TCL M8L Pro Series 55M8L Pro 55"
Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 55"
What Buyers Say
TCL M8L Pro Series 55M8L Pro 55"
Overall, buyers are very satisfied with this TCL TV, praising its excellent picture quality, true blacks thanks to local dimming, and high refresh rate ideal for gaming. Some note that the sound is below average and that a certified HDMI cable is needed for full 4K/120Hz/HDR performance. A few mention minor issues with streaming app default settings causing temporary poor image quality.
Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- True blacks with local dimming
- High refresh rate (144Hz)
- No reflection or glare
- Great for gaming (PS5/PC)
Cons
- Below average sound quality
- Requires certified HDMI cable for 4K/120Hz/HDR
- Streaming apps default settings cause temporary poor image
Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 55"
The Roku Pro Series TV receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its exceptional picture quality, vibrant colors, and deep blacks. Users praise the built-in sound, often finding it good enough to skip a soundbar, and highlight the responsive, user-friendly Roku interface. The rechargeable, backlit remote with a locator feature is a standout convenience. A few minor criticisms include the glossy screen causing reflections, non-customizable shortcut buttons, and occasional initial issues like local dimming quirks that resolved quickly.
Pros
- Exceptional picture quality with vibrant colors
- Deep blacks and excellent contrast
- Great built-in sound, often no soundbar needed
- Responsive and fast Roku interface
- Rechargeable backlit remote with locator
Cons
- Glossy screen causes reflections
- Non-customizable shortcut buttons on remote
- Initial local dimming artifacts (resolved quickly)
- Heavier than expected
- Bass can struggle at times
Scores
Specifications
| TCL M8L Pro Series 55M8L Pro 55" | Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 55" | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | ||
| Size | 55" | 55" |
| Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| Panel Type | Mini-LED★ | QLED |
| Backlight | Mini-LED★ | Full-Array LED |
| Aspect Ratio | — | 16:9 |
| Curved | ✗ | ✗ |
| Screen Finish | — | glossy |
| Picture Quality | ||
| Contrast Ratio | — | infinite |
| Motion Tech | Motion Rate 480 | Roku Smart Picture Max |
| Processor | TCL AIPQ PRO Processor | Roku Smart Picture Max |
| HDR | ||
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) |
| Dolby Vision | ✓ | ✓ |
| HDR10+ | ✗ | ✓★ |
| HLG | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Gaming | ||
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz★ | 120 Hz |
| VRR | — | FreeSync Premium Pro, VRR |
| ALLM | — | ✓★ |
| Game Mode | — | ✓★ |
| Smart TV | ||
| Platform | Android TV | Roku TV |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit | Not Applicable, Not Applicable |
| Screen Mirroring | AirPlay 2 | Apple AirPlay 2, Miracast |
| Works With | Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant | Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home |
| Audio | ||
| Speaker Config | — | 4 |
| Wattage | 30W★ | — |
| Dolby Atmos | — | ✓★ |
| Surround Sound | — | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio |
| eARC | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| HDMI Ports | 4 | 4 |
| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| USB Ports | 2 | 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth | 5.2★ |
| Ethernet | — | ✓★ |
| Optical Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| VESA Mount | 300x300 | 200x200 |
| Power & Size | ||
| Power | — | 235W★ |
| Energy Star | — | ✗ |
| Annual Energy | — | 238 kWh★ |
| Weight | 11.02 kg★ | 18.55 kg |
Pros & Cons
TCL M8L Pro Series 55M8L Pro 55"
- Strong user sentiment (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong connectivity (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong picture quality (78th percentile)
- Strong display (78th percentile)
Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 55"
- Strong user sentiment (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong connectivity (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong gaming (88th percentile)88th %ile
Verdict
Scores 79 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 9 of 39 specs.