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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Tom’s Guide’s 2026 comparison found the TCL QM8L tested better overall, chiefly because it produced substantially brighter HDR highlights and showed stronger backlight control with less haloing. The QM7L remains a credible value choice: it scored close in the comparison, was listed at a lower price at the time, and is available in a 55-inch size the QM8L does not offer. RTINGS’ September 2026 comparison also rated the QM8L higher overall, while reporting a slight QM7L advantage for reducing direct reflections.
Which TCL TV tested better overall?
The QM8L is the stronger pick if picture performance is the priority. Tom’s Guide’s comparison gave it 91/100, versus 89/100 for the QM7L, and its results show the clearest gap in HDR brightness. The comparison also credits the QM8L’s Mini-LED backlight with stronger control and less visible haloing around bright objects against dark backgrounds.
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That comparison score is not the whole purchase decision: Tom’s Guide’s separate full-review ratings were four stars for the QM8L and four-and-a-half stars for the QM7L, with value affecting the recommendation. The QM7L’s lower listed price and broader size range can matter more than the QM8L’s performance lead for some buyers.
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Tom’s Guide reported that both TVs were tested in Filmmaker picture mode. Its published measurements and scores are outlet-specific results from 2026, not guaranteed values for every screen size or individual TV sample.
#1 Best Overall
- SQD-Mini LED: As the ultimate Mini LED TV, it integrates the expansive TCL Deep Color System with the breakthrough TCL Halo Control System to ensure the most brilliant, pure, and immersive viewing experience possible.
- TCL Ultra Color Filter: TCL’s Ultra Color Filter with fine 5 nanometer particles (vs. standard 60 nanometer particles) bring every scene to life with pinpoint, pixel-perfect color accuracy.
- High Static Contrast: Experience exceptional picture quality driven by a high 7000:1 contrast ratio for stunning clarity between light and dark scenes.
- High Zones & High Brightness: Up to 4000+ Discrete Dimming Zones and up to 6,000 Peak Nits combine for a picture that is brighter, deeper, and more realistic.
- AI-Powered Experience: Elevate every viewing experience with AI Color for vibrant hues, AI Contrast for dynamic depth, AI Clarity for razor-sharp detail, AI Motion for smooth action, AI Upscaling for lifelike resolution, and AI Sound for immersive, crystal-clear audio.
| Test or score | TCL QM8L | TCL QM7L | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDR brightness, 10% window | 3,719 nits (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | 2,270 nits (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | The QM8L’s largest measured advantage; useful for bright HDR highlights. |
| SDR brightness, 10% window | 229 nits (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | 196 nits (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | The QM8L was also brighter in SDR in this test. |
| Delta-E | 3.7 (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | 2.6 (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | Lower is better; this result favors the QM7L. |
| UHDA-P3 gamut coverage | 97.97% (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | 97.64% (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | Near-identical coverage, with a small QM8L lead. |
| Rec.2020 gamut coverage | 90.34% (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | 90.28% (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | Effectively close results in this comparison. |
| Input latency | 9.5 milliseconds (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | 9.4 milliseconds (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | Nearly identical reported latency; the QM7L was lower by 0.1 ms. |
| Comparison score | 91/100 (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | 89/100 (Tom’s Guide, 2026) | The QM8L won the head-to-head comparison. |
The figures do not mean the QM8L wins every measurement: the QM7L had the lower Delta-E and fractionally lower input latency. Tom’s Guide’s author, Michael Desjardin, summarized the main separation this way: “The QM8L carries a significant advantage over the QM7L: peak brightness.”
What is different between the QM8L and QM7L?
| Feature | TCL QM8L | TCL QM7L | What it means for a buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed screen sizes | 65, 75, 85, and 98 inches | 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98 inches | The QM7L is the option if you need a screen smaller than 65 inches. |
| HDMI inputs | Four HDMI 2.1 ports | Two HDMI 2.1 and two HDMI 2.0 ports | The QM8L provides more high-bandwidth connections for consoles, a gaming PC, and other devices. |
| Resolution and refresh rate | 4K, 144Hz | 4K, 144Hz | Both share these headline specifications. |
| HDR formats listed | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | The comparison lists the same formats for both. |
| Smart TV platform | Google TV | Google TV | Both use the same platform. |
Tom’s Guide says the QM8L’s four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K at 120Hz and up to 144Hz with VRR. The QM7L has four HDMI ports in total, but only two are HDMI 2.1; its eARC input does not take up one of those high-bandwidth inputs. The comparison says both support 4K gaming at 120Hz and PC gaming at 144Hz.
Rank #2
- SQD-Mini LED: As the ultimate Mini LED TV, it integrates the expansive TCL Deep Color System with the breakthrough TCL Halo Control System to ensure the most brilliant, pure, and immersive viewing experience possible.
- TCL Ultra Color Filter: TCL’s Ultra Color Filter with fine 5 nanometer particles (vs. standard 60 nanometer particles) bring every scene to life with pinpoint, pixel-perfect color accuracy.
- High Static Contrast: Experience exceptional picture quality driven by a high 7000:1 contrast ratio for stunning clarity between light and dark scenes.
- High Zones & High Brightness: Up to 4000+ Discrete Dimming Zones and up to 6,000 Peak Nits combine for a picture that is brighter, deeper, and more realistic.
- AI-Powered Experience: Elevate every viewing experience with AI Color for vibrant hues, AI Contrast for dynamic depth, AI Clarity for razor-sharp detail, AI Motion for smooth action, AI Upscaling for lifelike resolution, and AI Sound for immersive, crystal-clear audio.
Which is better for a bright or reflective room?
The QM8L’s greater measured brightness and stronger halo control make it the more compelling choice when HDR impact is the goal. RTINGS’ comparison, updated September 2026, likewise says the QM8L is brighter in SDR and HDR, has slightly more vivid colors, upscales better, and produces deeper blacks with less haloing.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThere is one room-specific qualification: RTINGS says the QM7L slightly better reduces the intensity of direct reflections. It also says neither television excels at reflections, so treat that small advantage as a placement consideration rather than a reason to expect the QM7L to outperform overall in a bright room. Avoid placing either screen opposite a strong light source where possible.
Rank #3
- SQD-Mini LED: As the ultimate Mini LED TV, it integrates the expansive TCL Deep Color System with the breakthrough TCL Halo Control System to ensure the most brilliant, pure, and immersive viewing experience possible.
- TCL Ultra Color Filter: TCL’s Ultra Color Filter with fine 5 nanometer particles (vs. standard 60 nanometer particles) bring every scene to life with pinpoint, pixel-perfect color accuracy.
- Wide Viewing Angles: Enjoy vibrant colors and perfect contrast, no matter where you sit, thanks to exceptionally wide viewing angles.
- High Zones & High Brightness: Up to 4000+ Discrete Dimming Zones and up to 6,000 Peak Nits combine for a picture that is brighter, deeper, and more realistic.
- AI-Powered Experience: Elevate every viewing experience with AI Color for vibrant hues, AI Contrast for dynamic depth, AI Clarity for razor-sharp detail, AI Motion for smooth action, AI Upscaling for lifelike resolution, and AI Sound for immersive, crystal-clear audio.
Is the QM8L worth paying more for?
In Tom’s Guide’s August 21, 2026 article, the listed Best Buy price for the 65-inch QM8L was $1,399 and the 65-inch QM7L was $1,199, a $200 difference in that article’s pricing context. Those are historical figures, not current quotes; prices and stock vary by seller, size, and date.
- Choose the QM8L if its higher measured HDR brightness, backlight control, or four HDMI 2.1 ports solve a need that matters to you.
- Choose the QM7L if the current price gap is meaningful, you want the 55-inch size, or you prefer the more value-oriented option despite the performance gap.
- Compare the exact sizes and current offers before buying; the historical 65-inch price difference does not establish the gap for other sizes or today’s listings.
Bottom line: QM8L for performance, QM7L for value
Tom’s Guide’s lab comparison favors the QM8L, with HDR brightness as the standout measured advantage and backlight control supporting its overall lead. The QM7L is not far behind in the reported comparison score and is the practical alternative when its lower current price or 55-inch availability is more important. Both share 4K/144Hz, Google TV, and the listed HDR formats; the key hardware distinction is the QM8L’s four HDMI 2.1 ports versus two on the QM7L.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- SQD-Mini LED: As the ultimate Mini LED TV, it integrates the expansive TCL Deep Color System with the breakthrough TCL Halo Control System to ensure the most brilliant, pure, and immersive viewing experience possible.
- TCL Ultra Color Filter: TCL’s Ultra Color Filter with fine 5 nanometer particles (vs. standard 60 nanometer particles) bring every scene to life with pinpoint, pixel-perfect color accuracy.
- HVA 2.0 Pro Panel: The HVA 2.0 Pro Panel provides a stunning picture in nearly any environment with the high contrast, anti-reflective panel.
- Up to LD2100 Precise Dimming Series: Up to LD2100 Precise Dimming Series provides pure black levels with up to 2,100+ precisely controlled discrete local dimming zones.
- AIPQ Pro Processor: Harnessing the power of AI to finely control Picture Clarity, Contrast, Color, Motion, Upscaling, and Backlighting, all dynamically, based on the incoming video signal.
Rank #4
- SQD-Mini LED: As the ultimate Mini LED TV, it integrates the expansive TCL Deep Color System with the breakthrough TCL Halo Control System to ensure the most brilliant, pure, and immersive viewing experience possible.
- TCL Ultra Color Filter: TCL’s Ultra Color Filter with fine 5 nanometer particles (vs. standard 60 nanometer particles) bring every scene to life with pinpoint, pixel-perfect color accuracy.
- High Static Contrast: Experience exceptional picture quality driven by a high 7000:1 contrast ratio for stunning clarity between light and dark scenes.
- High Zones & High Brightness: Up to 4000+ Discrete Dimming Zones and up to 6,000 Peak Nits combine for a picture that is brighter, deeper, and more realistic.
- AI-Powered Experience: Elevate every viewing experience with AI Color for vibrant hues, AI Contrast for dynamic depth, AI Clarity for razor-sharp detail, AI Motion for smooth action, AI Upscaling for lifelike resolution, and AI Sound for immersive, crystal-clear audio.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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