The 32-inch TCL 3-Series Roku TV (32S335) demonstrates that smaller, less expensive TVs can be used in some situations, particularly in compact spaces where a larger screen might not fit. You can’t always use a 75-inch Ultra 4K TV to follow a Rachel Ray recipe, just like you can’t always use a Corvette to transport a large group of children home from a little league game. Where would you undertake the prep work and how would it fit in your kitchen? Fortunately, there are still some affordable 32-inch HD TVs available for those circumstances, such as the TCL 3-Series Roku TV (32S335).
The TCL 3-Series TV has two tiny, v-shaped plastic feet on either end for resting it on a countertop. The set appears lighter and less imposing than other black plastic sets thanks to the steady layout. This is due to the fact that its feet are smaller than average and the surrounding bezel of the screen is relatively slim for this kind of TV, measuring less than half an inch wide all the way around the top and sides. This model can handle a normal 100 x 100 millimetre VESA mount, which includes the majority of the options in our list of the best TV mounts, whether you plan to mount it over a desk or even a sink. The cost of the mounting hardware is as low as $20.
While wonderful, further resolution upgrades are only the cherry on top. It’s possible to dispute that opinion. However, the picture of the TCL 32S325 is only mediocre overall. It lacks many fancy zones and is edge-lit, so its blacks tilt toward grey. When viewing the TV at a 90-degree angle, this effect is barely perceptible, but as you go off-axis, it becomes more obvious. Although the image doesn’t completely vanish, the contrast is drastically reduced. Due to the white LED backlighting, colour is slightly blue-skewed (cold), but not as much as TVs from a few years ago.
Although I did occasionally detect some stuttering, the detail is fairly good up to DVD level, and the motion is respectable for a 60Hz panel. Another advantage of the reduced resolution and its lessened processing requirements is that there aren’t many artefacts. Although the backlight is set to “Normal,” the picture quality is at its best in “Movie” mode, which results in a dim display. Increase the backlight if you’re watching in a space with more general lighting. The Roku mobile app must be downloaded in order to access picture modes; the remote can only be used to adjust the lighting.