The best Roku TV makes it super easy to move from a non-smart TV to a smart one. Roku’s user-friendly interface, customizable home screen, and wide range of apps make it one of the best TVs on the market.
Although lacking built-in Chromecast, Roku TVs have smart functionality, thousands of streaming and entertainment apps, voice assistant, 4K resolution, HDR, and are available in stunning LED and QLED displays. These TVs also feature multiple connectivity ports so that you can connect your gaming consoles or laptop for a terrific big-screen experience.
In this buying guide, we will look at what Roku TVs are, how they work, their pros and cons, how long they last, and other aspects. Keep reading to learn more about choosing the best Roku 4K TV for your home.
Product
| True Score
|
Price | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
| 82 | $449.99 $500 SAVE $50 | ||
2 |
| 82 | $1,998.00 | ||
3 | 80 | $197.00 | |||
4 | 80 | $108.00 $200 SAVE $92 | |||
5 | 79 | $1,189.99 $1,400 SAVE $210 | |||
6 |
| 79 | $585.00 $780 SAVE $195 | ||
7 | 78 | $699.99 $649 SAVE $-51 |
Top Roku TVs
- Read Full Review → : Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TVRoku
Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV
Best for Roku
The Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV has impressive HDR, intuitive Roku smarts, and a sleek design. While lacking advanced gaming features, its smart interface is seamless, and voice control is handy. Overall, it offers good display performance at a reasonable price.
True Score
82778Experts
93842Customers
Mixed ReviewsSAVE $50$499.99$449.99Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Outstanding Roku interface and remote
Users experience seamless navigation and a wide range of great streaming apps and games, given the TV offers Roku’s much-praised OS. Additionally, users enjoy hands-free commands, as the voice controls have a great microphone.
- Impressive HDR features
Enjoy heightened HDR quality with the TVs HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG High Dynamic range support.
- Plethora of high-performance inputs
Connections are stable and fast due to its four HDMI 2.1 plug-ins, which is especially useful for high-intensity gaming.
Reasons to Avoid
- Mediocre image quality
While the TV delivers average contrast and has features to boost HDR performance, its brightness handling, low refresh rate, slow response time, and subpar brightness result in a below-average 4k display.
- Low peak brightness
Image degrades in bright rooms and experiences a dulling effect, given its peak brightness tests in at 727 nits, which is display is mediocre among 4k TVs.
- Mediocre motion handling and some motion blur
Slow response time means that during fast-paced scenes, sports, or games, there will be image blurring and a lack of smooth motion
Specifications
Backlight Type Full-Array Display Type LED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG LED Panel Type QLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 (4k) Refresh Rate 60 Hz Screen size 55", 65", 75" Smart Platform Roku TV Sync Technology No VRR No All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 95.94666667 Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 81.27 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) 95.44 Color Gamut % (BT.2020) 81.3 Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) 42750 SDR Brightness (nits) 537 HDR Brightness (nits) 576 Input Lag (ms) 9.5 Response Time (ms) 10.5 Color Washout (Degrees) 21 Color Shift (Degrees) No Data Brightness Loss (Degrees) No Data Reflections (%) 4.7 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 70db No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 80db No Data Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db No Data Intermodulation Distortion @80db No Data EOTF (600 nit delta) 0.0064 EOTF (1000 nit delta) 0.0063 EOTF (4000 nit delta) 0.0063 All Specs
All Retailers
- $449.99$500Save $50
Our Verdict
The Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV has a great display, offering uniform blacks and peak brightness tested at 825 nits. The QLED display and full-array local dimming produce a great contrast ratio of 439.3 nits/0.095 nits, and it handles reflections well.
Unfortunately, the TV has a narrow viewing angle, and the motion handling and off-axis viewing performance also are also disappointing. The Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR10 both contribute to a dynamic visual experience. The controls are satisfactory but simple.
Gamers will miss advanced features like Variable Refresh Rate and 120Hz support. The LG only has a 60 Hz refresh rate but has a fair 45.6ms input lag when in game mode. Also, it has four HDMI ports, and unfortunately, none support HDMI 2.1.
- Read Full Review → : TCL 8 SeriesTCL
TCL 8 Series
Best for Home Theater
The TCL 8 Series Roku TV is fantastic for most users, thanks to its incredible peak brightness, inky blacks, excellent screen uniformity, and excellent contrast. However, watch out for the absence of HDMI 2.1 and the poor viewing angles.
True Score
82846Experts
86237Customers
Absolutely Fresh$1,998.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Fantastic peak brightness
- Superb contrast ratio
- Amazing black levels
- Great screen uniformity
- Fast response time
- Great upscaling
- Wide color gamut support
- Great reflection diffusion
- Low input lag
Reasons to Avoid
- Capped to only 60Hz refresh rate
- Poor viewing angle
- No HDMI 2.1 support
- No VRR, ALLM, or eARC
- Bad out of the box color accuracy
- No HDR 10+
- Visible banding
- Full-array local dimming can be too aggressive
Specifications
Backlight Type Full-Array Display Type LED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG LED Panel Type Mini LED, QLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 (4k) Refresh Rate 60 Hz Screen size 85" Smart Platform Roku TV VRR No All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 93.2 Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv) 93.82 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 70.05 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 80.47 Color Gamut % (sRGB) 99.9 Color Gamut % (Rec 709) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) 10257 SDR Brightness (nits) 1727 HDR Brightness (nits) 1870 Input Lag (ms) 19.1 Response Time (ms) 11.9 Color Washout (Degrees) 25 Color Shift (Degrees) 25 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 35 Reflections (%) 4.9 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 71.27 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 4.3 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 4.02 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.061 Intermodulation Distortion @80db 1.1 EOTF (600 nit delta) No Data EOTF (1000 nit delta) No Data EOTF (4000 nit delta) No Data All Specs
All Retailers
- $1,998.00
Our Verdict
The TCL 8 Series Roku TV is a fantastic 4K HDR TV for media consumption in its range. It provides amazing peak brightness, top-notch contrast, deep black levels, and excellent screen uniformity for users with a bright room.
However, users also need to watch out for the poor viewing angles and the lack of HDMI 2.1.
Category Snapshot
TVs
- Total Brands/Products Tested
17 Brands, 156 Products
- Top 2 Brands
LG, Hisense
- Price Range (Budget-Premium)
$400-$2000
- Average True Score
79.65
- Important Test Criteria
Brightness (cd/m2)
Contrast Ratio (1000:1) - Most Trusted Testers
- Top TV Experts
- Recommended Retailer
- Typical Warranty
1 year
- Covered by Insurance
Yes – AKKO
- Test Methodology
- Read Full Review → : Hisense H4FHisense
Hisense H4F
This Hisense H4F is perfect for buyers wanting a budget Smart TV with a colorful, pleasing picture and a large library of streaming apps. Experienced Smart TV users may find the over-easy menu and lack of voice command frustrating.
True Score
80541Experts
909kCustomers
Meh$197.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Balanced, bright colors
- Easy Roku OS and menu
- Decent viewing angle
- Low input lag
- Plenty of Apps
- Customizable set up
Reasons to Avoid
- No local dimming
- Not voice command compatible (Alexa or Google Assistant)
- Remote overly simple
- Poor peak brightness
- Poor response time
Specifications
Backlight Type Direct Lit Display Type LED HDMI Inputs 3 HDR Format n/a LED Panel Type IPS Max Resolution 1280 x 720 Refresh Rate 60 Hz Screen size 32" Smart Platform Roku TV Sync Technology n/a VRR n/a All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 73.12 Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv) 78.92 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 52.54 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 57.56 Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) 1041 SDR Brightness (nits) 178 HDR Brightness (nits) No Data Input Lag (ms) 14.8 Response Time (ms) 15.7 Color Washout (Degrees) 58 Color Shift (Degrees) 69 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 56 Reflections (%) 5.5 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 134.54 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 4.44 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 4.47 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.077 Intermodulation Distortion @80db 0.73 EOTF (600 nit delta) No Data EOTF (1000 nit delta) No Data EOTF (4000 nit delta) No Data All Specs
All Retailers
- $197.00
Our Verdict
The Hisense H4F is a great option for those looking for an affordable Smart TV. It’s easy to use and offers a pleasing picture with accurate colors. However, the simple remote and lack of voice command and local dimming options may be a dealbreaker for some. The limited resolution also results in poor contrast and black uniformity. If you’re looking for a bright TV, this may not be the one for you. All in all, it’s a decent budget buy with minimal features.
- Read Full Review → : TCL 3 SeriesTCL
TCL 3 Series
The TCL 3 series has low input lag and excellent color accuracy. With a good app selection and a balanced soundstage, it’s a good TV for watching sports. Weak motion handling and narrow viewing angles are the main drawbacks. That is why you may want to consider purchasing the TCL 4 Series that has excellent 4K picture quality.
True Score
80643Experts
8921kCustomers
Mixed ReviewsSAVE $92$199.99$108.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Low Input Lag
- Excellent Color Accuracy
- Good Selection of Apps
- Balanced Soundstage
Reasons to Avoid
- No HDR
- Poor Peak Brightness
- No 4K Support
- Bad Motion Handling
- Mediocre Viewing Angles
Specifications
Backlight Type Direct Lit Display Type LED HDMI Inputs 3 HDR Format n/a LED Panel Type VA Max Resolution 1280 x 720 Refresh Rate 60 Hz Screen size 32" Smart Platform Roku TV Sync Technology n/a VRR n/a All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 64.12 Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv) 72.36 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 46.16 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 53.12 Color Gamut % (sRGB) 98.2 Color Gamut % (Rec 709) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) 3333 SDR Brightness (nits) 182 HDR Brightness (nits) No Data Input Lag (ms) 19.6 Response Time (ms) 16.0 Color Washout (Degrees) 67 Color Shift (Degrees) 26 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 68 Reflections (%) 5.2 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 169.51 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 4.56 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 4.49 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.485 Intermodulation Distortion @80db 6.58 EOTF (600 nit delta) No Data EOTF (1000 nit delta) No Data EOTF (4000 nit delta) No Data All Specs
All Retailers
- $108.00$200Save $92
- $185.00
Our Verdict
The TCL 3 series has great color accuracy and low input lag, plus plenty of apps and a balanced soundstage. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have HDR support, 4K, peak brightness, good motion handling, or wide viewing angles. If you’re looking for a TV to watch sports, it’s a good choice, but you may want to look elsewhere for other features.
- Read Full Review → : TCL 6 Series 8K RokuTCL
TCL 6 Series 8K Roku
The premium TCL 6 Series 8K Roku is outstanding for immersive gaming with its low input lag, 120 Hz refresh rate, and VRR. Its high brightness and contrast make it great for movies and sports, but group viewing isn’t optimal owing to the narrow viewing angle.
True Score
79806Experts
85105Customers
SAVE $210$1,399.99$1,189.99Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent picture quality
This TV is great for movies and sports and excellent for gaming because of its wide and vibrant color gamut that exceeds 1 billion colors with 90.95% coverage on DCI P3 xy. Dark scene viewing is good, displaying minimal blooming and deep, uniform blacks (std. deviation of 0.829%).
- High brightness and contrast
The TV suits well-lit spaces thanks to its superior reflection handling and high peak brightness of 1161 nits, which ranks in the top third of our tested TVs. And nighttime viewing is clear thanks to the 134,133:1 contrast, which is among the best we have observed.
- Low-tested response time and input lag
Visuals remain mostly smooth with a 3.6 ms response time, although there could be slight blurriness with fast-moving objects in dark scenes. Gaming is exceptionally responsive, boasting a 6.2 ms input lag (4K at 120 Hz), which sits near the top of its class.
- 120 Hz refresh rate and VRR
Visuals remain smooth and lag-free thanks to the 120 Hz refresh rate, and screen tearing is absent because the VRR ranges from under 20 Hz to 120 Hz.
Reasons to Avoid
- Narrow viewing angle
The TV’s VA panel makes viewing angles rather narrow, with colors washing out at just 21°, which is poor for wide seating arrangements.
- Mild blooming
Although not distracting, there is mild blooming during dark sequences.
Specifications
Backlight Type Full-Array Curved Screen No Display Type QLED HDMI Inputs 4 HDMI Type – HDR Format Dolby Vision LED Panel Type Mini-LED QLED Max Resolution 7860 x 4320 Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 55", 65", 75", 85" Smart Platform Roku TV Sync Technology n/a VRR n/a All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) No Data Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) 99.8 Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) 607340 SDR Brightness (nits) 524 HDR Brightness (nits) 1215 Input Lag (ms) 12.1 Response Time (ms) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) No Data Color Shift (Degrees) No Data Brightness Loss (Degrees) No Data Reflections (%) No Data Low-Freq Extension (Hz) No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 70db No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 80db No Data Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db No Data Intermodulation Distortion @80db No Data EOTF (600 nit delta) No Data EOTF (1000 nit delta) No Data EOTF (4000 nit delta) No Data All Specs
All Retailers
- $1,189.99$1,400Save $210
- $1,998.00$4,000Save $2,002
Our Verdict
- Read Full Review → : TCL 6 SeriesTCL
TCL 6 Series
Best for Sound Quality
TCL’s 6 QLED TV is a fantastic television owing to its Mini LED backlighting, high-level peak brightness, and quantum dot color technology. Unfortunately, the TV has a mediocre local dimming feature, narrow viewing angles, and lackluster audio and bass.
True Score
79863Experts
84141Customers
Absolutely FreshSAVE $195$780.00$585.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Mini LED backlighting
- Quantum dot color technology
- AiPQ Engine for 4K Upscaling
- High-level peak brightness
- Roku offers a variety of apps
Reasons to Avoid
- Stunted Motion Handling with Low Frame Rates
- Mediocre Local Dimming Feature
- Narrow Viewing Angles
- Audio and Bass are Weaker than Normal
Specifications
Backlight Type Full-Array Display Type LED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG LED Panel Type Mini LED, QLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 (4k) Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 65" Smart Platform Roku TV Sync Technology AMD FreeSync Premium, G-Sync VRR No All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 96.17 Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data SDR Brightness (nits) 904 HDR Brightness (nits) 1244 Input Lag (ms) 11.3 Response Time (ms) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) No Data Color Shift (Degrees) No Data Brightness Loss (Degrees) No Data Reflections (%) No Data Low-Freq Extension (Hz) No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 70db No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 80db No Data Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db No Data Intermodulation Distortion @80db No Data EOTF (600 nit delta) No Data EOTF (1000 nit delta) No Data EOTF (4000 nit delta) No Data All Specs
All Retailers
- $585.00$780Save $195
Our Verdict
Measured and tested, the TCL 6 Series QLED TV is a fantastic television owing to its Mini LED backlighting, high-level peak brightness, and quantum dot color technology.
It’s Roku-powered, so there are a large amount of streaming services available, and with the AiPQ engine for 4K upscaling, it’s the perfect TV for those forced to do most of their watching at night.
The lag time is also minimal which makes it an excellent TV for gaming too. Unfortunately, the TV has a mediocre local dimming feature, narrow viewing angles, and lackluster audio and bass.
And although the frame-rate is high, there will be some stunted motion with anything under 24fps (frames per second).
- Read Full Review → : Hisense R8Hisense
Hisense R8
The R8 Hisense TV has great picture quality, works for casual gaming, and has a rich display of vivid colors. However, pro gamers might shun it due to lack of VRR and lackluster HDR performance.
True Score
78701Experts
861kCustomers
MehSAVE $-51$649.00$699.99Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent motion handling
- High color accuracy
- Game mode for low input lag
- Great contrast levels
Reasons to Avoid
- No HDMI 2.1 ports
- No support for Variable Refresh Rates
- Mediocre sound
Specifications
Backlight Type – Display Type LED HDMI Inputs 3 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10 LED Panel Type LED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 (4k) Refresh Rate 60 Hz Screen size 65" Smart Platform Roku TV Sync Technology n/a VRR n/a All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 96.82 Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data SDR Brightness (nits) 717 HDR Brightness (nits) 770 Input Lag (ms) 13.4 Response Time (ms) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) No Data Color Shift (Degrees) No Data Brightness Loss (Degrees) No Data Reflections (%) No Data Low-Freq Extension (Hz) No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 70db No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 80db No Data Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db No Data Intermodulation Distortion @80db No Data EOTF (600 nit delta) No Data EOTF (1000 nit delta) No Data EOTF (4000 nit delta) No Data All Specs
All Retailers
- $699.99$649Save $-51
Our Verdict
The R8 Hisense TV is great for casual movie watching, with deep blacks, sub-4k upscaling, comprehensive color gamut coverage, and peak brightness levels. But if you’re a pro gamer, you may want to look elsewhere. The TV has a Game Mode to reduce input lag and decent motion handling, but lacks Variable Refresh Rate support, below par HDR performance, and HDMI 2.1 ports.
Beginner’s Guide to Roku TVs
What is Roku TV?
A Roku TV is a television with smart features that runs the Roku operating system (OS). This OS offers a simple, smart TV interface to users and provides a wide range of apps displayed in an easy-to-navigate tile format. Like the best Samsung TV, you can use Roku TV to catch content from major streaming platforms like Disney+, Netflix, YouTube, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and many others. Before deciding on this unit, check out our comparison of Roku TV vs Smart TVs.
Roku TV vs Other TVs
A Roku TV is similar to other smart TVs in that it lets you access internet-based content, like movies, TV shows, and games, through your TV. The difference is in terms of the operating system and interface. Unlike Android and Google TV, the interface on a Roku TV uses a simple tile layout to display all your apps and lets you customize it too. That said, you can find Roku TV on TCL TV models and Hisense TVs. Check out our TCL 43S425 review for a great affordable Roku TV option.
Roku refers to its apps as channels, and you will find over 3,000 channels on it, like Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, Crunchyroll, and much more. It also has many free streaming services, such as Pluto TV and The Roku Channel, which is Roku’s ad-supported streaming service. If you know how to turn off subtitles on a TV, you may have to do that with these services as well, if you do not wish to use that feature.
There is a big difference between Roku TV and Android or Google TV when it comes to screen mirroring. While the latter two have built-in Chromecast support to cast images and videos from your phone to the TV, Roku TV doesn’t have Chromecast. It utilizes Miracast technology, but this is compatible only with limited devices and lacks Chromecast’s versatility. You can check out our TCL 4 Series Review for a great smart TV option.
How Roku TV Works
Fundamentally, a Roku TV works the same as other smart TVs — it transforms electrical signals into pictures and sounds and displays them on a screen. The operating system allows you to stream internet-based content, so it won’t be necessary to connect streaming devices, like the Amazon Fire Stick or Apple TV 4K. But just like your smartphone and laptop, Roku TVs will need Wi-Fi networks to operate. It may be hard to believe, but it wasn’t too long ago that some TVs were still using analog signals to broadcast to TVs. Thanks to that transition, we now have much more advanced offerings like smart TVs.
It isn’t difficult to understand how to get started with the Roku TV. These TVs come with remote control and have a voice assistant to input requests, like playing videos and music, among other things. You can also pick up the Roku Voice Remote Pro if you want a remote control with advanced features. It is rechargeable, offers private listening, and has a lost remote finder so that you never waste time searching for the remote.
Why Should You Buy a Roku TV?
If you want to upgrade from your non-smart TV to a smart TV, a Roku model is a smart choice and an affordable one. Let’s look at some reasons why it is worth buying and why you will want to avoid it.
Are Roku TVs Worth Buying?
- Roku Applications: As mentioned earlier, the Roku store is packed with over 3,000 applications of all kinds. You will have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to streaming, gaming, and other entertainment and productivity apps.
- Affordable Options: Streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+ require a subscription fee, but Roku TV has plenty of free options, too, like The Roku Channel, Tubi, Pluto TV, and much more.
- Simple Interface: Roku TV has a neat and straightforward interface that is user-friendly and doesn’t take time to grasp.
- Private Listening: With private listening, you can watch all your TV content without disturbing those around you. You can plug your headphones or earphones into the remote and listen to everything playing through the TV.
Why a Roku TV May Not Be for You
- You Have a Streaming Device: If you have a streaming stick that adds smart functionality to your TV, then it doesn’t make sense to buy a Roku TV.
- No Chromecast Support: Roku TV supports Miracast mirroring technology, but its compatibility with other devices is quite limited compared to Chromecast.
- Voice Control Not Available on All Models: The voice assistant is not present on all Roku TV models; you will have to check availability before finalizing your model.
How Long Will a Roku TV Last?
How long a Roku smart TV will last depends on its quality, how well it is maintained, how much it is used, and most importantly, the type of display technology it houses.
You can expect between 50,000 to 60,000 hours of viewing from an LCD TV, which means it will last for nearly two decades. But a more accurate estimate would be far lesser since other parts of the TV may malfunction first.
On the other hand, LED TVs have a lifespan of 40,000 to 100,000 hours when used at maximum or near-maximum brightness. These TVs will likely work in good condition for 5 to 7 years and over a decade with moderate or low usage despite heavy use. But you will experience a decrease in picture quality over the years.
OLED TVs perform even better than their LED counterparts, but since the material used to create these panels is organic, they have a limited lifespan. You will notice a decline in picture quality after using these televisions at max settings for 8 to 10 years.
QLED TVs rely on quantum light-emitting diodes to massively enhance the colors and the brightness of pictures on the display. Since it isn’t based on organic materials, QLED TVs don’t degrade over time and provide excellent visual quality even after years of heavy use. At max settings, QLEDs can last between 7 to 10 years or longer without any loss in picture quality.
Another advantage of QLED displays is that they are burn-in-free, so they will offer you a consistent viewing experience over the long run. With other displays, if a static image is displayed on the screen for long periods, it can leave a permanent outline, known as burn-in.
How to Choose the Best Roku TV
Now that you have decided to choose the best Roku TV, it’s time to look at some factors to narrow down your selection. The resolution, display technology, and price range are a few of these factors. Let’s take a look at these and more below.
Roku TV Key Factors
1. What’s the Resolution?
Resolution is the number of pixels that compose the visuals on a TV display. The general rule is the more pixels, the higher the quality and sharpness of the pictures. So, you might be interested in perusing our list of high-end 80-inch TVs.
With standard HD (720p resolution), you get 921,600 pixels, which increases to 2 million with Full HD (1080p resolution). However, with a 4K TV, you are looking at 8 million pixels, which is a colossal upgrade in image quality from Full HD.
You will also find TVs with 8K resolution now in the market, but you won’t find them in screen sizes below 65 inches. Since there is virtually no 8K content to stream currently, it may be best to skip these for now. If you have a smaller space to fit a TV into, you might want to consider smaller sizes as low as 32 inches.
2. What Display Technology Does It Have?
You will find four display technologies on the TV market — LCD, LED, OLED, and QLED.
LCD is short for liquid crystal display. These displays use fluorescent tubes to produce light. Compared to LED, OLED, and QLED displays, the picture quality on these is pretty low, which is why they are amongst the least expensive options.
LED technology (light-emitting diodes) also uses a liquid crystal display, but it uses light-emitting diodes to create light. This gives LED TVs superior picture quality and sharper images compared to standard LCDs.
With an OLED TV (organic light-emitting diode), the display uses a sheet of organic LEDs with subpixels that produce their own light. This results in deeper blacks, incredible image contrast, and incredible picture quality that maintains its sharpness even when viewed from an angle.
QLED (Quantum-dot LED) TVs are traditional LCD panels that are lit by LEDs. A quantum dot layer fills the space between the LCD panel and the backlight. QLED displays are brighter than OLEDs and are ideal for sunny rooms with a lot of ambient light. But generally, their picture quality isn’t as good as an OLED TV’s.
3. What Is the Refresh Rate?
The refresh rate refers to how many times per second a picture is refreshed on the screen. Measured in Hertz, the standard refresh rate on most televisions is 60 Hz (60 times per second).
A 60 Hz refresh rate is acceptable if you are watching something basic on the TV. But for fast-paced sports programs and high-octane action sequences with lots of visual elements, a 60 Hz refresh rate can make the visuals look blurry. TVs with higher refresh rates of 120 Hz or 240 Hz will provide you with smooth visuals when watching action films, sports matches, and playing video games. There are also some models that feature variable refresh rates, where the TV will automatically adjust the refresh rate to ensure excellent picture quality.
4. Does It Support HDR?
HDR stands for high-dynamic range, and it enables a TV to produce a wide range of colors that lead to more accurate visuals than what is seen on non-HDR TVs. Without HDR, the TV will not produce specific colors, and the pictures will lack accuracy. Although HDR is supported across LCD, LED, OLED, and QLED screens, it is only available on 4K displays.
5. How Many HDMI Ports?
How many ports you need depends on how you use your TV and how many devices you plan to connect to it. You can’t add HDMI ports, so picking a TV with enough ports for all your needs is wise.
For gamers with consoles, you will need HDMI ports to connect your devices (PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox) and the sound system. It will also help to find models that support HDMI 2.1 for a brilliant large-screen gaming experience and low input lag.
6. What’s Your Budget?
You can easily find Roku TVs available at a reasonable price, but the cost of these TVs varies across a wide price range. On sale, you can find a Roku TV for as low as $99, but its features will be limited too.
On the upper end, they can go as high as $3000 and will have larger screen sizes, advanced smart TV features, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and stunning display technology with 4K and HDR support.