The best TCL TVs of 2026: How do the brand's top QLEDs and LEDs compare?

TCL has steadily become one of the top TV brands for strong performance without premium prices. The best TCL TVs regularly undercut comparable models from LG, Samsung, and Sony while still delivering impressive picture quality. That value is most evident in TCL's QD-Mini LED lineup, which combines vibrant colors and strong contrast at prices hard to beat.

The QM8K earns my top recommendation thanks to its outstanding brightness and excellent local dimming control, making it a great choice for bright rooms and movie nights alike. If you're looking to spend less, the QM6K is also worth a close look. It doesn't get quite as bright, but it's one of the most affordable TVs you can buy with a high-contrast Mini LED backlight and a fast 144Hz refresh rate for gaming.

The best TCL TVs are available in multiple screen sizes, and the company boasts one of the biggest collections of extra-large sets on the market, including massive 98- and even 115-inch models. This makes our recommendations especially good options for viewers who want an extra-large TV for sports, like the coming Super Bowl. I've linked to the 65-inch version of each pick below, but most retailers make it easy to choose a different size if you want to go bigger — or smaller.

Our top picks for the best TCL TVs

Best overall: TCL QM8K - See at Amazon

Best budget: TCL QM6K - See at Amazon

Best midrange: TCL QM7K - See at Amazon

Best entry-level: TCL S5 - See at Amazon

Best for high brightness: TCL QM9K - See at Walmart

Best overall

The QM8K is my pick for the best TCL TV. It goes toe-to-toe with pricier flagship sets from other brands. In fact, the QM8K actually surpasses the performance of many similarly priced TVs from Sony and Samsung.

This is TCL's top upper-midrange TV, featuring a QLED screen with a Mini LED backlight and full-array local dimming. Those features enable excellent contrast control, allowing the TV to dim and brighten specific portions of its panel. The QM8K has more dimming zones than the brand's step-down QM7K and QM6K models, so it can deliver even deeper black levels and higher brightness.

Using the TV's most accurate picture settings, our reviewer measured a peak of 3,648 nits on an industry-standard 10% window. That's an impressive number, easily making the QM8K one of the brightest TVs in its class. You can adjust the screen's luminance to help overcome glare in rooms that struggle with light, and it can produce vibrant, high-dynamic-range images when watching HDR content on streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs. You can learn more in our HDR TV guide.

Bright specular highlights, such as explosions, lightning bursts, gunshots, sunrises, shimmering waters, and other dazzling effects, pop with the bold impact that filmmakers intended. On dimmer TVs, some of these extreme elements can appear duller than intended or look blown out, with missing detail. The QM8K can display them with brilliant radiance.

Our reviewer was also impressed by the QM8K's ability to minimize backlight flaws, such as blooming and vignetting, which are typically present in TVs of this type. These imperfections cause distracting halos or crushed shadows to appear around bright objects. Even top Mini LED models from Samsung are not immune to this kind of behavior. But the QM8K's backlight system is nearly free from these quirks. Its contrast control still isn't as precise as the pixel-level dimming of an OLED TV, but it's remarkably close.

TCL TVs have traditionally struggled with viewing angles, but the QM8K makes some notable improvements over past models. Contrast and color degrade less when you sit off to the side of the TV than they did on the older QM8. There are still some quality shifts, but not to the point where the image looks washed out.

Like most of TCL's top TV models, the QM8K runs Google TV, which offers smooth navigation and access to numerous apps. The QM8K is also fully equipped for gaming, supporting a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. However, the TV falls short of the 165Hz offered by some high-end competing sets from LG and Samsung.

Special note should also be made of the QM8K's design, which stands out from the brand's cheaper models thanks to its ZeroBorder panel. This styling minimizes the black border around the TV's image, so most of the screen shows the display's picture without any framing. In contrast, most TVs have a thin, visible black border around their image. The QM8K is sold in 65-,75-, 85-, and 98-inch sizes.

Read our full TCL QM8K 4K TV review.

Best budget

The QM6K sits at the bottom of TCL's QD-Mini LED lineup, yet it delivers solid picture quality for such a budget-friendly TV. The 65-inch model is regularly sold for around $600, making it one of the few Mini LED TVs available at such a low price.

Despite being the most affordable offering in TCL's Mini LED collection, the QM6K still features all the core components found on other QM models, including quantum dots, local dimming, a 144Hz refresh rate, and Google TV streaming. However, the QM6K is notably dimmer than the QM7K and QM8K, and its contrast is a clear step below theirs.

When reviewing the TV, I measured a peak of around 557 nits on a 10% test pattern and about 736 nits on a 50% test pattern. Those are respectable numbers for a TV in this class, but they represent a significant step down from TCL's more expensive offerings. This was evident when watching many HDR movies and TV shows, as highlights were noticeably dimmer than on the QM7K, lacking the full impact they were intended to have. Likewise, this dimmer image makes the QM6K less suitable for rooms with lots of ambient light.

That said, the QM6K is still bright and colorful enough to deliver benefits when watching HDR content, and the display serves as a good entry point for those who want to enjoy high-dynamic-range videos on a budget. The TV's dimming performance is also quite impressive, with similar halo and blooming control as the QM7K. Black levels appear slightly lighter, but overall uniformity is excellent.

Viewing angles are also decent for a budget QLED, but they're not as wide as the QM7K or QM8K. Off-axis viewing is improved over TCL's older Q65 model, but the image still washes out slightly at angles.

Despite some compromises, the QM6K is an ideal entry point for anyone seeking an affordable home theater TV that still delivers worthwhile HDR quality and contrast. It's available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inch sizes.

Read our full TCL QM6K 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to all the best budget TVs and best gaming TVs.

Best midrange

TCL's QM7K is the company's best midrange TV. In fact, this set is one of the top TVs in its class from any brand. It's one step below the flagship QM8K, and it carries over most of that model's advanced features while coming in at a lower price point.

Like the QM8K, the QM7K uses a Mini LED backlight with quantum dots, local dimming, a 144Hz refresh rate, and access to the smooth and reliable Google TV interface. However, this model's backlight isn't quite as advanced as it uses fewer dimming zones. This means the QM7K's contrast and brightness are a bit lower than those of the QM8K. Of course, that's to be expected, and the QM7K still performs great considering its lower cost.

Using a 10% test pattern, I measured a peak of around 1,800 nits on the QM7K. Though that's about half the brightness of the QM8K, it's still an impressive number for a midrange TV. Extra-bright HDR movies that push beyond 2,000 nits, such as "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Aquaman," lack some of the luster you'd get on the QM8K, but the QM7K can display most content with pleasingly bold, vibrant highlights.

The TV's backlighting system is also great for its tier and offers notable improvements over the older QM7 model. Although I encountered some uneven dimming in dark scenes during testing of the QM7, the newer QM7K is virtually free of this imperfection. Blooming and halos were almost completely absent, even during particularly tricky scenes that I use to test local dimming.

That said, the QM7K's black levels aren't perfect. Black bars in widescreen movies never quite disappear into a dark room the way they do on OLED TVs or some higher-end QLEDs. Perhaps as a result of the TV's anti-halo system, black levels in HDR content are always slightly elevated, but you'll only notice it in a pitch-black room.

Although viewing angles aren't as wide as those of the QM8K, they're still better than those of older TCL TVs. Contrast and color shift from off-axis, but I could sit at my desk, positioned at an angle from the TV, and still enjoy solid image quality.

The QM7K is available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, 98-, and 115-inch sizes. Though I think the QM8K is worth the extra money if you're a home theater enthusiast or are planning to put your TV in a very bright room, the QM7K's overall value is hard to beat. This is the best TCL TV for buyers who want to save some cash while still enjoying excellent HDR performance.

Check out our guides to all of the best TVs, best smart TVs, and best TVs for sports.

Best entry-level

The S5 is one of TCL's standard LED TV models. It's a solid fit for people who just want a cheap yet reliable smart TV for basic viewing. It's also available in smaller 50- and 43-inch screen sizes, making it a suitable secondary set for a bedroom.

Unlike my other picks, this model does not use a QD-Mini LED panel, so it has notable limitations in color, contrast, and brightness. The TV can't dim separate zones across its screen, so its black levels look lighter and more washed out when watching videos with the lights off.

While it technically supports HDR processing, its contrast and brightness are too low to properly showcase HDR's benefits. It's also too dim to overcome substantial glare in rooms with lots of windows. Viewing angles are the narrowest of any TV in this guide, so sit as close to the center as possible for the best image. And the panel's refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, so it can't support high frame rate modes on a gaming console or PC.

Though all of those drawbacks are important to note, the S5 is priced accordingly. The 65-inch model is typically around $370. This is an entry-level set, and it works well within that context. The S5 isn't meant for home theater fans or hardcore gamers. It's geared toward casual viewers who primarily watch cable TV and standard dynamic range (SDR) streaming content. It can't wow with bright highlights and inky black levels, but it still delivers a sharp, colorful 4K image.

I also like that TCL offers a choice between Fire TV and Google TV models. I prefer the Google TV interface thanks to its more streamlined design, but it's nice to have an option with an Alexa voice remote if you're already plugged into Amazon's ecosystem.

Check out our guide to all the best TVs under $500.

Best for high brightness

The QM9K is one of TCL's most premium QD-Mini LED models, sitting just above the QM8K in the brand's lineup. Although the QM8K's already stellar performance is sufficient for most needs, the QM9K can get even brighter. I measured peaks of over 4,000 nits, making this a better choice for people who struggle with glare or who crave just a bit more impact in HDR content.

I tested the 75-inch size in my living room, which features numerous windows that let in lots of light during the day. This can be an issue with dimmer TVs, but the QM9K has more than enough headroom to increase its brightness setting and overcome sunlight. That said, the TV's glossy screen is still prone to reflections when directly lit. I have windows right across from the screen, so those still need to be covered to eliminate certain reflections, but that would be the case for any glossy panel.

The TV's high brightness also enables striking HDR performance when watching content that has been mastered to take advantage of the panel's capabilities. High-contrast movies on streaming and 4K Blu-ray deliver intense highlights, while the panel's advanced Mini LED backlight nearly eliminates blooming. I spotted subtle halos here and there when watching a couple of scenes in a completely dark room, but you really have to be looking for them.

Black levels are similarly impressive, although black bars in widescreen films occasionally appear a shade or two lighter than pure black when viewing bright HDR material. But again, that's something you'd only see in a pitch-black room.

However, as impressive as the QM9K's image is, it's not quite as accurate as high-end TVs from brands like Sony, LG, and Samsung, which benefit from better processing and better out-of-the-box calibration. The QM9K's improvements over the QM8K are also subtle. For the vast majority of content, you'd be hard-pressed to see a big difference in image quality between the two TVs. It's really only when pumping up the QM9K's brightness setting to overcome glare or when watching certain high-brightness HDR movies that its extra capabilities come into play.

The QM9K features the same Google TV interface that TCL utilizes in all its top QLEDs, but this is the first model to offer integrated support for Gemini AI. This enables more conversational searches and AI chatbot functionalities. Although I don't think it's necessary for my TV to create a travel itinerary for my next vacation, these functions work as intended. Gemini is also set to roll out to TCL's QM8K and QM7K in the coming months.

Ultimately, the QM9K's appeal is limited to a very select type of buyer, as its benefits over TCL's cheaper QM8K are too small to warrant a broad recommendation. It's an excellent TV that outperforms pricier QLEDs, such as the Sony Bravia 9, in certain aspects. However, given the exceptional value of the step-down QM8K, this model is only suited for viewers who demand the brightest image available.

How we test TCL TVs

To evaluate the best TCL TVs, our reviewers got hands-on with the brand's top QD-Mini LED models and put them through our extensive testing process. We've been covering home entertainment products for over a decade, and used that experience to inform our methodology.

Brightness and color are measured using test patterns and calibration software. Though this process offers a great idea of a TV's technical capabilities, it's even more important to evaluate how a display looks when watching actual real-world content. To accomplish this, we use each TCL TV we review in the same way we would use any TV in our home, by watching a variety of shows and movies in both bright and dark environments.

We also use a curated selection of scenes from various titles to showcase different aspects of image quality, including black levels, contrast, HDR highlights, color gradients, viewing angles, upscaling, and local dimming.

In addition to image quality, we test smart TV features and assess overall usability and smoothness during navigation, streaming, and voice searches. We also consider overall build quality and general value for the money.

For more details on our testing process, check out our breakdown on how we review tech products.

TCL TV FAQs

Is TCL a good TV brand?

TCL has cemented itself as one of the top value-forward brands in the TV market. The company offers a wide range of affordable display models, as well as several midrange and high-end offerings that rival more expensive TVs from companies like Samsung, Sony, and LG. For instance, TCL's QM8K Mini LED TV compares favorably to Samsung's flagship QN90F and even bests it in several performance metrics, but costs substantially less. That said, the brand isn't perfect.

In the past, we've encountered occasional software glitches and other bugs when reviewing TCL TVs, typically related to certain settings not working properly or adjusting when they're not supposed to. Although no TV brand is immune to glitches, we've found Sony, LG, and Samsung models to be somewhat more reliable. However, we didn't experience any notable glitches while reviewing the company's 2025 TV lineup, suggesting TCL has made improvements in this regard.

Build quality is another area where TCL has traditionally lagged behind pricier brands, so its TVs tend to be a bit cheaper in construction and lack some of the flashier design perks you might find in pricier options. This is most evident in its entry-level and midrange offerings rather than its premium models.

However, none of the bugs or build limitations we've encountered on TCL TVs have ever been significant enough to prevent us from recommending the brand. As it stands, the best TCL TVs are among the best value displays on the market, and our overall experience with the company's products has been positive.

If you do want to browse models from other companies, be sure to check out our additional TV buying guides:

• Best 4K TVs
• Best Sony TVs
• Best Samsung TVs
• Best LG TVs
• Best Roku TVs

When will 2026 TCL TVs be available?

TCL announced several new 2026 TV models at the CES tech tradeshow in January. Though pricing and availability for most models are still pending, the company actually launched preorders for its latest flagship TV, the X11L, during the event. The X11L will be available soon in 75-, 85-, and 98-inch options.

You can learn more about TCL's newest displays in our 2026 TV roundup.

Is TCL taking over Sony's TV business?

In January 2026, Sony announced plans for a strategic partnership with TCL focused on Sony's home entertainment business, including TVs. Under the proposed deal, TCL would take a 51% stake in the joint venture, while Sony would retain the remaining 49%.

Right now, the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding, with the goal of finalizing a full agreement by the end of March 2026. If everything moves forward as planned, the new joint venture would begin operating in April 2027.

According to the announcement, the company would continue using Sony's Bravia brand, while combining Sony's strengths in high-end imaging with TCL's manufacturing scale and cost-efficient supply chain. It's too early to know exactly how this partnership will affect Sony's TV lineup, but in theory, it could result in more affordable Sony Bravia models that benefit from TCL's budget-friendly approach without abandoning Sony's premium picture processing.

What kinds of TVs does TCL make?

TCL offers a range of LED, QLED, and RGB Mini LED TV models catering to various budgets and performance levels.

The company's LED TVs include 4K and HD models geared toward budget buyers seeking an entry-level TV for casual use. These models include the company's S-, 4-, and 3-Series TVs. Though fine for basic smart TV needs, they offer limited contrast, brightness, and color capabilities.

Meanwhile, the brand's QLED models offer much better picture quality. Some of TCL's QLED displays also have advanced Mini LED backlights. These flagship models are branded as QD-Mini LED, and they include the QM6, QM7, QM8, and QM9 Series. These TVs offer substantially brighter images than a standard LED model with much higher contrast ratios and deeper black levels. This makes the company's QD-Mini LED TVs best suited for buyers who prioritize image performance.

In 2026, the brand will also introduce two new TV types: SQD TVs and RGB Mini LED TVs. TCL's SQD TVs will use super quantum dots, while the RGB Mini LED TVs will use an RGB backlight. It remains to be seen which display type offers the best image quality, but both promise improvements in color and brightness over traditional QD-Mini LED models.

TCL does not sell any OLED TV models in its current lineup. For OLED recommendations from other brands, check out our guide to the best OLED TVs.

When it comes to screen sizes, TCL offers displays ranging from 32 to a whopping 115 inches. For size-specific recommendations, check out our TV buying guides focused on different screen sizes:

• Best 100-inch TVs
• Best 85-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 50-inch TVs
• Best 43-inch TVs

What smart TV platform does TCL use?

TCL primarily uses the Google TV operating system on its flagship smart TV models, including the QM6K, QM7K, QM8K, and QM9K. However, some of the brand's entry-level offerings use the Fire TV and Roku TV interface. Likewise, some of these budget-friendly sets, such as the S5 Series, are available in multiple editions, allowing buyers to choose the interface they prefer.

Do TCL TVs have good sound quality?

Generally speaking, most TVs, including TCL models, offer mediocre sound quality. To keep panels slim and costs down, manufacturers use small speaker drivers that lack depth and bass. However, some of TCL's high-end models, such as the QM7K, QM8K, and QM9K, use more advanced speaker arrays developed in partnership with Bang & Olufsen. These models sound better than cheaper options, but they still can't match the performance of a typical soundbar or dedicated set of speakers.

For optimal audio quality, we recommend using a separate soundbar or surround sound system. Check out our audio buying guides for top recommendations:

• Best soundbars
• Best budget soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers
• Best Bose soundbars
• Best Sonos soundbars
• Best surround sound systems

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