Roku Smart TV – 24-Inch Select Series, 720p HD TV – Roku TV with Voice Remote – Flat Screen LED Television with Wi-Fi for Streaming Live Local News, Sports, Family Entertainment vs TCL 65-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV with Fire TV (65S551F, 2024), Dolby Vision, HDR PRO+, Atmos, Alexa Built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, Streaming Television

Price and Value Comparison

The Roku Smart TV is significantly more affordable than the TCL 65-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV, priced at $99.99 compared to $409.99—about 75% cheaper. This price difference reflects a fundamental divergence in target use cases: the Roku model is designed as a compact, entry-level streaming solution for secondary spaces like bedrooms or kitchens, while the TCL is a premium large-screen entertainment centerpiece. The Roku’s lower cost aligns with its 720p HD resolution and smaller 24-inch screen, whereas the TCL offers 4K UltraHD resolution and a 65-inch display, justifying its higher price point through enhanced visual fidelity and immersive scale. Despite the gap, both models include built-in smart platforms—Roku’s interface and Fire TV’s ecosystem—ensuring access to major streaming services. The Roku’s value proposition lies in simplicity and affordability, while the TCL delivers premium features at a steep but justified cost.

Screen Size and Display Quality

The TCL 65-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV offers a dramatically larger viewing surface than the Roku Smart TV’s 24-inch screen, making it ideal for living rooms or primary entertainment areas where immersion matters. The TCL also supports 4K UltraHD resolution, which provides four times the detail of standard 1080p Full HD, far surpassing the Roku’s 720p HD capability. Additionally, the TCL features HDR PRO+ support with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, enabling richer contrast, brighter highlights, and deeper shadows. Its High Brightness LED backlight ensures visibility even in well-lit environments. In contrast, the Roku Smart TV uses Roku Smart Picture technology to optimize incoming signals and select appropriate picture modes, but lacks advanced HDR formats and 4K resolution. For viewers prioritizing image clarity and cinematic quality, the TCL’s display is objectively superior.

Audio Performance and Features

The TCL 65-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV delivers a more sophisticated audio experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X support, offering spatial audio processing that enhances movies, shows, and video games with immersive, three-dimensional sound—all from the TV’s built-in speakers. It also includes Enhanced Dialogue Mode for improved speech clarity during dialogue-heavy scenes. The Roku Smart TV, while featuring auto speech clarity and night mode for better vocal intelligibility, relies on simpler audio tuning without support for advanced surround formats. Its speakers are designed for louder output and clearer speech, but lack the depth and dimensionality found in the TCL’s setup. For audiophiles or those seeking a theater-like experience, the TCL’s audio capabilities represent a clear upgrade over the Roku’s basic yet functional sound profile.

Smart Platform and User Experience

Both TVs run dedicated smart operating systems—Roku OS on the Roku Smart TV and Fire TV on the TCL 65-Inch Class S5—but their ecosystems differ in scope and integration. The Roku platform emphasizes simplicity and speed, with apps launching quickly and an intuitive interface that makes finding content effortless. It also supports Apple AirPlay for seamless sharing from iOS devices. The TCL’s Fire TV experience consolidates live TV, video games, music, and streaming into one hub, with access to over 1 million movies and episodes. Both offer voice control via Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, though the Roku includes native Apple AirPlay support, which may be preferable for iPhone and iPad users. The Roku’s interface is praised for being less cluttered, while the TCL’s Fire TV offers broader app availability and gaming integration, particularly through Game Accelerator 120.

Gaming and Input Performance

The TCL 65-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV is optimized for gaming with Game Accelerator 120, supporting up to 120 Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) for smoother gameplay and reduced input lag. Auto Game Mode (ALLM) automatically activates game mode to minimize latency, enhancing responsiveness during fast-paced action. These features make it a strong contender for console gamers. The Roku Smart TV does not mention any gaming-specific optimizations or refresh rate specifications, suggesting it’s not designed for high-performance gaming. While both TVs support Bluetooth Headphone Mode for private listening, only the TCL explicitly addresses low-latency gaming performance. For users investing in gaming consoles, the TCL’s hardware-level support gives it a decisive edge over the Roku’s general-purpose design.

Voice Control and Smart Home Integration

Both the Roku Smart TV and the TCL 65-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV support voice assistants including Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, enabling hands-free control of playback, volume, and device commands. The Roku Smart TV includes a dedicated voice remote with intuitive search across thousands of apps and streaming services, allowing users to find content by voice without navigating menus. The TCL model also enables voice control but integrates Fire TV’s full suite of voice-activated features, including quick access to live TV and subscriptions. Both support Apple AirPlay 2, allowing direct streaming from iPhones and iPads. However, the Roku’s voice remote is specifically engineered for ease of use and rapid app launching, giving it a slight advantage in day-to-day convenience despite similar underlying functionality.

Which should you buy?

Choose the Roku Smart TV if you need a budget-friendly, compact streaming solution for a bedroom, kitchen, or secondary room—its $99.99 price tag offers excellent value for basic entertainment. It excels in simplicity, fast app access, and voice control, making it ideal for casual viewers who prioritize ease of use over screen size or resolution. Opt for the TCL 65-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV if you’re building a primary home theater setup and demand a large, high-resolution display with 4K UltraHD, Dolby Vision HDR, and advanced audio features like Dolby Atmos. At $409.99, it’s nearly four times the price but delivers a premium visual and auditory experience tailored for movie nights, sports, and gaming. The decision hinges on space, budget, and intended use: the Roku wins for affordability and simplicity; the TCL dominates for performance and immersion.