TCL QM7L Pro Series 65QM7L Pro 65"

Stunning HDR and gaming chops for under a grand, but the audio is a buzzkill. Buy it for the picture, not the speakers.

The HDR is the star here, no question. 98th percentile means this thing outpunches almost everything we've tested for bright highlights and deep blacks. The Mini-LED backlight with TCL's TSR AI Pro processor does real work, and the 100% BT.2020 color is a spec you don't see every day. Gaming is solid too, with 144Hz and four HDMI 2.1 ports, which is more than most competitors offer. But the audio is underwhelming at the 38th percentile. You'll want a soundbar, and the built-in speakers won't do this picture justice.

Against the LG OLED evo C5, the QM7L Pro can't match the perfect blacks of OLED, but it gets brighter and costs less. The Hisense U8 Series is the closest direct rival, and it's a toss-up on picture, though TCL's four HDMI 2.1 ports give it an edge for multi-console setups. The Sony BRAVIA 8 has better processing and audio, but you'll pay a lot more for it. If you want the best HDR bang for your buck, the TCL is the pick. If you want the best overall picture and don't mind spending more, go OLED.

At $900 USD, this is a strong deal for the picture quality you're getting. The HDR alone justifies the price, and the gaming chops are a bonus. But factor in a soundbar and you're creeping toward OLED territory. If you already have external audio, this is a no-brainer. If you don't, budget another $150 to $300.

The TCL QM7L Pro is a Mini-LED TV that swings hard at the premium tier without the premium price tag. The headline here is the HDR performance, which lands in the 98th percentile of our database. That's the absolute best right now, and it's the reason this set exists. You're getting 100% BT.2020 color coverage, Dolby Vision IQ, and a 144Hz panel for $900 USD. That's a combo that usually costs a lot more.

But there's a catch. The customer rating sits at 3.7 out of 5, which is mediocre for this category. Some owners clearly aren't thrilled. The audio is also a weak spot, landing in the bottom half of our database. So you're getting a killer picture with some rough edges around it.

If you're looking for a TV with great built-in sound and a polished smart TV experience, this isn't it. Go get a Sony BRAVIA 8 or an LG OLED instead. And if you're sensitive to customer reviews, that 3.7 rating might bug you. This is a picture-first TV for people who already have external audio.

The TCL QM7L Pro is a fantastic TV for HDR enthusiasts and gamers who already own a soundbar or plan to buy one. The picture quality is genuinely impressive for the price, and the 144Hz panel with four HDMI 2.1 ports is a gamer's dream. Just don't expect the built-in audio to keep up. If you're okay with adding external speakers, this is one of the best values in the 65-inch category right now.