Roku Select Series 65R5D5 65"

The Roku 65R5D5 nails the smart TV experience with an 85th percentile platform ranking, but its 36th percentile picture quality is a dealbreaker for anyone who cares about image quality. The price swings from $273 to $560, and it's only worth considering at the very bottom of that range. For most buyers, the TCL QM7K or Hisense U7 offer far better picture performance for similar money.

Let's talk about what this TV does well. The Roku smart platform is a genuine standout, ranking in the 85th percentile. Apps launch fast, the interface is dead simple, and you get automatic updates that keep things fresh. The display itself is a 65-inch 4K QLED with a direct-lit backlight, and its 86th percentile ranking means it gets plenty bright and handles reflections well. HDR support is solid too, with HDR10+ and HLG on board, landing in the 85th percentile. But here's the catch: picture quality overall is a weak spot at the 36th percentile. That direct-lit backlight, while bright, can't compete with full-array local dimming for contrast. Blacks look more gray than inky, and color accuracy out of the box is just okay. Gaming sits right at the middle of the pack, 52nd percentile, with a 60Hz panel and VRR support. It'll work for casual gaming, but serious players will want a 120Hz screen. Audio is a 75th percentile performer, which is above average for built-in TV speakers, and Dolby Atmos support is a nice bonus, but a soundbar is still a smart upgrade.

Stacked against the competition, the Roku 65R5D5 fights an uphill battle. The TCL QM7K Series and Hisense U7 Series both bring mini-LED backlights and 120Hz panels to the table, delivering far better contrast and gaming performance for not much more money. The Sony BRAVIA 5 and Samsung QN85D outclass it in picture processing and color accuracy, though they'll cost you more. Even the LG C5 OLED, while pricier, is in a completely different league for picture quality. The Roku's one ace is its smart platform, which is genuinely more pleasant to use than Tizen or webOS. But a great interface can't fix mediocre picture quality. If you're cross-shopping, the TCL and Hisense are the ones to beat for value, while the Sony and Samsung are the picks for picture purists.

Value is where this TV gets interesting. The price spread is wild, from $273 to $560 across vendors. At the low end, you're getting a 65-inch QLED with a top-tier smart platform for less than some 55-inch models. That's a solid deal if you prioritize screen size and ease of use over picture perfection. But at $560, you're creeping into territory where competitors offer full-array local dimming and 120Hz panels. If you can snag this at the lower end of that range, it's a reasonable buy. Just don't pay full price.

The Roku Select Series 65R5D5 lands in a weird spot. Its smart TV platform and display specs rank in the 85th and 86th percentiles in our database, which sounds great on paper. You're getting a massive 65-inch QLED screen with a slick Roku interface for a price that bounces between $273 and $560. But the picture quality score tells a different story, sitting at a disappointing 36th percentile. This is a TV that looks good in a bright room but struggles to deliver the deep contrast and accuracy you'd expect from a QLED panel.

Anyone who cares about picture quality should look elsewhere. The 36th percentile picture score is the big red flag here. If you watch a lot of movies in a dark room, the lack of local dimming will drive you nuts. Gamers who want 120Hz support for a PS5 or Xbox Series X should also skip this one. And if you're shopping at the $560 end of the price range, you're overpaying for what you get. The TCL QM7K and Hisense U7 are simply better TVs for the money.

The Roku Select Series 65R5D5 is a TV that looks better on a spec sheet than it does in your living room. The smart platform is a joy to use, and the screen gets bright enough for daytime viewing. But the picture quality just doesn't hold up against the competition, and that's the whole point of a TV. If you find it at the $273 end of the price spectrum and you just want a big, easy-to-use screen for casual streaming, it's not a bad choice. For everyone else, there are better options that don't cost much more.