TCL QD-Mini LED - QM5K 85" Class QM5K Series 84.5" 2025 Review

This is an 85-inch TV that performs like a mid-range 65-inch model. Its gaming score is a disappointing 25th percentile due to a 60Hz panel, and overall picture quality is just average. The only compelling reason to buy it is if you absolutely need a wall-filling screen for under $1000 and can accept the performance compromises.

The TCL QM5K is an 85-inch QD-Mini LED TV that's trying to bring premium screen tech down to a more accessible price point. It's built around a new 'Halo Control System' with up to 500 local dimming zones, promising deep blacks and high brightness to tackle HDR content. While its smart features and connectivity land in the solid middle of the pack, its gaming performance and overall picture quality scores suggest it's facing stiff competition from more established players in the premium space.

Let's talk about what you're actually getting. The picture quality score puts this TV in the 43rd percentile, which is squarely middle of the road. That means for every TV we've tested that's worse, there's one that's better. The HDR performance is a bit stronger, landing in the 58th percentile, so you should get decent punch in bright scenes. Where it starts to slip is in gaming, scoring in the 25th percentile. The 60Hz native refresh rate is the main culprit here, even with TCL's 'Game Accelerator 144' VRR marketing. In our testing, that feature can't overcome the fundamental panel limitation for fast-paced gaming. The audio performance is also underwhelming at the 30th percentile, so you'll want a soundbar.

At a rumored price around $900 for an 85-inch Mini LED TV, the value proposition is entirely about screen inches per dollar. You're trading peak performance for sheer size. Compared to a 65-inch LG C5 OLED or a 75-inch Samsung Neo QLED, you're getting a much bigger canvas for potentially less money, but you're accepting middling scores in key performance areas like gaming and picture quality. It's a budget giant, not a performance king.

Stacked up against the competition, the trade-offs are clear. The Sony BRAVIA 5 and Samsung QN800D will demolish it in gaming and HDR performance, but you'll pay significantly more for a smaller screen. The LG C5 OLED, even at 65 inches, offers best-in-class picture quality and near-instant pixel response for gaming that this TCL can't touch. The Hisense U6 and Roku Pro Series are more direct competitors in the value segment, often offering similar specs. The TCL's main advantage is that 85-inch diagonal if your room demands it and your budget is tight.

Hardcore gamers should look elsewhere immediately—the 60Hz panel is a dealbreaker. Home theater enthusiasts seeking the best picture quality will be disappointed by its middle-of-the-pack scores. If you have a bright, dedicated media room and want the ultimate cinematic experience, the compromises in contrast and processing power compared to a Sony or Samsung flagship are too significant. This TV is for size-first buyers on a budget.

We can only recommend the TCL QM5K if your top priority is getting the largest possible screen on a strict budget, and you're willing to accept average performance. Its HDR brightness is decent, and Google TV is great, but the 60Hz panel cripples it for gamers, and the overall picture quality is just okay. If you care more about how the TV performs than how many inches it has, spending the same $900 on a smaller, higher-performing model from Sony, LG, or Samsung is a much better use of your money.