TCL 85-Inch QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini LED TV review for gamers and movie lovers

Description

A Behemoth of a Screen: Design and Build Quality

The TCL 85-Inch QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini LED TV is nothing short of massive. With its 85-inch display, this television commands attention the moment you set it up. I was genuinely impressed by the bezel-less brushed metal design, which gives it a sleek, modern look. Despite its size, the design manages to feel premium without being overly ostentatious. The TV is also surprisingly slim at just 2.1 inches deep, making it less bulky than you’d expect for such a large model. However, its sheer size and 105.6-pound weight mean it’s not the easiest to move around, so consider its placement carefully.

One small gripe, though, is with the stand setup. While sturdy, the width of the legs means you’ll need a very wide surface or wall mount to accommodate this beast. If you’re planning to wall-mount, make sure you have the right tools and brackets because this isn’t a one-person job.

Stunning Picture Quality with Quantum Dot Technology

The picture quality on this TV is nothing short of spectacular. Thanks to Quantum Dot Technology and an UltraWide Color Gamut, the colors are vibrant and lifelike, with over a billion distinct shades. Watching nature documentaries felt like looking out of a window, and even older movies seemed to get a facelift with the HDR ULTRA feature. This includes formats like Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, which deliver exceptional contrast and clarity.

What truly sets this television apart is its Mini-LED ULTRA backlight technology with up to 2,300 local dimming zones. Blacks are incredibly deep, and bright highlights pop without the dreaded “halo” effect that plagues many other displays. The peak brightness of 2,000 nits is also fantastic for well-lit rooms where glare might otherwise ruin the experience.

Smooth Motion for Movies, Sports, and Gaming

As someone who loves both gaming and binge-watching TV shows, I was particularly interested in the motion-handling capabilities. The 120Hz native refresh rate, combined with Motion Rate 480 and MEMC frame insertion, ensures buttery-smooth playback. I tested it with everything from live sports to action-packed scenes, and the clarity was consistently top-notch.

For gaming, the Game Accelerator 240 is a game-changer (pun intended). This feature enables the TV to reach a 240Hz variable refresh rate, which, when paired with AMD FreeSync, eliminates screen tearing and input lag. Whether it was racing games or fast-paced shooters, everything felt responsive and fluid.

The Smart Features and Voice Control Convenience

This TV is as smart as it is big. Running on Google TV, the interface is intuitive and packed with streaming apps. Navigating through Netflix, YouTube, and others was a breeze using the voice-controlled remote. Saying “Play the latest episode of my favorite show” was all it took to jump into the action.

The inclusion of Chromecast also means you can cast content from your phone or tablet in seconds, which is perfect for sharing photos or showing off your Spotify playlists. Plus, it works seamlessly with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, making it easy to integrate into a smart home setup.

Key Benefits

• Exceptional picture quality with Quantum Dot Technology and HDR ULTRA.
• Superb motion clarity for fast-paced content, thanks to Motion Rate 480 and MEMC.
• Game-ready features like Game Accelerator 240 and AMD FreeSync.
• Voice controls and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant for convenience.

Caveats

• Bulky and heavy, requiring careful placement and possibly a second set of hands for setup.
• The wide leg stand may not fit on smaller TV consoles.
• While the interface is user-friendly, occasional lag was noticed during multitasking.

Competitive Options

In the world of 85-inch TVs, there are several competitors worth considering. For instance, Samsung’s QN90C Neo QLED offers similar Mini-LED technology, but it doesn’t quite reach the 2,300 dimming zones of this TCL model. The Samsung is also pricier, which doesn’t help if you’re on a budget.

On the other hand, LG’s C3 OLED shines with its self-emissive pixels, delivering unbeatable black levels. However, OLEDs generally don’t get as bright as this Mini-LED powerhouse, making the TCL a better choice for rooms with a lot of natural light.

If you’re a gamer, the TCL also edges ahead with its 240Hz VRR, which isn’t a common feature in this price bracket. For those who prioritize cost-efficiency and versatility, this TV remains a strong contender.

Worth Every Penny

When it comes to price-to-quality ratio, this television punches far above its weight. The combination of cutting-edge features like Mini-LED Ultra Technology, HDR Ultra, and Game Accelerator 240 makes it a solid investment. While it isn’t cheap, it offers a premium viewing experience that rivals pricier competitors.

For anyone looking to upgrade their home theater setup, this model is an excellent choice. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, movie enthusiast, or someone who just loves having the latest technology, this TV is packed with enough features to please everyone.

Additional information