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$279.99
TCL makes some of the best TVs in the market right now – like the TCL QM8 Mini-LED – but you get to spend a fraction of what you’d spend on a TV with similar specs from Samsung, LG, or Sony. Apart from the high-end models, TCL offers budget models like the TCL 43S450R (Class S4), designed for buyers who just need a functional TV, without the bells and whistles of high-end models – basically, something usable, affordable, and reliable for the bedroom, kitchen, or dorm room for college students.
The TCL 43S450R’s defining feature is an amazingly low price, which makes it particularly attractive for folks looking to get the best bang for the dollar on a larger-sized TV. It comes with an easily approachable Roku TV smart platform built in, so it’s possible to be it streaming device. Best of all, when watching your favorite show on the S4, you’re not going to struggle with out-of-tune colors.
That said, don’t expect anything beyond TV features; there’s virtually nothing in the way of extra features, no quantum dots, mini-LEDs, or high-level gaming support. You would certainly do a lot worse than the TCL Class S4 at this price point; then again, you can also do better for not that much more. But if you’re on a tight budget and just need a no-nonsense TV, the TCL 43S450R is among the best budget TVs you can get right now.
TCL S4 Class 4K TV Specs
- Screen size: 43-inch
- Model: 43S450R
- Resolution: 3,840×2,160
- HDR: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Ports: 4 x HDMI 2.0, USB 2.0
- Audio: 10W + 10W
- Smart TV Software: Roku TV
- Size (without stand): 37.7 x 22 x 3.1 inches
- Weight (without stand): 13.7 lbs
Design & Features
TCL’s mid-range TVs aren’t trying to compete with the Samsung QN55 QLEDs on design, and we just appreciate the basic black plastic construction used here. It still makes for sturdy housing for the 4K Roku TV, despite not being flashy or the slimmest piece of equipment in the TV category. The chassis includes holes for a 200mm by 200 mm VESA bracket, meaning you can easily hang it on the wall using one of the best TV mounts available out there.
The TCL 43S450R we’re reviewing measures 37.7 x 22 X 3.1 inches and weighs 13.7 lbs. That’s light enough that you can set up without an extra hand, and being a 43-inch, you don’t need a second pair of hands, even when working with a wall mount.
As mentioned, the TV features a two-position stand, which lets you adjust the included feet. The basic boomerang-shaped feet are made of sturdy plastic and don’t include any extras, like built-in cable routing.
The most noticeable visual upgrade over last year’s TCL 4-Series is a small, fabric-covered sound bar under the bottom bezel, located at the center, just below the TCL logo. This small gray bar houses the TV’s far-field microphones, which pick up the TV’s hands-free voice controls through Amazon Alexa. It also has an indicator light that turns on to let you know that voice input has been triggered.
Picture Quality
The performance improvements we’ve seen on LED TVs over the past few years have been nothing less spectacular, and that couldn’t be clearer than with the TCL S4 Class. Out of the box, without any adjustment, the TCL 43S450R delivers great color accuracy with deep blacks, with both SDR and HDR content. Except for some slightly oversaturated reds and magentas, the Movie picture mode looks impressive.
The image quality is dependent on the low black levels that are around 0.1 nits and below, depending on the overall backlight setting and how much light is on the screen. HDR is fine, too. With a 4K Ultra HD resolution, this marks a step from the basic 1080p resolution available in most budget TVs.
The extra brightness culminates in an image that pops even in well-lit rooms. The color accuracy doesn’t match that of SDR, but HDR images still look vibrant and immersive. The TV does a good job of displaying reds and blues in Spider-Man, and while the colors look a little oversaturated, the TV’s local dimming boosts the shadows around the characters. It’s also among the few budget TVs in the market to support HDR Pro – Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and HLG.
The TCL 43S450R is a good 4K TV for under $300 with impressive out-of-the-box accuracy for its class.
When watching BBC’s Planet Earth II, the scenes look great, though you can easily notice the TV’s dimmer screen and smaller color range as compared to the TCL Q-Series or more expensive sets like LG’s OLED55C9PUA or the Samsung QN55Q70RAFXZA. Still, the trees and blue-greens in the “Islands” episode look clear and natural, though fine textures like fur and bark are crisp when well-lit. That said, shadows become a bit blurry, and the fairly dim screen doesn’t look quite as lifelike as they do on brighter panels.
For gamers, the TCL 43S450R doesn’t offer much in terms of gaming extras, but you’re still getting some features that are not readily available in budget sets. Without any HDMI 2.1 ports, PC gaming doesn’t exactly live up to its potential with those higher frame rates, but PS5 games still look and run comfortably enough at 60 fps, thanks to the 12o motion rate and Auto Game Mode (ALLM) that automatically adjust game mode for the lowest possible input lag and latency for the best gaming performance.
Roku TV Smart Platform
A well-designed, short, glossy remote with a noticeable directional pad is included with the TCL 43S450R 43-inch. The Home, Back, and Power easy access buttons are located directly above the pad, while the playback and app buttons are located directly below.
The remote provides immediate access to services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Sling TV. Each service has its button. The volume controls and mute button are located along the right edge.
As a Roku TV, the TCL S4 provides access to a variety of apps and services, much like a regular Roku media player does. It serves as a central location for nearly all media streaming services, including Amazon, Crunchyroll, Google Play Movies & TV, Hulu, Netflix, Sling TV, and YouTube.
Roku is home to the majority of channels (chosen apps) found in the smart TV ecosystem, so you’ll be familiar with the services (except Apple). Additionally, you may access the Roku TV app from your smartphone, and Roku TV supports video streaming from your smartphone.
TCL 43S450R Review: Verdict
The TCL 43S450R’s most impressive feature is the ultra-low price for the features; it won’t drain your bank account, and you don’t have to compromise your viewing experience. If you don’t have very high expectations for your next TV other than connecting to the internet, being easy to use, and looking beautiful, the 43S450R is a perfect fit. It’s an especially great TV for folks looking to upgrade to 4K for the first time.
However, if you’re shopping in this price bracket and are slightly compelled to compare picture quality from one model to another, I’d recommend spending on a more robust entry-level model (provided you’re willing to spend $100-$200 more).
The TCL 55QM6K (2025 model) is a newer entry-level model that’s brighter, has more features, and features improved picture processing. The Hisense QD7 is also bright, just like the QM6, and features impressive contrast control, to boot, thanks to its mini-LED backlighting. Both models offer a better gaming experience than the Class S4 series.
If your budget can’t allow you to spend that much, the TCL 43S450R will suit your needs. It’s affordable, sports a nice design, has good picture quality, and will look good enough for most people.
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