TV Comparisons
TCL QM8K vs TCL QM8L: Which One Should You Buy?
The TCL QM8K and QM8L are closely matched premium Mini-LED televisions, but the QM8L delivers the more substantial hardware package. Its SQD-Mini LED color system produced punchier reds and greater color volume in Tech Steve’s side-by-side demonstrations, while TCL also specifies a higher peak-HDR brightness claim, an enhanced dimming system and four HDMI inputs capable of accepting up to 4K at 144 Hz. The QM8K remains a strong alternative for shoppers who prefer its more natural-looking presentation in some scenes or find it at a significant discount. Owners of a QM8K should not feel compelled to upgrade solely for the picture improvements shown here.
TCL QM8K vs QM8L: Picture Quality, HDR, Gaming and Features Compared
The TCL QM8K and QM8L are closely matched premium Mini-LED televisions, but the QM8L delivers the more substantial hardware package. Its SQD-Mini LED color system produced punchier reds and greater color volume in Tech Steve’s side-by-side demonstrations, while TCL also specifies a higher peak-HDR brightness claim, an enhanced dimming system and four HDMI inputs capable of accepting up to 4K at 144 Hz. The QM8K remains a strong alternative for shoppers who prefer its more natural-looking presentation in some scenes or find it at a significant discount. Owners of a QM8K should not feel compelled to upgrade solely for the picture improvements shown here.
| Feature | QM8K | QM8L | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2025 | 2026 | Model year alone does not determine picture quality or value. |
| Panel and color system | CrystGlow WHVA with QD-Mini LED QLED | WHVA 2.0 Ultra with SQD-Mini LED and TCL Deep Color System | The QM8L produced punchier reds and greater color volume in most of the side-by-side demonstrations. |
| Observed natural presentation | Looked more natural in some movie material | More saturated presentation in many scenes | The QM8K was judged more natural in selected movie examples, although results varied by scene. |
| Observed shadow detail | Preserved more shadow detail in one movie scene and one HDR example | Lost some shadow detail in one movie scene | The demonstrated dark-scene examples favored the QM8K, but this was not consistent across all content. |
| Manufacturer peak-HDR brightness claim | Up to 5,000 nits | Up to 6,000 nits | TCL specifies a higher maximum HDR brightness claim for the QM8L, and it generally appeared brighter in the SDR demonstrations. |
| Manufacturer dimming-zone claim | Up to 3,800 zones at the series level | Up to 4,000+ zones at the series level | The QM8L carries the higher series-level claim, though exact counts are not specified for individual sizes. |
| Native refresh rate | 4K at 144 Hz | 4K at 144 Hz | Both use native 144 Hz 4K panels. |
| High-refresh HDMI connectivity | Two inputs support up to 4K at 144 Hz | Four HDMI 2.1 inputs support up to 4K at 144 Hz | Four high-refresh inputs make it easier to connect multiple consoles and gaming PCs. |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision Gaming, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG; Dolby Vision 2 Max announced for an OTA update | Both cover the major current HDR formats, while the QM8L’s Dolby Vision 2 Max support depends on an update. |
| Audio expansion | Bang & Olufsen audio with Dolby Atmos; no model-specific wireless expansion system listed | Bang & Olufsen audio with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and optional Z100 FlexConnect speakers and Z100-SW subwoofer | The QM8L provides a verified path to wireless surround speakers and a subwoofer. |
| Smart platform | Google TV | Google TV with Gemini | Gemini adds newer conversational discovery and smart-control capabilities, although both platforms were described as responsive. |
| Overall value | Potentially attractive at discounted pricing | Stronger hardware and features, generally higher launch pricing | The better value depends on current street pricing and whether the QM8L’s color, HDMI and audio upgrades are needed. |
QM8K Series QD-Mini LED 4K UHD Google TV
A bright premium Mini-LED television with strong contrast, broad HDR support and two HDMI inputs capable of accepting up to 4K at 144 Hz.
Key technology
TCL Halo Control SystemCoordinates the Mini-LED light source, optical structure, panel and dimming algorithms to improve local backlight precision and reduce visible halos around bright objects.
CrystGlow WHVA Panel with ZeroBorderTCL's high-contrast VA-family LCD panel incorporates a wider-viewing-angle design, an anti-reflective treatment and an extremely narrow inactive border around the image.
Game Accelerator 288Allows refresh rates up to 288 Hz at compatible reduced resolutions; the panel's native 4K refresh rate remains 144 Hz.
AMD FreeSync Premium ProSynchronizes compatible gaming hardware with the television's variable refresh rate to reduce tearing while supporting HDR gaming.
Motion Rate 480 with MEMCUses motion estimation and frame insertion to make supported motion appear smoother; it is not the panel's native refresh rate.
Audio by Bang & OlufsenThe integrated television audio system and sound tuning were developed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen.
Buyer advantages
- QM8L delivers punchier reds and greater color volume in most demonstrations
- Both models provide strong Mini-LED contrast and native 144 Hz panels
- QM8L has four HDMI inputs specified for up to 4K at 144 Hz
- QM8K can look more natural and preserve more shadow detail in certain scenes
- Both support Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, VRR, ALLM and FreeSync Premium Pro
- Narrow centered pedestals make the 65-, 75- and 85-inch models easier to place
Things to consider
- The comparison used a 65-inch QM8K and 75-inch QM8L, limiting direct measurement conclusions
- QM8L lost some shadow detail in one movie demonstration
- QM8K has only two HDMI inputs capable of accepting up to 4K at 144 Hz
- The 288 Hz gaming mode requires reduced-resolution signals on both models
- Exact dimming-zone counts and SDR brightness are not published by size
- The 98-inch versions require furniture approximately 73 inches wide when using their feet
Sizes, mounting and buying details
| Size / model | Peak HDR | VESA | Feet width | Viewing distance | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65"65QM8K | 5,000 nitsTCL manufacturer claim labeled HDR 5000 Nits for the 65QM8K; not an independent or Tech Steve measurement | 300 x 300 | 15.28 in | 7.4–10.1 ft | Check price ↗ |
| 75"75QM8K | 5,000 nitsTCL manufacturer claim labeled HDR 5000 Nits for the 75QM8K; not an independent or Tech Steve measurement | 400 x 400 | 15.28 in | 8.6–11.7 ft | Check price ↗ |
| 85"85QM8K | 5,000 nitsTCL manufacturer claim labeled HDR 5000 Nits for the 85QM8K; not an independent or Tech Steve measurement | 600 x 500 | 16.14 in | 9.7–13.2 ft | Check price ↗ |
| 98"98QM8K | 5,000 nitsTCL manufacturer claim labeled HDR 5000 Nits for the 98QM8K; not an independent or Tech Steve measurement | 600 x 500 | 73 in | 11.2–15.2 ft | Check price ↗ |
Complete specifications
Audio
Speaker SystemAudio by Bang & Olufsen
Included SubwooferNo
Included Rear SpeakersNo
Dolby AtmosYes
Dolby Audio FormatsDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital
Sound ModesMovie, Speech, Music, Games, Night, Sports, Custom
Voice AssistantsGoogle Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit
Connectivity
HDMI Ports4
HDMI 2 1 Ports2
HDMI Inputs4
HDMI Outputs0
HDMI eARCYes
Optical Inputs0
Video PassthroughHDMI inputs 1 and 2 support up to 4K at 144 Hz; HDMI inputs 3 and 4 support up to 4K at 60 Hz. HDMI 4 provides eARC/ARC.
AirPlayYes
ChromecastYes
Design & Installation
Wall Mount IncludedNo
Gaming
Native Refresh Rate Hz144 Hz
Maximum Refresh Rate Hz288 Hz
VRRYes
ALLMYes
Picture
Display TechnologyQD-Mini LED QLED
Panel TypeCrystGlow WHVA LCD panel
Resolution3840 x 2160
Local DimmingPrecise full-array local dimming with TCL Halo Control System; TCL advertises up to 3,800 dimming zones at the series level
Peak Brightness Nits5000 nits
HDR FormatsDolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision Gaming, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Picture Modes HDR10Intelligent, Vivid, Standard, Sports, Filmmaker Mode, Movie
Picture Modes HDR10 PlusIntelligent, Vivid, Standard, Sports, Filmmaker Mode, Movie
Size Details
Dimensions Without Stand Inches56.46 x 32.44 x 1.97 in
Weight Without Stand lb46.52 lb
Dimensions Without Stand Inches65.28 x 37.36 x 2.01 in
Weight Without Stand lb62.61 lb
Dimensions Without Stand Inches74.02 x 42.24 x 2.09 in
Weight Without Stand lb85.76 lb
Dimensions Without Stand Inches85.8 x 48.66 x 2.13 in
Weight Without Stand lb121.25 lb
Smart Features
Operating SystemGoogle TV
ProcessorTCL AIPQ PRO Processor
Specifications
Screen Sizes65, 75, 85, 98
VESA By Size65": 300 x 300 mm, 75": 400 x 400 mm, 85": 600 x 500 mm, 98": 600 x 500 mm
Stand Width By Size65": 15.28 inches, 75": 15.28 inches, 85": 16.14 inches, 98": 73 inches between feet
Stand Depth By Size65": 14.49 inches, 75": 14.49 inches, 85": 14.92 inches, 98": 16.54 inches
Picture Modes SDRIntelligent, Vivid, Standard, Sports, Filmmaker Mode, Movie
Picture Modes Dolby VisionDolby Vision IQ
QM8L Series SQD-Mini LED 4K UHD HDR Smart TV with Google TV
A 2026 SQD-Mini LED television with a WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel, four 4K 144Hz HDMI inputs, Google TV and expandable Bang & Olufsen audio.
Key technology
SQD-Mini LEDCombines Mini LED backlighting with TCL's Super Quantum Dot color system to increase color gamut while retaining full-array local-dimming control.
TCL Deep Color SystemA color system combining Super Quantum Dots, the CSOT UltraColor Filter and an Advanced Color Purity Algorithm. TCL claims typical units can achieve 100% of the BT.2020 color ratio.
CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra PanelA high-contrast VA-family panel designed for wider color viewing angles, with an anti-reflective layer and TCL's edge-to-edge ZeroBorder design.
Enhanced Halo Control SystemCoordinates the Mini LED chips, condensed lenses, reduced optical distance, fast transient response and 26-bit backlight control to improve local-dimming precision and reduce visible halos.
TSR AI Pro ProcessorAnalyzes incoming video and dynamically controls clarity, contrast, color, motion, upscaling and backlighting.
Game Accelerator 288Provides a 288Hz gaming mode at reduced 1920 x 1080 resolution. Native-resolution 4K input remains limited to 144Hz and the physical panel rate is 144Hz.
Audio by Bang & OlufsenThe integrated TV audio system is voiced or tuned in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen; TCL does not publish the built-in speaker power or driver configuration.
Dolby Atmos FlexConnectAllows compatible wireless TCL Z100 speakers and the Z100-SW subwoofer to expand the TV's built-in audio system, with automatic location calibration after pairing.
Google Gemini Interactive AIAdds conversational content discovery, voice-based control and supported smart-TV assistance through Google TV.
Dolby Vision 2 MaxAnnounced as a future over-the-air update for QM8L. It should not be treated as an available format until TCL confirms that the update has been released.
Buyer advantages
- Four HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K at up to 144Hz, allowing multiple current-generation consoles and gaming PCs to remain connected.
- Native 144Hz panel with VRR, ALLM and FreeSync Premium Pro supports high-refresh gaming at the TV's full 4K resolution.
- SQD-Mini LED backlighting and full-array local dimming provide local contrast control rather than basic edge lighting.
- Initial viewing on the 75-inch model showed strong contrast, clean dark scenes and useful shadow detail.
- Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG cover the major consumer HDR formats.
- The 65-, 75- and 85-inch sizes use narrow center pedestals that fit on relatively compact furniture.
- Google TV navigation appeared fast, with Gemini, Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and broad app support.
- Optional FlexConnect speakers and wireless subwoofer provide an upgrade path beyond the integrated Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Things to consider
- Game Accelerator 288 reduces the input resolution to 1920 x 1080 and does not provide 288Hz gaming at 4K.
- TCL's up-to-6,000-nit and up-to-4,000-plus-zone claims are series-level figures rather than clearly documented specifications for every size.
- The 98-inch model's feet require approximately 73 inches of furniture width unless the TV is wall-mounted.
- Optional FlexConnect speakers and the wireless subwoofer are sold separately.
- A compatible wall mount is not included.
- Tech Steve noticed a small amount of motion blur during the initial movie demonstration.
- Bluetooth audio can introduce lip-sync delay with some headphones or speakers.
- Built-in speaker power and driver configuration are not published.
Sizes, mounting and buying details
| Size / model | Peak HDR | VESA | Feet width | Viewing distance | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65"65QM8L | — | 300 x 300 | 15.3 in | 7.4–10.1 ft | — |
| 75"75QM8L | — | 400 x 400 | 15.3 in | 8.6–11.7 ft | — |
| 85"85QM8L | — | 600 x 500 | 16.1 in | 9.7–13.2 ft | — |
| 98"98QM8L | — | 600 x 500 | 73 in | 11.2–15.2 ft | — |
Complete specifications
Audio
Speaker SystemAudio by Bang & Olufsen; Dolby Atmos FlexConnect-capable expandable system
Included SubwooferNo
Included Rear SpeakersNo
Compatible Rear Speaker KitUp to four TCL Z100 wireless speakers, with one optional Z100-SW wireless subwoofer
Dolby AtmosYes
Dolby Audio FormatsDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital
DTS SupportYes
DTS Audio FormatsDTS:X
Sound ModesMovie, Music, Speech, Game, Night, Sport, Custom
Room CorrectionAutomatic speaker-location calibration is supported when compatible TCL Z100 FlexConnect speakers are paired
Dialogue EnhancementSpeech sound preset
Voice AssistantsGoogle Assistant, Google Gemini
Optional AccessoriesTCL Z100 Dolby Atmos FlexConnect wireless speakers, TCL Z100-SW wireless subwoofer, Compatible VESA wall mount
Connectivity
HDMI Ports4
HDMI 2 1 Ports4
HDMI Inputs4
HDMI Outputs0
HDMI eARCYes
Optical Inputs0
AirPlayYes
ChromecastYes
Design & Installation
Wall Mount IncludedNo
Gaming
Native Refresh Rate Hz144 Hz
Maximum Refresh Rate Hz144 Hz
VRRYes
ALLMYes
Picture
Display TechnologySQD-Mini LED QLED with full-array local dimming
Panel TypeCSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel
Resolution3840 x 2160
Local DimmingYes
Peak Brightness Nits6000 nits
HDR FormatsDolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Size Details
Dimensions Without Stand Inches56.5 x 32.4 x 2.0 in
Weight Without Stand lb46.5 lb
Dimensions Without Stand Inches65.3 x 37.4 x 2.0 in
Weight Without Stand lb62.6 lb
Dimensions Without Stand Inches74.0 x 42.2 x 2.1 in
Weight Without Stand lb85.8 lb
Dimensions Without Stand Inches85.3 x 48.7 x 2.1 in
Weight Without Stand lb121.3 lb
Smart Features
Operating SystemGoogle TV
ProcessorTSR AI Pro Processor
Specifications
Screen Sizes65, 75, 85, 98
VESA By Size65": 300 x 300 mm, 75": 400 x 400 mm, 85": 600 x 500 mm, 98": 600 x 500 mm
Stand Width By Size65": 15.3 inches, center-pedestal width, 75": 15.3 inches, center-pedestal width, 85": 16.1 inches, center-pedestal width, 98": 73.0 inches, stand separation distance
Stand Depth By Size65": 14.5 inches, based on assembled product depth, 75": 14.5 inches, based on assembled product depth, 85": 14.9 inches, based on assembled product depth, 98": 16.5 inches, based on assembled product depth
Picture Modes SDRIntelligent, Vivid, Low Power, Sports, Movie, Game, PC, Filmmaker
Picture Modes Dolby VisionDolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision Bright, Dolby Vision Dark
Which one should you buy?
The QM8L is the better choice for shoppers building a new premium setup. Its SQD-Mini LED system delivers more forceful color, TCL claims higher peak HDR brightness and more dimming zones at the series level, and its four 4K/144-capable HDMI inputs are a meaningful advantage for homes with several consoles or gaming PCs. Expandable Dolby Atmos FlexConnect audio and Google TV with Gemini add further flexibility. Its tradeoffs are a higher launch price in most sizes, occasional loss of shadow detail in the demonstrated movie material and reliance on a future update for Dolby Vision 2 Max. The QM8K remains the value-focused choice. It still combines strong Mini-LED contrast, high advertised brightness, a native 144 Hz panel and broad HDR support. It sometimes looked more natural and preserved more dark-scene detail than the QM8L. Its main limitations are less dramatic color volume, only two HDMI inputs capable of 4K at 144 Hz and no verified equivalent to the QM8L’s wireless FlexConnect expansion. Buy the QM8K when the discount is substantial or if you already own one and are satisfied; choose the QM8L when maximum color impact, connectivity and feature flexibility matter more than saving money.
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