TCL 4-Series 50S451 50"

The TCL 50S451 is a cheap 50-inch 4K TV with an excellent Roku smart platform and surprisingly good connectivity. Picture quality is below average, so don't expect much from HDR or dark scenes. Worth it if you want a big streaming screen on a tight budget.

The 4K panel is fine for everyday content but nothing special. HDR support is there on paper with HDR10 and HLG, but at the 64th percentile for HDR and 36th for picture quality, don't expect eye-searing highlights or deep, inky blacks. This is an edge-lit LED panel, so contrast and black levels are middle of the road at best. Gaming is a 60Hz affair with HDMI 2.1 ports, but that's more about connectivity than performance. The 45th percentile gaming score tells you this isn't a serious gaming display. Audio is a basic 2.0 channel setup with 20W total output, which lands right at average. Connectivity is actually the bright spot here at the 77th percentile, with four HDMI ports and both Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Stacked against the competition, the 50S451 is clearly the budget option. The LG C5 OLED and Sony BRAVIA 5 are in a completely different league for picture quality, but they cost several times more. The Hisense U8 Series and Roku Pro Series both offer better panels and higher refresh rates while still undercutting the premium brands. The Roku Pro Series is especially interesting since it keeps the same smart platform but adds meaningful picture quality improvements. If you can stretch your budget, the Hisense or Roku Pro are worth the jump.

At around $351 USD, this is a lot of screen for the money. You're getting a 50-inch 4K panel with a solid smart platform and decent connectivity. But value isn't just about size. The picture quality and display scores are low enough that you're making real compromises. If your budget is tight and you mostly stream sitcoms, news, and casual content, this is a reasonable buy. If you care about how movies look, save up a bit more.

The TCL 4-Series 50S451 is a budget 50-inch 4K TV that leans hard into the Roku ecosystem. It's not trying to win any picture quality awards, and our database confirms that. Picture quality sits at the 36th percentile and display at the 17th, so this is firmly a value play, not a home theater centerpiece.

What it does well is get you into a big 4K screen with a genuinely good smart platform for not much cash. Roku TV is easy to use, supports all the major voice assistants, and even plays nice with AirPlay. If you just want a big screen for streaming shows and casual viewing, this gets the job done.

Skip this if you care about picture quality at all. Movie buffs, gamers, and anyone who watches in a dark room will be disappointed by the mediocre contrast and below-average display. If you want HDR that actually pops or smooth 120Hz motion, look at the Hisense U8 Series or save up for something better.

This TV is for people who want a big, cheap 4K screen with a great smart interface and don't obsess over picture quality. It's a bedroom TV, a kids' room TV, or a first apartment TV. The Roku platform is genuinely pleasant to use, and the connectivity is better than expected. Just know what you're getting: a budget panel with budget picture quality.