ray bluish glow of Frodo's sword, "Sting" -- each travel pinch a wow facet for a TV conscionable nether $2,200.

Also: I replaced my TV pinch a 4K UST projector - and nan ocular upgrade was massive

But here's nan thing. You tin get a 98-inch TCL QM7K for only $600 more. That size is little of a TV and much of a wall. And pinch that size successful a Mini LED, you're getting moreover higher worth because pinch much and smaller dimming zones connected a larger screen, Mini LED TVs tin much precisely power ray distribution, importantly enhancing opposition and item successful some acheronian and agleam areas.

If you deficiency nan existent property for that size of TV successful your viewing room, past conscionable return your expectations down a notch and acquisition nan TCL QM7K astatine 65 inches, redeeming yourself $1,200. Upgrades and all, you apt won't beryllium dismayed by immoderate ocular difference.

Ultimately, though, it's adjacent to opportunity nan QM8K is simply a morganatic contender for nan champion "bright room" TV connected nan market.