TechRadar Calls TCL QM7L the Best Mid-Range TV of 2026

TechRadar said the QM7L is largely the same television as the recently reviewed QM8L but costs less, has fewer dimming zones, lower peak brightness and a more limited version of Dolby Vision. The review said that in a side-by-side comparison, buyers might be tempted to choose the QM8L and pay about $500 more for the 65-inch size, but it described the differences as minor enough that the QM7L stands out for value.

The QM7L starts at $999.99 for the 55-inch model and rises to $1,299.99 for 65 inches, $1,499.99 for 75 inches, $1,999.99 for 85 inches and $2,999.99 for 100 inches. TechRadar noted that the 55-inch size is available only on the QM7L among the three models launched in April, because the QM8L and X11L are not offered in that size. The review said there are cheaper TCL options, including the mid-range QM6K, but placed the QM7L a step above them and closer to premium territory.

The QM7L uses an SQD Mini-LED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision IQ, as well as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital and DTS:X. It runs Google TV and has four HDMI ports: one eARC, two HDMI 2.1 at 144Hz and two HDMI 2.0 at 60Hz. It also includes an ATSC 3.0 tuner. According to TechRadar, the TV offers up to 2,100 local dimming zones and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, along with anti-halo and color-enhancing technology. Sound is provided by Bang & Olufsen.

TechRadar's benchmark results measured 2,270 nits in HDR Filmmaker Mode on a 10% window and 723 nits fullscreen. In HDR Standard Mode, the TV measured 2,419 nits on a 10% window and 774 nits fullscreen. SDR Filmmaker Mode measured 196 nits on a 10% window, while SDR Standard Mode measured 463 nits. By comparison, the QM8L measured 3,719 nits and 759 nits in HDR Filmmaker Mode, 3,771 nits and 795 nits in HDR Standard Mode, 229 nits in SDR Filmmaker Mode and 518 nits in SDR Standard Mode. The Roku Pro Series from 2025 measured 820 nits and 373 nits in HDR Filmmaker Mode, 841 nits and 390 nits in HDR Standard Mode, 434 nits in SDR Filmmaker Mode and 876 nits in SDR Standard Mode.

For HDR color gamut, the QM7L covered 97.6% of UHDA-P3 and 90.3% of BT.2020, compared with 98% and 90.3% for the QM8L and 96.9% and 80.6% for the Roku Pro Series. In SDR Delta-E accuracy, where a lower score is better, the QM7L scored 2.6, the QM8L scored 3.7 and the Roku Pro Series scored 2.5. Input lag at 4K 60Hz measured 9.4ms on the QM7L, 9.5ms on the QM8L and 9.3ms on the Roku Pro Series.

TechRadar listed very good picture quality, strong gaming performance from the high refresh rate and AMD Freesync Pro support, and strong value for premium-adjacent viewing as reasons to buy. It listed Google Gemini as still a disappointment, limited bass, and a picture that lacks a little depth as reasons to avoid. The review also said the QM7L sounds good and includes almost all the features one could want, although Google Gemini is described as an imperfect generative voice assistant.

Editor's Summary

TechRadar's review positions the TCL QM7L as a high-value mid-range Mini-LED TV that approaches flagship performance while undercutting the QM8L. Its strong brightness, color coverage, gaming features and Bang & Olufsen audio are balanced by lower peak brightness than the QM8L, limited bass and a flawed Google Gemini assistant. The QM7L's pricing across five sizes makes it an option for buyers seeking premium-adjacent performance below flagship prices.