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TCL QM7K TV Review

Tested using Methodology v2.0
Reviewed Apr 14, 2025 at 03:22 pm
TCL QM7K Picture
7.8
Mixed Usage
Value for price beaten by
: Hisense U8/U8N
7.9
Home Theater
Value for price beaten by
: Hisense U8/U8N
8.0
Bright Room
Value for price beaten by
: TCL QM8/QM851G QLED
7.9
Sports
Value for price beaten by
: TCL QM8/QM851G QLED
7.8
Gaming
Value for price beaten by
: LG B4 OLED
7.8
Brightness
8.4
Black Level
7.5
Color
7.7
Processing (In Development)

The TCL QM7K is a mid-range TV released in 2025 and replaces the 2024 TCL QM7/QM751G QLED. It supports both 4k @ 144Hz and 1080p @ 288Hz with VRR on its two HDMI 2.1 ports. It also has two HDMI 2.0 ports, one of which doubles as an eARC port with full Dolby and DTS advanced audio passthrough. The TV supports both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ formats and runs version 12 of the popular Google TV smart interface, so it also has smart features like voice control and is loaded with a ton of streaming apps. We bought and tested the 65-inch model, but it's available in five sizes total: 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98 inches.

Our Verdict

7.8 Mixed Usage

The TCL QM7K is a very good mixed-usage TV. It's very bright, especially in SDR, so it's easily capable of overcoming glare from well-lit rooms. While it struggles a bit with glare from direct sources of light, it admirably handles glare from ambient sources, so it's truly a bright room standout, like when watching sports. It also excels in darker rooms due to its fantastic contrast and decent HDR brightness, even with its noticeable blooming; blacks are extremely deep on this TV even when bright highlights are on screen. It's a colorful TV, although it's not very accurate in HDR; color purists might want to get this TV calibrated for the best possible experience. Its processing is good overall, so it handles sub-optimal content quite well.

Pros
  • Great black levels deliver deep blacks no matter the room context.

  • Quite colorful, especially in HDR.

  • HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, up to 4k @ 144Hz or 1080p @ 288Hz, and VRR support.

  • Easily bright enough in SDR for well-lit rooms.

  • Black levels and colors stay deep and punchy in brighter rooms.

Cons
  • Sub-par HDR pre-calibration accuracy.

  • Some visible glare when placed directly opposite bright lights or windows.

7.9 Home Theater

The TCL QM7K is very good for home theater use. While there's a bit more blooming around highlights than you'd like, the TV's contrast is otherwise fantastic. The contrast leads to extremely deep blacks even when bright HDR highlights are on screen, which easily compensates for the TV's decent but unexceptional HDR brightness. The TV is also very colorful in HDR, although, unfortunately, it's not very accurate; color purists will want to get this TV calibrated. Thankfully, accuracy isn't an issue when dealing with how bright HDR content is, as it mostly follows the content creator's intent, even if it's a bit uneven. It also removes macro-blocking from movies streamed from apps and online sources very well, and it's also decent when upscaling low-resolution content. Stutter is kept to a minimum on this TV, although those sensitive to it will notice some. Finally, the TV supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ and passes through both DTS and Dolby audio formats, making it very versatile.

Pros
  • Great black levels deliver deep blacks no matter the room context.

  • Great color volume in HDR.

  • Solid low-quality content smoothing.

  • Follows the content creator's intent very well.

Cons
  • Sub-par HDR pre-calibration accuracy.

8.0 Bright Room

The TCL QM7K is a very good TV for brighter rooms. It's very bright and colorful in SDR, and it's impressive when placed in rooms with mixed lighting sources; it really diminishes the impact of most of that glare. Plus, the TV's black levels barely raise in brighter rooms. That said, avoid placing any lights directly opposite the panel, as it doesn't deal as well with those, although it still lessens their impact somewhat.

Pros
  • Colorful in SDR content.

  • Easily bright enough in SDR for well-lit rooms.

  • Black levels and colors stay deep and punchy in brighter rooms.

Cons
  • Some visible glare when placed directly opposite bright lights or windows.

7.9 Sports

The TCL QM7K is a very good TV for sports. It's very bright in SDR, and its reflection handling in indirect lighting conditions is impressive; it really diminishes the impact of most lights. Unfortunately, it doesn't fare as well with lights placed directly opposite it, but it's passable. You're in luck if you like to watch your sports from streaming services, as the TV really excels when smoothing out low-bitrate content; it's hard to notice any macro-blocking, although there's some minor loss of detail. It doesn't fare as well when upscaling low-resolution content, like when watching sports from cable, so sports won't appear as clean-looking as you'd like. The TV's SDR color volume is good, so jerseys look lively and colorful, and they also look exactly as they should due to the TV's great SDR accuracy. Unfortunately, like many LED TVs, its viewing angle isn't the best for wide-angle viewing since the image noticeably dims when viewed from the sides. There's also some noticeable dirty screen effect, although it's more noticeable in dim scenes, of which there are few in sports.

Pros
  • Colorful in SDR content.

  • Easily bright enough in SDR for well-lit rooms.

  • Solid low-quality content smoothing.

  • Black levels and colors stay deep and punchy in brighter rooms.

Cons
  • Image degrades somewhat when viewed from extreme angles.

  • Some visible glare when placed directly opposite bright lights or windows.

7.8 Gaming

The TCL QM7K is a solid TV for gamers. Its input lag is very low, and it supports every VRR mode and has a ton of supported resolutions, including 4k @ 144Hz and 1080 @ 288Hz. Its pixel transitions are decent, but they're fast for an LED, so any gamer who is used to gaming on that panel technology will be happy with this TV's responsiveness. Still, those used to OLEDs are going to notice some obvious motion blur, especially at lower refresh rates. The TV is very colorful in HDR, and its black levels are great, leading to an impressive HDR presentation overall.

Pros
  • Very low input lag.

  • Great black levels deliver deep blacks no matter the room context.

  • Great color volume in HDR.

  • HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, up to 4k @ 144Hz or 1080p @ 288Hz, and VRR support.

Cons
7.8 Brightness

The TCL QM7K's brightness is very good overall, although it truly excels in SDR; it's easily bright enough to overcome glare in brighter rooms. Its HDR brightness is decent; highlights do still noticeably pop, however, partly due to the TV's fantastic contrast.

Pros
  • Easily bright enough in SDR for well-lit rooms.

Cons
8.4 Black Level

The TCL QM7K's black level is great. Its contrast is fantastic; blacks always look extremely deep, even when very bright highlights are on screen. Its lighting zone precision, however, is decent; there's some noticeable blooming around bright highlights, and this is also noticeable on an entirely black background, but it's not too distracting.

Pros
  • Great black levels deliver deep blacks no matter the room context.

Cons
7.5 Color

The TCL QM7K's color performance is good. Its HDR color volume is great, and its SDR volume is good, so it's definitely a colorful TV. Unfortunately, it falters a bit when it comes to HDR accuracy, as it's just sub-par. It's much more acurrate in SDR, however.

Pros
  • Great color volume in HDR.

  • Colorful in SDR content.

Cons
  • Sub-par HDR pre-calibration accuracy.

7.7 Processing (In Development)

Note: We're in the process of improving our tests related to image processing, but this score should give you a general idea of how a TV performs overall with its image processing capabilities.

The TCL QM7K's image processing is good overall. It particularly excels when smoothing out macro-blocking from low bitrate content with its great low-quality content smoothing. Its PQ EOTF tracking is also great, if a bit uneven, as it mostly respects the content creator's intent. Its upscaling isn't quite as good, however; it's decent, but some details can be hard to make out. There's also some some noticeable banding in a few HDR color gradients, but it's not excessive.

Pros
  • Solid low-quality content smoothing.

  • Follows the content creator's intent very well.

Cons
8.0 Game Mode Responsiveness

The TCL QM7K is responsive in its Game Master mode, with its very low input lag, support for a variety of VRR modes, and a large number of supported resolutions. Its pixel transitions are also relatively fast for an LED TV, especially at 144Hz. Still, there's still some noticeable motion blur in many transitions, but it won't be noticeable to those used to gaming on an LED TV.

Pros
  • Very low input lag.

  • HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, up to 4k @ 144Hz or 1080p @ 288Hz, and VRR support.

Cons
7.5 Motion Handling (Broken)

We're in the process of fixing the way we evaluate a TV's overall motion handling. This section is currently broken, and the score isn't indicative of how well a TV handles motion overall.

  • 7.8 Mixed Usage
  • 7.9 Home Theater
  • 8.0 Bright Room
  • 7.9 Sports
  • 7.8 Gaming

Performance Usages

  • 7.8 Brightness
  • 8.4 Black Level
  • 7.5 Color
  • 7.7 Processing (In Development)
  • 8.0 Game Mode Responsiveness
  • 7.5 Motion Handling (Broken)

Changelog

  1. Updated Apr 14, 2025: Review published.
  2. Updated Apr 07, 2025: Early access published.
  3. Updated Mar 25, 2025: Our testers have started testing this product.
  4. Updated Mar 24, 2025: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  5. Updated Mar 11, 2025: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We bought and tested the 65-inch TCL QM7K, and these results are also valid for the 55, 75, 85, and 98-inch models. The 98" model has two feet instead of a center stand as the smaller sizes have.

Note: TCL hasn't yet confirmed the number of dimming zones for each model size, although they did say that the model line has up to 2500 dimming zones on the bigger model.

SizeModelDimming ZonesGame Accelerator
55"TCL 55QM7KUnknown240
65"TCL 65QM7K966288
75"TCL 75QM7KUnknown288
85"TCL 85QM7KUnknown288
98"TCL 98QM7K~2500288

You can see our unit's label.

Compared To Other TVs

The TCL QM7K is a very good TV, with no real flaws. It has fantastic contrast, is very bright in SDR, and handles mixed reflections quite well. It's also a very good TV for gamers due to its relatively quick pixel transitions and plethora of gaming features. The TV is similar to 2024's TCL QM7/QM751G QLED and Hisense U7N, yet is a bit better overall due to its far superior contrast and better gaming features, so go for the QM7K over those if you can find it at a competitive price.

For more options, check out our recommendations for the best TVs, the best QLED TVs, and the best 4k gaming TVs.

TCL QM6K
50" 55" 65" 75" 85" 98"

The TCL QM7K is better than the TCL QM6K. The QM7K is brighter, has much better contrast, and is more colorful than the QM6K, delivering a much more impressive experience overall. The QM6K is, however, more accurate, but it doesn't do much to offset the QM7K's performance advantage.

TCL QM7/QM751G QLED
55" 65" 75" 85" 98"

The TCL QM7/QM751G QLED and the TCL QM7K are similar TVs, although the newer QM7K provides slightly better image quality due to its vastly improved contrast ratio. Still, the QM7 is brighter in HDR, sometimes delivering a more impactful HDR experience depending on the scene. While its contrast isn't as good overall, its black levels are comparable due to its slightly faster and more precise local dimming solution. It's also a bit more colorful than its successor. Gamers will appreciate the QM7K's slightly faster pixel transitions and 288Hz support at 1080p.

TCL QM8/QM851G QLED
65" 75" 85" 98"

The TCL QM8/QM851G QLED is better than the TCL QM7K. While the QM7K has the better contrast, the QM8's local dimming solution is noticeably faster and more precise, giving the TV better overall black levels. The QM8 is also the more colorful TV overall. Unfortunately, the QM8's HDR brightness accuracy is quite poor, while the QM7K's is great, so it follows the content creator's intent much more closely.

Hisense U7N [U7, U75N]
55" 65" 75" 85"

The TCL QM7K is mostly better than the Hisense U7N. While the Hisense is brighter overall, the TCL's black levels are much better due to its vastly superior contrast ratio, giving it the more impactful image overall. Gamers will also appreciate the QM7K's 1080p @ 288Hz support, alongside noticeably faster pixel transitions than the Hisense.

Hisense U8/U8N
55" 65" 75" 85" 100"

The Hisense U8/U8N is better than the TCL QM7K. The Hisense delivers noticeably better image quality due to its higher peak brightness and more colorful panel. Its image processing is also generally better than the TCL, with the exception of PQ EOTf tracking; the TCL follows the content creator's intent much more closely than the Hisense. Gamers will also appreciate the TCL's 1080p @ 288Hz support. 

Video

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Brightness
7.4
Brightness
HDR Brightness
Hallway Lights (~1950 cd/m²)
542 cd/m²
Yellow Skyscraper (~700 cd/m²)
302 cd/m²
Landscape Pool (~300 cd/m²)
286 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
1,312 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
1,731 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
1,408 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
854 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
518 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
940 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
1,637 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
1,383 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
852 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
516 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.059

The TCL QM7K's HDR brightness is decent. Highlights stand out during darker scenes, especially combined with its fantastic contrast.

We tested with Local Contrast set to 'High' as it makes for brighter highlights. Here are results with it set to 'Low':

Local Contrast 'Low,' Peak:

  • 2%: 1233 cd/m²
  • 10%: 1711 cd/m²
  • 25%: 1354 cd/m²
  • 50%: 841 cd/m²
  • 100%: 507 cd/m²

Local Contrast 'Low,' Sustained:

  • 2%: 872 cd/m²
  • 10%: 1602 cd/m²
  • 25%: 1338 cd/m²
  • 50%: 840 cd/m²
  • 100%: 506 cd/m²

Here are measurements with Dynamic Tone Mapping (DTM) set to each of its three settings, all in the 'Movie' HDR Picture Mode:

Results with DTM set to Detail Priority:

  • Hallway Lights: 550 cd/m²
  • Yellow Skyscraper: 301 cd/m²
  • Landscape Pool: 310 cd/m²

Results with DTM set to Balance:

  • Hallway Lights: 506 cd/m²
  • Yellow Skyscraper: 289 cd/m²
  • Landscape Pool: 231 cd/m²

Results with DTM set to Brightness Priority:

  • Hallway Lights: 528 cd/m²
  • Yellow Skyscraper: 298 cd/m²
  • Landscape Pool: 248 cd/m²

7.7
Brightness
HDR Brightness In Game Mode
Hallway Lights (~1950 cd/m²)
596 cd/m²
Yellow Skyscraper (~700 cd/m²)
377 cd/m²
Landscape Pool (~300 cd/m²)
361 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
1,320 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
1,783 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
1,457 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
887 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
541 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
954 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
1,677 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
1,440 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
885 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
540 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.058

The TV is a bit brighter when set to Game Master (the Game Mode equivalent).

Here are measurements with Dynamic Tone Mapping (DTM) set to each of its three settings, all in Game Master:

Results with DTM set to Detail Priority:

  • Hallway Lights: 588 cd/m²
  • Yellow Skyscraper: 358 cd/m²
  • Landscape Pool: 352 cd/m²

Results with DTM set to Balance:

  • Hallway Lights: 561 cd/m²
  • Yellow Skyscraper: 360 cd/m²
  • Landscape Pool: 342 cd/m²

Results with DTM set to Brightness Priority:

  • Hallway Lights: 599 cd/m²
  • Yellow Skyscraper: 360 cd/m²
  • Landscape Pool: 373 cd/m²

8.6
Brightness
SDR Brightness
Real Scene Peak Brightness
600 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
1,233 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
1,568 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
1,266 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
894 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
537 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
872 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
1,513 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
1,253 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
891 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
537 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.052

The TCL QM7K has amazing SDR brightness and is easily bright enough even for well-lit rooms.

Black Level
9.4
Black Level
Contrast
Contrast
265,133 : 1
Native Contrast
8,392 : 1

The TCL QM7K's contrast is fantastic. It's excellent even with local dimming disabled, but with it enabled, the TV's blacks stay extremely deep at all times.

7.0
Black Level
Lighting Zone Precision

The TV's lighting zone precision is decent. There's some visible blooming around bright highlights or text when they're against a black background, making blacks look less deep.

7.0
Black Level
Lighting Zone Transitions
Local Dimming
Yes
Backlight
Full-Array
Dimming Zone Count Of The Tested TV
966

The TV has decent lighting zone transitions. Still, there is some visible darkening on the leading edge of bright objects, with noticeable haloing.

7.5
Black Level
Contrast And Dark Details In Game Mode

There's no visible difference in dark scene performance when the TV is set to Game Master.

7.5
Black Level
Black Uniformity
Std. Dev.
1.253%
Native Std. Dev.
0.424%

The TV's black uniformity is good, although there's noticeable blooming around bright highlights when local dimming is enabled. With local dimming disabled, the screen is more uniform, yet blacks are noticeably raised, and there's some noticeable clouding and dirty screen effect on the right side of the screen.

Color
7.5
Color
SDR Color Volume
CIELAB DCI-P3 Coverage
89.42%
CIELAB BT.2020 Coverage
66.06%

The TCL QM7K's SDR color volume is good. It has great coverage of the commonly used DCI-P3 color space, although it can't quite fully display bright greens, yellows, and oranges. The TV's coverage of the wider BT.2020 space is alright; its color volume isn't quite good enough to fully display most colors, with the exception of some magentas.

Volume ΔE³DCI-P3
Coverage
BT.2020
Coverage
L1094.65%71.91%
L2093.81%70.66%
L3094.86%71.53%
L4092.17%70.74%
L5090.30%69.94%
L6088.84%68.70%
L7087.87%63.34%
L8087.21%60.64%
L9087.05%60.28%
L10088.48%65.67%
Total89.42%66.06%

8.0
Color
HDR Color Volume
1,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP
84.4%
10,000 cd/m² BT.2020 Coverage ITP
40.0%
White Luminance
975 cd/m²
Red Luminance
221 cd/m²
Green Luminance
678 cd/m²
Blue Luminance
63 cd/m²
Cyan Luminance
741 cd/m²
Magenta Luminance
207 cd/m²
Yellow Luminance
840 cd/m²

The TV has great HDR color volume. Dark saturated colors are displayed well due to the TV's fantastic contrast. The TV displays most colors at high luminance levels, but it does struggle a bit with magentas.

8.2
Color
SDR Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
White Balance dE 2000
2.44
Color dE 2000
2.14
Gamma
2.02
Color Temperature
6,674 K
Picture Mode
Movie
Color Temp Setting
warm 5
Gamma Setting
2.2

The TCL QM7K's SDR pre-calibration accuracy is great. All colors are slightly overrepresented in grays, but not by much, making the TV's color temperature just a tad too cold overall. Color accuracy is also great, with very minor color mapping issues throughout. Unfortunately, the TV's gamma is too bright in all scenes except the very darkest ones.

9.6
Color
SDR Post-Calibration Color Accuracy
White Balance dE 2000
0.34
Color dE 2000
0.90
Gamma
2.16
Color Temperature
6,502 K
White Balance Calibration
20 point
Color Calibration
Yes

The TV's SDR image accuracy is fantastic after calibration. White balance is now almost perfect, and the TV's color temperature is now exactly on target, and so is gamma. Color accuracy is also vastly improved, as only some blues and cyans still have color mapping issues.

You can see our full calibration settings.

5.6
Color
HDR Pre-Calibration Color Accuracy
White Balance dE ITP
14.87
Color dE ITP
18.2
Color Temperature
7,503 K
Picture Mode
Movie

The TCL QM7K's HDR pre-calibration accuracy is sub-par. Blues are overrepresented in mid-grays and above, making the TV's color temperature very cold. Color accuracy is mediocre, with severe color mapping issues in most colors.

7.9
Color
HDR Post-Calibration Color Accuracy
White Balance dE ITP
9.80
Color dE ITP
9.20
Color Temperature
6,525 K

The TV's HDR accuracy after calibration is very good. White balance is now decent, although it still has some accuracy errors in mid-grays. Nevertheless, color temperature is now almost exactly on target. Color accuracy is also improved, although many colors are still off target.

Processing
8.3
Processing
PQ EOTF Tracking
See details on graph tool
600 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0045
1000 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0045
4000 Nit Tracking Delta
0.0045

The TCL QM7K has great PQ EOTF tracking, but it's rather inconsistent. All mastered content weaves below and above the curve, meaning that content is either overbrightened or underbrightened depending on how bright the content is. Still, overall, the TV stays close to the baseline curve.

The TV hard clips when it reaches its peak brightness with content mastered at 600 and 1000 nits, but no roll-off is necessary since the TV is bright enough to fully display most content mastered at those brightness levels. There's a roll-off near the TV's peak brightness to maintain details in highlights in content mastered at 4000 nits.

8.1
Processing
Low-Quality Content Smoothing
Smoothing
8.5
Detail Preservation
7.0

The TCL QM7K has very good low-quality content smoothing. It does an excellent job at smoothing out artifacts in low-bitrate content, but there is some loss of detail.

7.0
Processing
Upscaling: Sharpness Processing

The TV does a decent job at upscaling low-resolution content like DVDs or lower-resolution streams. Details are somewhat clear, but finer details are hard to make out.

7.3
Processing
HDR Native Gradient
100% Black To 50% Gray
6.0
50% Gray To 100% White
8.0
100% Black To 50% Red
6.0
50% Red To 100% Red
8.0
100% Black To 50% Green
8.0
50% Green To 100% Green
6.0
100% Black To 50% Blue
8.0
50% Blue To 100% Blue
8.0

The TV's HDR native gradient handling is decent. Still, there's noticeable banding in dark grays and reds, and in brighter greens. Other color gradients have minimal banding.

Game Mode Responsiveness
8.8
Game Mode Responsiveness
Input Lag
1080p @ 60Hz
10.1 ms
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
109.1 ms
1080p @ 120Hz
5.8 ms
1080p @ Max Refresh Rate
3.5 ms
4k @ 60Hz
10.1 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
14.0 ms
4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
108.4 ms
4k @ 60Hz With Interpolation
113.5 ms
4k @ 120Hz
5.8 ms
4k @ Max Refresh Rate
5.3 ms
8k @ 60Hz
N/A

The TV has very low input lag at all resolutions and refresh rate combinations when set to Game Master.

9.7
Game Mode Responsiveness
Supported Resolutions
Resolution 4k
480p @ 59.94Hz (Widescreen)
Yes
720p @ 59.94Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 144Hz
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
4k @ 120Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
4k @ 144Hz
Yes
8k @ 30Hz Or 24Hz
No
8k @ 60Hz
No

The TV supports all common resolutions up to 4k @ 144Hz on two of its four HDMI ports.

8.8
Game Mode Responsiveness
Variable Refresh Rate
Native Refresh Rate
144Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR
Yes
FreeSync
Yes
G-SYNC Compatible
Yes
4k VRR Maximum
144 Hz
4k VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
1080p VRR Maximum
288 Hz
1080p VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
VRR + Local Dimming Yes

The TV supports all three types of variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to reduce screen tearing. Its VRR range caps out at 144Hz or 288Hz, depending on the resolution.

7.4
Game Mode Responsiveness
CAD In Game Mode @ Max Refresh Rate
Transition At Max Refresh
transition-game-max-0-31
0 to 31
Avg. CAD
183
Best 10% CAD
82
Worst 10% CAD
298

The TV's CAD at its maximum refresh rate is quite decent. There's a fair amount of overshoot when transitioning from black or dark shades to a brighter one, causing inverse ghosting. Still, overall, it provides consistent performance without excessive motion blur.

6.9
Game Mode Responsiveness
CAD In Game Mode @ 120Hz
Transition At 120Hz
transition-game-120-0-31
0 to 31
Avg. CAD
204
Best 10% CAD
83
Worst 10% CAD
431

The TV's CAD at 120Hz is okay. Still, it has much more overshoot here than at its maximum refresh rate, leading to noticeable inverse ghosting.

6.8
Game Mode Responsiveness
CAD In Game Mode @ 60Hz
Transition 60Hz
transition-game-60-0-31
0 to 31
Avg. CAD
234
Best 10% CAD
81
Worst 10% CAD
392

The TV's CAD at 60Hz is alright. There's still overshoot, and here, most transitions are on the slower side, but not excessively so.

Game Mode Responsiveness
PS5 Compatibility
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes

The TV is fully compatible with everything the PS5 offers, like 1440p @ 120Hz and 4k @ 120Hz, as well as HDMI Forum VRR. It also supports Auto Low Latency Mode, so you don't have to worry about manually switching to Game Master to get the lowest input lag.

Game Mode Responsiveness
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
Yes
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes

The TV is fully compatible with everything the Xbox Series X|S offers, including 1440p @ 120Hz, 4k @ 120Hz, HDMI Forum VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro, and Dolby Vision gaming. It also supports Auto Low Latency Mode, so you don't have to worry about manually switching to Game Master to get the lowest input lag.

Motion Handling
7.3
Motion Handling
Stutter
Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps
31.4 ms
Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps
6.4 ms

Due to the TV's relatively fast response time, there's some minor stutter when watching movies or TV shows, although most won't notice it.

10
Motion Handling
24p Judder
Judder-Free 24p
Yes
Judder-Free 24p via 60p
Yes
Judder-Free 24p via 60i
Yes
Judder-Free 24p via Native Apps
Yes

The TV automatically removes judder from 24Hz sources and the internal apps. To remove judder from 60p and 60i sources, like a cable box, Motion Clarity needs to be set to 'On' with sliders set to '0.'

8.0
Motion Handling
Response Time
Transition At 60Hz
transition-60-0-31
0 to 31
First Response Time
6.2 ms
Total Response Time
10.3 ms
Worst 10% Response Time
25.3 ms

The TV has a great response time when watching content, although it's worse when coming out of dark states, leading to some motion blur. There's also noticeable overshoot in many transitions, leading to some inverse ghosting.

Motion Handling
Flicker
Flicker-Free
No
PWM Dimming Frequency
10,400 Hz

The TCL QM7K uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to dim its backlight. Fortunately, it flickers at an incredibly fast 10,400Hz in all picture modes and at all brightness levels, so it's not noticeable.

Motion Handling
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
Optional BFI
Yes
Min Flicker For 60 fps
60 Hz
60Hz For 60 fps
Yes
120Hz For 120 fps
Yes
Min Flicker For 60 fps In Game Mode
60 Hz

The TV has an optional backlight strobing feature, commonly known as black frame insertion. This feature is meant to reduce persistence blur and improve the appearance of motion. It works at both 60Hz and 120Hz, albeit with some obvious image duplication. Note that enabling this feature reduces the panel's overall brightness.

Motion Handling
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
Yes
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
Yes

This TV has an optional motion interpolation feature to improve the clarity of motion, but it doesn't work very well. Even slower-moving scenes have some noticeable artifacts present. It really struggles with faster-moving scenes, and there are distracting artifacts and haloing.

Reflections
6.5
Reflections
Direct Reflections
See details on graph tool
Peak Direct Reflection Intensity
41.5%
Screen Finish
Glossy

The TCL QM7K's direct reflection handling is okay. It does somewhat diminish the intensity of direct light sources like a lamp placed opposite the screen, although it's not very effective. Still, it's a clear improvement over the TCL QM7/QM751G QLED.

9.0
Reflections
Ambient Black Level Raise
See details on graph tool
Black Luminance @ 0 lx
0.00 cd/m²
Black Luminance @ 1000 lx
0.43 cd/m²

Black levels barely raise on this TV in a room with ambient lighting, so you still get deep blacks regardless of your lighting conditions.

8.1
Reflections
Total Reflected Light
Total Reflected Light Intensity
10,301% ⋅ pixel
Diffraction Artifacts
Yes

The total reflected light of this TV is impressive; it really lessens the impact of overall reflections. Unfortunately, it does so with some obvious light banding.

7.4
Reflections
Ambient Color Saturation
See details on graph tool
Low-Luminance Colors @ 1000 lx
61.63%
Mid-Luminance Colors @ 1000 lx
65.60%
High-Luminance Colors @ 1000 lx
59.72%

The TV has decent color saturation in a bright room. Still, there's some minor color degradation in well-lit contexts, but you're not likely to notice it.

Panel
6.6
Panel
Viewing Angle
Color Washout
25°
Color Shift
58°
Brightness Loss
30°
Black Level Raise
17°
Gamma Shift
20°

The TCL QM7K isn't the best TV for a wide seating arrangement, but it'll do an alright job. As you move off-center, there's gamma shifting and brightness loss, and colors look increasingly washed out as you move further away to the sides. The TV does perform quite well when it comes to color shifting, however, so the colors don't hue shift (i.e., change colors) unless you're viewing the TV from a very wide angle.

6.9
Panel
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
2.165%
50% DSE
0.195%
5% Std. Dev.
0.468%
5% DSE
0.092%

The TV has okay gray uniformity, but there's some dirty screen effect towards the center of the screen, and the sides are a bit darker than the center. Its uniformity is a bit better on a very dark or near-black screen, but the sides of the screen are cloudy when compared to the center.

Panel
Panel Technology
Type LED
Sub-Type
VA
Subpixel Layout
BGR

The TV uses a BGR (Blue-Green-Red) subpixel layout instead of the traditional RGB layout. This doesn't cause any issues for video or gaming content, but it can be a problem for PC monitor use as it impacts the text clarity, although not everyone will notice this.

The TV uses quantum dots to achieve high color peaks with excellent separation between blues, greens, and reds. This gives the TV great color purity and allows it to display a very color gamut.

Inputs
Inputs
Input Specifications
HDMI 4 (2x HDMI 2.0, 2x HDMI 2.1)
HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
48 Gbps
ATSC Tuner
1.0
USB Ports 2
USB 3.0
Yes (1)
Audio Out 3.5mm 0
Wi-Fi Yes (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Ethernet Speed 100 Mbps
Composite In 0
Digital Optical Audio Out 1

The TCL QM7K has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on HDMI ports 1 and 2, with both supporting up to 4k @ 144Hz. HDMI 4 has eARC but is limited to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth, which is nice as you're not losing on an HDMI 2.1 port when you connect a soundbar to the TV. Unfortunately, the TV doesn't support ATSC 3.0, so over-the-air broadcasts are limited to 1080p.

Inputs
Audio Passthrough
ARC/eARC Port
eARC
eARC: Dolby Atmos Over Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
eARC: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Yes
eARC: LPCM 7.1 Over Dolby MAT
Yes
eARC: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Yes
eARC: DTS:X Over DTS-HD MA
Yes
eARC: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Yes
eARC: LPCM Channels (Bitstream)
7.1
ARC: Dolby Digital 5.1
Yes
ARC: DTS 5.1
Yes
Optical: Dolby Digital 5.1
Yes
Optical: DTS 5.1
Yes

The TV supports eARC, which lets you pass high-quality, uncompressed audio to a compatible receiver or soundbar through an HDMI cable. It supports all major audio formats, so you don't have to worry about compatibility with external sources.

Inputs
HDR Format Support
HDR10
Yes
HDR10+
Yes
Dolby Vision
Yes
HLG
Yes
Design
Design
Style
Curved No

The TCL QM7K has a nice overall design, even if it's mostly made of plastic.

Design
Stand

The TV comes with an height adjustable center-mounted stand that doesn't require a large table to place the TV on. At its lowest position the stand lifts the TV about 2.2 inches above the table and 3.5 inches at its highest, which is high enough for almost any soundbar.

Footprint of the 65-inch stand: 15.47" x 14.49".

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 300x300

The back of the TV is made of plastic, with a grid-like pattern. All of the inputs except for the power connector are located on the right side of the TV when facing the front, and they're easy to access if you have the TV wall-mounted. The TV has clips on the back for cable management.

Design
Borders
Borders 0.39" (1.0 cm)
Design
Thickness
Max Thickness 2.20" (5.6 cm)
7.0
Design
Build Quality

The TV has decent build quality. The back is made of plastic and flexes quite a bit near the middle, but it's not worrying.

Smart Features
Smart Features
Interface
Smart OS Google TV
Version 12
0
Smart Features
Ad-Free
Ads
Yes
Opt-out
No
Suggested Content in Home
Yes
Opt-out of Suggested Content
No

Unfortunately, like almost all TVs on the market, the smart interface contains ads, and you can't disable them.

Smart Features
Remote
Voice Control Yes

The remote has quick access buttons for the most popular streaming services, and it has a built-in microphone for voice commands. It's also backlit.

Smart Features
TV Controls
Mute Switch
Yes

There's a single button on the bottom middle of the TV that you can use to switch inputs and power the TV on/off. There's also a small switch that you can use to turn on/off the TV's built-in microphone.

Smart Features
In The Box

  • Setup guide
  • Remote
  • 2x AAA batteries
  • Power cable
  • Cable ties

Smart Features
Misc
Power Consumption 115 W
Power Consumption (Max) 218 W
Firmware V8-0012T02-LF1V201
Sound Quality
5.6
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
See details on graph tool
Low-Frequency Extension
134.54 Hz
Std. Dev. @ 70
2.63 dB
Std. Dev. @ 80
2.84 dB
Std. Dev. @ Max
4.26 dB
Max
82.0 dB SPL
Dynamic Range Compression
4.46 dB
Digital Room Correction No

The TV has a sub-par frequency response. Its low-frequency extension response is bad, so there's very little bass. Its maximum volume is also quite low, so this isn't a good TV to use in a loud room. Otherwise, the TV's sound profile is quite balanced, as dialogue is very easy to understand.

Comments

  1. Product

TCL QM7K: Main Discussion

Let us know why you want us to review the product here, or encourage others to vote for this product.

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    I recently bought the Sony X90L and absolutely love it (I’m upgrading from an old home projector). Unfortunately, the input lag is quite noticeable to me in fast-paced shooters. I can return it and pick up a TCL QM7K for roughly the same price. I’ve compared both models using the Rtings comparison tool, but the reviews I’ve found are pretty mixed.

    In short, if you switch for the QM7K you’ll get slightly better picture quality overall and a more responsive gaming experience, but worse accuracy. If you care about creative intent and watch mainly movies in a dark room, you’ll probably be disappointed with the TCL. If you’re mainly gaming and enjoy a punchy image, the TCL is the better choice.

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    I recently bought the Sony X90L and absolutely love it (I’m upgrading from an old home projector). Unfortunately, the input lag is quite noticeable to me in fast-paced shooters. I can return it and pick up a TCL QM7K for roughly the same price. I’ve compared both models using the Rtings comparison tool, but the reviews I’ve found are pretty mixed.

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    Is Motion Right up there = HIGH ? I need this for Video Editing Via a USB Stick ? Is motion HIGH in this USB INPUT mode ?

  4. We’ve just released a new video featuring the TCL QM7K here.

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    And I watched a lot of expert comparisons in the tube and the comparison of Fomo with Bravia 9. I think that Rtings has gone in a very wrong direction and here the comparisons are no longer appropriate. Incredibly high brightness ratings? And how do they see this brightness in movies? They put the TVs on 100% brightness and measure. If someone can stay w his OLED at 100% brightness, can you also play an LED TV, be it a mini LED, at 100% brightness? And watch a movie? Well, you might see a nice scene …and the rest, especially the dark ones, will be a wall of tears! This is exactly what we saw when Fomo tried to increase the brightness in the video comparing Bravia 7, Bravia 9, and last year’s TCL 8 series. The Sonys looked terrifying! I’m sorry that I can’t put a picture here so you can see exactly what I mean! In the comparison of the QM 7 with the SONY BRAVIA 9, there were very subtle differences, and in details that if you didn’t sit down to compare, you would never see. Also, this TV is now being released, and how many updates has the Bravia 9 had? 8 or 9 may be?
    And yet, is there anyone who has ever watched a TV at 100% brightness, especially an expert in rtings?
    And if this is really important, it is up to a certain limit! More? it is complete nonsense, except for showing muscles and justifying the high prices.

    FYI …. Everytime you are watching HDR content on your tv, you’re watching the tv at 100% brightness. It switches back to whatever settings you had when SDR is again detected

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    I don’t mean to bring any side railing or negativity, but legit, I need to find a filter or block feature, because this guy you’re replying to talks in run-on sentences and all nonsense. Easier to ignore since it’s just YAPPING, and nothing that adds meaningful conversation. Use this thread to speak on your thoughts, experience, issues with the TCL QM7K. Ask for calibration like another member did, let the staff reply when they can, share disappointment and questions of “do I go with the QM751G over this since it’s measuring about the same?”– SOMETHING that is relevant. Having legible grammar helps when trying to make any point, too. Appreciate your comments here, though, meesbaker. When you said: “You get a more scientific approach here, cant argue with numbers. If you think the brightness measurements dont matter for you then I suggest ignore them, they do for most people.” I always say: people lie, numbers don’t. RTINGS is great for this. In a vacuum, the QM7K to me is great. To the point I question RTINGS’ numbers, because to my eyes, the QM7K on the home screen in Vivid, at 60 brightness, is AS bright and colorful as the Q750G I have downstairs in Vivid, at 100 brightness. In yet, the SDR scores in 100% windows are the same. Maybe It’s the smaller windows where this QM7K is well above it, but that’s what this portion of reviews are for. Questions, answers and just good conversation. Maybe I don’t understand it and could use some insights– From someone who can structure a legible response haha.

    I hope someone from rtings will correct me if Im wrong here but iirc, how bright a tv is perceived is neither the peak brightness nor the 100% window measurement. Peak brightness should equate to HDR detail preservation and the 100% maximum full screen white. In the projector world we look at APL, average picture level. And most real content is comparable to something more like 20% there.

    In not sure if the brightness measurenents for tvs can be applied equally here, but I do believe that the 20%-50% sustained numbers give you a better clue on how bright your TV feels. The 100% seems to be around 750 nits for all the better miniled/fald TVs but they surely dont look all the same bright - nowhere near!

    And on that other homie , idk mate. Kinda cracks me up when someone complains about my tone who himself sounds disrespectful in every of his messages and types with …. and caps and shit like a child everywhere they go. If you deliver you gotta be able to take but yea- not relevant to the tv talk.

    We all share a passion here - passion evokes emotion and stuff happens then when people talk its all cool and chill for me.

    Edited 10 days ago: typo
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    I think Im starting to get confused with what you are actually trying to say if there is anything. My whole point is simple, brightness is very important , not everyone will watch in a dark room thats why people measure it. What exactly are you criticising? And which TV are you saying has 180 zones and looks better than bravia 9? From all your comments from the beginning I think im no longer able to decipher the chaos but thats ok also I think 😂

    I don’t mean to bring any side railing or negativity, but legit, I need to find a filter or block feature, because this guy you’re replying to talks in run-on sentences and all nonsense. Easier to ignore since it’s just YAPPING, and nothing that adds meaningful conversation. Use this thread to speak on your thoughts, experience, issues with the TCL QM7K. Ask for calibration like another member did, let the staff reply when they can, share disappointment and questions of “do I go with the QM751G over this since it’s measuring about the same?”– SOMETHING that is relevant. Having legible grammar helps when trying to make any point, too.

    Appreciate your comments here, though, meesbaker. When you said: “You get a more scientific approach here, cant argue with numbers. If you think the brightness measurements dont matter for you then I suggest ignore them, they do for most people.”

    I always say: people lie, numbers don’t. RTINGS is great for this. In a vacuum, the QM7K to me is great. To the point I question RTINGS’ numbers, because to my eyes, the QM7K on the home screen in Vivid, at 60 brightness, is AS bright and colorful as the Q750G I have downstairs in Vivid, at 100 brightness. In yet, the SDR scores in 100% windows are the same. Maybe It’s the smaller windows where this QM7K is well above it, but that’s what this portion of reviews are for. Questions, answers and just good conversation. Maybe I don’t understand it and could use some insights– From someone who can structure a legible response haha.

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    Did they fix the VRR “brackets” issue where there was a noticeable change at different sets of refresh rates?

    Fortunately, we didn’t encounter any of the VRR bracket issues when testing the TV.