In TCL’s 2025 4K QD-Mini-LED TV lineup, the TCL QM7K and TCL QM8K stand out as two of the brand’s strongest options for buyers who want cutting-edge picture quality and premium features. The QM7K sits just below the QM8K in the lineup, while the QM8K itself is positioned below the flagship QM9K and above the more budget-friendly QM6K.
Both models share several similarities — including Quantum Dot Mini-LED backlighting, 4K resolution, 144 Hz refresh rate, and Google TV smart platform — yet their differences are meaningful. The QM8K delivers major upgrades in brightness, contrast precision, and panel refinement. In this article, we’ll compare both models in detail and show why the TCL QM8K is the better choice.
TCL QM8K (2025) Short Overview
The TCL QM8K is TCL’s “step-below-flagship” QD-Mini-LED TV, offering near-flagship performance without the high price tag of the QM9K. It’s equipped with a CrystGlow WHVA panel and QD-Mini-LED backlighting featuring up to LD3800 precise dimming zones, depending on size. This setup allows for exceptional control of light and shadow, ensuring richer contrast and deeper blacks even in challenging HDR scenes.
With a peak brightness of up to 5,000 nits, the QM8K delivers spectacular highlights that truly stand out in both dark and bright environments. TCL claims a 30 million : 1 contrast ratio, which helps reproduce minute detail and lifelike dimensionality.
For gamers, the 144 Hz native refresh rate, VRR up to 4K 144 Hz, and FreeSync Premium Pro ensure ultra-smooth motion and low latency. It’s also compatible with ALLM and Game Master Pro 2.0, giving users full control over frame rate and picture tuning during gameplay.
In the smart features department, it runs on Google TV, supports Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, and integrates Dolby Atmos audio tuned by Bang & Olufsen for a more cinematic sound experience. The sleek, borderless design and premium materials further reinforce its high-end feel.
Overall, the TCL QM8K is built for those who want top-tier Mini-LED performance, powerful gaming features, and bright HDR visuals — all without paying flagship prices.
| TCL QM8K Prices | |
| 98-inch (98QM8K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 85-inch (85QM8K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 75-inch (75QM8K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (65QM8K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
TCL QM7K (2025) Short Overview
The TCL QM7K sits one step below the QM8K, making it a compelling mid-premium Mini-LED option. It shares the same Quantum Dot Mini-LED foundation, but scales back slightly in panel type and backlight zone count. The QM7K features a CrystGlow HVA panel with up to LD2500 dimming zones, delivering impressive precision and deep contrast for its price point.
Peak brightness reaches about 2,600 – 3,000 nits, which is still excellent for HDR content, though not as intense as the QM8K. The TV maintains rich color saturation and accurate tone mapping, making it an outstanding performer for most home setups.
Gamers benefit from a 144 Hz refresh rate, VRR up to 4K 144 Hz, ALLM, and FreeSync Premium Pro support — nearly identical to the QM8K in responsiveness. Motion handling is fluid, and TCL’s Game Master Pro 2.0 suite ensures easy access to latency and picture controls.
The Google TV platform brings access to thousands of apps and streaming services, with voice control, Chromecast built-in, and Apple AirPlay 2 support. TCL also integrates Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision Gaming, HDR10+, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos compatibility, giving the TCL QM7K a complete HDR and audio feature set that rivals higher-end models.
In short, the TCL QM7K offers excellent value — it brings premium performance and gaming capabilities to a lower price tier, though it sacrifices some peak brightness and panel refinement compared to the QM8K.
| TCL QM7K Prices | |
| 115-inch (115QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 98-inch (98QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 85-inch (85QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 75-inch (75QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (65QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (55QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
TCL QM8K and QM7K Specs Comparison Table
Here’s a side-by-side look at how the TCL QM8K and TCL QM7K compare:
| Feature | TCL QM8K (2025) | TCL QM7K (2025) | ||||||||||
| Position in Lineup | Below QM9K, above QM7K | Below QM8K, above QM6K | ||||||||||
| Screen Size Options | 65”, 75”, 85”, 98” | 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”, 98”, 115” | ||||||||||
| Panel & Backlight | CrystGlow WHVA + QD-Mini LED (up to LD3800 zones) | CrystGlow HVA + QD-Mini LED (up to LD2500 zones) | ||||||||||
| Peak Brightness (HDR) | Up to 5,000 nits | Around 2,600 – 3,000 nits | ||||||||||
| Refresh Rate / Gaming | 144 Hz native, VRR up to 4K 144 Hz, 1080p/288 Hz | 144 Hz native, VRR up to 4K 144 Hz, 1080p/288 Hz | ||||||||||
| Processor / Engine | AiPQ Ultra Processor | AiPQ Ultra Processor | ||||||||||
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | ||||||||||
| Smart Platform | Google TV (with Chromecast & AirPlay 2) | Google TV (with Chromecast & AirPlay 2) | ||||||||||
| Audio System | Dolby Atmos tuned by Bang & Olufsen | Dolby Atmos support | ||||||||||
| Price | Higher | Lower | ||||||||||
|
|
The Differences Between TCL QM8K and QM7K
While both TVs deliver top-tier visuals, several key differences make the TCL QM8K the stronger overall performer.
- Brightness & HDR Impact
The QM8K’s 5,000 nits of peak brightness dramatically outshines the QM7K’s 2,600 – 3,000 nits, producing more dazzling highlights and truer HDR realism. In bright rooms or daylight viewing, the QM8K maintains punchier contrast and more visible detail. - Local Dimming & Contrast Control
With up to LD3800 dimming zones, the QM8K offers superior light control compared to the QM7K’s LD2500 zones. This means deeper blacks, fewer halos, and better contrast uniformity across challenging content. - Panel Type & Viewing Angles
The QM8K’s WHVA panel delivers wider viewing angles and maintains color accuracy off-center, whereas the QM7K’s HVA panel performs best from a direct view. The result: the QM8K is better for large living rooms with multiple seating positions. - Design & Build Quality
The QM8K’s ZeroBorder design and premium materials make it look more refined, while the QM7K keeps a more standard appearance. The higher-end construction also improves thermal performance and backlight consistency. - Price vs Performance Balance
The QM7K offers excellent value for the price, but the QM8K provides tangible upgrades in every major performance category — brightness, contrast, and panel quality — making it the smarter investment for enthusiasts seeking near-flagship quality.
Why TCL QM8K is a Better Choice?
If you’re looking for near-flagship performance in TCL’s 2025 Mini-LED lineup, the TCL QM8K is the better choice. Its superior brightness, finer local dimming control, and wider-angle panel make it a standout performer for HDR movies, sports, and high-refresh-rate gaming. The QM8K bridges the gap between the mid-range and the flagship, giving you top-tier performance without flagship pricing.
| TCL QM8K Prices | |
| 98-inch (98QM8K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 85-inch (85QM8K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 75-inch (75QM8K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (65QM8K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
That said, the TCL QM7K remains a tremendous value. It offers most of the same gaming and HDR capabilities, a bright and colorful picture, and excellent build quality at a noticeably lower cost. If you’re primarily streaming movies or gaming in a moderately lit room, the QM7K delivers impressive results for the money — proving that TCL’s mid-premium tier continues to punch far above its price class.
| TCL QM7K Prices | |
| 115-inch (115QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 98-inch (98QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 85-inch (85QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 75-inch (75QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (65QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (55QM7K) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |