Vizio vs. TCL: TVs for every budget

Vizio and TCL sell budget-friendly TVs that don't compromise on quality — perfect for gaming, virtual workouts, and binge-watching Cobra Kai.

Reviewers love them because they’re not as expensive as TVs from other top brands, but have many of the same features.

But what brand should you choose? Both TCL and Vizio offer models with 4K resolution and advanced gaming features to use with the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. To help you decide, take a look at our TV breakdown.

Vizio vs. TCL: Up to $400

Vizio D-Series (from 24 inches, $139.99) vs. TCL 3-Series (from 32 inches, $129.99)

For a quality TV with basic features, Vizio’s D-Series and TCL’s 3-Series offer good value. Sure, they don’t have 4K or 8K displays. But most video games, and TV shows and movies on streaming services, aren’t available in 4K yet. (Although that’s changing fast.)

Display

• Vizio D-Series: LED, Full HD (1080p) resolution

• TCL 3-Series: LED, HD (720p) resolution

Interface

Both integrate with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. The D-Series also works with Apple’s Siri. The D-Series runs on SmartCast, Vizio’s proprietary operating system, which lets users:

• Run the major streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video.

• Control their TV with Vizio’s SmartCast app, available on iOS and Android.

• Stream from their phone using Google’s Chromecast and Apple AirPlay.

TCL’s 3-Series runs on either Roku or Android. Both of them:

• Let users download and use all of the major streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, and more.

• Have apps that allow users to control their TVs.

• Allow for users to cast from Android and iOS devices.

Ports

None of these TVs have the HDMI 2.1 ports needed to stream next-generation Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 games in 4K at 120fps. But few games are even capable of that now. Here’s a look at what each TV does have.

• Vizio D Series: 2 HDMI ports, 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.

• TCL 3 Series (Android): 2 HDMI ports, 1 USB port.

• TCL 3 Series (Roku): 3 HDMI ports, 1 USB port.

TCL's 4-Series starts at around $250. Credit: TCL

VIZIO's V-Series has a 4K display. Credit: vizio

Vizio V-Series (from 40 inches, $229.99) vs. TCL 4-Series (from 43 inches, $249.99)

Vizio’s V-Series and TCL’s 4-Series offer cutting-edge picture quality. Both TVs have 4K resolution and HDR support. However, the V-Series is the only one that supports Dolby Vision, which guarantees a higher level of quality control. The Vizio and TCL TVs also differ in backlighting: the Vizio model has full display backlighting, which allows it to display deeper blacks than the direct backlighting in TCL’s 4-Series.

Display

• Vizio V-Series: Full Array, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby. Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

• TCL 4-Series: Direct Lit, 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR10/HLG.

Interface

Both TVs let users:

• Download and stream all the major apps including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

• Integrate with Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa. (TCL’s Roku version of the 4-Series works with Roku Voice.)

• Stream content from their mobile phone on iOS and/or Android.

Ports

Despite the excellent picture quality and speedy performance, the V-Series and 4-Series aren’t optimal for gamers. Both come with the standard 60Hz refresh rate and neither have VRR. While the V-Series does have an HDMI 2.1 port, it only supports 4K at 60z, not 120Hz.

• Vizio V-Series: 3 HDMI ports, 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.

• TCL 4-Series (Android and Roku): 3 HDMI ports, 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.

Vizio vs. TCL: Up to $800

Vizio M-Series (from 40 inches, $399.99) vs. TCL 5-Series (from 50 inches, $449.99)

This range is where gamers should start paying attention. Vizio’s M-Series supports a variable refresh rate of 4K at 60 fps, and is built with FreeSync technology to automatically calibrate features for gaming.

TCL’s 5-Series doesn’t have VRR. But it does have low latency and precise picture settings, and, like the M-Series, an auto mode for gaming. Most importantly, in a major upgrade from its predecessor, the 5-Series features a QLED display.

Display

• Vizio M-Series: Active Full Array, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG.

• TCL 5-Series: Active Full Array, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG, QLED display.

Interface

From this tier and up, TCL TVs are only sold with the Roku operating system. That being said, the Roku OS has many of the same interface features as Android. Both TVs let users download and stream all the major apps, use voice control with Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa, and stream content from mobile devices.

Ports

• Vizio M-Series: 4 HDMI ports, 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.

• TCL 5-Series: 4 HDMI ports (including 1 HDMI with eARC), 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.

Vizio's P-Series is one good looking TV. Credit: vizio

Vizio vs. TCL: Up to $1,000

Vizio P-Series (from 65 inches, $1199.99) vs. TCL 6-Series (from 55 inches, $699.99)

Both Vizio’s P-Series and TCL’s 6-Series include gaming features that the company’s lower-priced models do not. Vizio’s P-Series supports a variable refresh rate of 4K at 120fps. This means that while the V-Series and M-Series also have an HDMI 2.1 port, the P-Series has the VRR to fully support it. The P-Series also has FreeSync to optimize gaming features.

While TCL’s 6-Series does not have an HDMI 2.1 port, it too supports VRR at 120fps and has an automatic gaming mode. Unlike that of its competitor, the 6-Series’ gaming mode is THX Certified for what THX calls the “optimal viewing experience.”

Display

• Vizio P-Series: Active Full Array, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby. Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

• TCL 6-Series: Mini-LED picture quality, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby. Vision/HDR10/HLG high dynamic range compatibility, QLED display.

Interface

Like the lower-priced models, both TVs let users download and stream all the major apps, use voice control with third-party virtual assistants, and stream content from mobile devices.

Ports

• Vizio P-Series: 4 HDMI ports (including HDMI 2.1), 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.

• TCL 6-Series: 4 HDMI ports (including one with HDMI eARC), 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.

Vizio vs. TCL: $1,000 plus

Vizio OLED (from 55 inches, $1,299.99) vs. TCL 8-Series (from 65 inches, $1,999.99)

Vizio and TCL’s highest range TVs combine high performance with ultimate picture quality. Vizio’s OLED TV comprises 8 million self-illuminating pixels which makes for perfect blacks and unparalleled contrast. By comparison, TCL’s 8-Series QLED display is powered by quantum contrast with up to 1,000 local dimming zones supported by mini-LED technology. The effect is increased overall brightness, yet high contrast.

In terms of gaming, the Vizio OLED might have a slight edge on the TCL 8-Series. While both TVs have an auto mode for gaming and a native refresh rate of 120Hz, the Vizio OLED has HDMI 2.1 connectivity and VRR at 120Hz.

Display

• Vizio OLED: OLED, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG.

• TCL 8-Series: Mini-LED with Quantum Contrast, 4K Ultra HD resolution, Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG, QLED display.

Interface

Both offer the same smart TV features as their companies’ lower-priced models.

Ports

• Vizio OLED: 4 HDMI ports (including HDMI 2.1), 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.

• TCL 8-Series: 4 HDMI ports, 1 ethernet port, 1 USB port.