Club Benefits
When I found out that Best Buy was holding its Tech Fest Sale this weekend, I didn’t check the sale prices of the fanciest TVs first. Instead, I looked up the sale prices on the models that were already affordable to begin with. Oftentimes, the best TV deals during a sales event are the discounts on entry-level TVs.
Case in point? The 75-inch TCL QM5K is just $649 at Best Buy this weekend. This particular model was already one of the most affordable ways to lock down Mini-LED backlighting in an extra-large size point, but with Best Buy’s deal factored in, the value is off the charts. (For more deals, check out our guide to the best March Madness TV sales).
The QM5K's best feature is its display hardware. Take it from a TV expert: At the 75-inch size point, you definitely want Mini-LED backlighting instead of regular ol' LEDs.
Sure, the QM5K leverages a more modest array of Mini-LEDs when you compare it to higher-end Mini-LED TVs (like the TCL QM7K), but it's still a gamechanger. This type of backlighting typically results in better contrast and higher brightness, and it's not exactly easy to come by in the QM5K's price range.
In other words, you're likely to enjoy a brighter, higher-contrast presentation on the QM5K than what you'll get with a similarly priced edge-lit TV. This is one of the reasons why I've been recommending this TV to folks whose number-one priority is saving money, but whose second priority is not ending up with a lousy picture.
The QM5K isn't exactly flush with features, but that's OK, as it's not really trying to be a the type of TV that would satisfy hardcore A/V enthusiasts. It comes with the Google TV software suite built right in, which is one of my preferred smart platforms.
Google TV offers a relatively easy experience in addition to a boat-load of downloadable apps. Its inclusion here is especially appreciated because the QM5K only comes with three HDMI inputs instead of the standard set of four. Google TV makes up for that omission by being a reliable platform for everyday use.
If you're trying to save some cash on a new 4K TV, I recommend that you avoid scraping the bottom of the barrel for an ultra-cheap, big-screen TV that doesn't offer Mini-LED backlighting. I also recommend that you jump on this deal before Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale ends this Sunday.
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