That said, the testing I did perform went off relatively well. My testing with HDMI is, admittedly, quite limited given the placement of where I used this TV in my office and the fact that, currently, I don’t own the latest gaming consoles. There’s no dedicated “game” shortcut, as you’ll find on some other high-end TVs. HDMI ports include two ports with support for and variable refresh rate, though the settings for those options are buried in Google TV’s display settings.

TCL includes four HDMI ports alongside Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, and optical audio ports on this TV, and it’s a generous allotment for a 55-inch panel. TCL struck a good balance here, even if the back of the TV feels of very cheap plastic.

TV designs that try too hard often come off as distracting, while super-cheap models can easily fall into the territory of being plainly unattractive. The faux brushed metal and fabric accents at the bottom of the panel heighten the design while not distracting from the display itself. The flat edges on the sides of the panel contribute to a sleek look, and bezels are thin enough to the point where they fade away when watching actual content. To that end, I think TCL’s 6-Series has a great look. The look of your TV usually takes a backseat to picture quality, but in TCL’s semi-premium target market, physical hardware matters.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re in the market. Over the past few months, I’ve spent time with TCL’s 6-Series mini-LED Google TV, and on the whole, it’s a great option. Luckily, the software available to run these TVs just keeps getting better, and Google TV has been making a huge push to be a major name in the market. Whether you like it or not, smart TVs are here to stay.

Tcl tv reviews