I Bought a Budget TV from Amazon – Here’s My Honest Review
As someone who freely admits to knowing very little about televisions, I recently found myself facing a common dilemma: choosing a new TV. My partner and I had a few essential criteria: the TV needed to stream apps like Netflix and Spotify, and our budget was capped at $500.
With these factors in mind, we started our search and discovered a TCL Smart TV on Amazon Canada. It seemed to tick all the boxes. It typically costs $350, but was on sale for $300 during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Given the price, I was a little skeptical about the quality. I’m happy to say that this cost-effective TV is fantastic and has genuinely improved our leisure time.
The Details
The TV boasts 4K Ultra HD Resolution, Motion Rate 120, and HDR PRO, promising exceptional visual detail, enhanced motion clarity, and improved contrast. It also incorporates Dolby Atmos for an immersive audio experience.
For streaming, the TV supports Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Spotify, and numerous other popular services. You can also search for and download less common apps.
It has three HDMI inputs for gaming and other needs. Plus, it features Alexa technology, allowing you to use voice commands to find and launch content.
In terms of aesthetics, the TV has an edge-to-edge glass design, making it an attractive addition to any room.
What I Like About It
The Interface: I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so I was prepared for a struggle. However, using the TV proved to be a breeze. It’s extremely user-friendly, making it easy to find content and start watching immediately. The voice control function is handy when you don’t feel like typing. The interface is also customizable, allowing you to adjust the audio-visual settings for different streaming apps.
Streaming Options: The TV comes loaded with all the top streaming apps that people use, such as Netflix and YouTube. It also offers the ability to search for and download more niche apps. I was easily able to set up streaming from my phone and laptop.
The Visuals: One of the first things we watched was The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The difference in visual quality compared to our old TV was immediately apparent. Here are a few quotes from my fiancé:
“Shit, that’s crisp!”
“I’m getting lost in Elijah Woods’s blue eyes.”
“There’s even enough brightness settings to make The Rings of Power watchable.”
The Setup: From taking the TV out of the box to mounting it on our wall and logging into Netflix, the entire process took approximately 10 minutes. It would have been even quicker if we hadn’t taken a moment to figure out the wall mount.
The Weight: I was truly surprised by the TV’s light weight! Our old, non-smart TV weighed around 30 pounds. The TCL model weighs less than five pounds, making it easy to carry up the stairs and hang.
What I Dislike About It
The Size: My only regret is the size. I purchased a 43″ instead of a 50″. When taking measurements, I erred by measuring the width of the wall rather than the diagonal width of the TV. Because of my mistake, the TV is a little too small for the area. But it’s not the worst problem!
What Others Are Saying
The TV holds a 4.1-star rating on Amazon Canada and has been purchased over 500 times in the last month.
“The best budget TV I’ve ever owned,” says one customer. “I would recommend it all day.”
Another notes they are “impressed with what this TV offers,” especially “at such an affordable price point.”
Others report that “the colours are rich and vibrant,” the setup is “very easy,” and it offers “unbeatable value.”
However, some say, “The sound isn’t the best” – while I agree that the sound isn’t quite cinematic, it’s not a concern for me.
The Verdict
I am extremely pleased with the TCL 43″ Class S4 4K LED Smart TV. I would recommend it 100 percent. I am likely to repurchase in a larger size on sale now that I know how good the experience can be.
I am impressed with the quality of this device, its weight, and how easy it is to set up. At a price of $300 right now, it doesn’t break the bank. If you’re looking for an affordable TV that offers excellent performance, I would definitely check it out!
