TCL QM7K Series 85QM7K 84.6"

The QM7K hits 3000 nits peak brightness with up to 2500 local dimming zones, landing it in the 98th percentile for picture quality in our database. It's a 144Hz Mini-LED monster that undercuts the competition on price. The Wi-Fi 5 and 518W power draw are the main trade-offs.

This is where the QM7K earns its keep. The 3000 nits peak brightness is best-in-class territory, and with up to 2500 dimming zones, blooming is kept on a very short leash. The Halo Control System sounds like marketing speak, but the results show up in the numbers: 98th percentile for picture quality and 92nd for HDR. The 144Hz native refresh rate is a standout for gaming, and our 93rd percentile gaming score backs that up. Motion Rate 480 is TCL's interpolation trick, but the native 144Hz panel is the real story for fast action and sports. The AIPQ PRO processor handles upscaling well, and the 4K resolution gives it plenty of pixels to work with on an 85-inch canvas.

Stacked against the Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L, the QM7K trades blows on brightness and zone count while costing significantly less, though Sony's processing and motion handling still have an edge for purists. The Samsung Neo QLED QN75QN990FFXZA is a closer spec match, but Samsung's premium pricing makes the TCL look like a bargain. The Hisense U8 Series 100U8QG goes bigger on screen size, but the QM7K's 3000 nits and 2500 zones give it the contrast advantage. Against the LG OLED C5, the TCL wins on peak brightness and burn-in peace of mind, but loses on per-pixel contrast and viewing angles. The Roku Pro Series isn't really in the same conversation for picture quality, though it's a solid budget alternative.

Pricing on the QM7K is all over the place right now. We're seeing USD 1,260 to USD 1,500 across five US listings, a spread of USD 240 for the exact same panel. That's a meaningful chunk of change, so shop around before you commit. At the low end, this is an aggressive price for an 85-inch Mini-LED with this kind of brightness and zone count. At the high end, you're creeping into territory where OLED competitors start looking tempting. The sweet spot is finding it closer to USD 1,300 or below, which makes the price per inch of quality here genuinely hard to beat.

The TCL QM7K lands in our database with a 98th percentile picture quality score, which puts it in the absolute best tier of TVs we track. That's driven by 3000 nits of peak brightness and up to 2500 local dimming zones, a combo that produces the kind of contrast and specular pop you usually have to pay a lot more for. The 85-inch size class means this thing is a statement piece, and the anti-reflective CrystGlow HVA panel helps it hold up in bright rooms where lesser TVs wash out.

If you're planning to move this TV around or mount it solo, the 75.3 lb weight and 58.4 portable score should give you pause. This is a set-it-and-forget-it panel. The Wi-Fi 5 is also a legitimate annoyance if you have a Wi-Fi 6 or 6E mesh network and want maximum wireless throughput for 4K streaming. And if you're sensitive to power consumption, the 518W draw is on the higher end for this size class. OLED purists who watch mostly in dark rooms and want the absolute best per-pixel contrast should still look at the LG C5 or Sony A95L instead.

The TCL QM7K is the kind of TV that makes you question why anyone pays more. A 98th percentile picture quality score, 3000 nits of brightness, and 2500 dimming zones at this price point is a genuinely disruptive combo. The 144Hz panel and strong gaming scores make it a legit option for console and PC gamers alike. The Wi-Fi 5 and power draw are annoyances, not dealbreakers. If you want an 85-inch screen that punches way above its price class, this is the one to beat right now.