Roku TVs are among the most user-friendly smart TVs on the market, as well as among the least costly.
They come with a fantastic app selection, including all of the biggest streaming services, that rivals any premium smart TV on the market.
While all Roku TVs include Roku’s smart platform, there might be a significant difference in picture quality between models.
So it’s worth learning more about it.
Table of Contents
What Is a Roku TV?
The brand Roku has become synonymous with streaming media players.
They have set-top boxes, soundbars, and sticks that you can connect to your TV to make it smarter—but what if the entire TV was a Roku?
The majority of streaming media players on the market connect to an HDMI connection on your television.
A few businesses, however, manufacture TVs that eliminate the middleman for a more integrated and smooth experience.
How does it Work?
The experience will be relatively similar whether you purchase a Roku player, Roku TV, or a Roku-enabled sound bar.
Every Roku device requires an internet connection.
Some gadgets allow you to use an Ethernet cable for a hard-wired connection to your modem/router, although they all operate with Wi-Fi as well.
You may begin using your device as soon as you set it up, which includes creating a free Roku account.
What is Roku?
The Roku brand refers to both smart TVs that run the Roku operating system and a variety of standalone streaming devices, such as the Roku Streaming Stick Plus.
While smart TVs that use Roku software are all created by other firms, Roku makes the streaming devices.
The one thing that both TVs and streaming sticks have in common is that they all use the same Roku interface and app store.
We’ve been great supporters of Roku for years because it was the first to emerge as a full-featured smart TV platform that wasn’t tethered to a single manufacturer.
We also like the simplicity of Roku’s UI, which displays all of your apps in a plain tiled arrangement.
When so many smart TVs rely on cluttered menus with many rows of scrolling apps and entertainment, Roku keeps things simple and easy to customize.
We also enjoy how Roku provides such a diverse choice of material and apps, which Roku refers to as “channels,” to make traditional TV users feel more at ease.
Major streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, Disney Plus, and HBO Max are included.
There are also dozens, if not hundreds, of smaller independent streaming providers included.
This covers everything from local stations that provide a streaming app for news and weather to genre-specific channels that provide a consistent stream of public domain movie classics ranging from westerns to horror pictures.
There are also other free services available, like Pluto TV, Tubi, and PBS Kids, as well as The Roku Channel, Roku’s ad-supported streaming service.
How much do Roku TVs cost?
The Roku smart TV operating system is available on a wide range of televisions, including some of our favorite low-cost models in our lists of the best TVs under $500 and the best TVs under $1,000, with models ranging from budget-friendly to luxury home theater systems.
When it comes to low-cost televisions, we believe the sweet spot is between $600 and $1,000.
In this price range, you’ll get excellent performance, QLED panels, Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos sound capabilities, and all of the apps you want.
More expensive versions will provide you with a few extra touches and features for your money, but the overall experience will be very similar.
This is also true with the new 8K TCL Roku TV, which ranges in price from $2,199 to $2,999 depending on screen size.
Any less than $500, and you may have to make some significant sacrifices, like lowering the quality to 1080p or 720p, settling for smaller screen sizes, or foregoing features like voice search.
Roku Built-In
The Roku TV concept is rather simple.
Every smart TV has a user interface for accessing TV channels and running apps.
What if that UI was identical to that seen on Roku devices?
A Roku TV is simply a television that includes the Roku software.
A Roku TV is Roku down, rather than connecting in a Roku box or stick and accessing it through a single HDMI port.
There are no inputs to switch to get to the Roku home screen.
The Roku home screen serves as the default home screen for all devices.
This implies that everything plugged into an HDMI port, even your cable box, will appear on the Roku home screen.
And you just have one remote to contend with.
The Roku remote is not only capable of controlling the TV, but it is also the TV remote.
Roku does not manufacture the TV hardware.
TCL, Hisense, Philips, and numerous more companies manufacture the TV and use Roku’s software instead of their own.
A Roku TV is simply a smart TV that runs the Roku software.
There are no other devices required.
Roku TV vs Roku Streaming Device
There are some advantages and disadvantages to having an integrated Roku TV over a Roku streaming device.
Let us begin with the benefits.
As previously stated, you never have to change inputs to access the Roku interface.
Simply activate that input from the Roku home screen to use the Blu-ray player connected to your TV.
When you’re finished, simply return to the Roku home screen.
This also works with a single remote. You don’t have to look for your TV remote to change inputs.
If you frequently switch between devices connected to your TV, making the Roku software the default home screen makes life a lot easier. This is why Roku TVs are popular among individuals who are unfamiliar with technology.
However, there are some drawbacks.
People often use their televisions for several years, so if the Roku software becomes sluggish, you’re stuck with it unless you want to buy a completely new TV.
(Of course, the same is true for the operating system of any other smart TV.)
External streaming devices are less expensive and much easier to upgrade separately from your TV.
An integrated Roku TV is the way to go if you want something very simple to use. However, if the quality of your TV is important to you, you may not want to limit yourself to models with Roku built-in. A Roku streaming device can be easily moved from one TV to another.
Best Roku TV
Roku TVs, like any other TV, comes with a plethora of options.
Roku TVs are available in practically every size, resolution, and price range.
That is the first thing to consider while purchasing one.
Determine the non-Roku specifics, then locate a Roku TV that meets them.
The TCL 6-Series R635 is our recommendation for the finest Roku TV as of July 2022.
The 6-Series is available in 55, 65, and 75-inch sizes with 4K UHD resolution. It also has a Mini-LED screen, which is a step ahead of standard LCDs.
There are plenty of other excellent Roku TVs to select from. Roku TVs are available at Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, and pretty much any other retailer that sells televisions. It’s a terrific way to enjoy the Roku experience without having to deal with so many moving components.
The best Roku TVs you can buy
- The best Roku TV: TCL 6-Series Roku TV (R635)
Our favorite Roku TV at an incredible price
Specifications
Screen Type: QLED
Available Screen sizes are 55, 65, and 75 inches.
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI 2.1
Size: 48.3 x 28.1 x 2.8 inches
Weight: 41.9 pounds
Reasons to buy
- Excellent QLED and mini-LED display
- Excellent gaming performance
- Roku TV has a large app selection and an intuitive interface
- Improved Roku remote
Reasons to avoid
- The sound is a little weak
- Best budget Roku TV: TCL 5-Series Roku TV (S535)
A fantastic QLED TV for a low price
Specifications
Available Screen Sizes: 50, 55, 65, 75 inches
Screen Type: LCD with Quantum dot
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI 2.1
Size: 48.4 x 28.1 x 3.0 inches
Weight: 32.6 pounds
Reasons to buy
- Consistent colors
- Built-in Roku smarts
- Low pricing
Reasons to avoid
- Average sound
- Moderate brightness
- 3. A great basic Roku TV: Hisense R8F Roku TV
A winner on a budget
Specifications
Available Screen Sizes: 55, 65 inches
Screen Type: LCD
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 HDMI 2.0b
Size: 56.9 x 32.8 x 3.0 inches
Weight: 43 pounds
Reasons to buy
- Excellent visual quality and SDR color accuracy
- Low input lag
- Convenient Roku integration
Reasons to avoid
- Excessive light bloom
- Poor sound
- Poor off-angle viewing
- Best value: TCL 4-Series Roku TV (S435)
Great deals in all sizes
Specifications
Available Screen Sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 inches
Screen Type: LED
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
HDMI ports: 3 HDMI 2.1 (1 ARC)
Size: 38.2 x 22.3 x 3.3 inches
Weight: 15.4 pounds
Reasons to buy
- Excellent value-priced 4K
- Good color fidelity
- Solid Roku skills
Reasons to avoid
- No Dolby Vision support
- Limited sound changes
- Difficult to discover picture modifications
- The first Roku 8K TV: TCL Roku TV 6-Series 8K (R648)
Roku everything in an 8K bundle
Specifications
Available Screen Sizes: 65, 75 inches
Screen Type: QLED + Mini-LED
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
HDMI ports: 4 (2 HDMI 2.1)
Size: 57 x 32.7 x 3 inches
Weight: 70.1 pounds
Reasons to buy
- Good technical visual quality
- Well-thought-out remote makeover
- Excellent gaming performance on consoles and PCs
Reasons to Avoid
- Very little 8K content is available in the wild
- Poor off-angle viewing
- Mediocre acoustics
- 65-inch model struggles to prove the worth of 8K resolution
Roku TV Login
How to sign in
Sign in to your Roku account via the Roku mobile app by following the instructions outlined below.
- Open the Roku mobile app.
- Tap on the User icon in the upper right corner.
- Click Sign in, then enter your email address and password.
Are Roku TVs worth buying?
Do we advise our readers to buy Roku TVs?
In a nutshell, sure.
Roku TVs are manufactured by some of the greatest TV companies and offer all of the typical smart TV features that customers want.
Without the fuss of more complex functions like smart home integration or too aggressive adverts and recommendations.
And the finest Roku TVs provide more than just an engaging smart TV experience; they also contain some genuinely well-made TVs that produce excellent pictures and sound for a fraction of the price of premium sets from more renowned companies.
However, there is one major limitation when it comes to Roku TVs, and that is the reality that not all manufacturers produce excellent televisions.
TCL has made a name for itself by providing high quality at low rates, but Roku has licensing agreements with more than a dozen businesses, and most cheap TV manufacturers cut more compromises.
Budget brands like Westinghouse and RCA are far more hit-or-miss, so read reviews for the specific model you’re interested in purchasing.
How to choose the best Roku TV for you
When it comes to buying the best Roku TVs, our normal TV purchase advice applies:
Find the correct screen size for your location, determine your budget, and be strategic about where you try to save money.
Always choose 4K: Lower-resolution TVs may be more affordable, but you’ll notice a difference with a 4K TV, and that quality is worth spending more for.
And, while TCL’s latest 8K Roku TV looks appealing, we still recommend waiting until you can obtain movies and series in the higher resolution.
(Update: TCL has announced the first 8K streaming service, which is limited to TCL’s 8K Roku TVs, but we still don’t think it’s enough to justify purchasing one.)
HDR support: We recommend obtaining a set that supports a high dynamic range (HDR) for the best picture.
HDR10 is the base standard, but Dolby Vision is a higher-quality format, and we recommend using Dolby Vision support when available.
Port Selection: More HDMI ports make it possible to connect more devices, such as game consoles and satellite boxes.
If you have a soundbar, attach it to an HDMI port that supports ARC.
From smart functionalities to port choices, our TV buying guide covers it all, explaining the ins and outs of features like HDR, different types of display, and even extended warranties.
And by purchasing a Roku set in particular, you ensure that you will be able to experience the greatest streaming services as well as an easy-to-use smart TV interface.
How We Test Roku TVs
We put the Roku TVs through a rigorous lab testing process, as we do with every TV we assess, measuring important indicators for picture quality and performance.
We use these findings to establish numerical comparisons of color quality, brightness, gaming performance, and other factors.
These findings also help to explain our anecdotal observations from watching movies and sample videos on each television.
We test each TV for hours with a spectrophotometer and expert calibration software.
This information is used to calculate color gamut, color accuracy, and brightness.
We also test for lag time, which is critical in gaming, measuring the time it takes for content to move from the source to the screen to the millisecond.
We can use that information to tell you which TVs look the best, sound the best, and provide the finest viewing or gaming experience.
Roku Tv Channel
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Disney Plus
- Prime Video
- The Roku Channel
- HBO Max
- Tubi – Free Movies & TV
- Spectrum TV
- YouTube TV
- Peacock TV
- Paramount Plus
- Pluto TV – It’s Free TV
- discovery+ | Stream TV Shows
- Sling TV
- Xfinity Stream
- DIRECTV STREAM
- Philo
- Apple TV
- STARZ
- Freevee
- Plex – Free Movies & TV
- ViX: Cine y TV Gratis en Español
- Crunchyroll
- SHOWTIME
Roku TV Who Makes it?
Roku (/Roku/ ROH-Koo) is a brand of hardware digital media players developed by Roku, Inc. in the United States.
They provide access to online streaming media material.
In May 2008, the first Roku model, designed in partnership with Netflix, was released.
How do I get the Roku TV app?
The Roku app for Android works with Android devices running Android 5.0 or higher.
To download the Roku mobile app for Android, go to the Google PlayTM store on your Android device or the online Google Play store.
What is the best Roku TV remote app?
The following are the best universal remote apps for Roku:
- Robyte Roku Remote App (iOS and Android)
- SURE App (iOS and Android)
- Roku App TVMote (Apple only)
- Roku TV Remote App Official (iOS and Android)
- Rokie Remote Roku Apps (Apple only)
FAQs
Is there a monthly fee for a Roku TV?
There are no monthly fees associated with watching free channels or using a Roku device.
Only subscription channels like Netflix, cable-replacement services like Sling TV, or movie and TV show rentals from services like Apple TV require payment.
What is the difference between a Roku TV and a regular TV?
The primary distinction between Roku TV and smart TV is that Roku TVs use technologies developed by streaming media player maker Roku.
Roku licenses its streaming technology and user-friendly operating system to television manufacturers such as Element, Hisense, Hitachi, Magnavox, JVC, RCA, Sharp, and TCL.
Why is Roku charging me $5.99 a month?
Roku does not impose a monthly membership or an installation fee.
There is a one-time fee for your Roku device, which gives you access to a wealth of free entertainment.
If you opt to add premium material from applications like Netflix or Disney+, you may be charged a monthly price.
Is Roku worth buying?
Yes, most certainly. Roku is known for offering a large range of streaming channels and has positioned itself as a platform that is service-agnostic.
As a result, it provides access to all of the most popular streaming services, such as Hulu, Disney Plus, Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Showtime, and Starz.
Is Roku better than Firestick?
Roku TV sticks are considerably easier to navigate and pick than Amazon Fire TV Sticks.
The Roku remote includes more control buttons and quick access to the popular streaming apps from Apple TV+, Nvidia Shield, and more.
Is it worth buying a Roku stick?
In other words, the Roku Streaming Stick+ is a wonderful device; switching between apps is swift and straightforward, and films load rapidly, even in 4K HDR.
Not only can the new Roku Streaming Stick+ play 4K UHD material competently, but it can also do it from a reasonable distance.
Can I replace a Roku TV remote?
If you want to replace or improve your remote, you can do so through the Roku accessories store.
Can you control a Roku TV without a remote?
Download the Roku app on your smartphone or tablet to use your Roku device without a remote.
Connect the app-enabled device to the same WiFi network as your Roku player.
Then, on the app, go to Devices and hit the remote icon.
Is a TCL Roku TV a smart TV?
Roku TV is a smart TV that’s easy to use and easy to love, with a simple home screen, simple remote, and automatic software upgrades.
How long does TCL Roku TVs last?
So, how long can you expect a TCL TV to survive before needing to be replaced?
Most TCL televisions will last approximately seven years if used properly.
TVs can be used until they lose visual quality or stop operating.
Is the Roku TV app free?
Use your mobile device to access The Roku Channel.
Is Roku live TV free?
At any time, you can get fast access to over 300+ free live TV stations.
We have something for everyone, with live news and weather, sports, food and home, reality TV, science fiction, true crime, kids’ entertainment, and Spanish language material.
Can I get YouTube TV Roku?
You can get the YouTube TV app by searching for it on your Roku device.
After adding the channel, you can use the free trial or login into your account. To watch videos on Roku, you can also utilize the free YouTube app.
Conclusion
A Roku TV is more than just a smart TV; it’s better television.
Roku TV models provide customers with an easy-to-use, customized home screen, and a simple remote with everything they need to rapidly launch shows and movies.
And its automatic software upgrades with new features and streaming channels.
A Roku device allows you to view Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and hundreds of other services — plus a large variety of specialty “channels” that stream everything from the spiritual to the weird.