TCL QM7 TV Review: Great Picture, Suspect Software

If you’re looking for a TV that maximizes picture performance with a minimal hit to your budget, you may want to keep the lucky number 7 in mind. For the past few years, Hisense’s U7 series TVs have offered some of the best performance you can get for the money, including this year’s punchy U7N (8/10, WIRED Recommends), while TCL’s 2023 Q7 and the upgraded QM7 are similar top performers.

The QM7 usually costs more than the U7N, but it rewards you with a classier design and a slightly more-refined picture. From a pure performance perspective, you’ll have a hard time getting more without spending up, especially if you find it on a good sale.

Unfortunately, the software that drives the experience is harder to stand behind. 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 a fix for me, but there’s no broad update for buyers yet, and at least one other reviewer had a similar issue.

Otherwise, there’s very little to complain about in a TV that adds to its great performance with top-line gaming features and one of my favorite smart interfaces. If you don’t mind rolling the dice on TCL’s potential software bugs, the QM7 could pay off handsomely.

A Slick Setup

Cobbling the QM7’s long pedestal stand together takes a bit more effort than rivals with dual-leg stands, and its 4-pound heft brings the 65-inch model I reviewed to a weighty 50 pounds. The payoff is a sturdy and stylish base, matched by slim chrome bezels and a checkered backside with a center woofer for a classy, if not altogether 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) at up to 144 Hz and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Like the U7N, TCL provides a separate HDMI eARC port, meaning you won’t lose a precious gaming port when connecting a soundbar or receiver. That’s always appreciated; the QM7’s Onkyo sound system is decent, but I still recommend a separate audio setup.

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

The backlit remote offers some handy quick keys and a built-in microphone for Google Assistant commands. You can also summon Google hands-free via the TV’s onboard microphone, but if you’re not into an always-listening device you can disable it by flipping the switch beneath the front plate.