ZDNET's key takeaways The TCL QM6K (65-inch) normally retails for $1,000, but is currently on sale.
A host of upgrades, and new features, make it highly competitive with other brands' higher-end models.
Its speakers are loud, but clarity could be made even crisper with a soundbar. View now at Best Buy View now at Amazon more buying choices
Every single size option for the TCL QM6K TV is on sale at Best Buy. The biggest discount belongs to the 98-inch display at $800 off.
Back in January, we highlighted the release of the TCL QM6K at CES, where we were impressed by its specs and features for a budget TV -- many of which were exclusively available on premium brands only a few years ago.
Since then, I set up a test model in our studio lab and took a deep, hands-on look at TCL's recent flagship TV.
What's new with this model
TCL introduced a number of upgrades from 2024's Q6 QLED, all of which are integrated with its new Halo Control System. One part of that system is a Super High Energy LED Chip, which TCL claims boosts brightness output by 53% while enhancing light efficiency by 10%.
TCL's Pangu lab also redesigned its backlighting system to reduce the optical distance (or "OD") between the backlight and the diffuser plate of the QM6K and its future models. With this "Micro OD" approach, images will suffer less halo effect, even between the contrast of piercing whites and oily blacks. Through testing, I confirmed almost no halo effect on the QM6K -- more on that below.
Also: Why I recommend this flagship TCL TV over OLED models that cost more (and don't regret it)
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