Particularly in the US, TCL is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to affordable TVs. TCL competes with other low-cost companies like Toshiba, Insignia, Amazon, and Hisense and, like them, offers a large selection of TVs with various sizes, prices, and features. They all, however, have price tags that appear to be more reasonable than those associated with models by the more expensive TV companies, such as your Sony and LG models.
TCL offers a wide variety of televisions, whether you are in the US or the UK. While being able to select the display technology or smart platform of your choice may be advantageous, it can make choosing a TCL TV extremely difficult.
We’ve included the main TV lines that TCL sells in the US and the UK, along with what they provide and how they compare to the many other competing brands in the budget TV market, to help you decide which TCL TV might be the best fit for you.
Although certain TCL TVs have been tested by What Hi-Fi?, even those that haven’t gone through our test room doors can still be learned from their spec sheets. So, buckle up and read on to find out everything there is to know about TCL TVs and whether you ought to keep an eye on this company.
DO YOU NEED TO GET A TCL TV? THE QUICK RESPONSE
TCL TVs are strong rivals in the low-cost TV market across the US and the UK, especially during busy shopping seasons when great TCL discounts are as certain to arise as the dawn. TCL TVs are frequently sold at prices that are not only competitive but also among the lowest available, yet having competitive features and specs.
TCL has a number of 4K TVs that will do the trick when it comes to streaming any content you might want on a budget if you’re looking for a reasonably priced TV but don’t want to be trapped with a little display running at a poor resolution.
TCL TVs will easily handle casual gaming, especially if you’re still playing on PS4 or Xbox One. High-end gaming capabilities typically have higher-end price tags.
In general, premium TCL TVs that cost thousands of dollars and enable Mini-LED technology or 8K may be more difficult to justify when you have the choice of sets from well-known manufacturers like Sony or LG that use the well-liked and tested OLED display or Samsung QLED TVs. However, the TCL TVs that are now being offered are typically hard to beat in terms of value.
WHAT AVAILABLE IN US TCL TVS?
TCL US offers a wide range of sets, from tiny, inexpensive 720p TVs with basic capabilities to large-screen Mini-LED sets that can cost thousands of dollars, while being primarily a budget brand. TCL has you covered whether you choose an 8K display over a 4K one or a Google TV over a Roku TV.
We’ll be concentrating on three main TCL TV lines: the 3-Series, 4-Series, and 5-Series TVs because those are the company’s most well-liked US TV lines and because they are more affordable. Check out TCL’s 6-Series if you’re looking for 8K or Mini-LED technology, but if your budget is beyond $1,000, be aware that the competition becomes much larger and your decision-making process more difficult.
There are several features that TCL’s top-tier Roku TVs share, including a 60Hz refresh rate, Dolby Digital Plus audio, HDMI ARC (or eARC) connectivity, and customary features like VESA mounts and an accompanying remote. The Roku OS, a gateway to streaming apps, is at the heart of these TVs, though you may choose Android or Google versions if you’d rather.
TCL TVs will provide HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, gaming-focused technologies like ALLM and VRR, and even QLED panels as you move up the company’s lines. Additionally, the 6-Series will support 8K and Mini-LED. Naturally, you will spend more money if you want additional features.
TCL TV prices range from around $200 for the HD 3-Series to over $1000 for the largest models, while prices for the 6-Series TVs can reach hundreds of dollars depending on size and whether you want 8K capability in addition to Mini-LED compatibility.
Pricing for TCL TVs is generally very competitive, especially for their more entry-level and midrange models. Although you can occasionally find sets with comparable features for comparable costs, TCL TVs frequently provide some of the finest value available, especially when on sale, so if you’re searching for a bargain, these TVs are definitely worth keeping an eye on.
ARE YOU SUITABLE FOR A TCL 3-SERIES?
The 3-Series is TCL’s entry-level model for US TV. These sets are available in two sizes, 32″ and 40″, and feature LED panels, 60Hz frame rates, HDMI ARC, and Dolby Digital Plus audio, but HDR support is nowhere to be found.
A 32-inch 3-Series is available for about $150, while a 40-inch is available for $200. Of course, if you can find both of these TVs on sale, you’ll see them for less as well. Given how inexpensive 4K sets have become in 2022, HD or Full HD TVs are obviously not the best deal, but these TCL TVs make a respectable case.
These TCL TVs are frequently the least expensive choice when compared to other low-cost HD televisions in 2022. You can purchase a 32-inch 720p TV from Insignia for $200, and TCL successfully undercuts both of them by $50 without making any sales. HD may not be more relevant now at a cheaper price, but some people aren’t seeing 4K video anyway.
A finer set with a higher resolution might not matter to you all that much if you’re only searching for a cheap set to put in your kitchen or you just view content that is exclusively in HD. For the price, it will typically be difficult to find a 4K/HDR set. TCL’s 3-Series is tough to beat in 2022 when it comes to smart TV cost savings.
ARE YOU SUITABLE FOR A TCL 4-SERIES?
The 4-Series is TCL’s premier mid-range US TV. Most people will look at the TCL 4-Series if they want a budget-friendly TV. As a result, this series offers nearly every size of TV imaginable and includes LED screens, 4K capability, and HDR.
Instead of only ARC, you’ll receive HDMI eARC combined with HDR10 and HLG, plus compatibility for Roku smarts and virtual assistants. All things considered, this is about what you’d anticipate from a somewhat entry-level, contemporary 4K TV in 2022, but you might not anticipate the 4-Series’ price.
The 43-inch, 50-inch, and 50-inch models of TCL’s 4-Series cost merely $230, $270, and $300, respectively, while the 85-inch model costs an astounding $1278. These are pretty much the greatest deals you can find on 4K TVs right now without buying something on sale in terms of the bigger budget TV market.
For instance, 43-inch 4K sets from Insignia start at $300, 43-inch 4K sets from Toshiba start at $330, and 50-inch Amazon Fire TVs start at $300. TCL successfully undercuts each of these competing low-cost brands, and by a substantial margin as well, saving you anywhere between $40 and $100. Of course, if you discover a TCL TV on sale, that number will only increase.
In light of this, the TCL 4-Series is a good option if you’re searching for a contemporary 4K smart TV that won’t break the bank or compromise too many features. In addition, unless you care a lot about image quality or gaming performance, you probably won’t be able to beat the price until you find a significant bargain on another similar TV.
ARE YOU SUITABLE FOR A TCL 5-SERIES?
The TCL 5-Series is a significant upgrade over the 4-Series without a significant price increase. These TVs come in four different sizes and all manage to fit QLED panels, which theoretically should lead to a significant improvement in image quality compared to the conventional LED displays of the TCL 3-Series and 4-Series TVs.
The 5-Series includes QLED screens in addition to HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support for those who enjoy spatial audio. The 5-Series includes VRR and ALLM functionality for gamers as well, however it can only handle 4K/60Hz. Overall, the 5-Series improves upon the 4-Series in several major categories, including image quality, audio, and gaming performance.
A 5-Series starts at $430 for the 50-inch model and $500 for the 55-inch model, while the 65-inch model costs $700 and the 75-inch model costs $1000. TCL’s QLEDs are quite competitively priced compared to other low-cost brands, even without promotions.
For instance, the 5-Series outperforms Toshiba’s F50 QLED Series TV, adding HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and VRR/ALLM for the same price. This TCL QLED is also far less expensive than Amazon’s Fire TV QLED series, which starts at a hefty $800. TCL’s QLED TVs are typically the most affordable you’ll be able to find.
If you’re a serious gamer, VRR and ALLM will serve you well. However, if you have the extra cash, consider the 4K/120Hz 65-inch Toshiba M550 set for $600, however you won’t be receiving a QLED display but an LED one. Therefore, TCL’s 5-Series is difficult to beat if you’re merely searching for an inexpensive QLED set.
WHAT DOES A UK TCL TV PROVIDE?
Similar to TCL’s US division, TCL UK offers a wide range of low-cost TVs with various features at various price points. UK TCL TVs come in a variety of resolutions, from 720p to expensive 4K Mini-LED models.
Therefore, you can find whatever you’re searching for among the many various UK TVs that TCL offers; but, for the purposes of this guide, we’ll be concentrating on TCL’s flagship, lower-priced TVs with the most widespread appeal.
The S52K Series, P63K Series, and C630K Series are TCL’s three most cost-effective TV lines. These TVs range in resolution from 720p to 4K and increase in price as well as in features such as HDR, QLED panels, Dolby Atmos, and others.
You can stream any material you want on any of these Android TVs, even though TCL UK also sells TVs that run other smart platforms. They all have common features like VESA mounting, HDR, Dolby Audio, support for virtual assistants, and more.
TCL UK’s main television lines aren’t particularly geared toward gamers, as none of these three flagship models offer VRR or 120 Hz, however some of them do have ALLM. Then you might want to look into some of TCL’s more expensive TVs with higher refresh rates and VRR if you’re a serious gamer and that’s what matters most to you.
Generally speaking, TCL’s UK TVs are reasonably priced, and TCL sets offer some of the finest value when it comes to affordable TVs. Although you might occasionally discover better offers elsewhere, TCL TVs are virtually never a terrible value.
ARE YOU SUITABLE FOR A TCL S52K SERIES?
The S52K Series is the entry-level TV series from TCL UK. It comes in two sizes and features LED screens, 60Hz frame rates, HDR compatibility, and Dolby Digital Plus. The 40-inch is 1080p Full HD, but the 32-inch is 720p HD. Both have intelligence thanks to the Android TV OS. These TVs are about as simple as they get in terms of technology for 2022.
It’s encouraging to see that even if you don’t care about viewing material in 4K, you may still benefit from HDR on a tight budget as HD and Full HD TVs rarely offer it. While we often advise against purchasing HD TVs in the present day because 4K/HDR sets are frequently available for a low price, the S52K Series isn’t the worst option.
A 32-inch 720p set costs £229, while the S52K Series starts at the same price and has nearly the same features as other low-cost brands like Toshiba. However, you may frequently find the S52K for less than its retail cost.
The S52K can do the job if you don’t need 4K support and just want a cheap set, aren’t a major gamer, or are still using a PS4 or Xbox One, but you can get better sets for the same price. For instance, the 43-inch model of TCL’s P63K Series 4K TVs may retail for £100 more, but you can find them on sale for the same price as the S52K.
Overall, this TCL range of TVs offers a respectable value for the money, but if you truly want it, you can find better value elsewhere.
ARE YOU SUITABLE FOR A TCL P63K SERIES?
TCL’s flagship affordable UK TV, the P63K Series, is a significant improvement over the S52K Series but lacks the more high-end features (or higher price tags) of the C630K Series. All of the P63K Series’ sizes are available, and they all include LED 4K/60Hz panels, HDR10 and HLG, Dolby Audio, and Android TV smarts.
In terms of 4K TVs, the P63K includes all the standard features of a contemporary affordable 4K with ALLM tossed in for good measure. Additionally, the P63K Series’ cost is competitive, making both of these aspects of this line’s offerings competitive.
The 43-inch model of the P63K Series has a starting price of £329, however you can frequently find these TVs in substantial sales, and the 43-inch model, for instance, may be bought for as little as £238 on sale. At retail, Toshiba’s 4K UF3D Series, which starts at £369 for the 43-inch model, and other affordable sets are already competitive with the P63K.
This might not be the TV line for you if you’re seeking for the ideal accessory for a PS5 or if you desire the image quality boost provided by a QLED panel. The P63K is a modern set worth taking into consideration if you want something that can stream anything you desire in 4K/HDR and is about as affordable as these kinds of TVs get.
ARE YOU SUITABLE FOR A TCL C630K SERIES?
In comparison to the more affordable P63K Series of TCL UK TVs, the C630K Series is one of the budget brand’s more high-end TV choices and is the newest. It manages to cram in strong HDR support on top of a QLED display and Onkyo speakers that support Dolby Audio.
This Roku TV is the genuine deal; it has about every feature a TV in 2022 could have. Sure, you won’t get an OLED panel, 120 Hz, or VRR, but these features are frequently reserved for more costly sets, and the C630K Series’ affordability is one of its most crucial selling points.
The 43-inch edition of the C630K Series is priced at £319, making it more affordable than rivals like Toshiba’s QA5D QLED, which has a starting price of £399 for the same size model. However, the Toshiba set lacks HLG and HDR10+ while the C630K Series comes with Onkyo speakers.
When on sale, the 43-inch C630K model, for instance, will cost even less than £319, making it more affordable than even typical 4K LED TVs. Therefore, while the C630K might be a good deal when purchased at full price, this set might become an even better value when it is on sale. Naturally, after a few months it begins to be disregarded.
The C630K is worth a look if you’re searching for some of the greatest value available when it comes to cheap QLED TVs because it boasts a competitive feature set and competitive cost overall.