TCL 4-Series vs. Vizio V-Series: Which is the better buy?

(Paradigm credit: TCL/ Vizio)

To say the market place for bargain-priced 4K TVs is crowded is an understatement, indeed. There are literally hundreds of models to choose from, but two of the near pop brands continue to be TCL and Vizio. And the almost affordable 4K smart TVs from those brands tin can be seen in our TCL four-Series Roku Boob tube (S435) review and Vizio V-Series (2020 model) review, which look at each budget champ individually. Both find a place on our listing of the best TVs under $500, but which is amend? To respond that question, we decided to breakdown how the TCL iv-Series and Vizio V-Series line up to encounter which of these budget-friendly smart TVs is really the best.

On paper at least the Vizio V-Series would seem to come up out ahead. Information technology supports two significant features –Dolby Vision and active local dimming – that the TCL four-Serial does not, for example. But specifications aren't everything, equally a comparison of these two value-priced sets reveals.

TCL 4-Series vs. Vizio V-Series: Specs

	TCL 4-Series	Vizio V-Series
Screen sizes	43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85	40, 43, 50, 55, 58, 65, 75
Resolution	4K UHD (3840 x 2160)	4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
HDR	HDR10 and HLG	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG
Refresh charge per unit	threescore Hz	lx Hz
Ports	3 HDMI 2.i (i ARC); i USB; 1 Ethernet; 1 headphone jack; composite; RF; digital audio	3 HDMI two.1 (1 eARC); one USB; 1 Ethernet; 1 headphone jack; composite; RF; digital audio
Audio	eight watts by viii watts, Dolby Digital Plus	8 watts past 8 watts
Smart TV Software	Roku TV (tested) or Android Telly (available)	Vizio SmartCast
Voice Support	Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant via compatible device; Roku search	Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant via compatible device
Processor	CPU: Dual-core / GPU: Dual-cadre	Vizio IQ Active processor

TCL 4-Series vs. Vizio V-Series: Price and Size Options

Both TCL and Vizio offer these 4K LCD sets in a wide range of sizes with the smallest set coming from Vizio at 40 inches and the largest offer coming from TCL at 85 inches. So whether yous are looking to outfit a dorm room or a home theater, there's a model to suit your wall space from the assortment here.

TCL four-Serial Roku Tv set (S435)

43-inch (model 43S435) - $349.99
50-inch (model 50S435) - $449.99
55-inch (model 55S435) - $499.99
65-inch (model 65S435) - $699.99
75-inch (model 75S435) - $999.99
85-inch (model 85S435) - $1,799.99

Vizio V-Serial (2020 model)

xl-inch (model V405-H19) - $229.99
43-inch (model V435-H11) - $319.99
50-inch (model V505-H19) - $329.99
55-inch (model V555-H11) - $439.99
58-inch (model V585-H11) - $459.99
65-inch (model V655-H9) - $519.99
70-inch (model V705-H3) - $649.99
75-inch (model V755-H4) - $799.99

These models are shown with the manufacturer's suggested price, but actual sales prices are much closer. The price wars continue in TVs and are particularly acute in this group of entry-level 4K sets.

Availability varies quite a bit, just comparison a couple of popular sizes shows that Vizio has been cutting prices more aggressively. The 43-inch Vizio V-Serial at roughly $319 is a lilliputian less expensive than the boilerplate $349 price for the 43-inch TCL 4-Series gear up. The price difference becomes more pronounced with larger screens, though, with the 65-inch Vizio V-Series coming in at $519 while the 65-inch TCL 4-Serial is roughly $700.

Winner: Vizio V-Serial

TCL 4-Serial vs. Vizio 5-Series: Performance

In terms of 4K features and brandish specifications, the Vizio Five-Series would seem to be the better choice over the TCL 4-Series. The Vizio line includes full-array local dimming backlighting, to meliorate contrast, and support for the Dolby Vision 4K formats, for instance, which the TCL line lacks. Yet, in hours of subjective viewing tests including 4K and upscaled Hard disk content we found the TCL 4-Series display to be preferable. Much of the reason for that comes downwards to a slight edge it has in terms of color reproduction and effulgence.

Although benchmark exam results volition vary depending on the screen size, one can see some of the subjective criticisms borne out in our numbers comparing the 43-inch TCL four-Serial and the fifty-inch Vizio 5-Series. The TCL 4-Series was able to produce 99.55 percentage of the standard full color gamut, for example, while the Vizio V-Series reproduced merely 97.6 percent of the color gamut. That difference meant that the Vizio gear up didn't offer quite as rich a picture as the TCL gear up, although some viewers may not discover the difference.

As for effulgence, with a x per centum pattern, the TCL 4-Series hit roughly 292 nits. That'due south considerably less vivid than many more expensive sets, which typically peak over 600 nits. Yet, information technology was still brighter than what we institute with the Vizio 5-Series model we tested, which produced only 272 nits in the same criterion.

Winner: TCL 4-Series

TCL iv-Series vs. Vizio V-Series: Design

If you didn't know amend, you would think these sets rolled out of the same design studio. Both the TCL and Vizio model lines are wrapped in blackness, mostly plastic, chassises. And both designs rely on a pair of splayed legs on either end of the set to support information technology on a tabletop. The 5-shaped legs are steady enough and suitable for a variety of setups, so information technology's not surprising the companies take settled on similar designs.

The same goes for situations where a wall mount is preferred. Neither line offers special features–like a super flat screen or hidden wires–for such installations. But both will piece of work with a standard VESA 200 by 200 bracket, which can cost anywhere from $25 to $fourscore. Check out the all-time Idiot box mounts for some of our favorite wall-hanging options.

Winner: Tie

TCL 4-Series vs. Vizio Five-Series: Smart TV features

1 area where the TCL 4-Series holds a distinct advantage is in its smart TV interface. The company offers all but the 85-inch model in either Roku TV or Android TV flavors (sold as the 4-Serial S434 line) – the 85-incher is a Roku merely set. Nosotros notice that both versions offering a lot of streaming entertainment options. Yet, the simplicity of Roku's more than mature interface with its thousands of online channels will appeal to a broader audience.

Vizio, on the other hand, uses its ain proprietary smart TV interface, which in its latest iteration looks more than and more like Android Television receiver. And that'southward a skillful thing; it means the interface is familiar and easy to follow. Vizio'south software is dubbed SmartCast, and information technology includes apps for almost of the pop services, such equally Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney +, Spotify and Pandora. All the same, it cannot match the sheer number of channels offered by the TCL Roku gear up and misses at least i important movie offering, the Criterion Aqueduct.

Winner: TCL 4-Series

TCL 4-Serial vs. Vizio 5-Serial: Gaming

Gamers may want to consider a upkeep model as a second TV dedicated to their favorite pursuit. In this the Vizio V-Serial has a slight edge. The 50-inch model nosotros tested produced i of the lowest lag times nosotros've seen with a time of 13.1 ms. That was quicker than the smaller 43-inch TCL 4-Serial which came in at xiv ms, and well ahead of other deal sets like the 43-inch Insignia Amazon Burn down TV, which turned in a very tardy lag time of 38.8 ms.

Gamers should note, however, that the TCL 4-Series and Vizio 5-Serial use 60 Hz displays so they tin can't have full advantage of the higher 120 Hz refresh rates of the latest PS5 and Xbox Serial X consoles. If higher frame rates and advanced features are a must-accept, cheque out our recommendations in the all-time 4K gaming TVs.

Winner: Vizio V-Serial

TCL iv-Series vs. Vizio Five-Serial: Verdict

Choosing an overall winner between the TCL 4-Series and Vizio V-Series comes down to whether you prioritize performance or price. TCL'south entry level 4-Series offers the nearly popular smart TV features via Roku (or Android Goggle box) and a slightly improve picture for movie buffs. Vizio's value V-Series, on the other paw, wins with lower prices on many models and gamers looking for an cheap second prepare may be swayed in its management.

John R. Quain has been reviewing and testing video and audio equipment for more than xx years. For Tom's Guide, he has reviewed televisions, HDTV antennas, electric bikes, electric cars, likewise as other outdoor equipment. He is currently a correspondent to The New York Times and the CBS News boob tube program.