Roku Select Series 32-inch 720p Smart TV
Overview
The Roku Select Series 32-inch 720p Smart TV launched in April 2024 as a no-nonsense entry point into smart TV ownership — built from the ground up on Roku's own platform rather than bolted onto a generic panel. At 32 inches, it fits naturally in a bedroom, kitchen counter, or dorm setup without dominating the space. The resolution is 720p HD, not 4K, and that's worth saying plainly upfront. For a screen this size watched at normal room distances, 720p is more than adequate for daily streaming. If you're expecting reference-grade picture quality, adjust expectations — this Roku TV is engineered around value and simplicity, and it delivers exactly that.
Features & Benefits
The built-in Roku OS is the real selling point here — no streaming stick required, apps load quickly, and the home screen is genuinely easy to organize around your habits. The voice remote supports push-to-talk and connects with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, which is a surprisingly full smart home roster for this price tier. Connectivity is handled well: three HDMI ports including one eARC for soundbars, a USB-A port, and a cable/antenna input cover most setups. Dual-band Wi-Fi keeps streaming stable, and Dolby Audio paired with an optical output means adding external speakers later is straightforward if the built-in audio leaves you wanting more.
Best For
This entry-level smart TV makes the most sense in spaces where a large, high-end display would feel out of place — a bedroom nightstand setup, a kitchen wall mount, a college dorm, or a studio apartment with limited floor space. Cord-cutters will appreciate the free live TV access through The Roku Channel and the built-in antenna input for local broadcasts. It is also a practical pick for parents who want a dedicated screen for kids, since the platform is easy to navigate and manage. If the living room already has the big 4K set, this Roku TV is exactly what you need everywhere else.
User Feedback
Buyers consistently highlight how quick and painless the setup is — most report being up and running within minutes, with no confusing menus or missing remote functions. The interface earns repeated praise for staying out of the way. On the critical side, users who previously owned a 1080p or 4K set sometimes notice the resolution step-down, particularly on fine details and on-screen text. Built-in speaker volume is reported as adequate for small rooms but thin on depth. A backlit remote and a lost-remote finder are both absent, which comes up occasionally in reviews. That said, overall value perception is strong — most buyers feel the 32-inch Roku Select delivers appropriately for what it costs.
Pros
- Native Roku OS means no streaming stick needed — just plug in and start watching.
- Setup takes under 15 minutes, even for first-time smart TV owners.
- Three HDMI ports on a 32-inch TV is genuinely above average for this price class.
- Free access to 400-plus live TV channels covers a lot of daily viewing without subscriptions.
- Voice remote works reliably with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit out of the box.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi holds a stable connection for smooth streaming in most home environments.
- The optical audio output makes adding a soundbar later a straightforward upgrade.
- At 56 watts, this Roku TV is an energy-efficient choice for always-on spaces like kitchens.
- The Roku interface consistently earns praise as one of the cleanest, fastest smart TV platforms available.
- VESA 100x100mm mount compatibility makes wall installation simple and inexpensive.
Cons
- No HDR support limits picture depth and contrast, even by budget TV standards.
- Built-in speakers lack bass and struggle with movie soundtracks at higher volumes.
- The remote has no backlight, which is an inconvenient omission for a TV often used in dark bedrooms.
- No lost-remote finder feature — a small but recurring complaint from real buyers.
- No Ethernet port makes the TV entirely dependent on Wi-Fi, with no wired fallback option.
- Home screen ads from the Roku platform can feel intrusive when you just want to open an app quickly.
- 720p resolution shows its limits noticeably on fine text and detailed sports footage.
- No ambient light sensor or advanced power-saving modes beyond a basic sleep timer.
Ratings
The scores below were generated by AI after analyzing thousands of verified buyer reviews for the Roku Select Series 32-inch 720p Smart TV worldwide, with spam, bot-submitted, and incentivized feedback actively filtered out. This entry-level smart TV earns strong marks in areas like software experience and connectivity, while honest gaps in picture resolution and audio depth are reflected just as transparently.
Value for Money
Picture Quality
Smart Platform & Interface
Setup & Ease of Use
Remote Control
Build Quality & Design
Audio Performance
Connectivity & Ports
Wi-Fi & Streaming Reliability
Free Content & Channel Selection
Smart Home Integration
Brightness & Visibility
720p Resolution at 32 Inches
Energy Efficiency
Suitable for:
The Roku Select Series 32-inch 720p Smart TV was essentially built for people who need a reliable, low-hassle screen in a secondary space — a bedroom, a kitchen counter, a college dorm, or a first apartment. If your primary concern is getting a functional smart TV up and running quickly without reading a manual or hunting for a streaming stick, this set handles all of that out of the box. Cord-cutters will find particular value here: the built-in antenna input for local channels, combined with The Roku Channel's free live TV library, covers a surprising amount of daily viewing without a single paid subscription. Parents setting up a dedicated kids' room TV will also appreciate how approachable the Roku platform is — it is easy to manage, easy to navigate, and does not require ongoing technical maintenance. For anyone already invested in a smart home ecosystem using Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit, the native compatibility means this TV slots in without extra configuration.
Not suitable for:
Buyers shopping for a primary living room TV or anyone accustomed to 1080p or 4K displays should look elsewhere before committing to the Roku Select Series 32-inch 720p Smart TV. The 720p resolution is a real ceiling — fine detail in sports, nature documentaries, and 4K-mastered content will visibly suffer, and there is no HDR support to compensate in high-contrast scenes. If picture quality is your primary criterion, even a modest budget increase opens up 1080p alternatives that are meaningfully sharper. The built-in speakers are similarly entry-level, so anyone who watches films regularly without a soundbar or external audio setup will likely find the audio underwhelming over time. Gamers looking for low-latency performance or a high refresh rate experience will also find this TV underpowered for that purpose. And if your Wi-Fi coverage is patchy or your router is far from the intended installation spot, the lack of an Ethernet port becomes a practical frustration with no easy workaround.
Specifications
- Screen Size: The panel measures 32 inches diagonally (31.5″ actual viewable area), making it well-suited for bedrooms, kitchens, and small living spaces.
- Resolution: Native resolution is 720p HD (1280×720 pixels), which delivers a clean, watchable image at typical close-to-mid viewing distances on a 32-inch panel.
- Panel Type: Direct-lit LED display with Roku Smart Picture processing, which automatically adjusts image settings based on the content being watched.
- Refresh Rate: The panel runs at a native 60Hz refresh rate, adequate for standard streaming, broadcast TV, and casual gaming.
- HDR Support: This model does not support HDR (High Dynamic Range), meaning peak brightness and contrast depth are limited compared to HDR-capable displays.
- Operating System: Runs Roku OS natively — no external streaming device required — with access to 400-plus live TV channels and all major streaming apps.
- Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) is built in; there is no Ethernet port, so all network connectivity is wireless only.
- HDMI Ports: Equipped with three HDMI inputs: two standard HDMI ports and one HDMI eARC port for direct soundbar or AV receiver connection.
- Other Inputs: Additional connectivity includes one USB-A port and one coaxial cable/antenna input for over-the-air broadcast reception.
- Audio Output: Features a digital optical audio output, allowing connection to external soundbars or home theater receivers without signal conversion.
- Audio Format: Supports Dolby Audio decoding for compatible streaming content, delivered through the built-in 2.1-channel stereo speaker system.
- Voice Remote: Includes a push-to-talk voice remote with dedicated channel shortcut buttons; the remote is not backlit and has no lost-remote finder function.
- Smart Home: Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Apple AirPlay 2 for voice control and wireless screen mirroring.
- VESA Mount: Supports standard VESA 100×100mm wall mount pattern, compatible with most third-party brackets sold for 32-inch TVs.
- Dimensions: With stand: 28.9″ W × 19.0″ H × 7.6″ D; without stand: 28.9″ W × 17.2″ H × 2.8″ D; stand width spans 24.1″.
- Weight: The TV weighs 11.4 pounds, making it easy to handle solo during installation or repositioning.
- Power Consumption: Rated at 56 watts during normal operation at 120V AC, which is low enough for always-on secondary room use without a meaningful electricity cost.
- Included Items: The box includes the TV, a pair of detachable stands with screws, a Roku voice remote with AAA batteries pre-included, and a quick start guide.
- Model Number: The official model number is 32R2B5, which can be used to verify compatibility with replacement parts, wall mounts, and service support.
- Release Date: First made available in April 2024, positioning it as a relatively current product with up-to-date Roku OS software at time of purchase.
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