If you are looking For a TV that maximizes picture performance with minimal impact on your budget, you may want to consider the lucky number 7. Over the past few years, Hisense’s U7 series TVs have offered the best performance that you can get for your money, including this year’s powerful U7N (8/10, WIRED recommends), while TCL’s Q7 2023 and updated QM7 have similar performance. .
The QM7 typically costs more than the U7N, but it rewards you with a sleeker design and a slightly more refined image. From a purely performance perspective, you’ll be hard pressed to get more without spending, especially if you find it on good deals.
Unfortunately, it’s harder to support the software that powers the experience. During my initial evaluation, adjusting the TV’s SDR picture modes also affected the HDR modes, which is problematic for a variety of reasons. TCL provided me with a fix, but there is no broad update for buyers yet and at least one other reviewer had a similar problem.
Otherwise, there’s very little to complain about in a TV that adds top-of-the-line gaming features and one of my favorite smart interfaces to its great performance. If you don’t mind betting on TCL’s potential software bugs, the QM7 could do well.
An elegant setup
Assembling the QM7’s long pedestal requires a little more effort than its rivals with two-leg stands, and its 4-pound weight brings the weight of the 65-inch model I reviewed to 50 pounds. The reward is a sturdy and stylish base, combined with slim chrome bezels and a checkered back with a center woofer for a stylish, if not completely distinctive, aesthetic.
The right-side input hub includes four HDMI inputs, two of which offer HDMI 2.1 support for gaming features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) up to 144Hz and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Like the U7N, TCL provides a separate HDMI eARC port, meaning you won’t miss out on a valuable gaming port when connecting a soundbar or receiver. That is always appreciated; The QM7’s Onkyo sound system is decent, but I still recommend a separate audio setup.
Photography: Ryan Waniata
The backlit remote offers some useful hotkeys and a built-in microphone for Google Assistant commands. You can also activate Google Speakerphone through the TV’s built-in microphone, but if you’re not on an always-listening device, you can disable it by flipping the switch under the faceplate.