TCL S5 S-Class 75S551G 75"

The TCL S5 S-Class 75S551G is a 75-inch 4K TV that punches above its weight for gaming thanks to a 120Hz panel and VRR, all for around $741. Picture quality is below average with washed-out blacks, so movie fans should be cautious. It's best for bright rooms, gamers, and anyone who just wants a huge screen with a smart, easy-to-use Google TV interface.

In our database, the TCL S5's HDR performance sits in the 96th percentile, which sounds incredible until you realize that metric measures format support, not actual picture quality. It does play nice with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, so you won't run into compatibility issues. The real-world picture quality, however, is a different story. At the 37th percentile, it's below average. The Direct LED backlight without local dimming means blacks look more gray in a dark room, and peak brightness is just okay. For sports and bright living rooms, it's perfectly watchable. For movie nights with the lights off, it's a bit underwhelming.

Gaming is where this TV really shines for the money. The gaming score hits the 87th percentile, which is one of the best on the market for a budget set. The 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support (FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible) make a real difference with a PS5 or Xbox Series X. Input lag is low in Game Mode, and the HDMI 2.1 port means you can push 4K at 120fps. Motion handling with MEMC frame insertion is solid, keeping fast action in sports and games looking smooth. The audio is middle of the pack at the 74th percentile, with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X support, but you'll still want a soundbar for any serious viewing.

Stacked against the Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L or the LG C5 OLED, the TCL S5 isn't even playing the same game. Those TVs cost several times more and deliver perfect blacks and incredible contrast. The TCL's real competition is the Hisense U8 Series and the Roku Plus Series. The Hisense U8 uses mini-LED backlighting, so it gets brighter and has better contrast, making it a better pick for movie fans. But it's often pricier, and finding a 75-inch model under $800 is tough. The Roku Plus Series is simpler and often cheaper, but it lacks the 120Hz panel and HDMI 2.1, so gamers should steer clear. The Samsung Frame Pro is in a different category entirely, focused on design and lifestyle features at a much higher cost. For a big-screen gaming TV on a budget, the TCL S5 carves out a nice niche.

At $741 for a 75-inch TV with a 120Hz panel and full HDR support, the value proposition is strong if your priorities are size and gaming. You're not going to find an OLED or a high-end QLED anywhere near this price. The closest competitor is something like the Hisense U8 Series, which offers better picture quality with mini-LED but typically costs more and comes in smaller sizes at this price. If you just want a gigantic screen that can keep up with a PS5 and stream Netflix in Dolby Vision, the TCL S5 delivers. Just know that you're trading picture quality for size.

The TCL S5 S-Class 75S551G is a massive 75-inch 4K TV that tries to pack a lot of modern features into a budget-friendly package. If you're searching for a big screen under $800 that can handle gaming, streaming, and everyday TV without breaking the bank, this model is going to catch your eye. It runs Google TV, which is one of our favorite smart platforms, and it supports all the major HDR formats including Dolby Vision. The FullView 360 metal bezel-less design also makes it look more expensive than it is.

For gamers, the spec sheet is surprisingly stacked. You get a 120Hz panel, FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility, ALLM, and even an HDMI 2.1 port. That's a combination you don't always see at this price point. TCL's AIPQ processor with deep learning AI handles the upscaling and motion processing, and there's even an Enhanced Dialogue Mode for when movie mixes bury the voices. It's clearly aimed at people who want a versatile living room centerpiece.

But there's a catch. While the HDR support is broad, the actual picture quality lands in the 37th percentile among TVs we track. That means it's fine for a bright room and casual viewing, but it won't deliver the deep blacks or high brightness of a premium QLED or OLED. If you're a home theater purist, you'll notice the limitations of the Direct LED backlight. Still, for mixed use in a family room, the sheer size and feature set are hard to ignore.

Home theater enthusiasts and anyone who watches movies in a dark room should skip the TCL S5. The lack of local dimming and mediocre black levels will drive you nuts. You'd be happier with a smaller OLED like the LG C5 or a mini-LED set like the Hisense U8, even if it means sacrificing some screen size. Also, if you need more than three HDMI ports or want the latest Wi-Fi 6 for wireless streaming, this TV's connectivity is a bit dated.

If you're asking "should I buy the TCL 75S551G?", the answer depends on what you watch. For gamers who want a massive 75-inch screen with 120Hz VRR and don't want to spend a fortune, this is a fantastic deal. The gaming performance is a standout at this price, and Google TV is a pleasure to use daily. For sports fans, the motion handling is solid, and the big screen makes every game feel immersive.

But if you're a movie buff who watches in a dark room and cares about deep blacks and high contrast, you should look elsewhere. The picture quality is the weak link here. A smaller TV with better panel technology, like a 65-inch Hisense U8 or even a last-gen OLED on sale, will give you a much better cinematic experience. This TCL is a crowd-pleaser for bright rooms and mixed use, not a reference monitor.