We just gave the Roku Select Series a 2.5-star review — here’s the Roku TV you should buy instead
As Senior TV Editor with over a decade of experience under my belt, I love to gawk at gorgeous, top-of-the-line TVs with eye-popping picture quality. But I hold a special place in my heart for budget-friendly TVs with mass appeal, too — especially if they’re easy to use. And, thanks to their simple-but-powerful software, Roku TVs play the part perfectly.
Not all Roku TVs are worth buying, however. We recently reviewed the Roku Select Series — one of the brand’s newest TVs for 2026 — and walked away with a not-so-rosy view of this affordable model.
If you’re upgrading your TV and you have your heart set on built-in Roku functionality, I recommend spending just a little bit more on the Roku Plus Series, a 2025 model. Right now, the 55-inch Roku Plus Series is just $349 at Amazon — it’s $80 more than the 55-inch Select Series, but it’s worth the extra dough.
The extra cash you’ll spend on the Plus Series will go towards better hardware, and in turn, better picture quality. The more-affordable Select Series is limited to a basic, direct-LED display. It’s better than a bottom-of-the-barrel, edge-lit display, but if you care about performance, the Plus Series is preferable.
The Roku Plus Series is equipped with a modest array of Mini-LEDs. They’re not as bright or as bountiful as the Mini-LEDs you’ll find on higher-end models, but they represent a significant step up from the Plus Series’ more rudimentary LED backlighting.
It’s not just that the Plus Series’ Mini-LEDs are smaller — they’re also equipped with local dimming, so they’re more dynamic when it comes to controlling the TV’s contrast. Simply put, if you’re aiming to keep costs low but still want decent picture quality for the price, the Roku Plus Series is a better bet than the newer Select Series.
The Roku Plus Series is a better bet than the newer Select Series.
Regardless of which set you go for, the true star of the show is the built-in Roku software. I don't own a Roku TV, but I still I use a dedicated Roku device everyday due to its simple interface and robust app library. The Plus Series and the Select Series puts the entire Roku experience into the TV itself with no additional hardware needed.
Compared to most streaming platforms, Roku remains relatively free of ads and recommended content. Its menus are straightforward and navigation is zippy. These TVs are terrific for the type of person who's tired of fussing with bloated, slow software every time they turn on their TV.
At just $269 for a 55-inch model, I completely understand the appeal of the Roku Select Series. Nevertheless, most people owe it to themselves to spring for the Plus Series' punchier picture.
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