LG NANO81A / NANO80A vs TCL C7L

Direct comparison

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”75”86”

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”98”

Panel type: LCD IPS

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: WebOS

Model year: 2025

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2026

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Overall rating

5.7

7.8

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    5.1

    7.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    5.1

    6.8

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    5.4

    6.7

  • Gaming on console

    6.7

    8.8

  • TV as a computer monitor

    6.0

    8.4

  • Watching in bright light

    4.0

    8.8

  • Utility functions

    6.6

    7.8

  • Apps

    9.1

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    6.2

    7.7

Advantages

  • Wide viewing angles (IPS panel)

  • Very low input lag (around 10-12 ms)

  • Smooth webOS 2025 system

  • Intuitive Magic remote with cursor

  • Better color gamut coverage thanks to NanoCell filter

  • Excellent as a PC monitor (sharp text, Chroma 4:4:4)

  • Decent features for gamers (VRR, ALLM, HGiG)

  • Extensive calibration options and natural colors after adjustments

  • Good image processing and efficient scaling of older content

  • Noticeable bass in the sound

  • Very high brightness

  • Good blacks and contrast (VA matrix + mini-LED)

  • Excellent color gamut coverage thanks to the new "Super QLED" filter

  • Full support for HDR formats including Dolby Vision and HDR10+

  • Top parameters for gamers (HDMI 2.1, low input lag)

  • High motion fluidity with low blur (up to 288Hz)

  • Google TV operating system (lots of apps, Gemini voice assistant)

Disadvantages

No like
  • Poor black and low contrast

  • Low brightness (about 250 nits – weak for very bright rooms)

  • Panel refresh rate only 60 Hz

  • USB player without support for HEIC files and very large photos (over 20 Mpix)

  • Poor digital image processing due to the use of an older MediaTek Pentonic 700 processor

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is shared with the eARC channel for audio, e.g., soundbar

  • Sound losing dynamics above 40-50% volume

Our verdict

LG NANO81A is essentially a continuation of the NanoCell series, which has hardly changed over the past few years. Aside from a new operating system, a refreshed remote, and a few marketing additions, we are dealing with practically the same design that we have known for years. Thanks to the nanofilter, the TV is capable of displaying better, cleaner colors than standard budget TVs, and the IPS panel guarantees really decent viewing angles. Unfortunately, for these advantages, we pay a very weak black level and low contrast, which is immediately noticeable during nighttime viewings. Although webOS is still one of the best systems on the market, the biggest problem with the NANO81A is its price, which we simply do not understand. In 2025, this model faces enormous competition not only from brands like TCL or Hisense but... at LG itself. The model we tested earlier, QNED80A, is equipped with local dimming technology, has a brighter panel, and offers a wider color gamut. Interestingly, at the time of writing this review, the technically superior QNED80A is often much cheaper than the NANO81A. In this situation, the existence of the NanoCell model loses its meaning – unless wide viewing angles are your only priority, but in our opinion, the price you have to pay for them (at the cost of tragic blacks and a higher expenditure) is simply too high.

The TCL C7L is an incredibly successful Mini-LED television and a fully deserved successor to the hit model C7K. The list of advantages of this device is truly long. At the top is the extremely high brightness of the panel. Thanks to this, the television effortlessly handles brightly lit living rooms, offering an exceptional and dynamic picture in HDR format. Huge praise is also due for the use of the new Super QLED coating – after professional calibration, the colors can be not only natural but also incredibly saturated. The best part is that the screen does this regardless of what scene is being displayed, which is often not the case with all TVs that have RGB backlighting. The C7L is also a great piece of equipment for gamers; you could say it’s a true "media powerhouse." We get full support for consoles and PCs, a refresh rate of up to 288 Hz, G-Sync, and low input lag that doesn’t increase even when the very demanding mode of Dolby Vision Gaming is activated. The whole thing is tied together by a well-optimized Google TV system, which in this generation of TCL devices operates noticeably smoother and more efficiently (at least that’s the impression we got during our tests). Of course, the C7L is not a perfect device, and the manufacturer had to make certain compromises with this model. The biggest drawback of the C7L is the use of a less powerful image processor. Unfortunately, this translates to quite average digital processing and other design limitations in the form of only two HDMI 2.1 ports. A more powerful chip has been reserved this year for higher series, such as the C8L. From a business perspective, this is fully understandable. Why? Because if TCL had put a better processor here, most people would probably see no point in paying extra for the higher model. So even if certain compromises exist, the C7L series once again promises to be one of the most cost-effective Mini-LED televisions this year. If you are looking for a versatile, extremely bright screen for movies, series, television, or games – literally for everything – and at the same time do not want to overpay for the top series, then yes... the C7L is a brilliant choice that we can definitely recommend to you.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Average
Good
Stand type
Central
Central
Bezel color
Graphite
Graphite
Stand
Fixed
Height adjustment
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

1.5/10

7.7/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1152 (24 x 48)

Contrast:

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

800:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

850:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

900:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

900:1

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Contrast and black detail

Result

750:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

174,100:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

25,700:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

13,950:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

10,900:1

Review TCL C7L Contrast and black detail

Result

9,900:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Check the visibility of bright lights on a dark background. Mini-LEDs often struggle with this. The photo does not compare black levels – that’s what the video below is for.

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

The NanoCell series, including the NANO81 model we tested, is based on an IPS panel. For anyone who has even a little knowledge about screens, this means one thing: significant problems with black levels and contrast. Our measurements are ruthless here. A result of 800:1 is, quite frankly, a tragic score. In practice, this means that what should appear on the screen as deep black looks like a dark gray blot at night. Watching dark films or series in a completely dark room will simply be torturous – the image will lose all its depth and will appear flat. If you decide to go with this model, we have one key piece of advice for you: don't watch it in complete darkness. To salvage the situation somewhat, it's best to leave a soft light on in the room, and the ideal solution would be to install an LED strip behind the television. Such wall lighting will trick your eye (this is known as simultaneous contrast) and make that grayness on the screen seem a bit darker. Nonetheless, the start of the test in terms of cinematic experiences looks bleak.

TCL C7L is a Mini LED TV, which in the 65-inch variant we tested, is equipped with over 1000 local dimming zones. This, combined with a proprietary VA panel (referred to by TCL CSOT as HVA 2.0), delivers really decent results in terms of black levels and contrast. In most of the scenes we measured, black levels and contrast looked really good, and in the easiest shots, the black was deep enough to resemble that known from OLED screens. We are, of course, talking about the least demanding shots with a lot of black on the screen. However, when a larger number of bright elements appear on the screen, and black no longer dominates so strongly, it becomes clear that the TCL C7L – like most Mini LED TVs – has its issues with managing local dimming zones.

This is particularly evident in the standard black bars in movies recorded in the panoramic format 2.35:1. In this case, a clear halo effect, or bright light glow, can appear on the black bars or around small, bright objects. The contrast then drastically drops – from laboratory values of around 200,000:1 to about 10,000:1, which is quite noticeable in a completely dark room. It is worth remembering that this should not be treated as a flaw of the TV but rather as a characteristic of mini-LED technology. Of course, this effect becomes much less bothersome when we turn on at least some soft, diffused light in the room... which I definitely recommend doing during viewing sessions on any LCD TV.

HDR effect quality

3.6/10

6.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 87.6%, Bt.2020: 65.3%
DCI P3: 97.3%, Bt.2020: 90.5%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

228 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

193 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

250 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

168 nit

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  Brightness measurement

Result

252 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

1236 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

401 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

831 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

352 nit

Review TCL C7L Brightness measurement

Result

1204 nit

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.

Static HDR10

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).

HDR luminance chart:

TCL C7L

LG NANO81A / NANO80A

If you're counting on HDR in the NANO81A to bring tears to your eyes, I have to disappoint you. This TV is simply too dark to show what this format is really about. With a brightness of just 250 nits, HDR here essentially exists only on paper. In practice, during a viewing session, it's very hard to distinguish whether we're watching high dynamic range content or regular SDR – it simply lacks that "punch" of light in bright areas of the image. But, to not have all criticism, we do have a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel – and it’s quite clear. It's about color gamut coverage. Here, the NanoCell filter shows that it's not just marketing nonsense. Our measurements indicated that the coverage of the DCI-P3 space is around 88%. This is really a solid result that positions this model significantly above typical budget models based on regular white LED lights without any filters. Of course, it's still a bit lacking compared to the level of quantum dot TVs (QLED) or advanced panels with PFS filtering, but for this price range, the colors are surprisingly saturated and vibrant. It's just a shame that this low brightness doesn’t allow them to fully "spread their wings" with the Nano filter.

TCL C7L is undoubtedly an extremely bright television. In synthetic tests on static images, it can achieve peak brightness levels of around 2800 nits. This is an absolutely phenomenal result, considering the price range it falls into. Unfortunately, the tests with real film scenes are not as spectacular as the measurements of white squares. The brightness in actual HDR shots drops to around 1200 nits in the C7L model. This is still a very good result, as the vast majority of contemporary films are mastered at such a value. However, when small, pinpoint elements appear on the screen, the brightness of those details drastically drops – even to about 400 nits – which diminishes the HDR effect somewhat. The television does this intentionally to maintain a better level of black and prevent a huge glare of light. This is somewhat explainable, but it also shows that Mini LED technology is not completely uncompromising in this regard. As for the HDR effect itself – alongside brightness, colors are obviously key here. And these, thanks to the use of new, "super" quantum dots, are simply outstanding and among the best on the market. The television can achieve around 90% coverage of the ultra-wide color gamut BT.2020 and 99% of the DCI-P3 gamut, easily matching the best RGB MINI-LED screens. Best of all, the C7L can maintain such high color saturation regardless of the scene being displayed, which is often problematic in competing RGB Mini-LED televisions.

Factory color reproduction

5.3/10

5.6/10

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

For every movie fan, the natural choice in LG televisions is the Filmmaker Mode. This mode is designed to display the image as the director intended – without unnecessary "enhancements." Unfortunately, in the case of our test unit NANO81A, the factory settings left something to be desired. The main issue turned out to be white balance. Measurements showed a clear deficiency of blue color, which practically translated to many scenes having a slightly yellowish, almost "too yellow" tint. The white was not perfectly clean, which detracted from the freshness of the image. Additionally, brightness management was not ideal either – the factory-set gamma was too low. The image often appeared oversaturated, as if it had been pulled too much from the shadows, losing its naturalness and depth. Fortunately, LG, even in this relatively low price segment, does not block access to advanced settings. The calibration capabilities of this model are immense, which is a big plus for those who like to "dig around" in the menu. We decided to approach the topic in our own way and see how much we could extract from this panel with professional calibration.

When it comes to colors straight out of the box, a new feature in TCL televisions – including the C7L model – is the presence of a new picture mode called Filmmaker Mode. This is significant news, as such a mode was previously unavailable from this manufacturer. By design, as the name itself suggests, the image in this setting is intended to be presented with the full intent of the film's creator. After our tests, we can confirm that it is undoubtedly the best built-in mode on this television if you care about faithful color reproduction straight out of the box. However, we definitely wouldn't say that it is perfect. Like most devices on the market, this C7L also had its factory flaws. The white balance in Filmmaker Mode strayed into a slightly greenish-yellow hue, mainly due to an excess of green component and a noticeable lack of blue color. Of course, for the average viewer, this may not be a drastic flaw, but if you care about perfect whites, natural skin tones, and fully unlocking the potential of these new "super" quantum dots, this television is in need of professional calibration.

Color reproduction after calibration

7.5/10

7.5/10

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

After calibrating the NANO81A, it's a completely different television. What LG offers in terms of image enhancement tools even in such an inexpensive model deserves a big plus. We were able to completely eliminate that annoying yellowing of whites and make the colors natural, juicy, and simply "true." In SDR content (such as regular TV, YouTube, or older films), the picture now looks infinitely better – it's clear, well-balanced, and no longer strains the eyes with strange hues. It's evident that this panel has considerable potential, which is simply wasted by poor presets out of the box. However, we have one serious reservation that calibration cannot fully overcome – it's about brightness management in HDR mode. The algorithm LG uses in this model is designed very conservatively. The television deliberately dims the image in HDR to avoid overexposing an already weak black from the IPS panel. The developers faced a choice: either provide more light and accept that black will turn light gray, or reduce the brightness to maintain any contrast. They chose the latter. Nevertheless, after our adjustments, watching anything on the NANO81 is significantly better.

After conducting a professional calibration, we managed to significantly improve the situation in the factory Filmmaker Mode. Following our adjustments, the errors in the ColorChecker test and across the entire wide color gamut dropped below the threshold of human perception – that is, below a value of 3, which is indeed a very good result. The TCL C7L definitely benefits from such an intervention in terms of color fidelity, and it's hard to dispute that. However, the management of brightness in HDR content post-calibration looks a bit worse. As I described earlier – even though we set up this model properly, when we turn on actual film scenes on the TV, it manages its brightness in a rather peculiar way. It often brightens certain elements on the screen contrary to the creator's intent, which is clearly visible in the EOTF graphs measured in specific films. Despite this defect – or rather a specific characteristic of this television – one cannot take away from it that after calibration, the C7L was able to reproduce the colors completely accurately.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9.3/10

8.6/10

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.

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.

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.

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.

The fluidity of tonal transitions is an element where NANO81A really shines. LG proves here that it can refine image processing algorithms even in its cheaper models. During testing, we practically did not record the phenomenon of banding, that is, the annoying "steps" visible where one color should smoothly transition into another. Everything looks incredibly natural and smooth. This is especially evident in the bright scenes from the movie Kingsman, where the backgrounds remain clean and free from digital artifacts. However, even more impressive is how the television handles the extremely challenging, dark, and foggy shots in The Revenant. Where many budget panels falter and deliver ugly splotches instead of a smooth mist, the NANO81A maintains its composure, offering very velvety transitions. The only downside is that with darker shades, you will notice the weaker blacks of this TV rather than any issues with color transitions.

Another element worth discussing is the fluidity of tonal transitions. Here, it's fair to admit that in the TCL C7L, it simply looks good. In most scenes – especially in the brighter shots – there are absolutely no issues with gradients. In native 4K HDR content, the picture is clear, and the transitions between shades are very smooth. It looks just as good in Dolby Vision mode, where we did not notice any digital defects or unpleasant color banding during testing. One could nitpick very dark shots where a heavily compressed signal is displayed on the screen. In such conditions, the C7L can sometimes show minor imperfections; however, in this model, it's not something that stands out too much. Especially during regular movie viewings.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

5.5/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

Smooth transition function

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video.

Image scaling SD (576i)

The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

It often happens that cheap 4K panels mercilessly bring all the "dirt" and imperfections of lower resolution materials to light. However, in the case of the LG NANO81A, the situation is quite different. It’s a really solid performer when it comes to handling content that is far from ideal. The built-in processor does a great job with upscaling. Even older recordings look quite decent on this screen – the image is coherent, cleaned of digital noise, and simply pleasant to the eye. A big plus is the gradation reduction feature that you will find in the settings. It is exceptionally effective in combating color banding, which is a lifesaver when watching low bitrate materials, for example from some streaming services or older files from the internet. However, it is worth maintaining a certain vigilance. Since we are dealing with a less efficient chip than in LG's top models here, too aggressive an adjustment of this option can sometimes result in minor artifacts or a slight blurring of details. Despite this risk, I definitely encourage experimentation with this feature – in many cases, it can save the viewing experience and make low-quality material fully watchable.

This point can be, in a sense, called the Achilles' heel of the C7L model. Unfortunately, this TV uses an older MediaTek chipset – the Pentonic 700 – which has never been known for exceptional digital image processing. This is clearly evident in the operation of the gradual smoothing feature, which is responsible for reducing jagged edges and removing digital noise. It simply works very poorly – after setting it to low, its effectiveness is practically nonexistent. The only small plus here is that the algorithm doesn't spoil anything additional in the image and doesn’t forcibly blur details. The upscaling, that is, scaling the image from lower resolutions to 4K, performs a bit better. It is simply adequate and doesn’t stand out in any particular way compared to the competition. However, it cannot be denied that the C7L would gain significantly in this aspect if the manufacturer decided to use the newer Pentonic 800 processor, which is now increasingly found in many competitive models.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.6/10

7.8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
No
OK
BFI function 60Hz
No
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz
No
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI
-%
52%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Blur ():

Blur (4K@144Hz):

In terms of motion fluidity, the NANO81A unfortunately has a few drawbacks. The TV is based on a panel with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. If you're looking for perfect sharpness in dynamic football matches or fast-paced action games, you might feel somewhat unsatisfied. With such a low native refresh rate, fast-moving objects on the screen will always be a bit blurry.

TCL C7L features a native 4K panel with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which can even ramp up to 288 Hz at lower resolutions when using a PC. These are, of course, very high values and commendable on paper, but in everyday life, it's worth remembering that nearly all dynamic content you display on this television will still be running around a maximum of 120 Hz. To harness this dynamics, we find a motion smoothing system in the TV's menu called “Motion Clarity.” It offers several predefined modes, including a user mode, which we definitely recommend setting manually using our tried-and-true guides on our YouTube channel. There we have two key sliders at our disposal. The first one, “Blur Reduction,” is responsible for reducing blurring and improving sharpness in dynamic 60fps materials, such as sports broadcasts. The second slider, “Flicker Reduction,” allows for the addition of artificial frames in movies and series recorded at cinematic 24 or 30 frames per second. This, of course, completely eliminates the irritating stutter effect during camera movement shots.

Console compatibility and gaming features

6/10

9.8/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 60Hz
    48 - 288Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

NANO81A is unfortunately not a device designed for e-sports. The lack of support for a 120 Hz signal is a fact that users planning to purchase this model must simply come to terms with. Nevertheless, LG engineers have worked hard to squeeze the maximum capabilities out of this 60 Hz panel, offering a set of features that genuinely enhance the gaming experience. Above all, the television supports VRR technology (in the range of 48–60 Hz) and ALLM. As a result, the image remains stable and does not "tear," and the device automatically switches to low-latency mode as soon as it detects a signal from the console. Managing these settings is incredibly simple thanks to a dedicated system overlay that allows for a quick overview of parameters without leaving the game. A significant advantage is the support for the HGiG format. This solution is crucial for owners of modern consoles, as it enables the TV to correctly "understand" the intentions of game developers regarding HDR tone mapping. In practice, this helps avoid the effect of "blown out" bright spots, such as clouds or light sources, which unfortunately is a common issue in budget LCD televisions.

When it comes to gaming, the TCL C7L is simply an outstanding television for gamers. With the presence of two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports at 48 Gbps, we have access to all the key features that console owners and powerful PC users require. It offers a well-functioning ALLM mode with very low input lag and VRR frame synchronization that operates impressively from 48 up to 288 Hz. Importantly, unlike some competitors, TCL has ensured proper implementation of the console HDR10 HGIG profile and support for Dolby Vision in games. This is complemented by a well-designed gaming panel, the Game Bar, which even allows for customization of its appearance and theme to perfectly match the aesthetics of your console.

The only thing that can – and indeed must – be criticized here is the fact that the television offers only two full HDMI 2.1 ports, while the other two are older HDMI 2.0. This creates quite a significant logistical problem. Why? Because one of those fast ports also supports the eARC audio return channel. In practice, this means that if you connect a soundbar or home theater system to the television, you will only have one free HDMI 2.1 port left. If you have two consoles or a console and a powerful computer at home, unfortunately, you will have to give up something or constantly juggle the cables at the back of the unit while maintaining convenient audio system control.

Input lag

10/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
11 ms
1080p120
7 ms
2160p60
12 ms
11 ms
2160p120
7 ms

HDR

2160p60
12 ms
11 ms
2160p120
7 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
11 ms
2160p120 DV
7 ms

In terms of response speed, the LG NANO81A performs exceptionally well. The input lag we measured is about 12 ms. This is a very low result, which means one thing for a gamer – the delay between moving the joystick on the controller and the reaction on the screen is practically imperceptible. The television performs excellently in dynamic titles, where every millisecond matters, and in this regard, it does not fall behind significantly more expensive models.

It is worth taking a look at the dry numbers here, because in terms of signal delay, the TCL C7L is absolutely at the top of the market. Our measurements showed that the input lag is extremely low and for a 60 Hz signal it is only about 10 ms. When we step up to a higher level and launch a game at 120 Hz, the delay drops to an imperceptible 6 to 7 ms. However, what is more important is that these values are maintained even after activating the Dolby Vision format in games.

Compatibility with PC

6/10

8.4/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
12ms
6ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
RGB
Max refresh rate
60Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
No
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.

Nano81A is a really solid monitor for text work. Thanks to the IPS panel and proper implementation of Chroma 4:4:4, fonts are very clear and sharp – practically anyone will be satisfied with how this screen performs as a monitor. We only noticed one small detail that we caught with our laboratory scrutiny: vertical lines of dark text are slightly darker than those horizontal ones. However, this phenomenon is minimal enough that we decided not to deduct points for it. The ratings went down only for features typical for PC gamers – it lacks G-Sync support and high refresh rates above 60 Hz, which will be a significant drawback for those looking for a screen for fast-paced computer games.

When it comes to gaming on PC, as I mentioned earlier, it is truly seamless. The TV effortlessly supports high refresh rates: full 4K at 144 Hz, and at Full HD resolution, it can even ramp up to 288 Hz. Moreover, both G-Sync and FreeSync synchronization systems work here without any issues. For PC gamers, the C7L can serve as an excellent, gigantic monitor.

However, typical office work with text looks a bit worse, all due to the panel behaving quite strangely under these conditions. When the highest refresh modes are turned on, namely 144 Hz and 288 Hz, the readability and sharpness of dark text on a light background is rather average – fonts become slightly blurry and jagged. Fortunately, this can be very easily fixed by changing the refresh rate in the graphics card settings to a stable 120 Hz. Then the text becomes perfectly sharp again, which is definitely worth remembering if you plan to use the C7L as a work screen.

Viewing angles

6.1/10

3.7/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
66%
78%

This is the moment when the LG NANO81A can finally "breathe" and make up for the points lost in the black and contrast category. Thanks to the use of an IPS panel, the viewing angles are simply very good here. This is where the tested model gains the most and clearly shows its advantage over competing televisions equipped with VA panels. In practice, this means that the image does not lose quality, even when viewed from a wide angle. This makes the NANO81A a great option for those who have a wide furniture layout in their living room or frequently watch games and movies with a larger group.

Unfortunately, the powerful native contrast of the HVA 2.0 panel comes with a price. It concerns the viewing angles, which in the C7L model are simply poor. This is all, of course, due to the use of the aforementioned VA panel. It is a completely natural characteristic of this technology and something to be aware of when making a purchase. If you sit directly in front of the screen, the picture will impress you with its depth, but just shifting a few dozen degrees to the side on the couch will cause the colors to immediately begin to fade. By choosing this model, you are opting for a classic market compromise: you get brilliant black and fantastic contrast, but you lose out on viewing angles.

Daytime performance

4/10

8.8/10

Panel finish
Satin
Glare
Reflection suppression
Decent
Poor
Black levels during daytime
Good
Very Good

Panel brightness

TCL C7L: 1327 cd/m2

LG NANO81A / NANO80A : 247 cd/m2

NANO81A is a relatively dark television, so it works best in rooms where you have control over the lighting. With a brightness reaching around 250 nits, it is hard to recommend it wholeheartedly for very bright, heavily sunlit living rooms – under such conditions, the image will simply lack punch. Nevertheless, LG deserves a small plus for the screen finish. The satin panel used here dampens reflections quite decently. As a result, even if there is a bit of light in the room, you won't see reflections of every detail from your surroundings on the screen. So, if you can slightly close the blinds, a daytime viewing experience will be quite possible, but this model was simply not designed to "fight" against full sunlight.

It is also worth mentioning how the TCL C7L performs during everyday viewing in a sunlit living room. As we have established, this is an extremely bright television, and it is precisely because of such a powerful supply of luminance (up to 2400 nits in SDR!) that it manages to perform exceptionally well in very bright rooms – the image simply pushes through the incoming light into the room without any problems. The only thing to watch out for here is direct reflections on the screen. The coating applied to the panel this year is definitely glossier than the one we saw in last year’s C7K model. The screen significantly worsens the suppression of point light reflections, which in unfavorable conditions – for example, when a window is positioned directly opposite the television – can be quite irritating for some users. Nevertheless, in terms of raw brightness, the C7L is simply a demon for bright living rooms.

Panel details

Backlight Type
White LED
Mini-LED QLED
Software version during testing
33.21.62
v8-0012T01-LF1V626.003089
Image processor
MT5896 2,5GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A TV Panel details
Review TCL C7L TV Panel details
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A TV Panel details
Review TCL C7L TV Panel details

LG NANO81A / NANO80A

TCL C7L

TV features

6.6/10

7.8/10

  • System
    WebOS
    Google TV
  • System performance
    Good
    Very good
  • HDMI inputs
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    No
  • Recording programming
    No
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    Yes
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  TV features
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  TV features
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  TV features
Review LG NANO81A / NANO80A  TV features
Review TCL C7L TV features
Review TCL C7L TV features
Review TCL C7L TV features
Review TCL C7L TV features

Sound connection options

  • HDMI audio
    eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Other audio outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio)
    Toslink (Optical audio)
  • Wireless audio
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth

Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):

  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    No
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    No
    Yes
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    No
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    No
    Yes

Senior accessibility

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

Smart Features: WebOS

One of the biggest advantages of the NANO81A model is its “brain,” which is the operating system. LG has implemented a full-fledged WebOS version for 2025, which in terms of fluidity and user experience is on par with the more expensive models of this brand. Applications launch smoothly, and navigating the menu is a pure pleasure – there is no sign of irritating lags that often occur with budget competitors. All of this is thanks to the unique remote control with a pointer (cursor) function, which has undergone a visual makeover this year. The manufacturer has opted for minimalism – the new Magic remote is significantly smaller and more ergonomic than its predecessors. It sits perfectly in the hand, but this change has a downside as well. The physical number pad has completely disappeared from the casing. For younger users, accustomed to streaming and selecting tiles, this will not be a problem. However, older household members, who are used to entering channel numbers from memory, will have to change their long-standing habits.

Everyday Use

In terms of features we would call “classic,” the NANO81A relies on proven standards. It is not a multimedia powerhouse that will surprise you with exotic additions, but it performs flawlessly in everyday television tasks. The handling of traditional terrestrial or cable television, including the old good Teletext, is correct and intuitive. Wireless communication also deserves praise. The Bluetooth module works very reliably, allowing for quick and stable connections to game console controllers or wireless headphones and speakers. It’s simply a TV that “works” – it is stable, predictable, and does not create unnecessary complications in daily use.

Google TV and Smart TV

The multimedia heart of the TCL C7L is, of course, the Google TV operating system, which provides access to a massive library of apps and all the most popular streaming platforms on the market. The Smart TV in this model works seamlessly, offering full support for useful network features such as Apple AirPlay and Chromecast. However, a huge and very pleasant surprise is the overall performance of the software. We noticed that Google's system on the new C7L operates much more efficiently, smoothly, and quickly than on TCL models from last year. Much of this is due to better optimization at launch. Unnecessary pauses and minor interface hiccups, known from older models, seem to have faded into oblivion.

TV Features

In terms of classic antenna or cable television, the TCL C7L does not offer many additional, advanced features. It is simply a straightforward receiver. The manufacturer did not strive for any revolutionary solutions here, so apart from the traditional program guide, you won’t find anything special. A significant nod to traditional viewers is the classic remote control, which, contrary to the current trend towards minimalism, is still equipped with a full numeric keypad, greatly facilitating quick channel switching.

Apps

9.1/10

9.6/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
No
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
OK
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce NOW
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce NOW
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link

Playing files from USB

8.2/10

9.4/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
Yes
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
No
Yes
WebP
No
Yes
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
No
Yes
24 Mpix
No
Yes
28 Mpix
No
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

Many users still use their own USB drives to display movies or photos on the big screen. In this regard, the NANO81A performs quite decently – the built-in player supports a wide range of video and audio codecs, so most movie libraries will start up "right away." However, it is important to remember the specifics of the WebOS system. Since it is a closed environment, we are limited to what the manufacturer has prepared for us. There is no possibility of installing alternative players (like the popular VLC), so if the system player cannot handle something, there is not much that can be done about it. During tests, we encountered a few specific limitations. Above all, there is a lack of support for HEIC files. If you take photos with an iPhone and want to view them directly from the USB drive, the TV simply will not see them – it's worth changing the format to JPG on your phone right away. We also noticed that the player has difficulty processing very large graphic files. Photos with a resolution of around 20–28 Mpix may not load or cause system errors. Aside from these exceptions, daily multimedia handling is hassle-free.

Finally, it's worth mentioning the playback of files from external USB drives in the multimedia section. During our tests, we didn't notice any unpleasant surprises here – the factory player handles all popular video and audio formats exactly as it should. Interestingly, the TCL C7L also played photos saved in Apple's native format, HEIC, without any issues. This is an extremely rare feature in manufacturers' factory applications. And while the Google TV system gives you unlimited options for installing external media player programs, in the case of the C7L, the built-in tool is refined enough that installing additional software is unlikely to be necessary for anyone.

Sound

6.2/10

7.7/10

  • Maximum volume
    81dB
    77dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    No
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    No
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    No
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    No
    Yes

When it comes to audio, the LG NANO81A pleasantly surprises compared to its higher-positioned sibling, the QNED80A model. Interestingly, NanoCell sounds slightly better, which is likely due to its somewhat thicker casing. The increased volume allows for the extraction of some low-end nuances – the bass may not be powerful, but it is more distinctly defined than in thinner constructions. However, one shouldn't expect miracles. It is still a standard 2.0 speaker arrangement with a total power of 20 W, so the overall sound characteristics remain similar to other models in this price range. The mid and high tones are acceptable, making dialogues in movies and news programs clear. While this slight improvement in the lower registers is pleasing, for true home cinema or music listening, it is still worth considering the purchase of at least a simple soundbar.

TCL C7L simply performs quite well and correctly. In terms of sound quality, there has practically been no change compared to last year's model C7K. The manufacturer still uses a speaker system branded with Bang & Olufsen in a 2.2 setup. The only thing that can be quite irritating during viewing sessions is the fact that after increasing the volume to higher levels – around above 50% on the scale – the volume stops correlating with the scale visible on the screen. The audio system from B&O works great for daily watching of news programs or series at moderate volume, but if you're looking for good sound, it's worth buying at least a basic soundbar for the C7L.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

81dBC (Max)

75dBC

77dBC (Max)

75dBC