TCL Q77K Series 98Q77K 98"

The TCL 98Q77K gives you a 98-inch 4K QLED with a 144Hz refresh rate and 98th percentile HDR for $1,300 USD. Gaming performance is excellent with VRR, ALLM, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. But picture quality sits at the 36th percentile, and the 3.6-star customer rating suggests real-world performance doesn't always match the spec sheet.

The 144Hz native refresh rate is the headline act here. That puts the Q77K in the 87th percentile for gaming, which means it's one of the better TVs on the market for fast-paced action. You get VRR, ALLM, and HDMI 2.1 across four ports, so hooking up a PS5, Xbox Series X, and a gaming PC all at once is totally doable. Motion Rate 480 with MEMC frame insertion helps smooth out fast motion, though purists will probably turn that off for movies. The HDR story is even stronger. Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG support put this panel in the 98th percentile for HDR, which is basically the top of the charts. Bright highlights and deep contrast are where this TV shines.

The matte HVA panel is a smart move for a screen this big. It blocks reflections, so you don't have to live in a cave to enjoy it. But the picture quality score of 36th percentile is a red flag. Direct LED backlighting without local dimming means you're not getting the deep blacks of an OLED or a high-end mini-LED set. The display itself is a 4K QLED, which is solid, but the overall image processing doesn't stack up to the best panels we've tested. For gaming, the speed is there. For critical movie watching, the contrast and black levels will leave some people wanting more.

Stacked against the LG OLED evo OLED55C5PUA, the TCL wins on sheer size and price, but loses badly on picture quality. The LG is a 55-inch OLED with perfect blacks and better processing, but you're paying more for a much smaller screen. The Samsung QN990F and Sony BRAVIA 8 K65XR80 are both premium sets with superior image quality, but they cost significantly more and don't offer 98 inches at this price point. The Hisense U8 Series 65U8QG is probably the closest competitor in spirit. It's a QLED with strong HDR and gaming features, but again, smaller. The Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 is a budget-friendly option with a better smart platform, but it can't touch the TCL's size or refresh rate. The Q77K's whole pitch is that you get a giant, fast panel for less than the competition. The trade-off is that the picture quality doesn't match the spec sheet.

At $1,300 USD, the 98Q77K is one of the cheapest ways to get a 98-inch screen with HDMI 2.1 and a 144Hz panel. That's a lot of real estate for the money. The bundle deal with the Allstate protection plan adds $99.99 but knocks $100 off the total, so you're basically getting the warranty for free if you want it. The value proposition is strongest for gamers who want a huge display without spending OLED money. But the weak picture quality score and mediocre audio mean you're trading polish for size. If you just want the biggest screen possible for the least cash, this is hard to beat. If you want the best image quality per dollar, there are better options.

The TCL 98Q77K is a 98-inch QLED that lands in the 98th percentile for HDR and the 91st for display, which is a fancy way of saying this panel gets bright and stays crisp. It's got a 144Hz native refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ, and a matte HVA panel that's built to fight off glare. On paper, this thing is a living room centerpiece for gamers and movie nerds alike. But the picture quality score sits at the 36th percentile, which tells us the raw specs don't always translate to a flawless image. The customer rating of 3.6 out of 5 from 346 reviews backs that up. People are impressed by the size and the gaming chops, but not everyone is walking away thrilled.

At $1,300 USD for a 98-inch screen, the value proposition is wild on paper. You're getting a massive display with HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, and a 144Hz panel for less than many 65-inch OLEDs. But the audio is a middling 40W setup at the 47th percentile, and the smart platform is just average. This is a TV that bets big on size and gaming performance while cutting corners elsewhere. If you want a giant screen for your PS5 or PC, this is a serious contender. If you want the best picture quality period, you might want to keep reading.

Skip this if you care about picture quality above all else. The 36th percentile picture quality score is a weak spot, and the Direct LED backlight without local dimming means you'll see gray blacks and blooming in dark scenes. Movie buffs who watch in a dark room will be disappointed. Also skip it if you want great built-in audio. The 40W speakers are mediocre at the 47th percentile, so you'll need a soundbar. And if you're expecting a premium smart TV experience, the Google TV platform here is just average. This is a big, fast panel for gamers and bright rooms, not a reference-grade display for cinephiles.

The TCL 98Q77K is a gamer's dream if your dream is a 98-inch screen that doesn't cost five figures. The 144Hz refresh rate, VRR, ALLM, and four HDMI 2.1 ports put it in the 87th percentile for gaming, and the HDR performance is genuinely top-tier. But the 36th percentile picture quality score is a real bummer. Direct LED without local dimming means blacks look gray in a dark room, and the audio is nothing special. If you're buying this for a bright living room and mostly gaming or streaming sports, it's a solid deal at $1,300 USD. If you're a movie buff who cares about contrast and black levels, save up for an OLED or a mini-LED set. This TV is about size and speed, not pixel-perfect accuracy.