- 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
- TV efficiency during daytime
- TV features
- Apps
- Playing files from USB
- Sound
- Details about the matrix
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Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 144Hz Brand: TCL Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2025
The TCL C6K is one of the cheapest televisions with Mini-LED technology, created for those who want to experience features known from premium models without spending a fortune. How did TCL manage to transfer high-end features to the budget segment? You will read about it in our review.
TCL C6K - Our verdict
7.1
Overall rating
The TCL C6K is a television for those who want to combine gaming and watching movies with good contrast, without spending a fortune. Thanks to the VA panel with Mini-LED backlighting, blacks are deep and contrast is high, so evening screenings look truly spectacular. Additionally, it offers decent brightness, which, combined with Dolby Vision, makes movies take on a cinematic character. The fluidity of the image is also significant – the 144Hz refresh rate does wonders for sports and dynamic games, and gamers get a full package of extras: VRR, ALLM, HDMI 2.1, HGiG, and even a 240 Hz mode in PC. On a daily basis, the television is powered by Google TV, which offers a ton of apps and the Gemini AI voice assistant, making operation convenient and flexible. It's also worth mentioning the sound – support for Dolby Atmos and DTS gives the impression that the equipment is ready not just for gaming. As is often the case, there are a few things that could be improved. The backlighting in difficult scenes can lose details or wash out blacks, and Polish translations in the menu can be so clumsy that one has to wonder what they actually mean. Despite this, the overall performance holds up very well, and given the price, the TCL C6K could be one of the more interesting choices for someone looking for a versatile television for movies, sports, and games. Especially when a good promotion comes along – and when TCL traditionally polishes up the details in updates.
Advantages
Very good contrast and black level: VA panel and MINI-LED backlighting
Good motion fluidity: High refresh rate of 144Hz
Decent panel brightness
Many features for gamers: VRR, ALLM, HDMI 2.1, HGiG
Additional mode for PC gamers: 240Hz
Google TV system with a wide selection of apps
Support for multiple HDR formats including Dolby Vision
Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS
Very attractive price
Disadvantages
Managing the backlighting could be better
Language errors in the system
Movies and series in UHD quality6.7
Classic TV, YouTube6.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)6.3
Gaming on console8.4
TV as a computer monitor8.6
Watching in bright light6.4
Utility functions7.0
Apps9.6
Sound quality6.5
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TCL C6K - Competing TVs in this price range
TCL C6K - 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
Build quality: Good
Stand type: Legs
Kolor ramki: Graphite
- Regulacja podstawy: stand-Fixed
- Montaż na płasko: Yes
- Akcesoria: accessories-Stand
At first glance, the TCL C6K looks like most modern televisions – a slim design with a thin bezel around the screen and a slight bulge at the bottom. Although this model is from the budget segment, the manufacturer has made an effort to include a few accents that set it apart from the competition. A characteristic element in the upper right corner, known from more expensive series, has this time been cleverly hidden behind the bezel, giving the whole a somewhat different character. At the back, the television is flat, allowing for an aesthetic effect of an almost flush panel when mounted on the wall. It's hard to have any reservations about the workmanship here.
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TCL C6K - Contrast and black detail
7.3/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 180 (10 x 18)
Result
114,000:1
Result
17,300:1
Result
16,200:1
Result
9,900:1
Result
4,850:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The TCL C6K is based on a VA matrix, more specifically HVA produced by TCL CSOT, which already provides a solid native contrast of 6000–7000:1 without the use of local dimming. However, the real strength of this model is the Mini-LED backlighting with the ability to dim individual zones. In the tested 55-inch version, we counted about 180 of them, and as the diagonal increases, this number naturally rises. For a television in this price segment, the contrast is truly impressive. In simpler film scenes, such as excerpts from "Oblivion," it performs excellently, and shots completely filled with black make a great impression. Of course, due to the nature of Mini-LED technology, it’s not always possible to avoid issues – in more challenging frames with many bright details, halo effects or too strong dimming of some elements appear (regardless of local dimming settings). Nevertheless, the contrast can be considered a strong point of the C6K.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
TCL C6K - HDR effect quality
4.9/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 92.6%, Bt.2020: 71.3%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
612 nit
Result
202 nit
Result
424 nit
Result
144 nit
Result
587 nit
TCL C6K is a moderately bright TV that can showcase its full potential under the best cinematic conditions – the maximum brightness is around 600 nits. In scenes with large, intense light sources, the HDR effect can be really satisfying, providing a sense of cinematic brilliance. However, it should be noted that when managing the backlighting zones, there are situations where some elements become dimmed and sometimes can even become barely visible. It is clear that there is a lack of proper algorithm optimization here, although looking at the technical parameters in this price range, the design itself performs very well.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Based on the numbers and test results, we didn’t expect much from the TCL C6K, but the final outcome turned out to be definitely better than one might assume. In movie scenes that often appear on streaming platforms – such as excerpts from the film Billy Lynn – and even in productions mastered to around 4000 nits like Pan, the image looked surprisingly good. Yes, the highest brightness values were naturally dimmed compared to the reference effect, which is due to the limitations of the panel itself, but the whole scene was rendered with great precision and accuracy. We also did not notice any undesirable blending of details in difficult segments, such as the fireworks in Billy Lynn.
HDR luminance chart:
Luminancja HDR
Luminance of RGB colors
During testing, we noticed that in the case of static HDR10, the TCL C6K doesn't always perform perfectly. This is most evident in scenes flooded with white – like the test pattern with horses – where the limited brightness of the panel leads to a loss of some details and flattening of the image. Fortunately, the television supports practically all the major HDR formats, including the extremely popular Dolby Vision. In this mode, thanks to dynamic metadata, the image gains a completely new quality. As the comparison in the test photos shows, the same scene looks much better – details are preserved, and the contrast and light gradation appear natural and much closer to the intended effect of the creators. It is the support for Dolby Vision that allows the C6K to positively surprise in everyday use!
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
5/10
This year's TCL televisions feature a Filmmaker mode, and it must be admitted that it is definitely the best choice straight out of the box. This is the mode we recommend for everyday watching of movies and series. Unfortunately, as is often the case, the best doesn't mean perfect. In the case of SDR content, the image was too warm because the red was strongly emphasized in the white balance. On the other hand, with HDR content, we had the opposite impression – the image became cooler than it should have been due to excess blue. Additionally, the brightness characteristic sometimes led to highlights being blown out. In practice, this resulted in quite noticeable color test inaccuracies that are hard to accept in a mode advertised as "by the creators."
Color reproduction after calibration
7.5/10
Thanks to the white balance correction, it was possible to significantly reduce the C6K's tendency to distort colors, which resulted in a very good final outcome. After calibration, we will no longer observe the effect of excessive warming of scenes in SDR or overly cooling the image in HDR. However, it is worth taking a closer look at the brightness characteristics. In SDR content, there are few complaints – the image looks really good, especially in older movies, TV shows, or materials from YouTube. This is much worse for HDR content. Analysis of the EOTF curve suggests that everything is fine, but in practice (EOTF in films), the limitations of the construction become apparent. The TV tends to overly brighten the smallest parts of the frame, and in other situations, it can dim the entire scene too much. The effect of calibration is therefore evident, and in terms of color, the C6K has gained quite a lot, but certain limitations arising from local dimming and, in fact, its management by the C6K simply cannot be overcome.
TCL C6K - Smoothness of tonal transitions
9.5/10
The transitions between colors in the C6K are very smooth, and it's hard to find any banding. The image looks natural, and any minor imperfections can only be noticed on bright test patterns – and that with really careful viewing. In everyday use, the effect is simply great, and one can confidently say that in this category, the C6K performs exceptionally well.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The TCL C6K performs quite well in terms of scaling. Lower quality materials look acceptable, and the lack of overscan issues means that the image is displayed in full, without cropping. However, one cannot expect miracles – content of very low quality will not gain new life here, as the image processor has its limitations. On thin lines or details, the characteristic tearing is visible, which reveals the absence of advanced image enhancement algorithms. It is also a pity that the C6K lacks the feature for smoothing tonal transitions – in older films or video materials, color banding can be noticeable and may be bothersome during long viewing sessions.
TCL C6K - Blur and motion smoothness
7.3/10
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: 20%
TCL C6K features a 144 Hz panel, which is a significant advantage in this price range. This is an important step forward compared to the previous model C655 PRO, which offered only 60 Hz at 4K. The difference is especially noticeable when watching sports or playing games – the ball, athletes, or fast action in a game are displayed more clearly and without losing details. An interesting fact is also the ability of the panel to operate at 240 Hz, which the manufacturer does not mention in official materials. We will return to this topic when discussing the game mode for PC.
TCL also added a feature for movie watchers: "Motion Clarity," which allows you to adjust the image to your preferences using two simple sliders. You can keep the movie frame visible or opt for a very smooth, almost theatrical effect. This way, everyone can find settings tailored to their taste.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Against the backdrop of the higher model C7K, it is evident that the C6K has slight motion blur issues. During our "UFO" test, a faint glow trailed behind the moving object, revealing the limitations of the panel. Does this interfere significantly? That is a matter of personal preference – some may hardly notice it, while others will catch it immediately.
TCL tried to circumvent this issue by adding the BFI feature. In theory, it is supposed to improve motion sharpness, but in practice, it results in a double contour effect, and the motion blur remains noticeable. While the drop in brightness when BFI is turned on is minimal, the benefits of this feature are so slight that it's hard to recommend its use.
TCL C6K - 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
The TCL C6K is a TV that can confidently be called equipment designed for gamers. Here we have 4K at 144 Hz, VRR support, automatic game mode (ALLM), and Dolby Vision Gaming. Additionally, there's a practical Game Bar, a panel with the most important settings readily available – useful when we want to quickly change something during gameplay (e.g., screen aspect ratio: Yes, that’s possible!). The wide VRR range, reaching up to 240 Hz, deserves attention. However, this is mainly an option for PC gamers who drop below the native 4K resolution. Then the TV can spread its wings and show additional smoothness, especially in fast-paced e-sports titles. In the case of consoles, we stick to the classic limit of 120 Hz, but the possibilities are still quite broad. The only drawback is a slight ghosting that can sometimes be seen in dynamic scenes. Other than that, the C6K offers everything gamers expect from a TV.
TCL C6K - Input lag
9.7/10
In terms of input lag, the TCL C6K performs excellently. With 120 Hz content, the delay is around 10 ms, and at times even less. This is a level at which the response is practically instantaneous, and it's hard to find any objections. For 60 Hz materials, the result is about 18 ms – still a very good result, more than sufficient for comfortable gaming.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 18 ms | 2160p60: 18 ms | 2160p60 DV: 18 ms |
| 1080p120: 10 ms | 2160p120: 10 ms | 2160p120 DV: 9 ms |
| 2160p60: 18 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 10 ms |
TCL C6K - Compatibility with PC
8.6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 11ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
After connecting the TCL C6K to a computer, it performs excellently. At native resolution, we have 4K at 144 Hz, and if we lower the resolution, we can even achieve 240 Hz. Additionally, the television is compatible with Nvidia and AMD graphics cards – supporting both G-Sync and FreeSync. It's also hard to find fault with it for office work. Fonts are sharp and readable thanks to 4:4:4 chroma support, and any minor imperfections are so small that they simply go unnoticed in normal use.
TCL C6K - Viewing angles
3/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 79%
In the TCL C6K, the viewing angles are typical for a VA matrix. Sitting directly in front, the image looks very good, but any shift to the side results in a noticeable drop in color saturation and brightness. The difference is particularly visible in colorful scenes – the colors become washed out, and the contrast loses its depth. Compared to IPS panels, this is clearly a weaker result, although the trade-off is better black levels and higher native contrast "something for something."
TCL C6K - TV efficiency during daytime
6.4/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Decent
Black levels during daytime: Good
TCL C6K performs quite well in bright lighting conditions. The panel offers decent brightness – in SDR content, it reaches around 550 nits, which allows for comfortable television viewing in an average living room, even on days with strong light coming through the windows. This means that daytime viewing does not require complete darkening of the room. It's also worth noting that the screen coating does a good job of reducing reflections, so the television doesn't turn into a "mirror" even in bright light. However, this is not the level of top models with more advanced anti-reflective coatings – in very challenging conditions, such as with large windows, reflections will be noticeable.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
TCL C6K: 532 cd/m2
TCL C6K - TV features
7/10
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
- TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Classic features:
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
- Recording programming: No
- Picture in Picture (PiP): No
- RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
- Backlit remote control: No
- Teletext: Yes
- Audio only mode: Yes
- Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
- Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
Smart features:
- AirPlay: Yes
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
- Wyszukiwanie głosowe: Yes
- Voice search in native language: Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Multimedia Features: Google TV
The strongest user aspect of the TCL C6K is undoubtedly the Google TV system. It gives the television character and provides it with an edge over many competitors. We have a full suite of services here – from support for popular streaming applications, to screen mirroring, all the way to AirPlay, which also makes iPhone users feel at home. In addition, there is Google Assistant (recently in the Gemini AI version), which not only answers questions but also performs simple commands efficiently, e.g., changing channels or searching for content on VOD services. The system itself works quite responsively, although it must be noted that there is a certain drawback – the awkward translations in the Polish menu can evoke a smile, but sometimes require a moment of thought to decipher what is really meant.
Classic Features
When it comes to classic television features, the TCL C6K is rather average. There is no USB recording or PiP mode, which may be disappointing for some. However, the manufacturer did not forget the basics – teletext TV and a clear EPG are available, which still matter to some users. In everyday use, the support for external audio devices via Bluetooth also comes in handy – a simple way to connect a speaker or headphones, which can be a practical solution for seniors. Beyond that, it is difficult to find elements that would distinguish the C6K from its competitors – it is simply a solid, but standard package of basic functions.
TCL C6K - Apps
9.6/10
TCL C6K - Playing files from USB
8.9/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
The built-in media player in the TCL C6K performs really well – practically all popular file formats work without major issues. There are, of course, minor exceptions, especially with less common codecs or atypical video file configurations, but in everyday use, this is rarely noticeable. The biggest advantage, however, is that the TV runs on Google TV, which provides full freedom in choosing additional software. If someone encounters a file that the standard player cannot handle, it is enough to install an alternative – such as VLC – and the problem disappears.
TCL C6K - Sound
6.5/10
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
In terms of audio, the TCL C6K performs quite well. The manufacturer has been boasting about its collaboration with the Onkyo brand for several years, and it indeed reflects in the sound quality. The audio is pleasant, with clear mids and quite a clean high end, and the whole sound gives the impression of being well balanced. Of course, this will not replace a full-fledged soundbar, especially in terms of bass depth, but for built-in speakers in a TV from this price segment – it's really very good.
TCL C6K - Details about the matrix
Software version during testing: V8-T653T01-LF1V531.002396
Image processor: MT5896 2,5GB RAM
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity:
Backlight Type: PFS LED
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