TCL 40S325 40"

The TCL 40S325 is a basic 1080p Roku TV that's fine for casual streaming in small spaces. Its best feature is the Roku interface, but the audio is the worst we've seen and the display is mediocre. At $266, it's only worth it if you need something small and simple.

The 1080p direct-lit LED panel delivers a decent picture for casual viewing, but it lands in the bottom third for display quality. Colors are fine in a bright room, but don't expect deep blacks or any real HDR punch, the HDR score is near the bottom of the charts. Gaming is rough too, with a 60Hz panel and no gaming features to speak of. The 5W speakers are a real letdown, dead last in our audio rankings. You'll want a soundbar.

Stacked against the LG QNED 65QNED85AUA or the Hisense U7 Series 65U75QG, this TCL looks ancient. Those sets offer 4K, real HDR, and gaming features this 40S325 can't touch. Even the Roku Pro Series 55R8C5, which shares the same smart platform, delivers a much better picture and sound. The TCL's only real advantage is size and price, it's small and cheap. If you want a big-screen experience, look elsewhere.

At around $266 USD, this TV is cheap, but it's also old. You're paying for the Roku experience and a reliable brand name, not picture quality. For a bedroom or a kid's room, it's fine. But if you can stretch your budget a bit, you'll find 4K sets with better panels and audio for not much more. The value here depends entirely on how low your expectations are.

The TCL 40S325 is a 40-inch 1080p Roku TV from 2019 that still shows up in bedrooms and kitchens. It's cheap, simple, and gets the job done if you just want something to stream on. The Roku interface is the real star here, easy to navigate and packed with apps.

But this is a budget set through and through. The display, audio, and gaming scores all sit near the bottom of our database. If you're expecting punchy HDR or smooth gaming, this isn't the TV for you. It's a basic screen for basic needs.

Skip this if you want a main living room TV. The 1080p panel, terrible audio, and lack of HDR or gaming features make it a poor fit for movie nights or console gaming. If you need something bigger than 40 inches or want 4K, look at the Hisense U7 or Roku Pro Series instead.

Buy this if you need a small, cheap TV for a bedroom, kitchen, or guest room and you love the Roku interface. It's reliable and easy to use. But if you care about picture quality, gaming, or audio, skip it. This is a utility TV, not a centerpiece.