If you’re suddenly thinking about replacing that tired living-room set for the Super Bowl, you’re not alone. Retailers have cut prices on a handful of surprisingly good TVs — and the choices can be confusing: bigger screen at a bargain, or a smaller set with premium picture tech? Here’s how to sort the noise from the nitty-gritty.
Two standout discounts — but very different promises
Best Buy is pushing TCL hard this week. On one end there’s the 65-inch TCL QM5K, a QD-Mini LED TV made for Best Buy that was marked down to about $450 from $900. It’s a value play: solid Mini LED blacks, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, and bright SDR performance for daytime viewing. It tops out at 60Hz at native 4K, so it’s great for watching movies, streaming the game and casual console play.
If you want something with more gaming chops and extreme brightness, TCL’s QM7K has also been heavily discounted — think peak brightness that reviewers say can approach 3,000 nits on HDR content, a 144Hz panel on the 55-inch, and features like AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. The QM7K’s sound is tuned in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen, and it carries a ZDNET Editor’s Choice badge for delivering premium-grade features at midrange prices. Right now you can find 55-inch QM7K deals in the $600 neighborhood.
Small table in words: the QM5K is bigger (65") and cheaper, but more basic on refresh rate; the QM7K is smaller (55") but faster and brighter with premium audio.
For sports fans: what specs actually matter
Size is seductive, but motion handling and brightness will determine whether you actually see the ball. Look for:
- Refresh rate and interpolation: native 120Hz or higher helps with smooth motion. The QM7K’s 144Hz panel is a clear win here.
- Upscaling and image processing: compressed sports feeds benefit from good processors that clean artifacts and motion blur.
- Peak brightness: HDR scenes and daylight-washed living rooms are where high-nit TVs shine — the QM7K’s high peak brightness is noteworthy.
- Viewing angles: OLEDs generally beat LCD-based Mini-LEDs if people are spread around the room.
- Check input needs: HDMI 2.1 matters for the newest consoles at high frame rates. Some budget models skimp here.
- Read the return and price-match policy. Deals move fast and stock can evaporate.
- If you’re hunting deals aggressively, remember seasonal patterns — early sales often mirror the kind of promotions we see during other bargain periods. For context on deal cycles and early sales behavior, see how retailers have been rolling out markdowns in recent shopping windows Black Friday Has Already Begun: Top Early Deals and other clearance pushes like those affecting laptops and MacBooks MacBook Air Deals Deepen: M4 Drops to $799.
That’s why some shoppers are still choosing OLEDs or premium Mini-LED models at warehouses like Costco, where you’ll find options from LG, Samsung and Sony that emphasize motion clarity and wide viewing angles — often in sizes and prices that matter for a crowded living room.
Costco’s picks for Super Bowl viewers (highlights)
Costco’s curated selection includes the LG OLED C5 with fast refresh rates and excellent viewing angles; Samsung’s S95F OLED with strong anti-glare and motion features; Sony’s Bravia 8 OLED for studio-like color; and larger Mini-LED options like the Sony Bravia 7 and even 98-inch Samsung models for filling a wall. If you want a balance of size and performance, these are worth a look — just remember Costco’s stock and sizes vary by location and membership.
Which one should you actually buy?
It comes down to three questions:
1. Do you need a huge screen or the best motion and brightness? (Large TVs can wow, but smaller fast/bright sets often deliver cleaner sports images.)
2. Is gaming a priority? (If yes, aim for higher native refresh rates and VRR.)
3. How much room and what kind of lighting will you use the TV in? (Very bright rooms benefit from higher peak brightness.)
If you want a big size without spending a fortune, the QM5K 65" at $449 is tough to beat for general viewing. If you prioritize motion clarity, HDR pop and gaming, the QM7K’s 55" at around $600 offers features that outclass many pricier OLEDs in bright-room scenarios.
A few buying tips before you click “add to cart”
If you want to stream in crisp detail without relying on a smart-TV’s built-in platform, add a streaming puck like an Apple TV to the setup — it’s a small spend that can smooth app performance and give you consistent HDR support across services.
A final practical note: if you plan to host friends for the game, think about seating layout and glare more than headline specs. A slightly smaller TV with better motion and wider angles can beat a huge screen that only looks good from one chair.
Happy shopping, and may your halftime snacks be as satisfying as your new picture.