Hisense H4 Series Hisense 40-Inch Class H4 Series LED Roku Smart TV Review

The Hisense 40H4F is a budget-friendly 40-inch smart TV with a great Roku interface. The picture and sound are average, but it's incredibly easy to set up and use. For under $200, it's a solid choice for a spare room where simplicity matters more than performance. Skip it if you want a TV for your main living room or for gaming.

Let's talk about the Hisense 40H4F. This is a 40-inch, 1080p Roku TV from 2020 that you can still find for around $185. It's not trying to be the flashiest screen on the wall. It's trying to be the easiest, most reliable TV you can plug in and forget about. The main draw here is the Roku smart platform, which is baked right into the TV. You don't need a separate streaming stick. For someone who just wants to watch Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube in a bedroom, kitchen, or small apartment without any fuss, this is a solid pick. The picture is a basic LED panel, and it's a 2020 model, so it's missing some of the newer bells and whistles. But if your priority is simplicity and value, this TV has a lot to offer.

Our database shows this TV lands in a weird spot. Its 'smart' score is well above average, thanks entirely to the integrated Roku OS. That platform is smooth, intuitive, and has every app you'd want. But the actual display hardware is, frankly, underwhelming. The picture quality percentile is about average, which means it's fine for casual viewing but won't wow you. The audio score is mediocre, so you'll probably want to consider a soundbar or at least use the TV's headphone jack for better sound. For gaming, it's a 60Hz panel with no special features, so it's strictly for casual console or streaming game play. It's not built for fast-paced competitive gaming.

The value proposition here is clear. At around $185, you're getting a functional 40-inch smart TV that does the core job: it displays video and streams content. You're not paying for cutting-edge picture technology. Compared to other brands at this size, you might find TCL TVs with similar Roku platforms for a similar price, or basic Samsung/LG models that cost a bit more but use their own, sometimes clunky, smart systems. The Hisense H4F wins on price and the quality of its smart interface. It's a budget champion, but you're buying into 2020-era display tech.

The obvious competitor is a TCL 4-Series Roku TV. They're often in the same price bracket, use the same Roku OS, and have similar specs. The choice might come down to which brand has a sale. Stepping up a bit, a Hisense U6 Series Mini-LED TV offers a much better picture with 4K and HDR, but costs more and might use a different smart system. If you hate Roku and love Google, an Insignia Fire TV or a TV with Google TV would be the alternative at this price. The trade-off is clear: stick with the H4F for the proven Roku experience at the lowest cost, or pay a little more for a significantly better picture from a newer model.

Skip this TV if you're looking for a primary television for your living room. The mediocre picture and audio won't provide a great experience for movie nights or sports. Gamers should also look elsewhere. The 60Hz panel and lack of gaming features make it a poor choice for anything beyond very casual gaming. Instead, look for a more recent 4K TV, even from the same Hisense brand like the U6 series, which offers much better picture technology. If you absolutely love a different smart platform like Google TV or Samsung's Tizen, you should also skip this, as you're locked into Roku here.

Buy this TV if you need a simple, no-fuss screen for a secondary room like a bedroom, office, or kitchen. If your main goal is to access streaming apps easily and you don't care about having the absolute best picture, it's a perfect fit. The Roku system is the star here. Do not buy this TV if it's going to be your main living room TV where you watch movies or play games regularly. The picture and sound aren't good enough for that. Also, avoid it if you're a gamer looking for a responsive display. For a primary TV, even a slightly more expensive 4K model from the last couple of years will be a much better experience.