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Roku Plus Series 55" vs Samsung CU8000 55"

Both 55-inch TVs occupy the same budget-friendly $399 price point but take different approaches to value. Roku's Plus Series leverages QLED technology with superior brightness (700 nits vs 300 nits), delivering noticeably richer colors and better performance in bright rooms. Its inclusion of Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio provides a more cinematic experience, while Wi-Fi 6 connectivity offers future-proofing. Samsung's CU8000 counters with a slightly faster processor and marginally lower input lag (12ms vs 13ms), beneficial for gaming, though its Crystal UHD panel lacks the visual punch of QLED. The Roku's quadruple HDMI ports also edge out Samsung's three. For picture quality and immersive audio at this price, Roku Plus Series delivers stronger specifications. Samsung excels only in gaming responsiveness—a minor advantage for console players. Roku Plus Series 55" is the superior choice for most buyers seeking better contrast and brightness.

Roku Plus Series 55"
Roku
Roku Plus Series 55"
$399
7.8/10
Winner
VS
Samsung CU8000 55"
Samsung
Samsung CU8000 55"
$399
7.1/10

Full Specifications

SpecRoku Plus Series 55"Samsung CU8000 55"
Body
VESA mount200 x 200mm200 x 200mm
Weight26.5 lbs27.1 lbs
Dimensions (w/ stand)48.4 x 30.6 x 10.2 inches48.8 x 30.8 x 8.8 inches
Audio
Output (watts)2020
Speakers2.0ch2.0ch
Dolby Atmos
Gaming
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
ALLM
Input lag (ms)1312
Display
HDRDolby Vision, HDR10+, HLGHDR10+, HLG
Size55"55"
TypeQLEDCrystal UHD LED
Resolution3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)
Refresh rate60Hz60Hz
Brightness (nits)700300
Smart TV
OsRoku OSTizen OS
Voice assistantRoku Voice, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2Bixby, Alexa
Processor
ChipsetQuad-coreCrystal Processor 4K
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Ethernet
Bluetooth5.25.2
USB ports11
HDMI ports43

Category Scores

Roku Plus Series 55"
Samsung CU8000 55"
Audio
7.9
6.5
Value
8.0
7.2
gaming
6.5
7.2
smart_features
7.9
7.6
picture_quality
8.2
6.8

Pros & Cons

Roku Plus Series 55"

Pros

  • Roku OS is the simplest, cleanest smart TV platform available
  • Dolby Vision, HDR10+, AND Dolby Atmos decoding — unusual at $399
  • Works with every voice assistant: Alexa, Google, Siri (via AirPlay)
  • Wi-Fi 6 for reliable 4K streaming
  • QLED color enhancement is visible versus basic LED panels

Cons

  • 60Hz panel — no 120Hz or gaming features
  • 700-nit brightness is okay but not impressive for HDR highlights
  • Roku's ad-supported free channels are prominently pushed in the UI
  • No VRR for next-gen console gaming

Samsung CU8000 55"

Pros

  • Very affordable entry into Samsung's 4K smart TV lineup
  • HDR10+ support improves contrast in compatible content
  • Tizen OS is a mature, full-featured smart TV platform
  • Lightweight and easy to wall-mount at 27 lbs
  • Crystal Processor 4K provides decent upscaling from 1080p

Cons

  • 60Hz panel — no 120Hz for smooth gaming or sports
  • Low peak brightness limits HDR impact
  • No VRR or HDMI 2.1 — poor for next-gen consoles
  • 20W speakers sound thin — a soundbar is essential

Explore more in tvs, see all Roku products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Roku Plus Series 55" or the Samsung CU8000 55".