To try to better understand how long a TV should last, we're running 100 TVs through an accelerated longevity test for the next two years. We've just posted our results after eight months, see our latest updates.
We've bought and tested more than 30 TCL TVs. TCL TVs have shown to offer great value over the past few years, and although they aren't as established in the United States as other brands, they've made a name for themselves. While they're traditionally known for their basic models with limited features, some recent releases feature the latest technology, including Mini LED backlighting and variable refresh rate (VRR) support. They're often available at a lower cost than competitors, and most people will be pleased with their higher-end models. They mainly compete with Hisense but release models to compete with brands like Sony and Samsung.
Most brands have started releasing their 2023 lineups, so vote on which ones you want us to buy and test. To learn more about what TCL has planned for their 2023 lineup, check out our 2023 TV lineup page.
Updates
- 09/11/2023 TCL S4/S450G reviewed
- 08/29/2023 TCL Q6/Q650G QLED reviewed
- 08/14/2023 TCL Q7/Q750G QLED reviewed
- 07/17/2023 TCL QM8/QM850G QLED reviewed
- 02/23/2023 TCL 6 Series/R646 2021 QLED updated
Best TCL Smart TVs
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Best TCL TV
Mixed Usage8.3TV Shows7.8Sports7.8Video Games8.9HDR Movies8.3HDR Gaming9.0PC Monitor8.7The best TCL TV we've tested is the TCL QM8/QM850G QLED. It's an impressive TV that delivers amazing picture quality with an impressive selection of extra features. It looks great in any room thanks to its incredible peak brightness in HDR and SDR, excellent reflection handling, and superb contrast, helped by an outstanding local dimming feature. Its black uniformity is also great, with minimal blooming around bright highlights. Its Quantum Dot technology also gives it an impressively wide color gamut for HDR content, although it doesn't have very accurate color reproduction. The TV is also over-brightened on most of its PQ EOTF curve, so overall, there are better choices for people who want their TVs to respect the content creator's intent. The TV has a few quirks, like its otherwise very fast refresh rate functioning in 'brackets', and not being able to have both Game Mode and Chroma 4:4:4 simultaneously, but it's a fantastic performer overall.
It's also a stellar gaming TV with extremely low input lag in Game Mode. It supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on two ports, although its first port can output up to 4k @ 144Hz, while its second is limited to 4k @ 120Hz. Still, this TV can take full advantage of 4k @ 120Hz gaming on newer consoles. For PC gamers, the TV has issues outputting anything above 120Hz when connected to an NVIDIA graphics card, so it's better suited for PCs with AMD GPUs. Otherwise, the TV supports every variable refresh rate (VRR) technology for nearly tear-free gaming from any source. Finally, it runs Google's popular Google TV OS, which is very easy to use and has many apps.
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Best Mid-Range TCL TV
Mixed Usage7.6TV Shows6.9Sports7.1Video Games8.1HDR Movies7.8HDR Gaming8.2PC Monitor8.1If you want something cheaper than the TCL QM8/QM850G QLED, the best mid-range TCL TV we've tested is the TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED. It's a great TV that delivers similar picture quality to the more expensive 6 Series, like the TCL 6 Series/R655 2022 QLED, but it's not as well-equipped for gamers. It's a decent cheaper alternative to the QM8 for watching movies in the dark, thanks to its superb contrast ratio and fantastic black uniformity. However, its local dimming feature isn't quite as effective at making bright highlights stand out. Plus, it doesn't get nearly as bright as the QM8, so the newer model will look much better when a light is turned on.
It's also a great gaming TV, but stepping down to the mid-range means making some sacrifices. It supports variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to help reduce tearing, but it's limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and doesn't support HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. It has a very good response time, resulting in clear motion when gaming, and it's still a good choice for gamers with newer consoles, especially if you prefer graphically intense games over fast-paced action.
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Best Budget TCL TV
Mixed Usage6.8TV Shows6.2Sports6.3Video Games7.4HDR Movies7.0HDR Gaming7.5PC Monitor7.0TCL's 4 Series lineup is a budget-friendly lineup whose TVs don't cost much. Like the 6 Series and 5 Series models, TCL has released them in the past few years with different smart platforms. The TCL 4 Series/S446 2021 has the popular Google TV OS, while the TCL 4 Series/S455 2022 is the latest Roku model and performs better than the S446, making it the best TCL TV you can get on a budget. The Roku platform is great, with an easy-to-use interface, and there are tons of apps you can download through the app store, but it's not as good as Google TV OS. The remote doesn't have a mic built-in, but you can use the Roku app on your phone for voice control.
Although it's a basic TV with fewer features than the TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED, it's still an okay TV that performs well for a low-cost model. It has a fantastic native contrast ratio that results in deep blacks and has remarkable black uniformity with minimal blooming. It doesn't have any upscaling issues, and it has okay out-of-the-box accuracy. There are some drawbacks, as it doesn't get bright enough to fight glare, but it has decent reflection handling if you have a lamp in your room.
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Best Cheap TCL TV
Mixed Usage5.9Movies5.7TV Shows6.6Sports6.8Video Games6.3HDR Movies4.5HDR Gaming4.1PC Monitor6.8TCL is one of the few big brands that make cheap 1080p and 720p TVs in smaller sizes. These TVs are great for kitchens or bedrooms as they come with a built-in smart system, and you can easily stream your favorite shows without needing an external device. The TCL 40S325 is a good choice if you're looking for that. Although it's a 2019 model, you can still find it available, and it's a cheap TV that isn't bad overall. It has a 1080p resolution, so while you can't watch content in 4k, you can still get a sharp 1080p image. The built-in Roku smart platform has fewer features than higher-end models and feels slower, but it still has all the same great apps.
If you're getting a cheap TV like this one, there are a few compromises you have to make. It doesn't perform well in a bright room as it has low peak brightness, but it has good reflection handling and displays deep blacks if you want to use it in a moderately-lit or dark room. It also doesn't support HDR, but that's normal for a 1080p TV. Luckily, it has excellent out-of-the-box accuracy, which is important, as you can't calibrate it.
Compared To Other Brands
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Inexpensive.
TCL is one of the more budget-friendly brands on the market, and their TVs offer great value for their cost. Their prices have been going up, however. -
Great smart OS.
TCL TVs use Roku or Google TV smart platforms, which are user-friendly and have many apps you can download. -
Starting to include extra features.
As of their 2021 lineup, TCL started to include extra gaming features like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and VRR support on their higher-end models.
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Low peak brightness.
Besides the premium models, most TCL TVs we've tested have low brightness measurements. -
Not very polished.
TCL TVs aren't as polished as other brands, as there are often issues with upscaling and local dimming. They also tend to have a wide variety of quirks to contend with. -
Not good for wide seating areas.
Except for a few entry-level models, their TVs usually have VA panels with narrow viewing angles, so they're not good if you have a wide seating arrangement.
TCL vs Hisense
Hisense and TCL are direct competitors in the budget TV market. Their TVs usually offer the same features and similar performance, although some TCL TVs don't get as bright. They each have flaws; TCL tends to have picture quality issues, while Hisense has motion problems.
TCL vs Vizio
Vizio and TCL aim to produce TVs in the budget market, although Vizio makes a few more high-end models. Vizio TVs tend to have better dark room performance and more gaming features, but the Roku platform on the TCLs is much better and easier to use than the Vizio SmartCast system.
Overall, TCL TVs offer good picture quality and great features at a low price. Although some models aren't as feature-packed or as well-built as more expensive options, their TVs typically offer great value compared to similarly-priced options. If you need a simple TV with a good smart system, you'll be happy with most of their offerings.
Lineup
TCL's lineup in the United States is usually smaller than other brands, and unlike other companies, their models are available for a few years. TCL is among the few brands to announce a good mix of premium, high-end TVs and smaller budget models for their 2023 lineup. Their lineup is split in two this year, and they've changed their naming scheme to make it easier to differentiate between their entry-level and high-end models with Quantum Dot technology. They're advertising their flagship QM8 series to have an impressive Mini LED backlight with over 2300 local dimming zones. Like LG, TCL has abandoned 8k TVs, with no new 8k models announced for 2023. Interestingly, TCL originally said that their QD-OLED TV, originally announced for 2022, would finally be available towards the end of this year. They've since adjusted their press release, removing all mention of the QD-OLED TV, so it's unclear whether or when it will come out.
Learn more about the 2023 TCL lineup here.
TCL Smart Features
While the majority of TCL's TVs use Roku, there are a few from 2021 that use Google TV. They're both great smart platforms, and choosing one of the other comes down to personal preference. Generally speaking, Roku is easier to learn and feels quicker than Google TV, but Google is more customizable, and the Google Play Store has even more apps.
Interface
Roku's interface is very basic, with simple graphics and limited animations. It results in a very easy-to-use, fast interface that's relatively bug-free. It's also one of the few smart interfaces that support themes, meaning you can customize it a bit.
As for Google TV, it consists of multiple rows that you can customize to include which apps you see first and which apps you don't want to see. It's great if you're already used to it, but it can feel overwhelming if you aren't, so it takes some time to learn.
Ad-free
Unfortunately, both Roku and Google TV have large, intrusive ads in the main home menu and throughout the interface, and it's impossible to disable them completely.
Apps & Features
TCL TVs use a mix of Roku OS and Google TV, so the app store and channel lineup vary depending on which model you get. Roku-powered TVs give you access to the Roku Channel Store, offering a good selection of streaming channels.
The Android and Google TV-powered TCL TVs give you access to the Google Play Store; if you've ever used an Android-powered phone, you'll find many of the same apps. It's also easy to sideload unofficially supported apps on Google TV, so overall, the platform offers the widest selection of streaming apps available on any smart TV.
Voice Controls
Some TCL TVs support voice controls, either from the advanced remote or the remote app, but they only support basic commands. You can launch certain apps through voice control and search across multiple apps for content. Unlike some TVs, you can't control the TV's settings through voice controls.
This is where Google TV has an advantage because the remote supports voice control, and it's also compatible with other Google devices, so you can easily open apps and stream your favorite shows. Some of TCL's Google models even have a mic built into the TV.
Remote
The Roku TVs have a small remote, which isn't bad since it's very comfortable and responsive. The TCL branding is impressively minimal, and much like the interface, it's a carbon copy of the ones you can find with the Roku boxes.
There are different versions of the remote, and the differences are usually with the features. Some have better wireless capabilities, so you don't need to point directly at the TV for it to work. Usually, the higher-end models come with a built-in mic on the remote.
TCL's version of the Google remote is similar: it has quick-access buttons and a circular pad for navigation.
Remote App
One of the best features of the Roku platform is its remote app you can find on both iOS and Android. It can do everything the smart remote can and more, so it's fully featured. All the basic remote controls are available, even powering the TV on and off. You can plug in headphones to your device and listen to the TV privately through the app. Lastly, the app also allows you to access settings that aren't available on the TV, like the calibration settings. Roku is better than Google TV in this regard, mainly because Google TVs let you do everything you need to by just using the remote.
Recent Updates
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Jul 18, 2023: Replaced the TCL 6 Series/R555 2022 QLED with the TCL QM8/QM850G QLED as the 'Best TCL TV' and refreshed the text for accuracy and consistency.
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Apr 05, 2023: Verified our picks for availability and consistency, and refreshed the text throughout. Updated the lineup information with the 2023 lineup.
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Nov 30, 2022: Replaced the TCL 6 Series/R646 2021 QLED with the TCL 6 Series/R655 2022 QLED, and the TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 QLED with the TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED.
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Aug 29, 2022: Updated structure to cover more of TCL's lineup; renamed the TCL 5 Series/S546 as 'Best Mid-Range' and replaced the TCL S435 with the TCL S446 in the budget category because it's easier to find. Added the TCL 3 Series as the 'Best Cheap TV', added a Lineup section, and updated the Smart Features section to talk about Google TV.
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Mar 04, 2022: Replaced the TCL 5 Series/S535 2020 with the newer TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 because it has more features; updated the Smart Features section to be consistent with the current Roku platform.
Conclusion
TCL's lineup is mostly budget-oriented, and they do very well in that area. Their smart platforms rival the very best, and TCL offers different smart platforms, which isn't something other brands do. Plus, their picture quality has been consistently good across their models. Overall, it's tough to beat them when it comes to budget TVs, and that makes them a pretty safe bet, but if you want a premium TV, you can find more options with other brands.