TCL S5 43-Inch Class S5 43" 2024 Review

The TCL S5 is a convenient all-in-one package with a built-in soundbar and Fire TV. Its picture quality is just okay, but the audio is a major step up from typical budget TV speakers. At around $330, it's a solid value for a bedroom or kitchen TV where you want good sound without extra gear. Skip it if you want a big, beautiful screen for your main living room.

The TCL S5 is a 43-inch 4K TV that's trying to do something a little different. It's not just a screen; it's a package deal that includes a built-in soundbar, all wrapped up with Amazon's Fire TV software. This makes it a one-stop shop for someone moving into a new apartment or dorm, or anyone who wants to upgrade from an old TV without buying a bunch of separate components.

Who is this for? Our data shows it's best for folks who prioritize portability and smart home integration over raw picture quality. It's a solid pick for a bedroom, kitchen, or office where you're streaming shows, listening to music, or maybe checking a smart home camera feed. It's not built to be the centerpiece of a home theater, and that's okay.

The interesting part is the all-in-one approach. You get a decent 4K panel, the Fire TV interface you already know, and a soundbar that promises to fill a small room, all for a price that's often under $350. It's a convenience play, and for the right person, that's a pretty compelling offer.

Let's talk numbers. The TCL S5 lands in the 39th percentile for picture quality and audio in our database. In plain English, that means it's fine. The 4K resolution is there, and colors are decent, but don't expect the deep blacks or eye-searing brightness of a high-end TV. It's a standard LED panel that looks good in a moderately lit room. For HDR and gaming, it's in the lower third (33rd percentile), so while it technically supports those formats, the experience won't be transformative.

The audio is where the 'S Class' soundbar comes in. With 220 watts total power and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, it's aiming for a big sound. In practice, it's a huge step up from the tinny speakers in most budget TVs. It can fill a small to medium room without needing a separate sound system. That said, the 39th percentile ranking tells us it's good for the price, but it's not going to compete with a dedicated $300 soundbar. It gets the job done without the clutter, which is the whole point.

Here's the thing: the TCL S5 makes a lot of sense at its price point. For about $330, you're getting three products in one: a 43-inch 4K TV, a basic soundbar, and a Fire TV stick built right in. If you bought those separately from a budget brand, you'd probably spend close to the same amount, and you'd have more wires to manage.

That's the value play. You're trading some peak performance (in both picture and sound) for sheer convenience and a clean setup. It's priced as a budget TV, but the included audio bumps its overall utility. Compared to other 43-inch TVs at this price, the ones without soundbars will have worse audio, and the ones that cost more for better picture still won't include decent speakers. For the target bedroom or kitchen, that's a smart trade-off.

The most direct competitor is probably another 43-inch Fire TV edition from a brand like Insignia or Toshiba. The trade-off there usually comes down to the soundbar. You might find a slightly better panel for the same price, but you'll be stuck with terrible built-in speakers. The TCL S5 bets you'd rather have the better audio.

If you look at the bigger names, like the Sony BRAVIA or Hisense U6 series, you're entering a different league for picture quality, especially with Mini-LED tech. But you're also looking at much larger screen sizes (65 inches and up) and prices that start well over $500, not including sound. The TCL isn't trying to beat those TVs on picture. It's offering a complete, compact solution they ignore. For a main TV in a big room, go with a Hisense or TCL's own QM6 series. For a secondary TV where ease matters, this TCL S5 has its niche.

You should skip the TCL S5 if you're setting up a home theater. The 43-inch screen is too small to be immersive, the picture quality is middling (39th percentile), and the HDR performance is lackluster. Cinephiles will be disappointed. Hardcore gamers should also look elsewhere, as the gaming features are barebones.

Instead, if you want a TV for a main living space, consider spending a bit more on a larger screen—55 inches or above—from TCL's own Q6 series or a Hisense U6. You'll get a much better picture with Mini-LED or better local dimming. You can always add a soundbar later. Also, if you're deeply invested in the Google or Roku smart ecosystems, you might find the Fire TV-only interface limiting, so a different smart TV platform would be a better fit.

We'd recommend the TCL S5 43-inch to someone who needs a simple, all-in-one solution for a secondary room. If you're putting a TV in your bedroom, kitchen, home office, or even a small apartment living room and you don't want to fuss with external speakers, this is a great choice. The Fire TV interface is a bonus if you're already in the Amazon ecosystem. You get a watchable picture, surprisingly decent sound, and no extra boxes for a very fair price.

However, we'd tell anyone shopping for their primary living room TV to skip it. The 43-inch screen is too small, the picture quality isn't special, and the HDR and gaming features are lacking. For a main TV, even on a budget, you're better off saving a bit more for a larger 55-inch model from TCL's Q6 or Hisense's U6 lines, where the picture quality jump is significant. Pair that with a cheap soundbar later if you need to.