TCL C7L 55-inch SQD-Mini LED (55C7L) review

Full review

The C7L replaces the C7K, TCL's value-focused 55 to 77-inch Mini LED. It moves to TCL's Super Quantum Dot Mini LED technology, which TCL says widens the colour range, and it is the cheaper way into that technology.

TCL's UK page lists a 144Hz native panel, a 288Hz Game Accelerator at 1080p on HDMI 1 and 2, the TSR AiPQ processor and Google TV with Gemini. HDR support covers Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ and HLG. The main difference from the C8L is connectivity: only two of the four HDMI inputs are full HDMI 2.1, and one of those also carries eARC. That is plenty for one console and a soundbar, but tight if you own two.

At 55 inches the C7L has 800 dimming zones and a claimed 2,700 nits. Fewer zones than the C8L means less precise control of the backlight, so expect more of a glow around bright objects on dark scenes. The Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers include a built-in subwoofer, but a soundbar is still worthwhile for films.

At launch the 55-inch C8L cost only a little more, with 1,008 zones and full-speed HDMI on all four ports, so compare current prices: if the gap is small, the C8L is the better buy.