TCL’s new QM6K series brings premium features to a more budget-friendly tier, setting a new standard for what entry-level Mini-LED TVs can deliver. With excellent contrast, strong off-angle performance, and broad HDR support, it’s hard to find a better-performing TV at this price point.
While it doesn’t dethrone OLED or its more premium siblings like the QM7, the QM6K still shines—especially for movie lovers and gamers looking for value without significant trade-offs.
Design & Build: Clean, Minimalist, Functional
The TCL QM6K doesn’t break the mold in terms of looks, but it sticks to a sleek and modern aesthetic. Its “FullView 360” frameless design is mostly marketing—there are still thin black and silver bezels measuring about 6mm—but it still looks clean and premium in most setups.
The all-new TCL QM6K takes QLED technology to the next level.
Instead of a central pedestal like the QM851, the 75QM6K sits on two outer legs that can be installed in wide or narrow positions (1441mm or 719mm apart). The legs raise the screen around 9cm, leaving enough clearance for most soundbars.
The rear panel is made of plastic with a slight flex but decent overall build quality. Inputs are conveniently placed on the right side for easy access, even when wall-mounted, and cable management clips help keep things tidy.
You’ll find a single button under the screen for power and input switching, as well as a mic on/off switch. The remote is straightforward, with a balanced layout and quick-access buttons for major streaming platforms including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube.
Display & Picture Quality: A Budget Display That Overdelivers
While officially part of TCL’s entry-level Mini-LED lineup, the QM6K punches far above its weight. It covers an impressive 99.8% of sRGB, 81.3% of AdobeRGB, and 89.6% of the DCI-P3 color space, with an excellent average DeltaE of just 0.64—better than some mid-range competitors.
Colors are vivid and natural, though the display slightly favors blue tones. Adjusting the color temperature can help alleviate eye strain and balance the image.
Native 4K content looks rich and detailed, with skin tones and landscapes rendered beautifully. Upscaling lower-resolution content isn’t the TV’s strong suit, with occasional softness or loss of detail. But for streaming and movies, it still performs admirably.
More importantly, HDR support is extensive—Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced formats are all included, making it a flexible option for nearly any kind of HDR content.
The Mini LED TV with quantum dots has many advantages. Thanks to these two display technologies, the picture quality is impressive even in bright rooms.
Brightness & Contrast: Great Depth, Impressive Local Dimming
The QM6K peaks around 900 nits—noticeably lower than the QM7’s 1,500 nits—but that’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. TCL has clearly optimized the QM6K for better contrast and off-axis performance, reducing haloing and light bleed with its 312-zone full-array local dimming (FALD) system.
Black levels are deep and well-controlled, even during bright scenes. With a native contrast ratio close to 6500:1, the TV maintains excellent clarity and detail in dark environments. Compared to last year’s QM7, light bleeding is reduced by up to 90%, which helps enhance realism and immersion.
More impressively, off-angle viewing is top-tier for an LCD. Unlike most budget panels that wash out when viewed from the side, the QM6K holds onto its contrast and color, making it great for group viewing.
Gaming Performance: Smooth and Responsive
Gamers will appreciate TCL’s Game Master 2.0 mode, which unlocks features like ultra-low input lag (~10ms), VRR (up to 144Hz), FreeSync Premium Pro, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Game Accelerator mode even boosts refresh rates to 288Hz at lower resolutions.
Motion handling is solid, though not flawless. Fast transitions—particularly from light to dark—can introduce minor blur, but the panel avoids major stuttering or ghosting. TCL also includes a Game Bar overlay for real-time tweaks to shadow levels and contrast based on game genre.
The PWM dimming frequency is extremely high (10,400Hz), so flicker is virtually imperceptible, which is a plus for extended play sessions.
Smart Features: Google TV with Minor Lag
TCL uses Google TV as its operating system, which means smooth integration with Google Assistant, Chromecast, and access to all major apps. The UI is familiar and clean, though slightly sluggish compared to higher-end models.
App launches and input switching can feel a little delayed, and on rare occasions, button presses may seem unresponsive. It’s likely due to the system’s resource demands rather than poor hardware.
Ads and content suggestions are present by default, but enabling “Apps Only” mode cuts down the clutter significantly. Still, you’ll need to tolerate at least one persistent banner.
TCL 75QM6K
Audio: Visually Stunning, Aurally Lacking
If the QM6K has a clear weak spot, it’s audio. The 2.1-channel Onkyo system (2x10W + 20W subwoofer) is underwhelming. It lacks depth, balance, and bass, while high frequencies are too sharp. Dialogue is intelligible but easily lost when competing with music or effects.
For a TV this visually capable, the sound just can’t keep up. A soundbar—or better yet, a full audio system—is practically essential.
The QM6K has four HDMI ports, two of which support a maximum resolution of 4K at 144Hz, which is becoming the standard for TVs. The other two are slower (4K at 60p only), with one used for eARC .
Connectivity: All the Essentials
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HDMI: 4 ports (2 x HDMI 2.1 @ 4K 144Hz, 2 x HDMI 2.0 @ 60Hz; one supports eARC)
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USB: 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0
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Networking: Ethernet, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
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Audio: Optical output
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Tuner: Standard antenna jack
TCL provides solid support for both modern and legacy devices, with high refresh rate inputs ideal for next-gen consoles and gaming PCs.
Technical Specs at a Glance
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Display: 75″ HVA QLED Mini-LED Ultra, 3840×2160, 144Hz refresh
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HDR: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10/10+, HLG, IMAX Enhanced
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Brightness: 500 nits typical, 900 nits peak
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Dimming Zones: 312 (FALD)
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Contrast Ratio: 6500:1
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Color Depth: 10-bit (8-bit + FRC)
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Audio: 40W (2.1 system), DTS Virtual:X, Dolby Atmos
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OS: Google TV (Android 12)
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Game Features: VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro, Game Accelerator (288Hz)
Pricing (as of April 2025)
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TCL 55QM6K – $600
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TCL 65QM6K – $800
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TCL 75QM6K – $1,000
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TCL 85QM6K – $1,500
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TCL 98QM6K – $2,300
Final Verdict: The Best Budget Mini-LED TV of 2025?
The TCL QM6K might not be a revolutionary leap in display tech, but it delivers a surprisingly premium experience for a very reasonable price. It outperforms expectations in areas like off-axis viewing, local dimming, and HDR fidelity—while also offering top-notch gaming features.
Yes, the QM7 offers more peak brightness, but the QM6K’s consistency and improvements in contrast and ghosting may make it a better choice for some viewers.
If you can pair it with a soundbar and can tolerate a slightly sluggish UI, the TCL QM6K is arguably the best value Mini-LED TV currently available in its class.
