You’ve probably seen them at Best Buy or scrolling through Amazon—the TVs that just say "Roku" on the front. No TCL logo. No Hisense branding. Just Roku.
It’s a bit of a shift. For years, Roku was just the software, the "brain" you plugged into a HDMI port. Now, they’re making the whole body. The Roku Select Series TV is the entry point into this new hardware world, and honestly, there is a lot of noise about whether these are actually any good or just cheap plastic boxes meant to fill a guest room.
Most people assume "budget TV" means "bad TV." That’s not always true. But it’s also not a magic bullet. If you're expecting OLED-level blacks or the kind of brightness that makes you squint in a sunny living room, you’re looking at the wrong shelf.
What is the Roku Select Series TV anyway?
Basically, this is Roku’s "bread and butter" line. While they have the Plus and Pro series for people who want QLED and Mini-LED tech, the Select Series is built for everyone else. It covers everything from tiny 24-inch kitchen TVs to 85-inch monsters for the basement.
The specs vary wildly depending on the size you pick.
- Small sizes (24" to 40"): These are usually 720p or 1080p.
- Large sizes (43" to 85"): These jump into the 4K world with HDR10+ support.
One thing that’s kinda cool is that Roku designed these specifically to fix the "clunky" feel of older budget sets. Because they own the hardware and the software, the integration is tighter. It’s snappy. You press a button, and the app actually opens. That sounds like a low bar, but if you’ve ever used a $200 TV from 2019, you know that’s a luxury.
The Gaming Reality Check
Let's get real for a second. If you just bought a PS5 Pro or an Xbox Series X, the Roku Select Series TV is going to hold you back.
It’s a 60Hz panel. That's it. No 120Hz for ultra-smooth movement. No Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to stop screen tearing. According to the testers over at RTINGS, the input lag is decent, but it’s just not built for "hardcore" gaming. It’s perfectly fine for a round of Mario Kart or Stardew Valley, but don't expect it to keep up with a competitive Call of Duty match.
If you want the "good" gaming features, you usually have to step up to the Pro Series, which has that 120Hz refresh rate and the faster HDMI 2.1 ports. The Select Series is sticking to the basics.
Why the "Roku Smart Picture" actually matters
Roku introduced something called "Smart Picture" across their lineup. Most people leave their TV on the "Energy Savings" mode or "Vivid" mode and never touch it again. The result? Movies look like soap operas and football games look like they’re happening in a neon factory.
This system uses metadata and a bit of machine learning to figure out what you're watching. If it's a dark movie, it tweaks the backlight. If it's sports, it handles the motion differently. It’s a "set it and forget it" feature that actually works for people who don't want to spend three hours in the settings menu with a calibration disc.
Sound and the "2.1" Trap
The built-in speakers are... okay. They use Dolby Audio, which helps with dialogue clarity, but physics is a thing. Thin TVs have thin speakers.
Roku is banking on you buying their Wireless Soundbar or Speakers. The Select Series is "Home Theater Ready," which basically means it’s incredibly easy to pair with Roku’s own audio gear without running a mess of wires. If you use the TV’s internal speakers, it’s fine for news or sitcoms, but movies will feel a bit "small."
The "Select" vs. "Plus" vs. "Pro" Confusion
This is where people get tripped up. Here is the breakdown of why you’d choose the Select over the others:
- Price: The Select is almost always the cheapest. You can often find the 4K models for under $300.
- Size Variety: The Plus and Pro series only come in larger sizes (usually 55" and up). If you need a 32-inch or 43-inch TV, the Select is your only "made by Roku" option.
- Screen Tech: The Select uses a standard LED-LCD panel. The Plus series moves up to QLED (Quantum Dots) for better color, and the Pro uses Mini-LED for way better contrast.
Honestly, if you're putting this in a bedroom where you only watch TV at night, the "basic" LED panel of the Select Series is usually enough. In a dark room, you won't notice the lack of peak brightness as much as you would in a bright, window-filled living room.
Common Issues People Run Into
No tech is perfect. Some users have reported that the Wi-Fi can be a bit finicky if the TV is far from the router. Since these are budget-oriented, the Wi-Fi chips inside aren't the most powerful antennas in the world.
💡 You might also like: Apple Store Bethesda Avenue: Why This Location Still Wins the Maryland Tech Scene
Another thing? The remote. The Select Series comes with the standard Roku Voice Remote. It’s great, but it doesn't have the "Lost Remote Finder" that the Pro models have. If you lose your remote in the couch cushions, you’re on your own.
Also, watch out for the legs. Some reviewers have noted the plastic stands feel a bit "wobblily" on the larger 65-inch or 75-inch models. If you’re worried about a toddler or a cat knocking it over, wall-mounting is a much better call. The 43-inch and 50-inch models use a standard 300x300 or 400x300 VESA mount, which is easy to find.
Is it better than a TCL or Hisense?
This is the big question. TCL and Hisense used to be the "Roku TV" kings. Now, many of their new models have switched to Google TV.
The Roku Select Series TV wins on simplicity. If you love the Roku interface—the big blocks, the lack of "sponsored" junk everywhere, and the easy-to-use app—then sticking with a Roku-made TV is a no-brainer.
🔗 Read more: English to Spanish Translation App: What Most People Get Wrong
However, if you can find a Hisense U6 or a TCL 5-Series on sale, those might offer slightly better picture quality (like local dimming) for a similar price. You’re trading "features" for "user experience." Most casual viewers prefer the Roku experience because it just... doesn't break.
How to get the most out of your Roku TV
If you decide to pick one up, don't just plug it in and start watching. A few small tweaks make a massive difference.
- Check your Network: Go to Settings > Network > Check Connection. If your signal strength is "Fair," you’re going to get buffering on 4K streams. Try to move your router or get a cheap mesh extender.
- Turn off "Store Mode": If you bought a floor model, it might be in "Demo Mode." This cranks the brightness to 100% and will burn out the LEDs much faster.
- Use the App: Download the Roku app on your phone. It lets you use "Private Listening," which pumps the TV audio through your phone's headphones. It’s a lifesaver if you want to watch TV at 1 AM without waking up the whole house.
- Set up "Backdrops": You can turn the TV into a giant photo frame when you aren't watching anything. It looks way better than a giant black rectangle on your wall.
The Roku Select Series isn't trying to be the best TV in the world. It’s trying to be the most "transparent" one—the one that gets out of the way and just lets you watch your shows. For a bedroom, a dorm, or a first apartment, it’s a solid, reliable choice that won't make you regret the purchase three months later.
Actionable Next Steps
- Measure your space: Don't just guess. A 55-inch TV is roughly 48 inches wide. Make sure your stand can actually hold it.
- Evaluate your lighting: If your room has three massive windows facing south, the Select Series might struggle with glare. You might want to look at the Plus Series for its higher brightness.
- Compare the Remote: If you're a "power user," see if you can find a bundle that includes the Voice Remote Pro. The rechargeable battery and "hands-free" voice commands are worth the extra $30.