You’re standing in the middle of a Walmart aisle. It’s loud. The fluorescent lights are buzzing. You just need a tiny screen for the kitchen or maybe the guest room where your nephew crashes over the holidays. You see a wall of glowing rectangles, and honestly, most of them look exactly the same. But then you spot the small Roku TV Walmart usually keeps on the bottom shelf or tucked near the endcap. It’s cheap. Like, "less than a week's worth of groceries" cheap.
Should you buy it?
I’ve spent way too many hours testing budget panels and scrolling through the internal inventory systems of big-box retailers. There’s a specific science to these small sets. Most people assume that because it’s a 24-inch or 32-inch screen, the quality doesn't matter. They’re wrong. If you pick the wrong one, you’re stuck with a "ghosting" image where every time a football moves, it leaves a trail like a comet. Or worse, the processor is so sluggish that clicking "Netflix" feels like waiting for a dial-up modem in 1998.
Why the small Roku TV Walmart selection is a weird market
Walmart basically owns the budget TV space through its relationship with brands like Onn, Hisense, and TCL. If you’re looking for a small Roku TV Walmart offers, you’re usually looking at sizes between 24 and 43 inches.
Most of these are 720p or 1080p. In 2026, that sounds like ancient history. We live in a 4K world, right? But on a 32-inch screen, your eyes can’t even tell the difference between 1080p and 4K unless you’re sitting three inches away. The real issue isn't resolution. It's the backlight.
Most of these ultra-cheap units use "edge-lit" technology. It’s why the corners of the screen sometimes look brighter than the middle. It’s annoying. If you can find a TCL 3-Series or a newer Hisense model with "Direct Lit" LED, grab it. It makes the black colors actually look black instead of a murky, dark grey.
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The Onn Brand: Walmart’s secret weapon or a trap?
Let’s talk about Onn. It’s Walmart’s house brand. For years, tech snobs laughed at it. I used to be one of them. But something shifted around 2023. Walmart realized they could dominate the market by putting the Roku OS—which is arguably the simplest, most stable smart TV platform—into the cheapest hardware imaginable.
The result? A small Roku TV Walmart sells for under $100 that actually works.
The build quality is... plastic. Very plastic. The remote feels like it might snap if you sit on it. But the software is snappy. That’s the Roku magic. Because Roku’s operating system is lightweight, it doesn't need a massive processor to run smoothly. You get the same interface on a $80 Onn TV that you get on a $2,000 high-end setup.
Technical specs that actually matter for a secondary screen
Don’t get blinded by the stickers on the box. Marketing teams love to use words like "Motion Rate 120" or "HDR Pro." On a budget small TV, these are almost always lies. Or at least, very creative interpretations of the truth.
- Refresh Rate: It’s 60Hz. Period. Don't let them tell you otherwise.
- HDMI Ports: Most small sets only have two. If you have a cable box and a gaming console, you're already full.
- The Headphone Jack: This is a dying breed, but many small Roku TVs still have a 3.5mm jack. This is huge for dorm rooms or late-night kitchen viewing when you don't want to wake the whole house.
Roku also has a "Private Listening" feature through their mobile app. You sync your phone to the TV, plug headphones into your phone, and the audio redirects there. It’s a lifesaver. It’s honestly the main reason I recommend a small Roku TV Walmart sells over a Fire TV or a basic "dumb" TV with a stick plugged in. It's just cleaner.
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Sound quality: The elephant in the room
Here is the cold, hard truth: these TVs sound like they are screaming through a tin can.
Physics is the enemy here. To make a TV thin and small, you have to use tiny speakers. Tiny speakers can’t move enough air to create bass. If you’re planning on watching movies, you’re going to hate it. However, if it’s just for the morning news while you flip pancakes, it’s fine. If you want better sound, look for a small "Roku Ready" soundbar. Since the TV already uses the Roku remote, a compatible soundbar will sync up perfectly without needing a second remote to lose between the couch cushions.
Where to find the best deals in the store
Walmart’s floor plan is designed to make you buy the big, shiny 75-inch screens. The small Roku TV Walmart stock is usually hidden. Look for the "Value" section.
Check for "Open Box" stickers. Sometimes people buy these for a dorm, realize they wanted something bigger, and bring them back two days later. You can often shave another 20% off the price just because the tape on the box was broken.
Also, watch out for the model numbers. A "TCL 32S327" is 1080p, while a "TCL 32S325" is 720p. They look identical. They cost almost the same. But the 1080p version is significantly crisper for reading text or watching sports. Always check that middle number.
Comparing the Big Three at Walmart
When you’re staring at the shelf, you’ll likely see these three brands competing for the same spot:
- TCL: Usually the most reliable. Their panels have better color accuracy out of the box. If you don't want to mess with settings, buy the TCL.
- Hisense: They tend to have slightly brighter screens. Good if your room has a lot of windows and sunlight.
- Onn: The "budget king." It’s basic, but the warranty support through Walmart is actually pretty decent because you can just walk into the store if it dies in the first 90 days.
Misconceptions about "Smart" TVs
A lot of people think they need to pay a subscription for Roku. You don't. I've seen people get scammed by "activation" websites. Roku is free to use. You just need a Wi-Fi connection.
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Another weird myth is that you can’t use an antenna with them. Actually, Roku has one of the best "Live TV" interfaces. You plug a $15 rabbit-ear antenna into the back, and the TV blends your local channels (NBC, ABC, etc.) right into the same menu as Netflix and Hulu. It makes "cord-cutting" feel a lot less like a chore.
The small Roku TV Walmart units are also surprisingly good for basic gaming. If you’re hooking up a Nintendo Switch or a retro console, the "Game Mode" on Roku TVs drops the input lag significantly. It's not a pro-gaming monitor, obviously. But for Mario Kart? It’s perfect.
Durability and Longevity
How long will a $120 TV last? Probably about three to five years.
The LEDs in these cheaper sets are pushed to their limit to stay bright. Over time, they can dim or develop a blueish tint. To prevent this, don't leave the "Backlight" setting at 100. Dial it back to 80. You won't notice a huge difference in brightness, but you’ll keep the hardware from burning out prematurely.
Actionable steps for your purchase
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a small Roku TV Walmart has in stock, follow this checklist to make sure you don't get a lemon:
- Check the resolution: Aim for 1080p if the price difference is less than $20. It's worth it for the clarity.
- Measure the feet: Budget TVs often have legs at the very edges of the screen rather than a center pedestal. Make sure your stand or dresser is wide enough.
- Download the Roku App: Before you even get home, get the app. It makes the initial setup and typing in your Wi-Fi password ten times faster than using the directional pad on the remote.
- Inspect the box: If the box has a "crush" mark on the corner, leave it. These panels are fragile, and even a small hit can cause "dead pixels" that you won't see until you get home and turn it on.
- Check the HDMI-ARC port: If you plan on adding a soundbar later, make sure at least one HDMI port is labeled "ARC" or "eARC." This allows the TV to talk to the soundbar properly.
Buying a small TV shouldn't be a massive research project, but a little bit of knowledge prevents that "I should have bought the other one" regret. Stick to the name brands if you care about the picture, or grab the Onn if you just need something that turns on and plays the Disney+ for the kids. Either way, the Roku interface is what saves these cheap sets from being junk. It's the Great Equalizer of the TV world.