The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is a budget-friendly television set that offers many features for its price point. With its built-in Roku platform and Full HD resolution, this TV provides an excellent viewing experience for those on a tight budget. This review will cover the TV’s technology, picture quality, HDR performance, motion handling, and viewing angles to help you determine the right choice for your needs.
Technology
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is a smart TV that runs on the Roku platform. This platform is known for its intuitive interface and vast content library, providing access to popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, the TV has built-in Wi-Fi, allowing easy connectivity to your home network and wireless streaming from your mobile device or computer.
Picture Quality
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV boasts a Full HD 1080p resolution, which is impressive considering its budget-friendly price point. This resolution provides sharp, detailed images for watching movies, TV shows, and sports. Additionally, the TV uses Direct LED backlighting technology, which enhances the contrast and brightness levels of the display.
HDR Performance
While the TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV does not support HDR, it still delivers excellent picture quality. HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology enhances the TV’s color and contrast levels, providing a more lifelike viewing experience. However, since this TV does not support HDR, there may be better choices for those who prioritize HDR performance in their TV selection.
Motion Handling
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV features a 60Hz refresh rate, which is standard for most budget-friendly TV sets. This refresh rate is sufficient for watching sports and action movies but may be better for gamers who prefer higher refresh rates. The TV’s motion handling is decent, with minimal motion blur during fast-paced scenes.
Viewing Angles
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has decent viewing angles, which is impressive considering its budget-friendly price point. The TV’s IPS panel provides good off-axis viewing, allowing viewers to enjoy the same picture quality from almost any angle. However, the TV’s black levels may suffer when viewed from an angle, a common issue with most budget-friendly TVs.
Smart Features
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has a built-in Roku platform, one of the most popular smart TV platforms in the market. The Roku platform provides access to a vast content library, including popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, the TV has built-in Wi-Fi, allowing easy connectivity to your home network and wireless streaming from your mobile device or computer.
Sound Quality
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has the decent sound quality for a budget-friendly TV set. It features two 5-watt speakers that provide clear audio output. However, more than the TV’s audio output may be needed for those who prioritize immersive audio experiences. If you’re looking for better audio quality, it’s recommended to pair the TV with external speakers or a soundbar.
Design
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has a sleek and modern design that complements any living room decor. Its thin bezels and slim profile make it easy to mount on a wall or place on a tabletop. The TV also comes with a stand that can be easily assembled and attached to the TV.
VS Other Brands
Compared to other budget-friendly TV brands, the TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV offers many features for its price point. Its built-in Roku platform and Full HD resolution make it an excellent value for those on a tight budget. Its decent sound quality and sleek design are comparable to other budget-friendly TV brands.
Color Accuracy
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has good color accuracy for a budget-friendly TV set. Its Direct LED backlighting technology enhances the TV’s color performance, providing vibrant and accurate colors. However, the TV’s color accuracy may not be as accurate as higher-end TV sets that use advanced color technologies like Quantum Dot or OLED.
Contrast Ratio
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has a decent contrast ratio for a budget-friendly TV set. Its Direct LED backlighting technology enhances the TV’s contrast levels, providing deep blacks and bright whites. However, the TV’s contrast ratio may not be as impressive as higher-end TV sets that use advanced contrast technologies like Full Array Local Dimming or OLED.
Energy Efficiency
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is energy efficient, consuming only 32 watts of power during normal use. Additionally, the TV has an Energy Star rating, which means it meets the energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This makes it an excellent choice for those prioritizing energy efficiency in their TV selection.
Connectivity
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV comes with a variety of connectivity options, including three HDMI ports, a USB port, a headphone jack, and an Ethernet port. The HDMI ports connect multiple devices to the TV, such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices. The USB port also allows you to access your personal media files directly from a USB drive.
Calibration
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV comes with pre-set picture modes that offer different brightness and contrast levels brightness and contrast levels to suit your viewing preferences. However, if you want to calibrate the TV’s picture settings to achieve the best possible picture quality, you can do so through the TV’s advanced settings menu. Using a calibration disc or hiring a professional to calibrate the TV’s settings is recommended for optimal picture quality.
Value
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is an excellent value for its price point. At a budget-friendly price, it offers many features, such as a built-in Roku platform, Full HD resolution, decent sound quality, and sleek design. Its good color accuracy and contrast ratio, energy efficiency, and multiple connectivity options make it an excellent value for those who prioritize these features in their TV selection.
Screen Size
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has a screen size of 32 inches, making it an excellent choice for those who want a smaller TV set for their bedroom or office. The TV’s compact size makes it easy to mount on a wall or place on a tabletop. However, if you want a larger screen size, TCL offers similar models in larger sizes, such as 40 inches and 55 inches.
Operating System
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV comes with a built-in Roku operating system, one of the most popular smart TV platforms in the market. The Roku platform provides access to a vast content library, including popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, the TV’s operating system is easy to navigate and user-friendly.
Remote Control
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has a simple and intuitive remote control. The remote control features dedicated buttons for popular streaming services, allowing easy access to your favorite content. Additionally, the remote control has a built-in microphone, which allows you to use voice commands to control the TV’s functions.
Viewing Experience
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV offers an impressive viewing experience, thanks to its Full HD resolution and LED backlighting. The TV produces vibrant, accurate colors with excellent contrast and deep blacks. The picture is sharp and clear, with good detail, making it perfect for watching movies, TV shows, and sports.
Video
Apps
One of the standout features of the TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is its built-in Roku TV platform, which gives you access to over 500,000 movies and TV shows from various streaming services. Using the Roku remote or your smartphone, you can easily browse through the available apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more. The interface is user-friendly and customizable, and you can add and remove apps.
Black Uniformity
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has decent black uniformity, deep blacks, and minimal clouding. However, there is some noticeable blooming around bright objects on a dark background, which may distract some viewers. Overall, the black uniformity is satisfactory, but it could be better.
Brightness
The TV’s brightness is also decent, with a peak brightness of 250 nits, making it suitable for most viewing environments. However, in a brightly lit room, you may experience some glare and reflections on the screen, which can affect the viewing experience.
Upscaling Quality
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has good upscaling capabilities, allowing you to enjoy your standard-definition content in near-Full HD. The TV uses advanced algorithms to enhance the picture quality, improving the sharpness and reducing noise and artifacts. However, some content may still look soft, especially compared to native Full HD content.
Soundbar Support
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has two built-in 5W speakers, producing decent sound quality. However, consider investing in a soundbar if you’re looking for a more immersive audio experience. The TV supports various soundbar brands and models, and you can easily connect them using Bluetooth or HDMI.
Ambient Light Performance
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV offers decent ambient light performance. The TV has a matte finish screen, which helps to reduce glare and reflections from ambient light sources. However, in a brightly lit room, you may still experience some reflections on the screen, which can affect the viewing experience. Overall, the ambient light performance of the TV is satisfactory, but it could be better.
Wall Mount Compatibility
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is compatible with VESA wall mounts, which allows you to mount the TV on the wall easily. The TV has a VESA pattern of 100x100mm, a common size for smaller TVs. However, it’s important to note that the wall mount is not included with the TV and needs to be purchased separately.
Warranty
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV comes with a standard one-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. However, the warranty does not cover accidental damage, and you may need to purchase an additional protection plan if you’re concerned about accidental damage.
Input Ports
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV has multiple input ports, making it easy to connect various devices. The TV has three HDMI ports, which allow you to connect a Blu-ray player, gaming console, or streaming device. The TV also has a USB port, which lets you play media files directly from a USB drive. The TV also has a headphone jack, composite video input, and an Ethernet port.
Durability
With sturdy plastic construction, the TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is built to last. The TV has a sleek design, thin bezels, and a slim profile, making it perfect for small spaces. The TV’s stand is also sturdy and keeps the TV in place, preventing accidental falls. However, it’s important to note that the TV’s plastic construction may not be as durable as some higher-end models that use metal or other premium materials.
Response Time
The response time of the TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is relatively fast, measuring 8.6ms. This means that fast-moving scenes in movies or sports look smooth and free from motion blur. However, there may be some slight trailing behind fast-moving objects, which may be noticeable to some viewers.
Voice Control
The TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV offers voice control capabilities through its built-in Roku platform. You can use voice commands to search for content, launch apps, and control the TV’s settings. Additionally, the TV is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control the TV with voice commands through those devices.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
Overall, the TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is an excellent budget-friendly option for those looking for a smaller-sized TV with smart features. The TV’s fast response time ensures smooth motion handling, while the built-in Roku platform offers a wide range of streaming options. However, the TV’s picture quality may not be as impressive as some higher-end models, and its limited viewing angles may be a drawback for some viewers.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly TV for a secondary room or a smaller living space, the TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV is a great choice. However, consider investing in a higher-end model if you’re looking for a TV with superior picture quality and advanced features such as HDR support.
