TCL QLED Pro 43"

Great HDR in a small package, but a 60Hz panel and HDMI 2.0 make it a streaming TV, not a gaming TV. At $250, it's a smart buy for a bedroom, not a living room centerpiece.

The HDR performance is the real surprise here. It lands in the 93rd percentile for HDR, which puts it ahead of plenty of bigger, pricier sets. Full-array local dimming helps contrast pop, and Dolby Vision support means you're actually getting proper tone mapping instead of fake HDR. But picture quality overall sits at the 36th percentile, so don't expect miracles with fast motion or bright-room viewing. The 60Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.0 ports cap gaming at 4K/60, and the gaming score of 35.2 out of 100 tells you everything you need to know about this TV's priorities.

The Hisense U6 Series is the closest rival and typically offers better overall picture quality and a larger screen for not much more money, though availability varies. The Roku Pro Series gives you a simpler smart platform and better motion handling, but you lose Dolby Vision. Samsung's Q8F and LG's QNED85A are in a completely different league on brightness and gaming, but they cost several times more. For a 43-inch bedroom TV, the TCL holds its own against the budget crowd, but the Hisense U6 is the one to cross-shop hardest.

At $250 USD, this is a solid deal for a bedroom or small apartment TV. You're getting real HDR formats, local dimming, and a clean Google TV experience for less than a decent soundbar. It's not a value monster, but it's fair. If you want a bigger screen or 120Hz gaming, you'll need to spend more, and that's fine. This TV knows what it is.

The TCL QLED Pro is a 43-inch 4K TV that punches above its weight on HDR, which is weirdly rare at this size and price. You get Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and full-array local dimming, so movies and shows look way better than they have any right to on a budget panel. The catch is gaming. A 60Hz panel with HDMI 2.0 means this is a streaming and casual viewing TV, not a next-gen console companion.

If you're looking for a gaming TV with 120Hz, VRR, and HDMI 2.1, this isn't it. Go get a TCL QM7 or Hisense U7 instead. If you want a big-screen living room TV, 43 inches will feel small fast. This is a bedroom, office, or kitchen TV, not a home theater centerpiece.

Buy the TCL QLED Pro if you want a small 4K TV with excellent HDR support and a clean Google TV interface, and you don't care about gaming. It's a streaming-first panel that delivers where it counts for movies and shows. If you're a console gamer or want a bigger, brighter picture, look elsewhere. This is a niche TV, but it nails its niche.