3 of the Best TCL TVs in 2024

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Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Mar 6, 2024 2:21 PM
best tcl tv guide that shows the top best tv model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

The best TCL TV combines cost-effectiveness with high performance, showcasing that premium quality doesn’t always come with a high price tag. Supported by rigorous test data, our top picks stand out for their exceptional picture quality, advanced smart features, and competitive performance against more expensive brands.

When it comes to finding the best TVs on the market, TCL’s offerings are hard to beat, blending affordability with top-tier technology. TCL proves that you can enjoy vibrant visuals, seamless smart TV functionality, and outstanding overall value, making it a top choice for those seeking to enhance their viewing experience without breaking the bank.

When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission.

  • 🌟 Grab the TCL QM8 for unmatched colors and brightness, best for bright room gaming.

    $998.00
  • 🍿 Get the TCL Q7 for a solid home theater experience in moderate lighting at a value price.

    $499.99
  • 🎮 Opt for the TCL Q650G if gaming on a budget matters, top pick for responsive gameplay.

    $427.99

How Did We Rank the Best TCL TVs?

To assess how high or low quality a TCL TV actually is, one must evaluate specific testing criteria against reference industry standards. Using our thorough TV Testing Methodology, we determined there are 6 criteria below (3 required, 3 nice to have) that ensure your content looks as good as the creator intended it.

? Test Criteria

  • SDR Brightness: Equal to or greater than 300 nits, ensuring a bright and clear display under any lighting conditions.
  • HDR Brightness: 1000 nits or more, to reveal the finest details in high dynamic range content.
  • Color Accuracy: At least 90% of the DCI P3 color gamut, providing rich and vibrant colors.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1 or higher, offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.
  • EOTF Accuracy: Delta E less than or equal to 0.018, for precise brightness and contrast across the board.
  • Fast Response Time: 10ms or less, ensuring smooth transitions without motion blur.

We’ve redefined redefined TV buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach combines in-house verification with a comprehensive dataset from over 200+ trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics to rank the top rated TCL TVs. Testing data include brightness of 300 and 1000 nits, Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) >= 90%, and Contrast Ratio (x:1) >= 10,000. In this case it’s for TCL TVs, ensuring optimal viewing even in bright lights and tight spaces. Discover our data-driven methodology for precise, reliable TV recommendations. Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. Commissions fund this mission. No bias. No BS.

Latest Updates

  • 03/06/2024: Completely and thoroughly overhauled the guide to include the best and latest TCL TVs.
  • 11/29/2023: Republished the list to include TVs based on our True Score system.

Top Best TCL TVs For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

To snag a spot on our list, a TCL TV needs to be capable of good SDR and HDR brightness while also providing great color accuracy. If it doesn’t hit these points, we’re not including it!

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    TCL QM8/QM850G QLED TV

    • Best For Sports

    A top-tier choice for brightly lit rooms, the QM8 excels with vibrant colors and unmatched brightness, making it ideal for sports, casual gaming, and streaming, though it falls short in HDR mastering quality.

    TCL QM8/QM850G QLED TV Review →

    True Score

    82
    83
    7

    Experts

    89
    816

    Customers

    SAVE $138
    $1,135.99
    $998.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    TCL Q7 (Q750G) Series QLED TV

    Balancing budget and performance, the Q7 offers accurate colors and solid home theater experience in dim to moderate lighting, but it’s not the best pick for bright rooms or competitive gaming.

    TCL Q7 (Q750G) Series QLED TV Review →

    True Score

    80
    81
    1

    Experts

    87
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $98
    $598.00
    $499.99

    Category Snapshot

    TVs

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      17 Brands, 158 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      LG, Hisense

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $400-$2000

    • Average True Score

      76.65

    • Important Test Criteria

      Brightness (cd/m2)
      Contrast Ratio (1000:1)

    • Most Trusted Testers

    • Recommended Retailer

    • Typical Warranty

      1 year

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

    • Test Methodology

      TV Testing Methodology

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    TCL Q650G TV

    The Q650G stands out for budget-conscious gamers, offering responsive gameplay and decent picture quality in dim environments, though it lacks the premium home theater qualities of its pricier counterparts.

    TCL Q650G TV Review →

    True Score

    75
    75
    3

    Experts

    83
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $22
    $449.99
    $427.99

Our Approach to Testing TCL TVs

Evan Shepard/Gadget Review

The best TCL TVs offer premium quality without the premium price, backed by rigorous testing. With exceptional picture quality, advanced smart features, and competitive performance, TCL proves you can enjoy top-notch visuals and functionality without overspending.

We collect this data so you don’t have to, simplifying your decision-making process. By averaging testing data, we accurately depict product capabilities. This ensures our buying guides filter and sort products, guaranteeing they meet strict requirements for your TCL TV needs, whether it’s for gaming or seamless streaming.

You may notice some of our graphs contain “Source: RTings”. This is to indicate that the data we’re showing off in a graph has come from a single source – because it’s the only source that actually tested the criteria and had data for it! Normally, our data is an average out of all of the various publications that test and provide data to give you a good idea of how a product is going to perform on average.

Which Criteria Matters for Testing The Best TCL TVs?

By focusing on these criteria (3 required, 3 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these TVs and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a TV that will fit into your space.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
SDR Brightness300+ nitsYesAssess the luminance of your display when operating in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) mode.
HDR Brightness1000+ nitsYesDetermine the luminance of your display in High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode.
Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy)>= 90%YesEvaluate the extent to which a TV can reproduce a specified spectrum of colors.
EOTF0.018No (nice to have)Standard that governs how a display interprets and renders brightness and color.
Response Time<=10msNo (nice to have)Time required for a pixel to transition from one color to another and then return to its original color.
Contrast Ratio>= 10,000No (nice to have)The ratio between the brightest white and darkest black that the screen can display.

Our Trusted Data Sources

(Publication category Score is 80%+)

We looked at 210+ TV reviewers and while 24 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for TVs, along with our own in-house TV expert.

  1. Evan Shepard – Gadget Review
  2. Matthew Lopes – RTings, MuckRack
  3. Will Greenwald – PCMag, MuckRack, Twitter
  4. David Katzmaier – CNET, MuckRack, Twitter

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every TV review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Best TCL TVs Test Data & Results

1. SDR & HDR Brightness TV Test Results

In well-lit rooms, the brightness level of your TCL TV, quantified in nits, is key to a great viewing experience. A TV that doesn’t meet the brightness requirement will struggle against natural and artificial light, resulting in a dim, lackluster image. Essentially, nits measure how well your TV can stand up to light interference, with higher values ensuring a sharper, more vivid display.

For standard viewing on the best TCL TV, you should look for at least 300 nits to strike the right balance between clarity and color quality in standard dynamic range (SDR) content. For high dynamic range (HDR) content, which offers richer colors and greater contrast, a minimum of 1000 nits is ideal to truly appreciate the enhanced visuals. These brightness levels are recommended to ensure your TV performs well in bright settings, allowing you to enjoy your shows and movies without any loss in detail or quality. Aim for these minimums: SDR Brightness >= 300 nits; HDR Brightness >= 1000 nits for the optimal experience.

Discover the top TCL TVs, ranked from brightest to least.

SDR Brightness (in nits, higher is better)

HDR Brightness (in nits, higher is better)

2. Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy) TV Test Results

Color gamut defines the range of colors a TCL TV can reproduce, directly affecting how vibrant and true-to-life the images look. A wide color gamut brings out richer, more vivid colors – from the lush greens of a garden to the bright colors of animated characters, enhancing your viewing experience to closely mimic real life.

This concept is technically measured against standards like the DCI P3 xy, a benchmark for high-quality visuals. A TCL TV covering a higher percentage of this color space can display colors more accurately and vividly.

For those who prioritize vibrant and immersive visuals, aiming for a TCL TV with a color gamut of 90% or higher on the DCI P3 xy scale is ideal. This ensures that the content you watch is as vibrant and lifelike as possible.

Below are the top TCL TVs, ordered by color gamut.

DCI P3 XY Color Gamut (as a %; high is better)

3. EOTF Test Results

The Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF) plays a critical role in ensuring the content on your TV looks exactly as the creator intended. This technical feature adjusts your screen’s brightness levels, ensuring every scene, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, is displayed with true-to-life accuracy.

In rooms flooded with light, a TV that nails EOTF calibration shines by preserving the intended contrast and detail in the picture despite the challenging conditions. It balances the brightness so that images remain vibrant and full of detail, unaffected by the glare of ambient light.

A TV that excels in managing EOTF offers an immersive and authentic viewing experience. It brings creators’ visions to life, accurately rendering every scene with the proper light and dark levels, no matter the lighting in your room. This means you get a consistent, realistic picture that captures the full spectrum of colors and contrasts, from the subtlest hues to the most intense explosions.

Below are all the TCL TVs on our list, ordered by EOTF.

EOTF (source: rtings.com – 0 = no data exists; lower is better)

4. Response Time TV Test Results

A slow response time on a TCL TV during fast-paced scenes is like trying to watch a thrilling movie with a foggy lens. Imagine settling in for an action-packed sequence, only to have the swift movements turn into a blur, robbing you of the crisp, clear detail you crave. This isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a major detriment to your viewing experience, leaving you with a picture marred by motion blur and visual artifacts.

So, what exactly is response time? It measures how quickly a pixel on your TV can change from one color to another. In the context of watching fast-moving content or enjoying dynamic scenes on a TCL TV, a low response time is crucial. A response time of 15 ms or lower is good, but if you plan on gaming on this set, aim for a response time of 10 ms or lower. At these levels, your TCL TV ensures smooth transitions and sharp visuals, making every scene come to life without any distracting blurs or delays.

Below are the top TCL TVs, ordered by response time.

Response Time (in milliseconds; lower is better)

5. Contrast Ratio Test Results

For TCL TV enthusiasts, a solid contrast ratio is crucial for enjoying your favorite TV shows or movies, especially in darker settings. This feature directly impacts how lifelike and dynamic the picture appears on your screen, ensuring that dark scenes are displayed with clear, crisp blacks instead of murky grays and bright scenes retain their detail without appearing washed out.

Put simply, the contrast ratio is all about the range of luminance a TV can produce, from the deepest blacks to the brightest whites. It’s what brings depth to the image, enhancing the realism of every scene. Watching a movie in the dark, for example, the difference between a TV with a poor contrast ratio and one with a high ratio is stark: the former struggles, blending shadows into a flat gray, while the latter delivers true black, making night scenes more immersive and detailed.

Ideally, a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 is what you should aim for in a TCL TV. This level of luminance variance ensures that you’re getting a picture quality that can handle the nuances of lighting in any scene, providing a viewing experience that’s both rich and engaging. Note: OLED TVs have infinite contrast ratio, indicated by “0.”

Below are the top TCL TVs, ordered by contrast ratio.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

Best TCL TVs: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Screen Size: Many buyers overlook the importance of selecting the right screen size for their space, leading to discomfort or poor viewing experiences. The best 32-inch TV balances size and space, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience in smaller rooms. Understanding the principle of TV size vs distance is crucial; larger screens, such as those in the high-end Hisense TV range, require more viewing distance to fully appreciate their quality.

  2. Neglecting Resolution: Failure to consider resolution options can result in disappointment with picture quality, especially when expecting high-definition content. Reading our Element G series review or Hisense H6570G review highlights how even more budget-friendly options can offer an excellent resolution for many users. However, if you don’t need 4K quality, there are still options that provide great picture quality, like in our Samsung N5200 review.

  3. Overlooking Connectivity: Forgetting to check connectivity options may limit your ability to connect external devices, such as gaming consoles or sound systems. Like TCL TVs, many Samsung TVs are designed with a variety of connectivity options to cater to the diverse needs of users, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of external devices.

  4. Ignorance of Smart Features: Failing to research smart TV features may result in missing out on convenient streaming options or compatibility with preferred apps. For those looking into mid-range options, check out the Hisense U80G or for higher-end, the best Sony TV models stand out for their advanced smart features. For those desiring a seamless integration of devices, a top Roku TV could be the ideal solution, offering extensive connectivity and a user-friendly interface.

The Best TCL TVs Tests Compared

Product
True Score
SDR Brightness
HDR Barightness
Color Gamut
EOTF
Response Time
Contrast Ratio
82
  • 2,076 nits

  • 2,005 nits

  • 94.59%

  • 0.037

  • 8.9 ms

  • 114,057:1

$998.00
$1,136
$138
80
  • 757 nits

  • 685 nits

  • 92.69%

  • 0.0102

  • 10.8 ms

  • 80,160:1

$499.99
$598
$98
75
  • 486 nits

  • 497 nits

  • 88.47%

  • 0.0047

  • 14.7 ms

  • 8,085:1

$427.99
$450
$22

TCL TV Questions (FAQ)

Does Google Chromecast or Apple TV work with TCL TVs?

Yes, even though most TCL TVs use the Roku TV smart platform, you can still use Google Chromecast or Apple TV streaming devices. Instead of accessing the smart platform through the TV’s built-in Roku interface, you’ll connect to the Chromecast or Apple TV using an HDMI cable. Then, you can access the device via the input controls on your TV.

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