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Willie Greer
TCL TVs are known to be generally cheaper than many other brands on the market, but can they provide the picture quality we have all come to expect in 2023? Our engineers unpacked their best units in this TCL TV review to see whether they are on par or deficient in today’ss standard display quality and technology.
- 4K Ultra HD
- QLED Technology
- HDR Pro Pack
- THX game mode
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Assistant
- 5,000 channels
- 1080p full HD
- Affordable price
- Voice control
- Mobile app control
- 3 HDMI inputs
Reviews of the Top TCL TVs
TCL 40S325
Our first TCL television model from the brand is the 40-inch TCL 40S325. It’s a unit that appears on a lot of other TCL TV reviews because of what it offers for a very decent price.
The smart TV sports a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface that lets you browse over 5,000 streaming channels.
It can be tough to sort through so many options, which is why the Roku TV smart platform allows this unit to integrate Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control.
You can find what you’re looking for and even switch inputs by using the sound of your voice.
What We Like
- 1080p full HD TCL Roku TV
- Direct-lit LED
- A myriad of inputs
- Smart functionality with built-in Roku TV
- Decent price
- 60Hz refresh rate without motion blur
- Voice control
What We Don't Like
- The remote is not backlit
- Not best viewed at a close distance
TCL 85R745
If you have the extra bucks to spend, then our team recommends the TCL 85R745. It really is one of the best TCL TV units out there. First of all, the picture quality is highly superior at 4K HDR UHD, which can bring images to life the way other Roku TVs can’t.
Then there is the Quantum Dot Technology on this 4K TV, which dims and brightens in a broader range for wider color performance and vivid pictures.
Other smart features that help boost this already very good TV include contrast control zones, HDR Pro Pack, and THX-certified gaming that makes playing games that much more enjoyable.
What We Like
- 4K TV
- QLED premium TV
- HDR Pro Pack
- THX-certified
- Contrast control
- No to very low input lag
- Voice search control
- 4 HDMI inputs including 1 eARC
What We Don't Like
- More expensive than other units TCL Roku TVs
- Not everyone has the space for an 85-inch screen size
TCL 32S327
Our expert technicians always provide various options for people working within any budget, and the TCL 32S327 makes it in at the number 3 spot on our TCL TV review for affordability.
An affordable price is a double-edged sword for many consumers because they still hope to get excellent HDR content (or the like) on a simple TV.
We can say the TCL 32S327 is an excellent TV for the price, and as our experts found out, it also works well as a computer screen! Like most other TCL televisions, this one also comes with voice control, a Roku app for control, and access to 5,000 streaming channels.
What We Like
- Easy voice command
- 1080p full HD picture quality
- Roku Smart TV
- Access to 5,000 streaming channels
- Low price
- 3 HDMI inputs and 1 USB port
- Direct-lit LED with 60Hz refresh rate
What We Don't Like
- The 32-inch screen may be too small in some homes
- May need a custom TV stand for mounting
TCL 55R635
Are you looking for a decent-sized 4K UHD Dolby Vision Roku Smart TV that will not cost more than 1000?
The 55R635 is our team’s favorite. The screen size of 55 inches is pretty decent in any space, and of course, the unit can be voice-controlled.
Darker scenes won’t be an issue thanks to the contrast control zones that fix the problem of low peak brightness. HDR content is known to give 2D images a realistic touch and QLED technology helps with the color spectrum production.
This Dolby Vision Smart TV is also THX-certified for gaming, which makes it one of the best TCL TV units on the market today.
What We Like
- QLED Quantum Dot Technology
- Voice command
- Roku Smart TV platform
- Excellent 4K picture quality for watching movies
- Supports Dolby Vision HDR
- Access to many streaming sites
- Decent screen size
What We Don't Like
- Wall mount not included
- Not 4K at 120fps, but 60fps
TCL 32S335
Our team knows that there are consumers out there that don’t mind a low contrast ratio to define deep blacks and bright whites, and maybe premium functions such as mini LED backlighting aren’t a top priority.
The TCL 32S335 is our recommendation among all Roku TV units that can still get you pretty good picture quality for a low price.
You’re looking at a 720 HD TV that still has smart features. It works well with voice command devices and features dual-band Wi-Fi, HDMI and HDMI arc, among many other inputs. It may not have 4K HDR, but it is amazing for the price.
What We Like
- Smart functionality with Roku TV
- One of the more affordable TCL flatscreens
- HD resolution
- Access to streaming services
- Various inputs
- Voice command
What We Don't Like
- No Android TV
- No Dolby Vision HDR
TCL 65R648
What really caught our team’s eye when reviewing this TCL Roku TV is the seamless design.
It looks like an infinity screen that has no borders, which delivers a more immersive experience. Not to mention, the great picture quality of 8K! It’s true 8K because the Roku TV has been certified by the 8K Association.
Your content is enhanced by the AiPQ engine embedded in this TV. Not all of the best TCL TVs can possess this level of clarity, which is why the 65R648 completes our list. 8K means 4x the clarity of a 4K TV, so get ready for the clearest, most impactful experience on the TV market.
What We Like
- Mini LED backlighting
- QLED Quantum Dot
- Contrast control zones
- 8K clarity
- AiPQ engine
- 120Hz variable refresh rate
- Dolby Vision support
- Thin and sleek design
- Built-in speaker system
What We Don't Like
- Does not support ATSC 3.0 tuners
- Does not support IMAX enhanced
TCL TVs Buyer’s Guide
Buying a TV is a big step as it’s a permanent fixture in most homes. It’s more than just taking a liking to the exterior, but you definitely want to consider what’s inside your TCL Roku TV as well. Our technicians have put their heads together and created a buyer’s guide for TCL TVs to help you pick the best one.
Interface
One of the things all members of our team love about the TCL units is the simplicity, and the interface is a great example of that. Some would say it’s basic, but that just means it’s easy to use and has little to no learning curve, and there is nothing wrong with that.
The speed at which the functions respond on the Roku TV platform is also something to rave about. Nothing about the interface screams “fancy”, which also doesn’t make it susceptible to bugs. One thing it does have that outshines other new TV models is customizable themes.
Smart Features
Most TCL units function with the Roku TV smart platform, which means they are capable of many functions. It’s worth it to note that some newer TCL units have been released in 2021 to feature Google TV/Android TV in place of Roku.
Voice Controls
Most of the Roku TV models our experts picked have voice controls that are supported on the app or work with your device. Having audio control over your Roku TV is very convenient, but keep in mind that it only supports basic commands (but it’s what most people use anyway).
You can ask your smart TV to browse through apps and launch certain programs, but you cannot control the settings via audio.
Ad-Free Viewing
When you’re watching movies on your favorite platforms, the content is ad-free, but the smart TV platform itself is not.
The best you can do is tune out the ads that appear on the main menu and the rest of the interface because you cannot disable them.
Although we will say that many of us that have TCL TVs at home don’t find the ads to be too intrusive because they do not usually promote random things, rather, they contain ads for other TCL products, suggested content, or services.
Apps and Features
Much like how Google TV, Android TV, and Samsung Smart TV function, users can gain access to the apps and features on the Roku Channel Store, including the major streaming giants.
Remote and Remote App
The TCL smart TV remote on all units is pretty much the same. It is a simple design with colorful buttons for quick and easy identification. We also appreciate the shortcut buttons to major streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu. The smart TV remote for TCL matches the brand’s overall emphasis on simplicity.
Then there is the remote app you can opt to use, which you can download onto your iOS or Android devices. You can do all the things on the app that you can on the physical remote and more such as the calibration settings.
Roku or Android in TCL TVs
As we previously mentioned, some newer smart TV models feature Android TV rather than the traditional Roku, so which is better? Roku TV is what we’re used to, but Android TV is a great alternative as is Google TV.
A newer Google TV model has access to the Google Play Store, and the Android TV operating system has built-in features such as Chromecast and Google Assistant.
Google TV, Android TV, and Roku TV will all give users functions they wouldn’t otherwise get with regular TVs.
QLED Technology
You will have seen QLED as a pro for many of the best TCL TVs in the market, but what is it and what does it do? QLED is basically Quantum Dot Technology, which uses LED backlighting to bring vivid colors to the screen.
TCL isn’t the first brand to adopt this technology as Samsung was actually one of the major pioneers.
If you have QLED in your TV combined with full-array local dimming zones with the nanocrystals working at different wavelengths, you will get a similar effect to OLED screens.
Mini-LED Technology
Some of the more premium models also feature mini-LED backlight technology, which is different from the QLED. QLED works with the TV’s backlighting while mini-LED tech is the backlighting.
As the name suggests, mini LED lighting is smaller, which can provide more accurate and isolated brightness and dimness where necessary. It’s definitely a technology our team recommends, although it could increase the price of the TV unit.
Cost
As said many times, one of the major selling points aside from the simplicity of TCL TVs is their price. They can still provide enhanced picture quality but usually for a lower price than competing brands. You can find very basic units with regular Roku TV not Google TV for around 200! Such a TV would still have good picture quality at 720p or 1080p, low input lag, smart functions, and some local dimming.
Of course, you can also find units with a screen size that exceeds 65 inches, able to depict deep blacks in dark scenes with local dimming, and Dolby Vision HDR for prices of only around 2000. There are best TVs somewhere in between as well, so it’s important to consider the size and functions of your ideal unit.
Warranty
As great as a TCL TV can be, there is still a chance that you get a lemon or need to exchange or replace parts – this is where the warranty comes in. You usually get a 1-year limited warranty with a 6-month parts and labor warranty as well for commercial purposes.
It doesn’t matter how extensive and comprehensive the warranty for a product is if the customer service doesn’t back it up, and from our experience, the customer service from TCL is very responsive, helpful, and accessible.
Pros and Cons of TCL TVs Compared to Other Brands
How do TCL TVs compare to other brands on the market? There are also other lines that have basic designs for attractive prices. Let’s take a look.
Affordable
As we mentioned, one of the primary selling points of the TCL TV brand is the price. You can get local dimming, THX [1] game mode, and very good picture quality with high contrast for better prices than most. In other words, it’s a brand that provides excellent value for the cost in the TV market.
More Features Being Added
The innovation doesn’t stop. TCL is working to include extra features such as ones that integrate well with your gaming console. You will be able to find HDMI 2.1 and VRR support on the slightly more expensive premium models. We’re excited to see what other things get integrated next.
Top-Notch Smart OS
The operating system, which is either Android/Google TV or the traditional Roku, are smart platforms that are very intuitive. All of them also give you access to a ton of apps.
Brightness Can Be Improved
The brightness can use some improvement on some of the lower-end models. But the same saying goes for TCL TVs – you get what you pay for. The best TVs in TCL’s lineup don’t have this issue, it’s the ones that are on the more affordable end, but it’s only the brightness at the peak level that is affected and some don’t find this to be an issue.
Not the Best Options for Wider Areas
The viewing angles could also use some improvement on these TVs. What’s interesting is some of the more basic models don’t suffer from this issue. It’s actually mid to high-tier models that have narrow viewing angles. This only affects users that have a wide seating setup in their homes.
Display Settings Can Be Improved
All of the display features on TCL TVs can run into some issues sometimes, but this can be said about many brands.
Recent TV Lineup
There have been some recent updates to the TCL TV lineup. The TCL 5 Series/S546 is a new addition that has many added features and updates.
TCL has also unveiled an innovation for the history books – what is probably the world’s smallest OLED TV.
Not only that, but they have also gone in the other direction and created a 98-inch (just 2 inches short of 100), QLED TV, a part of the XL series. It’s definitely a TV that has earned its name in terms of size, but the price is not XL, because will be priced for less than 8000!
The brand will also introduce advanced features into its flagship designs such as adding mini-LEDs, you will also see a hard push for Google TV integration and new versions of the coveted TCL 6 series.
TCL vs Hisense TVs
Hisense is one of the brands that we alluded to previously that also have decently priced TV units. While the price may be on par with each other, other features aren’t necessary, such as the brightness and motion blur.
More specifically, certain TCL TVs have issues with peak brightness, but you won’t get the gaming experience you would with TCL on Hisense since they experience motion blur problems.
TCL vs Vizio
We can’t forget about Vizio, which is another affordable brand. Like TCL, Vizio’s target demographic is also those on a budget but still looking for decent quality. Having tried products from both brands, many of our technicians, testers, and experts prefer TCL’s simple platform compared to the Vizio competitor.
That’s not to say that Vizio doesn’t have good products, because it does. Vizio TVs also provide a stellar gaming experience and have better illumination, but nothing beats the Roku platform.
FAQ
Who is TCL television made by?
TCL televisions are made by TCL Electronics Holdings LTD. They are a Chinese technology firm that produces products under the TCL brand. The company has operations across the globe and has a very hands-on approach when it comes to overseeing production.
Is TCL Made in China?
Yes, TCL is made in China, most of their products are. However, the company has manufacturing plants in various countries as well including Vietnam, India, and Mexico. Since it is a Chinese brand, most products are still made within the country.
Are TCL TVs better than Samsung?
Yes, TCL TVs are better than Samsung in some ways. For example, the contrast ratio on many of the best TCL TVs can outperform Samsung models. In general, the picture quality on TCL TVs also outshines the alternative. Even something as important as the processor is better on the more affordable TCL models.
Do TCL TVs last long?
Yes, TCL TVs last long. They can perform well for around a decade, but this is only under proper use. If there is anything wrong with the TV set, your purchase usually comes with a 1-year limited warranty with friendly customer service.
Our Top Pick For a TCL TV: TCL 40S325
Not all TCL TV reviews are unbiased, but we certainly believe the TCL 40S325 is one of the best TVs from the brand on the market right now. The model does come in other sizes, but they all possess the same coveted functions such as voice control, an easy interface, full HD, direct-lit LED, and various inputs to make integration easy.
