From WIRED · Rick Broida · · 3m
TCL QM7L offers OLED-like picture at midrange price
TCL's mini-LED QM7L delivers stunning color and black levels that rival budget OLEDs, but its pedestal stand creates soundbar placement headaches.
In brief
TCL's mini-LED QM7L delivers stunning color and black levels that rival budget OLEDs, but its pedestal stand creates soundbar placement headaches. The TCL QM7L is a strong midrange TV with picture quality close to OLED, though its pedestal design and AI features have notable drawbacks. Originally reported by WIRED.
A mini-LED TV that looks like OLED
The TCL QM7L uses mini-LED technology to deliver color and black levels so close to OLED that casual viewers may not spot the difference.
Available in five sizes, from 55 to 98 inches
The QM7L comes in sizes ranging from fifty-five inches, which the reviewer tested, to a mammoth ninety-eight inches, all with a virtually borderless screen.
Pedestal stand blocks soundbar placement
The TV stands on a pedestal that sticks out over four inches in front, preventing soundbars from sitting flush against the screen or sitting level.
Soundbar clearance is tight at best
With the taller pedestal option, the TV sits just two point two five inches off the stand, blocking compact soundbars like the Sonos Arc, which measures three inches high.
Assembly is tedious but manageable
The pedestal requires eight small screws to connect the riser to the base and four more to attach it to the TV, with confusing diagrams in the setup guide.
Google TV setup is straightforward
Using the Google Home app on a phone, users can scan an onscreen QR code to move quickly through setup, then wait for a software update before watching.
Remote is backlit but oddly designed
The remote has sharp edges, a disorganized layout, and six app-shortcut buttons. It is backlit but lacks a star button despite the setup screen mentioning one.
Gemini AI is helpful but limited
Google Gemini responds quickly to voice commands about movies or facts, but requires holding a remote button and cannot execute TV settings commands like toggling motion-smoothing.
Picture quality rivals budget OLEDs
The QM7L produces dazzling color and deep blacks that bring OLED to mind. Compared side by side with a Roku OLED, the TCL's greater brightness made colors burst more.
“dazzling color and ocean-floor blacks that really do bring OLED to mind”
Motion-smoothing arrives enabled by default
The TV ships with motion-smoothing turned on, a setting that should be off by default. It is not buried deep in menus but requires manual adjustment for most viewing.
“This scourge of modern television should be off by default”
Sound quality is surprisingly good
Two Bang and Olufsen-branded speakers face backward and get plenty loud without distortion, but sit only inches apart, creating a narrow soundstage with little surround effect.
Picture quality makes it worth buying
Despite complaints about the pedestal stand and AI integrations, the QM7L delivers stunning picture quality for the price, making it an excellent midrange TV choice.
“You buy a TV for your eyes, and with this one, they're in for a treat”
In short
The TCL QM7L is a strong midrange TV with picture quality close to OLED, though its pedestal design and AI features have notable drawbacks.
