The 2 Best 32-Inch TVs of 2025

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 the previous Roku Select Series HD TV I tested — 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.