Roku Select Series 65R4C5 64.5"

With a smart platform in the 99th percentile and a 92/100 user sentiment score, this Roku TV is a masterclass in streaming ease. Picture quality is its weak link, sitting at the 36th percentile, but for as little as $204, the value is hard to beat. Great for casual viewers, not for videophiles.

The Roku Select Series 65R4C5 is all about the smart TV experience, and it absolutely crushes it, landing in the 99th percentile for smart features. That's as good as it gets right now, and it shows: Roku's interface is snappy, intuitive, and loaded with free content. Owners agree, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from nearly 700 reviews and a user sentiment score of 92 out of 100. For a budget 65-inch 4K TV, those are elite numbers.

But all that smart polish doesn't quite extend to the core picture quality. The display itself is solid, hitting the 71st percentile, but picture quality as a whole lands at a mediocre 36th. Gamers will find a 60Hz panel with VRR (decent for casual play, but not a competitive weapon), and the built-in 2.0-channel speakers are just okay. If your priority is getting into your shows fast and with zero hassle, this Roku is a champ. If you're after deep contrast or blazing frame rates, you'll want to look elsewhere.

The real star here is the Roku smart platform. At the 99th percentile, it's simply the best in the business. We're talking an interface that launches apps in a snap, supports all the voice assistants, and even throws in a lost remote finder. That's backed by strong HDR support (84th percentile) with HDR10+ and HLG, so streaming content pops with decent color and detail. The display is a Direct LED panel that clocks in at the 71st percentile: perfectly watchable, nothing flashy, but it holds its own in a dimmer room.

Where things get average are gaming and picture quality. A 60Hz refresh rate with VRR lands it at the 52nd percentile, so it's fine for a Nintendo Switch or casual Xbox sessions, but don't expect 4K at 120fps. Picture quality overall sits at the 36th percentile, meaning it's below average versus the broader TV market. For a $200-$400 set, though, it's more than passable. Audio is similarly unremarkable at the 56th percentile. You'll want a soundbar for movie night.

Pricing on this set is all over the place. We've seen it spread from $204 to $560 across vendors, a massive $356 difference. At the bleeding edge of that low end, it's an absolute steal. You're getting a massive 65-inch screen, the absolute best smart platform, and rock-solid user reviews for barely more than a fancy dinner for two. Push past $450, though, and you start brushing up against sets like the Hisense U7 or TCL QM7K that offer mini-LED panels and 120Hz gaming. If you can find it around $300, it's a no-brainer. Just shop around and be patient.

Against the competition, the Roku Select Series carves out a niche with its unrivaled smart platform and bargain-basement pricing. The Hisense U7 and TCL QM7K spank it on picture quality and gaming with mini-LED backlights and 120Hz panels, but their Google TV interfaces feel sluggish next to Roku. Samsung's QN85D and LG's QNED82AUA are on a different planet in terms of brightness and processing, but they cost two to three times as much. Even Sony's BRAVIA 2, which shares a similar budget-conscious mission, can't match Roku's user experience or value score. The bottom line: you sacrifice raw visual performance for a buttery-smooth OS and an extra $300 in your pocket. For the everyday streamer, that's a trade-off worth making.

Videophiles and competitive gamers should steer clear. The 36th percentile picture quality means black levels and contrast won't hold a candle to pricier sets, and the 60Hz panel (with no 120Hz option) handicaps fast-paced gaming. If you're shopping at the high end of its $560 price ceiling, you can snag a Hisense U7 or TCL QM7K with full-array local dimming and 120Hz VRR for only a little more. This Roku is built for value and simplicity, not ultimate picture performance.

The Roku Select Series 65R4C5 is a love letter to people who just want to watch their shows without fuss. Our database screams that its smart features are elite, and nearly 700 real owners back that up with a 4.8/5 rating. At the $204 to $300 range, you're getting a lot of TV for shockingly little cash. Avoid it if you're a pixel-peeping videophile or a competitive gamer, but for a family room or bedroom streamer, this is one of the most recommended budget TVs we've seen in a while.