TCL QM7L Series 98QM7L 97.5"

The TCL 98-inch QM7L is a ridiculously bright, feature-packed giant that's a killer deal when on sale. Picture quality is near the top of the charts, and the 144Hz gaming performance is a standout. Just be ready for a workout during setup and hunt for a price closer to $1600.

Picture quality here is a standout, landing in the 97th percentile of our database. The Mini-LED backlight combined with the high-contrast HVA panel delivers deep blacks and searing highlights that make Dolby Vision content look incredible. Motion is handled beautifully by the 144Hz native refresh rate, and the Game Accelerator 288 mode is a legitimate perk for PC gamers who can push past 4K 120Hz. The smart platform is snappy and ranks in the 96th percentile, so app switching feels instant. Audio is a pleasant surprise for a flat panel, scoring in the 84th percentile, but the bass from the built-in subwoofer won't rattle your walls. The only real weak spot is the display score, which sits at the 56th percentile, likely dragged down by viewing angles typical of this panel type, so off-center seating won't look as pristine.

Stacked against the competition, the TCL QM7L is all about maximizing inches per dollar. The Sony BRAVIA XR A95L and LG C5 OLED will beat it on perfect black levels and viewing angles, but you can't get them anywhere near 98 inches without taking out a second mortgage. The Hisense U8 Series 100U8QG is its most direct rival, offering a similar giant-screen Mini-LED experience, though TCL's gaming chops with the 288Hz mode give it an edge for PC users. The Samsung Neo QLED QN990FFXZA is a technical marvel but costs exponentially more. If you want a massive, bright screen for movies and gaming and don't need the absolute best off-angle viewing, the TCL is the smart money pick.

The value conversation here is tricky because the price is a moving target. We've seen this set listed anywhere from $1600 to $4000 across vendors. At the low end, it's an absolute steal, a genuine theater-killer for less than a premium 77-inch OLED. At the high end, you're getting into serious competitor territory where you might prioritize perfect blacks over sheer size. If you're buying, patience is key. Wait for a sale at Best Buy or another major retailer to snag it closer to that $1600 floor, and you'll feel like you got away with something.

TCL has been on a tear lately, and the 98-inch QM7L is basically their victory lap. This thing is massive, absurdly bright, and packed with features that would have cost a fortune just a couple of years ago. It's a Mini-LED panel that pushes 3000 nits of peak brightness, which means HDR highlights genuinely pop, even in a sun-drenched living room. The 144Hz panel and Game Accelerator 288 mode also make it a sneaky-good giant gaming monitor, if you have the space and the GPU to drive it.

But let's be real, a 98-inch TV is a statement piece that requires planning. The 54kg weight and 600x500 VESA pattern mean your existing wall mount is probably not up to the task. Google TV handles smart duties smoothly, and the 2.1-channel audio with a built-in subwoofer is better than most thin TVs, though you'll still want a soundbar for real impact. For the price, which swings wildly between $1600 and $4000 depending on the sale, it's a theater replacement that doesn't feel like a compromise.

Skip this if you have a wide seating arrangement where people will be watching from sharp angles, because the HVA panel's viewing angles are just middle of the pack and the picture will wash out. You should also look elsewhere if you need a TV that's easy to move or set up solo, since this thing is a beast to handle.

You should buy this if you want a cinema-sized screen that can handle a bright room and double as a giant gaming monitor. It's for people who prioritize sheer scale and peak brightness over the inky perfection of OLED. The feature set is future-proof enough with HDMI 2.1 and 144Hz support, and the smart platform won't make you want to throw the remote. Just make sure you measure your wall, grab a friend to help lift it, and wait for a price drop.