2026 vs 2025 — TCL TOP MINI-LED
TCL QM8L vs QM8K — Worth the 2026 Upgrade?
By Rick Baron · SWAT A/V · 28 years of installs · Updated 2026-05-29
★ Rick's bottom line
QM8L for multi-console households · QM8K at clearance for single-console
The QM8L doubled HDMI 2.1 port count from 2× to 4×. For multi-console households (PS5 + Xbox + AVR), this is a non-negotiable upgrade. Plus 20% brightness gain (5,000 → 6,000 nits) and the SQD Mini-LED panel from the X11L flagship. For single-console households, QM8K at $1,800-2,000 clearance is still a great buy.
TCL QM8L SQD Mini-LED 65"
MSRP $2,499
VS
TCL QM8K Mini-LED 65" (2025)
MSRP $2,199
Live street prices — refreshed daily
| Spec | TCL QM8L SQD Mini-LED 65" | TCL QM8K Mini-LED 65" (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak HDR brightness | 6,000 nits | 5,000 nits |
| Local dimming zones | 4,000 | ~3,000 (est) |
| HDMI 2.1 | 4× | 2× ⚠ |
| Refresh | 144Hz · 288Hz @ 1080p | 144Hz |
| Processor | TSR AI Pro (same as X11L) | Older TSR |
| Anti-reflective screen | ✅ | ✅ |
| Smart OS | Google TV (Gemini) | Google TV |
| Price (65") | $2,499 | ~$1,800-2,000 (clearance) |
| Rick's score | 9.0 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
★ Buy this one if
TCL QM8L SQD Mini-LED 65"
Buy the QM8L if you're a multi-console household (4× HDMI 2.1 matters) or you want the absolute spec-sheet leader.
Read full review →★ Buy this one if
TCL QM8K Mini-LED 65" (2025)
Buy the QM8K at clearance if you can save $500-700 and you only need 2× HDMI 2.1 (single console + soundbar).
Read full review →