- 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 C8L / QM8L Review
C8L / QM8L
Available screen sizes:
Complete the survey to find out the result
Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 144Hz Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2026
TCL C8L is undoubtedly one of the hottest releases in the Mini-LED TV market this year. On paper, this model has absolutely everything to become a best-seller: high-end specifications, a proven Google TV system, and a full suite of features designed with gamers in mind. And all of this comes at a very affordable price. It is a direct successor to last year’s C8K model, which, let’s face it, has attracted quite a bit of controversy, mainly related to the performance of the backlighting. What have the engineers managed to change in the new generation, and does the C8L redeem the shortcomings of its predecessor? We checked it out!
TCL C8L - Our verdict
8.3
Overall rating
TCL C8L is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing Mini-LED televisions that has entered our laboratory this year. This model stands out primarily due to its excellent price-to-performance ratio. TCL has already accustomed us to aggressive pricing for its screens, but in the case of the C8 series, the manufacturer has managed to push the boundaries even further. For the amount that often only allows the purchase of mid-range models or two such models like C8K in the competitive market, here we receive equipment and specifications equal to top models. The new image processor, four full HDMI 2.1 ports, support for extreme refresh rates, and powerful peak brightness thanks to a vast number of dimming zones are arguments that are hard to overlook.
However, analysing the whole picture, one must honestly summarise the character of this television. The C8L is equipment designed more for displaying “spectacular” images rather than rigorously faithful ones. What do we mean by this? The software and algorithms managing the Mini-LED backlight zones have been tuned to favour visual appeal – the image is meant to be bright, contrasty, and striking in saturation. And what does this mean? The television has a tendency to autonomously interpret images instead of adhering to certain studio standards. For most users looking for “greater” emotions in films or games, this effect will likely be an advantage. On the other hand, purists and fans of perfectly natural images (such as us 😉) may find this behaviour too aggressive and not in line with the director's intent. Hence, we leave the final assessment on this matter to you.
Generally speaking, despite this specificity, the TCL C8L is a television that we can, and indeed must, wholeheartedly recommend. It is primarily a premium-class product, doing literally everything right... to a fault. Certain imperfections we would simply treat as features of this device rather than flaws – mainly due to the technological limitations that all Mini-LED televisions from any manufacturer on the market have accustomed us to. Ultimately, the software refinement has brought a lot to the new model, resulting in a mature, confident, and nearly complete piece of equipment.
Advantages
Very good black – Mini-LED backlighting
High peak brightness – results approaching nearly 5000 nits
Outstanding daytime performance – tremendous backlight strength easily overcomes reflections on the panel
Pentonic 800 processor – noticeable quality leap in upscaling and the operation of digital functions
Four full HDMI 2.1 ports
Great parameters for gamers – fabulously low input lag (below 10 ms), refresh rates up to 288 Hz with VRR, and support for HGiG or Dolby Vision Gaming
Google TV – the system works quickly and allows for the installation of a large number of applications
Good sound – audio branded with the premium name Bang & Olufsen
Disadvantages
Lack of creative fidelity – the television tends to boost brightness
Slight blurring
Movies and series in UHD quality7.7
Classic TV, YouTube7.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)7.2
Gaming on console8.9
TV as a computer monitor8.6
Watching in bright light10.0
Utility functions8.3
Apps9.6
Sound quality8.1
Complete the survey to find out what fits your preferences
TCL C8L - Competing TVs in this price range
TCL C8L - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: Premium
Stand type: Central
Bezel color: Silver
Stand: Height adjustment
Flat design: No
Accessories: Stand
Visually, the TCL C8L is essentially a faithful copy of its predecessor. Is that a flaw? Absolutely not. We are dealing with a premium-class construction that immediately reveals high quality craftsmanship. The biggest impression is made by the fit of the screen itself – it is completely bezel-less and, crucially, devoid of that characteristic internal black border that we know from most LCD panels or even OLEDs. As a result, the image seems to almost spill over the edges of the casing. The frames themselves are metal (or finished with a material that perfectly imitates graphite-silver aluminium). TCL has also approached the issue of mounting sensibly: in the most popular sizes (ranging from 55 to 85 inches), a central stand is used, while the massive 98-inch variants stand on two widely spaced feet. It's worth adding that the back casing is flat over its entire surface, allowing this model to be hung very close to the wall. The C8L truly looks exceptional.
Buy at the best price
Select size:
TCL C8L - Contrast and black detail
8/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 2040 (34 x 60)
Result
156,600:1
Result
59,250:1
Result
17,400:1
Result
23,650:1
Result
9,250:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The C8L model certainly cannot be denied one thing: an impressive specification. In the 65-inch variant we tested: the manufacturer packed in as many as 2040 independent local dimming zones (this number, of course, increases or decreases with the screen diagonal). Such a dense packing of light points has a direct impact on the depth of black. The contrast measured by us in film scenes reached impressive five- and six-digit values to one, which is a remarkable result in the LCD world. Is the algorithm perfect? Not entirely. On small, bright elements displayed against a dark background, the trained eye can still discern a slight halo effect and moments when the zones come to life, which is a natural feature of Mini-LED technology. Interestingly, in our test scene with a helicopter, the background was noticeably brighter than on competing screens. Unfortunately, TCL manipulates the brightness curve in a specific way, artificially boosting certain plans, over which we do not have full control from the device's menu. This is an evident weakness of this model that needs to be taken into account. That said, the black levels on this model will be more than satisfactory for most viewers.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
TCL C8L - HDR effect quality
7.3/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 97.4%, Bt.2020: 90.3%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
1637 nit
Result
701 nit
Result
1428 nit
Result
405 nit
Result
1728 nit
In terms of HDR, the TCL C8L turns out to be a hellishly bright television – quite literally. On a synthetic test pattern sized at 5%, our measurement equipment indicated a result exceeding 4500 nits. This is a truly astronomical result, considering that reference monitors used by directors, which we often refer to in our materials, typically operate around 4000 nits. Does this mean that the C8L breaks barriers and climbs to the technological peak of Mini-LED? Not quite. Dry synthetic tests are one thing, while real cinematic images are another. In real, varied scenes, the C8L peaks at around 1600 nits. This is still a very good result, ensuring a very high level of HDR dynamics, but it is also clearly lower than what the manufacturer boasts in the specifications. The problems begin with very small bursts of light – at that point, brightness can drastically drop to around 600 nits. The algorithm tries at all costs to maintain deep blacks and minimise the halo effect, but this comes at the expense of HDR impact. This is perfect evidence that laboratory test patterns rarely align with what we ultimately see on the screen.
However, huge praise is due for colour reproduction, thanks to the new generation of SQD (Super Quantum Dot) quantum dots. The DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage reaches 97%, but the truly jaw-dropping measurements come from the extremely demanding BT.2020 space. The C8L achieves an impressive 90% in this space, placing it alongside today's top screens equipped with RGB backlighting. Importantly, unlike some screens with Micro/Mini RGB backlighting, this effect is stable regardless of the scene displayed. Of course, it’s worth remembering that content mastered for such a wide gamut in films or series is still rare. However, the very fact that the panel has such a "colour reserve" deserves tremendous admiration.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
How do these contradictory measurement results translate into real film screenings? The picture on the TCL C8L, unfortunately, comes across quite ambivalently. On one hand, one cannot deny that it can be breathtaking in terms of dynamics and colour saturation. All kinds of explosions, colourful fireworks, or demonstration materials look simply stunning, generating a 'jaw-dropping' effect – and this is where the refined technical parameters do a brilliant job. However, the matter of conveying the authentic directorial vision is quite different. The new Mini-LED from TCL has been tuned with the intention of delivering an 'impressive' image rather than a 'correct' one. Our measurements of the EOTF curve in films (responsible for controlling brightness) confirm that the television evidently shoots beyond the reference scale. This approach has its consequences: although the bright parts of the image catch the eye, they often lack subtle details, and the bright elements are simply overly clipped. This issue is already well-known and characteristic of the TCL brand's approach to tuning the image in its models. As users, we are left to either accept this or quietly hope for a software update that will temper the tendencies of the C8L in the future.
HDR luminance chart:
Although the television itself is factory set to generate the highest possible brightness and has noticeable problems with properly matching it to the displayed content (the dynamic tone mapping function leaves much to be desired), full support for premium HDR formats comes to the rescue. TCL has not participated in format wars for years and in the C8L model offers support for practically everything: from the open standard HDR10+ to the key market player Dolby Vision, which can be found on almost every streaming platform. It is the presence of dynamic metadata that saves the situation in the C8L model. Thanks to them, the television receives precise instructions frame by frame, allowing it to recover some of the lost details. The image itself becomes more contrasted and decidedly more plastic. This should be seen as a huge plus that effectively masks the shortcomings of the factory tuning. Interestingly, TCL has announced support for Dolby Vision 2 format for this year's models – including the tested C8L. However, as of today, there is a lack of content in the consumer space that would allow us to test this novelty in practice, so we will have to wait to verify these promises.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
5.3/10
We tested the TCL C8L in the best factory mode available in the menu of this television for image fidelity. We are of course referring to Filmmaker Mode, which has only recently been introduced in the software structures of this brand (a year ago in the "K" series). Thanks to it, the average user can achieve quite a decent colour reproduction straight out of the box, although it is definitely not a mode that is perfectly tuned. Just looking at the factory white balance of our model – both in SDR and HDR content – there was clearly a deficiency in the red component, causing the image to be noticeably cooler and slightly veering towards bluish-green hues. The issue of brightness management is also ambiguous, as we mentioned earlier. While in SDR content, the linearity of the Gamma parameter is really good and consistently holds the reference value of 2.4, the situation in HDR is considerably worse. Tracking the EOTF curve clearly shows that the television has a significantly boosted brightness across the entire range, which can result in the final image being excessively bright and inconsistent with the intentions of the creators – and this happens in a mode that, by definition, should avoid that. Of course, like every unit in our laboratory, this one was also subjected to professional calibration, and its results can be found below.
Color reproduction after calibration
7.5/10
As you can see, the results of the professional calibration of the TCL C8L are truly promising, thanks to the advanced adjustment tools that the manufacturer has made available to us in the menu. Firstly, we managed to completely correct the white balance – we eliminated the red deficiency, which finally stopped the image from drifting into undesirable, cool hues. After this adjustment, the errors in the ColorChecker test dropped to near-reference values, consistently falling below the Delta E threshold of 2, which is below the perceptibility limit for the human eye.
Since the test patterns are so ideal, you might ask us: why then a lower final score in this category? The answer lies in the brightness management described earlier. Although the menu features sliders that allow for precise adjustment of the EOTF curve on synthetic signals, when confronted with actual film material (I recommend enabling the EOTF filter in films now), it is evident that the television reacts to HDR metadata in its own way in most scenarios. As a result, the image can sometimes appear slightly overexposed and not in line with the creators' intent – and it is precisely for this lack of consistency in real films that we had to deduct a few points from the C8L model.
TCL C8L - Smoothness of tonal transitions
9/10
The fluidity of tonal transitions in the C8L model is assessed as nearly exemplary. The well-tuned matrix along with the algorithms ensures that the television copes excellently with the phenomenon of posterization, which refers to the unpleasant, layered separation of individual shades. Subtle, minimal errors and slight shortcomings in gradation can only be noticed in extremely dark, demanding scenes. However, in general terms, when watching high-quality material in native resolution, the transitions between colours are extraordinarily smooth and plastic.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
7.8/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
This year, the C8 series and higher models have received probably the biggest and most anticipated upgrade in TCL's history, which pertains to digital image processing. The C8L model is the entry-level representative in the manufacturer's offering, equipped with the latest flagship chip MediaTek Pentonic 800 (marked in the menu as MT9655). Thanks to its computing power, the feature called "Gradual Smoothing" finally works as it should. The algorithm effectively eliminates the unwanted phenomenon of posterisation (ugly tonal transitions / banding of colours), doing so intelligently enough not to degrade the sharpness of other details.
The processor also excels at upscaling lower resolution content to 4K. Although the assessment of this element can be purely academic, as the differences between today's televisions in this class are very subtle. The most important information in all of this is that TCL finally has nothing to be ashamed of compared to the competition.
TCL C8L - Blur and motion smoothness
7.7/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI: 32%
TCL C8L has been equipped with a fast panel with a native refresh rate of 144 Hz. Such a specification will be appreciated primarily by demanding PC gamers, while most users – relying on consoles or television broadcasts – will benefit from a stable 120 Hz. It is indeed at 120Hz that the motion algorithms are responsible for image processing (in films/series/sports). In the television's menu, we will find the "Motion Clarity" tab, which allows you to adjust the smoothness according to your own preferences. The algorithms perform well with both cinema productions at 24 or 30 frames per second and with dynamic sports broadcasts at 50 or 60 frames, ensuring appropriate fluidity.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Blur (1080p@288Hz):
In terms of motion blur, the C8L performs quite well, although it is certainly not the fastest panel we have tested. A slight trailing can be noticed behind moving objects – including our test alien – especially on darker backgrounds. Overall, however, the result is fully satisfactory, considering that the television uses a VA LCD panel, which by nature does not boast the fastest pixel response times.
TCL C8L - Console compatibility and gaming features
9.8/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 288Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
For gamers – and especially for owners of powerful PCs and several consoles simultaneously – the TCL C8L is a true monster. It is the first model in this manufacturer's lineup to feature as many as four full HDMI 2.1 ports with a maximum bandwidth of 48 Gbps. This is directly attributable to the use of the new Pentonic 800 processor, which we discussed earlier. Additionally, the television seamlessly supports practically every gaming feature. We have an automatic game mode (ALLM) that reduces latency to minimal levels, and full frame synchronization (VRR) operating in an impressive range of up to 288 Hz. There's also talk of standards such as G-Sync or FreeSync from Nvidia and AMD. When it comes to display standards, there are no compromises either: the C8L offers complete support for HDR formats in games, including gaming Dolby Vision and the HGiG profile. We can conveniently manage all of these features from a very readable player bar (Game Bar), which we can personalise to our own preferences. From a purely gaming perspective, there's really nothing to fault the C8L on – well, maybe aside from the previously mentioned slight blurring. But other than that? It's a no-nonsense machine for gamers.
TCL C8L - Input lag
10/10
In laboratory tests, we measured the Input Lag at below 10 ms. For the player, this means a delay that is completely imperceptible. Importantly, this result can still be improved by forcing the PC to refresh above 120 Hz. We give a big plus for the Dolby Vision Game mode – the delay is just as low as in traditional SDR or HDR10 modes.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 14 ms | 2160p60: 13 ms | 2160p60 DV: 13 ms |
| 1080p120: 8 ms | 2160p120: 8 ms | 2160p120 DV: 8 ms |
| 2160p60: 13 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 8 ms |
TCL C8L - Compatibility with PC
8.6/10
Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate): 7ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: RGB
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
The TCL C8L will perform very well as a large-format monitor. The television supports a refresh rate of up to 288 Hz at Full HD resolution, which will be appreciated by fans of eSports titles and owners of less powerful graphics cards in AAA games. The equipment also works seamlessly with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync frame synchronisation systems. Importantly, when working with text, the C8L accurately and clearly displays most fonts. Upon close inspection, one can notice minimal errors in the rendering of letter edges and slight graininess around them; however, the issue completely disappears (or rather becomes less noticeable) when seated at a normal, recommended distance from the screen.
TCL C8L - Viewing angles
4.5/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 74%
The TCL C8L uses a VA panel, which is not known for its wide viewing angles. However, in this case, the manufacturer has implemented a proprietary WHVA 2.0 panel from TCL CSOT. As a result, the viewing angles are significantly better than those of average VA panels, which undoubtedly counts as a positive aspect. The colours and contrast do not degrade as drastically when slightly stepping off the main axis, unlike most LCD screens. Overall, it is still a lower level compared to IPS panels, and even more so compared to OLED screens, but generally, as far as VA LCD panels go, the progress is quite noticeable.
TCL C8L - Daytime performance
10/10
Panel finish: Glare
Reflection suppression: Decent
Black levels during daytime: Very Good
TCL C8L is one of the brightest televisions we have tested so far. As you can see on the brightness chart (or rather, you may not see this) – its peak brightness reaches a staggering 5,000 nits (exactly 4862)! Although, with a full-screen white image, this value drops to around 600 nits, the overall performance of this television during the day allows us to confidently state that it is an almost ideal screen for very bright, sunlit living rooms. Even though the glossy panel used here does not suppress reflections as aggressively as matte screens, the screen's tremendous power can cut through most unwanted reflections coming from windows or other unnatural light sources such as lamps.
Panel brightness
TCL C8L / QM8L : 1651 cd/m2
TCL C8L - TV features
8.3/10
System: Google TV
System performance: Very good
- HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
- 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): RF
- Backlit remote control: Yes
- 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
SmartTV: Google TV
On the internet, one can still come across older reviews of the TCL brand, where users complained about slow performance or occasional freezing of the Google TV interface. However, in the case of the C8L model, a significant step forward is evident. Thanks to the new processor and certain improvements, the stability and speed of Google TV are at a very high level. We can easily compare the operating culture of this system with closed systems like Tizen or webOS from competing flagship models. On board, there is a full set of features, with the updated Gemini voice system at the forefront.
Television Features
In terms of typical television matters, the C8L simply fulfills its role as a television reliably 😉. Here we find classic, standard solutions such as a Bluetooth module for seamless pairing with wireless headphones or the still-present teletext for managing built-in tuners. It is clearly evident, however, that this model is primarily designed for modern streaming platforms. This is evidenced by the minimalist, modern remote control, which – unlike the cheaper C7L – has been completely stripped of a traditional numerical keypad.
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: Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: Yes
- DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: Yes
- DTS-HD Master Audio: Yes
Senior accessibility
- Numeric keyboard on TV: No
- Font size adjustment: Yes
- Audio description: Yes
TCL C8L - Apps
9.6/10
TCL C8L - Playing files from USB
9.4/10
| 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 built-in file player from the USB port performs effortlessly in everyday tests. It is pleasing to note that the television natively and smoothly opens even less standard image formats, such as Apple's HEIC. We did encounter a few formats that the factory application struggled to handle; however, in the case of Google TV, this is not a barrier at all. A huge advantage of this system is the ability to install any external player (e.g. VLC) directly from the Google Play store, which often completely resolves the compatibility issues with files.
TCL C8L - Sound
8.1/10
78dB
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
It might seem that in terms of sound, the TCL C8L plays exactly the same as last year's C8K. After all, once again we find an audio system branded by Bang & Olufsen in a 6.2.2 configuration – with the same power and the same system capabilities, namely Beosonic technology. Nothing could be further from the truth. The new generation performed noticeably better in our listening tests. What could be the reason for this? To be honest – we don't know from a purely hardware perspective, but it is clearly visible in the graphs from our measurements. Perhaps TCL simply managed to improve the performance of the speakers with a new software update and better speaker drive.
However, as we always say – these are still the speakers of the television. We believe that anyone who wants to fully enjoy the potential of this television will still be forced to purchase a good soundbar or home cinema system. The C8L offers full support for audio codecs such as Dolby Atmos and the niche DTS. Only by connecting an external audio system will you be able to extract true, spatial sound from films or games and complement what you see on this television.
Sound Quality Test:
Acoustic Measurements
78dBC (Max)
75dBC
TCL C8L - Panel details
Software version during testing: V8-0015T01-LF1V080.000644
Image processor: mt9655 2,5GB RAM
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Backlight Type: Mini-LED QLED
Founder and originator of the "ChooseTV" portal
Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
michal-woloszyn-title
See articles related to TCL C8L / QM8L :
5/13/2025
9/19/2025
