TCL QM 98-Inch 7K 98" 2025 Review
The TCL QM7K packs a 98-inch QD-Mini LED screen and a great sound bar into one surprisingly affordable package. It's a home theater powerhouse for movie nights, but gamers might want to look elsewhere.
The 30-Second Version
A 98-inch home theater beast that doesn't break the bank. The picture quality rivals TVs twice its price, and the included sound bar means you're ready for movie night right out of the box. Just don't try to be a pro gamer on it.
Overview
Look, if you're buying a 98-inch TV, you're not messing around. You want a wall of awesome, and the TCL QM7K delivers that for a price that will make your wallet breathe a sigh of relief. The one thing to know is this: it's a massive, bright, and surprisingly good-sounding package that punches way above its weight class on picture quality. Forget the 'budget brand' label; with its QD-Mini LED tech and 2500 dimming zones, this thing gets shockingly close to OLED-level blacks without the burn-in anxiety, all while being a daylight cannon. It's a home theater starter kit in one box.
Performance
What surprised us? The audio. TVs this thin usually sound like a tin can, but the included Q Class sound bar is legit. Our data puts it in the 91st percentile for audio, and after hearing it, we get why. It fills a room, and the Dolby Atmos support actually works. You might not need a separate sound system, which is wild for a TV at this price. The picture quality, sitting in the 94th percentile, is the star, but the sound system being this good is the unexpected bonus that makes the whole package feel complete.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning picture quality for the price, with deep blacks and incredible brightness. 90th
- The included sound bar is fantastic, saving you hundreds on a separate audio setup. 89th
- Sheer size. A 98-inch screen for under $3k is still a steal. 84th
- Google TV is simple and has all the apps you need. 71th
Cons
- Gaming performance is mediocre (37th percentile). Don't buy this for a PS5 or Xbox Series X. 18th
- HDR performance is surprisingly weak (33rd percentile), so some high-end movie scenes might not pop as expected. 20th
- Smart features are just okay (68th percentile). It's functional, not flashy. 24th
- It's a 98-inch TV. Good luck getting it through your front door.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 98" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | QLED |
| Backlight | Mini-LED |
| Year | 2025 |
Smart TV
| Platform | Google TV |
Audio
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| Surround Sound | DTS:X |
Connectivity
| Optical Audio | Yes |
Value & Pricing
Worth it. Absolutely. For $2798, you're getting a colossal screen with top-tier picture quality and a great sound system. You'd struggle to find a 98-inch OLED for triple the price, and this TCL gets you 90% of the way there for movies and sports. It's one of the best 'bang for your buck' home theater investments you can make right now.
vs Competition
The main fight is between this and an OLED. The LG OLED evo G5 (97-inch) will have perfect blacks and better gaming response, but it costs a fortune and can't get as bright. If your room has windows, the TCL wins. Against other Mini-LEDs, like the Samsung Neo QLED, the TCL offers a much bigger screen for similar or less money, though Samsung's processing might be slightly better. The Hisense U6 is cheaper, but it's a smaller, lower-tier Mini-LED. For a massive, bright living room TV, the TCL QM7K is the value king.
| Spec | TCL QM 98-Inch 7K 98" | Sony Bravia Sony BRAVIA 5 98" 4K HDR Smart Mini-LED TV | LG OLED evo - C5 series LG - 77" Class C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K UHD Smart | Samsung Neo QLED Samsung - 65” Class QN80F Series Neo QLED Mini LED | Hisense U65QF Mini-LED Hisense - 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED QLED UHD 4K | Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro Roku - 65" Class Pro Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 98 | 98 | 77 | 65 | 75 | 65 |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | QLED | MiniLED | OLED | Neo QLED | MiniLED | MiniLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 144 | 120 |
| Hdr | - | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Google TV | Google TV | webOS | Tizen | Fire TV | Roku TV |
| Dolby Vision | - | true | true | false | true | true |
| Dolby Atmos | true | false | true | true | true | true |
| Hdmi Version | - | 2.1 | 2.1 | - | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Hdr | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL QM 98-Inch 7K 98" | 18.2 | 84.4 | 54.4 | 24.1 | 89.8 | 19.9 | 70.8 | 89.1 |
| Sony Bravia K98XR50 98" LED Compare | 92.9 | 73.8 | 91.6 | 94.9 | 75.4 | 97.2 | 99.5 | 86.1 |
| LG OLED evo - C5 series 77" Class C5 Series Compare | 92.9 | 90.4 | 95.3 | 99.9 | 95.6 | 98.6 | 99.5 | 43 |
| Samsung Neo QLED 65” Class Series Neo Compare | 89.9 | 90.4 | 96.6 | 92.8 | 80.1 | 92.4 | 97.6 | 86.1 |
| Hisense U65QF Mini-LED 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED Compare | 98.8 | 90.4 | 93.8 | 96.5 | 69.1 | 97.2 | 97.6 | 97.1 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 65" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.4 | 62.4 | 99 | 98.8 | 86.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the sound bar really good enough, or do I need to buy a separate system?
It's genuinely good enough for most people. Our tests put it in the top 10% for TV audio. It gets loud, has clear dialogue, and the Dolby Atmos effect adds depth. You can always upgrade later, but you won't feel an urgent need to.
Q: How's the motion handling for fast sports?
It's solid. Sports are actually one of its highest-rated uses (61.7/100). The fast response time and high brightness make football and soccer look great, even in a bright room. You won't see much blur.
Q: Is the Google TV interface slow?
It's fine. It's not the fastest smart system we've tested (68th percentile), but it's perfectly responsive for opening Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube. You might see the occasional hiccup, but it's not a dealbreaker.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a competitive gamer who needs 120Hz VRR and the lowest input lag, this isn't it. The gaming performance is in the bottom third. Go get a dedicated gaming monitor or a high-end OLED like the LG G series instead. Also, skip it if you're a pixel-peeping HDR cinephile; its HDR scores are surprisingly low.
Verdict
We're giving this a strong recommendation for movie buffs and sports fans who want a giant screen without a giant loan. The picture is fantastic, the sound is built-in and great, and the price is almost reasonable for what you get. Just know its limits: hardcore gamers and HDR purists should look elsewhere. For everyone else wanting a theater experience at home, this is a phenomenal choice.