After I lugged the large TCL 85QM6K into my lounge, I had two rapid ideas. First: “Wow, this factor is really big.” Second: “Can one thing this massive and this seemingly feature-packed actually stay as much as the “Inexpensive Premium” branding TCL’s been pushing recently? After spending a great chunk of time with it, I’ve come away impressed by simply how a lot worth TCL manages to squeeze into this panel… although it’s not with out a few quirks alongside the best way.
Should you’re seeking to make a giant splash (actually and visually) in your house theater setup, this 85-inch TV provides a reasonably compelling mixture of tech-forward specs, gaming chops, and size-to-cost ratio.
Let me stroll you thru what stood out, what fell a bit brief, and why this may simply be the precise improve for an entire lot of individuals.
It’s the type of TV that makes you rethink your lounge, and your expectations. TCL’s QM6K delivers flagship-level dimension and distinction with Mini-LED tech, gamer-ready efficiency, and a value that also feels grounded.
Dimension That Redefines “Large TV Vitality”
The QM6K’s 85-inch display (technically 84.6 inches) is the type of dimension that makes you rethink your total lounge structure. It’s not simply massive, it’s cinematic.
The previous couple of years noticed me upgrading from a 55-inch to a 65-inch TV, putting them on the identical hutch/cupboard. My spouse and I like to maneuver furnishings round on our major ground about twice a yr for the completely different seasons. As a part of that we are likely to have two locations we’ve stored our TV units.
When this one arrived I needed to go all-in on a location. That’s to say I mounted it on the wall because it was only a bit too huge to put the ft on the hutch. And to be truthful, that was high-quality with us because the panel would look fully misplaced in one of many two spots. So, now we’re married to the wall.
With a panel this dimension, even the small particulars really feel like they’ve been magnified in a great way, and you actually get the sense that TCL needed to make this a flagship expertise for these of us who aren’t dropping 4 grand on a tv.
Immediately I began to soak in simply how massive and exquisite of a unit this was, and at a very nice value. I’m sufficiently old to recollect promoting 32-inch TVs that had been at the least $3,000 again within the day. Now we’re nearly triple the dimensions, and a fraction of the burden and price.
The panel makes use of QD-Mini LED tech, which is actually TCL’s approach of bringing quantum dot coloration with the precision of mini-LED backlighting. Paired with full-array native dimming throughout round 500 zones, it delivers wonderful distinction and deep, satisfying black ranges. TCL’s “Halo Management System” can be performing some heavy lifting right here, serving to to chop down on blooming round brilliant objects in darkish scenes. It’s not OLED-level perfection, but it surely’s surprisingly shut for the value.
Bear in mind as we transfer ahead that reviewing TVs isn’t my robust go well with, however I do know a great factor after I see it. Furthermore, I’ve come to understand sure issues within the completely different fashions that I’ve had the privilege to check over the previous few years.
Image High quality: Higher Than You May Anticipate
I’ve reviewed a handful of TVs through the years, and this one genuinely shocked me in a number of key areas. Let’s begin with brightness. In real-world use, the HDR efficiency is strong. It hits someplace between 700 and 900 nits relying in your image mode, which is lots brilliant for many dwelling rooms, even with some daylight spilling in from the edges.
Black ranges are spectacular too. Watching moody content material like Blade Runner 2049, Mad Max: Fury Highway, or dark-as-night exhibits (Sport of Thrones), I seen how effectively the QM6K preserved element with out lifting the blacks. That’s a tricky steadiness to strike, particularly on an LED panel.
Shade efficiency was one other nice shock. Out of the field, pores and skin tones seemed pure, and vibrant content material (like animated motion pictures or sports activities) actually popped. TCL’s Quantum Dot layer is clearly pulling its weight, and coloration gamut protection is available in at a formidable 94–98% of DCI-P3, relying on the measurement.
Movement Dealing with & Upscaling: Principally Clean Crusing
This TV’s 120Hz native refresh price (with help for as much as 144Hz VRR) is a giant plus for those who watch sports activities or play video video games. Quick motion stays clear and easy, and the movement interpolation choices are there for those who like that cleaning soap opera impact. Me, personally? I preserve it dialed down.
Upscaling is usually respectable, although it’s not the TV’s strongest go well with. Broadcast TV or lower-quality streams can look a bit gentle or fuzzy at occasions, which is probably going the place TCL’s AiPQ Professional Processor hits its limits. Most individuals received’t discover, however for those who’re used to watching 4K-native content material, you could choose up on it with older exhibits or lower-res streams.
I don’t actually personal a lot bodily media anymore so I don’t at all times have the perfect 4K content material or supply materials. Some YouTube channels and broadcasts on YouTube TV are in 4K, however there’s at all times a contact of artifacting and less-than-perfect look to the image. Video video games and Blu-ray motion pictures, although? Man, that’s chef’s kiss stuff.
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Design & Setup: Clear, Trendy, and a Little bit of a Exercise
Design-wise, TCL leans right into a minimal, trendy look right here. The bezels are skinny on three sides, with a barely thicker backside chin. The construct has a steel really feel that’s extra premium than you’d count on at this value level, and it doesn’t scream “price range TV” the best way some TV’s do.
The adjustable-width stand is a pleasant contact, particularly in case your TV console isn’t outsized. However let me be sincere—this isn’t a one-person setup. The TV weighs over 70 kilos with the stand, and wrestling the legs into place could be considerably of a chore for these choosing that setup. Positively enlist some setup assist whether or not you’re wall-mounting or not.
Connectivity is strong, with 4 HDMI ports (two of them full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1), USB 2.0 and three.0 ports, Ethernet, optical audio out, and side-facing port structure that makes issues simpler to succeed in for those who’re wall-mounting. eARC is supported too, so audio passthrough to your soundbar or receiver is seamless.
Google TV Expertise: Snappy, Acquainted, Sometimes Cluttered
Like most of TCL’s 2025 lineup, this TV runs on Google TV, and for probably the most half, it’s a terrific expertise. It’s my most popular approach of interacting with a wise TV even when it has advanced to be a bit extra “in your face” with adverts and beneficial content material.
Setup is easy, particularly for those who’ve already received a Google account. The interface is quick, straightforward to navigate, and nonetheless much less ad-heavy than another platforms.
That mentioned, it may get a bit cluttered. Google TV tries to floor beneficial content material throughout apps, however typically it seems like an excessive amount of is happening. Deep settings menus aren’t at all times intuitive both, however when you be taught the place issues stay, it’s not exhausting to tweak issues to your liking. It takes just a bit little bit of time and taking part in round to determine what’s Google’s doing and what’s TCL’s.
Voice management through Google Assistant works as anticipated, and there’s compatibility with Alexa and Apple HomeKit too, which provides it respectable sensible dwelling flexibility. The included distant is a win: properly backlit, responsive, and well-sized. It even lights up mechanically once you choose it up in the dead of night. It’s an underrated comfort that I’ve come to understand a lot in the identical approach I do on a laptop computer keyboard. After you have, you are likely to need it going ahead.
Gaming: This Factor Is Able to Play
That is the place the TCL 85QM6K actually punches above its weight. Avid gamers will discover rather a lot to like right here. And actually, the TV kind of fanned a tiny little flame for me, giving me the urge to play completely different video games, if not simply spending extra time with them.
With a 144Hz panel, AMD FreeSync Premium Professional, help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient Gaming, and enter lag round 13ms at 4K 120Hz, this TV is well-equipped to deal with absolutely anything you throw at it. A number of video games I examined on the PS5 seemed and performed superbly, with sharp element, punchy colours, and no noticeable ghosting or tearing.
There’s additionally an Auto Sport Mode (ALLM), a Sport Grasp menu for fast changes, and what TCL calls “Sport Accelerator,” which theoretically hits 240Hz or 288Hz by decreasing decision. Personally, I caught to native 4K at 144Hz, which seemed unbelievable and felt ultra-responsive. Except you’re chasing aggressive body charges, this setup might be greater than sufficient.
I’m reminded of that area between a pleasant workplace monitor and one which’s designed particularly for gaming. Given the possibility to make use of a extra highly effective and feature-rich unit, you possibly can come to understand finer tuning — however you don’t need to go all-in with a high-end mannequin. That’s type of how I really feel with this TV; it’s a step up from different panels within the spots I discover, with extra cool stuff accessible ought to I get the urge to dial issues up.
Audio: Higher Than Anticipated, However Nonetheless Not Theater-Grade
The built-in 2.1-channel Onkyo speaker system features a devoted subwoofer, which provides it a bit extra punch than most TVs on this value vary. Dialogue is crisp, and there’s sufficient quantity to fill a room, however you’re nonetheless coping with the restrictions of a slim speaker enclosure.
Bass is there, to make sure, but it surely doesn’t rumble the floorboards. Dolby Atmos and DTS Digital:X help are onboard, however their affect is modest until you add an exterior sound system. I’d suggest a soundbar if you’d like a extra immersive expertise. The TV does help eARC, so sending lossless audio to a succesful soundbar or receiver is straightforward.
I’m actively weighing whether or not or not I’m going to place a soundbar on the hutch for a extra sturdy audio expertise. It’s simply my spouse and I and we are likely to preserve issues fairly low-key as it’s, however once we stream music or desire a full “date night time, no telephones” film we can not assist however really feel like opening issues up.
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Viewing Angles: Surprisingly Good for a VA Panel
I used to be able to dock this TV factors for off-angle viewing, particularly because it makes use of an HVA-type panel. However TCL has achieved one thing attention-grabbing right here. Perhaps it’s the matte end or a brand new optical layer, however off-axis efficiency is best than I anticipated. Fortunately, we are able to see this TV from all angles of a large, rectangular room. And that’s useful when the room fills up with friends.
There’s nonetheless a little bit of vignetting and distinction falloff once you get to excessive angles, however from most seating positions in a regular lounge, it holds up fairly effectively. This can be a good bonus for households or setups the place folks aren’t at all times parked immediately in entrance of the display.
Value and Worth: Right here’s The place It All Comes Collectively
On the time of writing, I’ve seen the 85QM6K promoting for about $1,250, (Amazon)relying on gross sales. That’s extremely aggressive for a Mini-LED TV of this dimension, particularly one with a strong function set and gaming chops.
In comparison with different manufacturers and fashions I used for reference, the TCL typically comes out forward on both value or specs (and typically each). TCL’s transfer right here is obvious: carry flagship-adjacent options to a value level that undercuts the competitors. And in some ways, it really works.
If you need the best possible brightness or coloration accuracy, you’ll nonetheless need to transfer as much as one thing like TCL’s QM8 or a pricier OLED. However the QM6K delivers a wonderful candy spot for individuals who need an enormous display and spectacular efficiency with out maxing out their bank card. Significantly, a number of years in the past you’d have by no means satisfied me that I’d be capable to get a display this massive at this value by 2025.
Guarantee: Normal, However Think about Prolonged Choices
The usual one-year guarantee is fairly typical for TVs on this class. TCL’s help appears easy however you’ll need to preserve your proof of buy helpful, and know that replacements could be refurbished. Should you’re spending north of a grand on a TV, it’s not a nasty concept to look into an prolonged guarantee, particularly for those who’re not eager on rolling the cube after that first yr.
Last Ideas: A Large Win for Large Screens on a Funds
This product has earned the Pinnacle Choice award, reserved for these with a mean score of 4.25 stars or increased. Acknowledged as greatest in its class, it excels in innovation, design, and person satisfaction. Our evaluation confirms its excellent high quality and efficiency, setting a excessive commonplace in its class.
So, who’s the TCL 85QM6K for? I’d say it’s excellent for anybody who desires that theater-like expertise at dwelling, particularly for those who’ve received a bit gaming behavior on the aspect. It handles quick content material like a champ, places out wealthy colours and deep distinction, and has a user-friendly Google TV interface that makes switching between Netflix, YouTube, and your Xbox a breeze.
It’s not excellent. The audio, whereas respectable, may gain advantage from a soundbar. The upscaling isn’t top-tier. And there are a number of small quirks right here and there with software program or common distant compatibility. None of these dealbreakers overshadow simply how a lot TV you’re getting for the cash, although.
The phrase “Inexpensive Premium” will get thrown round rather a lot, however TCL earns it right here. This can be a TV that performs within the massive leagues, each actually and figuratively, with out commanding a flagship value. Should you’ve been eyeing an 85-inch improve and don’t need to sacrifice trendy options for value financial savings, the QM6K deserves a severe look.
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