- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- Contrast and black detail
- HDR effect quality
- Factory color reproduction
- Color reproduction after calibration
- Smoothness of tonal transitions
- Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
- Blur and motion smoothness
- Console compatibility and gaming features
- Input lag
- Compatibility with PC
- Viewing angles
- Daytime performance
- TV features
- Apps
- Playing files from USB
- Sound
- Panel details
TCL C6KS / C69KS / Q6CS Review
C6KS / C69KS / Q6CS
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Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 60Hz Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2025
Who would have thought, but TCL is an absolute master at mixing up the names of their televisions, and the model C6KS being tested today is a perfect example of that. You can also find it in stores as C69KS or Q6CS, which only adds to the confusion. But let’s put the symbols aside. How does this television differ from its "full-fledged" and slightly more expensive sibling C6K? The biggest difference lies in the smoothness: instead of the gaming 144 Hz, we find a 60 Hz panel here. However, on paper, it’s still powerful hardware, as we are dealing with Mini-LED technology with local dimming. This brings us to the most important question of this test: Is the cheaper C6KS "almost the same" in terms of picture quality, or is the difference significant enough that it’s worth paying a little extra?
TCL C6KS - Our verdict
6.4
Overall rating
TCL C6KS (also known as C69KS and Q6CS) is a television that on paper promised to be a hit in the "value for money" category. And indeed, in many respects, it's a successful piece of equipment: thanks to the Mini-LED backlighting, we get good blacks and brightness that rivals more expensive models. In fact, it’s identical to that of the slightly pricier C6K, which we have already tested for you. Additionally, it features the same excellent Google TV system and surprisingly rich features for gamers, which make it enjoyable to play on, even with a 60 Hz panel. Unfortunately, the good impression is marred by the performance of the panel used. The television struggles with noticeable motion blur, and aggressive dithering (digital noise) makes the image often look unnatural and artificial – as if it has been unnaturally sharpened. Ultimately, the biggest problem with the C6KS is not its flaws but its sibling, the C6K. At its current price, this model is in a strange "in-between" position. It costs almost the same (or only slightly less) than the full-fledged TCL C6K, which offers a significantly better 120 Hz panel and is simply a complete construction without those annoying issues. The C6KS is a compromise model that will only become attractive under one condition – if its price drops drastically. For now, the much safer and better choice remains to pay the (often nominal) extra for the C6K model. One could jokingly assert that the letter "S" in the name actually stands for "Slim". However, it's not about an exceptionally slim body, but how much this model has been "slimmed down" in terms of features compared to the fully-fledged C6K.
Advantages
Very good contrast and black level: VA panel and MINI-LED backlighting
Quite high (around 600 nits)
Many features for gamers: VRR, ALLM, HGiG
Additional gaming mode: 120Hz and 144Hz
Google TV system with a wide selection of applications
Support for multiple HDR formats including Dolby Vision
Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS
Quite pleasant sound from built-in speakers
Disadvantages
The panel has heavy blooming
Strong visible dithering (looks like artificial 4K)
Very poor compatibility with PC
Minor system errors
Lots of chaos in naming (many derivative models that are no different)
Movies and series in UHD quality5.9
Classic TV, YouTube6.1
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)5.3
Gaming on console7.7
TV as a computer monitor1.7
Watching in bright light6.6
Utility functions7.0
Apps9.6
Sound quality6.5
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TCL C6KS - Competing TVs in this price range
TCL C6KS - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: Good
Stand type: Legs
Bezel color: Graphite
Stand: Fixed
Flat design: Yes
Accessories: Stand
In terms of appearance, the TCL C6KS looks almost like the twin brother of the more expensive C6K model. The manufacturer hasn’t skimped here and has used literally the same casing with an identical foot layout. If you put these two TVs side by side, you really wouldn’t be able to point out the difference. The only way to be sure which model you’re dealing with? You need to check the back of the casing and read the product code label.
The design itself, for such a relatively cheap TV, is generally very elegant. The bezels are narrow, and the overall look is modern. There are even visual "treats" associated with premium class, such as the tasteful brand emblem located in the top right corner of the screen. In short: this is really a well-made device that looks more expensive in the living room than it actually is.
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TCL C6KS - Contrast and black detail
7.5/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 180 (10 x 18)
Result
129,650:1
Result
26,650:1
Result
12,900:1
Result
12,600:1
Result
6,250:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
Let's move on to what tigers like best, which is black and contrast. If you were worried that the lower price of the C6KS model (C69KS/Q6CS) was due to drastic cuts in image quality, I have great news for you regarding black levels and contrast. In direct comparison with the more expensive C6K, the tested model is almost on par with it. Just like in the higher series, we find here a VA panel supported by a local dimming system. What’s most interesting – and here’s a big surprise – during the tests we counted exactly the same number of dimming zones (in the same size) in the C6KS as in the more expensive counterpart! The black level is very good. The contrast measurement results speak for themselves – for such a relatively inexpensive television, the black is deep and free from major flaws that often plague budget models without local dimming. Of course, we can't defy physics. One must reckon that in very demanding scenes (e.g., bright text on a black background), we may sometimes notice undesirable effects, such as blooming (the halo effect around bright objects). However, this is not something that disqualifies this television – generally, the black level here is at a very decent, satisfying level.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
TCL C6KS - HDR effect quality
4.9/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 92.0%, Bt.2020: 71.0%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
602 nit
Result
204 nit
Result
421 nit
Result
152 nit
Result
590 nit
And what about HDR? Here the C6KS performs quite well and – as is becoming the theme of this review – just like in the C6K model. The maximum brightness generated by this television is around 600 nits. In bright scenes, this translates to a really solid, cinematic effect and generally, video materials look good here. However, it's important to keep in mind the specifics of the dimming algorithm in this model. When very small, bright points (e.g. stars) appear on a dark background, the television can quite significantly dim them. The goal is simple: to eliminate blooming and maintain the best possible black. It's a reasonable compromise. Most viewers will definitely appreciate deep, “true black” more than additional microscopic details, the display of which could cause the screen to appear greyed out. Such is the nature of local dimming technology in this price range, and one must be aware of this. It’s also worth noting that the TCL C69KS (C6KS) has an additional PFS coating, which is marketed under the QLED technology slogan. Thanks to this, the colours are saturated and vibrant – our measurements showed that the coverage of a wide colour gamut reaches as much as 92%.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
The history repeats itself in the case of detail reproduction. Looking at the dry numbers and measurement results, we did not expect fireworks from the cheaper C6KS. Meanwhile, the final effect turned out to be significantly better than one might assume – just as it was with the more expensive C6K. In film scenes from streaming – like the demanding segments of the film "Billy Lynn" – and even in productions mastered to very high brightness levels (around 4000 nits), the image was surprisingly good. Admittedly, the peak brightness was naturally dimmed compared to the reference screen, but the whole scene was rendered with great precision. The television handles what is known as tone mapping very well. We did not notice any unwanted blending of details in difficult, bright sections (e.g., the mentioned fireworks). Everything is clear and sharp, which is commendable in this price range.
HDR luminance chart:
HDR luminance
During testing, we noticed that with a static HDR10 signal, the TCL C6KS – like the C6K – doesn't always perform perfectly. This is most noticeable in scenes flooded with white, such as our test card with horses. In such moments, the panel's limited brightness becomes apparent, leading to a loss of some details in the white and a slight flattening of the image. Fortunately, the manufacturer has taken care to support almost all major HDR formats, including the incredibly popular Dolby Vision. And this changes everything! In this mode, thanks to the use of dynamic metadata, the picture achieves a completely new quality.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
5/10
In contrast to the more expensive C6K model, in the tested C6KS we don't find an option in the menu labelled as Filmmaker Mode. Is this a reason to cry? Absolutely not. Our tests showed that in practice, in terms of colour reproduction, the lack of this specific label makes virtually no difference. The best available Film/Cinema mode here offers an almost identical picture profile to the aforementioned Filmmaker in the more expensive model. So we get a very similar image, just under a different name. Therefore, if you were wondering whether paying extra for the C6K would give you better colours – the answer is: no, in both cases the base is the same and requires slight adjustments.
Color reproduction after calibration
7.5/10
Thanks to the white balance adjustment, the C69KS's tendency to distort colours has been effectively limited, leading to a very good final effect. After calibration, we will no longer see excessive warmth in SDR scenes or overly cool tones in HDR. However, it is worth noting the brightness characteristic. In SDR content, there are hardly any objections – the image looks very good, especially in older films, TV shows, or YouTube materials. Evaluating the television's performance in HDR is much more difficult. Analysis of the EOTF curve suggests correct behaviour, but its practical variant shows certain limitations. The C69KS can overly brighten the smallest elements of the frame, while at other times it can dim the entire scene. Calibration has therefore brought clear benefits in terms of colour, but certain limitations resulting from local dimming and the way it is controlled by the C69KS cannot be avoided, which we also observed in the C6K test.
TCL C6KS - Smoothness of tonal transitions
4.8/10
When looking solely at the fluidity of tonal transitions, the C69KS provides no real reasons for complaint. The gradation of colours is appropriate, and more challenging sequences do not reveal any significant issues. However, you may be surprised by the low rating in this category. This is due to very strong dithering and artificially boosted "resolution," which lead to a grainy and unnatural character of the image. For this reason, the final rating is significantly lower, despite the correct gradation of the tonal transitions themselves.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The C69KS handles upscaling quite well. The tested 576p content looks surprisingly decent – a considerable amount of detail is preserved, and the algorithm adds a subtle ‘rounding’ effect to sharp edges, making the image appear more cohesive. However, it doesn't perform as well when it comes to smoothing tonal transitions. The television practically cannot improve them, leaving the image in a rather raw state. With older materials, this can be simply exhausting, as the lack of additional processing highlights all imperfections.
TCL C6KS - Blur and motion smoothness
4.9/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: No
BFI function 60Hz: No
BFI function 120Hz: No
C69KS offers a simplified motion enhancement panel in movies, allowing users to adjust the intensity of the effect using a slider. This makes it easy to tailor the smoothness to personal preferences. It also deserves credit for the ability to utilise higher refresh rates – even though the panel operates natively in 4K at 60 Hz, by lowering the resolution to 1440p, modes of 120 and 144 Hz can be enabled, on both consoles and PC. This sounds like great news, however, in practice, the image at these settings trails exceptionally badly. The effect is so pronounced that the overall experience simply appears mediocre and loses its appeal in everyday use.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (4K@144Hz):
TCL C6KS - Console compatibility and gaming features
8/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 144Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
No
- Game bar:
Yes
If we overlook the smudging and lack of native 4K at 120 Hz, the C69KS is impressive in how well it performs for gaming. You get everything you would expect from a gaming TV: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Dolby Vision Gaming mode, and a consistently functioning HGiG. The TV can also operate at 120 or even 144 Hz at lower resolutions, making gameplay on console or PC smoother. Additionally, there's a clear Game Bar that allows you to quickly check key settings while gaming. As a result — despite a few limitations — the C69KS can be a genuinely successful screen for gamers.
TCL C6KS - Input lag
10/10
TCL C6KS performs very well here — the latency drops below 10 ms, which means responses in games are instantaneous. This is an excellent result in this class and definitely good news for those playing dynamic titles.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 9 ms | 2160p60: 9 ms | 2160p60 DV: 9 ms |
| 2160p60: 9 ms |
TCL C6KS - Compatibility with PC
1.7/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): No
Font clarity: Poor
Readability of dark text and shapes: Poor
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 9ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 60Hz
G-Sync: Yes
Aside from the previously mentioned ability to work at 144 Hz at lower resolutions, the C6KS offers nothing that would encourage its use as a monitor. The fonts look really poor — the darkest ones have a distinct, rainbow halo, and the standard text is surrounded by strange artifacts. The effect is noticeable enough that prolonged work at the computer can be simply tiring.
TCL C6KS - Viewing angles
2.7/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 80%
The viewing angles in the C6KS are very poor, typical of VA panels. It’s a compromise we pay for by choosing high contrast — head-on, the image looks good, but any significant deviation quickly causes drops in brightness and saturation.
TCL C6KS - Daytime performance
6.6/10
Panel finish: Satin
Reflection suppression: Good
Black levels during daytime: Very Good
The C6KS performs really well as a TV screen for daytime viewing. Its brightness of around 500–600 nits easily cuts through challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, it features a satin finish that effectively reduces reflections. As a result, the TV impresses during daytime viewing, even in brighter rooms.
Panel brightness
Average luminance SDR
TCL C6KS / C69KS / Q6CS: 527 cd/m2
TCL C6KS - TV features
7/10
System: Google TV
System performance: Decent
- HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
- Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
- Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
- TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Classic features:
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
- Recording programming: No
- Picture in Picture (PiP): No
- RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
- Backlit remote control: No
- Teletext: Yes
- Audio only mode: Yes
- Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
- Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: Yes
Smart features:
- AirPlay: Yes
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
- Voice search: Yes
- Voice search in native language: Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
The biggest advantage of the C6KS is the Google TV system. It's an environment that offers a lot — ideal for those who value a wide selection of apps and convenient use of streaming services. AirPlay, screen sharing functionality, and the voice assistant work very well here, making daily use of the television simply convenient.
The support for traditional television is somewhat lacking. Users who are counting on extensive "TV" features may feel overlooked. Besides the smoothly functioning Bluetooth remote with a numeric keypad, we won't find conveniences like USB recording or PiP functionality here.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
- Dolby True HD 7.1: No
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: No
- DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: Yes
- DTS-HD Master Audio: Yes
Senior accessibility
- Numeric keyboard on TV: Yes
- Font size adjustment: No
- Audio description: Yes
TCL C6KS - Apps
9.6/10
TCL C6KS - Playing files from USB
8.9/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
The system player really does a great job and smoothly handles popular formats. The only hiccup appears with files from the Apple ecosystem (e.g., HEIC) – here TCL just gives up. Fortunately, a huge plus of Google TV is that you can install your own app, e.g., VLC. This way, you can quickly patch up the shortcomings of the factory player and play practically any material, customizing the TV to your needs.
TCL C6KS - Sound
6.5/10
-
Maximum volume
Supported codecs
(TV speakers)
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
The TCL C6KS performs almost identically to the C6K model, as it uses the same speaker set branded by Onkyo. For a TV of this class, the sound is quite good — you can even feel a slightly defined bass, which is not common in the budget segments. However, it's worth keeping the proper perspective in mind. This bass is decent compared to other TVs, but a home theatre system or even a basic soundbar will offer a much fuller, more dynamic sound. The C6KS will therefore be suitable for regular TV viewing, but if someone is after a stronger sound, additional audio equipment will be the natural choice.
Acoustic Measurements
No acoustic data
TCL C6KS - Panel details
Image processor: MT5896 2,5GB RAM
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Backlight Type: PFS LED
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5/13/2025
