Roku 65" Pro Series vs TCL 65" S5: Which Is Better in 2026?
Two very different 65" TVs at different price points. The Roku Pro is a feature-packed QLED with the cleanest interface available. The TCL S5 is a bare-bones 65" with enhanced color on Fire TV. The Pro is modestly more expensive — but the feature gap is even wider than the price gap.
Verdict: The Roku 65" Pro Series wins convincingly. Local dimming, 120Hz, HDMI 2.1, QLED color, and Roku's clean interface make it the better TV in every category except price. The S5 is only the right choice if budget is the sole constraint.
Roku 65" Pro Series
TCL 65" S5
At a Glance
| Feature | Editor's Pick Roku 65" Pro Series QLED Smart TV (2025) | TCL 65" S5 4K Smart Fire TV |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $300–$500 | $300–$500 |
| Screen Size | 65" | 65" |
| Panel Type | QLED | LED (Enhanced) |
| Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| HDR Formats | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Roku OS | Fire TV |
| Check Price | Check Price |
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Picture Quality in Dark Rooms Roku Pro Wins
The Roku Pro's full-array local dimming is the defining upgrade. In dark scenes, the Pro selectively dims backlight zones to deepen blacks and reduce light bleed. The S5 has no local dimming — its entire backlight stays on uniformly, washing out dark scenes with a gray haze. Watching a horror movie or a space drama, the difference is impossible to miss.
Color Richness Roku Pro Wins
The Roku Pro's QLED quantum dot layer produces a wider, more saturated color gamut. Reds are richer, blues are deeper, and skin tones are more natural. The TCL S5 has enhanced color processing that improves over basic LED, but it's not QLED — the gap in color volume is visible side by side, especially in colorful content like animated movies or nature documentaries.
Software & Interface Experience Roku Pro Wins
Roku's interface is the cleanest smart TV platform available. No full-screen ads. No sponsored content blocking your home screen. Content recommendations without the aggressive commercial push that Fire TV delivers. The TCL S5 runs Fire TV, which works fine for streaming but constantly promotes Amazon content and services.
The Roku also has Apple AirPlay and HomeKit support — critical for iPhone and iPad users who want to cast content. Fire TV doesn't offer this.
Motion & Gaming Roku Pro Wins
The Roku Pro runs at 120Hz with two HDMI 2.1 ports and VRR. The S5 is locked at 60Hz with no HDMI 2.1. For gaming on PS5 or Xbox Series X, the Roku Pro can run at 4K/120Hz with variable refresh rate. The S5 caps at 4K/60Hz. For sports, the Pro's 120Hz delivers smoother panning shots and less motion blur during fast action.
Price & Pure Value TCL S5 Wins
The TCL S5 is value-priced while the Roku Pro is value-priced. For buyers who need a 65" TV at the lowest possible price with decent streaming capability, the S5 delivers. It has Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, which is impressive for its price class. If you're furnishing a guest room or dorm room where picture quality isn't critical, the S5 gets the job done.
HDR Format Coverage Tie
Both TVs support Dolby Vision and HDR10+, providing full format flexibility. The Roku Pro's brighter panel and local dimming make HDR content look better in practice, but format support is equal. Neither TV will reject a premium HDR stream from any major service.
Who Should Get Which?
Get the Roku 65" Pro Series if...
- You want the best 65" TV under $500 with local dimming and 120Hz
- A clean, ad-light interface matters — Roku OS is the least cluttered
- You game on PS5 or Xbox and need HDMI 2.1
- You use Apple devices and want AirPlay and HomeKit integration
Get the TCL 65" S5 if...
- Budget is your primary constraint and you need a 65" TV for as little as possible
- You're buying for a secondary room (guest room, bedroom, kids' room)
- You're already invested in the Fire TV and Alexa ecosystem
- You don't game and mainly stream casual content
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roku Pro Series worth the extra money over the TCL S5?
The Roku Pro adds QLED color, full-array local dimming, 120Hz, and HDMI 2.1 — all features the S5 lacks. If you game or watch in a dark room, those upgrades are substantial. For basic streaming in a well-lit room, the S5 is good enough.
Which has fewer ads — Roku or Fire TV?
Roku's interface is noticeably less ad-heavy than Fire TV. Roku shows recommendations on the home screen but doesn't inject full-screen ads or sponsored content as aggressively as Amazon's platform. The TCL S5 on Fire TV has more intrusive advertising.
Can I use Apple AirPlay on both TVs?
The Roku Pro Series supports Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. The TCL S5 on Fire TV does not natively support AirPlay. For Apple device owners, the Roku is the better choice.
Does the TCL S5 support 120Hz for gaming?
No. The TCL S5 is a 60Hz panel with no HDMI 2.1. It caps at 4K/60Hz for gaming. The Roku Pro Series runs at 120Hz with two HDMI 2.1 ports and VRR support.
Which TV has better sound?
The Roku Pro Series has 20W speakers versus the TCL S5's 16W. Neither produces room-filling sound, but the Roku is slightly louder and clearer. Both TVs benefit from an external soundbar.