TCL 8-Series vs. LG C1: 6 Key Differences, Specs, and What’s the Better Value?

Key Points

• The TCL 8 Series and LG C1 are compared in terms of display technology, with the TCL 8 Series being a QLED display and the LG C1 being an OLED display.
• The LG C1 outperforms the TCL 8 Series in terms of overall performance, with a higher refresh rate, infinite contrast ratio, and better color reproduction.
• The LG C1 has a stunning picture with great blacks, whites, and grays, while the TCL 8 Series has rich blacks and good color reproduction but falters in local dimming and the depiction of grays and whites.
• The LG C1 is more suitable for gaming with lower latency, gaming modes, and support for a 120Hz refresh rate, while the TCL 8 Series has lower latency in gaming mode but does not support variable refresh rates.
• The LG C1 is the overall winner of the shootout, with better color reproduction, lower latency modes for gaming, and an infinite contrast ratio for HDR media.

Which TV wins between the TCL 8-Series vs. LG C1? When shopping for TVs it can be rather daunting to keep track of all the terminology at play. There are different display types and capabilities. After all, every TV has its strong suit.

However, if you’re in the market for a TV, you can take some of the guesswork out of the process. After all, you’ve got this handy shootout to guide you through the process for two stellar TVs.

So, with all that in mind, it is time to take a closer look at the TCL 8-Series to see how it directly compares to the LG C1. Grab some snacks, because this is going to be a deep dive into how these TVs tick.

TCL 8-Series vs. LG C1: Side-by-Side Comparison

You’ll note some key differences right away in terms of display technology. This will have a definite impact on the picture and video quality of these two televisions.

TCL 8-Series vs. LG C1: What’s the Difference?

So, with a broader overview of the specs out of the way, it’s time to really dive into what these TVs can do. As you can imagine, there are some stark differences as one is an OLED display while the other is QLED.

Performance

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11/30/2023 10:57 pm GMT

For the price, the LG C1 is an overall better television in terms of overall performance. You’ve got a higher native refresh rate, an infinite contrast ratio, and better color reproduction.

This won’t come as a surprise to readers of our site, as the LG series of OLED displays have been a constant favorite during these shootouts.

The TCL 8-Series is a great TV for a QLED display. It doesn’t make for a great gaming platform, especially for newer consoles like the PlayStation 5.

However, it should be well suited for most media purposes, provided you don’t mind the overall lower refresh rate and somewhat spotty audio support for newer codecs.

Image Quality

The LG C1 has an absolutely stunning picture. You get great blacks, whites, and grays with this OLED TV. Color reproduction is fantastic once the set is properly calibrated, which you’ll see really shine with HDR content.

The LG C1 has support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG protocols, which really excel on this particular display. It will take some work to coax the best results out of your television. Then again, you’ll likely be calibrating any TV you purchase if you’re really serious about your viewing space.

Hisense’s 8-Series has a great picture for a QLED display, with rich blacks and good color reproduction. It falters when it comes to local dimming zones and the depiction of grays and whites. The QLED display isn’t well suited for local dimming, which is very noticeable in motion.

Color reproduction is great once properly calibrated, being very much in line with the LG C1. The biggest drawback to note is the overall quality of the grays and whites, which appear to create an almost hazy effect on the display.

The 8-Series isn’t the best when it comes to a wider array of viewing angles. Your field of view is going to be narrow if you’re positioning the 8-Series as the centerpiece of your home theater setup.

Audio Support

The LG C1 comes with support for all modern audio codecs, including the increasingly popular Dolby Atmos. If you’re using an external speaker solution or soundbar, you’ve got plenty of options with HDMI passthrough, optical audio, and analog audio outputs.

The onboard speakers are nothing to write home about, with middling frequency response and distortion at high volumes. You aren’t purchasing the C1 for its speakers presumably. That said, they do fine at lower volumes. There is a noticeable lack of bass, however.

The Hisense 8-Series is much the same when looking at audio support. You’ve got audio codecs ranging from Dolby Atmos to more standard Dolby Digital Surround for five and seven-channel setups. The onboard speakers are fairly decent on the 8-Series.

They aren’t the best in terms of overall frequency reproduction but have minimal distortion even when pushing higher volumes. You’ll notice the same lack of bass response and airier treble when foregoing external sound systems.

Interface and Navigation

LG uses its standard webOS operating system for the C1. This is an easy-to-navigate system that functions much like you’d expect any smartphone operating system. It is quite easy to use and comes with a whole host of standard streaming apps like Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and other major providers.

The TCL 8-Series utilizes Roku TV OS, which operates identically to the streaming device. If you’re a Roku user, this will feel like home. You get access to all the same streaming providers available on Roku, so there is a good amount of flexibility here.

Both operating systems falter somewhat with mandatory ad placement. However, that is expected for any modern smart TV operating system. They aren’t super intrusive thankfully.

Low Latency Modes

Of the two televisions showcased in this shootout, the LG C1 is the only one really suitable for gaming. It has great input latency, specified gaming modes, and support for a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes it an ideal pick for those long gaming sessions in the likes of Modern Warfare 2 and Fortnite.

The Hisense 8-Series isn’t the best pick for a gaming TV. It can have lower latencies in gaming mode, but it doesn’t support variable refresh rates. You’re stuck at a constant 60Hz regardless of the resolution being in 1080p or 4K.

As such, if you’re looking for something more suitable for gaming, the LG C1 is the TV to pick.

TCL 8-Series vs. LG C1: Must-Know Facts

1. The TCL 8-Series operates at a native refresh rate of 120Hz.
2. The TCL 8-Series has a decent set of internal speakers.
3. The TCL 8-Series has composite inputs for legacy devices like DVD players and older gaming consoles.
4. The LG C1 has great color reproductions with rich blacks, whites, and grays.
5. The LG C1 is a great gaming TV with support for variable refresh rates.
6. The LG C1 can be prone to burn-in if you aren’t careful.

TCL 8-Series vs. LG C1: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?

So, which of these TVs is the real winner of this shootout? Admittedly, it is a fairly close call, as they are both capable displays with great picture quality.

However, the nod has to go to the LG C1, which is just an overall more versatile television set. You get great support for lower latency modes for gaming, better overall color reproduction, and an infinite contrast ratio when viewing HDR media.

The TCL 8-Series is a great TV, make no mistake, but is less than ideal for gaming. If you’re fine with a lower refresh rate, it is still a fantastic choice for media consumption.

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