TCL 32S335 32" 2021 Review

For $142, you get one of the best smart TV interfaces (90th percentile) wrapped in a 32-inch shell with mediocre picture (43rd percentile) and a 720p resolution that's basically dead last. It's a fantastic streaming appliance, not a great television.

This TCL 32-inch 3-Series is a $142 smart TV that's all about the software. Its Roku platform lands in the 90th percentile for smart features, making it one of the easiest TVs to use on the market. The picture quality, however, is middle of the pack at 43rd percentile, and the 720p resolution puts its display performance in the bottom 5th percentile. It's a clear case of brains over brawn.

Performance here is split. The Roku smart TV experience is a standout, offering instant access to thousands of streaming channels with a simple interface. That's the star. The picture, powered by a 720p LED panel, is about average. It's fine for casual viewing but lacks the sharpness of modern HD or 4K TVs. Audio and connectivity are underwhelming, ranking in the 31st and 29th percentiles respectively, so you'll want to consider external speakers if you care about sound. For gaming, the 60Hz refresh rate and basic specs mean it falls behind most dedicated gaming displays.

At $142, the value proposition is straightforward: you're paying for a fantastic smart TV interface and sacrificing almost everything else. The Roku experience alone justifies the price for many buyers who prioritize ease of use over picture fidelity. There aren't many vendor price differences here, as it's a budget model from a single brand. You get what you pay for, and in this case, you're paying for software.

Numbers make the trade-offs clear. Compared to a modern 4K TV like a Hisense U6 Series, this TCL's picture quality (43rd percentile) is solidly average, while the Hisense would be well above average. But the TCL's smart platform (90th percentile) likely beats the Hisense's. Against a similarly priced but non-smart basic monitor, the TCL wins on functionality but loses on pure display performance. It's not competing with the Sony BRAVIA or Samsung Neo QLED in any spec except price; those are in a different league for picture and gaming.

Skip this TV if you care about picture quality, sound, or gaming. The data is clear: its display ranks in the bottom 5th percentile, audio is mediocre (31st percentile), and gaming features are a weak spot (25th percentile). This is a streaming box first, a TV second. Anyone looking for a primary living room display with sharp images and good sound should look at models with higher resolution and better audio rankings.

We recommend this TV if your top priority is a dead-simple, no-fuss streaming box for a bedroom, kitchen, or guest room, and you're willing to accept average picture quality. The data shows its strengths are entirely in the user experience, not the hardware. If you care about sharp images, good sound, or gaming, the numbers suggest you should look elsewhere.