The TCL Q85H is a 2024 soundbar at the top of the value-driven brand's lineup. Complete with a subwoofer and two satellites, the set uses the brand's Ray Danz side-firing drivers meant to widen the soundstage, while its up-firing drivers add the height dimension for formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Other premium features include 'AI Sonic,' which is TCL's name for room correction, and 'Tutti Choral,' which lets you use a compatible TCL TV's built-in speakers to add to the mix.
Our Verdict
The TCL Q85H is an impressive soundbar for mixed usage. It's versatile thanks to its wide support of most audio formats and wired connectivity. Its full-bodied sound and tools, such as room correction, EQ presets, and sound enhancements, round out the package. Its up-firing drivers mean it can properly reproduce Atmos content without downmixing. On the downside, its wireless connectivity only consists of Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2.
Support for most audio formats.
Retains dynamics with low compression.
EQ presets and sound enhancements.
Room correction.
No voice assistants.
Wireless connectivity is limited to Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2.
High latency over Optical.
The TCL Q85H soundbar is great for watching TV shows. The stereo frequency response offers a full sound with room correction and a clear mid-range for parsing dialogue. In addition, EQ presets, bass and treble adjustments, and sound enhancements like 'Voice' and 'Night' modes offer versatility for different kinds of TV genres. Plus, low latency over HDMI In and eARC, with support for popular audio formats on streaming platforms, is a boon.
Support for most audio formats.
Retains dynamics with low compression.
EQ presets and sound enhancements.
Room correction.
High latency over Optical.
The TCL Q85H is great for listening to music. It delivers music with a boomy and punchy low-end. Leads cut through the mix, and trebly elements sound warm. The bar offers several EQ presets and bass and treble adjustments to tailor the sound, alongside room correction. Its stereo soundstage offers a good amount of width, though it plays back audio from all the speakers even when it's stereo content. In addition, it gets loud with very little compression. The wireless connectivity is limited to Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2 only. Still, you can use the USB port and the HDMI ports for accessing music.
Retains dynamics with low compression.
EQ presets and sound enhancements.
Room correction.
Wireless connectivity is limited to Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2.
The TCL Q85H soundbar is very good for movies. Its stereo frequency response offers a full-bodied sound with room correction, several EQ presets, and bass and treble adjustments. Its side-firing drivers extend the soundstage, and the up-firing drivers add the height dimension to object-based audio like Dolby Atmos. There's support for most popular audio formats with low latency over HDMI eARC and HDMI In. Even at max volume, there's very little compression. If you like to tinker, the sound enhancements are a little rudimentary, though.
Support for most audio formats.
Retains dynamics with low compression.
EQ presets and sound enhancements.
Room correction.
High latency over Optical.
Changelog
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Updated Jun 17, 2025:
Due to reports of a wind-like noise coming from the satellites, we performed a retest with a new firmware (V40) and updated the Surround 5.1 section's text with the findings.
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Updated Apr 01, 2025:
We retested the soundbar to confirm its 4k passthrough capabilities as described in the Video Passthrough To TV section.
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Updated Mar 03, 2025:
We mentioned the Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 in the Sound Enhancement Features section of this review.
- Updated Feb 14, 2025: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The TCL Q85H is available in one color: 'Black.' You can see the labels for our unit on the soundbar, the satellites, and the subwoofer. If you come across another variant of this soundbar, let us know in the comments.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The TCL Q85H is a part of TCL's Q Class of premium-tier soundbars and includes two satellites to make it a 7.1.4 configuration compared to the step-down TCL Q75H 5.1.2 soundbar, though they pack similar feature sets. That said, the Q85H is a different beast from the S Class bars, like the TCL S55H, which are considerably more budget-oriented and downmix surround audio to stereo. You'd be hard-pressed to find another soundbar with similar specs at this price. The Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6 comes close, though the TCL still boasts more channels and an Optical port.
You can also check out our picks for the best soundbars under $500, the best soundbars with a subwoofer, and the best budget soundbars.
The TCL Q85H is a bit better than the Hisense AX5125H. It boasts a 7.1.4 configuration, as opposed to 5.1.2 on the Hisense. The TCL also includes an app with greater user control over the sound with a slightly wider soundstage, due to the side-firing channels, and it gets louder with less compression. That said, the Hisense sounds more balanced by default and offers better video passthrough performance, which may appeal to gamers.
The LG S90TR is better than the TCL Q85H for most people. The LG has a more balanced sound with deeper bass and a competent app with far more sound enhancement features. Its surround performance is clearer, too, with better video passthrough performance and extensive wireless connectivity. However, the TCL offers considerably better Atmos sound, and you can still tune it using the bass and treble sliders to taste, so if object-based audio is your priority, you may prefer the TCL.
The TCL Q85H is better than the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with Sub + Speakers in most ways. The 7.1.4-channel TCL has additional discrete channels compared to the 5.1-channel Amazon. The TCL's additional surround and height channels help facilitate a more immersive Atmos listening experience by bouncing height cues off your ceiling and improving the tracking of panning audio objects in the soundscape. Both soundbars support most audio formats, but the TCL has lower audio latency and the option to pass through video from a gaming console to mitigate A/V-desync. That said, Amazon is the less expensive pickup with lower optical latency, making it better for use with older home theater gear.
The TCL Q85H is a better soundbar for most people than the Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806. The TCL has a more balanced frequency response, better Atmos performance, and more inputs, including Optical and full HDMI in. It also offers lower latency performance than the Vizio when connected via eARC. But some people might appreciate the Vizio's stripped back, simplistic approach. Fewer options can mean fewer moments of frustration while hooking up your system.
Test Results
