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In a world where budget 4K TVs are becoming shockingly good, here’s Reviews inside tv, and today I’m putting the TCL 43‑Inch Class S4 4K LED Roku TV (43S450R) under the microscope.
This is a 43‑inch 2023 model from TCL’s S Series — a compact but capable 4K television that packs HDR PRO support (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG), a Direct LED backlight, Dolby Atmos audio, and Roku’s smart‑TV platform — all wrapped in a sleek bezel-less metal design.
At its core, this set promises to make high‑definition streaming, casual gaming, and everyday viewing more immersive — especially for those who don’t want to blow the budget but still want that “smart” experience. The Motion Rate 120 tech is marketed to reduce motion blur and improve clarity on fast scenes, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) is here to boost the gaming performance by lowering input lag. Connectivity-wise, there are four HDMI ports (one with eARC), a USB input, and built-in dual-band Wi‑Fi plus support for Apple HomeKit, Alexa and Google Assistant.
When I actually used this TV, I found setting it up surprisingly easy — I unpacked it, clicked the two-footed stand into place, plugged in power and Roku guided me through Wi‑Fi and channel setup in just a few minutes. The Roku OS is super intuitive, so jumping into Netflix or Disney+ felt familiar if you’ve used Roku before. Picture‑quality-wise, watching 4K streaming content like nature documentaries or HDR films really showed off the detail: colours popped quite nicely, and the Dolby Vision support added richer contrast and depth in places. That said, in very bright rooms the HDR highlight didn’t feel overly punchy — this isn’t a TV that’s going to light up like a dedicated high‑end flagship.
For motion, the Motion Rate 120 helped smooth out fast action in sports and some animated content, though in very fast sequences I did notice some trailing or blur — it’s worth remembering this is a 60Hz panel, not a true 120Hz native refresh rate. On the gaming front, thanks to ALLM, I tested with a PlayStation and felt the input lag was very low; apps like Rocket League and platformers felt responsive, but for super-competitive, high-frame-rate play, this won’t compete with premium gaming TVs — you’re limited to 60 Hz and there’s no variable refresh rate support. For everyday gaming, though, it’s more than capable.
Audio from the built‑in speakers is better than I expected for a TV of this size and price. The Dolby Atmos processing gives a sense of space — not like a home‑cinema soundbar, but definitely more engaging than flat stereo. If you want more bass or richness, you’ll likely pair it with a soundbar, but the onboard audio holds up for casual viewing.
One of the smarter design choices is the Direct LED backlight. That helps with brightness uniformity — the screen didn’t look patchy or washed out when displaying solid colours — though I wouldn’t call it a high‑brightness HDR beast. The metal, edge‑to‑edge bezel gives it a premium look, especially rare at this size and price point.
There are some trade‑offs. The 60 Hz refresh rate means motion clarity can’t match high-end gaming or action TVs, and according to more rigorous testing, response times are “okay but not exceptional.” There have also been some user reports about limited viewing angles — if you’re sitting off to one side, picture quality can fade a bit. The remote is quite basic too; it’s an IR‑only remote without backlighting, which can make navigating in the dark a little clunky.
Value for money? This TV sits in a very sweet spot. For the price — especially for a 43‑inch 4K HDR set — you’re getting a surprisingly rich feature set: Dolby Vision, Atmos, Roku OS, and decent motion clarity. Compared to slightly cheaper 4K TVs that lack Dolby Vision or only support HDR10, it’s a stronger pick. On the flip side, if you were willing to spend more, some competing TVs offer higher brightness, better gaming features (like 120 Hz or VRR), or more premium panel types like QLED or OLED.
If I compare it to other options: for instance, budget 4K TVs without Dolby Vision may cost less, but lack the punchier HDR experience. Meanwhile, stepping up to something like a mid‑range TCL 5‑ or 6‑series or other brands’ 55‑inch panels might give you more room and features, but you pay a premium for that. This 43S450R really nails the balance for small‑room users or secondary TV setups.
Looking at build quality, TCL’s choice of a direct-lit LED panel and simple metal bezel suggests a solid, no‑fuss construction. The 60Hz panel is typical of entry-to-mid level sets, and TCL’s reputation for budget reliability is decent — though there’s no guarantee of long-term performance beyond general brand strength.
On customer support, I didn’t personally need to return or contact them, but TCL generally has a reasonable support network. I didn’t run into firmware issues during my time with it, and Roku updates happen via the platform rather than TCL itself, so you’re mostly relying on Roku for smart‑OS patches.
In short: this TV delivers exactly what it’s meant to — a compact, full‑featured 4K HDR set that doesn’t feel like a compromise in the wrong places. The strengths are its colour performance, Dolby Vision and Atmos support, Roku usability, and very good connectivity options. The trade‑offs are the 60Hz panel, average brightness for HDR highlights in very bright rooms, and a lightweight remote.
If you’re after a solid 43‑inch 4K TV for streaming, casual gaming, or your bedroom or living room secondary screen, the TCL 43-Inch Class S4 Roku TV is a strong pick. If you’re chasing high‑end brightness or gaming‑grade specs, you might need to stretch your budget — but for its intended role, this set punches above its weight.
Thanks for watching. If you’re curious, I’ve dropped a link in the comments box to where you can pick it up, and I’d love to hear from you — have you tried this TCL before? What do you think? See you next time on Reviews inside tv — stay tuned, stay sharp.
Available to buy here:
