Roku R4 Select Series 43R4E5CA 43"

The Roku Select Series 43R4E5CA has a 4.9/5 rating from 1,766 reviews, making it one of the most-loved budget TVs in our database. But its 220 nits peak brightness lands it in the 1st percentile for picture quality, which is rough. Great for streaming in a dim room, bad for bright spaces or HDR enthusiasts.

Let's talk about that 220 nits peak brightness, because it's the number that defines this TV. Our database ranks it in the 1st percentile for picture quality, which is a polite way of saying it's one of the worst we've seen in this category. In a dim bedroom or dorm, it's fine. In a sunny living room, you'll be squinting. The Direct LED backlight keeps things even, but HDR10 support is more of a checkbox than a feature at this brightness level.

On the flip side, the connectivity story is solid. Four HDMI ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth put it in the 80th percentile for connectivity, which is well above average for a budget set. The 60Hz panel and HDMI 2.1 port are fine for casual gaming, though the 44th percentile gaming score tells you this isn't a competitive setup. Audio lands at the 72nd percentile, which is respectable for built-in speakers, and the eARC port means you can easily add a soundbar later.

Stacked against the TCL QM6K Series 55QM6K or the Hisense U6 Series 65U65QF, this Roku gets outclassed on picture quality in every measurable way. Those sets bring mini-LED backlights and significantly higher brightness, while the 43R4E5CA sits at 220 nits and a Direct LED panel. The Sony BRAVIA 2 II K65S20M2 and Samsung Neo QLED QN65QN70FAFXZA are in a completely different league, though they're also in a completely different price bracket. Where the Roku holds its own is simplicity and software. The Roku OS is arguably the easiest smart TV interface to live with, and the 4.9/5 customer rating suggests that for people who just want to stream without fuss, this TV delivers. The LG QNED 65QNED82AUA offers better picture tech, but if you're comparing 43-inch budget options, the Roku's connectivity and audio scores are competitive.

We can't give you a price per performance ratio here because the listing data shows CAD 200 across 2 Canadian listings, but no consistent price point for comparison. What we can say is that Roku's Select Series has always positioned itself as the budget-friendly entry point, and the feature set here supports that. You're getting solid connectivity, a genuinely good smart platform, and decent audio in a package that skimps on the panel itself. If you find this under CAD 250, it's a reasonable deal for a bedroom or secondary screen. Above that, you're paying for the Roku name more than the picture.

The Roku Select Series 43R4E5CA is a 43-inch 4K LED TV that nails the basics and skips the frills. At 220 nits peak brightness, it's not going to win any HDR showcases, and our database puts its picture quality dead last among comparable sets. But here's the thing: 1,766 buyers gave it a 4.9 out of 5, which lands it in the absolute top tier for social proof. People genuinely like this TV.

What you're getting is a straightforward streaming machine. Roku's interface is the star here, with Alexa, Google Assistant, and AirPlay support baked in. The 2.1 channel audio with Dolby Atmos and eARC is a nice touch for a budget panel, and four HDMI ports plus Ethernet give it connectivity that punches above its weight class. Just don't expect it to light up a bright room.

If you care about picture quality at all, skip this one. The 220 nits peak brightness is a dealbreaker for anyone who watches TV in a bright room or wants HDR content to actually look like HDR. Our database ranks it in the 1st percentile for picture quality, which means nearly every other 43 to 49 inch TV we've tested performs better. Gamers looking for smooth motion should also look elsewhere, as the 60Hz panel and 44th percentile gaming score won't satisfy anyone used to higher refresh rates. And if you're sensitive to audio quality, the mixed reviews on the built-in speakers suggest you'll want a soundbar from day one.

The Roku Select Series 43R4E5CA is a case study in knowing what you're buying. The 1st percentile picture quality is a real limitation, and 220 nits means HDR is essentially decorative. But the 100th percentile social proof tells a different story: real buyers, 1,766 of them, are overwhelmingly happy with this TV. If you need a bedroom screen, a dorm TV, or a secondary set where streaming ease matters more than peak brightness, this is a solid pick. If picture quality is your priority, look elsewhere and spend more.