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True Score Methodology v2.0

TCL 3 Series Review

Michael Iaboni Avatar
Michael Iaboni
Michael Iaboni Avatar
Michael Iaboni
Michael Iaboni is a Canadian Freelance Writer and Editor. He graduated from York University with a Degree in English and Creative Writing and then attended Queen’s University where he obtained a Professional Editing Standards Certificate. He is a member of Editor’s Canada and, in his spare time, enjoys reading, writing, soccer, and gaming.
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Updated Feb 7, 2024 12:57 PM

Published

True Score

True Score is an AI-powered algorithm of product tests and customer reviews.

80

Absolutely Fresh

78
3

Experts

87
15k

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

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3

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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.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The TCL 3 Series is the brand’s budget-level LCD TV released in 2019. Thanks to its excellent contrast ratio, it promises to provide a more streamlined TV and movie-watching experience over traditional budget-level LCD televisions. It’s a good TV for anyone who wants to watch TV with excellent color accuracy without a hefty price tag attached.

The TCL 3 series boasts a 1080P display, good out-of-the-box color accuracy, and because it’s a Roku TV, it provides access to a wide variety of streaming apps. Keep reading our TCL 3 Series review to learn more about what top experts said, and don’t forget to check out the highest rated TVs available right now.

Consensus

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.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Low Input Lag
  • Excellent Color Accuracy
  • Good Selection of Apps
  • Balanced Soundstage

Reason to Avoid

  • No HDR
  • Poor Peak Brightness
  • No 4K Support
  • Bad Motion Handling
  • Mediocre Viewing Angles

TCL 3 Series Specs

Backlight TypeBacklight TypeDirect Lit
Display TypeLED
HDMI Inputs3
HDR Formatn/a
LED Panel TypeLED Panel TypeVA
Max Resolution1280 x 720
Refresh Rate60 Hz
Screen size32"
Smart PlatformSmart PlatformRoku TV
Sync TechnologySync Technologyn/a
VRRVRRn/a

All Specs

Test Results

These are the most important criteria to test for TVs based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.

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)0
Color Gamut % (BT.2020)0
Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB)0
Color Gamut % (BT.709)0
Contrast Ratio (x:1)3,333
SDR Brightness (nits)182
HDR Brightness (nits)0
Input Lag (ms)19.6
Response Time (ms)16
Color Washout (Degrees)67
Color Shift (Degrees)26
Brightness Loss (Degrees)68
Reflections (%)5.2
Low-Freq Extension (Hz)169.51
Freq Response StdDev @ 70db4.56
Freq Response StdDev @ 80db4.49
Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db0.485
Intermodulation Distortion @80db6.58
EOTF (600 nit delta)0
EOTF (1000 nit delta)0
EOTF (4000 nit delta)0

All Tests

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    Score Card

    E

    Expert Score

    78

    *.75

    We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

    C

    Customer Score

    87

    *.25

    We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

    True Score

    80

    Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

    Expert Scores

    Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.

    • Rtings
      101.4

      Category Trust Rating

      52
      The TCL 3 Series is a poor all-around TV. It’s limited to a 720p resolution,… Read More

      By:

      Jon L. Jacobi
    • Tom’s Guide
      79.85

      Category Trust Rating

      70
      The TCL 3 Series 32-inch Roku TV (32S327) is a good, cheap Roku TV. This… Read More

      By:

      Shaqil Hossain
    • Techhive
      47.1

      Category Trust Rating

      70
      TCL has provided all the Internet and streaming smarts, plus more inputs and outputs than… Read More

      By:

      Kate Kozuch

    Customer Scores