I tested TCL's latest budget QLED TV, and it surpassed my expectations (plus it's on sale)

ZDNET’s key takeaways

The QM6K is on sale at Amazon for $798.
A host of upgrades and new features make it highly competitive with other brands’ higher-end models.
Its speakers are loud, but clarity could be made even crisper with a soundbar.

more buying choices

Back in January, we highlighted the release of the TCL QM6K at CES, where we were impressed by its specs and features for a budget TV — many of which were exclusively available on premium brands only a few years ago. This week, I set up a test model in our studio lab and took a deep, hands-on look at TCL’s recent flagship TV.

TCL’s latest advancements

TCL introduced a number of upgrades from 2024’s Q6 QLED, all of which are integrated with its new Halo Control System. Part of that configuration is a Super High Energy LED Chip which TCL claims boosts brightness output by 53% while enhancing light efficiency by 10%.

Also: I found 61 of the best Amazon Spring Sale TV deals — last day

TCL’s Pangu lab also redesigned its backlighting system to reduce the optical distance (or “OD”) between the backlight and the diffuser plate of the QM6K and its future models. With this “Micro OD” approach, images will suffer less halo effect, even between the contrast of piercing whites and oily blacks. Through testing, I confirmed almost no halo effect on the QM6K; more on that below.

Also: I still recommend this TCL TV model from last year, and it’s $1,000 off at Amazon

The QM6K also features a bi-directional 23-bit backlight controller aided by a high-contrast CSOT HVA panel with a stronger dark state to more efficiently block out light and provide over 65,000 levels of brightness as the LCD switches on/off. That equates to a lofty 7,000:1 static contrast ratio, which TCL says is five times higher than competitor models in the same price range.

In addition to a new color optimization algorithm fitted into its OS, the QM6K incorporates enough quantum crystals to render over one billion colors, with up to 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Further, a new Dynamic Light Algorithm optimizes the incoming video signal so that SDR signals render at a near-HDR level.

Also: If you use a projector for presentations or movie nights, you need this app

Finally, Pangu upgraded its AiPQ processor to handle what it calls its Zero-Delay Transient Response, which, according to TCL, provides “virtually no lag between the input signal and backlight response, preventing after-image blur and maximizing specular highlights.”

First impressions and sensory feels

Whether or not it should be considered an upgrade, TCL has pivoted from using a Roku platform to Google TV. All 2025 models now run on Google’s OS with built-in Chromecast and access to all the usual streaming apps like Apple TV, Hulu, and Netflix.

The QM6K’s user interface is well-organized and laid out, although diving into its menu can become a bit convoluted. In fairness, that’s quite common these days, as smart TVs become ever smarter. There are so many options for customizing your A/V preferences on the QM6K that listing them here would take up most of this article.

Less complicated but equally smart is the design of TCL’s latest remote control; I like the size and feel of it in my hand. It’s 7.25 inches long, as compared to some 5.5-inch remotes that have become popular among major brands over the past year.

The device is less likely to be swallowed whole by my couch cushions, and I really appreciate an uncramped remote with fewer buttons. Most satisfying to me, though, is that the QM6K remote’s buttons illuminate as soon as you pick it up, or whenever it detects any motion. In my book, a light-up remote is a win.

Also: The 150+ best Amazon Spring Sale tech deals live

Like many TVs in the sub-$1,000 range, the audio system is plenty loud if you need it to be, but lacking in the area of aural, cinematic splendor. Equipped with an Onkyo 2.1 speaker system, it has two back-firing speakers (L/R) and a built-in subwoofer.

Editor’s Note: In case you’ve ever wondered, a “2.1 channel” sound system is a good example to illustrate what those numbers mean: it has two speakers and one subwoofer. So, a more complex 2.1.2 system would additionally include two speakers (or drivers) located at the top of the device that project sound upward. This is all to say the QM6K would definitely benefit from a soundbar to create a more dynamic sense of sonic depth and height.

Hands-on performance testing

I performed some routine tests on the QM6K for an empirical assessment and was overall very impressed.

Dirty screen effect test & banding

There was absolutely no visible “dirt” onscreen when running this test. The dirt usually manifests as a shapeless, greyish-brown splotch or a nebulous vertical stripe somewhere on the panel. The QM6K exhibited no such issues on each full-screen color test, nor when viewed from the left or right of the screen during the grey test (which is the color most likely to reveal banding).

Subtitles blooming test

The QM6K showed virtually no blooming on the clearly defined white characters in the subtitles on a black background. This was consistent even from an off-axis viewing position. If you’re concerned about blooming, then this TV passes that test convincingly, and I suspect that’s credited to its before-mentioned Halo Control System. Additionally, TCL’s high-end HVA panel purports to manage the entire path from light generation to imaging, resulting in crisp contrast.

Also: How to clear the cache on your TV (and why it makes such a big difference)

Motion test with scrolling text

At first, running the 120Hz version of the visual test for motion did not yield good results. The moving script looked so jagged and stilted that it could be headache-inducing. This came as a surprise because the QM6K claims a 144Hz native refresh rate. No less, the 60Hz version of the test footage was far more viewable, with a smooth scrolling motion across the bottom of the screen, yet still, the text was a bit fuzzy.

Also: This small 4K projector is worthy of replacing your TV – and gets plenty bright for its size

Having said that, I found a simple solution. I habitually turn off motion smoothing when viewing non-sports content, but in this case, turning on Motion Clarity and Dynamic Acceleration made a notable improvement; the text scrolling was very fluid, and the characters were far less fuzzy.

Keep in mind this is simply a test for assessing certain visuals. The more practical assessment came with watching second-round NCAA tournament games, which looked vivid and beautiful. The QM6K’s motion clarity handled the fast-paced hoops action like a champ.

The QM6K’s side panel has all you need.
Adam Breeden/ZDNET

ZDNET’s buying advice

Debuting just two months ago at $999, the 65-inch QM6K has already dropped to $798 at big box retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. The price drop isn’t an indicator of the TV’s performance, but rather market forces at work. To get a 65-inch QD Mini LED with these higher-end specs for $800 is a deal that’s hard to pass up.

The addition of a soundbar, like TCL’s own 5.1.2-channel Q75H — which now runs for less than $500 at most retailers — would provide a premium viewing and listening experience for almost one-third the cost of competitors’ models with similar specs.