TCL 98 Inch Q65K Review: 4K QLED TV Worth Your Money?

Do you want a real home theater without spending a fortune? A 98 inch screen used to cost as much as a used car. Now TCL sells one for around the price of a good laptop.

The TCL 98 Inch Q65 is one of the cheapest giant TVs you can buy today. It gives you Dolby Vision, a 120Hz panel, and Google TV on a huge screen. But a low price always comes with tradeoffs.

This review covers what you get, what you give up, and who should buy it. Keep reading before you clear that wall space.

In a Nutshell

• Massive screen for the money: The TCL 98 inch Q65 sells for about $1,299.99 at Amazon and Best Buy right now. Very few TVs give you this much screen for this price. It turns any living room into a private cinema.
• Bright QLED color: TCL uses QLED Pro quantum dot technology. Colors look rich and full. The High Brightness+ direct LED backlight keeps the picture clear in rooms with normal lighting.
• Smooth motion for sports and games: The 98 inch model gets a native 120Hz panel, while smaller Q6 sizes stay at 60Hz. It also supports 144Hz VRR, Game Accelerator 240, and Auto Game Mode.
• Full HDR and audio format support: You get Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. The Onkyo 2.1 speaker system supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X.
• Main weakness is contrast: This TV has no local dimming. Black scenes look gray in a dark room. Movie fans who watch at night may want a Mini LED model instead.
• Easy smart features: Google TV, Chromecast, and Apple AirPlay 2 all come built in. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit too.

TCL 98 Inch Q65K Overview

Last update on 2026-10-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The TCL 98 inch Q65 is a budget QLED TV with a giant screen. Its official model number is 98Q651G. Amazon lists it as the “TCL 98 Inch Q65,” and many shoppers search for it as the Q65K.

One thing to know first: TCL has not released a separate 2025 “K” version of this exact TV in the US. The model you can buy is the 2024 Q65. TCL’s newer 2025 budget line is the QM6K, which uses Mini LED.

The Q65 has a clear goal. It gives you the biggest screen possible for the lowest price. TCL saves money by skipping premium extras like local dimming and Mini LED zones.

Still, the 98 inch size gets a few upgrades over the smaller Q6 models. It has a 120Hz native refresh rate instead of 60Hz. That makes a big difference for sports and gaming.

Buyers seem happy overall. The TV holds a 4.2 star rating from about 2,400 Amazon reviews. At Best Buy, it scores 4.7 stars from 575 reviews, and 94% of buyers would recommend it.

Most praise covers the picture, the size, and the price. Most complaints cover the heavy weight and limited audio connections. Those numbers tell a simple story. People buy this TV for size and value, and it delivers on both.

Key Specs at a Glance

Here is what the TCL 98 inch Q65 offers on paper. These specs come from TCL and Best Buy product listings.

The screen is 98 inches with 4K Ultra HD resolution. That gives you four times the detail of a 1080p Full HD TV. The panel uses QLED Pro quantum dot technology for wide color.

The backlight is a High Brightness+ direct LED system. There is no local dimming. The AIPQ Pro processor uses deep learning AI to adjust color, contrast, and clarity.

For motion, you get a 120Hz panel refresh rate with 144Hz variable refresh rate. TCL adds Motion Rate 480 with MEMC frame insertion. Gamers get Game Accelerator 240 and Auto Game Mode (ALLM).

HDR support covers Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. Sound comes from an Onkyo 2.1 speaker system rated at 60W with a built in subwoofer. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X, and Enhanced Dialogue Mode.

For connections, you get four HDMI inputs, and one supports eARC. The TV also has WiFi 5 and Bluetooth for headphones. The smart platform is Google TV with a voice remote.

Smart home support is broad. It works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. It also has Chromecast built in and AirPlay 2.

This is a solid feature list for a TV at this price. The missing piece is local dimming, which we cover later.

Design and Build Quality

The TCL Q65 uses a FullView 360 metal design. The glass runs almost edge to edge. This thin frame makes the giant screen feel even bigger.

When the TV is off, it looks like a large black panel. It blends into most rooms without drawing attention. When it is on, the thin bezels let the picture take over the wall.

Now for the hard part. This TV is very heavy. Best Buy reviewers mention the weight as the top complaint. You will need at least two strong people to unbox and lift it.

The box itself is huge too. Measure your doorways, hallways, and stairs before you order. Many buyers forget this step and get stuck at the front door.

You can place it on its feet or mount it on a wall. Wall mounting saves floor space and looks clean. Make sure your mount is rated for a 98 inch TV and your wall can hold the load.

If you use the feet, you need a very wide stand. A normal TV console will not work. Check the foot spacing in the manual before you buy furniture.

Build quality feels decent for a budget TV. The frame is sturdy, and the panel does not flex much. It does not feel as premium as a high end Sony or Samsung, but it does not feel cheap either.

Top 3 Alternative for TCL 98 Inch Q65K

The Q65 is great value, but it is not perfect for everyone. If you want better contrast or more brightness, look at these three options.

TCL 98 Inch QM6K

Last update on 2026-10-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The TCL QM6K is the 2025 step up from the Q65. It uses QD Mini LED with local dimming. That means deeper blacks and less gray haze in dark scenes.

It also has a native 144Hz refresh rate and Game Accelerator 288. RTINGS calls the QM6K well rounded, with very good gaming performance. If you can stretch your budget a bit, this is the smartest upgrade.

TCL 98 Inch QM7K

Last update on 2026-10-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The TCL QM7K is a big jump in picture quality. TCL rates it for up to LD2500 precise dimming and up to 3000 nits peak HDR brightness. It handles bright rooms with ease.

It also has a 144Hz native panel and audio tuned by Bang & Olufsen. This model costs more, but movie fans will see the difference right away.

Hisense 100 Inch U7

Last update on 2026-10-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Hisense 100 inch U7 gives you two extra inches of screen. It uses Mini LED with quantum dot color. The listing shows a refresh rate up to 165Hz.

It also supports IMAX Enhanced content. This is a strong choice for gamers and anyone who wants the biggest screen possible with better contrast.

Picture Quality

Picture quality is the most praised feature in Best Buy reviews. For everyday TV, sports, and streaming, the Q65 looks very good.

The QLED quantum dot layer gives you bright, rich colors. TCL says it covers nearly the full DCI P3 color space. Grass looks green, skies look blue, and skin tones look natural.

The 4K resolution matters a lot on a screen this size. Small details stay sharp, even from a few feet away. The AIPQ Pro processor also does a nice job upscaling HD cable and older shows.

Now the honest part. The Q65 has no local dimming. The backlight cannot dim one area while another stays bright. So black scenes look grayish in a dark room.

You will notice this most in space movies, horror films, and night scenes. Black bars on wide movies also look gray instead of truly black. RTINGS rated the Q651G line as average for picture, mainly because of contrast.

In a room with lamps or daylight, this problem shrinks a lot. Your eyes adjust, and the gray blacks become less visible. Most families watch TV this way anyway.

Viewing angles are limited too. If someone sits far to the side, colors fade a bit. Place your main seats in front of the screen for the best results.

My advice is simple. For a bright living room, the picture is great for the price. For a dark home theater, consider the QM6K.

HDR Performance and Brightness

The Q65 supports every major HDR format. You get Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. That means Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and Apple TV content all play in HDR.

Format support is one thing. HDR performance is another. Great HDR needs high peak brightness and strong contrast. This TV is good at the first and weaker at the second.

TCL’s High Brightness+ LED backlight makes the screen bright enough for most rooms. Daytime sports look clear and punchy. Reflections are manageable in normal lighting.

But without local dimming, bright highlights cannot “pop” against deep blacks. A sunset or explosion looks bright, but the dark parts of the scene get lifted too. The result is flatter HDR than you see on Mini LED TVs.

Here is a helpful tip. Try the Dolby Vision Bright or Movie mode for films. Then lower the backlight a little at night. This helps keep blacks from looking too washed out.

For most people, HDR here still looks better than SDR. Colors look richer, and highlights look brighter. Just do not expect premium HDR impact at this price.

If HDR movies are your top priority, the QM7K delivers far more punch. If you mostly watch sports, shows, and YouTube, the Q65 does the job well.

Motion Handling and Refresh Rate

Motion is a big win for the 98 inch Q65. This size gets a native 120Hz panel. The smaller Q6 sizes only have 60Hz panels.

Why does this matter? A 120Hz panel shows twice as many frames per second as 60Hz. Fast action looks smoother and clearer, with less blur.

Sports fans will love this. Footballs, hockey pucks, and race cars stay easier to follow. On a giant 98 inch screen, motion blur would be very obvious, so 120Hz helps a lot.

TCL also adds Motion Rate 480 with MEMC frame insertion. This feature creates extra frames between real ones. It can make sports look extra smooth.

For movies, you may want to turn MEMC down or off. Too much frame insertion creates the “soap opera effect.” Films can look like cheap home videos with it on.

Here is a simple setup guide. Use MEMC on low or medium for live sports. Turn it off for movies and dramas. Keep it off for games, since it adds input lag.

The TV also supports 144Hz variable refresh rate. VRR matches the screen to your game’s frame rate. This removes screen tearing and stutter.

Overall, motion handling is one of the best reasons to pick this TV over cheaper 98 inch models. It feels smooth and responsive.

Gaming Performance

Gamers get a lot here for the money. The Q65 includes Game Accelerator 240, Auto Game Mode, and variable refresh rate support.

Auto Game Mode (ALLM) switches the TV into low lag mode when you start a game. You do not need to dig through menus. Just turn on your console and play.

Input lag is low in game mode. RTINGS noted low input lag for the Q651G line. Your button presses feel quick and responsive.

Game Accelerator 240 boosts the refresh rate at lower resolutions. PC gamers who want very high frame rates can use this mode. Competitive shooters feel faster as a result.

There is one catch. RTINGS reports the Q651G line does not have full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. It supports up to 1440p at 120Hz with VRR. So PS5 and Xbox Series X owners may not get full 4K at 120Hz.

For most casual gamers, this is fine. Games at 4K 60Hz look stunning on a 98 inch screen. Playing on this size feels like sitting in an arcade.

Hardcore gamers who want full 4K 120Hz should look at the QM6K or QM7K. Both support native 144Hz panels and stronger gaming features.

Still, few things beat racing games or open world adventures on a 98 inch screen. The sheer size pulls you into the game. Most players will be very happy here.

Sound Quality

TCL partners with Onkyo for the speakers. You get a 2.1 channel system rated at 60W. It includes a built in subwoofer for extra bass.

For TV speakers, the sound is decent. Dialogue is clear, and the volume gets loud enough for a medium room. The Enhanced Dialogue Mode helps when actors mumble.

The TV also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X. These features create a wider, more spacious sound. They do not match real surround speakers, but they help.

Here is the honest truth. A 98 inch picture deserves bigger sound. The built in speakers feel small next to this giant screen. Explosions and music lack deep impact.

A soundbar is a smart add on. The HDMI eARC port lets you send full quality audio to a soundbar or receiver. This includes Dolby Atmos tracks from streaming apps.

TCL’s own soundbars pair well. Amazon even sells bundles with the TCL S Class soundbars. A 3.1 or 5.1 system will make movie nights far more exciting.

Note that some Best Buy reviewers mention limited external audio connections. Check your audio gear before you buy. Make sure it works with eARC or optical output.

You can also pair Bluetooth headphones for private listening. This is handy for late night viewing when others are asleep.

Google TV Smart Features

The Q65 runs Google TV, one of the best smart platforms today. The home screen shows recommendations from all your apps in one place.

You can find Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, and thousands more apps. Google TV suggests shows based on what you watch. It saves time searching through each app.

The voice remote makes control easy. Press the button and say “play Stranger Things.” The TV finds it and starts playing. You can also search by actor or genre.

Chromecast is built in. You can cast videos from your Android phone or Chrome browser. Apple users get AirPlay 2, so iPhones and Macs can share content too.

Smart home support is a strong plus. The TV works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. You can control it from almost any smart speaker or phone.

The TV connects with WiFi 5. This is fast enough for smooth 4K streaming. For the best results, use a wired Ethernet connection if possible.

Menus run smoothly most of the time. Some users report small delays when opening apps. This is normal for budget TVs.

Google TV also offers free live channels through Google TV Freeplay. You can watch news, movies, and shows without a subscription. It is a nice bonus for cord cutters.

Setup and Room Planning

A 98 inch TV needs careful planning. Buying one without measuring is a common mistake. Take a few minutes to plan first.

Start with viewing distance. For a 98 inch 4K screen, sitting about 8 to 12 feet away works well. Closer feels immersive. Farther keeps the whole screen in view.

Next, measure your wall or stand. The TV is roughly 7 feet wide. Make sure you have space for the screen plus some room on each side.

Check your delivery path too. Measure doorways, hallways, and stair corners. The box is much bigger than most furniture you move.

Plan for two or more people during setup. The TV is heavy and awkward. Dropping or twisting the panel can crack the screen.

If you wall mount, choose a mount rated for this size and weight. Mount it into wall studs, not just drywall. Hiring a pro installer is worth it for many buyers.

Once it is up, run through the Google TV setup. Sign in with your Google account and connect to WiFi. Then switch picture mode from Vivid to Movie or Standard.

Vivid mode looks too blue and harsh. Movie mode gives the most accurate color for films. Standard works well for daily TV in bright rooms.

Pros and Cons

Here is a quick look at the strengths and weaknesses of the TCL 98 inch Q65.

Pros

• Huge 98 inch screen at a low price. It sells for about $1,299.99, which is very affordable for this size.
• Native 120Hz panel. The 98 inch model gets a faster panel than smaller Q6 sizes, so sports and games look smooth.
• Full HDR format support. Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG all work, so streaming content looks its best.
• Rich QLED colors. Quantum dots give bright, vivid color that looks great in normal room lighting.
• Great smart features. Google TV, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and voice control make it easy to use.
• Low input lag for gaming. Auto Game Mode and VRR make gaming feel quick and responsive.

Cons

• No local dimming. Blacks look gray in a dark room, which hurts movie nights.
• Limited HDR impact. Highlights do not pop as much as they do on Mini LED TVs.
• Very heavy and bulky. Setup needs at least two people and good planning.
• Weak sound for the screen size. You will likely want a soundbar.
• No full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. Console gamers may not get full 4K at 120Hz.
• Narrow viewing angles. Colors fade when you sit far to the side.

Value for Money

Value is where the Q65 really shines. At around $1,299.99, it costs far less than most 98 inch TVs. Best Buy lists a comparable value of over $2,100.

Think about the price per inch. You get nearly 100 inches of 4K screen for the price many people pay for a premium 65 inch TV. That is a huge deal.

Compare it to a projector setup. A good 4K projector, screen, and install can cost more. The TV is brighter, simpler, and needs no dark room.

But value also means knowing your needs. If you watch mostly in a dark room, the lack of local dimming will bother you. In that case, the QM6K offers better value for a bit more money.

Sales are common too. Reddit users report seeing 98 inch TCL models on clearance at Costco for even less. Watch for holiday deals like Black Friday.

Remember to budget for extras. A wall mount, a soundbar, and maybe a pro installer add to the total. Even with these costs, the Q65 stays very affordable.

For families, sports fans, and casual gamers, this TV gives you maximum screen for minimum cost. Few products deliver this much wow factor per dollar.

Who Should Buy the TCL 98 Inch Q65K

This TV fits some buyers perfectly. It fits others less well. Here is how to decide.

Buy it if you want the biggest screen on a tight budget. Nothing else this size costs much less. The size alone transforms your room.

Buy it if you watch in a bright room. Daytime sports, cartoons, and news look great. The gray black problem mostly disappears with lights on.

Buy it if you love sports. The 120Hz panel keeps fast action smooth. Watching a game on 98 inches feels like a stadium seat.

Buy it if you are a casual gamer. Low input lag and VRR make games fun. The giant screen makes every game feel more exciting.

Skip it if you watch movies in a dark room. No local dimming means weak blacks. Pick the QM6K or QM7K instead.

Skip it if you want full 4K 120Hz gaming. Serious PS5 and Xbox gamers should choose a model with full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.

Skip it if you have a small room. If you sit closer than 7 feet, a 98 inch screen may feel too big. An 85 inch model could fit better.

Be honest about how you watch TV. This helps you pick the right model and avoid regret.

Final Verdict

The TCL 98 Inch Q65K (sold as the 98 inch Q65, model 98Q651G) does one thing very well. It gives you a giant 4K screen at a price most people can afford.

Its strengths are clear. You get a native 120Hz panel, vivid QLED color, and every major HDR format. Google TV makes streaming easy, and gaming feels responsive.

Its weaknesses are clear too. There is no local dimming, so blacks look gray in the dark. HDR lacks punch, and the speakers feel small for this size.

So is it worth buying? For most families, yes. If you watch in a lit room and care most about size, this TV is a fantastic deal. Thousands of happy buyers agree.

If you are a movie lover with a dark home theater, spend a bit more on the QM6K. That one upgrade fixes the Q65’s biggest flaw.

Either way, a 98 inch TV changes how you watch everything. Movie nights, game days, and gaming sessions all feel bigger and more fun.

FAQs

Is the TCL 98 Inch Q65K the same as the 98Q651G?

Yes, in practice. Amazon sells this TV as the “TCL 98 Inch Q65,” and its model number is 98Q651G. TCL has not released a separate 2025 Q65K TV in the US. Its 2025 budget successor is the QM6K.

Does the TCL 98 inch Q65 have local dimming?

No. The Q65 uses a direct LED backlight without local dimming. This keeps the price low, but blacks look gray in dark rooms.

Is the TCL 98 inch Q65 good for gaming?

Yes, for casual gamers. It has a 120Hz panel, 144Hz VRR, Auto Game Mode, and low input lag. It lacks full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, so full 4K at 120Hz may not work.

Does the TCL Q65 support Dolby Vision?

Yes. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. It also supports Dolby Atmos audio.

How far should I sit from a 98 inch TV?

About 8 to 12 feet works well for most people. Sitting closer feels more immersive. Sitting farther lets you see the full screen more comfortably.

Do I need a soundbar with this TV?

It is a good idea. The built in Onkyo 2.1 speakers are decent but feel small for a 98 inch screen. A soundbar connected through HDMI eARC will improve movie sound a lot.

Can I wall mount the TCL 98 inch Q65?

Yes. Use a VESA mount rated for 98 inch TVs and this weight. Mount it into wall studs, and use at least two people or a pro installer.

What is the best upgrade over the TCL Q65?

The TCL 98 inch QM6K is the best step up. It adds QD Mini LED with local dimming and a native 144Hz panel. For even better HDR, look at the TCL QM7K.