Are TCL TVs Good for Gaming?

Highlights

TCL TVs offer a wide range of options from HD to 4K QLED, meeting expectations with great quality at affordable prices.
Gamers will appreciate TCL TVs for their game-enhancing features, smooth gameplay, and affordable pricing compared to competitors.
Connectivity is a strong point for TCL TVs with multiple ports, easy Wi-Fi setup, and little lag, making it a great option for gamers and budget-conscious buyers.

The range of TV prices seems to widen every year, with high-end TVs costing a few thousand dollars, while entry-level TVs can be had for less than $200. Chief among these more affordable options are the TVs offered by the budget-friendly brand TCL.

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Not everyone wants the absolute cheapest TVs, even if they manage to stand beside them in “best of” lists. For the most part, the greatest advantage that TCL holds over other brands is its incredible price. However, TCL TVs strike an incredible balance between cost and quality, leading to a lineup of screens with some of the best overall value on the market.

What Types of TVs Does TCL Make?

TCL produces a surprisingly wide range of TVs, with users able to choose between every type of display except 3D. The current lineup includes:

Mini-LED (4K OLED Mini-LED)
QLED (4K QLED)
4K UHD (4K Ultra HD)
Full HD (1080p)
HD (720p)

As expected, the price goes up with the quality. Players can get a small, 720p TV for less than $100, or they can go all-out with a 98-inch, 4K QLED TV for nearly $4,000. Even with that high of a price, TCL still manages to be a budget alternative to other 98-inch TVs. All of TCL’s TVs are affordable, but are all of them capable of delivering a decent viewing experience?

Display Quality

TCL has three main lines of TVs: the S Series, the Q Series, and a numbered series. These include standard definition TVs, QLED TVs, and Mini-OLED TVs, respectively. In each instance, TCL meets expectations very well. The quality chosen is exactly what a player gets – nothing less, but nothing more. At the same time, TCL does manage to impress with its incredibly thin bezels. Although there is typically a somewhat noticeable receiver at the bottom of the screen, the bezels themselves are almost hard to spot, and they seamlessly blend in with the background either on screen or behind it.

Those minuscule bezels don't go to waste either. TCL TVs may not be as advanced as some of their competitors, but they do have a number of tech upgrades that add significant value to their affordable screens. For example, the 4K Mini LED TVs utilize over 2,300 local dimming zones, while even the humble 1080p TVs increase their quality using innovations such as direct LED backlighting.

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That being said, some users have reported screen-tearing, and lagging on the lower-end TVs isn’t uncommon either. The 4K TVs use built-in software to essentially eliminate latency issues, but those looking for the absolute most affordable options will probably run into issues occasionally. At the same time, these intermittent display errors don't happen often and are hardly noticeable to anyone who isn't playing more serious, competitive matches.

Similarly, while TCL TVs offer decent brightness across their lineup, most of the models have limited control over the brightness and color customization, instead relying on automatic software to determine the settings. However, considering that TCL screens have anti-glare finishes, once a user gets their brightness and color settings adjusted correctly, they will hardly ever need to redo them.

Connectivity

TCL TVs are fantastic for gamers and anyone else with a device to connect. Most of the TCL models come with multiple HDMI ports and USB ports, along with an ethernet port and more standard connections. Whether a user wants to play Xbox games or watch some cable, the TCL can handle it. Plus, all of the ports are clearly marked and easily accessible along the side of most of TCL’s TVs, making it easy for even new players to set up their game.

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Setting up Wi-Fi is easy and will rarely need to be done a second time. Sometimes the connection can take a while to be established when the TV first turns on, with maybe a minute or two of downtime before being able to connect to any apps. A hard refresh of the TV usually fixes this issue, though typically only for a few weeks.

Despite those infrequent annoying connectivity issues though, once the TV has decided to connect to the internet, it’s smooth sailing. There’s rarely any lag until well after the TV’s warranty has passed, though it should also be noted that a significant number of users report the TV running into major issues after about two years, with the most common solution being a new purchase. However, there are plenty of players who have TCL screens that are five or six years old that still work perfectly fine.

Software

Nowadays, it may be more common to find users who want to stream directly from their TV, and TCL has them covered. There are few streaming apps that TCL doesn’t offer. That’s because TCL TVs run on Roku, the simple OS that makes streaming at home a breeze. With Roku OS, TCL TVs provide access to thousands of streaming apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Crunchyroll, and Paramount+.

The TVs from TCL are super easy to navigate, with previews being shown before selecting an app or input. That feature is especially helpful for gamers troubleshooting their consoles or blindly plugging in an HDMI cord in a hurry.

Other than the streaming apps, there are some built-in software programs that help improve the visuals of movies and games. Of particular note to players are the game-enhancing programs that come with TCL’s 4K TVs. Their Game Accelerator uses a 240Hz VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) to help games run smoother, even during fast-paced scenes. There's also the Auto Game Mode, TCL's version of ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). This software optimizes the picture quality, adjusting the color, contrast, and other settings to best match up with a game title. Auto Game Mode is even smart enough to detect when Netflix is being streamed through an Xbox rather than a game.

One other small issue lies with the remote control for TCL screens. The buttons quickly deteriorate and stop responding, especially the side volume controls. It may also be that the remote’s IR sensor is the issue, but either way, a new remote is almost always needed. There is an app that can be used instead, though that seems a bit excessive for just trying to change the volume or channel.

Verdict

So, should gamers or anyone on a budget grab a TCL TV the next time they’re in the market for a new screen? Are TCL TVs good for gaming? Overall, yes, TCLs are simply the best budget TVs for console gaming. The display quality is amazing, especially when those 4K graphics are supported by software such as Game Accelerator and ALLM. Even less significant improvements, like direct backlighting, have a positive impact on the perceived quality of the screen.

No one is ever going to say that TCLs have the absolute best picture quality or that they don’t need some kind of external sound system (like most other smart TVs) in order to capture that movie theater immersion, but with their prices often falling 40% below the competition, TCL TVs have certainly presented a strong case in favor of compromise. The visual and audio quality is only slightly worse than much more expensive options. Even with specs that lag behind premium TVs, most users wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway, especially once the built-in software enhancements are activated.

While some higher-end TVs are occasionally on sale for about as much, TCLs are consistently the most affordable TVs on the market overall. The fact of the matter is that TCL TVs are fantastic options. Most gamers on a budget know that getting affordable gear usually just means getting something that works, but TCL TVs not only work, but excel at displaying gaming content. Unless a player wants the utmost peak of performance out of their TV, it’s actually pretty tough to beat a TCL in quality as well as price.

Game ZXC’s Top TCL TV Picks

Game ZXC has named TCL as one of the best TV brands in a number of categories. Here are some of the top choices for those looking to pick up a great TCL TV for gaming.

TCL 32" Class 3-Series HD TV
The TCL 32" Class 3-Series is extremely affordable HD TV that features a simple, customizable home screen that places everyone's favorite broadcast TV, streaming channels, gaming console, and other devices front and center, allowing users to relax and avoid scrolling. Enjoy a wide variety of free content, including live news, sports, movies, and more.

See at Amazon
TCL 50-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV
The TCL 50-Inch Class S4 TV offers Auto Game Mode for optimized gaming performance. AirPlay 2 compatibility allows for easy sharing of content from Apple devices and the eARC support is available through one of the HDMI inputs for high-quality audio streaming. The television is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit for voice-controlled functionality.

See at Amazon
TCL 55-Inch Q7 QLED 4K Smart Google TV
$500 $600 Save $100

Budget TVs have to balance affordability with functionality, and the TCL Q7 excels in this aspect. Featuring a 4K resolution, buyers get to watch their favorite movies or play games with stunning picture quality. For those used to a 1080p display, this is an excellent upgrade. The TV is also bright, making it a great choice to tackle issues like glare without sacrificing picture clarity. Gaming on this TV should be a worthwhile experience thanks to 240Hz VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and an auto game mode.

See at Amazon $500 at Best Buy $498 at Walmart
TCL 65 inches QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini LED TV with Google
$1100 $1300 Save $200
The 65-inch TCL QM8 is a remarkable TV model that features 4K visuals among other things. Buyers will enjoy better contrast and vivid colors thanks to the TV's QLED technology and HDR Ultra. With Game Accelerator 240, this TV can get a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz for quick reactions to in-game actions. It is compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

See at Amazon $1100 at Best Buy $1300 at Walmart
TCL 85-inch QM8
$2200 $2800 Save $600
The TCL QM8 is an 85" TV that features 4K visuals among other things. Buyers will enjoy better contrast and vivid colors thanks to the TV's QD-Mini LED technology and HDR Ultra.. With Game Accelerator 240, this TV can get a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz. It is compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

See at Amazon $2200 at Best Buy $2198 at Walmart
TCL 98-Inch Class S5 4K LED Smart TV
This TCL Class S5 Series TV comes with a massive 98-inch display panel. It is one of the largest consumer TVs on the market. It also comes with standard smart TV technology provided by Google TV, which grants access to apps and streaming platforms. The TV is compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR Ultra, Dolby Atmos, and more.

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