The S405 is being gradually replaced by the S425/423/421. Other than minor cosmetic differences, we don't expect there to be any difference between them. The model available may vary depending on your specific region and retailer.
Our Verdict
The TCL S425 / S405 is a good TV for a mixed usage. Its picture quality when viewed directly in front is pretty good, and it handles fast motion well. Its low brightness and deterioration of picture quality at an angle makes it a little less versatile though.
- Very low input lag
- Great contrast, blacks are deep
- Low motion blur keeps fast content clear
- Doesn't get very bright
- Picture quality deteriorates at an angle
Decent TV for watching movies in a dark room. Can display dark scenes well with a high native contrast ratio, but lacks a local dimming feature to improve picture quality further. Movies from a Blu-ray player or DVD player are smooth.
Below average for watching TV in a bright room. The Roku smart platform works well for casual viewing, but the TV can't get very bright to fight glare and isn't the best at handling reflections. When viewed at an angle, the image accuracy degrades.
Decent TV for sports. Motion handling is good so very little blur is present but TV can't get bright to fight glare. Decent picture quality from directly in front, but this degrades when viewed at an angle.
Great choice for gamers. Picture quality is decent, but has good motion handling and feels very responsive with low input lag.
Supports HDR10 and has decent picture quality, but unfortunately can't produce a wide range of colors or get very bright. Lacks a local dimming feature to improve the dark scene performance.
Good TV for HDR gaming. Decent picture quality, but has great low input lag and can display fast-moving content with very little blur.
Decent PC monitor. Supports chroma subsampling for clear text across a range of resolutions, but when viewed from up close the edges of the TV lose accuracy.
Changelog
- Updated May 21, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Feb 21, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Mar 15, 2019: A 75" model has been released
- Updated Feb 28, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 43" (43S405). For the most part, we expect our review to be valid for the 49" (49S405), 55" (55S405) and 65" (65S405) versions.
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their TCL S405 (S-Series) doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review. The TCL S305 is essentially the same TV, but it features a 1080p or 720p resolution and can be found in smaller sizes.
Update 02/26/2018: We have received reports that the 49" model of the S405 (49S405) has a different panel, which displays a crosshatching like effect which is visible from up-close (see here). This appears to be similar to the P607 (visible in the pixels photo here)
| Size | Model | Variant - S403 | Variant - S401 |
| 43" | 43S405 | 43S403 | |
| 49" | 49S405 | 49S403 | |
| 55" | 55S405 | 55S403 | 55S401 |
| 65" | 65S405 | 65S403 | 65S401 |
Update 10/24/2018: The S405/403/401 are gradually being replaced by the S425/423/421. Internally, they are the exact same TV. The only changes are cosmetic. This is a gradual roll-out, so some areas may still sell the S405.
Update 02/19/2019: TCL has released a 50" version of the S425. We don't know if there are any differences.
Update 03/15/2019: TCL has also released a 75" version of the S425/423/421.
Popular TV Comparisons
The TCL S405 offers great value for money, since it delivers picture quality and a feature set uncommon for its budget price range. See our recommendations for the best budget TVs and the best smart TVs.
The TCL S Series/S405 4k 2018 is slightly better than the Vizio E Series 2017. The S405 has much better low input lag, making it a better choice for gamers. The TCL S405 doesn't have a local dimming feature, but the local dimming on the Vizio E Series isn't very effective. The Vizio E Series 2017 has a much better black frame insertion feature than the TCL S405, so motion will look a little more fluid, but it sacrifices some brightness.
The TCL S Series/S405 4k 2018 is significantly better than the TCL S Series/S305 2018. The TCL S405 has better HDR performance due to the better HDR peak brightness and better color volume. It can also deliver better blacks due to the higher native contrast ratio and better black uniformity, and this is great if you watch movies in a dark room. The S405 is also better for gaming as it has lower input lag, which makes it very responsive. Finally, it has significantly better inputs for use as a PC monitor.
The TCL S Series/S405 4k 2018 is better than the LG UJ6300. The TCL S405 has a VA panel with a higher contrast ratio and better black uniformity, which makes it a better choice if you watch movies in a dark room while sitting directly in front. However, for a large room with a wide seating arrangement, the LG UJ6300 is a better choice, as it has better viewing angles due to its IPS panel. It can also handle reflections slightly better. The LG UJ6300 has a lower input lag, which is important if you play games or use the TV as a PC monitor, whereas the TCL S405 has a faster response time that leaves a smaller blur trail when you watch fast-action sports.
The TCL P Series/P607 2017 is better than the TCL S Series/S405 4k 2018. The TCL P607 has better contrast and supports local dimming, so it can display deep blacks. The TCL P607 also has better HDR performance, better color volume, and higher levels of brightness. Also, the TCL P607 has a faster response time, which is great for fast content. On the other hand, the TCL S405 has slightly better reflection handling, which can be good if you watch TV shows in a room with many light sources.
We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests use specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.
Test Results
Older Test Bench: This product has been tested using an older TV test methodology, before a major update. Some of the test results below aren't directly comparable with other TVs. Learn more
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
