WhichOneToGet
Compare Β· Updated 21 Oct 2026

TCL QM8L vs TCL QM8K

Get the TCL QM8K while it's discounted. Unless you want the latest colour tech β€” then the 2026 QM8L's richer colour is the upgrade.

TCL QM8L

TCL QM8L

TCL's brightest mainstream TV: huge HDR punch, very little blooming and four HDMI 2.1 ports. 65 inches and up.

TCL QM8K
Our pick

TCL QM8K

A very bright Mini LED for sunny rooms and HDR impact, with better value than premium OLEDs.

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The short answer

RTINGS found the QM8L has better colour volume but is significantly less accurate in HDR, even after calibration. Both are extremely bright with deep blacks, so last year's QM8K is the smarter buy at its sale price.

Get the TCL QM8L if
  • β€”You want the most vivid colour.
  • β€”The QM8K is sold out where you shop.
Check price at Best BuyBuy β†—
Get the TCL QM8K if
  • β€”You want the better deal.
  • β€”You care about an accurate HDR picture.
Check price on AmazonBuy β†—

Key differences

Colour volume
Better
TCL QM8L
Very good
TCL QM8K
HDR accuracy
Poor, even calibrated
TCL QM8L
More accurate
TCL QM8K
Brightness
Extremely bright
TCL QM8L
Extremely bright
TCL QM8K
Model year
2026
TCL QM8L
2025, discounted
TCL QM8K

Pros and cons

TCL QM8L
  • +Extremely bright for HDR and sunny rooms
  • +Very little blooming around bright objects
  • +Four HDMI 2.1 ports, up to 144Hz
  • βˆ’HDR isn't accurate out of the box and can't be fully calibrated.
  • βˆ’Reflections from lamps and windows are noticeable.
  • βˆ’Chunkier than most high-end TVs, on a centre pedestal stand.
TCL QM8K
  • +Very bright Mini LED picture
  • +Strong HDR for the money
  • +Google TV and gaming features
  • βˆ’Blooming can show around bright subtitles in dark scenes.
  • βˆ’Picture quality drops more from the side than OLED.

Ready to choose?

How we reached this verdict

We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.

Sources: RTINGS, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Expert Reviews, Trusted Reviews, manufacturer specifications.

Updated 21 Oct 2026How we decide