TCL M8L Pro Series 75M8L Pro 75"

A 75-inch Mini-LED with real local dimming and 144Hz for CAD 1,298 is an easy yes. Bring your own soundbar, because the built-in speakers are the only thing holding this back.

The 144Hz native refresh rate is the sleeper hit here. TCL markets it as Motion Rate 480, but don't let the marketing math confuse you, this panel does real 120Hz and 144Hz, which is exactly what you want for PS5 or PC gaming. Picture quality lands in the top quarter of our database, and the local dimming is the reason. Blacks look genuinely black, not backlit gray. The one thing that surprised us is how good the anti-glare coating is. Multiple owners mention zero reflection issues, which matters more than most specs in a bright living room.

Against the Samsung QN990F, the TCL gives you local dimming at a fraction of the price, though Samsung wins on overall polish and processing. The Hisense U8 Series is the closest direct competitor, and it's a genuine toss-up on picture quality, but the TCL's 144Hz panel and four HDMI 2.1 ports give it the edge for gamers. The LG OLED C5 and Sony BRAVIA 8 are in a completely different league for picture quality, but you're paying double or triple for that OLED contrast. If you want OLED blacks without OLED prices, this TCL is the smart play.

At CAD 1,298, this is one of the best value 75-inch TVs you can buy right now. You're getting Mini-LED with local dimming, 144Hz, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Samsung charges significantly more for similar specs, and their budget models skip local dimming entirely. The only real cost is a soundbar, because the built-in audio is not going to cut it.

The TCL 75M8L Pro is a big, bright Mini-LED TV that punches way above its price. The headline here is real local dimming, which means actual black levels instead of the washed-out gray you get on most budget 75-inchers. At CAD 1,298, you're getting a 144Hz panel, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and Dolby Vision. That's a combo that usually costs a lot more.

If you're buying a TV for the built-in audio experience, this isn't it. Go grab a Sony BRAVIA 8 instead, which has far better speakers out of the box. And if you refuse to sign Google's mandatory agreement just to watch TV, the Roku Pro Series is the better fit, no forced sign-ups there.

Buy it. The TCL 75M8L Pro is the rare TV that nails the fundamentals without the premium price tag. Real local dimming, 144Hz, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and Dolby Vision at CAD 1,298 is a genuinely great deal. Just budget for a soundbar and a certified HDMI cable, and you're set.