TCL QM8L Review: SQD Technology Accessible to Everyone

      **TCL QM8L**

      **MSRP**: $3,999.99

      **Release Date**: April 2026

      “The QM8L retains much of what made the X11L the most impressive Mini-LED I've tested, but at half the price for the same 85-inch screen size.”

      **Pros**

      - Exceptional brightness and color for the cost

      - Excellent contrast

      - Four full-spec HDMI 2.1 ports

      **Cons**

      - HDR accuracy could be improved out of the box

      - Built-in audio is only average

      **Instant Insight: SQD without the Sticker Shock**

      Earlier this year, I reviewed the TCL X11L and deemed it the pinnacle of current Mini-LED picture quality. However, priced at $7,999, it's out of reach for most consumers. The QM8L steps in as an excellent alternative with a more accessible price.

      TCL has shifted away from traditional model release strategies, opting instead to introduce a flagship model annually, followed by more budget-friendly options. The QM8K was released in 2025, and in 2026, the X11L debuted with Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology. The QM8L incorporates the same SQD panel technology and WHVA 2.0 panel, along with the same Gemini powered Google TV experience. As the less expensive option, it sacrifices some peak brightness, dimming zone count, and the X11L's Bang & Olufsen speaker system, though it still features a B&O-tuned audio system.

      After using the QM8L as my primary TV for several weeks, I found it both impressive and somewhat perplexing regarding its competition with the X11L. The QM8L provides outstanding brightness, vibrant colors, and excellently controlled local dimming, with minimal blooming. Its few drawbacks, like slightly inferior HDR color and audio quality, are unlikely to concern typical viewers, as its strongest features shine through.

      At $3,999, the 85-inch QM8L is exactly half the price of the 85-inch X11L I reviewed in March. Given the substantial savings, the compromises seem insignificant. Last year, I highlighted TCL’s QM8K as the industry standard, and with the QM8L, I believe they have repeated that success for 2026.

      **TCL QM8L Specifications**

      - **Sizes**: 65, 75, 85, 98 inches

      - **Pricing (MSRP)**: 65″: $2,499 | 75″: $2,999 | 85″: $3,999 | 98″: $5,999

      - **Panel Type**: SQD (Super Quantum Dot) Mini-LED with WHVA 2.0 panel

      - **Operating System**: Google TV (Android 14)

      - **Screen Resolution**: 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)

      - **HDR Support**: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, IMAX Enhanced

      - **Native Refresh Rate**: 144Hz (288Hz at 1080p via Game Accelerator)

      - **Gaming Features**: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro (VRR), ALLM

      - **Dimming Zones**: Up to 4,000 (varies by size)

      - **Peak Brightness (Claimed)**: Up to 6,000 nits

      - **Audio**: Bang & Olufsen audio system with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, FlexConnect support

      - **Connectivity**: 4× HDMI 2.1 (1× eARC, all 4K@144Hz), 1× USB 3.0, 1× USB 2.0, Ethernet (LAN), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, Optical S/PDIF, ATSC 3.0 Tuner

      **TCL QM8L Design: Familiar, and Mostly Fine**

      **Quick Take**: A straightforward, familiar design carried over from the QM8K, plus a genuinely excellent remote.

      If you’ve seen the QM8K, the QM8L will look quite similar. TCL hasn't changed much here. The ZeroBorder design returns with nearly no bezel at the top or sides, and a brushed gunmetal finish surrounds the frame, with a chin along the bottom for the TCL logo, far-field microphones, and ambient light sensor. The panel is roughly two inches thick, which may not impress compared to the X11L, but looks clean and minimalist from the front.

      Unlike the X11L’s wide feet, the QM8L features a centrally located pedestal stand, allowing it to fit comfortably on narrower furniture. I felt relieved with the QM8L, as my TV stand was barely adequate for the X11L. TCL allows for two pedestal heights, which can accommodate a soundbar underneath without obstructing