Why You Can Trust CNET Get a 50-inch Roku TV for $298.88
From the Cheapskate: The TCL S3800 delivers "the simplest, most comprehensive smart-TV experience on the market" -- for about $70 less than you'll find it elsewhere. Plus: return of the shower speaker!
CNET's Cheapskate scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets and much more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. And find more great buys on the CNET Deals page.
Okay, Black Friday -- beat this.
For a limited time, Walmart has the TCL S3800-series 50-inch Roku TV for $298.88 shipped (plus sales tax in most places). Head to cashback site Topcashback first and you can save an additional 4 percent in the form of a rebate, bringing your effective total down to $286.92.
(Not acquainted with cashback services? Read my overview from earlier this year. And if you're new to Topcashback, well, I wouldn't complain if you signed up using my referral link. Think of it as tipping your waiter?)
That particular TV usually sells for at least $70 more; indeed, I think this is the first time I've seen a 50-inch Roku model for under $300. I should point out that this deal first went live about 24 hours ago, and I have no idea how much longer it'll be available. Walmart's sales usually last at least a couple days, so hopefully this will stick around a bit.
The TCL 50Fs3800 is a 50-inch TV with a 120Hz refresh rate (nice if you enjoy sports, dreadful for everything else -- but you can usually work around the accompanying soap-opera effect). The big draw, of course, is built-in Roku, making this among the smartest of smart TVs.
In fact, in CNET's review of the S3800 series, this model was praised for its superb interface and crowned "the best smart TV," period. That was a year ago, and based on a $479 list price. Today, if you factor in the rebate, it's nearly $200 less.
And you know what? I kind of like the add-on 3-year protection plan for $26. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that TVs -- major brands and minor ones alike -- tend to fail without warning, and usually just after the warranty is up.
Will there a better deal on this model come Black Friday? Maybe. Doubtful. I'd say if you're in the market for a top-rated smart TV, grab this now.
Bonus deal: Earlier this year I shared a deal on a waterproof, shower-friendly Bluetooth speaker, one that proved to be quite popular. Well, guess what? It's back! Only slightly different and slightly cheaper: The Victsing Phoenix portable Bluetooth waterproof speaker is $13.99 shipped when you apply promo code FX2ZPJSU at checkout.
It includes a removable suction cup, a caribiner and a rechargeable battery good for up to 10 hours. Also, it's cute! Perhaps most amazing of all: It has a Fakespot rating of 'A.'