TCL 6-Series 2022 Model R655 Review: The Best Value TV Right Now

I’m a sucker for easy-to-use merchandise. There’s nothing like one thing you may simply unbox, plug in, and activate with out cracking a handbook or downloading a PDF. 

So why am I nonetheless so obsessive about TCL’s 6-Series? In the previous I’ve mentioned that the 6-Series was the most effective TV for most individuals based mostly largely on how nicely the display screen appears to be like on your {dollars}. It wasn’t for TCL’s appears to be like or modern interfaces and apps—there have been, and are, loads of different mid-tier choices from Vizio, Hisense, and others that get that job achieved proper. 

But the most recent 6-Series now wins out for sheer bodily simplicity. It comes with a middle pedestal stand, and also you barely have to the touch a settings menu. You can simply place it wherever, and it routinely reads issues like recreation consoles, disc gamers, and soundbars (and room brightness and plenty of different issues) with out you doing something. 

Moreover, it nonetheless has a superb Roku interface, isn’t too costly, has quantum dots and mini LED backlighting, and appears genuinely implausible taking part in the whole lot. If you’re available in the market for a brand new TV, you need to nonetheless begin right here.

Last Year’s Model?

The TCL 6-Series I’m writing about is the 2022 mannequin R655, and it is principally brand-new. It launched late final yr, so it stays the present mannequin you should buy in shops. At CES earlier this month, TCL introduced a brand new naming construction for fashions (and their specs) that can arrive later in 2023. If that appears complicated, it’s. But you’re not studying the mistaken evaluation. This is the most recent mannequin, which is available in sizes starting from 55 to a whopping 85 inches.

Things that make this completely different from the 2020 6-Series embody the addition of that middle pedestal mount, a sooner 144-Hz refresh fee, and considerably improved mini-LED backlighting efficiency that makes for brighter scenes and higher distinction. 

I didn’t have an opportunity to take a look at the 2 fashions aspect by aspect, however I can let you know the highlights on the newer 6-Series appeared noticeably brighter and colours popped greater than I recall on the final mannequin. Light blooming—the place shiny objects on darkish backgrounds can seem like they’re being weirdly illuminated by inner TV angels—was additionally improved to my eyes, although you will nonetheless see some.

Automatic Everything

Between voice search constructed into the distant and quick access to each main streaming app through Roku’s modern interface, there’s basically nothing on-line which you could’t find and begin watching in minutes on this TV.

Plug in a Nintendo Switch, HD Blu-Ray participant, and soundbar, as I did, and the TV practically immediately acknowledges what each is and adjusts its settings while you change to that enter (additionally simple to see on the high of the Roku interface). It’s awesomely easy and simple. 

Gamers will like that it has a 120-Hz refresh fee at 4K, which is the utmost {that a} trendy Xbox or Playstation 5 will put out—that means the smoothest doable gaming and sports activities viewing generally.

Other manufacturers aren’t far behind on modern and simple integration between streaming interface and a TV’s settings menu, however I haven’t seen the whole lot this easy wherever else. Hisense’s Google TV interface comes closest, and I like the straightforward casting from my Android cellphone, but it surely isn’t this streamlined. Still, in case you are coming to Roku for the primary time, there’s a small studying curve, although probably the most annoying half is logging in to all of your accounts the primary time.

The Right Footprint

Speaking of easy: Thank God for the middle pedestal. It makes the unit a lot simpler to mount on current TV consoles, particularly when you select a bigger mannequin TV. I like how easy it’s to put a soundbar under or in entrance of the display screen. The stand isn’t deep (about 13 inches), so I used to be capable of simply match a soundbar in entrance, however you may additionally place one on the entrance of the pedestal, permitting you to suit the TV on a fair smaller desk or stand.

I additionally like that ports are simple to entry on the appropriate aspect of the TV. You get 4 HDMI connections (one labeled for eARC on your soundbar), a cable connection, an ethernet connection, an optical audio output, and an antenna enter (good for sports-loving twine cutters).