TCL P89K / TCL P8K Review

P8K / P89K

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This TV was tested by:

Maciej Koper

Paweł Koper

Last updated::

10/7/2025 2:01:53 PM

In the television market, there is no shortage of cheap, average, and predictable models. From time to time, however, a "raisin" appears, trying to break out of the mould and offer something more than just a large screen at a low price. Such is the case with the model we tested from the Chinese giant – TCL P8K, also known as P89K. Despite its relatively attractive price, it features a 144 Hz refresh rate panel, QLED filters that enhance colour saturation, and full integration with the Google TV system. It sounds promising – but how does this model perform in reality?

Product purchase

9/29/2025

Testing started

9/30/2025

Technical data published

10/7/2025

Review published

10/7/2025

TCL P89K / P8K - Our verdict

6.6

Overall rating

The TCL P8K is a television that immediately endears itself. It may seem cheap and from a lower range, yet it can surprise. This device demonstrates that you can also get equipment with character at this price – and it's specifically targeted towards a particular group of users. Because let's not kid ourselves, the P8K is a television designed with gamers in mind. With two HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR support, 4K at 120 Hz, HGiG, and even Dolby Vision in games – it sounds like something that was only recently found in much more expensive models. Additionally, it has a 144 Hz panel and the capability to achieve even 240 Hz on PC. At this price? It’s really hard not to smile. Moreover, it comes with Google TV, which has breathed life into this screen. Everything operates intuitively, with access to a vast library of applications and an efficient Google Assistant that actually understands what you say – even when you phrase it in your own way. Of course, this is not a perfect television. A brightness of 250–300 nits isn't overwhelming and probably won't impress in a sunny living room. But just an evening, a film, and a slightly darker environment reveal that this screen can do quite a lot. Thanks to dynamic tone mapping, the P8K performs surprisingly well in HDR, and the colours can look natural. In cinematic scenes, there's no question of a plastic, overexposed image – it's simply pleasant. Let’s not pretend that it competes with Mini LEDs or OLEDs – that’s not the point here. The P8K/P89K is meant to be a television that is simply enjoyable to use. And that is where its strength lies. For someone who wants to play games, watch Netflix, launch YouTube, and have it all in one simple device – it’s a home run. The TCL P8K shows that "cheap" does not have to mean "poor quality". It is a television with character that doesn’t pretend to be premium equipment, yet delivers a lot. And perhaps that's why it’s so easy to like.

Advantages

Good contrast thanks to the VA panel
Google TV system with a large number of applications
Good motion fluidity. 144Hz panel
Excellent features for gamers: HDMI 2.1, VRR, 4K@120Hz, HGiG, Dolby Vision in games
Very good colour gamut coverage thanks to the PFS filter (QLED)
Very good compatibility with PC. 240Hz mode
Low input lag – gaming is smooth and responsive
Well-implemented HDR dynamic tone mapping feature. Despite low brightness: HDR content looks surprisingly good.
2.1 sound from Onkyo with a subwoofer – surprisingly good bass
Very attractive price

Disadvantages

Low brightness – around 250–300 nits
Very poor viewing angles
Average digital image processing
Incorrectly implemented Dolby Vision mode
System errors and glitches occur
Not very loud sound, volume limiter in operation

Movies and series in UHD quality

6.1
Classic TV, YouTube

6.0
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

6.1
Gaming on console

8.1
TV as a computer monitor

8.6
Watching in bright light

4.6
Utility functions

7.4
Apps

9.6
Sound quality

6.7

TCL P89K / P8K - Competing TVs in this price range

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TCL P89K / P8K - TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 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, Ethernet (LAN) 1Gbit

Build quality: Average

Stand type: Legs

Bezel colour: Graphite

Review TCL P89K / TCL P8K Appearance of the TV

Stand: Fixed

Flat design: No

Accessories: Stand

In terms of appearance, the TCL P8K does not stand out particularly against its competitors – it is rather a typical representative of the affordable television segment. It is not overly slim, and the construction reveals certain compromises that the manufacturer had to make to maintain an attractive price. Nevertheless, there are a few pleasant accents. The screen has a characteristic "borderless" design, which is so popular in current models, always adding a touch of elegance to the device. An interesting detail is the small plaque with the inscription "Premium QLED" placed in the right corner – a subtle stylistic touch meant to introduce a hint of prestige. At the back, apart from the rather bulky plastic back, there is a substantial subwoofer branded with Onkyo, which is a positive surprise in this price range. Overall impression? The whole thing looks quite good, although one cannot help but notice that this is a lower-end model, aspiring to a somewhat higher class.

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TCL P89K / TCL P8K (paid link)

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TCL P89K / P8K - Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

5.5/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review TCL P89K / TCL P8K Contrast and black detail

Result

5,650:1

Result

3,950:1

Result

5,700:1

Result

5,450:1

Result

2,600:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

TCL P8K is an example of a television that shows that even in the lower tier, one can still encounter solid contrast. The VA panel does a really good job here – a measurement around 6000:1 may not sound spectacular, but in actual scenes it produces an effect that simply delights the eye. In the darkness of the forest in "The Revenant" or in the futuristic shots of "Oblivion", depth and light separation are visible, which is difficult to expect from equipment at this price. The P8K can render darkness without the feeling that everything is drowning in grey. The Direct LED backlighting also works in its favour. Of course, we do not have any local dimming here, but the system can dim the entire screen when the scene requires it or slightly brighten it to bring out details in bright areas. This is somewhat of an analogue approach to contrast – simple but effective. On the test pattern from the legendary Pioneer Kuro, it was well evident: the television prioritised bright points while the background lost some depth; however, it still maintained a decent appearance. Of course, there is no perfectly inky black here. In a dark room, it is noticeable that the black leans towards blue, but despite this, the overall presentation is simply good. Under normal home conditions, the contrast is entirely sufficient to feel the cinematic atmosphere.

TCL P89K / P8K - HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

4.5/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 93.6%, Bt.2020: 70.4%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review TCL P89K / TCL P8K Brightness measurement

Result

207 nit

Result

238 nit

Result

313 nit

Result

251 nit

Result

299 nit

The maximum brightness of the TCL P8K is around 300 nits, although in real film scenes, the television maintains more of a level of about 250 nits. These values cannot be considered sufficient to achieve a full HDR effect – they are closer to a solid base for SDR content. Therefore, we will not see spectacular flashes, bursts of light, or moments in which the screen actually "blinds," as is the case with more expensive models. This makes the image somewhat flat, and the differences between light and shadow are more symbolic than realistic. Fortunately, TCL has a few aces up its sleeve that save the overall reception. One of these is the coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette at around 93–94%. Thanks to an additional QLED layer (PFS LED), the colours gain depth and intensity, clearly surpassing standard LCD panels. As a result, although there is a lack of the typical "wow effect" associated with HDR brightness, the image itself can impress with its saturation and vibrant tones, making film scenes pulse with colours and not appear strongly washed out.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

We didn't expect miracles from the TCL P8K – after all, it’s a television from the affordable range, not a piece of premium equipment. Our surprise was even greater when, after firing up a few demanding film scenes, it turned out that this unassuming model can really do a lot. Although it clearly falls short of top-tier designs in terms of brightness (which is fully understandable at this price), the image displayed on the screen looks mature and simply pleasant. We don’t have the impression that bright effects merge into one white blob – quite the contrary, the television retains details in the bright areas, and the overall presentation is coherent and full of nuances that could make many more expensive devices blush. Admittedly, it is noticeable that the black levels are not always perfect – in darker scenes, they can be slightly boosted due to the absence of local dimming technology – yet the overall reception remains very positive. The function of dynamic tone mapping called "Detailed Priority Description" is of enormous importance here. Thanks to it, the television can maintain a richness of detail and depth in the image, even if it occasionally loses a bit of saturation. The end result is truly impressive – the P8K can deliver a surprisingly cinematic image that we wouldn't have expected from such an inexpensive model. In this part of the test, the television deserves applause, as many more expensive devices might feel a bit embarrassed next to it.

HDR luminance chart:

HDR luminance

TCL P8K has a very interesting way of handling various HDR formats. As seen in the photos, the "Priority Detail Description" feature truly excels here – the image in HDR10 looks simply stunning. You can see depth, details in highlights and shadows, all while maintaining a natural balance without excessive brightness or loss of contrast. The result? The picture looks mature, at times surprisingly good for this price range. And now the most interesting part – HDR10 performs better here than Dolby Vision. Yes, that sounds strange, but during testing, the difference was clear. Typically, it's Dolby Vision, thanks to dynamic metadata, that manages to extract the maximum potential from the TV, while HDR10 is regarded as something more basic. In the case of the P8K, it's the opposite. Static HDR10, supported by tone mapping, presents a calm, detailed, and balanced image. Dolby Vision, on the other hand, can overdo brightness and lose subtleties, making the picture appear less natural. This is truly a rare case – a television that handles classic HDR10 better than Dolby Vision. One could say that TCL has somewhat turned upside down what we have come to expect from other models.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

TCL P89K / P8K - Smoothness of tonal transitions

9.1/10

The television performs excellently in colour blending – the gradients are smooth, free from visible bands or unpleasant jumps. This is best seen in classic test scenes, such as shots from the film Kingsman or The Martian, where most televisions reveal their weaknesses. The P8K maintains the consistency and subtlety of colours, creating an image that is pleasing and natural to observe.

Minor imperfections only appear with extremely dark shades or on grey palettes – this is the moment when even significantly more expensive models start to struggle. However, this does not matter in everyday viewing. Overall, the TCL P8K excels in colour blending, offering a smooth, harmonious image free from artifacts.

Review TCL P89K / TCL P8K Smoothness of tonal transitions — These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video. The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

The TCL P8K performs somewhat worse when it comes to the fluidity of tonal transitions in lower-quality materials. The television does offer a function to smooth out unwanted bands; however, its effectiveness leaves much to be desired. Even at the highest setting, it's hard to talk about any real improvement – at times the effect is almost the opposite of what is intended, as the function can introduce small artifacts and unnatural blurring on the screen.

On the other hand, upscaling – that is, scaling the image to 4K resolution – looks significantly better. The P8K handles this task surprisingly well – HD content, and even SD, is enhanced in an aesthetically pleasing manner without excessive loss of sharpness. While there are slight "hard" edges typical of this class of equipment, this can be easily adjusted with the sharpness slider to suit personal preferences. The final effect is more than satisfactory, especially considering the price range in which this model is situated.

TCL P89K / P8K - Blur and motion smoothness

7.1/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

Review TCL P89K / TCL P8K Blur and motion smoothness — The photo presents the motion smoothing settings in the tested TV.

TCL P8K is one of the cheapest televisions offering a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which in itself is quite an advantage in this price segment. Thanks to the fast panel, this model can confidently be recommended to both sports fans and video gamers – the image is smooth, and the movement of the ball or dynamic actions look natural. However, this does not mean that the P8K is suitable solely for sports. On the contrary – it can also maintain appropriate dynamics in films without introducing the artificial effect of "theatricality", as long as we set the parameters wisely. The television is equipped with a motion smoother called "Motion Clarity", which features two sliders: blur reduction and judder reduction. The first is responsible for smoothing the image by generating additional frames, which increases fluidity, but may cause a slight soap opera effect. The latter, on the other hand, reduces judder and improves sharpness during movement, although it can slightly darken the screen. Properly adjusting these two parameters allows for a really good balance between natural motion and fluidity. It has a 60 Hz refresh rate, but it is hard to say that it is a top-tier panel in terms of response speed. It will perform well for dynamic content, although more demanding users will notice that it is not a screen from the highest class in terms of motion clarity.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Smużenie (4K@144Hz):

When it comes to smearing – here the P8K performs rather average. In the UFO test, clear trails following the object were visible, indicating certain limitations of the panel. The image is, of course, significantly clearer than in 60 Hz panels, but it's hard to say that it is a top-tier panel in terms of response speed. It will work well for dynamic content, although more demanding users will notice that it is not a high-end screen in terms of motion clarity.

TCL P89K / P8K - Console compatibility and gaming features

9.8/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 240Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
Correct implementation of HGIG: Yes
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: Yes
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: Yes

Although the TCL P8K is a budget television, it cannot be said that it is unsuitable for gaming. On the contrary – it is a screen that can pleasantly surprise any gamer. It features two HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing for 4K output at 120 Hz without any issues. For those gaming on a PC, they will also be pleased to know that the television can operate with a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz at a lower resolution – a small thing, but it delights. Additionally, it comes with a full set of gaming features: automatic game mode, Game Bar with quick parameter previews, VRR, HGiG, and support for Dolby Vision in games. All of this makes gaming on the P8K a truly enjoyable experience – the picture is smooth, the response is quick, and the television communicates well with next-generation consoles. The TCL P8K shows that a cheap screen doesn't have to mean giving up on fun. Certainly not in terms of gaming.

TCL P89K / P8K - Input lag

9.5/10

In terms of latency, the TCL P8K performs really well. In game mode at 4K and 60 Hz, the input lag is around 22 ms, and at 4K and 120 Hz it drops to 13 ms. These figures ensure that the television responds quickly and there is no noticeable 'lag' between the controller and the screen.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 22 ms	2160p60: 19 ms	2160p60 DV: 20 ms
1080p120: 13 ms	2160p120: 10 ms
2160p60: 22 ms
2160p120: 13 ms

TCL P89K / P8K - Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 13ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 144Hz

G-Sync: Yes

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

The TCL P8K also works excellently as a computer monitor. The readability of fonts is at a very good level, making work with documents and browsing the web simply comfortable. The only slight downside occurs when refreshing at 144 Hz in 4K – dark text on a light background can slightly lose sharpness. The problem disappears when switching to 120 Hz, so it's worth keeping this in mind for everyday use. Besides, it is not only a screen for work but also a great monitor for gamers. The 144 Hz refresh rate (and even 280 Hz at a lower resolution) combined with G-Sync synchronisation guarantees very smooth gameplay. Of course, we will fully appreciate its capabilities only with a suitably powerful computer, but the potential of the P8K in this role is truly significant.

TCL P89K / P8K - Viewing angles

2.8/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 86%

The Achilles' heel of the TCL P8K is undoubtedly its viewing angles. The VA panel used has its advantages in terms of solid contrast, but unfortunately, it suffers significantly when viewed from the side. Colours noticeably fade, saturation drops, and the overall image takes on a cooler, washed-out hue. In practice, this means that the best picture is achieved when sitting directly in front – any significant deviation results in a noticeable loss of quality.

TCL P89K / P8K - TV efficiency during daytime

4.6/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Decent

Black levels during daytime: Good

TCL P8K does not cope well with strong sunlight. With brightness at around 300 cd/m², it is hard to expect it to perform well in a living room with large windows and no blinds. In such conditions, the image loses some sharpness, and darker scenes can disappear in light reflections. Fortunately, the screen has a satin coating that handles reflections well and saves the situation in typical home conditions. In the evening or in a slightly dimmed room, the television looks very good. It is simply not a device that prefers to be placed opposite a south-facing window.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

TCL P89K / TCL P8K: 299 cd/m2

TCL P89K / P8K - TV features

7.4/10

System: Google TV

System performance: Decent

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 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, Ethernet (LAN) 1Gbit
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: No
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

TCL P8K operates based on the Google TV system, which is the heart of the entire device. This is where the biggest advantage of this model over many competitors in a similar price range is visible. The system is clear and easy to use, and very well optimised. We can easily make use of the screen mirroring feature or the built-in Chromecast, which allows us to quickly transfer images from our phone to the large screen. The greatest asset, however, is the Google Assistant, which responds promptly and really understands commands well – even those expressed imprecisely. Moreover, the application library in Google TV is a real treasure – you can install practically anything, from major VOD platforms to lesser-known music or sports applications.

Classic features

As for classic television functions, the P8K doesn't have much to boast about. The remote is simple and convenient, with a large number of buttons, and the presence of Bluetooth allows you to connect wireless headphones or a speaker. And really, that’s where the list of conveniences ends. You won’t find USB recording, PiP functionality, or even working teletext here. TCL has clearly focused on modern content and internet features, rather than classic solutions known from older receivers. This television is meant to shine in the world of applications and streaming – and that’s exactly what it does.

Sound connection options

HDMI audio:

eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)

Other audio outputs:

Toslink: Yes

Wireless audio:

Bluetooth: Yes

Obsługiwane formaty 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

Ułatwienia dla seniorów

Numeric keyboard on TV: Yes
Font size adjustment: No
Audio description: Yes

TCL P89K / P8K - Apps

9.6/10

TCL P89K / P8K - Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.9/10

Video Photos Audio

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

Playing files from USB on the TCL P8K is quite decent. The television handles most popular video formats, as well as subtitles and audio files, without any issues. Problems may only arise with less common codecs or unusual file containers that the built-in player simply does not recognise. Fortunately, with Google TV, this is not a problem at all - in just a few moments, you can download an external player, such as VLC, MX Player or Kodi, and the issue disappears.

TCL P89K / P8K - Sound

6.7/10

80dB

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

For a television in this price range, the TCL P8K really manages to surprise with its sound. The 2.1 system used here, branded by Onkyo, along with the subwoofer placed at the back of the casing, offers surprisingly enjoyable, full bass and quite a wide soundstage. The sound is warm, and with the right material, one can even get the impression that the audio gains depth and character – something you rarely expect from a television at this price. It performs quite well for music. However, it is not perfect. The P8K is not one of the particularly loud televisions – during tests, we noticed a strange tendency to automatically lower the volume, even with the volume slider set to maximum. It seems to be the effect of some internal limiter designed to protect the speakers (or our ears). It’s a shame, as the potential in this setup is considerable, and without this limitation, the sound could have been even fuller.