Best for tone mapping
TCL QM7L
5.0 feature score
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Best TVs for tone mapping
tone mapping Decision Dashboard
Safest pick
Amazon Ember QLED TV
5.0 feature score
Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.
Most evidence
LG C6
6 supporting reviews
Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.
Best overall product
TCL QM8L
4.4 overall score
Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.
Tone mapping generally preserves bright detail while maintaining contrast, and game-mode controls allow substantial customization between dynamic mapping and HGIG.
Pros: resolution, HDR format support
Cons: software updates, account requirements
One expert found that raising HDR tone mapping to a middle setting produced the best picture. The default configuration leaves some performance on the table.
Pros: local dimming performance, HDR format support
Cons: gradient handling, banding control
Native HDR tone mapping preserves highlight detail well, but SDR-to-HDR remastering is inconsistent and can add harsh edges, cool tones, or an artificial look. PC HDR also showed mapping bugs...
Pros: resolution, contrast ratio
Cons: HDR10+ support, account requirements
Dynamic tone mapping can reveal shadows and add punch, but several tests found it overbrightened, washed out, or reduced highlight and color nuance. Accuracy is usually best with it disabled.
Pros: panel type, display technology
Cons: account requirements, DTS support
Tone mapping can deviate substantially from reference targets, with midtones and highlights sometimes rendered too bright. Lower peak-brightness settings improve tracking but sacrifice some impact.
Pros: overall image accuracy, resolution
Cons: motion clarity, response time