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TCL QM8L: Two-minute assessment
The TCL QM8L SQD-Mini LED TV could also be technically the corporate’s third-tier TV this 12 months, however it’s adequate to provide you a flagship-type expertise for a really cheap value.
In my time with the TCL QM8L, I used to be very impressed throughout the board — virtually as a lot as my dad, who’s most likely stole much more time utilizing it than me throughout testing. Its vivid display makes daytime watching straightforward even in vivid rooms, and TCL’s backlight tech does a terrific job of providing a clear picture with no blooming, highlighting element irrespective of how vivid or darkish the image is.
Actually, I feel that all the things this TV has to supply not solely makes it actually sturdy contender among the many finest TVs of 2026, in addition to probably the greatest gaming TVs because of its 4 HDMI 2.1 ports and broad current-gen gaming options.
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There’s a lot extra to love in regards to the 75QM8L (I acquired the 75-inch dimension for this assessment). The hands-free management is at all times a pleasant function and having Google Gemini’s conversational interplay is usually beautiful, although I did discover problem with among the info it will supply up throughout use.
And I additionally discovered it to not fairly measure as much as the most effective of the most effective relating to coloration accuracy, or for coloration protection in comparison with what TCL claimed it will be able to.
That stated, should you had been to observe this TV and never have a look at any benchmarks, you’d — like me — not take into consideration any of that and simply be enthralled with the sharp, clean, and vivid picture (and brightness is a key space the place the benchmarks look fairly good).
In case you’re on the lookout for a superb mini-LED TV that is available in huge sizes, and may maintain as much as even the brightest rooms whereas nonetheless delivering nuanced image high quality, I can suggest the TCL QM8L strongly.
- TCL 75QM8L SQD-Mini LED at Greatest Purchase for $1,999.99
TCL QM8L assessment: Value and launch date
(Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)
- Launch date: April 2026
- 65-inch: $1,799
- 75-inch: $1,999
- 85-inch: $2,999
- 98-inch: $4,999
TCL has taken a go-big-or-go-home method this 12 months, releasing spectacular updates for its prime couple of strains of TVs, together with the QM8L collection reviewed right here. Whereas the TV was on present at CES, it wasn’t out there for buy till April 2026.
It sits beneath the TCL X11L (which is that this 12 months’s flagship) and the TCL RM9L TVs on this 12 months’s line-up, however it makes use of the identical SQD-Mini LED panel know-how because the X11L. (The RM9L makes use of a brand new RGB LED panel, simply to confuse issues.)
So far as precise pricing goes, the pricing is just not for the faint of coronary heart, regardless of being third within the checklist. I’ll talk about the way it stacks as much as the competitors later (and TCL does supply good worth), however that doesn’t change the truth that a value of $1,999.99 for the 65 inch, the smallest dimension out there for the QM8L, is some huge cash to throw at a TV.
It is lower than the likes of LG G6 OLED TV, however continues to be undeniably premium — although it is already dropped massively within the few weeks since its launch, and can drop additional — as is at all times the case with TCL TVs.
I feel including a pair hundred bucks to improve to the following dimension up, the 75-inch reviewed right here, is affordable should you’re already contemplating dropping that type of money on a TV.
TCL QM8L assessment: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Display screen kind:
SQD-Mini LED
Refresh charge:
144Hz
HDR help:
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ
Sensible TV:
Google TV
HDMI ports:
4x HDMI 2.1
Constructed-in tuner:
ATSC 3.0
TCL QM8L assessment: Benchmark outcomes
TCL QM8L assessment: Options
(Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)
- Helps the total vary of HDR and spatial audio codecs
- Makes use of a couple of completely different TCL applied sciences to enhance image high quality
- Fingers-free management by way of Google Gemini
The TCL 75QM8L has a very good quantity of options, because it ought to for TCL’s virtually flagship TV. It has all the varied HDR, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Dolby Atmos, and DTS help one may need, which no rivals from LG, Sony or Samsung supply of their entirety.
The TV additionally makes use of some proprietary options to enhance image high quality. As an illustration, the TCL Deep Coloration System is supposed for a wider coloration vary, to stand up to a claimed 100% BT.2020 coloration protection.
I’ll go into our take a look at leads to the following part, however I’ll briefly point out that the TV does decently however doesn’t truly get to that 100% coloration protection for both BT.2020 or DCI-P3 in our measurements. Nonetheless, this know-how does enhance the colours past what’s been regular for mini-LED previously (and TCL says there are a number of methods to check for BT.2020 protection).
Obtainable in 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inches (my take a look at unit is the 75-inch mannequin), these TVs include as much as 4,000 native dimming zones that includes exact array full native dimming because of the SQD-Mini LED panel, and as much as 6,000 nits of peak brightness to actually profit from HDR content material.
For reference, the flagship X11L claims as much as 20,000 native dimming zones and 10,000 nits of brightness. Contemplating the 75QM8L is way more reasonably priced (compared), its specs are fairly spectacular.
The ‘Enhanced Halo Management System’ within the LED backlight guarantees to reduce blooming, partly by utilizing 26-bit backlight controllers. Having spent a very good period of time taking a look at this display with HDR content material on (in addition to some take a look at movies with colourful objects towards black backgrounds), I haven’t observed a lot if any in the way in which of blooming for real-world use.
Colourful or vivid objects stored their form towards darker backgrounds with out spilling over, so to talk, to these darker sections.
The WHVA panel 2.0 that TCL hopes will make you neglect about OLED TVs additionally sport a 144Hz refresh charge, and a 178º viewing angle.
A TSR AI Professional processor powers the TV, with its processing targeted partly on Google’s AI-powered voice assistant Gemini. And Wi-Fi 6 is available for a extra responsive TV – realistically, your Wi-Fi goes to be the largest bottleneck on a more recent TV so this can be a welcome improve.
In case you’re like me, the hands-free voice management, utilizing the Google Gemini AI voice assistant, would be the most spectacular and most noticeable. Each time I say “Hey Google,” I discover the TV to be responsive, even when it’s off and I’m asking it to show again on.
I can open apps and a great deal of content material simply by chatting with it. I may ask out extra common knowledge-type queries that one would with a voice assistant (climate, sports activities scores, information, and so forth.).
After all, there are some limitations in that it doesn’t at all times lead me to the suitable streaming location for sure content material (extra on that within the good TV part).
Past the voice assistant, the AI capabilities, powered by the TSR AI Professional Processor, embody an AI artwork gallery as a display saver, AI information briefs, and AI picture-related settings.
For gaming, you’ve got bought 144Hz at 4K and variable refresh charge help throughout all 4 HDMI ports, plus the choice for a 288Hz refresh charge at 1080p (nonetheless with VRR).
TCL QM8L assessment: Image high quality
Tough and nuanced near-dark element is dealt with remarkably nicely (Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)
- Impressively restricted blooming and daring colours
- Filmmaker mode and Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist to ship wealthy footage
- Coloration accuracy is just not completely preferrred out of the field
I spent a couple of weeks with the TCL 75QM8L, sharing time answerable for the display with my dad, which suggests a mix of Phillies video games, British homicide mysteries, blockbusters, 90 Day Fiancé and Go away It To Beaver — in addition to some next-gen gaming. I am going to go into element on that final bit within the gaming part, however it’s instructive for a way the display appears to be like too.
Throughout use, the TCL QM8L is a stunner. What I feel places this TV above different so many different choices are the colour and halo management programs I discussed above, mixed with the whole HDR help, that means photographs look gloriously wealthy.
We measured 3,719 nits of peak HDR brightness in a ten% window in Filmmaker Mode, which is completely beautiful – however the over 2,000 native dimming zones within the mannequin I examined helped to maintain clear separation between mild and darkish areas regardless of the brightness.
There’s no bleed from one coloration to the following, and I’m capable of see particulars in shadows clearly because of excessive dimming functionality of every part.
Fullscreen HDR brightness in a 100% window can be colossal, reaching 760 nits in Filmmaker Mode and 790 nits in Commonplace (which is what you are extra possible to make use of for sports activities).
Even in SDR in Commonplace mode, it hit 518 nits. That blows away any TV I’ve examined up to now, and means the display will solely have reflection points in darkish scenes — watching sports activities within the day will not be any type of drawback.
Additionally helpful for sports activities, or household room viewing, is that it has a reasonably extensive viewing angle, so I can watch one thing at a really sharp angle and nonetheless see the image impressively clearly.
Talking of sports activities, the movement dealing with is clean. Whether or not it is watching NBA basketball, or perhaps a sweeping drone shot, the display would not present a lot in the way in which of judder. And naturally, motion pictures come throughout as buttery clean.
No matter what’s occurring on the display, the TCL QM8L nonetheless manages to breed all of the element of the picture. Whether or not it is the high quality strains of a petal in a kind of hi-res display checks or the group within the background of a sport, all of it appears to be like clear and pure.
Even decrease decision content material appears to be like a lot sharp with a good quantity of element. I by no means knew Go away It To Beaver might look so good, because of the “tremendous decision” AI upscaling (which is optionally available, however is enabled out-of-the-box).
In relation to coloration, TCL’s purported 100% BT.2020 score is a little bit overblown, as a result of the most effective we measured was 90%. (TCL instructed us there are a number of methods to measure BT.2020, and that it makes a distinction.)
DCI-P3 coloration protection is extremely sturdy for a mini-LED TV at 98% — that is what we get from essentially the most elite OLED TVs usually, with mini-LED falling additional behind.
A bit of extra regarding is the colour accuracy. We measure how shut the colour replica is to ‘good’, measured in a ‘Delta E’ rating, which suggests how far the image is from the sign it is making an attempt to recreate. We search for a rating beneath 3, as a result of at that time the human eye cannot distinguish any distinction from the reference sample.
In Filmmaker Mode, the TCL QM8L rating 3.7, which is a little bit disappointing for a premium TV, however not a dealbreaker. However in Commonplace, we measured a rating of 9.9, which is shockingly excessive for one thing on this value vary.
That is out of the field, in fact, however most individuals do not calibrate their TV. As I stated above, I discovered the colours to be actually impactful and involving, however Filmmaker Mode is unquestionably the way in which to take pleasure in issues if you need an correct, extra pure look — Commonplace is not the place we might count on it to be.
- Image high quality rating: 4.5 / 5
TCL QM8L assessment: Sound high quality
(Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)
- Sounds adequate to skip the soundbar normally
- Bass is the main space missing
- Spatial audio sounds fairly good
The sound high quality on the TCL 75QM8L is fairly spectacular, accurately, contemplating the value and the truth that the sound system is branded as being by Bang & Olufsen.
I’ve examined all the things from blockbuster motion pictures to actuality TV to varied video games and music, and I imagine the audio right here is nice sufficient so that you can skip including a soundbar so long as you’re not on the lookout for a house theater-type listening expertise.
The high-end has loads of presence whereas not being ice-pick brittle, letting appears like flutes, strings, cymbals, and something one may take into account ‘sparkly’ (suppose chimes) come by with full readability.
The mid-range is full in a manner that many TVs aren’t capable of produce, and is, in my view, the principle purpose to usually add a soundbar to a setup. When listening to music, vocals and guitar have the suitable quantity of aggressiveness, whereas dialog has a weight to it in motion pictures the helps it to face out clearly.
There’s a good quantity of mid-bass, so that you’ll nonetheless get a little bit thump when listening to music or watching an motion film, however the two built-in woofers aren’t capable of reproduce the frequencies usually the accountability of a subwoofer. In case you actually need to really feel the audio, you’ll want so as to add one.
Fortunately, TCL does have a wi-fi subwoofer that may be added for that goal, however it does require a further buy. Likewise, although the TV helps Dolby Atmos and DTS, you’ll should get TCL’s Dolby Atmos FlexConnect audio system to truly hear any encompass sound should you don’t need to buy or construct a complete residence theater system.
The TV does, nevertheless, handle to breed some spatial audio with none add-ons. Turning it on does add a way of peak to no matter I’m watching, so it is best to positively give it a attempt.
I additionally respect the truth that there are another audio choices to high quality tune, resembling a bass enhance, a dialog enhancer (admittedly delicate), an auto quantity management that works considerably like evening mode in that it compresses audio quantity, and an AI sonic adaptation function that works to offset the reflections of your room for a extra pure sound.
That final function works, although not fairly in addition to one thing like Dirac, so don’t count on audiophile-level audio.
- Sound high quality rating: 4.5 / 5
TCL QM8L assessment: Design
(Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)
- Zero edge bezels really feel very premium
- Glorious dual-height stand with cable administration
- Distant is bigger than common
The ‘zero edge’ bezels on the 75QM8L make me virtually really feel like I’m watching on a floating display — there’s virtually no body.
The centered stand, which may be height-adjusted throughout set up to accommodate a soundbar, makes the TV really feel extra balanced and steady than many TVs that I take a look at (and we usually get 65-inch fashions for testing).
The stand additionally has cable administration constructed into it — it has a again panel that pops out to cover the cables — which we at all times respect.
I additionally like the truth that all 4 HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1, that means you do not want to consider which one you are going to use and fiddle round. Effectively, principally: there’s nonetheless just one HDMI eARC port, so should you join that probably the greatest soundbars or an AV receiver, you have to know which it’s.
Lastly, the distant is definitely a bit larger than I’m often used to, which some may like. It’s heftier and so simpler to maintain monitor of and the underside is angled to suit snugly within the hand. It’s additionally backlit and has a chat button, although you may as well talk with the TV by way of Google Gemini.
TCL QM8L assessment: Sensible TV and menus
(Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)
- Google Gemini is conversational and responsive although not at all times appropriate
- Good quantity of free content material out there on Google TV, and all main apps
- There is a fast menu for frequent settings modifications
The Google TV interface is one I’ve gotten accustomed to after reviewing plenty of TVs and streaming units that use it. The best way it’s applied on the TCL 75QM8L is basically the identical, with the one noticeable distinction to most TVs being the inclusion of Google Gemini.
Google Gemini is a really sturdy voice assistant. Because it’s AI-powered, it’s conversational and fast, but additionally vulnerable to errors the way in which generative AI usually is.
For instance, I had Gemini lookup the film Swept Away, and whereas it provided appropriate info on the truth that there are two variations, it was fallacious on the place it was out there to stream. Unusually, once I simply used the interface’s search operate, I used to be despatched to a touchdown web page that prompt it was out there to stream on Tubi, which nonetheless solely hosted the newer, extra maligned, 2002 model.
Gemini is sweet to make use of, although, with a collection of completely different timbres of voices that sound pure when talking. I’m capable of ask about way more than motion pictures of TV, as a result of it’s a full-blown voice assistant. It even brings up a neat little graph when speaking in regards to the climate.
For some purpose, it did default to pulling up related YouTube movies once I requested extra common questions. As an illustration, I requested ‘Advocate a film to me based mostly on my viewing habits’ and it simply pulled up a bunch of YouTube movies (I used to be not within the YouTube app, thoughts you) associated to must-see motion pictures.
The remainder of the Google TV interface is extra normal fare. A rotating banner covers the highest of the house web page, adopted by rows of suggestions together with ‘Should Watch’, ‘Proceed Watching’ and extra, to not point out a row of apps if you wish to open one and browse.
Nonetheless, many will respect having the ability to browse a lot of the out there content material from the house web page. Simply remember, it’s not complete, because the interface could not pull info from sure apps.
As each producer does as of late, there’s a very good quantity of free content material out there. Google FreePlay, specifically, has a great deal of content material and works very like a cable information interface. Who knew that Google would have the ability to quench my dad’s thirst for Go away It To Beaver — there was a complete channel streaming episodes.
Once you first go to the settings possibility by way of the distant or navigating the display, a breakout field of fast settings seem on the prime proper nook of the display. You must nonetheless click on as soon as extra to get the total checklist of settings — generally that is helpful, generally it feels prefer it’s simply including a step.
There’s lots of high quality tuning out there, particularly for the show, so I can think about the menus to be a little bit overwhelming for anybody digging in for the primary time. But it surely’s good to have extra choices than not, particularly with nearly as good of a TV as this.
- Sensible TV & menus rating: 4.5 / 5
TCL QM8L assessment: Gaming
(Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)
- All HDMI inputs help 4K at as much as 144Hz, with variable refresh charge
- Recreation Bar menu for game-specific finetuning of settings
- Can routinely swap inputs and to sport mode when console is on
Nice information for players this 12 months is that every one 4 of QM8L’s HDMI inputs are of the full-fat HDMI 2.1 selection, that means that all of them help 4K at 120Hz or 144Hz. Simply make certain to allow sooner refresh charges within the TV’s menu.
Talking of menus, should you press on the hamburger image (the three stacked strains) on the distant whereas gaming, the TCL 75QM8L will pull up a specialised menu that the model calls the Recreation Bar, enabling you to activate issues like an FPS counter, Purpose Help, Recreation Accelerator 288 (which doubles the perceived refresh charge to 288Hz, however drop the decision to 1080p), and Overdrive, which is a type of movement blur that may’t be used as the identical time as excessive refresh charges.
To check the TV for gaming, I used a Ps 5 and had no drawback operating appropriate video games at 120 fps. All of them regarded crisp because of the 4K decision with good HDR distinction regardless of the extra restricted processing you get within the gaming mode.
The 9.5ms latency is superb for a TV, and is mainly nearly as good as you get from any of the most effective gaming TVs — and helps all the things really feel quick and snappy when enjoying.
Lastly, not solely can the TV swap inputs routinely when a console is turned on, however the TCL QM8L will routinely swap the image mode to sport mode.
TCL QM8L assessment: Worth
(Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)
- It is expensive, however not fairly flagship value, fortunately
- The larger the scale, the better-value TCL units are usually
- Sure distinctive options like hands-free management can be found on cheaper TVs
The 75-inch TCL QM8L is about two grand (which is a drop from the $3k is price proper at launch) — that’s not low cost and it’s out of attain for a lot of shopper.
Nonetheless, examine it to LG’s mid-range OLED providing, the LG C6, and the TCL is just not wanting so unhealthy. That comes with a price ticket of $3,699 for the 77-inch. The TCL has an enormous value benefit, however the two TVs are comparable general for options.
The massive risk to it’s actually final 12 months’s TCL QM8K. That is now out there for round $1,500 for a 75-inch dimension, and is a very wonderful TV with out query at that value — the QM8L’s higher coloration vary, improved backlight and 4 HDMI 2.1 ports imply that it is well worth the improve in my view.
It will not be the cut price of the 12 months at this value, it represents a terrific worth general, and is above common relating to bang on your buck.
(Picture credit score: Future / James Holland)Swipe to scroll horizontallyTCL QM8L Sequence
Attributes
Notes
Score
Options
Glorious image and audio format help, plus hands-free AI-based controls that may be actually helpful.
4.5 / 5
Image high quality
Beautiful brightness and very spectacular distinction management for a mini-LED. We want the colours in Commonplace Mode had been extra correct.
4.5 / 5
Sound high quality
The audio sounds adequate to skip a soundbar, although there’s not a lot in the way in which of low-end.
4.5 / 5
Design
The adjustable heart stand with cable administration is nice, as are the zero edge bezels.
4.5 / 5
Sensible TV and menus
Google Gemini is conversational and straightforward to make use of although not fairly dependable, whereas the Google TV interface is pretty intuitive to make use of.
4.5 / 5
Gaming
4 HDMI 2.1 ports and super-rich HDR photographs make this a pleasure to sport on.
5 / 5
Worth
The TCL QM8L is a powerful worth in comparison with similar-tier TVs from different manufacturers, however continues to be expensive.
4 / 5
Ought to I purchase the TCL QM8L Sequence?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally take into account…
Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0
TCL QM8L
Amazon Hearth TV Omni QLED (2025)
Hisense U65QF
LG C6
Value (65-inch)
$1,799
$849
$999
$2,699
Display screen kind
SQD-Mini LED
QLED
QLED w/ mini-LED
OLED
Refresh charge
144Hz
60Hz
upt to 144Hz
165Hz
HDR help
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ
Dolby Imaginative and prescient/HDR10+ Adaptive/HDR10
Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG
Sensible TV
Google TV
Hearth TV
Hearth TV
WebOS 26
HDMI ports
4 HDMI 2.1
4 HDMI 2.0
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
4x HDMI 2.1
How I examined the TCL QM8L Sequence
- I used the TCL 75QM8L for a pair weeks
- Examined with each TV, motion pictures, music, and video games
- Benchmark measurements carried out by Future US testing lab
I used the TCL 75QM8L recurrently for a pair weeks. I examined it utilizing streaming exhibits, motion pictures, music, and video games (by way of PS5). I went by the varied options, significantly the hands-free AI voice assistant, to see in the event that they work as marketed. I additionally frolicked listening to the audio in addition to listening to the image high quality.
The target knowledge measurements had been taken by Future Publishing’s TV testing lab, which makes use of the Klein Okay-10A colorimeter and Jeti 15VA spectroradiometer, Murideo Six G 8K Metallic take a look at sample generator, and Portrait Shows’ Calman coloration calibration software program to document the outcomes.
I’ve examined lots of tech gear through the years, from laptops to keyboards and audio system, and so have been ready to make use of my experience in direction of giving an sincere and truthful opinion, to not point out a vital eye, to any product I take a look at.
You possibly can learn an in-depth overview of how we take a look at TVs at TechRadar at that hyperlink.
TCL 75QM8L SQD-Mini LED: Value Comparability
