RCA RK32HN1: 32" Roku TV Smart TV RCA - Review 🏆

The RCA RK32HN1 32" Roku TV is an affordable entry-level smart TV that offers good value for money. This 32-inch HD ready TV features Roku's streaming platform built-in, giving you access to thousands of streaming channels and apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and more.

With a simple and intuitive interface, the RK32HN1 makes it easy to find and watch your favorite movies, TV shows, live news and sports. The TV also comes with a quad-core processor and 802.11 wireless connectivity for smooth streaming and browsing.

While not the highest resolution display, the 32-inch 1366 x 768 screen is decent for an affordable 720p model. The TV has a direct LED backlight and produces good colors and contrast. Integrated stereo speakers provide basic audio for TV watching.

Overall, the RCA 32" Roku TV is a solid budget option if you want a small smart TV with popular streaming services and don't require 4K resolution. Keep reading for more details on the design, features and performance.

Design

The RCA RK32HN1 has a slim and modern design that looks great in any small living space. It measures 28.7 x 17.3 x 3.2 inches and weighs just 7.7 pounds, making it easy to mount on a wall or place on a TV stand. The plastic construction feels a bit cheap but keeps the TV lightweight.

The stand has a simple curved L-shape with metal feet that provide stability on flat surfaces. There's no swivel adjustment but you can tilt the screen back around 5 degrees for optimal viewing angle.

The bezels around the screen are reasonably thin, measuring 0.6 inches on the sides and 0.8 inches on the top and bottom. This creates a fairly immersive viewing experience and minimizes distractions when watching content. Overall the minimalist styling fits well in modern homes and doesn't call too much attention to itself.

If you're looking for a more feature-rich option, consider the RCA Roku TV: 55 4K Smart TV. This model offers a larger screen with 4K resolution for sharper and more detailed images. It also includes smart TV capabilities powered by Roku, providing access to numerous streaming services and apps directly from the TV. The intuitive interface and voice control options make it an excellent addition to any modern home entertainment setup.

Display

The RCA RK32HN1 features a 32-inch display with HD resolution (1366 x 768 pixels). It uses a standard LED-backlit LCD panel, which provides decent image quality for most everyday viewing but lacks the contrast and viewing angles of higher-end VA or IPS panels.

On the plus side, the 32-inch screen size is well-suited for smaller rooms and tight spaces where a larger TV might feel overwhelming. The native resolution is 720p HD, so while not full 1080p, it can still stream and display high definition content very well.

Brightness is typical for an affordable LED TV at around 200-250 nits. This is fine for most indoor viewing during the daytime, but the picture will appear washed out in brighter rooms. Viewing angles are also somewhat limited compared to premium panels, with color and contrast dropping off when viewing far off-center. Still, the display is perfectly suitable for watching TV shows and movies from the sweet spot directly in front.

Overall, while it doesn't have the most vibrant or realistic picture, the RCA 32" HD TV offers a solid display for casual viewing and streaming media in a secondary room. The size and resolution are well-matched for smaller spaces where 4K isn't necessary.

For a more advanced viewing experience, consider the RCA QLED: 50 4K Smart TV. This model boasts a 50-inch 4K UHD display, providing a significant upgrade in resolution and picture quality. The QLED technology delivers more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better overall contrast. It also includes smart features for streaming and connectivity, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their home entertainment setup.

Audio

The RCA RK32HN1 comes with two 8W integrated speakers that provide decent audio quality for a budget 32-inch TV. The speakers get reasonably loud at the maximum volume level, easily filling a small to medium-sized room.

While the speakers lack bass, the overall sound reproduction is fairly balanced, with clear dialogue and minimal distortion even at high volumes. The audio is sufficient for everyday TV watching, though audiophiles may want to connect an external soundbar or speakers for a more immersive experience.

The TV also includes Dolby Audio processing, which helps optimize sound quality. There are several audio settings available to customize the experience, such as volume leveling and various sound modes like theater and sports. An auto volume leveling feature helps minimize sudden volume spikes during commercials or scene changes.

Overall, the integrated speakers provide good enough sound for casual viewing and complement the TV's affordable price point. But those looking for powerful, room-filling audio may want to budget for a soundbar.

Smart TV Features

The RCA RK32HN1 comes with the Roku TV platform for easy access to thousands of streaming channels. It provides an intuitive and customizable smart TV experience.

Some highlights of the Roku TV platform:

• Simple home screen with personalized recommendations. Easily find movies, shows, news and more from across different streaming services.

• Access to over 10,000+ streaming channels including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max and more. New channels are frequently added.

• Smooth streaming with minimal buffering thanks to the quad-core processor.

• Voice controls via the Roku mobile app allow you to launch channels, search for entertainment, control playback, and more using voice commands.

• Private listening on the Roku mobile app lets you listen to streaming content through headphones connected to your phone for a more immersive experience.

• Ability to cast photos, videos and music from your mobile device to the TV screen.

• Roku Search makes it easy to find entertainment options across different streaming channels and live TV.

Overall, the Roku TV platform provides an intuitive smart TV experience with broad access to popular streaming services right out of the box. The voice controls and private listening features add extra convenience.

Ports and Connectivity

The RCA RK32HN1 comes with a decent selection of ports and connectivity options. On the back of the TV you'll find:

• 3 HDMI ports - The HDMI ports allow you to connect devices like Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, streaming sticks, etc. 3 ports is fairly standard for a budget 32" TV.

• 2 USB ports - The USB ports allow you to plug in devices like flash drives to play media files, or connect peripherals like a webcam.

• Ethernet port - The Ethernet port gives you the ability to connect the TV directly to your home network with a wired connection. This can provide faster and more reliable internet compared to WiFi.

• Built-in WiFi - The RK32HN1 has built-in WiFi so you can connect it wirelessly to your home network. It supports the latest WiFi standards for smooth streaming.

• Bluetooth - With Bluetooth you can pair wireless devices like headphones or speakers directly with the TV. This allows you to listen privately or enhance the audio.

Overall the port selection covers everything you'd need for a basic 32" HD TV. The inclusion of Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth provides flexible connectivity options.

Remote

The RCA RK32HN1 comes with a compact remote that has all the necessary buttons for controlling the TV's functions. It's easy to hold and lightweight.

The remote has dedicated buttons for popular streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV. There are also quick access buttons for Freeview Play, Google Assistant and Settings. Volume and channel rockers allow you to easily adjust the volume or switch channels.

For entering text, there is an alphanumeric keypad in the middle of the remote. The keypad makes it easy to search for content or enter passwords.

The remote has a built-in microphone for voice control. Press the mic button to speak commands to Google Assistant, allowing you to launch apps, search for content, get answers and control smart home devices. The voice recognition works well.

Overall, the remote is intuitive and easy to use. The dedicated streaming service buttons, voice control mic and keypad provide a smooth smart TV experience. The compact size makes it comfortable to hold.

Performance

The RCA RK32HN1 offers good overall performance for its price range. The 32-inch HD display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. While not full 1080p HD, the TV does a decent job at upscaling lower resolution content to fill the screen. Fast-moving scenes in movies and sports can exhibit some motion blur, but it's comparable to other budget TVs.

For streaming, the built-in WiFi supports up to 1080p resolution from popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and more. Streaming quality is reliable over a strong wireless connection. The TV has a quad-core processor and 512MB of RAM, which is enough horsepower for smooth navigation and switching between apps. Some occasional lag can occur when launching or loading large apps.

The TV has a 60Hz refresh rate, which is standard for this size TV. Response time is adequate for most content, but fast-action gamers may notice some ghosting effects. Input lag is relatively low for casual gaming. Overall, the RCA RK32HN1 delivers good picture and streaming quality given its affordable price point. The performance is on par with competitors in this range.

Pros and Cons

The RCA RK32HN1 32-inch HD Smart TV has several pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Affordable price point for a 32-inch smart TV with Roku
• Good HD picture quality and resolution (720p)
• Built-in WiFi for easy streaming
• Access to thousands of apps through Roku TV platform
• Simple remote with dedicated buttons for popular streaming apps
• 3 HDMI ports for connecting devices
• Headphone jack built into remote for private listening
• Compact size great for small spaces

Cons

• Only 720p resolution, not full HD 1080p
• 60Hz refresh rate may not be ideal for gaming
• 2 channel speaker system lacks robust sound
• Limited ports compared to some competitors (only 3 HDMI)
• Roku platform includes ads on the home screen
• Remote lacks advanced options like voice control
• No support for latest HDR formats

Overall, the RCA 32-inch Roku TV hits a sweet spot for budget-focused buyers seeking a small smart TV with good streaming capabilities. But the lower resolution and basic features may leave some wanting more. Weighing the pros and cons can help determine if this model fits your needs.

Conclusion

Overall, the RCA 32" Roku TV offers a solid smart TV experience at an affordable price point. The HD display and Roku software provide good streaming functionality, though the audio quality is just average. The simple remote is easy to use but lacks advanced controls.

For the size and price, this Roku TV delivers satisfactory performance for casual TV watching and streaming. The interface is intuitive and makes popular apps like Netflix readily available. While it lacks the deeper blacks and richer colors of higher-end 4K models, the HD resolution is decent for most everyday content.

The basic ports and connectivity options are sufficient for basic setups. The lack of Bluetooth may limit wireless speaker options, however. The audio from the built-in speakers works fine for dialog-focused shows but lacks robustness for action movies or music listening.

In the end, the RCA 32" Roku TV hits a sweet spot if you want an uncomplicated smart TV for a secondary room or office. It provides the essential streaming features most users need. But videophiles or audiophiles may want to consider stepping up to a higher-end 4K TV with better sound. For budget-focused buyers needing a basic smart TV, the RCA 32" Roku TV is a solid choice.