The TCL QM8L is a 2026 Mini-LED TV that leverages a new type of display technology (Super Quantum Dot) for brighter color. According to our tests, the QM8L's picture is bright, punchy and accurate, and it rounds out its impressive performance with a thorough collection of features.
The TCL QM9K, on the other hand, made its debut last year. It's one of the brightest Mini-LED TVs we've ever tested, but it's not equipped with TCL's Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology, so it's not quite as colorful as the QM8L. However, as it's a 2025 TV, it can be bought for much less than the newer QM8L.
If you're in the market for a bright, high-performance Mini-LED TV this year, you may find yourself sizing up these two TCL TVs. Here's how they compare â from performance to features and price.
A brand-new TV for 2026, the QM8L leverages TCL's newest display technology, Super Quantum Dot, to enhance its color and overall brightness. It's a slightly better-performing TV than last year's QM9K, but as a newer model, you'll pay more for it.
The QM9K isn't as colorful as the SQD-equipped QM8L, but its overall performance profile (including brightness) is otherwise similar. As a year-old model, it's cheaper than the QM8L, making it a better pick for people who want to save money.
TCL QM8L vs QM9K: specs compared
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
TCL QM8L |
TCL QM9K |
|---|---|---|
|
Sizes |
65″, 75″, 85″, 98″ |
65″, 75″, 85″, 98″ |
|
Ports |
4x HDMI 2.1 |
2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.0 |
|
Resolution |
3,840 x 2,160p |
3,840 x 2,160p |
|
Refresh rate |
144Hz |
144Hz |
|
HDR |
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
|
Smart TV software |
Google TV |
Google TV |
|
ATSC 3.0 support? |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Processor |
TSR AI Pro Processor |
TCL AIPQ Pro Processor |
Both of these TVs are available in screen sizes ranging from 65 to 98 inches. This means that people shopping for something smaller will have to shop other options. In addition, both sets support Dolby…