Both are strong budget 4K TVs: S5 for simplicity, Q6 for brighter, richer color.
If you’re torn between the tcl s5 vs q6, I’ve been there. I set them up in a real home with streaming, cable, and a game console. Both hit the sweet spot for price, but they fit different needs. The S5 is a simple, Fire TV-based crowd-pleaser. The Q6 adds punchy color and more gaming tweaks. I tested both and will share what actually matters so you can choose with confidence.

Is TCL S5 Good?

Yes—for many homes, the TCL S5 is a smart buy. It suits casual streamers, apartment dwellers, and anyone who wants a simple TV that “just works.” Its Fire TV interface is fast, apps load reliably, and Dolby Vision support gives movies a welcome lift. If you do most viewing at night or in a room without harsh light, it holds up well.

I used the S5 in a spare room for streaming sports and nightly shows. Setup took minutes. Alexa voice search made it easy to jump between apps, and AirPlay 2 let me mirror my iPhone to show vacation clips. For 4K streaming and cable, the S5 looked clean and balanced, with low input lag in Game Mode.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• 4K UHD LED panel with HDR PRO+ and Dolby Vision
• Fire TV built-in with Alexa Voice Remote
• Dolby Atmos passthrough over eARC
• Apple AirPlay 2 and Works with Alexa
• Game Mode with low input lag and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)

What I Like

• Clean, simple Fire TV interface that anyone can use
• Dolby Vision gives streaming movies more depth
• Low input lag feels snappy for casual console play
• AirPlay 2 and Alexa make sharing and control effortless
• Great price-to-performance for bedrooms and smaller living rooms

What Could Be Better

• Not bright enough for very sunny rooms
• No quantum dot color, so color volume is limited
• 60Hz panel; no true 4K/120 gaming
• No meaningful local dimming; blacks can wash out in dark scenes

My Recommendation

Pick the TCL S5 if you want a budget-friendly Fire TV with solid 4K streaming and simple controls. It shines in moderate-light rooms and for casual gaming.

Best For	Why
Streaming-first households	Fire TV is simple, fast, and reliable
Bedrooms and apartments	Balanced picture in moderate light and easy setup
Budget-conscious buyers	Strong value without extras you may not need

Is TCL Q6 Good?

Yes—the TCL Q6 is the step-up pick if you want more pop. The QLED panel adds richer color and a bit more brightness, which helps with daytime viewing. Google TV is content-forward and makes discovery easy. If you care about color and plan to game, the Q6 feels like a savvy upgrade.

I placed the Q6 in my main living area, where afternoon light can wash out dim screens. The Q6 held up better than the S5. Sports looked lively, and animated films showed vibrant tones. With Game Accelerator, my console felt responsive, and variable refresh features helped reduce tearing in supported titles.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• QLED (quantum dot) 4K panel for richer color
• Google TV with Google Assistant voice search
• Dolby Vision and HDR PRO+ support
• Game Accelerator up to 120Hz at lower resolutions, with ALLM and VRR features
• Dolby Atmos passthrough and eARC

What I Like

• Brighter screen with better color volume than the S5
• Great for sports and animation due to vivid tones
• Google TV’s recommendations help you find new content fast
• Gaming feels smooth with low lag and variable refresh support
• Good mid-range value for a QLED panel

What Could Be Better

• Still a 60Hz panel; no true native 4K/120
• Google TV can show ads and feel busy to newcomers
• Typical VA viewing angles; colors fade off-center

My Recommendation

Choose the TCL Q6 if you want brighter, punchier color and better gaming tweaks without paying premium-TV prices.

Best For	Why
Bright living rooms	Higher brightness fights glare better than S5
Movie and sports fans	QLED color adds pop and realism
Gamers on a budget	Responsive feel with 120Hz-style smoothing at 1080p

tcl s5 vs q6: Side-by-Side Test

I tested the tcl s5 vs q6 in the same room, with the same sources, to keep things fair. Below are the real differences that stood out to me in daily use—brightness, color, gaming, smart features, and value.

Brightness & HDR Punch: Which Handles Light Better?

Both do HDR, but the Q6 has more headroom for bright scenes. This matters in daylight.

Feature	TCL S5	TCL Q6
Panel Type	LED (non-QLED)	QLED (quantum dot)
Perceived Brightness	Fair in moderate light	Good in brighter rooms
HDR Formats	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Local Dimming	No notable local dimming	No full local dimming

Ratings: TCL S5 – 7/10 | TCL Q6 – 8.5/10

Q6 wins for brighter highlights and better pop, making HDR more convincing in daylight.

Color & Contrast: Which Looks More Lifelike?

Color volume and gamut drive the “wow” factor in movies and sports.

Aspect	TCL S5	TCL Q6
Color Gamut	Standard	Wide (QLED)
Color Volume	Moderate	High
Black Levels	OK; can lift in dark scenes	Similar blacks; more perceived contrast from color pop
Off-Axis Viewing	Narrow	Narrow

Ratings: TCL S5 – 7/10 | TCL Q6 – 8/10

Q6 takes it with richer color and a more vivid overall image.

Gaming & Responsiveness: Which Feels Smoother?

I tested both with a console for 60 fps titles and some fast action.

Gaming Feature	TCL S5	TCL Q6
Panel Refresh	60Hz	60Hz
120Hz-like Mode	Not a focus	Game Accelerator up to 120Hz at 1080p
ALLM / Low Lag	Yes / Low	Yes / Low
VRR Features	Limited	Available on many setups

Ratings: TCL S5 – 7/10 | TCL Q6 – 8/10

Q6 has the edge for smoother-feeling play and better gaming options.

Smart TV Experience: Fire TV vs Google TV

The tcl s5 vs q6 differ most in software and search.

Platform	TCL S5	TCL Q6
OS	Fire TV	Google TV
Voice Assistant	Alexa built-in	Google Assistant built-in
Casting	Apple AirPlay 2	Chromecast built-in
App Selection	Excellent	Excellent

Ratings: TCL S5 – 8/10 | TCL Q6 – 8/10

Tie—pick Fire TV if you prefer Alexa and Prime Video focus; pick Google TV for Google search and casting.

Audio & Connectivity: Getting Sound and Sources Right

Both are thin TVs, so soundbars help. Ports matter for setup.

Item	TCL S5	TCL Q6
Speakers	Basic 2.0	Basic 2.0
Dolby Atmos Passthrough	Yes (eARC)	Yes (eARC)
HDMI Ports	Multiple HDMI; one eARC	Multiple HDMI; one eARC
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes

Ratings: TCL S5 – 7.5/10 | TCL Q6 – 7.5/10

Another tie—both pass Atmos and have eARC; plan on a soundbar for best results.

Motion & Sports: Keeping Fast Action Clear

I watched live sports and action films on both sets.

Motion Aspect	TCL S5	TCL Q6
Judder Control	Good	Good
Interpolation Options	Basic	More granular
Fast Panning	Some blur at times	Slightly cleaner with tuning
Best Use	Casual sports	Frequent sports watchers

Ratings: TCL S5 – 7/10 | TCL Q6 – 7.8/10

Q6 edges out with better tuning options for smooth sports.

Design, Setup & Daily Use: Which Is Easier to Live With?

Small differences in stands, remotes, and setup can matter.

Factor	TCL S5	TCL Q6
Bezel/Look	Clean, minimal	Clean, a touch more “premium”
Setup Speed	Very fast on Fire TV	Fast on Google TV
Remote	Alexa remote, simple	Google TV remote, more shortcuts
VESA Mount	Yes	Yes

Ratings: TCL S5 – 8/10 | TCL Q6 – 8/10

Call it even—choose the ecosystem you prefer for daily use.

Value for Money: Where Do You Get More?

Price shifts often, so watch deals. The tcl s5 vs q6 are both strong values.

Value Aspect	TCL S5	TCL Q6
Typical Street Price	Lower	Higher
What You Get	Solid 4K + Fire TV	Brighter QLED + gaming perks
Best Buy Moment	Entry-level budget builds	Step-up color without big spend
Long-Term Satisfaction	High for casual viewers	High for movie/sports/gamers

Ratings: TCL S5 – 8.2/10 | TCL Q6 – 8.4/10

Q6 offers more visual impact per dollar; S5 is the budget hero.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

For tcl s5 vs q6, here’s the simple call. If you want the lowest price with a friendly interface, the TCL S5 is easy to love. It streams well, plays nice with Alexa and AirPlay, and works best in moderate-light rooms.

If you want brighter pictures, richer color, and smoother-feeling gaming, the TCL Q6 is worth the extra spend. It shines in living rooms, makes sports pop, and helps HDR stand out. In my home, the Q6 is my main screen; the S5 is a great secondary TV.

FAQs Of tcl s5 vs q6

Which is brighter in the tcl s5 vs q6 comparison?

The Q6 is generally brighter. It holds highlights better in daylight, while the S5 is best in moderate light.

For gaming, tcl s5 vs q6: which should I pick?

Pick the Q6. It has Game Accelerator up to 120Hz at 1080p and broader VRR features. The S5 is fine for casual 60 fps play.

Does the TCL Q6 have local dimming? How about the S5?

Neither offers meaningful full-array local dimming at this price. The Q6 looks more vivid due to QLED color, not dimming.

Fire TV vs Google TV in tcl s5 vs q6—what’s easier?

Fire TV (S5) is simple and Alexa-friendly. Google TV (Q6) shines for search, recommendations, and Chromecast. Choose the ecosystem you know.

tcl s5 vs q6: which is better for a bright living room?

The Q6. Its higher brightness and richer color give it the edge against glare. The S5 works well in dimmer spaces.

In short, if your search is tcl s5 vs q6, go S5 for budget simplicity, and Q6 for brighter, bolder, gamer-friendly viewing.