Customer Ratings & Reviews

I’ve been using the new TCL 43-inch S55LR Series 4K Roku TV for over a week now and overall I’m really happy with it. This is a very affordable television that gives you a good 4K picture with Roku built right in, tons of free content and a really simple setup. For a bedroom, kitchen, dining area, guest room or anywhere you don’t necessarily need a huge premium television, I think this is a great option. Getting everything out of the box and set up was super easy. The TV is extremely lightweight at only around 12 pounds, so one person should be able to manage it without much trouble, depending on your own limitations of course. Everything was well protected with the normal plastic and protective wrapping, which is always fun to peel off. If you’re using the included stand, you just lay the TV screen-down on a soft surface, attach the two plastic legs with the included screws and a screwdriver and you’re basically ready to go. It can also be wall mounted if you prefer. The TV definitely feels lightweight, but I wouldn’t call it flimsy at all. The design is simple and modern with a really thin bezel around the outside. The actual picture doesn’t extend completely to that bezel, there is still a small black border around the top and sides, but it’s nothing that bothers me or that I really notice while watching TV. For future models I wish TCL would include some type of center pedestal stand on a TV this size, instead of the legs. Because it’s so light and relatively small, I think being able to swivel or pivot it a little would make it even more useful in a kitchen or dining room where people may be watching from different areas. Of course you can always get a swiveling wall mount or aftermarket stand, but I’d love to see that built into future models. I really like the placement of the connections. Everything is easy to access from the side instead of having to reach underneath the TV and blindly feel around for a port. There are three HDMI inputs, including eARC, along with the other connections you would expect from a modern smart TV. Setting up Roku was also very easy. I didn’t already have a Roku account, so I went through the entire setup process, created an account and selected some of the apps and services I use. The only part I didn’t enjoy was entering passwords using the remote and on-screen keyboard. It works, but it’s slow and really easy to make a mistake because of the input delay when navigating the characters. I wish there had been a QR code or some easier way to enter everything through my phone during every part of setup. Thankfully, this is mostly just something you deal with when initially signing into your apps. The Roku interface itself is excellent. It’s very easy to understand, quick to navigate and really geared towards helping you find something to watch. I especially like the For You section. It gives you personalized recommendations, a Continue Watching section, a save list and different popular or trending content. If you’re sitting there flipping around because you have no idea what you want to watch, Roku does a really good job helping you discover something. The Streaming Store is also nice because it introduces you to apps and services you might not already know about. I’ve already found a few interesting apps when browsing that section, that I probably wouldn’t have searched for on my own, including a game app. There is also an entire sports section for people who are into sports. One of my favorite things about having Roku built into the TV is the amount of free content. There are hundreds of live streaming channels available without having to pay for another subscription. You can basically flip through channels the old school way and find news, shows, movies and other programming. There are also options to add paid services and premium channels if you want them. You could honestly buy this TV, connect it to the internet and have a lot to watch without immediately signing up for another monthly subscription. Picture quality is good for the price. When I first turned the TV on I thought the screen looked a little dim, but after finding the picture settings and increasing the brightness I was much happier with it. There is actually a dedicated button on the remote that makes getting into those settings while watching content very easy. There are multiple picture modes and HDR options, and I’ve found that Standard actually looks really good for most things. Bright mode gives it a little extra boost when needed. This obviously isn’t a premium OLED or Mini-LED television, and really dark scenes can still look a little dark, but overall the 4K picture is sharp, colorful and looks really nice when you’re sitting directly in front of it. Viewing angles could be better. As you move farther off to the side, the picture does start losing some of its quality fairly quickly. Straight on though, I’m very happy with it. I also haven’t noticed any distracting motion blur during normal viewing. The built-in speakers aren’t bad either. You aren’t going to get thumping bass or the clarity and fullness you would get from a good soundbar, but for everyday television watching they get the job done. I’ve definitely heard worse speakers built into TVs. I really like the Roku remote. It’s responsive when surfing the apps, fits comfortably in my hand and the buttons have a nice shape and feel. I especially like having the volume and mute controls along the side where they’re very easy to reach. Overall, I think the TCL S55LR is a really good value. It’s lightweight, extremely easy to set up, has a good 4K picture, a very user friendly Roku interface and gives you access to a huge amount of free and paid content. It’s not trying to compete with a high-end premium television, but for the price I think you get a lot. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable 43-inch smart TV with plenty of features and a really easy way to find something to watch.

BACKGROUND: I have been intending to replace an eight-year-old 720P 39” HDTV in our daughter’s bedroom with one that had at least three HDMI inputs. Specifically, one with HDMI-eARC for a future soundbar along with the Roku platform. Goal being an upgraded HDTV that was above current entry-level models but below many higher priced mid-range offerings. This new TCL 43” S55LR is a perfect match for my requirements. A cost-effective HDTV with features far surpassing “entry level” models. PICTURE QUALITY: The sheer amount of technology contained in the S55LR is very impressive for the current price-point. The 4K display is overall visually stunning, and a noticeable step up from our 720P TV it is replacing. Add in the Direct Lit Backlight, Motion Rate 240, HDR 10+, 3 HDMI inputs (one eARC), Dual Band WiFi 5, and you have a better than average bedroom HDTV. And I believe the S55LR series could actually be a decent primary HDTV option for those with smaller family rooms and/or are on a budget (with screens sizes up to 85-inches). ROKU PLATFORM: In our home our primary media service is old-school AT&T U-verse cable-boxes that are no longer a cost-effective solution. And we are in the process of updating our HDTVs to include alternate streaming options with the intention of eliminating U-verse in the near future. Currently, our TCL 40Q35F HDTV has built-in Fire TV (used in our finished attic), another TCL 55QM7L is a Google TV (used in our family room), and I use Roku streaming devices with our non-smart Best Buy house branded HDTVs (in other bedrooms). Out of those three options, ROKU wins out for its simplicity setting up, intuitive operation, and numerous streaming service options that can be downloaded if not already available by default. Roku may not be the flashiest feature rich platform, but it is a stable and functional platform that meets all of our streaming requirements. Now I will acknowledge if you are Amazon Prime customer, then Fire TV could be a better Amazon ecosystem option. Similarly, if all of your IoT devices are Android based, then Google TV might be your first TV choice for Android compatibility that can also offer advance AI options. Recognize the current line of TCL HDTVs offer all three platforms. Therefore, I would recommend you decide Fire-Google-Roku first, then choose the TCL HDTV with the platform that matches your requirements. SETUP: Configuring for Wi-Fi was easy, quick, and without connectivity issues. Once connected, it performed an expected system update. And because we already have a ROKU account, configuring the S55LR was also painless. I only had to acknowledged I had a ROKU account, then I chose to use a laptop computer to log into the provided URL site, entered a code displayed on the HDTV, and my Roku account credentials were transferred to this device. I then entered the ROKU TV setup to tweak the picture and sound setting to my preferences. Finally, selected the default source input (Cable TV – HDMI-1) to access when powering on bypassing the default Roku display to immediately access U-Verse. Sweet! Now I normally have to program my AT&T U-verse remotes to power on/off and control the volume up/down on new TVs, but I did not have to with this TV. My U-verse remote functioned just fine controlling power and volume. Coincidence, I just don’t know? SPEAKERS: For bedroom use, the included stereo speaker output is more than acceptable. Dialogue vocals are clear and understandable, plus it can get very loud in our 22’x18’x8’ bedroom. Adding a soundbar is not necessary but using one will contribute to a more immersive soundstage if you primarily watch action movies over sitcoms and/or news channels. STAND: The included two legs are easy to install (4 screws) and will provide a stable mount as long as your table or stand is sufficiently wide. But I always use an aftermarket pedestal swivel stand for our HDTVs for their additional viewing flexibility especially on smaller table options. The VESA 200mm x 200mm mounting holes are towards the lower portion of the rear of the HDTV allowing for a raised viewing option. RATING: After using the TCL 43” S55LR HDTV for the past four days, I can honestly state it earned itself a solid 5-Star Rating for ease of setup, exceptional picture quality, and at a price-point that is very respectable. And if you can catch it on sale, then add another Star. .

This is my first TCL television, and regardless of the price range, it is a great set! This TV replaced an older model I had in the bedroom. The older model, over time, started to fill up on memory and consistently slow down with new apps. Even after upgrades, it was failing. I was hesitant about using the Roku OS because of past experiences I've had with the boxes. The Roku OS and the Roku boxes from the past are two different experiences. I thoroughly enjoy using the Roku TV experience built into the TCL. We'll start there. Searching through content is fluid, has great customization, and has fun backgrounds that enhance the viewing experience and make it rather enjoyable. Integration of all the live features is just as good as any other OS I've used, and for my family, it is very easy to navigate. I didn't notice any hiccups or any issues with going through and searching. The storefront for Roku is just as robust as anything Amazon or Google can offer, so I didn't feel shorted in that area either. Every app I needed was ready to go without the need to sideload. If you're hesitant because it is outside of the two giants, Google and Amazon, don't be. Your experience won't be lessened. In terms of how this TV looks in general, I really do like the look of the picture and the technology that TCL instills. Whereas some of my TVs are very bright and vibrant, TCL plays on the shadows of the images on screen, and the colors are much more natural. I went through a couple of 4K content films as well as some older upscaled content. They all presented a great-looking image with minimal artifacts and a great-looking picture in light and darkness. It also does a great job of eliminating the soap opera effect and making the picture look truly natural, if that's what you're going for. There is a setting for it. Another note is that HDR10 content also gives you a notification and looks great as well. Never once did I look at this picture and say, "Yes, this is a budget TV." It looks great. In terms of input, one thing that does show its range is the 4K ports. There are three, which is great, but they're only relegated to 60 hertz. If you're looking to maximize gaming from current-generation systems that push above 60 hertz, you will miss out on some frame rates with this model. If you're just connecting up a Blu-ray player or using general streaming, you may not miss the higher frame rate. That being said, one of the ports, though, is the newer eARC port instead of a general ARC port, making connecting to most soundbars relatively easy. That's the extent of what I could tell you about this TV that may be relevant if you're considering it. It looks great, has great features, has a robust OS with plenty of options, and as long as you don't miss the extra frame rate, would fit into a typical viewing scenario that would use this size and type of television. This is a great television by TCL.

This TV is a great size and weight for what we needed, and seems to offer a lot for a budget TV. Its very lightweight, almost anyone can easily move this tv around or mount it, and setup was really just adding the 2 legs to it. It comes with 3 HDMI ports, one of them being eARC. I will say I do like the Roku TV system as I’ve used it in the past, but I am quite disappointed in it since the setup requires you to login to your Roku account before you can even user your TV! I’m not a fan of this and am a strong believer if you buy a TV it belongs to you and you can use it however you need without being tracked or registering your information. Aside from that, I will say using my phone to sign-in and add apps was a breeze, and the TV updated itself quickly. The sound on the TV is pretty good and gets at reasonably high levels for its size, even around the less than 50% range. The picture quality of this TV is what you’d expect, the colors are decent but not rich...almost like they’re lightly faded, but we have a high quality TV in our living room so my judgements are of a higher standard…even for a TV at this price point. I was watching a fast pace action 4k movie on it, and it seemed to hold its weight well when it came to the refresh rate. Nowhere near perfect, but the 240 MEMC appears to help. One of my favorite things to do is stream Youtube from my iPad to the TV. This worked quickly and flawlessly. The processor speed such as navigating and going through the Roku system is fast. Nothing worse than a lagging system when you’re trying to find something to put on quickly. I also have an older TCL with Roku in my office, and when we kept it in our bedroom the most annoying part was when the TV was OFF, a bright light would turn on at the bottom…not when the TV was ON, but OFF! When you’re in a pitch dark room ready to sleep, it’s a huge annoyance. This TV is much better, it’s a tiny dim white led light that should not be too disturbing. I’m not sure why TCL thinks we need a light on when the TV is off, but it is what it is. Lower power mode is on by default, so you’ll get some better picture quality by changing the settings. It has HDR 10+ which is great for added color accuracy on compatible streams and media. There is one unique feature I haven’t noticed on other TVs before, but there is a “Screen off” option. This leaves the sound on but turns the screen completely black. This is a really nice option if you like to leave night time sounds (ocean waves, rain, streams, etc..) without needing the backlight screen on…even in a pitch black background, you can still see a nice glow in the dark so this is a nice option. Overall, I think it’s a great value TV.

This is my first TCL and my first Roku TV so I am intrigued as to what it offers. The TCL 43” S55LR HDTV surprisingly only weights 12 pounds. Once it is out of the box, it will be the lightest carry you will deal up. It feels like every new TV is getting lighter and lighter. The TV comes with two legs to sit on a table or has VESA 200mm x 200mm mounting holes available and the screws come with the TV. The TV has three HDMI ports, a LAN ethernet port, and an optical out port, so if want to setup additional devices, you should be good to go. The final step in setting it up is to create a Roku account. You can use your laptop, smartphone or tablet to complete the process. Setting and connecting to Wi-Fi is very easy; no issues with the step-by-step directions on the TV. The majority of the apps that you already have subscriptions with are available. First thing I noticed instantly is the load speed; Apps load very quickly in comparison to the TVs I own with Firesticks. The TV remote is compact and it's the same size as Firestick remote, but the layout for the Roku remote isn't as cluttered as the volume and mute buttons are located on the side of the remote. The size of the 43 inch TV is perfect for a small bedroom, especially if it can be mounted up high to give a better viewing angle. And with the built-in Roku, you have access to at least 400 free digital channels, so hopefully you will find something to watch. The TCL 43” S55LR HDTV 4K with built-in Roku has impressed me and if the time comes for a new TV, I will definitely considered a TCL TV with a built-in Roku

This tv is perfect for our camper! Having the smart tv option was a game changer for us. Before, we had to have our Apple TV plugged in so we could stream since we had an older tv. Out of the box, this tv is SUPER light. We installed the feet and plugged it in. Within 8 minutes (after connecting to WiFi) we were watching tv. It took longer for me to input my WiFi password (combos of upper and lowercase will do that) than it did to start selecting and watching our favorite streaming apps. The tv automatically updated once we were connected to the internet which was nice. I really love the Roku platform. It’s so user friendly. The cute wallpapers are most definitely an added plus. It just makes it have that little extra to it when scrolling through all of your apps. The picture is super crisp and the colors are so vibrant! Having the 3 HDMI inputs was most definitely an added bonus! My kids love playing the plug and play mini Nintendo systems and before we only had 1 extra HDMI so this is so nice having the extra spots. The display options are so nice. You have a few different modes for brightness which is great especially if you have the tv in brighter settings. It allows you to also dim it down if you are in smaller settings like our camper. I have it on the normal mode vs brighter and it’s perfect! Overall, this tv is perfect for us. The price point is very attractive for the features you get with the tv. I’ve never had a TCL brand before and I will say, I’m very impressed so far with the factory sound quality, the picture and overall appearance of the tv.

While everyone seems to gravitate towards a BIGGER television, informed buyers know for comfortable viewing, the distance from the viewing position to the television should be the determining factor. Without going into the mathematics, a 43” 4K TV is best suited for smaller areas such as bedrooms or kitchens. The recommended minimum viewing distance is 3.6 ft with a recommended distance of 5.4 ft. If you’re going to be watching from more than 7 feet, the recommendation is to get a larger TV. This TCL 43” Class S55LR Series is a great buy at the price point. Aside from being a 4K screen, TV has an Auto Game Mode rating of 240 to smooth any distortions for fast-moving presentations like games, sports, and some movies. This is a ROKU TV, so aside from downloading apps from the ROKU store, you also have free access to over 500 live TV channels with a built-in channel guide. There are 3 HDMI inputs, including 1 eARC connection for better audio. Along with that, there is a USB input, a coaxial antenna input, and a wired Ethernet port on top of the wireless capability and a digital audio out. Roku includes their “simple” remote with no voice options, but that, along with Bluetooth pairing for a headset, is available through the Roku phone/tablet app. The stand is simple to install, and the setup is easy, and at 12.6 pounds it’s easy to move or mount via the 200 x 200 Vesa mount plate.

I like Roku TV's because they perform better and without problems often experienced with Roku adapted non-Roku TVs. NOTE: I can NOT provide picture of the TV since it is in our Delaware Condo and my official residence is in the State of Virginia (I am not in DE at this time).

Love the picture and sound quality... And the reception on the channels...

Upgrading from the 1080p TV in our camper to the TCL 43-inch S55LR was an immediate improvement. The jump to 4K resolution is noticeable, with a sharper, more detailed picture and better color that makes movies, sports, and everyday streaming look much better. The high-brightness LED backlight, HDR support, and 4K upscaling also help give older HD content a nice boost. For a smaller space like a camper, the 43-inch size feels like a great balance—large enough to enjoy from across the room without overwhelming the space. The biggest convenience for us, though, is having Roku built right into the TV. If you're already familiar with the Roku environment, setup is incredibly simple, and having all of our streaming apps and entertainment options in one place makes the TV especially easy to use while traveling. There are also plenty of connectivity options, including three HDMI inputs, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth personal audio, and support for voice control. One potential negative is during navigation of apps and Roku’s home screen it seems to be slightly delayed or laggy. After a few forced restarts and ensuring all updates were completed, there was still a slight navigation slow down. Full disclosure, our internet provided in our seasonal site is Starlink but speed tests confirmed it should not have been the root cause for delays in responsiveness with the TV. If you can get past this slight inconvenience this is a TON of tv for the price. For a camper, bedroom, office, or other space where you don't need a massive screen, this TCL is an excellent upgrade. The picture quality is a significant step up from 1080p, the built-in Roku platform is extremely convenient, and the built-in speakers provide ample output for a smaller space. Overall, it delivers a lot of TV and smart functionality without taking up much room, making it a great fit for our camper upgrade.

Received this TCL 43” S55LR Series 4K last week. Very nice! I have multiple 4K TVs of various brands and sizes in our house and I got this “small” one for mounting nest to a couple others for college and NFL football which is right around the corner. Perfect size for me for multi-screen viewing, though would also be ideal if alone in a small to medium sized room. Setting it up, the built-in Roku TV interface was very snappy and easy to set up (I have this interface on a few other TVs so easy for me to navigate). After the system updates app downloads to test out, YouTube TV looked perfect and fluid on all channels. Amazon Prime, Netflix and Max as well. Really, out of the box I thought it was pretty well set for my room lighting day or night. Very sharp and responsive! I love this for watching sports! Very smooth motion and super clear. Very good value for this beautiful TV and I look forward to using it for years!

This is my first TCL TV set. My immediate reaction was the UI was so much cleaner and easier to use than other brands. PROs • Easy to use user interface. I like that the tiles are laid out in a grid instead of a horizontal row. And I especially like that the currently selected app has a nice easy-to-see border so you know which app you’re about to launch. Other brands don’t make this obvious and I have often launched the wrong app. • Setup screen for entering wifi info also had a better functioning UI than other brands. For example, the password field by default did not hide what you’re typing. • Given that it does not have a keypad, the remote is quite usable with volume and mute key on the side. CONs • Image quality is ok but not as good as my other brand’s set at a similar price point. Vivid picture mode seems to work best, but even then, some of the details are soft. • Can’t seem to figure out how to move the app tiles around the Quick Access grid like the way the full app list. In the end, I simply turned off the Quick Access grid – thankfully, that was an option. • By far the biggest con is the bugginess when disengaging the private listening mode. I was really looking forward to being able to use the Roku phone app to listen to the audio on my AirPods. That part of it works fine. But when I stop streaming audio to my phone/AirPods, the sound on the TV speakers becomes echoey and the remote becomes laggy. It is simply unusable. The only fix is to unplug the TV to let it reset. As long as you are not expecting to use this for its private listening feature, it’s a fine TV for a spare room. I would not recommend it as your primary set, though.