Are TCL TVs Good? The Honest Truth for US Buyers in 2025

Quick Answer: Yes, TCL TVs are genuinely good as long as you buy the 5-Series or higher. The 4-Series and below have reliability issues. But the 6-Series, QM7K, and QM8K offer picture quality that rivals TVs costing 2-3x more.

TL;DR Are TCL TVs Worth Buying?

YES, Buy TCL If:

• You want the 5-Series or higher (6-Series, QM6K, QM7K, QM8K)
• You want Mini-LED or QLED quality at half the price
• You’re okay with Google TV platform
• You want value over brand prestige

AVOID TCL If:

• You’re looking at 4-Series or below (inconsistent reliability)
• You want the absolute best build quality (Sony/LG are better)
• You need premium customer service
• You want bleeding-edge OLED (LG C5 is better at similar price when on sale)

The Verdict: TCL has moved from “budget-only option” to genuine high-end contender. The QM8K competes with $2,000+ OLEDs while selling for $1,300. The QM7K embarrasses TVs twice its price. But build quality and customer service remain weak points.

Expected Lifespan: 5-7 years with normal use (same as Samsung/LG)

Introduction From Budget Brand to Serious Contender

I’ve been testing TVs for over a decade, and TCL’s rise has been remarkable. They’ve gone from “cheap Chinese TV maker” to a brand that consistently appears on our best TV lists alongside Sony, Samsung, and LG.

But are they actually good? Or just cheap?

Let’s cut through the marketing and give you the honest truth about TCL TVs in 2025.

The Short Version What You Need to Know

TCL Quality Breakdown by Series:

The Rule: Don’t buy anything below the 5-Series. From 5-Series up, TCL offers incredible value.

Picture Quality How Good Is It Really?

This is where TCL has made the biggest strides. They’ve moved far beyond the “budget” reputation.

TCL QM8K (Flagship, $1,300-$2,000):

• Mini-LED with 2,000+ local dimming zones (3,800 zones on 98″)
• Peak brightness: 3,000+ nits (crushes most OLEDs in bright rooms)
• Quantum Dot color for vibrant, accurate colors
• Halo effect (LED weakness) is nearly non-existent
• HDR performance is superb, especially Dolby Vision

RTINGS says it’s the best TCL TV they’ve tested. Consumer Reports gave it excellent picture quality. Popular Mechanics called it the top Mini-LED of 2025.

Real Talk: At $1,300 (current sale price), the QM8K offers picture quality that approaches OLED while being brighter in daylight. You’d pay $2,000+ for similar performance from Samsung or Sony.

TCL QM7K (Mid-Range, $1,000-$1,300):

• ~1,000 local dimming zones (65″ model)
• 2,500 nits sustained brightness
• Better local dimming algorithm than Hisense U8QG (which has 2x the zones)
• Balanced image that doesn’t try too hard

I returned a Hisense U8QG ($1,500) for the TCL QM7K ($1,000) and don’t regret it. The QM7K has better shadow detail, more natural contrast, and costs $500 less.

TCL QM6K (Budget Mini-LED, $500-$800):

• ~700 nits peak brightness in HDR
• Entry-level Mini-LED, but still excellent for the price
• Tom’s Guide: “Perfect combination of features, picture quality, and price”

The Bottom Line: TCL’s picture quality in 2025 is genuinely impressive. The QM8K and QM7K embarrass TVs twice their price.

Build Quality The Weak Point

Here’s where TCL falls behind Sony, Samsung, and LG.

What’s Good:

• Stand is sturdy (no wobble)
• Bezels are thin on newer models
• Remote is solid (not cheap plastic like some budget brands)

What’s Not:

• Plastic frame feels cheaper than aluminum on premium TVs
• Some users report cracked screens after 3-5 years (though this happens with all brands)
• Backlight failures occur, but not more than other LED brands

Real User Experiences: One user’s TCL 6-Series died days after purchase. TCL sent a repairman who swapped three boards with no luck. The repairman said “screen going black is a common issue.” TCL eventually sent a refund check.

Another user with a 2019 8-Series had DolbyVision issues. TCL Support kept him informed throughout. Whenever there was an update, they emailed right away.

The Reality: TCL’s build quality is adequate, not premium. You’re saving $500-$1,000 vs Sony/Samsung, and part of that savings comes from build materials.

Expected Lifespan: You can reasonably expect a TCL TV to last 5-7 years or more under normal usage, which is standard for any modern flat-screen TV.

Reliability Which Models Are Actually Reliable?

From my experience, the TCL 4-Series and lower have inconsistent reliability. The 3-Series costs just under $150, which reflects its quality. However, TCL is very good and reliable as long as you buy the 5-Series and above.

Avoid:

• 3-Series: Buggy, crashes, poor quality
• 4-Series: Many users experience bugs and crashes

Buy:

• 5-Series and up: Solid reliability
• 6-Series: The gaming TV lineup released after September 2022 has shown excellent build quality and clear pictures. If you’re a hardcore gamer, I would suggest you buy the TCL 6-Series.

The Pattern: Budget TCL models (under $300) cut too many corners. Mid-range and up ($500+) are genuinely reliable.

Customer Service Hit or Miss

The Good: Overall, the customer service has been amazing and reliable so far. Customer service was easy to deal with and very responsive through email.

The Bad: Some users on Trustpilot report slow responses and unresolved issues. Experiences vary wildly.

My Take: TCL’s customer service is adequate but not premium. If you want world-class support, buy Sony or LG. But if you’re okay with email-based support that takes a few days, TCL is fine.

Pro Tip: Buy from Costco or Best Buy with good return policies. If something goes wrong in the first 90 days, it’s easier to return to the store than deal with manufacturer support.

Gaming Performance TCL Excels Here

TCL has made gaming a priority, and it shows.

TCL QM8K Gaming Specs:

• 144Hz refresh rate (4K at 120Hz, 1080p at 144Hz)
• Two HDMI 2.1 ports (PS5, Xbox Series X ready)
• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
• Input lag: ~12-14ms (excellent)

TCL QM7K Gaming Specs:

• 120Hz refresh rate
• Two HDMI 2.1 ports
• Better motion handling than Hisense U8QG

TCL 6-Series: Excellent build quality and clear pictures. If you’re a hardcore gamer, I would suggest you buy the TCL 6-Series.

The Verdict: For the price, TCL offers some of the best gaming TVs on the market. The QM8K competes with Samsung QN90F at half the price.

Smart TV Platform Google TV is Excellent

TCL has largely standardized on the Google TV platform for its mid-range and high-end models, and this was a fantastic decision.

Why Google TV is Great:

• Clean interface (better than Samsung Tizen or Roku)
• Works with Google Assistant and Chromecast
• Apple AirPlay 2 support (cast from iPhone/iPad)
• All major streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, etc.)

The Downside: Some ads in the interface (though all smart TVs have this now).

Sound Quality Adequate, But Get a Soundbar

Built-in TV speakers are rarely amazing. TCL is no exception.

Lower Models (QM6K, 5-Series): Basic stereo speakers. Adequate for daily watching, but nothing special.

Higher Models (QM8K, QM7K):

• Built-in subwoofer
• Dolby Atmos support
• Room-filling sound

Consumer Reports: “We got very good sound quality, better than most models we’ve tested. Whether you’re watching a blockbuster movie, a concert, or TV show, it can deliver a satisfying listening experience.”

My Recommendation: With the money you save on the TV itself ($500-$1,000 vs Sony/Samsung), buy a good soundbar. TCL’s built-in audio is fine, but a $200-$300 soundbar transforms the experience.

TCL vs Samsung vs LG vs Sony How Do They Compare?

When to Buy TCL:

• You want maximum value
• You prioritize picture quality over brand name
• You’re okay with good (not excellent) build quality

When to Buy Samsung:

• You want a known brand
• You like Samsung’s ecosystem (phones, tablets)
• You want slightly better build quality

When to Buy LG:

• You want the best OLED picture quality
• You need premium build and support
• Budget isn’t your top concern

When to Buy Sony:

• You want the absolute best motion processing
• You’re a movie purist
• You want premium customer service

The 2025 Consistency Breakthrough

Earlier this week, we tested four new TCL TVs, and I was struck by how much of a step up they are over last year’s models, but also by the consistency the brand seems to have suddenly achieved.

What Changed: Across the board, these TVs combined superb punch, vibrancy and sharpness with a level of balance and control I haven’t typically associated with the brand before. The Filmmaker Mode has been particularly well implemented.

TCL’s 2025 lineup (C6KS, C7K, C8K, QM6K, QM7K, QM8K) shows consistent picture tuning across models. They’ve found their “picture quality DNA.”

The Trend: If I were a rival brand that still makes lots of money from sales of backlit TVs, I’d be very worried.

Which TCL TV Should You Buy?

Best Overall Value: TCL QM7K ($1,000-$1,300)

• Excellent picture quality, great local dimming, balanced image
• Perfect for dark room viewing
• Saves $500 vs flagship

Best Flagship: TCL QM8K ($1,300-$2,000)

• Approaches OLED contrast with LED brightness
• Best for bright rooms
• Competes with $2,000+ TVs

Best Budget: TCL QM6K ($500-$800)

• Entry-level Mini-LED
• Perfect combination of features and price
• Best sub-$1,000 TV

Best for Gaming: TCL 6-Series or QM8K

• 144Hz, HDMI 2.1, low input lag
• Excellent motion handling

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Buying 4-Series or Below Don’t. Reliability is poor. Start at 5-Series minimum.

Mistake #2: Comparing MSRP Prices TCL TVs are almost always on sale. The QM8K MSRP is ~$2,000, but it’s regularly $1,300. Don’t pay full price.

Mistake #3: Expecting Sony-Level Build Quality You’re saving $500-$1,000. Part of that comes from cheaper build materials. If premium build matters, buy Sony.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Room Lighting TCL’s brightness is a strength. If you watch in a bright room, TCL is perfect. If you watch in a dark room, the QM7K is better than the QM8K (more balanced).

Where to Buy Best Retailers for TCL

Best Buy:

• Good return policy (15 days)
• In-store pickup available
• Often has exclusive bundles

Amazon:

• Fast shipping
• Easy returns (30 days)
• Customer reviews help

Costco:

• Best return policy (90 days)
• Extended warranty included
• Slightly higher prices, but worth it for peace of mind

Walmart:

• Competitive prices
• In-store pickup
• Standard return policy (30 days)

Pro Tip: Buy during Black Friday, Prime Day, or Super Bowl season for best prices. TCL TVs drop $200-$500 during sales.

Final Verdict Are TCL TVs Good?

Yes. Absolutely.

TCL delivers incredible picture performance at a great price. You’ll get great quality at an unmatched price on any of its models.

The Reality:

• Picture quality: Excellent (QM7K, QM8K rival $2K+ TVs)
• Build quality: Good (not premium, but adequate)
• Reliability: Good (5-Series and up)
• Customer service: Average
• Value: Best in the industry

Who Should Buy TCL:

• Bargain hunters who want premium picture quality
• Gamers who need 120Hz/144Hz at reasonable prices
• Bright room viewers who need high brightness
• Anyone who prioritizes value over brand prestige

Who Should Skip TCL:

• Buyers who want absolute best build quality (buy Sony)
• Anyone considering 4-Series or below (just don’t)
• OLED purists (buy LG C5 if you can afford it)
• People who need premium customer service

My Rating: 8.5/10

TCL offers picture quality that rivals TVs costing 2-3x more. Build quality and customer service are the weak points, but the value proposition is nearly impossible to beat.

TCL vs Hisense

Got more questions? Drop them in the comments. Want help choosing between models? Let me know your budget and room setup.