The best TCL TVs for 2023

TCL TVs have drastically improved over the previous 5 years. They now compete with true heavies within the house like Sony and Samsung. The corporate has centered on refreshing a handful of merchandise with improved technical options and designs on an annual cadence. A tv is an enormous buy, so it’s comprehensible when you’re inclined to choose up the most recent mannequin launched by the identical model, however we encourage you to offer TCL’s TVs an opportunity. The primary one we examined—a 6-series set from 2021—nonetheless seems to be and works nice. Whereas TCL’s TV lineup is comparatively simple to know, there’re nonetheless little nuances between every set which are value parsing earlier than you’re taking a plunge. Finally, one of the best TCL TVs will will let you recreation in excessive constancy, and see particulars in TV exhibits, motion pictures, and different video content material that you simply missed the primary, second, or hundredth time round.

How we selected one of the best TCL TVs

Our suggestions for one of the best TCL TVs are primarily based on a mixture of hands-on testing and analysis. Particular consideration was paid to the TV’s total picture and sound high quality, measurement, refresh charge, port choice, working system, and value. We additionally thought-about how several types of individuals would use their TCL to find out which mannequin most accurately fits every person. For instance, a hardcore gamer will want a extra superior TV with extra playback modes and quicker refresh instances than an informal viewer who desires exhibits on their streaming service of option to work effectively.

The most effective TCL TVs: Opinions & Selection

Whether or not you’re excited by a pleasant new TV for your loved ones room or changing the one in your house theater system, these 5 units from TCL cowl all of the bases.

Greatest total: TCL Q6

Specs

• Decision: 4K
• Refresh charge: 120Hz
• Sizes accessible: 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches
• Ports: 3x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x optical audio, 1x coaxial, 1x Ethernet, 1x USB
• Working system: Google TV, Fireplace TV

Professionals

• Glorious image high quality
• Snappy efficiency
• Straightforward to arrange

Cons

• Some settings are complicated

The 2022 QLED mannequin of TCL’s 6-Sequence is so good that it earned a spot in our information, however the firm has continued to defy our expectations of what to anticipate from a TV below $1,000 with its successor, the Q6. We’ll lower to the chase: That is the TCL TV it is best to get until you have got actually specialised wants or a really strict price range. In our checks, which included enjoying Nintendo Change video games and streaming native 4K content material from Netflix, YouTube, and different streaming providers, the Q6 couldn’t have carried out significantly better.

We observed the largest variations when watching exhibits with a whole lot of distinction—like Star Trek: Picard—during which dimly-lit scenes are sometimes punctuated with pops of sunshine and shade. We will verify every shot from a phaser had been pleasing to the attention, and particulars in darkish, seemingly-abandoned house ships had been current. The Q6 was in a position to present colours extra precisely, too. In video games, like Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, foliage appeared lush, dragons appeared imposing, and “The Depths” felt isolating.

Players enjoying on extra highly effective consoles or PCs can push the Q6 and gaming {hardware} to its limits because of the TV’s 120Hz panel. Moreover, options like TCL’s Recreation Accelerator Enhanced Gaming and Auto Recreation Mode with AMD FreeSync will routinely optimize the Q6 to decrease latency (lag) for the smoothest expertise. Whether or not you’re an informal gamer or somebody who spends their nights enjoying on-line titles with pals, the Q6 has you lined.

The TCL Q6 units up shortly and simply. The mannequin we examined ran Google TV, and we might run by means of a lot of the setup course of on our telephone utilizing the Google House app, which is accessible on iOS and Android. It took about 10 minutes to signal into our Google account, deal with the everyday gauntlet of safety questions, and obtain a software program replace. Equally, Google’s working system was simple to navigate, and streaming apps loaded shortly. Shortcut buttons on the Q6’s distant made opening the most typical streaming apps a single button push away.

We don’t have any complaints with the TCL Q6’s efficiency, however we had been just a little confused by the default image setting being a low-power mode. We’re used to seeing regular instead and didn’t need to restrict the display’s brightness for energy financial savings. We ended up utilizing the Q6’s Sensible HDR setting for almost all of our checks, which labored effectively for each enjoying video games and watching movies.

If you need a dependable TV that runs effectively and appears even higher, we are able to’t discover a lot fault with TCL’s Q6, which is aggressive not solely with the corporate’s different units however what’s accessible from its competitors.

Greatest for cinephiles: TCL QM8

Specs

• Decision: 4K
• Refresh charge: 120Hz
• Sizes accessible: 65, 75, and 85 inches
• Ports: 4x HDMI, 1x AV enter, 1x coaxial, 1x headphone jack, 1x Ethernet jack, 1x optical audio, 1x USB
• Working system: Google TV

Professionals

• Peak 2000 nit brightness
• 2,300 native dimming zones
• Loads of ports

Cons

If you need a compromise-free TCL TV, the top-of-the-line QM8 is your finest guess. It takes every part we liked concerning the Q6 we examined and cranks it as much as 11. The TV’s ultra-high peak brightness of two,000 nits implies that the colours of content material shot with an HDR (excessive dynamic vary) digicam will look extremely vivid and lifelike. The QM8’s 2,300 native dimming zones permit its processor to independently mild ultra-small sections of its display with pinpoint precision. Scenes with a whole lot of distinction (large variations between the brightest and dimmest a part of what’s being proven) will look lifelike as a result of the TV gained’t should brighten the complete panel to accommodate the highlights.

On the gaming entrance, the QM8 has the identical 120Hz refresh as a lot of TCL’s different TVs. Nonetheless, its recreation acceleration is much more correct, so that you’re continuously assured the very best ranges of constancy every time you decide up the controller. Once more, this TV’s peak brightness and dimming zones will come into play, colours out of your video games will pop, and lighting will look extra lifelike—assuming the sport builders are going for that kind of aesthetic. Many of those options gained’t be essential or really appreciated by most individuals, however it’s nice to see TCL continuously pushing the higher limits of what’s potential in a TV within the $2,000 vary.

That stated, that is nonetheless a dearer TV than a lot of the others we’re recommending, so it is best to severely take into account whether or not the additional expense is important on your wants. Hardcore avid gamers and cinephiles will instantly perceive the advantages of watching or enjoying on such a shiny display. Nevertheless, informal viewers who nonetheless need a superb expertise will nonetheless be higher off with the Q6. If nothing else, TCL’s QM8 proves you don’t want an OLED TV for a premium viewing and gaming expertise and underscores the corporate’s dedication to premium {hardware}.

Greatest for gaming: TCL Q7

Specs

• Decision: 4K
• Refresh charge: 120Hz
• Sizes accessible: 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches
• Ports: 4x HDMI, 1x AV enter, 1x coaxial, 1x headphone jack, 1x Ethernet jack, 1x optical audio, 1x USB
• Working system: Google TV

Professionals

• Excessive refresh charge
• Glorious peak brightness
• 200+ native dimming zones

Cons

TCL’s Q7 sits between the Q6 and QM8 and strikes the fitting steadiness between options and value to make it one of the best match for severe avid gamers. Whereas its display isn’t as shiny because the Q8’s, it’s nonetheless a sufficiently big leap over the QM6’s direct LED panel to make an enormous distinction. Colours in your video games will pop, and particulars in scenes that TVs historically wrestle to disclose can be simple to see. Native dimming zones may also profit avid gamers who play titles with a whole lot of ambiance, like The Final of Us.

The TCL Q7 inherited the identical recreation acceleration options because the high-end Q8, which can make the largest distinction in constancy when enjoying the most recent and biggest recreation. It additionally received the identical array of ports, and the additional HDMI enter over the TCL Q6 can be helpful when you plan on hooking up all three current-generation consoles and a PC concurrently. These continuous comparisons to TCL’s Q8 make sense on the technical facet, however the Q7 additionally obtained a particularly essential attribute from its lower-specced sibling: its value.

We weight worth very extremely when deciding which {hardware} to advocate, and it’s simple that TCL’s Q7 affords an ideal steadiness of value and efficiency for high-end customers the identical manner its Q6 does for a extra informal to average crowd. For avid gamers who geek out over tech specs, the TCL Q7 lowers the barrier to entry for a premium tv effectively below $1,000, which might have been unthinkable solely a few years in the past.

Gaming may be an costly passion, and the display you play on will enormously impression your expertise. The TCL Q7 will will let you play and expertise cutting-edge video games as their builders supposed at a more-than-reasonable value.

Greatest Roku: TCL 6-Sequence

Specs

• Decision: 4K
• Refresh charge: 120Hz
• Sizes accessible: 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches
• Ports: 4x HDMI, 1x coaxial, 1x Ethernet jack, 1x USB, 1x optical
• Working system: RokuOS

Professionals

• Nice video high quality for watching and gaming
• Broad assortment of ports
• Runs RokuOS

Cons

TCL has begun to maneuver away from making TVs operating on Roku’s working system, and most of its 2023 lineup runs Google TV as an alternative. But when RokuOS is your platform of alternative, we are able to wholeheartedly advocate the TCL 6-Sequence TV from 2022. This TV was launched lower than a 12 months in the past, and it has lots of the options you’d discover on the Q7 or Q8 units launched extra lately.

The 6-Sequence has 360 native dimming zones, which is greater than you’d discover on the Q7, which makes the lighting in motion pictures, TV exhibits, and video games look extraordinarily good. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom truly appeared higher on this TV than it did on the Q6; ditto for scenes from Star Trek: Picard. Players will respect the 6-Sequence’ 120Hz panel and Recreation Studio Plus help, permitting you to optimize the TV for gaming.

The underside line is we haven’t discovered a factor this TV couldn’t deal with extraordinarily effectively, although you’ll should pay for this efficiency. This Roku 6-Sequence TV is the second most costly set we’re recommending, and whereas we really feel it’s effectively definitely worth the value given its efficiency, that is nonetheless one thing we needed to severely take into account. Moreover, as a result of it is a previous-generation TV, it could be provide constrained, although that doesn’t look like the case proper now.

After all, the primary motive we’re recommending it—past its efficiency in our hands-on checks—is the truth that it runs on RokuOS. We take into account this to be the simplest tv working system to make use of for each entry-level and energy customers. Should you’re already acquainted with Roku’s software program, and need high-powered {hardware} to match its person interface, that is the TCL TV to choose up.

Greatest price range: TCL S3

Specs

• Decision: 1080P
• Refresh charge: 60Hz
• Sizes accessible: 32, 40, and 43 inches
• Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x headphone jack, 1x USB, 1x Ethernet jack, 1x coaxial, 1x optical
• Working system: Google TV, Roku TV

Professionals

• Worth
• Obtainable in smaller sizes
• Trendy look

Cons

Selecting one of the best price range TV for this information was tough as a result of all of its {hardware} punches above its weight. There isn’t a poor worth in TCL’s current-generation lineup, which is a testomony to its worth. That stated, when you want a reasonable TV for a visitor or bed room or have very fundamental video streaming wants, TCL’s S3 is the one to get.

The 1080P TV doesn’t have the identical gaming or premium video options as its high-end siblings, however it does have a few distinct benefits. First, you may get a TCL S3 TV in sizes as little as 32 inches, which is the proper measurement for a dorm room or to wall mount in a kitchen. Huge screens are nice for residence theaters and residing rooms, however they’re not all the time essential. The second motive to choose up a TCL S3 TV is, unsurprisingly, its value. The most important-screen mannequin on this line prices below $200. That’s an unbelievable worth for a 43-inch show. Should you’re not gaming or enjoying streaming 4K movies, that is all of the TV you have to.

It’s simple to affiliate cheap tech gear with feeling and looking low cost, however TCL has maintained a excessive bar for industrial design even with its lower-specced TVs. The S3 TV’s bezel (rim) is almost flush with the display, which lowers its bulk and weight along with making it look fashionable. The one downside it’s possible you’ll encounter is its comparatively low variety of HDMI ports. There’s sufficient for one recreation console and a soundbar however not a lot else. If all you need to do is stream the most recent season of Stranger Issues, this gained’t be a difficulty.

Should you’ve been utilizing the identical TV for a decade and need a reasonable substitute that may look and carry out effectively for its value, TCL’s S2 is the one to get.

What to contemplate when selecting a TCL TV

When deciding which TCL TV is best for you, we drilled down into tech specs that make the largest distinction between all of its set. One other overarching consider your resolution can be your price range, which we’ll deal with within the FAQ part beneath.

Measurement

TCL has been on the forefront of creating enormous TVs extra reasonably priced, however we perceive house constraints might bar you from selecting up a very large display. With that in thoughts, we’ve tailor-made our suggestions to swimsuit each room, with units starting from 32 to 85 inches. It’s value noting that going for an enormous display might not be smart even when you have sufficient house due to your viewing angle. You need the TV to be far sufficient away to see issues occurring on each edges comfortably. We advocate referencing this chart to make sure you get the right-sized TCL TV on your room.

Decision

A TV’s decision will decide the variety of pixels on its panel, and on this case, extra does actually imply extra. A 4K TV has eight instances as many pixels as a 1080P set, which implies movies will look sharper and, subsequently, extra lifelike. A sub-factor to contemplate is the content material decision you intend on consuming. Should you play video video games on the Nintendo Change and have a fundamental Netflix account, for instance, you’ll solely be gaming and streaming 1080P content material. To take full benefit of what a 4K TCL TV can do, you’ll desire a premium streaming account to the service of your alternative and a higher-end recreation console. If a lot of the video content material you’ll watch is in HD, we advocate 4K TCL TVs as a result of they provide future-proofing. The quantity of 4K video content material continues to extend exponentially, and it’s higher to have a TV that may deal with it relatively than getting one other set down the road.

Refresh charge

A TCL TV’s refresh charge determines the variety of instances it’s in a position to show new content material each second. This doesn’t matter when watching TV exhibits and films (until you’re a die-hard cinephile who desires to look at movies at 24 frames per second) however it is vital for gaming. When you have the fitting system and video games, a TCL TV with a 120Hz refresh charge will make gameplay look extraordinarily clean. When you get used to gaming on a excessive refresh charge TV, you’ll by no means need to return to gaming on a 60Hz panel.

Ports

The assortment ports on the again of a TCL TV aren’t as essential as they was once as individuals lower the wire and have moved on to streaming video from providers you’ll be able to entry straight from the set. That stated, when you plan on hooking up a soundbar, recreation console, or different peripherals, you’ll need to get a TCL TV with sufficient ports to deal with your tools. Fortunately TCL has made this easier by constructing every set with sufficient HDMI ports (the dominant, common commonplace used to attach peripherals to TVs) for most individuals’s wants.

Working system

All of TCL’s TVs are good, which implies they run on platforms that will let you stream apps straight out of your set with out requiring you to attach a devoted media streamer. Whereas all TV working techniques carry out the identical features, each has a unique person interface and unique options. For instance, a TCL TV operating on Google TV may have the power to simply accept audio and video wirelessly from a telephone or pill, because of its built-in Chromecast. In the meantime, a TCL TV operating on Roku’s working system will let Apple units stream audio and video to them straight utilizing AirPlay. There’s no flawed reply right here, however when you’re snug with the working system in your present TV—or media streamer—it is likely to be smart to get a TCL mannequin that runs the identical software program.

FAQs

Ultimate ideas on one of the best TCL TVs

Trying by means of TCL’s present slate of TVs has made it simpler than ever to see the strides it’s making for each kind of watcher and gamer. The corporate’s popularity for offering wonderful worth all through its complete line has by no means been extra true, and it’s even modified its naming conventions to make it simpler to evaluate them. Our expertise with TCL’s TV {hardware} has been universally optimistic, which makes them simple to advocate. We stay up for the corporate’s continued technological breakthroughs and the inevitable shuffling of high-end options into extra entry-level fashions. Should you’re purchasing for a TV in 2023, TCL is without doubt one of the first firms it is best to take into account.

Why belief us

Fashionable Science began writing about know-how greater than 150 years in the past. There was no such factor as “gadget writing” after we printed our first difficulty in 1872, but when there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for on a regular basis readers means we might have been throughout it. Right here within the current, PopSci is absolutely dedicated to serving to readers navigate the more and more intimidating array of units in the marketplace proper now.

Our writers and editors have mixed many years of expertise overlaying and reviewing shopper electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however after we’re reviewing units exterior of our quick wheelhouses, we do our greatest to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information individuals to the easiest suggestions. We all know we don’t know every part, however we’re excited to reside by means of the evaluation paralysis that web buying can spur so readers don’t should.