TCL Q55K Series 97.5" 2025 Review

This 98-inch TCL is a giant with great gaming specs but average picture quality. Its 144Hz panel is a standout for smooth gameplay. It's worth buying only if size is your top priority and you're okay with trade-offs in image quality.

The TCL Q55K is a massive 98-inch TV that wants to be your living room's centerpiece. It's got the specs to back it up: a 144Hz panel for gaming, QLED color, and Dolby Vision HDR. But at this size, you're buying a wall of screen, and the experience hinges on how well it handles the basics like motion and brightness.

TCL is pitching this as a value giant. It's packing features you'd expect on more expensive TVs, like high refresh rates and a decent processor, into a frankly enormous frame. The question isn't if it's big, it's if the picture and performance are good enough to fill that space.

For gaming, this TV is a standout. The 144Hz refresh rate and VRR support put it in the 88th percentile for gaming performance in our database, meaning it's one of the best on the market for smooth gameplay. The HDR performance is also strong, sitting well above average. But the overall picture quality and display metrics are just middle of the pack. The audio is underwhelming, even with the Onkyo branding, and it falls behind most TVs in our social proof rankings, which suggests it's not a mainstream favorite.

At $1500 for a 98-inch TV, the value proposition is simple: you're getting a lot of screen for your money. The gaming features are legit, and the HDR is good. But you're not getting top-tier picture quality or audio. It's a trade-off. If your priority is sheer size and decent specs for gaming, the price is compelling. If you want the best picture money can buy at any size, you'll need to spend more.

Compared to the Sony BRAVIA 5 or Samsung Neo QLED, the TCL's picture quality can't compete. Those TVs are in a different league for clarity and contrast. The LG OLED evo C5 will blow it away in terms of pure image perfection, but you'll get a much smaller screen. Against value-focused giants like the Hisense U6 or Roku Pro Series, the TCL's 144Hz gaming edge is its main advantage. It's a specialist: choose it for size and gaming over absolute picture fidelity.

Skip this if you're a cinephile or sports fanatic seeking the best possible image. Its picture quality is average, and its sports performance score is low. Also, if your room isn't built for a 98-inch monster, the viewing experience will be compromised. Look at a higher-quality 75-inch or 85-inch TV from Sony or LG instead.

Buy this if you're building a dedicated gaming/media room and want a massive screen as your anchor. The high refresh rate makes it a great pick for console or PC gaming on a huge scale. Also consider it if you just want the biggest TV you can get for under $2000 and are okay with average picture quality. For most people, a smaller, higher-quality TV from Sony, Samsung, or LG will provide a better daily viewing experience.