TCL C7L mini-LED and LG B6E OLED trade strengths in TV test

TechRadar reviewer James Davidson compared TCL’s mid-range C7L mini-LED TV with LG’s entry-level B6E OLED, using reference testing scenes. The C7L is the UK model; the US equivalent is the TCL QM7L. The B6E is a lower-cost version of the B6 that performs similarly but lacks some AI picture modes and has a different back panel.

In testing, the C7L reached 2,083 nits of peak HDR brightness in Filmmaker Mode, compared with 808 nits for the B6E using a 10% window pattern. The reviewer found the C7L’s extra brightness gave it an advantage in bright scenes and strongly lit rooms, though both TVs showed mirror-like reflections.

The B6E produced deeper, more consistent blacks, making it the stronger choice for dark scenes and dark rooms. The C7L showed some blooming around bright objects, although Davidson said it was reduced compared with earlier TCL generations. In some scenes, the B6E’s blacks appeared crushed and lost shadow detail; switching to Cinema Home mode improved that without significantly compromising dark tones.

Both TVs displayed vibrant colors. The C7L looked brighter and punchier, while the B6E’s colors appeared richer and more three-dimensional. The comparison presents different strengths rather than a single winner: the C7L stood out for brightness, while the B6E handled blacks better.