TCL 4K UHD - F35 43" Class F35 Series 42.5" 2025 Review

The TCL F35 is a basic 43-inch 4K Fire TV. Its picture and gaming performance are just average, but it's very affordable. Only buy it if you need a simple, cheap screen for a spare room.

The TCL F35 is a basic 43-inch 4K TV that gets the job done. It's a Fire TV, so you've got all the streaming apps ready to go, and it supports the major HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that our data shows it's a very average performer across the board, with a picture that's just okay and a gaming experience that's frankly behind the times.

This TV is squarely in the middle of the pack. Its picture quality lands in the 43rd percentile, which means it's fine for casual viewing but won't wow you with deep blacks or super vibrant colors. Gaming is a weak spot, scoring in the bottom quarter of all TVs we track. The 60Hz panel and basic processing mean motion can look a bit blurry in fast-paced games or sports. The audio is also underwhelming, so you'll want a soundbar.

At around $150, you're getting exactly what you pay for: a basic 4K smart TV. It's not a value champion that punches above its weight, but it's also not a rip-off. If your budget is super tight and you just need a small, functional 4K screen for a bedroom or kitchen, the price is right. Just don't expect any magic.

This TV isn't really competing with the high-end Sony, Samsung, or LG models listed. Those are in a different league and price bracket. The real competition is other budget 43-inch sets from brands like Hisense or Insignia. Compared to them, the F35's main advantage is the Fire TV platform, which some people prefer over Roku or a proprietary system. However, other budget models might offer slightly better picture quality or a higher refresh rate for gaming at a similar price.

Skip this if you're a gamer, a movie enthusiast, or using it as your main living room TV. The small 43-inch size, mediocre picture, and slow gaming response make it a poor fit. For a primary screen, even a slightly larger budget model from TCL's own Q-series would be a much better experience.

Buy this if you need a cheap, small 4K TV for a secondary room and you're already invested in the Amazon ecosystem. It's a straightforward appliance for streaming Netflix in the guest bedroom. For anyone else, especially gamers or movie buffs using this as a primary TV, there are better options even at this price point.