TCL QM7K 65' TV Review

Yahoo

06-07-2025

I've been a fan of TCL TVs for a while now, and with the new TCL QM7K 4K, it's easier than ever to recommend to anyone in the market. It delivers a solid offering across the board. TCL has always provided fantastic value for the money, and with the QM7K, the company has introduced a compelling entry in the competitive mid-range television market, offering impressive picture quality and gaming performance at a price that challenges more expensive alternatives. After extensive testing across various content types and usage scenarios, this quantum dot mini-LED display proves itself a worthy consideration for consumers seeking premium features without the premium price tag.
Unboxing the TCL QM7K reveals a solid refinement of past TVs, while retaining the signature TCL look. Like many of the brand's modern models, the QM7K features a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that complements today's living spaces well. Thin bezels maximize screen real estate while maintaining an elegant appearance. Build quality feels solid throughout, with no noticeable flex or signs of cheap materials in its construction.
When the TV is all set up, the new stand design provides stable support while maintaining a relatively small footprint. Cable management features help maintain a clean appearance, although the stand's design may not suit all entertainment center configurations. The TV also offers wall-mounting options should you prefer that route, delivering a clean look when the base is not attached. I'm genuinely impressed by how sleek the whole package is, especially considering the cost of the TCL QM7K compared to other options on the market, though more on that later.
Looking at the back of the TCL QM7K, you'll find a comprehensive selection of input and output options designed to accommodate modern entertainment setups, though with some limitations that reflect its mid-range positioning. The television features a total of four HDMI ports, with two supporting the full HDMI 2.1 standard, capable of handling 4K content at refresh rates of up to 144Hz.
The remaining two ports are limited to HDMI 2.0 specifications with a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz. One of the HDMI ports includes eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) functionality for high-quality audio passthrough to compatible sound systems. Additional connectivity features include dual USB ports (one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0), a single Ethernet port for wired internet access, an RF input for over-the-air broadcasts, and an S/PDIF optical digital audio output.
While I don't love the placement of all the ports along the right side of the television—except for the power cable, which connects on the left—I can see why it works for many people, especially when the TV is wall-mounted. It does make cable management slightly more difficult, particularly since most of the routing is handled within the base, but that's a minor gripe. The inclusion of two HDMI 2.1 ports offers adequate support for current-generation gaming consoles and high-refresh-rate content. Still, some users may be disappointed that not all four HDMI ports support the newer standard, which has become more common on competing models in this price range.
The truly exciting aspect of the TV comes when you get everything set up and power it on. The TCL QM7K 4K TV's quantum dot mini-LED backlighting system delivers exceptional contrast performance that rivals OLED displays in many scenarios. The television reaches peak brightness levels exceeding 1,000 nits, making HDR content truly shine with vibrant highlights and deep shadows. This brightness capability is especially beneficial when watching content in well-lit rooms, where many competing displays struggle to maintain image quality.
I was incredibly impressed by the QM7K's colour reproduction, which remained consistent across different types of content. The quantum dot technology allows the display to cover a wide colour gamut, producing saturated yet natural-looking colours that enhance both cinematic content and everyday television programming. Skin tones appear accurate and lifelike, while vibrant scenes retain their impact without looking oversaturated or artificial.
Much like we've seen in past TCL TVs, the mini-LED backlighting system provides precise local dimming control, resulting in impressive black levels that approach OLED quality in darker viewing environments. This technology minimizes blooming effects around bright objects against dark backgrounds—a common issue with traditional LED displays. The result is enhanced contrast, making dark scenes more engaging and detailed.
I was genuinely impressed with how well action and fast motion looked on the TV. The QM7K handled fast-paced content without significant blur or judder. Sports broadcasts and action movies benefit from smooth motion reproduction, while the television's processing algorithms work effectively to maintain clarity during rapid scene changes.
But with a TV like this—with a 4K 120Hz display—the real test is how it handles modern gaming consoles, and I'm happy to say it performed much better than I expected. In fact, it impressed me so much that I'd find it hard to go back. The display supports 4K resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate, enabling smooth gameplay on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X systems. Variable refresh rate technology helps eliminate screen tearing, while auto low latency mode automatically optimizes settings when gaming consoles are detected.
What's even more impressive—especially for a TV in this price range—is how it consistently keeps input lag below 20 milliseconds in game mode, delivering the responsive performance competitive gamers demand. The television's HDMI 2.1 ports support the full bandwidth required for 4K 120Hz gaming, ensuring compatibility with the latest gaming hardware and helping to future-proof the investment.
With gaming now taking advantage of more advanced display technologies, it was great to see the TCL QM7K 4K TV deliver stunning visuals in both standard and HDR content. HDR visuals truly pop, offering a high level of contrast and fidelity. HDR gaming receives particular attention, with the QM7K's high peak brightness levels making HDR10 and Dolby Vision gaming content more impactful. Games featuring dynamic lighting effects benefit significantly from the display's contrast capabilities, creating more immersive gaming experiences in everything from Death Stranding to Silent Hill 2.
The TCL QM7K runs on Google TV, providing access to a wide selection of streaming applications and services. Coming from the Roku interface on the last TCL TV I reviewed, the Google interface felt like a breath of fresh air. Everything responded quickly to user inputs, with minimal lag when navigating between apps or adjusting settings. Voice control through Google Assistant worked reliably for basic commands and content searches. That said, beyond testing it for this review, I didn't use that aspect of the interface—though it's still good that the TV offers it.
Looking at the remote control—much like the TV—it features a clean, minimalist design with dedicated buttons for popular streaming services. Build quality feels solid, and the button layout is intuitive for daily use. The inclusion of a voice control button provides convenient access to Google Assistant functionality.
Looking at the overall network and streaming performance of the TCL QM7K, TCL delivers a TV that performs incredibly well, feels snappy, and—since it's based on Google TV—offers a wide range of apps to watch almost anything you want. Streaming performance across various applications remains consistently smooth, with 4K content loading quickly and maintaining stable playback. The television handles different streaming formats effectively, automatically adjusting picture settings to optimize each content type.
Audio was one area where past TCL TVs fell a bit short, but I'm happy to say the QM7K's built-in audio system delivers much better performance than any of the TCL models I've tested up to this point. However, as I always suggest with TVs like this, serious audiophiles or anyone wanting the best from their gaming or media experience will likely prefer external sound solutions. The speakers offer clear dialogue reproduction and reasonable bass response for a television of this size. Volume levels are sufficient for most room sizes, though the audio lacks the depth and richness that dedicated soundbars or speaker systems provide.
Dolby Atmos support enhances compatible content—jumping into a game like Returnal or even Gears 5 delivers a solid and more immersive audio experience when available. The television's audio processing algorithms work to optimize sound output based on content type; however, the physical limitations of the built-in speakers prevent truly exceptional audio performance. As mentioned above, to get the most out of the content the QM7K displays so beautifully, you'll want some form of external speaker system. Even a Sonos Arc Ultra or Sonos Beam offers a great solution without the clutter of a full receiver setup.
As mentioned above, it's the pricing of the TCL QM7K that makes it so compelling. It competes very well against established brands while offering features typically found in more expensive models. The combination of quantum dot technology, mini-LED backlighting and gaming-focused features creates strong value for consumers seeking premium performance without flagship pricing.
When compared to similarly priced alternatives from major manufacturers like LG, Sony and Samsung, the TCL QM7K often delivers superior brightness levels and contrast performance. Now, I'll be honest—the mini-LED technology TCL has mastered still doesn't offer the inky blacks or extreme contrast found on OLED panels. That said, it does a great job presenting media in stunning detail, and TCL has managed to optimize the look of its TVs so you don't feel like you're missing out on what other display technologies can offer. The inclusion of advanced gaming features further strengthens its appeal for households with current-generation gaming consoles and who love getting the most out of their gaming experience.
The TCL QM7K 4K TV succeeds in delivering premium display technology at an accessible price point, making advanced features available to a broader audience. Its combination of excellent contrast performance, gaming capabilities, and competitive pricing gives it strong appeal for a wide range of users. For those seeking a balance between advanced display technology and reasonable pricing, the QM7K deserves serious consideration. Its strengths in picture quality and gaming performance—combined with its aggressive pricing—offer compelling reasons to choose this model over similarly priced alternatives from established brands.