TCL QM85 85QM851G 85"

The TCL QM85 is an 85-inch Mini-LED TV with up to 5,000 dimming zones and a surprisingly good 5.1.2 soundbar bundled in. Picture quality is strong and audio is a standout, but gaming and HDR performance are weak spots. At USD 2,350 to 2,448, it's a solid value for movie watchers who want a big, bright screen without buying separate audio. Gamers and HDR enthusiasts should look elsewhere.

Let's talk about those 5,000 dimming zones. That's a big number, and it matters for one thing: blooming. On cheaper Mini-LED sets, bright objects bleed light into dark areas. With this many zones, the QM85 keeps that in check better than most. The picture quality score lands in the 84th percentile, which puts it ahead of most QLED competition but still behind the top OLEDs in our database. For a bright room, though, this thing will out-punch any OLED. The quantum dot layer covers nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space, so colors pop without looking cartoonish.

The audio is the surprise. A 5.1.2 channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, rated at up to 860 watts total power, is not a typical TV bundle add-on. Our audio score puts it in the 92nd percentile, which is one of the best on the market for a TV package. You won't need to buy a separate soundbar for most rooms. That said, the gaming score is disappointing at the 17th percentile. If you're a serious gamer looking for 4K 120Hz across all ports or low input lag, this isn't the panel for you. The HDR score is also weak at the 13th percentile, which is odd given the brightness claims. It seems the tone mapping or peak brightness handling isn't keeping up with the hardware.

Against the LG OLED evo OLED55C5PUA, the QM85 wins on size and brightness but loses on picture quality and gaming. The LG is a 55-inch OLED, so it's a different beast entirely. If you want perfect blacks and the best gaming performance, go LG. If you want an 85-inch screen that can fight a bright living room, the TCL makes more sense. The Samsung Neo QLED QN990F is a closer competitor. Samsung's Mini-LED processing is generally better, especially for HDR, but you'll pay more and still need to buy audio. The QM85's bundled soundbar is a genuine differentiator.

The Sony BRAVIA 9 K85XR90 is the premium alternative at the same size. Sony's processing is best-in-class, and the BRAVIA 9 will beat the QM85 on HDR and gaming. But it costs more, and the audio package isn't as complete. The Hisense U8 Series 65U8QG is the budget alternative. It's smaller and less refined, but it's also cheaper. If you're stretching your budget, the Hisense gets you most of the Mini-LED experience for less money. The Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 is a different category entirely, smaller and simpler, but with a much better smart platform.

At USD 2,350 to 2,448, you're getting an 85-inch Mini-LED TV plus a 5.1.2 soundbar. That's the value math here. An 85-inch OLED from LG or Sony would run you significantly more, and you'd still need to buy audio separately. The QM85 bundles a soundbar that our database ranks in the 92nd percentile for audio, which is not a small thing. You're effectively getting a few hundred dollars of audio gear included.

But the value story gets complicated when you look at the weak spots. The connectivity score is dead last territory, the gaming performance is disappointing, and the HDR handling is a weak spot. If you don't care about those things, this is a lot of TV for the money. If you do care, you might be better off spending a bit more on a Sony BRAVIA 9 or saving money on a Hisense U8 and buying a separate soundbar.

The TCL QM85 85QM851G is a massive 85-inch Mini-LED TV that wants to be your living room's centerpiece. TCL is throwing everything at this one: up to 5,000 local dimming zones, quantum dot color, a 5.1.2 channel soundbar in the box, and Google TV built in. It's a bundle play, really. You're not just buying a panel, you're buying a whole home theater setup in one shot.

Who's this for? Someone with a big wall and a desire for brightness. The QM85 sits in that sweet spot where you want OLED-like contrast without OLED prices at this size. Our database puts picture quality in the 84th percentile, which is strong, and audio at the 92nd percentile, which is a standout. That soundbar inclusion isn't a throwaway, it's genuinely one of the better bundled audio solutions we've seen.

The interesting bit is the trade-off. You get a huge, bright, punchy picture and surprisingly good sound, but the smart platform and connectivity scores are mediocre at best. Google TV is fine, but it's not the star here. And the connectivity ranking is one of the worst we've seen for this category. So it's a TV that nails the core viewing experience and shrugs at some of the extras.

Serious gamers should skip this one. The gaming score is in the 17th percentile, which means you're likely dealing with limited HDMI 2.1 support, higher input lag, or both. If you're buying a TV primarily for a PS5 or Xbox Series X, the LG OLED evo or Sony BRAVIA 9 will serve you much better. HDR enthusiasts should also look elsewhere. The 13th percentile HDR score is a real letdown for a TV with this much brightness potential.

If you need lots of connectivity options, this isn't your TV either. The 6th percentile connectivity score is one of the worst we've seen. Fewer HDMI ports, limited eARC support, or missing next-gen features will frustrate anyone with multiple devices. For a simpler, more connected experience, check out the Roku Pro Series or spend up for the Sony BRAVIA 9.

For movie lovers with a bright room and a big wall, the QM85 is a compelling package. The picture is strong, the audio is genuinely good, and the price is fair for what you get. You'll be happy watching sports, streaming shows, and hosting movie nights. The brightness and dimming zones do real work in a living room with windows.

For gamers or HDR enthusiasts, look elsewhere. The gaming score is disappointing, and the HDR performance is a real letdown. If you're plugging in a PS5 or Xbox Series X and expecting top-tier performance, you'll be frustrated. Same goes for anyone who needs lots of HDMI 2.1 ports or advanced connectivity. This is a TV for watching, not for tinkering.