TCL QM 85" 2025 Review
The TCL QM6K delivers a shockingly good picture and a solid soundbar for under $1400, making it a fantastic value for a massive living room TV. Just don't buy it if you're a serious gamer.
The 30-Second Version
For under $1400, this 85-inch TV with a soundbar is a steal for movie nights and sports. Just don't buy it if you're a competitive gamer.
Overview
The TCL QM6K is a massive 85-inch TV that punches way above its price tag, but it's not trying to be everything to everyone. The one thing you need to know is this: for under $1400, you're getting a shockingly good picture and a decent soundbar in a single box, making it a killer value for a big, bright living room TV. It's built for movies and sports, not for hardcore gamers or home theater purists who demand perfect blacks.
Performance
What surprised us was just how good the picture quality is for the money. It lands in the 94th percentile, which is nuts for a TV at this price. The QD-Mini LED tech delivers fantastic brightness and color, and the Halo Control system does a solid job managing blooming. The audio, in the 91st percentile, is also a pleasant surprise thanks to the included soundbar. But the gaming performance, sitting at the 37th percentile, is the clear weak spot. If you're a serious gamer, you'll feel the lag.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning picture quality for the price. The 94th percentile ranking is no joke. 90th
- The bundled Q Class soundbar is legit good and saves you a couple hundred bucks. 89th
- Google TV is simple and reliable, even if it's not the fastest smart platform. 84th
- It's an 85-inch screen for under $1400. That's the headline. 71th
Cons
- Gaming performance is mediocre. The 37th percentile score means serious gamers should look elsewhere. 10th
- HDR performance is surprisingly weak at the 33rd percentile, so don't expect OLED-level pop. 18th
- Connectivity is a letdown (21st percentile). Ports are limited, and the Wi-Fi can be finicky. 24th
- It's a big, bright TV, not a subtle one. Dark room performance can't match an OLED.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 85" |
| 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 |
Value & Pricing
This is absolutely worth it if you want a huge, bright TV for movies and sports without spending a fortune. You're getting a great panel and a good soundbar for the price of a mid-range 75-inch TV from other brands. It's a no-brainer for value-focused buyers.
Price History
vs Competition
Compared to the Sony BRAVIA 5, the TCL wins on sheer size and value, but the Sony has better processing and motion handling. Against the Hisense U6 Series, the TCL's QD-Mini LED tech gives it a brighter, more colorful picture. But if perfect blacks are your priority, an LG OLED like the G5 will destroy the QM6K in a dark room, though you'll pay a lot more and won't get this level of brightness. The TCL QM8 is its more premium sibling with better gaming features, but you lose the soundbar bundle.
| Spec | TCL QM 85" | 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 | 85 | 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 85" | 18.2 | 84.4 | 54.4 | 24.1 | 89.8 | 9.6 | 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 soundbar good enough, or do I need to buy a separate one?
The bundled Q Class soundbar is surprisingly good for a freebie. It fills a room and handles Dolby Atmos content well. For most people, it's plenty. Only hardcore audiophiles need to upgrade immediately.
Q: How is this for gaming?
It's okay for casual gaming, but not great. The gaming performance is in the bottom third of TVs we've tested. If low input lag and high refresh rates matter to you, look at the TCL QM8 or a Sony instead.
Q: Is the picture better than an OLED?
It's different. This TV gets much, much brighter than most OLEDs, so it's fantastic in a sunny room. But in a dark room, an OLED will have perfect blacks and infinite contrast that this Mini-LED can't quite match.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a competitive gamer who needs the fastest response time, this isn't it. Go get a dedicated gaming monitor or a Sony BRAVIA. If you're a home theater purist who watches everything in a pitch-black room and demands perfect blacks, save up for an LG OLED instead.
Verdict
We recommend the TCL QM6K if you're after a massive, bright TV for a great price and you don't need top-tier gaming specs. It's the best 'just plug it in and be amazed' package for a family room. For dedicated home theaters or serious gamers, the compromises in HDR, connectivity, and input lag are real, and you should spend more on a Sony or LG.