TCL QM6K Delivers Stunning Visuals with Exceptional Performance

As you might expect, you’ll need to give up some personal information, so it’s wise to review the terms thoroughly before agreeing. You might also want to disable the TV’s built-in microphone and exclusively use the new sleek remote’s main button to access Google Assistant. Speaking of the remote, while it features a backlit design and a generally intuitive layout, TCL made a rather unconventional decision to position the mute button at the top left, away from the volume controls.

Delicate Adjustments

Tweaking the picture settings is just as straightforward as the initial setup. I suggest beginning with the Filmmaker Mode, as it presents solid default options and disables distracting features like motion smoothing. I made a few adjustments, starting by turning off the Adaptive Brightness found under the Eye Health tab. In SDR mode, I reduced the Contrast slightly and significantly increased the backlight. Don’t hesitate to maximize it in SDR—some modes, like Standard, already have the backlight set to maximum, which indicates its capabilities, and anything below the midpoint keeps the TV in Eco mode. In HDR, the backlight is suitably adjusted to the highest setting, as it should be.

For content in Dolby Vision, I believe most viewers will enjoy the more vibrant Dolby Vision Bright setting, although you should disable the motion smoothing feature. Unlike many budget (and even several high-end) televisions, the QM6K’s Dolby Vision Dark mode proves to be quite functional, even with darker scenes, albeit with a slightly dimmer appearance.

Harmonious Performance

After I finalized my settings for the QM6K, I was delighted to find it offers one of the most balanced and comprehensive performances available in this price range, and even beyond. This television doesn’t rely solely on brightness to impress. TCL claims a 53 percent enhancement compared to last year, yet it still falls short of 1,000 nits, while Hisense’s impressive U7N exceeds that threshold. While the QM6K may not have the same striking vibrance as that model, it delivers ample impact to effectively illuminate HDR highlights, such as sunlight glinting off water, laser strikes, and explosive scenes.

Brightness plays a significant role in any TV’s appeal, but contrast is essential, and the QM6K’s black levels rank among the best I have encountered in its class. While it cannot match the depth of high-end QLED TVs, like Sony’s Bravia 9 (9/10, WIRED Recommends), or OLED TVs, it still holds its ground commendably. Even in dim lighting, elements like letterboxing or the vastness of space appear vividly rich.