I am stuck in analysis paralysis. I have two TVs I’m choosing between at Best Buy. The first is the LG 85A. The other is TCL QM6K. I just can’t seem to pick between the two. The prices are $100 different, so that isn’t a major factor (though isn’t nothing, either). This new TV would be replacing a fairly low-end TCL that we’ve been very unhappy with. But, the QM6K is very highly reviewed and is a mid- to higher-end model. I’m just really hesitant to get another TCL. The LG looks really nice, but lacks DolbyVision. My programming will be coming from either the TV’s native operating system or an Amazon FireStick 4K Max, which supports DolbyVision.
The reasons for replacement are probably going to help us advise you! Since you bring up the DolbyVision specifically, I’d guess that extra high picture quality is a noticeable factor for you. For me, not so much, as I don’t both to stream at that definition.
But my reading of the tea leaves above says it -is- a factor for you, so I’m guessing if you went with the LG, but didn’t have the Dolby Vision, you’d be unhappy again for second guessing yourself.
As for other concerns about the TCL and your unhappiness, well, that’s why I asked for more. Is it dead pixels, burn in, incompatibility with your audio, or just a lousy interface? Some of those can be addressed by warranty, but plenty will not. It -might- also be advisable to consider a Costco or other option that extends the warranty in that case (if you’re a member).
Have you heard of rtings.com? There are like Consumer Reports, but focused on electronics, with very in-depth reviews and a detailed testing methodology. The QM6K is their current best budget TV: The 6 Best TVs of 2026 - RTINGS.com
The TCL seems to score better in every category, and you can see the sample images look brighter too.
But yeah, what are your needs? What are the criteria?
If size isn’t the primary concern, for example, a smaller OLED with Dolby Vision would get you better image quality overall, and especially much better HDR and contrast.
I’m sorry. I should have included more information. I’d like to get a 75” screen. It’s for a room that has natural light during the day and lamps at night. OLED may not be bright enough for daytime viewing. The existing inexpensive TCL LED does not fare well during the day with dark scenes (think sci-fi movies set in space). Our current TV also renders bright colors very poorly. Vibrant colors “shimmer”, if that’s the right word. I tried recalibrating, but it just ends up washed out. There are also vertical lines on the screen that are distracting in some scenes
I have looked at rtings.com and the QM6K is rated much higher than the 85A. It’s a more advanced model than the TCL we currently have, so I am hopeful that its picture is much better.
Gotcha. I have a OLED and yeah, bright room viewing is hard, especially with specular reflections. In Filmmaker Mode, especially, it’s so dark as to be unwatchable. Wouldn’t have gotten one if I had known.
Supposedly some of Samsung’s latest models have a special coating that is really good at absorbing these reflections, but I’m not sure if that’s OLED only.
I think it’s pretty hard to say, for any given model, how it’ll look in your room ahead of time. The technology changes so much every few years that it’s impossible to keep up. It seems to be a very highly rated budget model, though, so probably worth a try? Best Buy and Costco should both let you return it in store if something doesn’t work out. Best Buy will also price match for you if you find a better deal anywhere.
Personally, if I could do it all over again, I’d probably give up this OLED and Dolby Vision and just get a larger regular SDR TV instead. Dolby Vision and HDR both seem gimmicky and mostly add excessive brightness, IMHO, rather than really enhancing the viewing experience in any significant way. It’s like staring out a bright window from a dark room, just hurts the eyes…
PS I think the TV itself has to support Dolby Vision, not just the Fire Stick, for it to work right.
There are other HDR standards like HDR10 which might be good enough? I’d look at Samsung and Vizio models too.
I’ve had bad experiences with TCL in the past too, but Sony is apparently giving up on Bravia and going with TCL for their TVs too. Maybe they’ve gotten better…? Or Sony’s just really jumped the shark.