Updated 21 Oct 2026
Is the TCL P8L worth it?
Yes — the best big TV under £1,000.
For the money it has proper Mini LED dimming, so blacks look deep instead of grey, and its Filmmaker Mode gives an authentic, film-like picture with natural skin tones. It games at 4K 144Hz and its sound is good for a TV. It isn't very bright, so a very sunny room is a struggle, the glossy screen reflects lamps, and a little shadow detail gets lost in the darkest scenes.
Good to know
- Dynamic Brightness in the energy menu dims the picture; switch it off.
- The default motion setting looks like a soap opera; set Motion Clarity to Low or Off.
- A little shadow detail is lost in very dark scenes.
- Only two of the four HDMI ports do 4K at 144Hz.
- 65 inches for about £750
- Natural, cinematic picture
- 4K 144Hz gaming and every HDR format
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Get it if…
- You want a 65-inch TV for under £1,000.
- You mostly watch in the evening or a normally lit room.
- You play on a PS5 or Xbox.
Skip it if…
- Your living room is flooded with daylight.
- You want the punchiest HDR highlights.
- You have more than two consoles.
More on the TCL P8L
How we reached this verdict
What Hi-Fi gave it five stars for picture and a 2026 Award, calling it the new benchmark for large sub-£1,000 TVs: balanced, authentic colours, deep blacks for the price, good upscaling, strong gaming and good sound by TV standards. Its limits are modest brightness, a reflective screen and slight black crush.
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: What Hi-Fi, TCL (specs), RTINGS, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Expert Reviews, Trusted Reviews, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 21 Oct 2026How we decide