TCL S5-Series 43S551G 43"

Stop overthinking your cheap TV purchase. The TCL S5 nails the smart experience and HDR support for an absurdly low price. Just grab a soundbar and enjoy.

What surprised us most is how well this TV handles HDR content despite its budget backlight. It's in the 95th percentile for HDR support, which sounds like a stat nerd's dream, but in real life it means Netflix and Disney+ shows actually pop with decent color and contrast instead of looking like a washed-out mess. The smart platform is the real star here, landing in the 98th percentile. Google TV is snappy, intuitive, and doesn't lag during streaming. The 60Hz panel and middling gaming score mean it's not a powerhouse for a PS5, but casual gaming with ALLM feels responsive enough. The audio is a weak spot, those 10W speakers are thin, but the Enhanced Dialogue Mode helps a bit for late-night watching.

The Hisense U7 Series is the obvious step-up if you want real gaming chops with a 120Hz panel and better brightness, but you'll pay a lot more for it. The Roku Plus Series is a direct competitor in the budget space, but we'd give the TCL the edge for its superior Google TV interface and Dolby Vision support. If you're considering a Samsung or LG in this size, you're likely spending more for a brand name without getting a meaningfully better picture at the entry level. For a small, smart 4K screen, the TCL is the smarter buy.

This is a no-brainer for the price. You're getting a feature set that usually costs significantly more, wrapped in a package that's easy to live with. The value is the entire story here, and it's a great one.

The TCL S5-Series 43S551G is the budget 4K TV to beat right now. It's not trying to be a home theater masterpiece, and that's exactly why it works so well. For a price that hovers around $200, you're getting a shockingly good smart TV experience with Dolby Vision and a Google TV interface that doesn't make you want to throw the remote. The one thing to know is this: if you need a small, affordable screen for a bedroom or apartment that just works brilliantly out of the box, stop scrolling. This is it. The picture won't blow your mind, but the overall package is so polished for the price that it's an easy recommendation.

If you're looking for a high-refresh-rate gaming monitor replacement or a bright, cinematic centerpiece for your main living room, this isn't it. Go get the Hisense U7 Series instead. The TCL's 60Hz panel and average brightness will leave serious gamers and home theater fans wanting more.

The TCL 43S551G is the definition of a great budget buy. It doesn't pretend to be a premium TV, and it nails the basics so well that you won't care. For a bedroom, a kid's playroom, or a first apartment, this is the one to get. The smart platform is best-in-class, HDR support is a genuine treat, and the price makes it an absolute steal. Just budget an extra fifty bucks for a basic soundbar, and you'll be all set.