85-Inches of Stunning Picture Quality

TCL makes nice TVs at a number of worth factors, so when a brand new entry-level possibility with Mini-LED expertise arrived, I jumped on the probability to get one. After spending a number of months with the TCL QM6K QD Mini-LED TV, I can confidently say this is a wonderful TV with a stable image that blurs the “entry-level” line with premium perks at an inexpensive worth.

Model

TCL

Show Measurement

85-inches

Dimensions

74 x 42 x 2.3 (with out stand)

Working System

Google TV

The all-new 2025 mannequin TCL QM6K Google TV delivers a stunningly clear and vivid image with a brand new Mini-LED panel, improved native dimming zones, Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, and a neat new Halo Management system for improved visuals. Get this TV and elevate your front room. 

Professionals & Cons

• Wonderful brightness and film high quality
• Reasonably priced
• Very deep blacks

• HDR mode is hit or mess
• Shade saturation

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Worth and Availability

The TCL QM6K line ranges from a 55-inch TV beginning at $499, all the way in which to an enormous 98-inch TV. The 85-inch QM6K TV I reviewed has an MSRP of $1,999, though it usually retails for round $1,299.

2025 TCL QM6K TV Collection Lineup and Sizes

In my hands-on testing, I loved the gorgeous image high quality of the 85-inch QM6K, however this assessment applies to all the 2025 collection. All sizes have related specs, the identical upgraded native dimming zones, TCL’s Halo management system to ship wonderful inky blacks, and they need to present an analogous expertise.

Technically, the QM6K is TCL’s entry-level line for 2025, however I would not dare name it a price range TV. Whereas it isn’t fairly as fancy because the newer QM7K line, which fits to a monstrous 115-inches and has triple the dimming zones, it is a feature-packed TV with wonderful image high quality, nice black ranges, loads of ports, higher sound than I anticipated, and a cushty worth.

This TV Is Huge, Colourful, and A lot Shiny

The TCL QM6K is an exquisite TV that hits all the correct notes with out costing a fortune. It seems good, sounds good, and has all of the Google TV controls and streaming apps I get pleasure from. My particular mannequin is 85 inches, which is fairly big. Even whereas sitting almost 11 toes away, it is nearly too large. However larger is at all times higher, proper?

For those who’re in search of a crisp, colourful, vivid TV in quite a lot of sizes, the QM6K line from TCL delivers. That mentioned, out of the field, it is nearly too vivid, a lot in order that I turned it down fairly a bit to make sure it wasn’t frying my retinas. And certain, there’s an Eco mode that’ll routinely regulate the brightness for you, however I are inclined to keep away from that function on most televisions.

So, what makes the TCL QM6K particular and value contemplating? The primary draw right here is the Mini-LED expertise, which delivers a vivid show with correct colours and deep blacks. It is an enormous step-up out of your conventional LCD display, but not as costly as these fancy OLED TVs on retailer cabinets. It is an ideal middleground, solely at a wallet-friendly worth.

The Mini-LED expertise is stable, and it was an enormous leap to go from my earlier 65-inch TV to this 85-inch monster. Mix the scale with Mini-LED, and I am experiencing motion pictures, TV exhibits, and sports activities in a completely totally different method. The Mini-LED panel offers wealthy blacks that assist darkish scenes look uniform but gorgeous, which ends up in a premium TV with out leaping to an OLED.

TCL upgraded this mannequin over its 2024 variants with a brand new “Halo Management System” that helps handle the five hundred native dimming zones to get rid of backlight bloom or halos. It does a reasonably good job, however it’s nonetheless barely noticeable at occasions, though it did not concern me a lot. The QM7K ups that to 2500 zones, if that is vital to you.

Wonderful Image High quality (With Some Changes)

Whereas the TCL QM6K did not blow me away in any specific space, it handles a bit of every part properly, which I can admire. Consistency is essential. TV exhibits look nice, SDR and HDR content material are wonderful, there may be good distinction, and watching motion pictures is totally pleasurable. Whether or not I tuned into sports activities or rewatched some darkish scenes in Sport of Thrones, every part seemed good.

I’ve two complaints, however these will probably boil down to private desire greater than a knock on the TV itself. First, like nearly any TV available on the market, TCL has a number of settings, similar to Auto HDR Conversion, Dynamic Shade, and Eye Well being Safety modes, enabled out of the field.

The Auto HDR was the very first thing I turned off, because it tried too onerous to make sure scenes vivid and adjusted colours to the purpose that the majority faces (or lips) seemed unnatural, nearly like lipstick. The Dynamic Shade mode brought on an analogous however much less noticeable impact, which I additionally disabled.

Then, TCL conveniently permits an Eye Well being Safety mode that adapts the brightness based mostly on ambient room mild, which shifts extra usually than I might like. As a substitute, I manually lowered the brightness to an appropriate degree that labored day or night time. Turning on the brand new Filmmaker mode on sure motion pictures gave issues a pleasant look, too.

I ultimately used some calibration software program to fine-tune and match my most well-liked type for colours and heat, however you do not essentially want to try this.

After which there’s the general measurement. Do not get me mistaken—I completely love this 85-inch beast and may’t await the NFL season. However a TV this large actually is not for everybody, and whereas it is superb for my front room, I believe 75 inches could be the candy spot for most individuals. At this measurement, some older content material will present pixels extra simply than a smaller TV, which is noticeable, particularly at nearer distances. When you have room for it, go large; you will find it irresistible.

A Acquainted Google TV Expertise

Like many TVs that are not made by Roku or Samsung, this unit is powered by Google TV. And whilst you most likely have a TV OS desire, I am an enormous fan of Google and Roku’s choices. Fortunately, the QM6K sports activities Google TV, delivering countless apps, benefits, and features.

Google TV is quick, helps a wide selection of streaming apps, and recommends countless content material so that you can watch. I uninstalled a number of bloatware apps out of the field, put in all my favorites, and don’t have any complaints concerning the expertise. Whereas I could not get the TV to answer voice instructions whereas it was turned off (like utilizing my voice to show it on), as soon as it was on, utilizing the Google Assistant to launch apps and particular channels was straightforward. I’ve a new child child at house, and normally my fingers aren’t free, so asking Google to play ESPN on YouTube TV or adjusting the quantity with my voice is a game-changer.

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If I’ve one criticism concerning the software program, the {hardware} is more likely to blame. Not like equally priced fashions just like the Hisense U7N I tested, TCL’s QM6K solely has Wi-Fi 5 inside, not Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. That is fairly a bummer while you spend over $1,000 on a TV. Significantly, it is 2025, guys. I did not expertise any lag or loading whereas streaming Netflix, however stay sports activities had the occasional hiccup, which worries me for the NFL season once I begin utilizing multiview to watch 3–4 games simultaneously.

In any other case, the inner {hardware} delivers a quick, easy, secure expertise whereas flipping by means of menus, opening apps, scanning channel guides, and doing the rest. It has been easy crusing.

Sound High quality and Distant

I did wish to point out the general sound high quality and distant, two issues that usually go neglected on a TV. The distant is nothing to jot down house about, nevertheless it’s not unhealthy both. It is all plastic, even when there is a fake brushed steel look on high.

You’ve gotten all of your typical Google TV controls, quick-launch buttons for in style streaming apps, and voice controls. It’s backlit, which is a large plus, and one thing everybody can admire. I want it have been a bit shorter, however that is nitpicking.

Whereas the sound high quality will not be wonderful, it’s higher than anticipated. TCL makes use of a brand new 40W Onkyo speaker system (2 x 10W + 20W) that is loads loud and crisp. The highs are respectable, and you will get a little bit of bass throughout choose film scenes, which was a shock.

I watched Dune: Half Two and was very impressed with the darker scenes, vivid and vivid blue eyes, and stable sound high quality. The rumbling in some scenes helped ship the expertise I used to be after. I not often want to show the quantity above 25, nevertheless it goes as much as 100. I am not even going to try to attempt that.

Loads of Options, Ports, Gaming Modes

I am not an enormous gamer, however the few video games I attempted on my PS4 turned out nice, even on such a large display. Actually, I might go so far as to say gaming is a energy of this TV. The low enter lag and excessive refresh charges assist in that regard. This TV helps each 4K at 144Hz and 1080p at 288Hz, paired with a stable VRR vary.

The TV additionally has an Auto Sport Mode (ALLM) with AMD FreeSync Premium Professional. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and an eARC port. Different ports embrace two USB, Ethernet, and optical audio.

You’ll be able to reap the benefits of full Dolby and DTS superior passthrough, Dolby Digital+, PCM, and different options, together with Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR, HDR10+, and different codecs like Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming and Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ. Certain, there are cheaper TVs that’ll be good for gaming, and 85 inches is a bit large, however you will get pleasure from gaming on the QM6K in any measurement. I by no means skilled any noticeable lag whereas gaming.

And at last, I like that the TV itself has devoted energy and mute buttons on the underside, in case you lose the distant. Personally, I welcome bodily controls. For these not mounting it to a wall, it has respectable plastic toes that work in two totally different width positions, they usually’re tall sufficient that you must be capable to match a soundbar beneath.

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Ought to You Purchase the TCL QM6K?

So, do you have to purchase a TCL QM6K TV? That relies on your desires, wants, and price range, however I can confidently say it is a superb TV for the worth. Getting an enormous Mini-LED panel will take your house theater to the subsequent degree with out spending hundreds on OLED or a 4K UST projector.

The TCL QM6K TV nails the fundamentals, does every part properly, and does it with out costing an arm and a leg. Certain, you may get a random 65-inch TCL for below $500 at Costco or Walmart, nevertheless it’ll be nowhere close to the standard, brightness, or accuracy of this new 2025 mannequin with Mini-LED.

That is a kind of TVs that must be in your radar for its price-to-performance, and if it goes on sale, you’d higher bounce on it. TCL does have dearer fashions which might be increased up in its lineup, however in case you’re not too choosy, that is the one to purchase.

Model

TCL

Show Measurement

85-inches

Dimensions

74 x 42 x 2.3 (with out stand)

Working System

Google TV

The all-new 2025 mannequin TCL QM6K Google TV delivers a stunningly clear and vivid image with a brand new Mini-LED panel, improved native dimming zones, Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, and a neat new Halo Management system for improved visuals. Get this TV and elevate your front room.