Display
42.5 in, VA, LED, 1920 x 1080 pixels
42.5
Refresh rate
50 Hz / 60 Hz
50 Hz
Dimensions
954 x 554 x 77 mm
954
Weight
5.02 kg
5.02 k
Processor
Overview
For bedrooms and smaller lounges, the TCL 43S5L is a 42.5-inch Full HD VA Google TV with LED backlighting and a standard 50/60 Hz refresh rate. Its 4000:1 listed contrast should favour dark-scene depth, while 93% DCI-P3 coverage and HDR10+ support add colour-format capability. The missing brightness and peak-brightness figures mean HDR intensity is unknown, and 1920 x 1080 resolution is less detailed than 4K at this screen size. Google TV, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Bluetooth 5.4 cover everyday streaming. Two HDMI 1.4 ports, USB 2.0, optical audio and a headphone output handle basic devices, but there is no HDMI 2.1 or gaming VRR. Audio totals 20 W. Buy it if you want an uncomplicated 43-inch Google TV with good listed contrast; skip it if you expect 4K sharpness or modern gaming features.
BrandTCLPanel TypeVAResolution1920 x 1080 (Full HD)Refresh Rate50/60 Hz
Key Highlights
- 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution on the 42.5-inch VA panel defines the core viewing experience
- 93 % (percent) DCI-P3 coverage supports wider colour for films, sport and games
- HDR10+, HLG support covers the important HDR formats listed for this model
- 50/60 Hz keeps motion conventional; ALLM or FreeSync helps latency but does not create a 120 Hz panel
- Google TV with Not published provides streaming, casting and voice-assistant functions
Who Should Buy the tcl 43S5L
+ Best For
Everyday viewers
42.5-inch screen and 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) suit films, television and streaming
Casual console players
50/60 Hz and Not published match the panel’s gaming level
HDR format users
HDR10+, HLG offers broad source compatibility
Smart-TV households
Google TV handles apps, casting and connected-home features
× Not Ideal For
Brightness-focused HDR buyers
the sheet does not publish enough brightness data to judge highlight intensity
High-refresh gamers
the 50/60 Hz ceiling cannot show 120 fps or 144 fps input natively
Flexible furniture setups
the included stand has no height, swivel or tilt adjustment
Buyers expecting cinema-scale sound
the listed or unpublished speaker output favours adding a soundbar
Display Performance
Refresh Rate
50/60 Hz
Standard television refresh rather than premium 120 Hz motion
Response Time
Not published
No measured pixel-response claim should be assumed when the sheet omits it
Brightness
Not published
HDR intensity cannot be confirmed from the supplied specifications
Contrast
4000 : 1
The listed native contrast supports stronger dark-scene separation
Colour Gamut
93 % (percent)
Wide colour coverage is useful for HDR films and games
HDR
HDR10+, HLG
Format support is broad, but hardware brightness and dimming decide the real result
Gaming Performance
Refresh Rate50/60 HzSuitable for 50/60 fps play, not 120 fps presentation
Response TimeNot publishedThe sheet does not provide a dependable motion-response figure
VRR / Adaptive SyncNot publishedNo variable-refresh support is published
GPU RequirementFull HD up to 60 HzThe Full HD resolution is easier for entry-level gaming hardware to drive
HDR & Brightness Reality
43S5L accepts HDR10+, HLG, but its LED backlight does not by itself establish strong HDR performance. Typical brightness is not published, and peak brightness is not published. The 93 % (percent) gamut figure supports wider colour, yet real HDR impact depends on brightness, contrast and dimming control. Treat the formats as useful compatibility, not proof of premium highlights. The format list confirms source compatibility, but it does not replace published brightness, contrast or dimming measurements for this exact television.
Connectivity & Ports
HDMI2 x HDMI 1.4Covers standard sources but not full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth
DisplayPortNone listedThis television relies on HDMI rather than a PC-style DisplayPort input
USB-CNone listedLaptop video and charging over USB-C are not supported
USB Hub1 x USB 2.0Intended for media and accessories rather than a desktop docking setup
Audio Outoptical, 3.5 mmProvides a route to a soundbar, AV receiver or headphones where listed
Real-World Use Cases
Google TV and Not published provide apps, casting and smart-TV control
HDR10+, HLG covers the major listed HDR formats for discs and services
50/60 Hz with Not published suits casual console use
100 x 100 mm VESA support and 5.08 kg (kilograms) assembled weight determine the required bracket
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution and VA panel suit the model’s intended screen size and price level
- 93 % (percent) DCI-P3 coverage supports wider colour for HDR films and games
- HDR10+, HLG provides broad HDR source compatibility
- Google TV, Ethernet and wireless networking make it a complete streaming television
- 2 x HDMI 1.4 plus optical, 3.5 mm covers the main entertainment connections
Cons
- Incomplete brightness data makes real HDR intensity harder to judge from the specifications
- 50/60 Hz panel cannot present 120 Hz or 144 Hz gaming
- Fixed stand has no height, swivel, pivot or tilt adjustment
- Built-in or unpublished audio output is unlikely to match the screen scale for films
Score & Ratings
6.6/10
Good
Television Identity & Market
5
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | TCL |
| Series | S5L |
| Model | 43S5L |
| Model Year | 2026 |
| Available Colors | Black |
Screen Geometry & Format
4
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 42.5 in (inches) |
| Marketed Screen Size | 42.5 in (inches) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen-to-Body Ratio | 94.28 % (percent) |
Panel Architecture & Light Control
3
| Specification | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Panel Type | VA | VA favours stronger native contrast than typical IPS television panels, with some off-axis colour shift possible. |
| Panel Bit Depth | 10 bits (8 bits + FRC) | 10 bits (8 bits + FRC) allows smoother colour gradation than a basic 8-bit-only pipeline, though source quality still matters. |
| Display Colors | 1.07 billion colors / 30-bit |
Resolution, Scaling & Signal
3
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixelsFull HD / 1080p |
| Pixel Density | 51 ppi (pixels per inch) |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.49 mm (millimeters) |
◑
Luminance, Blacks & Contrast
3
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Static Contrast | 4000 : 1 |
| Static Contrast Ratio | 4000 : 1 |
| Viewing Angles | 178 ° (degrees) / 178 ° (degrees) |
Color Reproduction & Calibration
2
| Specification | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| DCI-P3 Coverage | 93 % (percent) | 93 % (percent) gives wide colour coverage for HDR films and games. |
| Wide Color Gamut | Yes |
HDR Formats & Tone Mapping
1
| Specification | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| HDR Support | HDR10+HDR10HLG |
HDR10+, HLG means the TV can accept these formats, but brightness and dimming still determine visible HDR quality. |
Motion Processing & Response
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Refresh Rate | 50 Hz / 60 Hz (hertz) |
Console, VRR & Game Tools
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Game Mode | Yes |
Broadcast Tuners & Reception
9
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Built-In TV Tuner | Yes |
| Tuner Configuration | Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)DVB-TDVB-T2DVB-CDVB-SDVB-S2 |
| Analog Tuner | NTSC / PAL / SECAM |
| Digital Terrestrial Tuner | dvb-t |
| Digital Terrestrial Tuner 2 | dvb-t2 |
| Digital Cable Tuner | dvb-c |
| Digital Satellite Tuner | dvb-s |
| Digital Satellite Tuner 2 | dvb-s2 |
| Satellite Input | 1× F-type |
Smart Platform & System
2
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Smart TV | Yes |
| Operating System | Google TV |
Streaming & Entertainment
4
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Netflix | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes |
| Prime Video | Yes |
| Disney+ | Yes |
Voice Assistants & Search
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Google Assistant | Yes |
HDMI Signal Interface
2
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Total HDMI Ports | 2 |
| HDMI CEC | Yes |
USB, Audio & Legacy I/O
10
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Total USB Ports | 1 |
| USB-A 2.0 Ports | 1× USB 2.0 |
| Ethernet Port | 1× RJ45 |
| Optical Audio Output | 1× S/PDIF |
| 3.5 mm Audio Output | 1× 3.5 mm |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| Satellite Input | 1× F-type |
| Antenna Input | 1× RF |
| Common Interface Slot | 1× CI+ |
| Composite Input | Yes |
Wireless, LAN & Casting
7
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| LAN | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 8 |
| Wi-Fi Standards | 802.11a |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Apple AirPlay | Yes |
| Apple HomeKit | Yes |
Speaker Layout & Output
5
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Built-In Speakers | Yes |
| Speaker Configuration | 2.0 CH |
| Speaker Channels | 2.0 CH |
| Total Audio Output | 20W |
| Total Speaker Output | 20W |
Connected Home & IoT
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Apple HomeKit | Yes |
Panel-Only Size & Mass
4
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Width Without Stand | 954 mm (millimeters) |
| Height Without Stand | 554 mm (millimeters) |
| Depth Without Stand | 77 mm (millimeters) |
| Weight Without Stand | 5.02 kg (kilograms) |
Assembled TV Size & Mass
4
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Width With Stand | 954 mm (millimeters) |
| Height With Stand | 602 mm (millimeters) |
| Depth With Stand | 184 mm (millimeters) |
| Weight With Stand | 5.08 kg (kilograms) |
Exterior Styling & Stand Footprint
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Chassis Color | Black |
Wall Mounting & Installation
8
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| VESA Mount | 100 x 100 mm |
| VESA Interface | 100 x 100 mm |
| VESA Size | 100 x 100 mm |
| Removable Stand | Yes |
| Height Adjustment | NoLandscape/portrait pivot: NoLeft/right swivel: NoForward/backward tilt: No |
| Swivel Adjustment | NoForward/backward tilt: No |
| Tilt Adjustment | No |
| Pivot Adjustment | NoLeft/right swivel: NoForward/backward tilt: No |
Electrical Load & Efficiency
2
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Input | 100 V - 120 V (volts) / 220 V - 240 V (volts) |
| AC Frequency | 50 Hz - 60 Hz (hertz) |
Picture Feature Inventory
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Wide Color Gamut | Yes |
In-the-Box Components
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 42.5 in (inches) |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What makes the TCL 43S5L different from a basic LED television? +
It uses a LED backlight with a VA panel and 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution. The practical gain depends on the published brightness and contrast data, not the backlight name alone.
02 Which HDR formats are listed for the TCL 43S5L? +
The sheet includes HDR10+, HLG. Actual HDR impact still depends on brightness, contrast and local-dimming behaviour.
03 What gaming level suits the TCL 43S5L? +
Its panel reaches 50/60 Hz and lists Not published. The Full HD resolution is easier for entry-level gaming hardware to drive.
04 What is the main specification weakness of the TCL 43S5L? +
Peak brightness is not published, so HDR highlight capability remains uncertain. The fixed stand also gives little placement flexibility.
05 What should be checked before installing the TCL 43S5L? +
The TV weighs 5.08 kg (kilograms) with its stand and uses a 100 x 100 mm VESA pattern. Confirm cabinet width or wall-mount capacity before delivery.
Reviews
DISPLAYINPUT · INDEPENDENT · SPEC-BASED · NO SPONSORED PLACEMENT
SHEET № 43S5L