TCL S5 55-Inch Class S5 55" 2024 Review
The TCL S5 is the definition of a basic TV. It works, but for not much more money, you can get a dramatically better picture and smarter features.
The 30-Second Version
The TCL S5 is the bare minimum 4K TV. It works, but it's boring. Spend a little more for the Roku Plus Series and actually enjoy what you're watching.
Overview
The TCL S5 is the TV you buy when you just need a screen that works. It's a basic 4K LED panel with Fire TV built in, and that's about it. Don't expect any visual thrills or smart home wizardry. The one thing to know? This is a purely functional, entry-level TV. It gets the job done, but it doesn't do it with any particular flair.
Performance
Honestly, nothing here surprised us. The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a TV in this price bracket: solidly average. Picture quality lands right in the middle of the pack, and the Fire TV interface is responsive enough for streaming. The gaming features are underwhelming, and HDR content looks pretty flat. It's a TV that meets expectations, but never exceeds them.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fire TV is simple and familiar for Amazon households. 71th
- It's a 4K screen for a very low price.
- Setup is dead simple, just plug it in.
- The 5.0 customer rating suggests most buyers are satisfied with the basics.
Cons
- The picture is mediocre, especially for HDR content. 10th
- The built-in audio is a weak spot and sounds thin. 17th
- Gaming features lag behind most modern TVs. 18th
- Connectivity is disappointing, with fewer ports than you'd like. 24th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 55" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | LED |
| Backlight | LED |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Curved | No |
| Year | 2024 |
Smart TV
| Platform | Fire TV |
Power & Size
| Power | 220 |
Value & Pricing
At $428, it's a fair price for a 55-inch 4K TV. You're not getting ripped off, but you're also not getting a steal. It's worth it if your only criteria is 'a big 4K screen for cheap.' If you care at all about picture quality or features, your money goes further elsewhere.
vs Competition
The most relevant competitor is the Roku 55" Plus Series Mini-LED QLED. For a bit more money, you get a much better Mini-LED panel with quantum dots, superior HDR, and a more robust smart platform. Even the Hisense U6 Series offers better value with its Mini-LED tech. Against the high-end Sony and Samsung models, there's no contest, but the Roku TV shows exactly what you're missing by going with the absolute cheapest option.
| Spec | TCL S5 55-Inch Class S5 55" | Sony Bravia Sony BRAVIA 5 65" 4K HDR Smart Mini-LED TV | Samsung Neo QLED Samsung - 65” Class QN80F Series Neo QLED Mini LED | LG OLED evo - C5 series LG - 55" Class C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K UHD Smart | Hisense U65QF Mini-LED Hisense - 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED QLED UHD 4K | Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro Roku - 65" Class Pro Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 55 | 65 | 65 | 55 | 75 | 65 |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | LED | MiniLED | Neo QLED | OLED | MiniLED | MiniLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 144 | 120 |
| Hdr | - | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Fire TV | Google TV | Tizen | webOS | Fire TV | Roku TV |
| Dolby Vision | - | true | false | true | true | true |
| Dolby Atmos | - | false | true | true | true | true |
| Hdmi Version | - | 2.1 | - | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Hdr | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL S5 55-Inch Class S5 55" | 18.2 | 27.4 | 33 | 24.1 | 17 | 9.6 | 70.8 | 43 |
| Sony Bravia 5 65" Compare | 97.6 | 67.6 | 91.6 | 94.9 | 62.4 | 99 | 94.3 | 97.1 |
| Samsung Neo QLED 65” Class Series Neo Compare | 89.9 | 90.4 | 96.6 | 92.8 | 80.1 | 92.4 | 97.6 | 86.1 |
| LG OLED evo - C5 series 55" Class C5 Series Compare | 92.9 | 90.4 | 95.3 | 99.9 | 84.6 | 99.8 | 99.5 | 43 |
| Hisense U65QF Mini-LED 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED Compare | 98.8 | 90.4 | 93.8 | 96.5 | 69.1 | 97.2 | 97.6 | 97.1 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 65" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.4 | 62.4 | 99 | 98.8 | 86.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the picture quality good for movies?
It's okay, not great. Standard 4K streaming looks fine, but HDR movies lack the pop and contrast you'd want. It's a middle-of-the-pack picture.
Q: Should I buy a soundbar with this TV?
Absolutely. The built-in speakers rank in the 30th percentile. They're weak. Plan to spend at least $100 on a basic soundbar or use external speakers.
Q: Is this good for a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?
No. With gaming features in the 25th percentile, it lacks HDMI 2.1, VRR, and a high refresh rate. It's a bad choice for next-gen gaming.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a TV that makes movies and shows look great, this isn't it. Go get the Roku 55" Plus Series Mini-LED QLED instead. Also, hardcore gamers should look elsewhere immediately.
Verdict
We can't recommend the TCL S5 unless your budget is the single most important factor. It's a basic appliance TV. For just a little more, the Roku Plus Series delivers a dramatically better picture and smarter experience. If you must have Fire TV, look for a TCL model with better panel technology. Skip this base model.