TCL Q7 Series 65Q750G 65"

The TCL Q7 delivers 1000 nits of HDR brightness, full-array local dimming, and a 120Hz panel for under $600 if you shop smart. It's a top-tier value for gamers and movie fans alike. Just add a soundbar and you're set.

The Q7's picture quality is the headline act. With 1000 nits of peak brightness and full-array local dimming, HDR content pops the way it should. Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ are both on board, so you're covered no matter which format your streaming app prefers. Colors look rich thanks to the quantum dot layer, and the 120Hz native refresh rate keeps motion smooth during fast sports or action scenes. Gaming performance is also strong, landing in the 89th percentile. The Game Accelerator 240 feature is a bit of marketing math, but the real 120Hz panel and VRR support do the heavy lifting. Audio is the weak spot at 73rd percentile. The built-in 15W speakers are fine for casual viewing, but you'll want a soundbar for anything cinematic.

Against the Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L, the TCL can't match Sony's processing or color accuracy, but it costs a fraction of the price. The Samsung Neo QLED QN70F has better contrast with its Mini-LED backlight, but you'll pay a premium for that. The Hisense U8 Series 65U8QG is probably the closest rival, offering similar brightness and local dimming at a comparable price. The LG OLED evo C5 will beat the Q7 on perfect blacks and viewing angles, but OLED still costs more and can't hit the same sustained brightness. For the money, the Q7 holds its own against all of them.

This is where the Q7 really shines. Prices in our database range from $570 to $767 depending on the retailer, so it pays to shop around. At the low end, you're getting a TV that competes with sets costing hundreds more. The HDR performance alone puts it in the 99th percentile, which is wild for this price bracket. If you can snag it near $570, it's an absolute steal. Even at the higher end, it's still a solid deal compared to the competition.

The TCL Q7 is one of those TVs that makes you wonder why you'd spend twice as much for a big-name brand. You get a 65-inch QLED panel with full-array local dimming, up to 200+ zones, and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. That's a recipe for punchy HDR and deep blacks without the OLED price tag.

It's also a sneaky good gaming TV. A native 120Hz panel, FreeSync Premium Pro, and HDMI 2.1 support mean your PS5 or Xbox Series X will feel right at home. Google TV keeps the smart side simple, and the whole package lands in the 91st percentile for picture quality in our database. Not bad for a set that often dips well under $700.

If you need wide viewing angles for a big seating area, look elsewhere. The Q7's VA panel loses color and contrast when you sit off to the side. And if you're a home theater purist who wants perfect blacks and infinite contrast, an OLED like the LG C5 is worth the extra cash. The Q7 is also not the pick for anyone who wants great sound without a soundbar.

If you want a big, bright, feature-packed TV without spending OLED money, the TCL Q7 is an easy recommendation. It's ideal for gamers who want 120Hz and VRR, and for movie lovers who want HDR that actually looks like HDR. The built-in audio is nothing special, so budget for a soundbar. But for the price, this is one of the best values in the 65-inch class right now.