TCL 85-Inch QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini LED TV Review for Gamers

Description

Design and Build Quality

The TCL 85-Inch QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini LED TV is a beast of a television, both in size and design. Its bezel-less brushed metal frame gives it a sleek, modern appearance that fits effortlessly into any living room or home theater setup. I was genuinely impressed by how such a massive screen could feel so seamless and not overly bulky. The 2.1-inch depth means it doesn’t protrude awkwardly from the wall if mounted, and it manages to stay stable on its stand if wall mounting isn’t your thing. While setting it up, I did notice its 105.6-pound weight, which meant I had to call in some backup to get it into place. But honestly, for an 85-inch screen, this is expected, and the premium build quality more than justifies it.

Picture Performance and Clarity

If you’re looking for visuals that truly pop, this TV delivers. The QLED Quantum Dot Technology paired with the Mini-LED Ultra backlight makes colors ridiculously vibrant. Watching nature documentaries felt like looking through an actual window into the wild. With HDR ULTRA supporting Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, the contrast is nothing short of stunning. I tested it in both brightly lit conditions and a pitch-dark room, and the 2,300+ local dimming zones made sure the blacks stayed deep and the whites were blindingly bright without any annoying blooming effects. The 2,000 nits peak brightness is a game-changer if you’re tired of washed-out images during daytime viewing.

One quirky thing I tried was pausing a scene with a lot of detail, and I could literally see every texture on a character’s outfit. The UltraWide Color Gamut apparently offers over a billion colors, and honestly, it feels like it. Whether it’s gaming, movies, or sports, the clarity is unmatched.

Gaming Powerhouse

As someone who games a lot, the Game Accelerator 240 feature blew me away. While the 120Hz native refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, the ability to hit 240Hz VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) with AMD FreeSync is perfect for competitive gaming. Firing up a fast-paced shooter felt buttery smooth, and I didn’t experience any screen tearing or input lag. If you’re a gamer, this TV doesn’t just keep up, it actually gives you an edge. Plus, the Auto Game Mode seamlessly switches to optimal settings when it detects a gaming console. It’s like having a TV that’s smarter than you expect, and let’s be honest, that’s always a win.

Smart Features and Usability

Navigating through the TV’s interface was a breeze, thanks to Google TV integration. The voice remote is intuitive and responsive, making it super easy to search for content without typing. I even tried linking it to Alexa, and it worked without a hitch. It’s also equipped with Chromecast, which means you can cast content directly from your phone or laptop—something my tech-savvy teenager found especially cool. The AI-powered AIPQ Engine Gen 3 optimizes the picture quality scene by scene, which, in my experience, made a noticeable difference when switching between genres like action movies and romantic comedies.

The only slight hiccup I faced was during setup. While connecting to my Wi-Fi network was smooth, there was a minor delay when syncing my streaming accounts. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but something to note if you’re eager to dive in right away.

Pros

Here are some of the favorable attributes I found during my experience with this TV:

• Stunning picture quality with vibrant colors and deep contrasts, thanks to QLED and HDR ULTRA.
• Game Accelerator 240 is a dream for gamers, offering ultra-smooth performance.
• Bezel-less design enhances aesthetics and makes the screen feel even larger.
• Voice remote and smart features are intuitive and elevate usability.
• 2,300+ local dimming zones ensure no blooming and perfect black levels.

Critiques

That said, no product is perfect. Here are a few areas for improvement:

• The weight can be a challenge during setup; you’ll need a second person to help.
• Initial setup of smart features like account syncing could be smoother.
• It’s large enough that it might not fit in smaller rooms or on standard TV stands.

Competing Products

Comparing it to other 85-inch TVs, a few names come to mind. For starters, Samsung’s Neo QLED models are strong competitors. While Samsung offers similar Mini-LED backlight technology, TCL stands out by offering 2,300+ dimming zones, which is more impressive than some of Samsung’s models in this size range. However, Samsung tends to have better brand recognition and slightly more polished software.

On the other hand, LG’s OLED TVs provide deeper blacks due to their pixel-level lighting control. That said, OLEDs can’t reach the 2,000 nits peak brightness that this TV offers, making the TCL a better choice for bright environments. Where TCL excels is in gaming performance with its 240Hz VRR, which neither Samsung nor LG can quite match at this price point.

True Value

Talking about the price-to-quality ratio, this TV is a solid contender. For the features packed into this model, it punches well above its weight when compared to other premium brands. While some might argue that OLED panels offer better contrast, the Mini-LED technology on this TV closes the gap significantly while being more cost-effective. The balance of gaming features, smart functionality, and picture performance makes this TV a fantastic option for anyone seeking an 85-inch screen without breaking the bank.

Additional information