What it gets right
- new colour technology bright-screen television colour and high brightness
- Four modern sockets
- Strong smooth gaming listed features
- More ambitious built-in audio than most rivals
The compromises
- Expensive compared with C8K
- Independent final-model testing is still limited
- Google television can be recommendation-heavy
- Premium processing consistency is not guaranteed by zone count
Buy it—or leave it?
- You want bright, saturated the extra brightness used by modern films
- Four gaming-ready inputs matter
- You value stronger built-in sound
- A C8K costs hundreds less
- You want measured final-model accuracy now
- very deep-looking blacks is more important than daytime brightness
What would you like to do now?
Choose the route that matches how confident you feel. The free review stays free whichever route you choose.
Check today’s price
£1,899 for 65 inches
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01Picture quality
TCL specifies new colour technology bright-screen television, a high-output backlight and 2,040 control over bright and dark parts of the picture zones on the 65-inch version. Those ingredients can deliver bright the extra brightness used by modern films and reduce blooming, but zone transitions, colour accuracy and clean up older or poorer-quality programmes must be observed. More zones improve control potential; they do not remove the need for good algorithms.
02Gaming and motion
Four modern sockets, extra-smooth movement refresh, automatic smoothing for games and quick-response support create a flexible gaming television. That is an important improvement over sets that reserve only two capable inputs. computer owners can use the highest refresh ceiling; consoles gain most from reliable high-detail extra-smooth movement and automatic smoothing for games.
03Living with it
Google television offers broad app choice and straightforward voice search. The integrated audio is more substantial than the thin speakers in many competitors, though room acoustics still decide whether it replaces a soundbar. The central stand should fit narrower furniture.
Price and value
The exact 65-inch TCL C8L was listed at £1,899 in the UK when we checked on 17 August 2026. That 65-inch price is used throughout this review and by the buying guide; a cheaper 55-inch version cannot improve its value score. Prices and promotions can change, so confirm the model number and final basket total before buying.
Price last checked 17 August 2026This price check is more than two weeks old. Use the retailer link for the latest price; this review is temporarily excluded from the buying finder until the price is refreshed.
Who will notice the difference?
Bright premium room
High output and wide colour are the C8L's intended showcase.
Several gaming sources
Four capable sockets are a real practical advantage.
Value comparison
The C8K and discounted televisions with deep-looking blacks make £1,899 difficult.
What else should you consider?
£1,899 · TCL's C8K is the immediate value threat, Hisense UR9S brings tested new colour technology bright-screen television and deep-black screen rivals offer perfect black. The C8L must prove its processing and audio can support the higher price.
Our review process
This research-based review combines TCL's UK listed features with available hands-on technology coverage, but not a complete laboratory review of the final retail model. It remains outside automated winners until exact-model evidence matures.
Read our editorial standards