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TCL QM8K: Two-minute evaluate
The TCL QM8K is the corporate’s flagship mini-LED TV for 2025, and it brings a number of refinements over final yr’s TCL QM851G, which was the brightest TV we’d ever examined on the time. The QM8K additionally delivers excessive brightness by way of a brand new Super High Energy LED Chip. Still, that brightness is now balanced with a Halo Control System, a 23-bit backlight controller, and a Dynamic Light Algorithm to make sure that footage even have strong distinction and deep, detailed shadows.
The enhancements made to the TCL QM8K make it one of many best TVs for motion pictures, however its anti-reflection display screen and new Ultra Wide Angle function additionally make it excellent for sports activities. Not solely do you get a really shiny image, however its anti-reflection coating enables you to watch with out having to fret about display screen glare, whereas the Ultra Wide Angle function signifies that teams can collect across the display screen and everybody will expertise the identical image high quality irrespective of the place they’re sitting.
TCL tapped speaker Danish speaker maker Bang & Olufsen to design the QM8K’s built-in speaker system, which helps each Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X. Audio by Bang & Olufsen on the QM8K entails a ‘Beosonic’ equalization interface that allows you to tune the sound utilizing classes like Bright or Relaxed, versus typical EQ choices. Overall, the QM8K’s built-in sound is sweet for a TV, although it’s unsurprisingly mild on bass and dynamics.
The QM8K’s Ultra Slim design makes use of a Zero Border bezel that reduces the gap between the TV’s edge and the precise image to a mere 3.4mm. It has a extra premium look than many TVs, and fashions as much as 85 inches all get a sturdy pedestal stand with adjustable top to clear house for a soundbar.
Google TV is used for the QM8K’s sensible TV platform, and it’s a serviceable one, but in addition one which serves up advertisements. A fast menu enables you to simply entry fundamental image and different settings, and Google TV’s Live program information can incorporate broadcast channels pulled in by the QM8K’s ATSC 3.0 ‘NextGen TV’ tuner.
Gaming is properly represented on the QM8K with 4K 144Hz help, although that refresh charge is barely supported on two of the TV’s 4 HDMI ports. A Game Accelerator 288 VRR function additionally enables you to double the TV’s native 144Hz refresh charge for 1080p decision gaming. The QM8K’s 13.2ms enter lag can be thought of a median stage for many TVs, although most players needs to be completely glad with its gaming efficiency.
Value is a powerful level with the QM8K. TCL’s present discounted $1,599 value for the 65-inch mannequin is a number of hundred {dollars} lower than the 65-inch Samsung QN90F, and it presents most of the identical options, together with an anti-reflection display screen and Ultra Wide Angle function. But it is also costlier than the Hisense U8QG, one other super-bright mini-LED TV with spectacular image high quality.
TCL QM8K evaluate: Price and launch date
- Release date: May 2025
- 65-inch: $2,499.99
- 75-inch: $3,199.99
- 85-inch: $3,799.99
- 98-inch: $6,499.99
Similar to its TCL QM851G predecessor, the brand new TCL QM8K collection is on the market in 65- to 98-inch display screen sizes. All QM8K sizes launched at the next listing value than the previous fashions, however have since dropped considerably, with the 65-inch model I examined now extensively promoting for $1,599.
With its diminished pricing, the QM8K is now extra aggressive with the Hisense U8QG, which is that firm’s flagship mini-LED TV collection. The 65-inch U8QG dropped to $1,299 throughout the time I used to be reviewing the TCL QM8K. Another shut mini-LED competitor for the QM8K is the Samsung QN90F, a 2025 mannequin that has since dropped in value to $1,999 for the 65-inch mannequin.
TCL QM8K evaluate: Specs
|
Screen sort: |
QLED with mini-LED |
|
Refresh charge: |
144Hz |
|
HDR help: |
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
|
Audio help: |
Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X |
|
Smart TV: |
Google TV |
|
HDMI ports: |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
|
Built-in tuner: |
ATSC 3.0 |
TCL QM8K evaluate: Benchmark outcomes
Hisense U8QG evaluate: Features
- Ultra Wide Viewing Angle
- Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG help
- Audio by Bang & Olufsen
The TCL QM8K collection makes use of a brand new CrystGlow WHVA Panel with TCL’s Halo Control System. To decipher all that, it’s a QLED show with a mini-LED backlight that makes use of a Super High Energy LED Chip for elevated brightness, together with a diminished optical distance between the sunshine modules and show panel. The Halo Control System in QM8K collection TVs additionally function a 23-bit backlight controller for extra exact native dimming, which is helped by a Dynamic Light Algorithm.
Two different CrystGlow WHVA Panel options are a Zero Border show that reduces the gap between the TV’s edge to the precise picture right down to 3.4mm, and Ultra Wide Viewing Angle, which offers a 40% enchancment in off-axis image uniformity in comparison with final yr’s TCL QM851G collection, in response to TCL.
QM8K collection TVs function as much as 3,800 native dimming zones and as much as 5,000 nits specified brightness. An anti-reflective display screen can also be offered to scale back display screen glare when viewing in shiny rooms.
HDR help on the QM8K collection contains the Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG codecs. The TVs are additionally IMAX Enhanced and so they present a Filmmaker Mode image preset – a brand new function for TCL TVs in 2025.
The Audio by Bang & Olufsen built-in speaker system on QM8K collection TVs helps Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X. No particular speaker configuration or wattage info is equipped in TCL’s specs, however there are upfiring Atmos audio system on the TV’s high edge, together with twin subwoofers on the rear panel.
Like different TCL TVs, the QM8K collection makes use of the Google TV sensible TV platform, and it additionally encompasses a built-in mic for hands-free Google Assistant voice management. If you don’t wish to take care of Google Assistant, different management choices embody Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit.
Gaming options on the QM8K embody 4K 144Hz help on two of the TV’s 4 HDMI inputs. A Game Accelerator 288 VRR function enables you to double the TV’s native 144Hz refresh charge to 288Hz for 1080p-resolution gaming, and there’s additionally a Game Bar menu for straightforward onscreen entry to gaming-related changes.
The QM8K’s connections embody an ATSC 3.0 tuner enter. This enables you to join among the best indoor TV antennas to obtain each normal and ‘NextGen’ digital TV broadcast channels, and there are alternatives to view channel information both in a devoted program grid information or built-in within the Google TV Live TV information together with free streaming channels.
TCL QM8K evaluate: Picture high quality
- Excellent brightness
- Accurate out-of-the-box image
- Impressive off-center image uniformity
When I examined the QM8K’s predecessor, the TCL QM851G, it was the brightest TV I’d but measured. The QM8K doesn’t hit the identical brightness heights as that mannequin, nevertheless it nonetheless has very excessive brightness even by flagship mini-LED TV requirements.
In Filmmaker Mode, the QM8K hit 2,268 nits peak brightness (measured on a 10% HDR white window sample) and 584 nits fullscreen brightness. Standard mode brightness was even larger, at 3,176 and 629 nits, respectively.
For comparability’s sake, the Samsung QN90F measured 2,086 and 667 nits, respectively, on the identical exams in Movie mode once I reviewed it, whereas the Hisense U8QG – 2025’s present reigning brightness king – hit 2,888 nits peak brightness and 744 nits fullscreen brightness in my exams.
Color gamut protection was additionally wonderful, with the QM8K measuring 97% for UHDA-P3 and 78.7% for BT.2020. Picture accuracy was additionally notably good, with the QM8K delivering Delta-E (the margin of error between the check sample supply and what’s proven on-screen) averages of 1.9 for grayscale and 0.8 for coloration, which suggests each are indistinguishable from excellent to the human eye.
The QM8K options an Intelligent image preset that makes use of AI to find out the right image settings based mostly on content material. I used this for informal TV viewing with usually good outcomes, although I’d suggest the extra correct Filmmaker or Movie modes for motion pictures. Upscaling was spectacular, with the QM8K presenting older TV exhibits and different lower-resolution content material with stage of readability.
Brightness is among the QM8K’s predominant benefits, and it helped sports activities come to life on display screen, and likewise made highlights in motion pictures like Alien: Romulus visually pop. In darkish motion pictures like that one, the QM8K’s refined native dimming ensured that shadows regarded deep and detailed. Contrast was constantly robust, and, true to the promise of TCL’s Halo Control System, there was nearly no signal of backlight blooming.
Motion dealing with on the QM8K was common, with a reference scene from the James Bond movie No Time to Die exhibiting a good quantity of blur and judder as Bond traversed a rocky hillside cemetery. Selecting the Custom Motion Clarity possibility within the Motion menu and setting each the judder and blur settings to 2 diminished this, nonetheless, and it didn’t add any cleaning soap opera impact to the image within the course of.
The QM8K’s anti-reflection display screen proved efficient when viewing with shiny overhead room lights turned on. I might see mirror-like reflections when a lamp was positioned in the best way of its display screen, however in any other case, normal ambient room lighting didn’t hurt image distinction, even when watching motion pictures.
Equally spectacular is the QM8K’s Ultra Wide Viewing Angle function. During my testing, footage retained their distinction and coloration saturation even when seen from a far-off-center seat. That’s a giant step up from final yr’s QM851G, which carried out poorly in the identical check.
Less spectacular was a faint vignetting, an impact that’s doubtless associated to the QM8K’s Zero Border design, which locations the LCD panel driver circuitry alongside the outer edges of the display screen. The impact was minor, and I principally noticed it solely on grey full-field check patterns throughout my preliminary testing, however throughout regular viewing, I sometimes famous it on flat fields of coloration, akin to an empty blue sky.
- Picture high quality rating: 4.5/5
TCL QM8K evaluate: Sound high quality
- Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X
- Audio by Bang & Olufsen built-in audio system
- Good total sound high quality
The QM8K’s Audio by Bang & Olufsen built-in audio system help each Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X. TCL doesn’t present any specs about speaker configuration or energy, however there are upfiring drivers on the TV’s high floor, and bass modules on the again panel.
Sound options are principally restricted to presets akin to Speech, Movies, Game, and Night. There’s additionally a Custom preset that allows you to make changes utilizing Bang & Olufsen’s Beosonic interface, which includes transferring a cursor between Relaxed, Energetic, Bright, and Warm choices till you choose a sonic combine that you just like. Using this, I discovered it helpful for taking off the intense edge that’s typical for built-in TV sound.
I did most of my viewing utilizing the TV’s Movie preset, which offered stage of spaciousness with Dolby Atmos soundtracks whereas retaining speech readability. The QM8K’s sound was good total, with correct positioning, however bass was restricted, and soundtracks might additionally get a bit muddied when pushed to larger quantity ranges. Movie followers will wish to contemplate pairing the QM8K with among the best soundbars.
TCL QM8K evaluate: Design
Image 1 of 2
- Ultra Slim design
- Adjustable top pedestal stand
- Full-sized, backlit distant management
The QM8K’s “Ultra Slim” design encompasses a sloping again panel that gives the look the TV is thinner than it really is. A sturdy plastic-capped aluminum pedestal stand is used for all sizes besides the 98-inch mannequin, and it has an adjustable top to clear house for a soundbar. Many TVs declare to have a “bezel-free’ design, however the QM8K with its 3.4mm, Zero Border bezel comes nearer to presenting an all-image look than most I’ve seen.
Connections are situated on a side-mounted enter part and embody 4 HDMI ports (together with one with eARC and two HDMI 2.1 with 4K 144Hz help), an optical digital audio output, RF antenna, two USB type-A, and Ethernet.
TCL’s distant management strikes a pleasant stability between the extra minimalist ones that include TVs from LG and Samsung and the button-heavy remotes included with Hisense TVs. The buttons are backlit so you’ll be able to really see what you’re doing at nighttime, and there are devoted controls for enter choice and for accessing Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and the ad-supported TCLTV free streaming channels portal.
TCL QM8K evaluate: Smart TV and menus
Image 1 of 4
- Google TV
- Live program grid integrates FAST and broadcast channels
- Quick settings menu
TCL TVs use the Google TV sensible TV platform, which encompasses a homescreen with a big banner on the high with rotating present suggestions and some sponsored advertisements. A ‘Top picks for you’ row of advisable packages is situated straight under, and the choices could be decided by your Google search exercise and viewing historical past if you’ve signed in with a Google account. The remaining part of the homescreen is a ‘Your apps’ row on the backside of the display screen, which could be edited to mirror your most-used apps.
Tabs situated on the high of the homescreen allow you to entry the next: Live (a program information with Google TV Freeplay channels and channels pulled in by antenna), Apps (a portal for downloading and organizing apps), Library (for buying and renting exhibits and films on Google TV), and TCL (TCL’s personal TCLtv free, ad-supported channels).
As typical with Google TV, image changes and different settings could be accessed by clicking the gear icon onscreen, or its equal on the distant management. There are a good variety of changes out there, together with superior ones akin to 2- and 20-point white stability and variable gamma settings.
A fast menu may also be accessed by way of a devoted distant management button, and this presents an overlay on the backside of the display screen for straightforward entry to a spread of settings, together with important ones like brightness and film mode.
- Smart TV & menus rating: 4/5
TCL QM8K evaluate: Gaming
- Two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz help
- Game Accelerator 288 VRR
- 13.2ms enter lag is a median stage for TVs
Gaming options on the QM8K embody two HDMI 2.1 ports with help for 4K 144Hz, ALLM, and FreeSync Premium Pro. There’s additionally a Game Accelerator 288 VRR function that doubles the TV’s native 144Hz refresh charge for 1080p-resolution gaming (which can be of curiosity to PC players), and an onscreen Game Menu that allows you to make fast gaming-related changes with out having to exit the principle display screen.
I measured the QM8K’s enter lag in Game mode at 13.2 utilizing a Bodnar 4K meter. That’s a median stage, and under the 15ms threshold most players search for, however different TVs we’ve not too long ago examined from Samsung and LG, and likewise the brand new Hisense U8QM, yielded below 10ms lag occasions once we measured them.
TCL QM8K evaluate: Value
- Great worth at present value
- Cheaper choices out there with related brightness
- You’ll pay significantly extra for premium model choices
At its present diminished $1,599 value for the 65-inch mannequin I examined, the TCL QM8K is a superb worth.
That value is greater than what you’ll pay for the Hisense U8QG, that firm’s flagship mannequin, however the TCL arguably has higher total image high quality and likewise higher built-in sound. It’s additionally lower than what you’ll pay for the Samsung QN90F, one other flagship mini-LED, and one that provides a greater sensible TV platform and gaming options, together with a slimmer design.
Taking all that into consideration, the TCL is a strong center mini-LED possibility, and maybe the very best worth of the three.
Should I purchase the TCL QM8K?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Features |
Comorehensive HDR help and Audio by Bang & Olufsen built-in audio system |
4.5/5 |
|
Picture high quality |
High brightness, refined native dimming, an anti-reflective display screen, and a large viewing angle make this an excellent all-purpose TV |
4.5/5 |
|
Sound high quality |
Good total sound high quality however restricted bass. A Beosonic interface permits for fine-tuning audio |
4/5 |
|
Design |
A actually bezel-free design with a sturdy pedestal stand and strong, backlit distant management |
4/5 |
|
Smart TV and menus |
Google TV is a serviceable sensible interface plus the fast menu offers easy accessibility to fundamental settings |
4/5 |
|
Gaming |
4K 144Hz and FreeSync Premium Pro supported, however solely on two HDMI ports |
4/5 |
|
Value |
At its present discounted value, the QM8K is a good worth |
4.5/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
TCL QM8K: Also contemplate…
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
TCL QM8K |
Samsung QN90F |
Hisense U8QG |
Sony Bravia 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Price (65-inch) |
$2,499.99 |
$2,499.99 |
$2,199 |
$2,999 |
|
Screen sort |
QLED w/ mini-LED |
QLED w/ mini-LED |
QLED w/ mini-LED |
QLED w/ mini-LED |
|
Refresh charge |
144Hz |
165Hz |
165Hz |
144Hz |
|
HDR help |
DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
DolbyVision/HDR10/HLG |
|
Smart TV |
Google TV |
Tizen |
Google TV |
Google TV |
|
HDMI ports |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
4x HDMI 2.1 |
3x HDMI 2.1 |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
How I examined the TCL QM8K
- I spent about 15 viewing hours in whole measuring and evaluating
- Measurements have been made utilizing Calman coloration calibration software program
- A full calibration was made earlier than continuing with subjective exams
When I check TVs, I first spend a couple of days and even weeks utilizing it for informal viewing to evaluate the out-of-the-box image presets and get aware of its sensible TV menu and film changes.
I subsequent choose probably the most correct preset (often Filmmaker Mode, Movie or Cinema) and measure grayscale and coloration accuracy utilizing Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The ensuing measurements present Delta-E values (the margin of error between the check sample supply and what’s proven on-screen) for every class, and permit for an evaluation of the TV’s total accuracy.
Along with these exams, I make measurements of peak mild output (recorded in nits) for each normal high-definition and 4K excessive dynamic vary utilizing 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 coloration house can also be measured, with the outcomes offering a way of how faithfully the TV can render the prolonged coloration vary in extremely high-definition sources – you’ll be able to learn extra about this course of in our information to how we test TVs at TechSwitch.
For the TCL QM8K, I used the Calman ISF workflow, together with the TV’s superior image menu settings, to calibrate the picture for greatest accuracy. I additionally watched a spread of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to evaluate the TV’s efficiency, together with 4K HDR exhibits streamed from Max, Netflix, and different companies.