EMtronics EM40ROK Televisions - Review and opinions
Quick verdict
The EMtronics EM40ROK raises a straightforward question for anyone furnishing a bedroom, kitchen or smaller lounge: is a 40-inch Full HD Roku set more useful than a cheaper basic screen or a smaller branded model? Its strongest case is the combination of a sizeable 40-inch display, Roku navigation, Freeview Play and three HDMI inputs. The trade-off is equally clear: this is a 60Hz LCD television, not a high-refresh gaming or premium cinema display, and there is no confirmed HDR or local-dimming support to lift dark-room movie performance.
Buy it for uncomplicated streaming, live television and everyday console use where app access and a simple menu matter more than cinematic contrast or advanced gaming features. Skip it if your priority is 120Hz console play, deep black levels, HDR impact or a more ambitious built-in sound system. The EM40ROK makes most sense as a budget living-room or secondary-room television, particularly when the Roku platform is more valuable to you than premium panel performance.
| Screen size | 40 inches |
|---|---|
| Panel type | LCD |
| Resolution | Full HD 1080p |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| HDMI ports | 3 |
| Smart TV system | Roku |
Roku platform
The home screen brings streaming apps, Freeview Play, search and settings into one route, which keeps daily viewing simpler than juggling separate devices.
Netflix, Disney+ and BBC services are explicitly supported, while the mobile app provides a useful fallback when the remote is misplaced.
Three HDMI connections
Three HDMI inputs give enough room for a console, set-top box and another source without making cable changes part of the routine.
That is a meaningful advantage in a secondary-room setup, although the ports are not presented as HDMI 2.1 gaming connections.
40-inch Full HD display
The size and 1080p resolution suit general television, streaming and ordinary console use where screen area matters more than fine-detail or HDR performance.
It is a sensible middle ground for a bedroom or smaller lounge, but not the right route for buyers demanding premium contrast or high-refresh motion.
Performance and experience
In a bedroom or compact lounge, the 40-inch screen gives standard broadcast television and streaming films enough scale to feel like a main display rather than a small spare set. Full HD at this size keeps the picture appropriate for ordinary viewing distances, while the 16:9 format suits television, films and console output without unusual framing. The compromise appears when the room is arranged around movie nights, because the LCD specification and the absence of confirmed HDR or local dimming leave this in the everyday viewing lane rather than the dark-room cinema lane.
For a console connected alongside a streaming stick, Blu-ray player or set-top box, three HDMI ports remove the need to keep swapping cables. The 60Hz refresh rate is comfortable for casual play and ordinary television, but it does not place the EM40ROK alongside gaming-focused sets built for 120Hz motion, VRR or HDMI 2.1 features. Fast competitive gaming is therefore the wrong reason to buy it; family gaming, older consoles and relaxed single-player use fit the television much better.
The first-hour experience is centred on Roku rather than a complicated smart-TV interface. Netflix, Disney+, BBC services, Freeview Play and a wider app selection sit within the same platform, with the supplied remote or Roku mobile app providing the main control routes. AirPlay, Alexa and Google Home compatibility add useful options for households already using those systems. The practical limitation is that built-in sound remains a modest part of the package: Dolby Audio is named, and everyday speech and television viewing are covered, but buyers who prefer loud film playback or room-filling audio may want a separate sound solution.
Pros
- Roku gives straightforward access to Netflix, Disney+, BBC services and Freeview Play
- 40-inch Full HD screen offers useful size for a bedroom or smaller lounge
- Three HDMI ports accommodate several external devices
- Supplied remote and Roku mobile app provide two control options.
Cons
- 60Hz refresh rate and no confirmed HDMI 2.1, VRR or ALLM make it a weak choice for advanced console gaming
- LCD Full HD presentation lacks confirmed HDR and local dimming for premium dark-room cinema
- Built-in audio may not satisfy buyers who prefer louder film playback
- One reported early LED failure makes long-term reliability a meaningful reservation.
Community
User reviews
The overall ownership picture is positive on setup, picture clarity and value, with several comments describing the Roku menu as easy to navigate. The recurring reservations are more practical than dramatic: sound may not satisfy listeners who prefer high volume, the remote experience is not universally praised, and one account describes an early LED failure. The useful lesson is that this is an accessible budget television, but not a risk-free substitute for a better-supported premium brand.
I found it excellent value for the price, lightweight and simple to set up. The picture and sound were good, and the Roku menu was easy to navigate.
It took five minutes to set up and the picture was perfect for me. I found it absolutely brilliant.
Comparison
| Attribute | EMtronics EM40ROK Current | Antteq 40 Inch Tizen TV | Hisense 40A4QTUK | Amazon Ember 2-Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £169.99 | £169.99 | £189.00 | £159.99 |
| Screen size | 40 inches | 40 inches | 40 inches | 32 inches |
| Resolution | Full HD 1080p | 1080p | 1080p Full HD | 1366 x 768 |
| Panel type | LCD | LED | LED | Direct LED |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| HDMI ports | 3 | 3 | - | 2, including one HDMI 2.0 and one HDMI 2.1 with eARC |
| Smart TV system | Roku | Tizen | - | - |
| Editorial score | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.0/10 |
Against the Amazon Ember 2-Series, the EMtronics gives you a larger 40-inch screen rather than 32 inches, and it moves from the Amazon model's 1366 x 768 resolution to Full HD. Both are 60Hz screens, so the EM40ROK is the more convincing choice when viewing size and sharper 1080p content matter, while the Amazon route remains attractive for a smaller room or a buyer who prefers a compact branded set.
The Antteq 40 Inch Tizen TV is the closer hardware comparison because it also combines a 40-inch screen, LED panel and 1080p resolution at 60Hz. Choose the EMtronics when Roku's app layout, mobile control and named streaming services fit your household better. Choose the Antteq route when the Tizen platform is the deciding factor. Neither route is aimed at buyers seeking 120Hz gaming, HDMI 2.1 connectivity or premium black-level control.
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Is the EMtronics EM40ROK TV worth it?
The EMtronics EM40ROK is a well-defined budget television rather than an all-purpose premium screen. Its 40-inch Full HD display, Roku platform, three HDMI inputs and access to Netflix, Disney+, BBC services and Freeview Play make it a strong fit for straightforward household viewing. Setup simplicity, mobile control and the choice of Roku voice-assistant integrations add everyday convenience, especially in a bedroom or smaller lounge. Check the current offer if the feature mix matches your needs.
The skip rule is just as clear. Choose another route if dark-room film quality, high-refresh console gaming, dependable premium build or powerful room-filling audio matters more than screen size and platform simplicity. The single reported early LED failure also prevents an unreserved durability recommendation, so buyers who place reliability above low-cost access should favour a more clearly premium television.
FAQ
Is this TV suitable for next-generation console gaming?
It works for casual console play at 60Hz, but it is not the right choice for buyers who specifically need 120Hz, VRR, ALLM or HDMI 2.1.
Can it handle several connected devices?
Yes. Three HDMI ports provide practical space for a console, set-top box and another HDMI source without constant cable swapping.
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