TCL TVs have shown to offer great value over the past few years based on our TCL TV reviews, and they've become pretty established in the United States as a company that offers fully-featured TVs for a reasonable price. In the past, they were known for their basic models with limited features, but some of their recent releases feature the latest technology, including Mini LED backlighting and variable refresh rate (VRR) support. They're often available at a lower cost than competitors, and most people will be pleased with their higher-end models. They mainly compete with Hisense but release models to compete with brands like Sony and Samsung.
Through our testing process, we've determined what TCL models are worth buying, and you can find our picks for the best TCL TVs below. You can also vote on which TCL TVs you want us to buy and test. To learn more about what TCL has in their 2024 lineup, check out our 2024 TV lineup page.
Updates
- 11/18/2024 TCL Q5/Q550G QLED updated
- 11/12/2024 TCL S3/S350G reviewed
- 11/07/2024 TCL Q7/Q750G QLED updated
- 11/07/2024 TCL Q6/Q650G QLED updated
- 10/28/2024 TCL NXTFRAME QLED reviewed
Best TCL Smart TVs
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Best TCL TV
Mixed Usage8.5TV Shows8.0Sports8.1Video Games9.0HDR Movies8.7HDR Gaming9.0PC Monitor8.7The best TCL TV we've tested is the TCL QM8/QM851G QLED. It's an impressive TV that delivers amazing picture quality with an impressive selection of extra features. It's one of the brightest TVs on the market, and it has fantastic reflection handling, so this TV overcomes glare in the brightest possible rooms. It also has outstanding black levels, so content you watch in a dark room looks terrific. Regardless of your lighting conditions, the TV displays vibrant, lifelike, and very bright colors, so colors really stand out.
It's a stellar gaming TV with extremely low input lag in Game Mode. It supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on two ports, one of which is capable of 4k @ 144Hz or 1080p @ 240Hz, while its second is limited to 4k @ 120Hz. Additionally, the TV supports every VRR technology for nearly tear-free gaming from any source. It also has a quick response time for minimal blur behind most fast motion, although it does struggle more coming out of dark states, so you do see some black smudging in darker scene transitions. The TV is available in sizes ranging from 65-inch to a massive 98-inch, so there are no options on the smaller end.
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Best Mid-Range TCL TV
Mixed Usage8.1TV Shows7.5Sports7.7Video Games8.7HDR Movies8.2HDR Gaming8.7PC Monitor8.5If you want something cheaper than the TCL QM8/QM851G QLED, the best mid-range TCL TV we've tested is the TCL QM7/QM751G QLED. It has most of the same features as its higher-tier sibling, and still provides very good overall picture quality. It's not as bright as the QM851G, but it's still bright enough to use in a well-lit room, although you will want to avoid placing a lamp directly opposite the screen since it struggles with direct reflections. The TV doesn't have the same outstanding black levels as the more expensive option, and there's more noticeable blooming, but it's still good enough for a pleasant dark room viewing experience. Fortunately, it displays the same vibrant colors as the QM851G, although it can't display them as brightly as that TV.
Despite being cheaper, the TV has the same gaming features as the top pick. You get HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on two ports, one of which supports up to 4k @ 144Hz and 1080p @ 240Hz, while the second is limited to 4k @ 120Hz. The TV's input lag and response time are almost exactly the same as the QM851G, too, so you get the same responsiveness and minimal blur behind fast motion. The smallest size you can purchase this TV in is a 55-inch model, and the largest is a 98-inch; unless you need a small TV for a bedroom or kitchen, you have options.
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Best Budget TCL TV
Mixed Usage7.3TV Shows6.8Sports6.8Video Games7.7HDR Movies7.4HDR Gaming7.8PC Monitor7.7If you want to avoid paying what TCL is asking for the TCL QM8/QM851G QLED or the TCL QM7/QM751G QLED, the best budget TCL TV we've tested is the TCL Q6/Q651G QLED. You don't get close to the same picture quality as you do on the higher picks, but it's still decent overall. The TV's brightness and reflection handling aren't good enough for a bright room, but they're still good enough to use the TV in a moderately lit room. On the other hand, it doesn't look nearly as good in a dark room as the top two picks since it doesn't have local dimming to increase black levels, so blacks look greyish during brighter scenes. The TV displays a wide range of colors, but they aren't as vibrant as what you get from the QM8 and QM7.
Despite not having HDMI 2.1 bandwidth or support for 4k @ 120Hz, the TV still has a couple of impressive features for a model in this price range. If 4k @ 60Hz feels a bit choppy and you prefer a higher frame rate, you can play in up to 1440p @ 120Hz instead. It also supports VRR at both 60Hz and 120Hz, so you get a nearly tear-free gaming experience regardless of the resolution and refresh rate. You also get the same low input lag as the more expensive options, but its response time is noticeably slower, so you do see more blur behind fast motion. The TV is available in sizes ranging from a small 43-inch model to a huge 98-inch one, so there are options for almost any space.
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Best Cheap TCL TV
Mixed Usage7.2TV Shows6.9Sports6.9Video Games7.7HDR Movies7.2HDR Gaming7.7PC Monitor7.7If you want a cheaper basic model, the TCL S5/S551G is the best cheap TCL TV we've tested. If you're getting an inexpensive TV like this one, there are a few compromises you have to make. Like the TCL Q6/Q651G QLED, blacks look grayish during brighter scenes, so it doesn't look very good in a dark room. It's also too dim in HDR for highlights to stand out much at all, so HDR content really lacks impact. However, it's bright enough in SDR to use in a room with a few lights on, and it displays a wide range of colors, so you do get fairly vibrant and lifelike colors on this model.
The TV is limited to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth, and you don't get 4k @ 120Hz. However, you can choose to drop your resolution to play in up to 1440p @ 120Hz with full VRR, which is great for a TV this affordable. You also get minimal blur behind fast motion thanks to its very good response time, and it has low enough input lag that you don't feel a delay between your controller inputs and the action on the screen. It's available in six different sizes, so there's everything from a large 85-inch model, down to a smaller 43-inch option.
Compared To Other Brands
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Inexpensive.
TCL is one of the more budget-friendly brands on the market, and their TVs offer great value for their cost. Their prices have been going up, however. -
Great smart OS.
TCL TVs mostly use the Google TV smart platform, which are user-friendly and have many apps you can download. -
Has a lot of extra features.
As of their 2021 lineup, TCL started to include extra gaming features like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and VRR support on their higher-end models. Even their mid-range models now support 4k @ 144Hz gaming, which is great for gamers. You also get Dolby Vision support on most of their models, and their mid-range and higher-tier TVs also support DTS audio formats.
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Not very polished.
TCL TVs aren't as polished as other brands. They sometimes have issues with upscaling and motion handling and tend to have a variety of quirks. -
Not good for wide seating areas.
Except for a few entry-level models, their TVs usually have VA panels with narrow viewing angles, so they're not good if you have a wide seating arrangement.
TCL vs Hisense
Hisense and TCL are direct competitors in the budget TV market. Their TVs usually offer the same features and similar performance. However, they each have similar flaws, like bugs and some motion-handling issues.
TCL vs Vizio
Vizio and TCL aim to produce TVs in the budget market, although TCL has surpassed Vizio with their higher-end models. TCL TVs typically have better local dimming, are brighter, and have more advanced features like 144Hz support.
Overall, TCL TVs offer good picture quality and great features at a low price. Although some models aren't as feature-packed or as well-built as their more expensive options, our TCL TV reviews prove that they typically offer great value compared to similarly priced options from other manufacturers. If you need advanced features and a TV with a good smart system, you'll be happy with most of their offerings.
2024 TCL Lineup
TCL's lineup in the United States is usually smaller than that of other brands. TCL is among the few brands to announce a good mix of premium, high-end TVs and smaller budget models for its 2024 lineup. This year, the lineup is split between the Q Series and the S Series, making it easier for users to identify where each model sits. TCL is also heavily investing in large TVs, with three new 98-inch TVs and a massive new 115-inch model.
| Model | Sizes | Backlight Type | Advertised Zones | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QM891G | 115" | Mini LED | 20,000 | 4k |
| QM851G | 65", 75", 85", 98" | Mini LED | Up to 5,000 | 4k |
| QM751G | 55", 65", 75", 85", 98" | Mini LED | Up to 1,500 | 4k |
| Q681G | 85" | LED Full Array | Unknown | 4k |
| 55", 65", 75" | LED Full Array | Unknown | 4k | |
| Q651G | 85", 98" | LED | No Local Dimming | 4k |
| 43", 50", 55", 65", 75" | LED | No Local Dimming | 4k | |
| S551G | 43", 50", 55", 65", 75", 85" | LED | No Local Dimming | 4k |
| S350G (carry-over) | 32", 40", 43" | LED | No Local Dimming | 1080p |
| S250G (carry-over) | 32" | LED | No Local Dimming | 720p |
Q Class TVs
TCL's highest-end TVs, known as the Q Class, all feature a wider color gamut than traditional LED TVs. Most offer full array or Mini LED local dimming backlights, which TCL is now calling "QD Mini-LED," and are mainly available in large TVs 55 inches and up, up to a massive 115-inch model this year. Featuring TCL's most advanced picture and motion processing, these TVs are intended for users who care about picture quality or are looking for the best gaming features available on the market.
TCL has released five new Q Class TVs this year. The entry-level Q651G is available in sizes ranging from 43 up to 98 inches and is the only Q Class TV with no local dimming, opting for a direct-lit backlight instead. It's also limited to 60Hz in most sizes, so it's not as good for gamers. Stepping up to the Q681G, available in 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches, adds a full array local dimming feature but is otherwise very similar to the cheaper Q651G.
The QM751G is where things start to get interesting. TCL's cheapest Mini LED TV in 2024, this model adds up to 1,500 local dimming zones with a peak brightness reaching up to 2,400 nits. It's available in 55- to 98-inch sizes, all supporting a 120Hz refresh rate that can reach up to 144Hz with VRR. TCL's flagship QM8 series, starting with the QM851G, increases the peak brightness up to 5,000 nits and the Mini LED backlight up to 5,000 zones. Combined with other technical improvements TCL has made to the backlight stack, TCL claims to have effectively eliminated blooming and haloing, although our testing shows that this isn't entirely true. The QM85 is available in 65, 75, 85, and 98-inch sizes, and if that's not big enough for you, there's also a massive 115-inch model known as the QM891G. This beast of a TV has 20,000 local dimming zones, which, if true, should be able to deliver the deepest, most uniform blacks on any LED TV.
S Class TVs
In 2024, TCL introduced a new S TV, the TCL S5. The S series is TCL's entry-level TV, but they offer decent performance at a great price point. The S5 has a high-brightness LED backlight promising up to 25% more brightness over the TCL S4, including an enhanced color space. The S5 also features a new TCL AIPQ Processor with AI Super Resolution to help with upscaling. For audio, TCL is taking cues from Sony and now lets users use their S5 as the center audio channel in their speaker setup. The TV is available in 43- to 85-inch screen sizes.
Learn more about the 2024 TCL lineup here.
Recent Updates
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We replaced the TCL Q5/Q550G QLED with the TCL Q6/Q651G QLED in the 'Best Budget TCL TV' category and replaced the TCL S4/S450G with the TCL S5/S551G in the 'Best Cheap TCL TV' category. We also refreshed some text throughout for clarity.
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Aug 26, 2024: Replaced the TCL QM8/QM850G QLED with the TCL QM8/QM851G QLED in the 'Best TCL TV' category and replaced the TCL Q7/Q750G QLED with the TCL QM7/QM751G QLED in the 'Best Mid-Range TCL TV' category. We also refreshed the text throughout the article for conciseness and clarity.
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Jun 27, 2024: Confirmed that our picks are accurate and still available.
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May 30, 2024: We updated the Conclusion to make it more relevant and accurate.
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May 01, 2024: Confirmed the accuracy and availability of our picks.
Conclusion
In the past, TCL's lineup was mostly focused on budget-orientated models, but they've expanded their lineup in recent years. Our TCL TV reviews show that they still offer budget-friendly options with good picture quality, and their higher-end TVs are loaded with modern features, usually have excellent overall picture quality, and are still relatively affordable for what you get. TCL also makes some of the largest TVs on the market, with several models available in a massive 98-inch size, and their enormous 115-inch QM891G is the biggest TV on the market today. Whether you need a small and cheap TV for your bedroom or a massive TV for your home theater, TCL has options.