TCL 4K Smart LED Roku TV, 55-Inch
Last updated date: January 21, 2020
DWYM Score
Why Trust DWYM?
DWYM is your trusted product review source. Along with our in-house experts, our team analyzes thousands of product reviews from the most trusted websites. We then create one easy-to-understand review. Learn more.
We looked at the top 4K TVs and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best 4K TV you should buy.
Editor's Note January 21, 2020:
Checkout The Best 4K TV for a detailed review of all the top 4k tvs.
Overall Take
The Roku interface on the TCL 4K Smart LED Roku TV, 55-Inch is one of the most intuitive and user-friendly software that you'll find in a smart TV. The direct-lit LED display is bright and colorful as well, providing you with wonderful colors.
In our analysis of 84 expert reviews, the TCL TCL 4K Smart LED Roku TV, 55-Inch placed 4th when we looked at the top 20 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
From The Manufacturer
TCL, one of the world's largest TV manufacturers in the world and America’s fastest growing TV brand, bring the latest in 4K technology and design. We've simplified the 4K Ultra HD TV so you can instantly enjoy endless entertainment. With compatibility, choose from more than 5, 000 streaming channels that feature 450, 000 movies and TV episodes plus live sports, news, music, kids and family, food, science and tech, fitness, foreign language and so much more.Features: Electronics: 4K ultra high definition, smart tv, built in ROKU streaming, streaming capability. The standby power consumption is less than 0.5 watts
Our Expert Consultant
Editor-in-chief of High Speed Experts
Patrick Ward is the editor-in-chief of High Speed Experts, a broadband connectivity-, search engine- and IT-industry education blog that empowers consumers by open-sourcing information about tech services. He earned his bachelor’s degree in commerce with an emphasis on communications at the University of Sydney. His expertise spans the digital, emerging tech and telecommunications fields.
Overall Product Rankings
1. TOSHIBA 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV, 50-Inch
2. INSIGNIA 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV, 43-Inch
3. Samsung Flat 4K 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV, 65-Inch
4. TCL 4K Smart LED Roku TV, 55-Inch
5. Samsung Curved 7 Series 4K Smart TV, 65-Inch
6. LG 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2018 Model)
7. TCL 55″ 4K UHD Roku Smart LED TV (2018)
8. Samsung 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart QLED TV (2017 Model)
9. VIZIO 75″ E-Series 4K UHD Smart LED TV (2018)
10. TCL 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV
11. Sony 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV
12. TCL 55-Inch 4K Smart LED TV
13. LG 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TV
14. TCL 49S405 49-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2017 Model)
15. Vizio 65-Inch LED TV
16. LG 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TV
17. Sony 60-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV
18. VIZIO 40-Inch LED Smart TV
19. Sharp 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD LED Smart HDTV
20. Sharp 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD LED Smart HDTV
An Overview On 4K TVs
Televisions have likely come a long way since the last time you were in the market for a new screen. TVs have followed the typical tech trajectory of slimming down and dropping weight while increasing screen sizes. Even if your current TV is only a couple years old, technology has skyrocketed in that time to produce incredible visual effects. That’s largely due to the introduction of 4K TVs. These 4K TVs bring along crisper, brighter and more colorful picture quality than ever before.
There are truly outstanding 4K TVs available with four times the amount of pixels as their 1080p predecessors. On top of that, they boast the latest and greatest screen technology. All of that adds up to the ultimate in viewing experiences, no matter what you choose to watch. Quite frankly, you’ve never seen your favorite shows or anything from around the world so vividly from the comfort of your couch.
But all these new and improved features can make choosing a new TV complex and confusing. There are many new numbers and acronyms in the descriptions that can sound like a foreign language to a new buyer. However, armed and ready with a bit of knowledge and a few tools of the trade, you can make an informed purchase and find the best 4K TV for you.
One of the first factors to consider is size. Measure and understand how much space you have for your TV. You’re more likely to mount a 4K TV on your wall than set it on a console, but some models have legs and can sit on a stand. It’s worth noting, these legs are generally at the outer edges of the TV, instead of in the center, affecting the overall dimensions of the stand. Additionally, TVs are measured diagonally, so take that into consideration when you assess your space and size needs.
“If you take away one thing from this guide, it’s that size matters,” Patrick Ward, editor-in-chief of the blog High Speed Experts, says. “Specifically, when buying a 4K TV, don’t hold back. The whole reason for getting a 4K TV is that you value picture and audio quality — that cinematic experience can only be achieved with a massive 4K TV.”
Now, the standard resolution is 4K Ultra HD, which offers four times the pixel resolution as previous 1080p HD. That means crisper, more detailed images. It also lets you sit closer to larger TVs without the usual image degradation.
Pixels alone aren’t responsible for the wow factor that comes with 4K TVs. For that, you need to dive into the additional differentiating acronyms. When you combine screen technology like High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG), that’s when those extra pixels really pop.
What’s more, these 4K TVs have all the features you need seamlessly integrated. They are smart TVs. That means there are no more gadgets or cords required to connect to apps, streaming services and more. It’s all in one.
The latest and greatest technology doesn’t always come cheap. While there are some excellent budget-friendly buys in the top 4K TVs, there are also spendier versions. The budget-friendly models start under $500. Then, you can quickly add on more fancy features that increase the price. The splurge level pricing for the biggest and best can be in the range of $2,000 for a 65-inch model. At that price, the premium TVs deliver much more than a standard TV viewing experience. In fact, some Samsung models include a new Ambient Mode, which displays decorative content, useful information, personal photos or background music to blend with and enhance your interior décor.
“What used to be a hefty chunk of change for folks, is now quite affordable for the majority of households,” Ward points out. “Don’t have all the cash upfront? Putting it on a payment plan can make the monthly repayments virtually unnoticeable.”
You can rest assured it’s a good time to upgrade your TV. There are always updates and new technology in the works, but the next big change to 8K resolution is still a ways off.
The 4K TV Buying Guide
- Remember to measure twice before selecting a new 4K TV. The screen measurements listed on TVs reflect the diagonal distance on the screen. The other measurement is the width of the TV, for sitting on a stand as well as hanging on the wall.
- The newest 4K TVs have four times the pixels of the previous 1080p TVs from a few years ago.
- There is new, advanced pixel technology in the works. However, it is a few years away still, so it’s a good time to upgrade to the latest and greatest 4K TVs available now.
- The larger the number of pixels, the closer you can sit to the TV and still see a crisp clear image.
- The new 4K TVs vary widely in price, so researching each of their distinguishing features could help you choose a more cost-friendly option.
- The official resolution for 4K TVs is 3,840 by 2,160, so they are just shy of truly 4,000. The simplified description is much more user-friendly, so it stuck.
Checkout Our Other Buying Guides
- The Robotic Vacuum Guide
- The Cordless Vacuums Guide
- The Electric Pressure Washer Guide
- The Gas Pressure Washer Guide
- The Air Mattress Guide
- The Pressure Washer Guide
- The Drone Guide
- The Electric Razor Guide
- The Convertible Car Seat Guide
- The Dyson Vacuum Guide
- The Infant Car Seat Guide
- The Dry Dog Food Guide
- The Carpet Cleaners Guide
- The Coffee Maker Guide
- The Air Fryer Guide