A big screen TV under $1000? Here’s our honest review

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I’ve owned enough TVs in my time to know that “budget‑friendly” generally means unimpressive. Think dull colours, slow menus and load time and sub-par speakers. I’m no stranger to the Roku television experience, so when I got the opportunity to test the Roku Plus Series 65″, I jumped at it. Roku does two things very well. The first: offering a seamless streaming experience, thanks to its simple navigation that pulls from multiple platforms. The second: punching above its price point.

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What:Roku Plus Series 65″
Price: $850 CAD
Where to shop:Best Buy

Is it easy to unbox and set up?

The TV arrived in one big box, and all I had to do was attach the legs (or mount to the wall – you’ll need your own mounting equipment). Two sets of hands are better than one for this – it’s a big TV! – but doable if you’re on your own.

How is the picture and sound quality?

The first thing that struck me was the picture quality. For an affordable $850, the picture was crisp and the colours vibrant. I wouldn’t call it comparable to top LG or Samsung models, but those are priced  in the $2000-$3000 range for similar size and capabilities. For the price point, the image is impressive. 

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The audio is above average, thanks to Dolby Atmos technology and a built-in subwoofer. The sound has a lot of dimension (TV speakers often fall flat, and I tend to sway towards the addition of a sound bar) — the dialogue is clear, as are the background noises.

Does it actually make streaming better?

Just like the last Roku TV I tested, the interface remains one of the easiest to navigate, and a huge selling point. I still use every streaming service under the sun – including Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video (if you haven’t joined Prime yet, you’re eligible for a free trial), Crave and Disney+.  All of the apps load quickly, 4K streams are solid, and I haven’t seen a single buffering wheel since setting it up — even when the rest of the household is online.

The frameless design gives the TV a sleek, almost floating look, which will be even better when I’ve mounted it to the wall. The design is often seen on pricier models, and it makes the Roku Plus feel more premium than its price tag. It’s not trying to compete with the high‑end OLEDs — but in the under $1000 category, it’s one of the most well‑rounded options I’ve tested.

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Pros

• Excellent value for the price: The Roku Plus Series outperforms other TVs in its price bracket when it comes to colour and ease of use.
• Strong 4K picture quality: Crisp detail, vibrant colours and solid contrast.
• Dolby Atmos: The built‑in speakers deliver fuller, more dimensional sound than most TVs in this category.
• Smart Picture Max + auto‑brightness: The TV automatically adjusts picture settings based on content and room lighting, which means you rarely need to tweak anything manually.
• Smooth streaming with Wi‑Fi 6: Apps load quickly, 4K content stays stable and buffering is virtually nonexistent — even when multiple devices are online.
• Bluetooth Headphone Mode: Watch at full volume without disturbing anyone.
• Minimalist frameless design: The sleek, modern look blends into the room and feels premium.
• One of the easiest interfaces to navigate: Roku’s interface is clean and intuitive.

Cons

• Brightness is good, not exceptional: It performs well in most lighting conditions, but it’s not as bright as higher‑end QLED or OLED models. Direct sunlight can wash out the picture.
• Limited gaming features: While casual gaming is fine, it lacks advanced features that dedicated gamers might want.
• Speakers are solid but not home‑theatre level: Dolby Atmos helps, but for true cinematic sound, a soundbar still elevates the experience – I’m using the Marshall Heston.

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Who Should Buy a Roku Plus Series TV?

The Roku Plus Series 65″ offers great picture, immersive sound, smooth streaming and a design that looks more expensive than it is, all at an accessible price point. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a solid streaming or cinematic experience without the premium price tag.

Roku Plus Series TV facts and specs

• Screen size: 55″, 65″, 75″
• Resolution: 4K Ultra HD 
• TV display technology: QLED with Quantum Dot colour
• High Dynamic Range (HDR): Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG
• Refresh rate/Motion enhancement: 60Hz
• Audio enhancement: Dolby Atmos passthrough, Auto Speech Clarity, Night Mode, Roku Soundstage processing
• Speaker output power: 20W total (2 × 10W speakers)
• Inputs: 3 × HDMI 2.0, 1 × USB, 1 × Ethernet (LAN), 1 × RF antenna input
• Outputs: Optical digital audio out, HDMI eARC (for soundbars/AVRs)
• TV Operating System: Roku TV OS 
• Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2, Apple HomeKit
• Manufacturer warranty: 1‑year limited warranty (parts and labour)

What:Roku Plus Series 65″
Price: $850 CAD
Where to shop:Best Buy

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ltaveroff@postmedia.com

instagram.com/leightav

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