Strong performance from the Best TCL TV 2024 comes without breaking the budget
Especially seen in its brand-new 2024 TV portfolio, TCL presents some amazing TVs with outstanding value propositions. Aiming to be among the greatest viewing experiences on the market, TCL is all in on Mini-LED technology and even names its possible OLED killer as QD-Mini-LED.
For those eager to go big, the new QM89 Mini-LED TV—a behemoth of a 115-inch display that incorporates several of the most contemporary specs on the block—bring outstanding picture performance and features. At least there are more reasonably priced, smaller options under TCL’s cover if you’re like me and find objectionable the way TVs are growing.
The price to performance ratio of TCL TVs makes them so sought-after as the finest TCL TVs can be found among a wide range of alternative roundups, including the best TVs under $500 and best 65-inch TVs. Since these displays already come at affordable costs, you won’t even have to think about Amazon’s Prime Day for fantastic offers.
Having years of TV industry experience, we know which ones to choose. These TVs not only have improved features—more especially, those related to gaming and motion-processing performance—but they also come built on a new generation OS that lets them quickly access all the greatest streaming services without restriction.
TCL QM8 QLED TV
SPECIFICATIONS
- Presentable Screen measurements: 65, 75, 85, 97 inches.
- Screen Type: QLED
- Update Rate: 120 Hz
- Four HDMI ports and one USB.Measure: 1.73 x 56.93 x 32.56 inches.
- weight: 54.7 pounds
- Reasons to buy: extraordinary brightness, lots of gaming capabilities, Google TV smart platform
- Reasons To Steer Clear: No ATSC 3.0 tuner; mediocre sound; declining picture quality in some cases
Given the TCL QM8 QLED TV comes in hot as an icon that shouts quality without the outrageous MSRP, you would be hard pushed to find a better alternative at this price point for a well-rounded display among the top gaming TVs.
Though the QM8 still shows to be the gaming beast of the lot and won’t run you clean either, leveraging a tag price of all but a modest $999 for its 65-inch edition, it is not Sony Bravia XR A95L OLED. That’s why it’s among the best TCL TVs; you’re getting rather the deal on a 120Hz refresh rate screen with not only Dolby Vision and HDR10+, but also HLG with an input lag of 13ms.
Beyond that, VRR and ALLM provide flawless anti-screen tearing when gaming on the QM8 QLED TV. Using one of the best gaming PCs via the designated port on the TV will allow you even to blast the refresh rate up to 240Hz.
Its Google TV OS also gives you quick and simple access to all of your beloved shows and movies. Beyond mere entertainment, there is a real abundance of apps to explore, and setup is really simple. The TCL QM8 QLED TV is your best choice among the top TCL TVs if you’re in the market for a decent gaming display without the explosive price tag.
TCL Q7 QLED TV
SPECIFICATIONS
- Presentable Screen measurements: 55, 65, 75, 85 inches
- Screen Type: QLED
- Update Rate: 120 Hz
- HDMI ports: 4
- Size: 48.2 x 28.2 x 2.8 inches
- weight: 28.9 pounds
- Reasons to buy: Excellent Google TV software, Good color handling, High brightness in many scenarios, Backlit remote
- Reasons To Steer Clear: Mediocre sound, Narrow viewing angles
The QM8 QLED then falls somewhat outside your budget? Not to worry; the TCL Q7 QLED TV’s underlying and midrange model within the TCL 2023 TV series is just as good for gaming and performance chops.
Many of the Q7 QLED TV sizes rank among the best TVs under $1,000, and given TCL’s upcoming release of its 2024 models, pricing may possibly be cut even more. For its pricing, which more usually falls at around $700 for its 65-inch model, its specifications are very amazing.
With a 120Himagez refresh rate and an input lag of 6.7ms in Game mode, it clearly falls somewhat below its QM8 cousin but still provides just as superb gaming performance and picture quality. The Q7 presents amazing performance for Square Enix’s brand-new “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,” for fans of the PlayStation 5 out there.
With average HDR brightness of roughly 592 nits and SDR brightness of 489 nits, it also shines like a diamond. Google TV won’t let you fail either, although the Q7 has certain negatives. It’s one of the greatest TCL TVs in the mid-range, however it lacks the most ideal speakers and has limited viewing angles, like most TCL TVs.
TCL Q6 QLED TV
SPECIFICATIONS
- Presentable Screen measurements: 55, 65, 75, 85 inches
- Screen Type: QLED
- Update Rate: 60 Hz
- HDMI ports: 3 (1 eARC)
- Size: 57 x 32.7 x 3 inches
- weight: 70.1 pounds
- Reasons to buy: Best color quality and smooth motion, Google TV is a serious upgrade from Roku, QLED display with local dimming for excellent HDR performance, Affordably priced
- Reasons To Steer Clear: Limited viewing angles, Audio is good, but not great
The TCL Q6 QLED TV, retails for roughly $500 for its 65-inch form, takes things a bit farther down in price. Though it’s still quite the competitor in the market and shows itself as among the finest TCL TVs for value, don’t let that price deceive you.
The strong color volume of the TV will make Hulu’s brand-new period piece “Shogun” amazing on the Q6 QLED. It falls around 97.42 percent on the Rec709 gamut and can approach 94.51 percent on the UHDA-P3 gamut. Thanks to its 8.9ms of input lag, fast-paced games like From Software’s “Armored Core VI” or even “Modern Warfare 3” will also be a breeze; but, you are somewhat stunted due of its limited 60Hz of frame rate.
Still, you are in especially excellent hands with HDR technologies as Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG. It’s widely regarded as one of the top TCL TVs as it’s the ideal secondary display for individuals seeking for a reasonably priced quality choice. Really, with just under $1,000, how could you pass up one of the top 85-inch TVs?
TCL S4 S-CLASS TV
SPECIFICATIONS
- Presentable Screen measurements: 43, 50, 55, 58, 65, 75, 85 inches
- Screen Type: LED-LCD
- Update Rate: 60 Hz
- HDMI ports: 3 HDMI (1 eARC)
- Size: 32.7 x 56.8 x 3.1 inches
- weight: 30.91 pounds
- Reasons to buy: Google TV interface, Low input lag is good for gaming, Great price
- Reasons To Steer Clear: Heavy glare issues, No local dimming, Limited contrast, Often slow UI
As long as you know what you’re getting, there’s no guilt in wanting the lowest-cost TV on the TCL roster. Together with three HDMI 2.0 ports, the TCL S4 provides minimal 4K performance. For those simply jumping from Full HD TVs, that’s sufficient; its reduced input lag makes it ideal for gamers still running an older PS4 or Xbox One.
Unfortunately, players of recent consoles won’t receive maximum frame rates since it lacks a 120Hz display; moreover, its low brightness output and poor black levels mean that contrast can be a major problem here.
Although this isn’t the TV your living room’s pride, the S4 meets your budget and need if all you want is a basic 4K TV free of bells and whistles.
What is QLED?
Though what does that mean? TCL’s best models use QLED displays. Using nano-scale crystals that react to light by flashing at different wavelengths, QLED, or displays using quantum-dots with LED backlight, physically generates brighter colors in reaction to a TV’s backlight.
Originally developed by Samsung, QLED displays provide a significant advance over conventional LCD panels in terms of visual brightness and color spectrum. And when combined with a backlight array with local dimming zones, the same displays provide improved contrast and HDR performance, thereby pushing closer to the kind of pixel-perfect lighting you will get with more premium OLED panels.
Though it’s a feature worth paying a little extra for since it provides a considerably better picture, not all TCL TVs have QLED enhancement.
What is Mini-LED?
Mini-LEDs are the kind of LEDs seen in TV backlights. Modern TVs’ dimming zones, which give a more dynamic picture and higher contrast, get scaled down with mini-LEDs measuring around one-fifth the size of a conventional LED — measuring just 0.008-inch (200 microns) wide.
Brightness greatly affects a TV’s image display ability in addition to color and contrast. Mini-LEDs are limited to a few pixels, thereby allowing tighter lighting control to avoid haloing and offer better brightness where it is needed, instead of a single LED backlighting zone lighting multiple square inches of a screen.
Back in 2019 TCL unveiled the first mini-LED TV, a design other companies began copying in 2021. (Learns more in our post Year of the Mini-LED TV: Samsung, LG and TCL getting this major update.)
If your budget permits it, we advise choosing a Mini-LED set as this is among the best developments TVs have witnessed in recent years.
How should you decide which TCL TV would be ideal for you?
Regarding TCL TVs, consumers can feel secure purchasing any one of the models available. Though relatively new in the North American TV industry, TCL has gained a reputation for providing premium TVs that exceed their weight in terms of picture quality, functionality and price range.
But the many models in the TCL lineup are also obviously different with unique features and capabilities that make it simple to discern not just what makes one better than another, but also how those variations enter into the price-to– value ratio that each set delivers.
The only real decision is what features you are ready to pay a bit more for; ultimately, a TCL TV offers a fantastic TV experience at a reasonable cost. Any model will have excellent quality for a reasonable price based on our tests and reviews.
See our choices for the best TVs in each if you still need help narrowing down your TV buying by brand, price range, or screen size.
Conclusion
- TCL’s 2024 TV lineup, featuring Mini-LED technology, offers outstanding value and performance.
- The QM89 115-inch model leads the pack with cutting-edge specs and exceptional picture quality.
- TCL TVs, known for their affordability, cater to a wide range of budgets and preferences.
- Features like Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Google TV OS enhance viewing and gaming experiences.
- From the flagship QLED models to more budget-friendly options like the Q6 and S4 series, TCL maintains a strong balance of quality and cost-effectiveness in their offerings.