Which 2023 TCL TV Should You Buy?

Q6 TVs
For the past few years, you’d find TCL’s flagship models in the 6-series sets. This year, though, the Q6 models, such as 65-inch TCL Q650G, are the entry into the Q Class. Like all Q-series models, these are QLED TVs with quantum dots. The Q6 sets are 60Hz models, but they can use Game Accelerator to hit 120Hz VRR. They also have ALLM, which puts the TV into a setting for the lowest input lag, and support AMD FreeSync, which can sync the TV’s refresh rate to a game’s frame rate to reduce "tearing." That’s a visual glitch where you see a horizontal split in one or more places of an image.

When it comes to high dynamic range, the TCL Q6 sets support the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR formats in addition to HDR10 and HLG. These sets also have Dolby Atmos sound, plus DTS Virtual: X audio, which attempts to create a 3D sound effect using just the TV’s speakers. These TVs also have two-way Bluetooth, so you can connect to a pair of Bluetooth headphones for private listening.

TCL’s Q6 sets are available in 55-, 65-, 75-, and 85-inch screen sizes, with prices ranging from about $500 to $1,600. However, we’re already seeing some price drops on these sets, so these are just the suggested retail prices.

Q7 TVs
Stepping up to the TCL Q7 Class gets you a native 120Hz panel, and higher peak brightness, which should help with HDR performance. They also have full-array LED backlights with local dimming, a feature the Q6 sets lack. TCL claims there are more than 200 zones that can be separately illuminated or dimmed, which we’ve found can help improve contrast.

We think this series will represent a nice balance of price and performance for most consumers. TCL is also targeting the Q7 sets at gamers with a number of features, including the new faster processor, the Game Accelerator tech, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, a higher-tier version that works with HDR.

In terms of picture quality, the Q7 sets received IMAX Enhanced certification for hitting certain benchmarks in terms of resolution, contrast, colors, and sound. They support all the HDR formats you get with the Q6 sets but add Dolby Vision IQ, which uses sensors in the TV to adjust brightness based on the ambient light conditions in the room. The sets have Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X sound, two-way Bluetooth, and come with a backlit voice remote.

TCL’s Q7 TVs are available in the same sizes as the Q6 sets, but suggested prices start at $750 and run up to $2,200 for the 85-inch model. As we noted above, we’re already seeing price drops on these sets. For example, the 65-inch 65Q750G set, a popular screen size, is now selling for about $800, $200 less than it was just two weeks ago.

QM8 TVs
This year, you’ll find all the tech TCL has to offer in the company’s flagship QM8-series sets, which start at 65 inches and go all the way up to a 98-inch model. This year they’re the only TVs to get Mini LED backlights, with up to 2,300 local dimming zones. The company also claims the sets can exceed 2,000 nits of peak brightness, which would make them among the brightest sets we’ve ever tested. (We’ll do our own brightness measurements when we get the TVs in our labs.) In addition, QM8 sets have an enhanced audio system with a built-in subwoofer, and get the latest version of WiFi (Wi-Fi 6) for better connectivity.

As you’d imagine, these are TCL’s priciest sets, though we’ve already seen some aggressive price drops. For example, the 65-inch 65QM850G is now selling for about $1,200, down from $1,700, while the 75-inch 75QM850G set is currently priced at $1,700, down from $2,300. You can buy the 85-inch 85QM850G set for about $2,200 right now, $600 less than its price a few weeks ago. We expect prices to fall even further toward the end of the summer.

If you’re looking for an even larger set, TCL says that later this year you’ll be able to buy a 98-inch set, the 98QM850G—provided you can handle its $10,000 price tag.

Dropping down to the S Class means you lose the quantum dots, and instead get colors produced by a color filter. You’ll have a choice of either Google TV or Roku TV, which is denoted by either a "G" (S350G, S450G) or "R" (S350R, S450R) at the end of the model name.

One other thing to note: For the first time, TCL is making some "derivative" models this year that will be sold via warehouse clubs; these sets will carry S470 model numbers instead of S450. The models are reportedly very similar to the S450 sets but have a slightly different sound system and a wider color gamut. We’ll see whether there are any noticeable differences when we test them.

S2 TVs
TCL hasn’t said much about these entry-level 720p sets. There are two 32-inch models, the TCL 32S210R and the TCL 32S250R. Both are Roku TVs that have suggested prices of $170, but we can’t tell any difference between the models based on the specs and we don’t see them at any retailer. It’s possible that one model will be sold through a different type of retailer, such as a warehouse club.

S3 TVs
Midsized entry-level sets can be found in the S3 series. These TVs are 1080p models, so no 4K. However, they do support HDR, though only HDR10 and HLG—no HDR10+ or Dolby Vision. These sets can also pair with Bluetooth headphones for a private listening experience.

The S3-Class sets are available in 32-, 40-, and 43-inch screen sizes, with prices running from about $200 to $250.

S4 TVs
Stepping up to the S4-Class sets gets you 4K resolution, plus Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG HDR support. They also add DTS Virtual:X sound, and gamers get ALLM to improve input lag.

TCL’s S S4-Class sets are available in sizes starting at 43 inches, going all the way up to 85 inches. Prices range from about $280 to $1,400.

TCL says that later this summer it’ll be teaming up with several content partners to launch its own online streaming service, which will be available to TCL TV and mobile customers.