TCL M8L Pro Series 55M8L Pro 55"

The TCL M8L Pro Series 55M8L Pro delivers Mini-LED local dimming, true blacks, and a 144Hz refresh rate at a price that makes competitors nervous. Picture quality is the standout, with owners raving about the contrast and gaming performance. Just budget for a soundbar, because the built-in audio is weak.

The picture quality is the star of the show. Mini-LED backlighting with local dimming delivers true blacks, and the 4K panel is bright and clear. Motion Rate 480 with the 144Hz native refresh rate keeps fast scenes smooth, which is great news for gamers. The AIPQ PRO processor handles upscaling and motion well enough that lower-res content still looks decent. The weak spot is audio. The 30W speaker output sounds below average, and several owners mention you'll want a soundbar. Also worth noting: you need a certified ultra high speed HDMI cable to actually get 4K/120Hz/HDR working properly. The TV won't magically fix a cheap cable.

Against the LG OLED evo C5 and Sony BRAVIA 8, the TCL can't match OLED's per-pixel contrast or HDR punch. Those sets are in a different league, and a different price bracket. But against the Hisense U8 Series and Roku Pro Series, the TCL holds its own. The Hisense U8 is a strong Mini-LED competitor with better HDR performance, but the TCL's 144Hz refresh rate and four HDMI 2.1 ports give it an edge for gamers. The Roku Pro Series has a slicker smart interface, but the TCL's picture quality and local dimming are more impressive. Samsung's The Frame Pro is a lifestyle product first, TV second, so it's not really a fair fight.

At CAD 698, this is a lot of TV for the money. You're getting Mini-LED with local dimming, 144Hz, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. That's a feature set you'd normally pay significantly more for. The audio is weak, but a budget soundbar fixes that and you'd still come out ahead. If you're shopping in this price range, the value proposition is hard to beat.

The TCL M8L Pro Series 55M8L Pro is a 55-inch Mini-LED TV that punches way above its price class. You get a 144Hz native refresh rate, four HDMI 2.1 ports, Dolby Vision, and TCL's AIPQ PRO processor doing the heavy lifting. For a set that's listed around CAD 698, that's a seriously stacked spec sheet.

Mini-LED with local dimming is the headline feature here. Real local dimming zones mean actual black levels, not the washed-out gray you get from cheaper edge-lit sets. Owners are consistently happy with the picture, and our database puts the display quality well above average for this category.

Skip this if you're an audio purist who refuses to buy a soundbar, because the built-in speakers won't satisfy you. Also skip it if you demand top-tier HDR performance, the HDR here is middle of the pack and OLED sets like the LG C5 or Sony BRAVIA 8 do it much better. And if you're not a gamer and don't care about 144Hz, you might find better picture quality per dollar in a set that trades refresh rate for better HDR.

This TV is for gamers and movie watchers who want flagship-level features without flagship prices. If you have a PS5, Xbox Series X, or gaming PC, the 144Hz panel and four HDMI 2.1 ports are exactly what you need. Pair it with a soundbar and you've got a killer setup. If you're a cinephile who demands the absolute best HDR and contrast, save up for an OLED. But for everyone else, this TCL is an easy recommendation.