TCL S3 Class 32S350G 32"

A dirt-cheap 32-inch TV with a smart interface that punches way above its weight. The picture is just fine, but Google TV on a sub-$150 set is the real win here.

The smart TV performance is what really caught us off guard. This thing sits in the 90th percentile for smart features in our database, which is wild for a budget 32-inch TV. Google TV boots up fast, apps load without the usual budget-TV stutter, and the voice remote actually works the first time you press the button. The picture quality is a different story. It's a 1080p Direct LED panel with no local dimming, so you're getting solid colors and decent contrast for the price, but don't expect deep blacks or HDR that actually pops. The HDR compatibility is there on paper, but the 8W speakers and 60Hz panel remind you this is a basic set. Gaming lands in the 17th percentile, so it's fine for casual Switch sessions but nothing more serious.

The TCL 32S350G doesn't have many direct competitors at this size and price, but if you're cross-shopping, the Roku Plus Series 55R6C7 gives you a bigger 4K screen with a similarly clean smart interface, though you'll pay more. The Hisense QD7 Series 55QD7QF steps up to QLED for better color volume, but again, you're jumping up in size and price. If you absolutely need better viewing angles and audio, the LG QNED 86QNED82AUA is a solid step up, but it's a completely different class of TV. For a no-fuss 32-inch smart TV, the TCL is basically the default pick.

For a TV that can be found under $150, this is an easy yes. The value proposition is simple: you're paying for a surprisingly good smart platform attached to a perfectly adequate 1080p screen. The price spread across vendors is wild, from $100 to over $3000, so just don't be the person who pays the high end of that range. Grab it from Best Buy at the low end and call it a day.

The TCL 32S350G is the little TV that could. It's a 32-inch 1080p set that costs next to nothing and somehow runs Google TV smoother than some TVs that cost three times as much. If you need a small screen for a kitchen, dorm room, or guest bedroom and you don't want to deal with a sluggish smart interface, this is the one to get. The picture won't blow you away, but it's perfectly watchable, and the built-in Chromecast means you can fling content from your phone without thinking twice.

If you're looking for a living room centerpiece with great HDR and wide viewing angles, this isn't it. Go get a larger QLED or OLED instead. This is a bedroom or kitchen TV, and it's perfectly happy in that role.

Buy it if you need a small, cheap smart TV that won't make you want to throw the remote at the wall. The Google TV interface is the star here, and it's genuinely pleasant to use. Just keep your expectations in check for picture quality and audio, and maybe grab a soundbar if you're using it in anything bigger than a bedroom.