TCL debuted the 115-inch model of its popular QM8 (2024) series at CES. We reviewed the smaller 65-inch model last year.
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
What is the deal?
During Amazon’s annual Prime Day sale, you can save $400 on a 65-inch TV, TCL QM8 QLED 2024 Release TVs support Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos for enhanced picture quality and more immersive sound when streaming movies, shows, and music.
Why this trade is recommended by ZDNET
- TCL of QM8 Model is one of the best QLED TVs we’ve tested, with bright colors and a vibrant picture. It’s on sale for Prime Day for $998.
- Additionally, this monitor is ideal for gaming thanks to its 4K display, vividness, and 120Hz refresh rate.
- Some downsides include the speaker being tinny and not being able to turn on when you power up the connected device/console.
Previous years TCL QM8 made our list Best 85 inch TVand the other sizes of this model are just as good. It has a QLED panel, as well as support for both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for better picture quality and virtual surround sound. The TV’s dedicated gaming mode lets you monitor frame rate and VRR status. Plus, our testing of the QM8 proves it’s a solid all-around TV — and at a slightly more affordable price than competing brands.
I’m sure you’ve heard of TCL and even seen their cheaper TVs at Walmart or above AmazonBut the QM8 is the latest addition to the mid-range lineup, boosting its QLED display with Dolby Vision support as well as HDR10+, which produces richer colors and deeper contrast.
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HDR setup is quick, taking just 2-3 minutes, and you can make the following changes in your TV’s settings; and when you set up game driver Like the PlayStation 5, you can set game-specific HDR settings.
There’s also a dedicated gaming mode, accessible by holding down the hamburger menu button while using the console via HDMI. This brings up a top and bottom bar, allowing you to monitor your framerate and refresh rate, as well as choose different color temperature settings or even share screenshots and videos of your gameplay.
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The QM8’s picture quality is much better than I expected, since I’m more familiar with TCL’s budget TVs. The QLED panel is bright, clear, and vibrant, making it a great choice for gaming as well as rewatching old favorites.
I sit down to review the original periodically. Teen Titans The show is from Cartoon Network, and even though this cartoon came out twenty years ago, the upgraded resolution is crystal clear, eliminating the weird “fuzziness” that older pre-1080p media can have.
And by tweaking the image settings, I can adjust the contrast and color to really take advantage of the dynamic, shadow-filled art style and bright, colorful superhero costumes.
For gaming, the QM8 works great with both PS5 And Nintendo Switchoffers smooth playback and great image quality. Although I will say keep in mind that your Switch hardware may not support 4K output, especially if it’s a first-gen model (which is what I have).
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Although the Switch’s graphics look a bit rough with some titles, especially Rotation luck (but it adds to the charm), they never look bad, per se. Other games like Hell looks great, with smooth animations and on-screen action, and vibrant colors.
The QM8’s built-in speakers sound pretty good but are small, so I’d recommend opting for a soundbar like TCL Alto6+ to enhance dialogue and improve sound in movies, music, shows and games.
Another downside to the QM8 is that it doesn’t automatically power on when a device is connected. I own a few other TVs and each one automatically turns on when I turn on my game console or DVD player. This is a very minor quibble, but it’s a quality of life feature that I personally like to have on my TV.
ZDNET Buying Advice
The TCL QM8 (2023) may not be the brand’s newest model, but it’s one of the best QLED TVs you can still buy today, and it costs less than competing models from Samsung, Sony, and LG. For most things picture-wise, including gaming, the TV does the job well. And if you want an even better experience, I recommend pairing the set with one of the the best sound bars availableAnd if you’re looking to buy the latest version, Amazon is offering the 65-inch version. TCL QM85 $400 off during their Prime Day Sale event.
While there’s no indication that this deal is limited-time only, you won’t want to miss this Prime Day sale, as the promotion only lasts until midnight EST on July 17.
