For those who’re wanting for a TV that maximizes image efficiency with a minimal hit to your price range, it’s possible you’ll wish to preserve the fortunate quantity 7 in thoughts. For the previous few years, Hisense’s U7 collection TVs have supplied among the greatest efficiency you may get for the cash, together with this yr’s punchy U7N (8/10, WIRED Recommends), whereas TCL’s 2023 Q7 and the upgraded QM7 are related prime performers.
The QM7 normally prices greater than the U7N, but it surely rewards you with a classier design and a barely more-refined image. From a pure efficiency perspective, you’ll have a tough time getting extra with out spending up, particularly when you discover it on a great sale.
Sadly, the software program that drives the expertise is more durable to face behind. Throughout my preliminary analysis, adjusting the TV’s SDR image modes additionally affected the HDR modes, which is problematic for quite a lot of causes. TCL supplied a repair for me, however there’s no broad replace for consumers but, and at the very least one different reviewer had an identical difficulty.
In any other case, there’s little or no to complain about in a TV that provides to its nice efficiency with top-line gaming options and one among my favourite sensible interfaces. For those who don’t thoughts rolling the cube on TCL’s potential software program bugs, the QM7 may repay handsomely.
A Slick Setup
Cobbling the QM7’s lengthy pedestal stand collectively takes a bit extra effort than rivals with dual-leg stands, and its 4-pound heft brings the 65-inch mannequin I reviewed to a weighty 50 kilos. The payoff is a sturdy and trendy base, matched by slim chrome bezels and a checkered bottom with a middle woofer for a complicated, if not altogether distinctive aesthetic.
The fitting-side enter hub consists of 4 HDMI inputs, two of which supply HDMI 2.1 assist for gaming options like VRR (Variable Refresh Fee) at as much as 144 Hz and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Just like the U7N, TCL supplies a separate HDMI eARC port, which means you gained’t lose a valuable gaming port when connecting a soundbar or receiver. That’s all the time appreciated; the QM7’s Onkyo sound system is first rate, however I nonetheless advocate a separate audio setup.
{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
The backlit distant gives some useful fast keys and a built-in microphone for Google Assistant instructions. You may as well summon Google hands-free through the TV’s onboard microphone, however when you’re not into an always-listening system you may disable it by flipping the change beneath the entrance plate.
