Roku 55 Plus Series Smart TV Review

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So, you’ve got your popcorn ready, and you’re in search of the perfect TV for your movie nights. Enter the Roku Plus Series Smart TV, a model that promises to bring the theater experience to your living room without breaking the bank. If you’re considering investing in this budget-friendly TV, you’re in the right place. This Roku Plus Series Smart TV review will dive into everything you need to know before making a purchase.

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What Sets the Roku Plus Series Apart?

First things first, let’s talk about what makes the Roku Plus Series Smart TV stand out. Roku, known for its streaming devices, has ventured into the world of TV manufacturing, and their Plus Series is the top dog in their lineup. This TV is packed with features typically reserved for higher-end models, but at a price that won’t have you eating instant noodles for a month.

Display and Picture Quality

One of the biggest selling points of the Roku Plus Series Smart TV is its QLED display technology. For those not fluent in TV jargon, QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode. This translates to a wider range of colors and better brightness compared to traditional LED TVs. The result? Your favorite shows and movies pop with vibrant, lifelike colors.

The Roku Plus Series supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, ensuring that no matter what content you’re watching, it looks fantastic. These technologies enhance the contrast and color accuracy, making the dark scenes darker and the bright scenes brighter. If you’re like me and enjoy binge-watching nature documentaries, you’ll appreciate the stunning detail and dynamic range.

Brightness and Contrast

The TV shines (literally) in both dark and well-lit rooms. With its full-array local dimming feature, the Roku Plus Series can adjust the brightness of individual sections of the screen, providing deep blacks and brilliant highlights. Whether you’re watching a night-time cityscape or a sunny beach, the contrast is impressive.

Viewing Angles

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. While the Roku Plus Series excels in many areas, its viewing angles are a bit of a letdown. If you plan on hosting a Super Bowl party with friends sprawled out across the room, some might not get the full experience. The picture quality diminishes when viewed from the side, so it’s best enjoyed from a central seating position.

Gaming Capabilities

Gamers, this one’s for you. The Roku Plus Series Smart TV might not have all the gaming bells and whistles of a premium model, but it holds its own quite well. It boasts fantastic input lag and great response time, essential for those intense gaming sessions. However, it lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, a 120Hz panel, and variable refresh rate (VRR). If you’re a casual gamer, you probably won’t miss these features. Hardcore gamers, though, might want to consider this before purchasing.

Smart TV Features

One of the standout features of the Roku Plus Series is its integration with the Roku TV smart OS. If you’ve ever used a Roku streaming device, you know how user-friendly and intuitive their interface is. The Plus Series takes this to the next level with the Roku TV platform built right in.

Easy Navigation and Voice Control

Navigating through apps and settings is a breeze. The remote comes with an integrated microphone, allowing you to use voice commands to search for content, change settings, or even find your lost remote. If you prefer using your phone, the Roku app offers voice control as well. It’s like having a personal assistant dedicated to your entertainment needs.

Streaming and Connectivity

Streaming enthusiasts will love the seamless integration with popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more. The Roku Plus Series Smart TV offers fast and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring your streaming experience is smooth and buffer-free. Plus, with Ethernet, HDMI, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity, hooking up your favorite devices is straightforward.

Audio Performance

Let’s talk sound. The Roku Plus Series Smart TV comes equipped with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Audio, delivering a rich and immersive audio experience. Whether you’re watching an action-packed blockbuster or a quiet drama, the sound quality is top-notch.

Built-In Features for Audio

The TV includes built-in features like auto speech clarity and night mode, which are especially handy. Auto speech clarity ensures dialogue is crisp and clear, even during explosive action scenes. Night mode balances sound levels, so you don’t wake the whole house during late-night binges.

Design and Build Quality

The Roku Plus Series Smart TV sports a sleek, bezel-less design that looks modern and stylish in any living room. Its build quality is solid, and the stand is sturdy, keeping the TV stable. It’s available in three sizes: 55, 65, and 75 inches, catering to different room sizes and preferences.

Setup and Installation

Setting up the Roku Plus Series is straightforward. The TV comes with a quick start guide, stands, screws, and a cable management clip. Even if you’re not a tech wizard, you’ll have it up and running in no time. The on-screen setup process is simple, guiding you through connecting to Wi-Fi and signing into your streaming accounts.

Usability and Interface

Roku’s interface is a big selling point for this TV. It’s designed to be simple and user-friendly, making it easy for anyone in the family to navigate. The home screen can be customized to display your favorite apps, and switching between them is quick and smooth.

Voice Remote Pro

The included Voice Remote Pro is a game-changer. Not only can you use it to control the TV with your voice, but it also has a built-in headphone jack for private listening. Imagine watching your favorite show late at night without disturbing anyone else. The remote is rechargeable, saving you the hassle of replacing batteries, and it even has a lost remote finder feature—no more tearing apart the couch cushions!

Performance in Different Lighting Conditions

Whether you’re a vampire who loves watching in a pitch-dark room or someone who enjoys a bright, sunlit space, the Roku Plus Series has you covered. Its automatic brightness adjustment ensures optimal picture quality in any lighting condition.

Reflectivity and Glare

The TV handles reflections well, thanks to its good reflection handling capabilities. If your room has a lot of natural light, you won’t be struggling with annoying glare ruining your viewing experience.

Content Compatibility

One of the strong suits of the Roku Plus Series is its ability to handle various types of content. High-quality 4K content looks fantastic, making full use of the TV’s QLED capabilities. However, it’s worth noting that lower-quality content might not look as impressive due to the TV’s image processing limitations.

Watching Sports and Fast-Moving Content

If you’re a sports enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the TV’s performance with fast-moving content. The motion handling is solid, ensuring that you don’t miss any crucial moments during a game. The 60Hz refresh rate is adequate for most sports, although hardcore fans might yearn for a higher rate.

Price and Value for Money

The Roku Plus Series Smart TV is positioned as a budget-friendly option, but don’t let the price tag fool you. It offers a lot of value for its cost. You get premium features like QLED display, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and a user-friendly smart OS without breaking the bank.

Comparing with Competitors

When compared to other TVs in the same price range, the Roku Plus Series stands out. Many budget TVs skimp on features like local dimming and Dolby Vision, but Roku manages to pack these into the Plus Series. It’s a strong competitor against other brands offering budget-friendly models.

Who Is This TV Best For?

The Roku Plus Series Smart TV is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, budget-friendly TV. It’s ideal for movie buffs, streaming enthusiasts, and casual gamers. Families will appreciate its user-friendly interface and voice control features. However, if you’re a hardcore gamer or need perfect viewing angles for large gatherings, you might need to weigh your options.

Pros and Cons

Every TV has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the Roku Plus Series Smart TV.

Pros:

  • Excellent picture quality with QLED display
  • Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+
  • User-friendly Roku TV smart OS
  • Voice control with integrated microphone and app
  • Good reflection handling
  • Great value for money

Cons:

  • Inadequate viewing angles
  • Lacks some advanced gaming features
  • Image processing could be better for lower-quality content

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, a comprehensive look at the Roku Plus Series Smart TV. It’s a well-rounded option for anyone looking to enhance their home entertainment setup without splurging. With its impressive picture quality, user-friendly features, and budget-friendly price, it’s a solid contender in the world of smart TVs.

Recommendation

If you’re in the market for a new TV and the Roku Plus Series Smart TV has caught your eye, I’d say go for it. It offers a fantastic balance of performance, features, and price. While it has its limitations, the overall package is hard to beat for the cost. Just make sure to consider your viewing habits and setup to ensure it’s the right fit for you.

And there you have it—our in-depth Roku Plus Series Smart TV review. Happy watching, and may your binge-watching sessions be ever enjoyable!

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