Roku LED 4K – Select Roku - 50" Class Select Series 4K LED Smart RokuTV Review

Buy this TV for the brilliant Roku software, not the screen. For $250, it's the easiest and most satisfying budget TV you can get. Just add a soundbar.

Look, if you're hunting for a cheap, dead-simple 4K TV for streaming, this Roku Select is basically a no-brainer. It's not going to win any picture quality awards, but for the price, it gets you a shockingly good smart TV experience. The one thing to know? You're buying this for the Roku platform, not for a mind-blowing screen. It's a fantastic streaming box that happens to have a TV attached.

The performance story is all about the software. The Roku interface is lightning fast and stupidly easy to use, which is a huge win. The picture quality is fine for the money, but our data shows it lands in the 39th percentile for picture quality, so don't expect miracles. It's a solid, basic 4K HDR image that cleans up cable TV signals decently. The real surprise is how good the smart features are for a TV this cheap.

At around $250, this thing is an absolute steal. You're getting a competent 4K TV wrapped in the best streaming platform available. For the price of a mid-tier streaming stick and a cheap monitor, you get a fully integrated solution. It's absolutely worth it for a secondary room or a budget-conscious main TV.

Compared to other budget TVs, the Roku's software smokes the competition. A similarly priced Hisense or TCL might have a slightly better panel, but their clunky, ad-filled interfaces are a chore. If picture quality is your top priority, spend more on a TCL QM6K Mini-LED. But if you want a TV that just works without fuss, this Roku is the clear choice in the budget category. It makes the smart part of 'smart TV' actually smart.

If you're a home theater enthusiast or a serious gamer who needs 120Hz, this isn't it. Go get a TCL QM6K or save up for an LG OLED. Also, skip it if you're putting it in a super bright room; this basic panel won't fight glare well.

We're giving this a strong recommendation for anyone who values simplicity and value over cutting-edge picture quality. It's the perfect guest room, kid's room, or budget living room TV. The Roku platform is so good it elevates the entire package. Just pair it with a $100 soundbar, and you've got a fantastic little setup for under $350.