Compare TCL QM5K vs TCL Q77K

Mini LED contrast and crisp detail give the QM5K an appealing picture for the money, although factory settings can look too bright and somewhat washed out.

Everyday 4K material can look crisp and colorful for the price, but rigorous testing finds obvious weaknesses in brightness, contrast and HDR.

Mini LED local dimming improves black depth considerably, but precision is mediocre around fine bright objects and moving highlights.

There is no zone-by-zone backlight control, so dark areas stay brightened and highlights lack the contrast of Mini LED competitors.

Everyday HDR scenes are watchable, while sparkling highlights and intensely bright scenes lack the impact of stronger Mini LED sets.

HDR highlights fail to stand out against surrounding scenes, and overall brightness is too low to create dramatic impact.

Factory calibration is uneven, especially in white balance, but a careful adjustment produces a much more accurate HDR picture.

Calibration can bring white balance and gamma very close to target, although some saturated blues remain slightly off.

Contrast is a genuine step above basic LED televisions, lending dark scenes more depth; complicated images expose some backlight compromises.

Native contrast is acceptable for the price, yet the lack of local dimming makes dark scenes visibly weaker than better TVs.

Strong black levels are appealing after dark, but halos, movie cadence flaws, and limited HDR highlights undermine more demanding viewing.

Dark rooms expose raised blacks and limited HDR punch; it works for casual viewing but disappoints for cinematic contrast.

Lower frequencies generally lack weight and definition; larger variants can fare a little better but still lack convincing depth.

The speakers lack genuine low-end weight and rumble, leaving music and action effects thin.

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ compatibility is useful, but limited highlight brightness keeps HDR from looking truly dramatic.

HDR format compatibility is broad, but contrast, color volume and brightness are too limited to make HDR particularly convincing.

Low-bitrate noise is reduced somewhat, at the cost of fine detail; heavily compressed video remains a compromise.

Compressed videos receive useful smoothing, although finer details may look softened or waxy.

eARC passes the major high-quality audio formats to a compatible receiver or soundbar, offering flexibility beyond the TV's speakers.

Major audio formats pass through from connected external sources, although the same behavior is not guaranteed for every built-in app.

Ordinary scenes can be adequately bright, but the set does not have the headroom for consistently punchy highlights and can look washed out when pushed too far.

Both HDR highlights and regular SDR scenes are relatively dim, limiting impact and daytime versatility.

Exceptionally low input lag and useful gaming controls make this a lively budget gaming TV, with native 4K speed and Game Master HDR brightness as limits.

Gaming is the clearest strength thanks to rapid inputs, VRR and high-refresh modes, though fast pixels and dark-game contrast are weaker.

Built-in speakers range from below average to acceptable depending on screen size, with limited bass and less impact on movie soundtracks.

Built-in audio handles casual dialogue but lacks rich bass, spaciousness and consistent loudness across sizes.

Adjustable picture and motion controls provide flexibility, including a useful way to reduce unwanted smoothing.

Changing brightness and color-temperature settings can improve dark or flat-looking content significantly.

A reddish-blue white-balance bias and overly cool HDR color temperature make professional or careful home calibration worthwhile.

The initial cool cast and gray inaccuracies are notable, but careful calibration can bring tones much closer to neutral.

Standard-definition-range viewing is a relative strength, offering solid brightness and pleasing contrast despite occasional overly bright factory settings.

Standard content is watchable and sometimes pleasantly colorful, especially when reflections and ambient light are managed.

The tested 75-inch stand leaves generous clearance beneath the panel for most soundbars.

The stand leaves around 3.6 inches beneath the screen, enough space for most soundbars without blocking the picture.

Natural skin tones and pleasing colors are strengths in several hands-on evaluations, but factory settings can be too cool or uneven on some samples.

Opinions diverge: fine flesh tones and detail can look natural, but uncalibrated color and white balance may be cool or inaccurate.

Fine image texture can look excellent, even if sharpening is a little aggressive and the lowest-quality sources lose definition.

Native 4K scenes look crisp with excellent fine detail; upscaled text and other tiny details are less dependable.

Results depend heavily on content and settings: one comparison praised factory smoothness, while other tests found blur, judder, and uneven interpolation.

Assessments vary, but detailed testing finds conspicuous 60Hz blur even as some evaluations praise ordinary motion.

Controller inputs register very quickly in Game Master, making responsiveness one of the QM5K's standout strengths.

Very low input delay makes the Q77K feel responsive in supported console and PC modes.

Basic clips behind the panel provide a neat, convenient place to secure loose cables.

There is no integrated cable-routing system, so wires need to be organized separately.

Expect visible halos around subtitles, stars, and small highlights against black. The effect can become more noticeable from an angled seat.

Bright subtitles do not create the usual local-dimming halos, but this advantage comes at the expense of deep blacks and strong highlights.

Film-rate content is a weak point, with visible 24p judder despite options to modify the look of motion.

24fps movies play without distracting cadence judder, and 1080i film broadcasts also receive strong frame-rate treatment.

The native 4K ceiling is 60Hz. Larger models can trade resolution for up to 144Hz, but that does not make this a native high-refresh 4K display.

A native 144Hz panel is exceptional for this price range, though faster input support does not guarantee blur-free motion.

Game Master gives fast response, but HDR brightness falls markedly when enabled, making highlights look flatter.

Game Mode keeps controls responsive, but it cannot fix flat HDR and blurry pixel transitions in every scene.

Dark areas can look impressively deep for a budget TV. The backlight still has trouble around small bright objects and some letterbox bars.

Without local dimming, blacks look gray or washed out in darker scenes even though the native panel contrast is serviceable.

Bright green transitions and certain HDR gradients can show distracting steps, although some test content appeared smoother.

Shaded gradients look mostly smooth, with relatively little obvious banding, although the darker end is less polished.

The 4K VRR window is narrow and cannot use low-framerate compensation below its floor. Lower resolutions work across a more useful range.

Supported high-bandwidth HDMI inputs cover a broad VRR range, reducing tearing when frame rates dip; the 60Hz ports are less capable.

Slow camera pans can stutter, although one assessment considered the effect relatively mild with basic settings.

Motion interpolation reduces stutter effectively on slow pans when enabled, with little variation in timing.

Most moving edges avoid serious artifacts, but trails and unintended color fringes can appear in fast scenes.

Slow dark transitions and variable-refresh overdrive can cause colored trails, overshoot and blurred moving edges.

The 55-inch and larger versions support up to 144Hz with lower-resolution signals; the 50-inch version lacks that option.

Fast PC modes are outstanding value at up to 4K/144Hz or 1080p/288Hz on supported sizes, despite slower 60Hz pixel response.

Moderate motion is reasonably clear, yet dark transitions and quick-moving edges leave visible blur or smearing.

The high refresh-rate specification masks mediocre pixel transitions, especially in dark areas and ordinary 60Hz footage.

Adjustable smoothing can make some 24fps material look fluid, but consistency is poor and certain settings create obvious jerks.

Interpolation can smooth camera pans effectively, but some find motion processing artificial or blurry and prefer it off.

Center-screen uniformity is generally good for sports, although the sides of some samples show uneven patches or blotches.

The tested 75-inch panel showed uneven patches and a pinch mark that could stand out on grass, ice or other broad flat colors.

Color has reasonable substance in darker scenes, yet strong reds, greens, and brighter saturated tones are not its specialty.

The Q77K struggles to maintain saturated HDR colors, particularly darker tones, despite acceptable color presentation in standard content.

Three HDMI inputs are enough for some setups but fewer than the four found on many competing televisions.

Four HDMI connections offer good basic connectivity, although not all can carry the highest refresh-rate signals.

Side-facing HDMI connections are easy to reach, even with the screen installed on a wall.

Rear inputs are generally workable but can be awkward to reach once the television is close to a wall.

Some screen sizes play fairly loudly, but the overall volume headroom is not consistently impressive.

Loudness varies by size and source: the 55-inch test struggled in larger spaces, while the 65-inch unit and one video evaluation sounded adequate.

Google TV includes ads. Disabling personalized targeting does not remove them, and the ad-free basic mode sacrifices many smart functions.

Google TV includes ads and recommendations that cannot be fully switched off, a drawback for people wanting an uncluttered home screen.

There is enough SDR brightness for ambient light, but direct reflections remain intrusive and can spread across the image.

Glossy models visibly mirror lamps and windows. Matte finishes on the two largest sizes improve reflections but cannot add brightness.

Darker scenes generally retain useful texture, though certain picture modes and low-end gamma behavior can obscure fine shadows.

Results are mixed: gentle tonal gradations can be reproduced well, yet some near-black areas appear crushed before calibration.

Treble ranges from notably good on the 65-inch sample to lacking in detail on several other sizes.

High notes lack detail and contribute to a bright, closed-in sound presentation.

Adjustments can substantially improve white balance, color temperature, and accuracy, making this set rewarding to tune.

Calibration is straightforward and can improve white balance and overall color accuracy dramatically.

Local dimming keeps darker areas fairly even, but patchy sides and occasional blotches can show up, particularly on gray test images.

The tested panel had noticeable uneven gray shading and a pinch mark, so checking a new unit for patches is worthwhile.

Dark-to-bright pixel transitions are sluggish enough to create trails, especially in shadowy games.

Pixel response is mixed: high-refresh gaming feels responsive, but dark transitions and 60Hz scenes can be noticeably blurry.

VRR reduces screen tearing, especially at 1080p and 1440p, but the narrow 4K range limits how well it handles drops in frame rate.

Wide VRR format and range compatibility keep games nearly tear-free as frame rates fluctuate, especially on the full-speed inputs.

Shaded areas can look smooth on some tested sizes, but HDR gradients may show visible banding, especially in greens.

Color and brightness transitions are mostly smooth, though darker gradients can reveal some banding.

Fine highlight information can clip, while peak highlights lack the visual separation found on more capable HDR sets.

Bright details can be lost or appear too dim, making HDR objects look flat rather than luminous.

Supported larger models can use 1440p at up to 144Hz, a helpful compromise between sharpness and smoother play.

Both PlayStation 5 and Xbox gaming support 1440p at 120Hz, providing flexibility between image resolution and speed.

The picture looks best from near center; the 65- and 75-inch Consumer Reports samples fared better off-axis than its 50- and 55-inch samples.

Off-center viewing is acceptable for a VA-style set, but saturation and image depth fade noticeably at steeper angles.

Compression smoothing is only fair. Heavily compressed streams and older broadcasts reveal soft textures and residual artifacts.

Compressed streams and old video remain watchable, though noise cleanup trades away some fine texture.

Colors lose saturation and may shift red from the sides; some larger samples fare noticeably better.

Colors shift and fade toward the sides; it remains usable for some side seats but looks best head-on.

The glossy panel does little to diffuse direct lamps and windows, making placement important in bright rooms.

Reflections are intrusive on glossy variants, whereas the 85- and 98-inch matte coatings make placement easier near bright lights.

The remote is straightforward and pleasant to handle, with practical shortcuts and an uncomplicated layout.

The simple voice remote is functional and pleasant to use, with backlighting an unexpectedly helpful extra.

Color coverage is serviceable rather than expansive, with saturated greens and reds showing limitations in demanding material.

Cartoons and everyday SDR scenes can look lively, but the limited HDR color range prevents deeply saturated highlights from looking rich.

HD images generally hold together well, but DVD-quality or very low-resolution video remains soft, with fine details and edges degrading.

HD and some lower-resolution material upscale clearly, yet very fine text and textures can become soft.

Mini LED dimming produces convincing dark areas and mostly even near-black shades, but raw backlight uniformity is poorer with dimming disabled.

Near-black scenes remain fairly even without obvious vertical bands, though some patchiness and warm spots occur.

The LCD panel is effectively immune to permanent OLED-style burn-in, making varied and static content less concerning.

As a direct-lit LCD, the screen carries little risk of permanent burn-in from static game HUDs or channel logos.

Moving highlights can trigger obvious local-dimming flicker against dark areas, which may be distracting in action scenes.

Low-brightness settings use low-frequency backlight modulation that may bother sensitive viewers and cause visible image duplication.

Full chroma support helps, but the BGR subpixel arrangement can reduce text clarity when used as a desktop monitor.

The BGR subpixel arrangement can make fine desktop text look less crisp than on a conventional RGB monitor.

Adjustable foot positions on applicable larger sizes help fit the TV onto narrower furniture.

Two foot positions on the 75-inch model provide narrower or wider furniture options, a welcome flexibility for a large TV.

Its full-array backlight and LCD construction are judged low risk for common panel failures, though long-term results are necessarily prospective.

Expected longevity is decent rather than outstanding, with low burn-in risk offset by more vulnerable direct-lit backlight failure behavior.

No QM5K size displays 4K at 120Hz; this is a key limitation for high-end console and PC setups.

Modern consoles can reach 4K at 120Hz on the high-bandwidth ports, with VRR and automatic Game Mode available.

Its appealing Mini LED contrast, low-lag play, and Google TV features make the QM5K a convincing bargain when deeply discounted.

The low Costco pricing buys unusually advanced gaming features and large screen options, but picture weaknesses make a cheap Mini LED upgrade worth comparing.

eARC supports uncompressed multichannel audio to compatible external audio gear, making a separate sound system easy to incorporate.

An eARC connection makes it easy to pair a soundbar or receiver and pass compatible surround audio from external devices.

Personalized advertising can be disabled, but that does not remove on-screen ads or all associated tradeoffs.

A physical microphone switch can fully disable the TV’s hands-free mic for added reassurance.

Google TV is usable but shows a small amount of lag while moving around the interface.

The Google TV interface scrolls smoothly for most interactions and generally feels quicker than expected for a low-cost set.

Menus remain manageable despite occasional sluggish reactions; the experience is not consistently instant.

Google TV is mostly quick and smooth for a budget set, with occasional hesitation during scrolling and app navigation.

Brightness tracking follows intended HDR levels very closely, one of the QM5K's clearest technical strengths.

Tone tracking is surprisingly faithful for moderately bright HDR scenes, with a smooth highlight roll-off, yet hardware limits cap the final effect.

Google TV is easy to navigate and rich in apps, though its menus may lag and its home screen includes advertising.

Google TV supplies comprehensive apps and a familiar interface, but unavoidable ads diminish the experience.

Google TV provides broad access to major streaming services and downloadable apps, a clear convenience on an inexpensive TV.

Google TV offers a broad range of major streaming services and downloadable apps, making everyday content easy to access.

The 50-inch model stays at 60Hz at every resolution, whereas 55-inch and larger models can reach 144Hz at 1080p or 1440p.

The 55-inch variant tops out at 1080p/240Hz, while listed larger models can reach 288Hz; specifications should be checked by size.

The QM5K looks surprisingly polished for its price, with a textured back and simple feet despite its plastic construction.

The slim exterior is appealing for a budget television, although materials and frame details are less refined than premium models.

Assembly is mostly plastic and feels fairly inexpensive, but examined units had no major structural defects.

Construction is adequate for the price but plastic-heavy. Metal feet are appreciated on the smaller showcased unit, while another sample showed a panel pinch mark.

Backlit controls, sensible remote buttons, and an approachable smart-TV interface make daily operation straightforward.

Full Google TV setup comes with account and connectivity expectations; the more private basic setup gives up key smart features.

The automatic Intelligent picture mode can produce an appealing image without extensive manual adjustments.

Missing ATSC 3.0 support limits over-the-air broadcasts to older standards rather than next-generation broadcasts.

A varied selection of decorative seasonal and ambient art gives the display an entertaining second purpose.

Automatic Game Mode removes the need to hunt through settings before gaming, keeping input lag low.

The live TV interface includes a useful program guide showing current broadcasts.

A rear-mounted subwoofer on certain larger variants is a welcome inclusion, although its presence does not guarantee powerful bass or fine control.

Google TV collects shows and suggestions from several services in one home screen, helping reduce app hopping.

Speech is intelligible at normal volume, making news, sitcoms and casual TV easy to follow without external speakers.

The 55- and 65-inch samples showed a slight buzz on bass-heavy music, preventing completely clean playback.

TCL’s built-in live TV section loads fairly quickly and expands the selection of no-extra-cost viewing.

A capable game bar provides frame-rate readouts, aiming tools and quick access to VRR, picture modes and latency settings.

The tested 75-inch unit has two full-speed gaming ports rather than four; other sizes may differ, so several high-bandwidth devices require planning.

The TV can render impressive fine detail, but sharpening may look exaggerated and processing becomes less persuasive with poor sources.

Natural colors and lifelike images are recurring strengths, even if some factory scenes look overly bright or washed out.

Backlight zones respond too slowly to moving bright objects and can briefly flicker or trail.

The owner is very happy with the 50-inch replacement, particularly its impressive picture and discount price.

Backlit buttons and a simple layout make the remote comfortable to operate in the dark.

Backlit, simplified buttons make the remote easier to navigate, particularly in a dark room.

The largest matte-screen variants reduce mirror-like reflections substantially compared with the glossy smaller sizes.

Two feet attach easily with basic screws and an ordinary screwdriver.

Adjustable stand positions and sturdy feet are practical strengths, although construction varies and the overall set is budget-oriented.

Common VESA mounting options are available, although spacing, port access and handling become important with the biggest models.

Two high-bandwidth ports on the tested 75-inch set enable 4K/144Hz, making high-frame-rate PC play a major attraction.

Native 4K gaming works at up to 60Hz, but players must lower resolution for faster refresh on supported sizes.

The 55-inch model can reach 240Hz at 1080p, offering a fast mode for PC gamers who prioritize frame rate over resolution.

Larger specified sizes can accept 1080p at 288Hz on supported inputs, an exceptional option at this price tier.

Dolby Vision adds a broadly useful streaming and gaming format option, although it does not overcome the panel's modest HDR brightness.

FreeSync Premium Pro helps Xbox and compatible gaming hardware deliver smoother play as frame rates vary.

Two HDMI inputs on the tested 75-inch unit handle modern 4K high-refresh signals, unlike the two limited 60Hz ports.

HDR10+ broadens compatibility with dynamic-HDR material, a welcome capability at this price.

Support for both major dynamic HDR formats makes the QM5K flexible across streaming services and compatible sources.

The 75-, 85- and 98-inch models provide substantial screen size for the money, with gaming support rarely found this cheaply.

Stand attachment is straightforward and Google TV configuration is manageable once the needed account details are available.

The Costco bundle’s advertised five years of combined coverage and return window strengthen the value proposition, but the extra years are a protection plan, not manufacturer warranty.

Apps and the interface generally load quickly, with occasional brief hiccups during navigation.

A generous selection of picture modes allows different looks for films, sports, games and Dolby Vision content.

Voice assistant, casting and compatible smart-home controls add everyday convenience beyond streaming.

A well-stocked Google TV catalog covers mainstream shows, movies, and live-streaming apps without requiring an external box.

Brightness curves are followed closely through most midtones, although very bright masters still run into the TV's limited output.

Hands-free and remote-based voice commands simplify searches and app launches, with a physical mic-off option available.

T-Exhibition brings attractive looping 4K artwork to the screen, although some selections take a while to load.

Some owners reported severe audio delay through ARC or optical connections, although the issue appears setup-dependent.

Sound modes and virtual surround options are plentiful, but the lack of a dedicated subwoofer level control is frustrating.

Dynamic brightness can change picture output unexpectedly; turning it off is suggested for users seeking predictable manual settings.

SDR content holds up reasonably well in daytime conditions if a window or lamp is not reflected directly in the screen.

Aiming overlays, shadow controls and a visible FPS counter give gamers quick, practical tools during play.

Fine for ordinary SDR viewing in a controlled room but too dim to overcome direct sunlight or bright lamps.

The built-in presentation is narrow and thin rather than immersive, particularly with demanding film soundtracks.

Bezels look slim at a glance, but the visible gap between the frame and first pixels reduces the premium effect.

The 85- and 98-inch variants have reflection-friendly matte screens, while smaller models are glossy; refresh ceilings and port arrangements can vary too.

There is a useful range of screen sizes, but the 50-inch version lacks Game Accelerator and larger sizes may add audio advantages.