TVs TCL
TCL TVs – a brand for the calculating. Is it still worth it?
TCL is a brand that has built a reputation over the last few years as a manufacturer offering the highest specifications at the lowest price. If you're comparing TVs "cold," looking at the number of zones, HDR brightness, or panel refresh rates – TCL regularly comes out on top. The Chinese manufacturer has adopted an aggressive strategy: premium equipment for the price that others reserve for mid-range models. At the same time, many users ask the same question: Where are the limits of these savings?
Key facts about TCL – in short
1. Production of own Mini-LED panels (technological advantage)
TCL and CSOT are one company. This gives the company access to Mini-LED technology "at the source," producing backlights with a huge number of zones. The effect? Televisions with contrast close to OLEDs can cost half of what Samsung or Sony demands.
2. Randomness of units
Quality control is not yet at the level of Japanese or Korean competitors. Sometimes you get a unit with a single dead pixel or a small dust particle under the glass. That's why purchasing online, with the right of return, is a sensible option.
3. VA panels – high contrast, weaker viewing angles
Most TCL models use VA panels. They provide beautiful blacks in the evening, but from the side, the image loses color. They are best suited for the setting "sofa directly in front of the television."
4. Software and image processing – the weakest element of the puzzle
Google TV can be smooth, but it can stutter. Motion smoothing works, but it's not as natural as in Sony. Upscaling is also "adequate," but does not impress with low-quality content.
TCL vs Samsung
The most common dilemma for buyers: is it worth paying extra for Samsung when TCL offers Mini-LED at a better price?
Aspect | TCL (Mini-LED) | Samsung (Neo QLED / Mini-LED) | In Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
Number of dimming zones | Usually more at the same price | Usually less | Often, contrast on TCL looks better than on Samsung, although the Korean brand defends itself with backlight management. |
Contrast and Black Levels | Very high contrast, deep black | Very high contrast, deep black | Evening movie screenings often make a bigger impression on TCL, although they also look good on Samsung. |
HDR Brightness | Very high peak brightness | High, but often lower at a similar price | TCL can "shine" more with HDR effects in daytime scenes. |
Processing Algorithms | Simpler, less advanced | More refined | Samsung hides imperfections in the material better and smooths tonal transitions. |
Upscaling (SD/HD → 4K) | Correct, but without finesse | One of the stronger points | TV channels and poorer sources usually look cleaner on Samsung. |
Operating System | Google TV – huge library of apps, but occasional lags | Tizen – light, fast environment, less flexibility than Google TV | TCL wins in the number of apps, Samsung in stability and smoothness of operation. |
Factory Calibration | Often aggressive: strong colors, high sharpness | Usually more subdued, closer to references | TCL requires some time to set up movie mode, while Samsung often works "straight out of the box." |
Gaming | Excellent parameters: low input lag, high refresh rate, rich features for gamers | Very good support for gamers, refined menu and features | Both brands are suitable for gaming; TCL often tempts with parameters, while Samsung offers ergonomics and stability. |
TCL – pros
very high brightness in Mini-LED models, often higher than Samsung at the same price
more local dimming zones in comparable price ranges
very good contrast and deep black in evening viewing
great parameters for gamers: low latency, high refresh rate, rich gaming bar
full support for HDR formats, including Dolby Vision
attractive prices for large sizes (85–98 inches)
Google TV provides access to a very wide library of applications
TCL – cons
image processing algorithms weaker than the competition
upscaling of HD/SD channels noticeably weaker than the competition
Google TV system can be less stable and may stutter
factory calibration often too aggressive (color inaccuracies, high sharpness)
poor viewing angles of VA models
Verdict:
The TCL X11L is, without a doubt, a powerful demonstration of the manufacturer's capabilities and a TV that impresses in many areas. You can see the engineers focused on what matters most: peak brightness, black levels and contrast. The new quantum dots with an SQD filter do such a job that color saturation is on par with the top new RGB panels. And the blacks? The X11L can easily be placed next t...
Rating
8.6/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
8.5
Classic TV, YouTube
7.9
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.3
Gaming on console
9.1
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
10.0
Utility functions
8.3
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
8.2
Available screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”, 98”
Technology: LCD VA, Mini-LED Super QLED (SQD)
Brand: TCL
Verdict:
TCL C8L is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing Mini-LED TVs to come into our lab this year. This model stands out primarily due to its excellent price-to-capability ratio. TCL has accustomed us to aggressive pricing of its screens, but in the case of the C8 series, the manufacturer has managed to push the boundaries even further. For the amount that often allows just the purchase of mid-range m...
Rating
8.3/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.7
Classic TV, YouTube
7.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.2
Gaming on console
8.9
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
10.0
Utility functions
8.3
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
8.1
Available screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”, 98”
Technology: LCD VA, Mini-LED Super QLED (SQD)
Brand: TCL
Verdict:
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...
Rating
7.8/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.2
Classic TV, YouTube
6.8
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.7
Gaming on console
8.8
TV as a computer monitor
8.4
Watching in bright light
8.8
Utility functions
7.8
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.7
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
The TCL C9K is a television that on paper looks like a show of strength from the manufacturer – thousands of Mini-LED zones, WHVA panel, audio system from Bang & Olufsen, full support for HDR formats, gaming at 144 Hz, and even 288 Hz at lower resolutions. It’s clear that TCL wanted to throw in absolutely everything they had best. And indeed – in many aspects, the C9K can impress. The brightne...
Rating
7.7/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.5
Classic TV, YouTube
7.0
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.7
Gaming on console
8.8
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
7.0
Utility functions
7.7
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.9
Rating
7.7/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.5
Classic TV, YouTube
7.1
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.7
Gaming on console
8.8
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
6.9
Utility functions
7.7
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.9
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
The TCL C855 is a standout television in the TV market, showcasing a versatile performance across various applications and excelling in its price range. With Mini LED backlighting, the TV achieves impressive contrast and black levels, resulting in deep, vivid images. Its algorithm effectively maintains black uniformity, minimizing blooming effects, a significant advantage for viewing HDR content. ...
Rating
7.6/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.5
Classic TV, YouTube
7.1
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.7
Gaming on console
8.8
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
7.4
Utility functions
6.7
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.2
Verdict:
There are TVs that make it to reviews and at first glance seem like just another "mediocre" model. The TCL C7K looks just like that – without big slogans about revolution, without ambitions to dethrone OLEDs. Yet after spending a few days with this model, it's hard not to come to the conclusion that it's truly a successful piece of equipment. The biggest advantages? Very good picture quality at a ...
Rating
7.4/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.2
Classic TV, YouTube
6.9
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.8
Gaming on console
8.7
TV as a computer monitor
8.4
Watching in bright light
6.4
Utility functions
7.3
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.7
Verdict:
There are TVs that come in for testing and you immediately think: "oh, another average one, probably like many others." And in fact… that's true. The TCL C7K doesn't try to dethrone the OLEDs, it doesn't shout from the box "revolution!". And yet, after a few days of testing, it's hard not to think: "wow, this is really good equipment." And that's exactly what the C7K is. The biggest asset of the C...
Rating
7.2/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.7
Classic TV, YouTube
6.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.7
Gaming on console
8.5
TV as a computer monitor
8.4
Watching in bright light
6.1
Utility functions
7.3
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.0
Verdict:
TCL MQLED85, or model C765, is a television that can really surprise, especially in this price range. It is one of the cheapest models with mini-LED technology, which is immediately evident in the picture quality. The blacks are deep, and the brightness is sufficient even in a brightly lit room. With a large number of dimming zones, watching movies in the evening is a pleasure – the blacks are tru...
Rating
7.2/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.8
Classic TV, YouTube
6.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.5
Gaming on console
8.6
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
6.3
Utility functions
6.5
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
6.9
Available screen sizes: 32”, 43”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”, 98”
Technology: LCD VA, Mini-LED PFS LED
Brand: TCL
Verdict:
The TCL A400 Pro is one of the most interesting lifestyle TVs we've tested so far. And not because it turns the whole idea of the "TV as a picture" upside down. In that regard it does roughly what the competition does: it should look good, blend into the interior, and not be just another black slab in the living room. Its real strength lies elsewhere: in picture quality. It's the first TV of this ...
Rating
7.1/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.6
Classic TV, YouTube
6.9
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.6
Gaming on console
8.4
TV as a computer monitor
8.9
Watching in bright light
5.7
Utility functions
7.2
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
6.6
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