TCL QD-Mini LED - QM5K 55" Class QM5K Series 54.6" 2025 Review

This is the best budget smart TV you can buy right now. Its picture quality is top-tier for the price, and it's loaded with features. If you don't need high refresh rates for gaming, it's a steal.

Look, TCL has been killing it in the budget TV space for years, and the QM5K is their latest win. It's a 55-inch Mini-LED with 500 dimming zones, Google TV, and all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a premium screen, but at a price that makes you double-check the tag. This isn't just a good cheap TV, it's a legitimately great TV that happens to be cheap.

The picture quality is the star here. With 500 local dimming zones and that Halo Control system, blacks are deep and contrast is punchy, landing it well above average for picture quality. Colors pop thanks to the QLED layer, and HDR content looks bright and vibrant. The 60Hz refresh rate is the clear trade-off, though. It's fine for casual gaming and most content, but if you're a serious console or PC player chasing 120Hz, this isn't your screen. The audio is solid, nothing to write home about, but it gets the job done.

At around $350, this thing is a flat-out steal. You're getting Mini-LED tech, which is a massive step up from standard LED TVs, at a price point where those older models usually live. The value isn't just in the specs, it's in the overall experience. It feels premium.

Compared to the Roku Pro Series, which is also a fantastic budget Mini-LED, the QM5K wins on smart features with its superior Google TV platform. Against the Hisense U6, the TCL typically has better local dimming control. The big trade-off is against gaming-focused TVs like higher-end Samsung or LG models. Those will give you 120Hz or even 144Hz, but you'll pay double or triple for it. For most people who watch movies and stream shows, the QM5K's picture quality at this price makes it the smarter buy.

Skip this if you're a hardcore gamer who needs 120Hz or higher refresh rates. That 60Hz limit is a brick wall. Also, if you have a very narrow TV stand under 30 inches, check the exact measurements first, because the fit might be tight.

Buy this if you want the best picture quality you can get for under $400. It's perfect for movie lovers, streamers, and casual gamers. The smart features are best-in-class, and it just works. It's the TV we'd recommend to most friends looking for a new screen.