THE BEST 32-INCH TV Updated January 16, 2024 “Bigger is better” may be the television industry’s motto, but not everyone is on the hunt for a massive screen. If you’re looking for a smaller

TV that’s suitable for a kitchen, dorm room, or bedroom—or if you just don’t want to spend much money—we recommend the Roku Select Series HD. None of the 32-inch TVs we tested matched the

performance of our favorite premium or budget 4K TVs, but the Roku Select Series HD looks better than the competition and is easy to use. HOW WE PICKED AND TESTED ------------------------- *

What to expect These TVs offer acceptable performance, but they aren’t as bright as our other TV picks and lack many advanced technologies of larger TVs. * Objective testing We measured

Bluetooth audio output, and wired Ethernet connections. Read more TOP PICK ROKU SELECT SERIES HD 32R3B5 THE BEST 32-INCH TV This TV boasts better picture quality than its 32-inch

counterparts, and its Roku smart-TV platform is easy to use. But it lacks the higher-performance technologies you’ll find in larger, pricier TVs. The 32-inch Roku Select Series HD (32R3B5)

boasts solid picture quality, the familiar and intuitive Roku smart-TV platform, and enough features for most situations. This TV came out on top in our comparison tests, pairing

higher-than-average brightness with good black levels, accurate color in the Movie picture mode, and acceptable video-game performance. But you don’t get advanced LCD features like high

dynamic range (HDR) support, mini-LED backlighting for improved image contrast, and a higher refresh rate for smoother motion. Though we do prefer the Google TV platform overall for media

streaming, the 32R3B5’s built-in Roku platform has a clean, simple interface and supports all the major streaming services. The included Roku remote is equally simple in design but still has

the necessary buttons, and it also includes a microphone for voice search. Unlike many 32-inch TVs that are limited to a 720p resolution, the 32R3B5 has a 1080p (full HD) resolution, which

makes it a better choice for text-heavy media or occasional desktop use. The Roku Select Series HD is also available in a 40-inch size, but not in a smaller 24-inch size. RUNNER-UP TCL S3 IF

YOU WANT YOUR CHOICE OF SMART TV PLATFORMS This TV comes in Fire TV, Google TV, and Roku variants. It’s a little brighter than our top pick, but its overall picture quality is worse. If

you’re on the lookout for a specific smart TV platform in a 32-inch screen size, the TCL S3 is available with our preferred Google TV platform, Amazon’s Fire TV platform, or the same Roku

platform as our top pick. Like our top pick, this TV has a 1080p resolution. In our testing, it was a little brighter than the Roku Select Series HD TV, and it does support HDR playback. But

overall it had worse image contrast and color accuracy, so movies and TV shows lacked the richness we got from the Roku Select Series HD. This TCL TV also has fewer HDMI inputs. The S3 is

also available in larger sizes, namely 40 or 43 inches depending on which smart platform you choose. WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US I’m a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering TVs and other AV

equipment. I have reviewed TVs since 2012, and I have ISF Level III training and calibration certification. There are more TV stands in my house than there are people. For the latest

version of this guide: * I researched all available 32-inch models and referenced reviews from trusted sources to help decide what to test. * I used the same light/color meters, signal

generators, calibration software, and input lag meters that we use to test more expensive TVs to identify the 32-inch TVs with the best picture quality. * Like all Wirecutter journalists, I

review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards. WHO

THIS IS FOR Smaller TVs, with screen sizes of 32 inches or below, are great for apartment, condo, and dorm-room dwellers with smaller living rooms, as well as for anyone who wants to have a

TV in a bedroom, workout room, or other secondary space. You can pair a 32-inch TV with a computer, but unless you need the built-in over-the-air TV tuner (which is technically what makes a

TV a TV, as opposed to a monitor), you’re generally better off going with a dedicated computer monitor. If you’re looking for an affordable display to pull double duty for TV and computer

use, these models will technically work with HDMI-equipped computers and laptops—they just aren’t ideal. As for performance, the vast majority of 32-inch TVs pale in comparison with our

picks in our best 4K TV on a budget and best LCD/LED TV guides because they lack features such as high brightness, local-dimming LED backlights, and quantum-dot color. (You can read more

about these tech terms in our TV buying guide.) To get exceptional picture quality, you have to move up in screen size and spend more money. HOW WE PICKED AND TESTED In today’s TV market,

manufacturers prioritize larger screens because that’s what people are buying. Lots of new TV series aren’t available in screen sizes smaller than 55 or 50 inches, and many of the 32-inch

TVs you can find for sale from major brands are several years old. Hisense and Roku released smaller TVs in 2024, while TCL carried over models from 2023 into this year. They’re all limited

to the companies’ most budget-oriented lines. Because options are limited at this size, we didn’t set any formal criteria to eliminate potential candidates beyond trying to get the newest

models available. As we researched which models to call in and test, we noticed some predictable patterns in features and pricing that you might find helpful to keep in mind as you shop: *

RESOLUTION: The majority of 32-inch TVs have 720p (1366×768) HD resolution, but we’re seeing more models that offer 1080p (1920×1080) full-HD resolution. We found the difference between 720p

and 1080p to be almost negligible at this screen size while watching movies and TV shows from a few feet away. However, for close-up viewing, the step up to 1080p provides meaningful

improvement, especially in text clarity. * SMART-TV PLATFORM: As with TVs of all screen sizes, it has become impossible to find a new 32-inch TV that lacks a built-in internet connection and

streaming platform. Companies such as LG, Samsung, and Vizio utilize their own respective proprietary smart-TV platforms, while brands like Hisense and TCL rely on Fire TV, Google TV, or

Roku. If you have a strong preference for or against a certain smart-TV platform, that may factor heavily into your choice of 32-inch TV. Manufacturers seldom use their best processors and

Wi-Fi tech in these TVs, so the smart-TV experience is usually slower and less robust than what you can get from a good external streaming media player. * NUMBER OF HDMI INPUTS: Many 32-inch

TVs have just two HDMI inputs, but some offer three. Your choice of TVs may come down to how many external sources you need to attach. The built-in streaming capability can eliminate the

need to attach an external media streamer, but if you have a cable box, gaming console, and disc player, for example, you should look for a TV with three HDMI inputs. We test 32-inch TVs in

much the same manner as we test larger and more expensive TVs: We take each TV out of the box, set it up, and measure it using Portrait Displays’s Calman software, in conjunction with a C6

HDR2000 colorimeter and a VideoForge Pro test-pattern generator, to measure the color, the color temperature, the light output, and more. We then do direct side-by-side comparisons of TVs

using a variety of sources. For more details, read about how Wirecutter tests TVs. TOP PICK: ROKU SELECT SERIES HD (32R3B5) TOP PICK ROKU SELECT SERIES HD 32R3B5 THE BEST 32-INCH TV This TV

boasts better picture quality than its 32-inch counterparts, and its Roku smart-TV platform is easy to use. But it lacks the higher-performance technologies you’ll find in larger, pricier

TVs. SCREEN SIZES (INCHES) 32 (32R3B5), 40 (40R3B5) BACKLIGHT TYPE direct-lit LED REFRESH RATE 60 Hz COLOR TECH n/a HDR FORMATS n/a HDMI CONNECTIONS three HDMI 2.0 (one with eARC) SMART-TV

PLATFORM Roku TV TUNER ATSC 1.0 The Roku Select Series HD (32R3B5) is the best 32-inch TV due to its combination of good picture quality, simple smart-TV operation, and helpful features.

Though it isn’t leagues better than other 32-inch TVs we tested, it edges them out in several key categories. THIS ROKU TV HAD THE BEST PICTURE CONTRAST OF THE MODELS WE TESTED. Contrast—how

dark and bright a TV can get—is the most important aspect of picture quality because it’s what gives the image a sense of richness, depth, and dimension. In our testing, the 32R3B5outpaced

its competition, including the 2024 Hisense 32A4N and our runner-up, the TCL S3. The 32R3B5 wasn’t the brightest TV overall in our tests, but it managed to pair its brightness, which peaked

around 270 nits, with the most satisfying black levels. Other, brighter TVs we tested produced overly bright shadow tones, making for very poor image contrast. While watching Silo on Apple

TV+ (a generally dark show that takes place mostly underground) side by side with the Hisense A4, I found that the 32R3B5’s darker black levels were absolutely crucial to maintaining a sense

of immersion, compared to a TV that produces bluish shadows and a more washed-out image. The 32R3B5 also did the best job of transitioning from shadowy black scenes to peak white. Most of

this Roku TV’s competitors tended to either brighten too slowly as they added light to shadowy scenes, or brighten too quickly, creating unrealistic and sudden jumps from the darkest shadows

into grays and midtone lighting. ITS COLOR ACCURACY IS GOOD ENOUGH. Our testing has shown that the color accuracy of smaller 32-inch TVs has generally gotten worse since 2021. Fortunately,

the 32R3B5 bucks that trend with solid color accuracy and a higher degree of color saturation than the competition. While larger and more expensive TVs aim at producing the wider color gamut

used in 4K HDR video, our hope for 32-inch TVs is that they’ll be able to produce 100% of the standard color range for HDTV. But sadly, most don’t. The 32R3B5 achieved 92% of that color

range, which put it ahead of the other 32-inch TVs we tested this year and last year. IT HAS BETTER MOTION PERFORMANCE THAN THE COMPETITION. All of the TVs in this size and price range have

a 60 Hz refresh rate (as opposed to the superior, 120 Hz refresh rate that you’ll find on premium models). While that normally means that motion performance should look identical between

them, the 32R3B5 did some additional processing to help deter color and image trailing during fast-action content like sports and video games. I noticed this most while playing _Theatrhythm

Final Bar Line_ on PlayStation 5, a rhythm game that requires precise inputs, and comparing the Roku TV with the Hisense 32A4N. With both TVs in their Movie picture modes with Game modes

toggled on, the Hisense was beset with distracting trailing, while the 32R3B5 stayed relatively crisp. THIS TV HAS A 1080P RESOLUTION. This year, both our top pick and runner-up pick have a

full-HD resolution instead of the 720p resolution found on a lot of 32-inch models. While 720p is usually fine in smaller TV screen sizes, I did notice a big difference while comparing the

Roku 32R3B5 with the Hisense 32A4N during certain types of content. If you like to watch with closed captioning or you play video games with text on the screen, you’ll notice a lot more

pixelation on a 720p display. How much you’ll notice this depends on viewing distance, but if you like to sit closer or watch attentively (rather than, for example, watching the TV from

across your kitchen), you’ll be better served by 1080p resolution. And considering the 32R3B5 costs roughly the same as last year’s 720p top pick, you’re not really paying more for it. THE

ROKU PLATFORM IS EASY TO RECOMMEND. When it comes to media streaming devices, we prefer Google TV for its more robust search and recommendation capabilities and its easy integration with the

Google ecosystem. But for easily jumping into apps such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, or Netflix, nothing is simpler than Roku. The 32R3B5’s Roku platform requires you to sign in using your

Roku account, but once it syncs and finishes installing apps, watching content on this TV is as easy as pointing and clicking. If you’re using source devices over HDMI, you’ll find them

listed in the same place as your streaming apps, and all you have to do is click on them. This TV supports Wi-Fi 4 (also known as dual-band Wi-Fi), which isn’t the latest wireless protocol

but is not yet outdated. I never had any issues with loading or buffering. Granted, I tested these TVs in the same room as my wireless router, so your mileage may vary if you’re placing your

TV very far from your router. Note too that this model doesn’t have an Ethernet input—check out our runner-up if that’s something you need. THIS TV PLAYS NICE WITH OLDER SOURCES AND NEWER

SOUNDBARS. Unlike most higher-end TVs coming out this year, many 32-inch TVs, including this model, are still equipped with older composite (also called “AV”) inputs—the yellow, red, and

white cables that older devices use. As a result, the 32R3B5 can easily work with a VCR, a DVD player, or a retro gaming console such as a Nintendo GameCube. This TV also carries three HDMI

inputs (our runner-up has only two), and one of them is eARC-compatible, so it will work seamlessly with newer soundbars that use the eARC protocol. The included remote is the RF-based Roku

Voice Remote. It has direct buttons to launch Apple TV+, Paramount+, HBO Max, and Netflix, plus a microphone button for voice search. And because this is a Roku-manufactured TV, you can pair

it with the Roku Voice Remote Pro if you want to upgrade to a hands-free voice experience. FLAWS BUT NOT DEALBREAKERS YOU MAY WANT TO INVEST IN A BETTER SOUND SYSTEM. In general none of

these TVs were great with audio (though our runner-up is slightly better equipped in that regard). However, this TV does have an eARC-compatible HDMI inputand an optical audio output, so if

you already have an existing audio system, it should work with this TV. Note that the 32R3B5 does not have a dedicated headphone jack. THE 32R3B5 ALSO DOESN’T WORK NATIVELY WITH BLUETOOTH

HEADPHONES. You can use Bluetooth audio devices with the TV by downloading the Roku mobile app, linking the app with the TV, and selecting the “Private Listening” option. Then you can use

any headphones or speakers connected to your phone. Just note that Private Listening only works with the TV’s streaming apps or built-in digital antenna, not external sources connected via

HDMI. IT’S NOT THE BEST CHOICE FOR VIDEO GAMES THAT REQUIRE PRECISION. This TV introduced more input lag during gaming than last year’s Roku Select Series HD TV—enough that I found it

annoying to play certain games that required precise inputs. It shouldn’t be an issue for the average single-player cinematic game, but if you’re playing something competitive or

rhythm-based, you might find yourself irritated by this TV’s performance. YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SPEND MORE IF YOUR ROOM IS VERY BRIGHT. As mentioned above, this TV isn’t particularly bright by

average TV standards: With the backlight cranked up during our HDR testing, this model topped out at around 270 nits. That’s bright enough to combat some room lighting, but if your room gets

a lot of sunlight—and especially if the screen will receive direct sunlight—you may need to spend more and increase your screen size. In that case, consider one of our budget 4K options,

where the average brightness is closer to 500 nits. RUNNER-UP: TCL S3 RUNNER-UP TCL S3 IF YOU WANT YOUR CHOICE OF SMART TV PLATFORMS This TV comes in Fire TV, Google TV, and Roku variants.

It’s a little brighter than our top pick, but its overall picture quality is worse. SCREEN SIZES (INCHES) 32 (32S350F; 32S350G; 32S350R), 40 (40S350F; 40S350G; 40S350R), 43 (43S350G;

43S350R) BACKLIGHT TYPE direct-lit LED REFRESH RATE 60 Hz COLOR TECH n/a HDR FORMATS HDR10 (Fire TV and Google TV models only) HDMI CONNECTIONS two HDMI 2.0 (one with ARC) SMART-TV PLATFORM

Fire TV, Google TV, or Roku TV TUNER ATSC 1.0 Although the TCL S3 represents a small step down in picture quality compared with our top pick, it has some advantages that certain people may

prefer—namely, the ability to play HDR content and the option to choose Fire TV, Google TV, or Roku for your streaming platform. We tested the Google TV version, the 32S350G. YOU’RE

TECHNICALLY GETTING AN HDR TV. The TCL S3 supports the HDR10 format, while our top pick does not—but how much difference that makes is debatable. In our tests, the TCL 32S350G was only

marginally brighter than the Roku 32R3B5 (around 280 nits versus 270 nits for our top pick), but its average black levels were significantly worse (averaging 0.58 nit versus the Roku model’s

0.035 nit). This difference was especially noticeable in content with letterbox bars, where elements of the backlight were often visible, particularly in off-angle viewing. However, if you

mostly watch in a brighter environment (such as a kitchen), where the subtleties of shadow detail aren’t as discernible, you may prefer the TCL S3’s slightly higher brightness. Even though

the S3 still isn’t bright enough to really do HDR justice, HDR content does tend to look better here than it would in SDR, especially when it’s compressed content on Netflix or Prime

Video.Note, though, that only the Fire TV and Google TV variants support HDR playback. PICTURE PURISTS WILL WANT TO TINKER WITH THE SETTINGS. Compared with our top pick, the S3 is

disappointingly inaccurate in its Movie picture mode. In our tests, the colors were undersaturated, and the TV over-brightened shadows, making contrast look a bit shallow. Those errors were

not egregious, but we found that this TV was not as well-tuned for standard dynamic range (SDR) content as our top pick. You can improve things a bit by adjusting the settings for gamma and

color space in the picture menu, but if you want tinker-free accuracy out of the box, you’ll be better served by the Roku Select Series HD. THIS TV HAS GOOD INTERNAL STREAMING BUT IS MORE

LIMITED IN CONNECTIONS. During my testing, the Google TV–based 32S350G did a fine job of streaming content from a wide array of apps, and I would guess that the Fire TV and Roku

variants—equipped with support for the same Wi-Fi protocol—would yield roughly the same results. With different update priorities across those services, however, there’s likely to be some

amount of discrepancy from platform to platform. If you do want to stream HDR in the highest fidelity, or if you don’t have a wireless router (or have one in range), the included Ethernet

port is one advantage that the S3 boasts over our top pick. (Again, keep in mind that the Roku version of the S3 can’t play HDR content.) On the other hand, this TV is not as promising of a

choice where external devices are concerned. With only two HDMI inputs, it’s pretty limited in how many devices (such as a game console or DVD/Blu-ray player) it allows you to connect,

especially if you’re connecting the ARC-compatible HDMI input to a soundbar. The 32S350G has an AV/composite splitter but doesn’t have direct hookups for that older audio/video format as our

top pick does. IT HAS BETTER-THAN-AVERAGE ONBOARD AUDIO. No TV in this size or price range can promise good audio, but the S3 has slightly bigger and more robust speakers than the average

32-inch TV, including our top pick. If you’re just building out an AV space and don’t have an external audio device, or if you don’t want to take up one of the two HDMI inputs with an ARC

connection, the audio on this model is more serviceable by a hair, consisting of two 8-watt speakers versus the average pair of 5-watt speakers. A VOICE-READY REMOTE IS ALWAYS WELCOME. The

remote you get depends on which smart-TV version you choose. If you buy the Fire TV or Google TV variant of the S3, you get a voice-ready remote control that allows you to use Amazon Alexa

or Google Assistant, respectively, to search content or execute commands. If you buy the Roku variant, you don’t get a voice-compatible remote by default. However, you can use the Roku app

on a mobile device to enable voice commands, or you can purchase the compatible Roku Voice Remote Pro. FLAWS BUT NOT DEALBREAKERS THERE’S NO GETTING AROUND THE MIDDLING BLACK LEVELS. No

matter the size of your TV or how you’re using it, maintaining deep black levels is one of the most important aspects of picture quality, if not the most important. The S3 is a fine

television, and it looks solid playing brighter HDR video. But if you’re watching in a dark room, you’re going to notice the “bright” shadows sooner or later, and it’s hard to unsee them

once you do. THIS IS A 2023 MODEL, SO IT MAY BE HARDER TO TRACK DOWN. Although TCL has stated that it is specifically carrying over certain entry-level series from 2023 to 2024, it may not

prove as easy as you’d like to find the 32-inch TCL S3 in the specific smart-TV variant that you’d prefer—Roku, Google TV, or Fire TV. OTHER 32-INCH TVS WORTH MENTIONING IF YOU’RE WILLING TO

PAY A LOT MORE FOR A 32-INCH TV THAT CAN BLEND INTO ANY ROOM: Samsung’s 32-inch Frame TV is styled to look like a painting and comes with a slim-fit wall-mount—though you can set it up on a

stand or table, too. It has customizable bezels, a matte screen, a built-in art store, and a bunch of other unique features that you can read about in our guide to the best 40- to 49-inch

TVs. The 32-inch version only has a 1080p resolution, but like the larger 4K versions, it has quantum-dot color and support for high dynamic range video. However, the edge LED lighting

limits overall contrast. Plus, its dual citizenship as both a fully functional Samsung QLED TV and a convincing piece of art means it costs more than twice as much as our picks. You can get

a larger, better-performing 4K TV for less money. WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO No new 32-inch TVs were announced during CES 2025, and we don’t expect details to be forthcoming until closer to Q2

or even Q3. In 2024, Samsung introduced a 32-inch version of its entry-level QLED TVs. The Samsung UN32Q60D should be very similar to the company’s Frame TV in picture quality, but you

aren’t paying more for that TV’s art-focused design or built-in Art Mode. The Q60D seems like it could be an excellent upgrade pick in this size range, so we aim to test it soon. THE

COMPETITION _We’ve tested or dismissed dozens of 32-inch TVs since this guide’s creation in 2017. Many of them have since been discontinued and replaced by newer models. Here are a few

notable competitors that might still be available:_ We tested the 32-inch Hisense 32A4N and found that, while it wasn’t a bad TV overall, it did not outperform our picks. The 32A4N is

limited to 720p and offers decent image contrast, but like a lot of TVs in this price range, it isn’t very bright. I also found its downsampling process (converting higher-resolution video

to its 720p screen) was not very good, resulting in a lot of pixelation. We think buyers are better off spending a little more on our 1080p picks. The Samsung UN32N5300, introduced over five

years ago, is still available. At the time, it was one the first 32-inchers to offer 1080p resolution and support HDR, but those features can now be found on newer TVs. We tested the TCL S2

(the step-down model from our runner-up pick) and found it to be lacking in a few areas: It offers worse contrast than both of our picks, it displays inaccurate colors in its Movie picture

mode, and it’s generally too dark, brightening too slowly out of black. It’s available only in a 32-inch size at 720p resolution, and only with the Roku platform. Our former pick, the TCL

32S334, has technically been discontinued and replaced by the new S3 model. You may still find this TV available online, but usually at elevated prices. Sony introduced the KD-32W830K in

2022, but we opted not to test it because, despite being a basic TV with a 720p resolution like our top pick, it’s considerably more expensive. We chose not to test LG’s 32LR65 Series due to

LG’s poor track record with entry-level LCD TVs and review sources stating that it’s a worse performer than our picks. You can find a number of Fire TV–equipped 32-inch models manufactured

by brands such as Insignia and Toshiba. These lines are refreshed semiregularly and are often on sale for less than $100, especially during deal events. I’ve tested such models in the past,

and I’ve always been disappointed. You can get better picture quality and more reliability by spending a little more on one of our picks. In your shopping, you may also come across other

32-inch TVs from brands you recognize, such as Hitachi, JVC, Philips, RCA, or Westinghouse. These TVs are no longer manufactured by the original companies; rather, the brand names have been

licensed by other companies and are often mass-produced together. We prefer to focus on the major TV manufacturers that still do their own research, development, and customer support. _This

article was edited by Adrienne Maxwell and Grant Clauser._