If you’re looking for one of the best TVs for bedrooms, the TCL 43 Inch TV is a great deal for a secondary TV. It has plenty of HDMI ports and it’s compatible with voice control for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Roku Search devices. Watch Ultra HD content in beautiful pictures.
Why We Like It – TCL 43 Inch TV 43
The TCL 43 Inch TV (model 43S525) is a pretty good 4K smart TV priced lower than many other 4K TVs on the market. The price and size make it perfect for a secondary bedroom TV. And we love the simple Roku TV remote and interface that lets you easily access thousands of TV streaming channels with just the sound of your voice.
- Roku smart TV features are easy-to-use
- Very affordable
- Plenty of HDMI inputs
- Difficult to wall mount
- Does not support Bluetooth
- Some Amazon reviewers experienced bad customer service
Performance/Display/Resolution/Refresh
The TCL 43S525 is a 4K Ultra HD resolution TV that uses Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) for the most realistic picture quality. It has an auto game mode that automatically enhances video game performance for smooth motion and very little input lag; the game mode with the 120hz refresh rate is sure to make any gamer happy. The TCL’s HDR Pro Gamma technology greatly improves HDR performance while the IPQ Engine has great color replication. All this means you’ll have an incredibly viewing experience. The one downside is that the TCL TV has a narrow viewing angle, meaning you’ll have to mount the TV right in front of your couch or bed to get the best picture quality. Compare its brightness settings and image quality to similarly sized units: the Samsung 43 Inch Smart TV.
Related: If you like this TV, you might be interested in our TCL 40S325 review.
Sound
With Dolby Digital Audio, the TCL 43S525 has surprisingly good audio for a flatscreen. It does have a headphone jack and an optical audio output port if you don’t want to listen to the TCL’s built-in speaker. It works well in the bedroom because you don’t necessarily need to buy a separate soundbar, but many Amazon reviewers complained of subpar sound quality.
Smart Features
The TCL 43S525 is a very easy-to-use smart TV at a great price. Roku TVs and Roku remote controls are very easy-to-use, and the smartphone Roku app to make searching for your favorite content a breeze. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices, meaning you can stream your favorites from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video with voice control. A big plus is that this TCL Roku TV delivers a user-friendly smart TV experience which is great for people who aren’t so tech-savvy.
Related: Also check out our TCL 43S425 TV review.
Ports/Expandability
The TCL TV has 3 HDMI ports and 1 USB port for connecting your DVD player, gaming consoles, cable box, and wireless keyboard all at the same time. It also has built-in wifi and an ethernet port for easy internet setup. One downside is that it does not support Bluetooth connectivity.
Value
While TCL isn’t a well-known brand, the 43S525 is still a very affordable 4K smart TV that works well as a secondary bedroom TV for the price. You don’t necessarily have to buy external speakers, which is a good savings. But if you’re looking for another 43-inch TV that has more bells and whistles, check out the Samsung Frame TV 43.
TCL 50S425 Wrap Up
The TCL 43 Inch TV is a very budget-friendly TV, especially if you want a 4K UHD smart TV. The size and built-in speakers makes it a good choice for a bedroom, and the price means buying a second TV for another room won’t break the bank. And Roku TVs have a much better smart TV experience than the competition. If you need a smaller TV for your bedroom, check out our LG 24LJ4540 TV review.
