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  • Introduction

  • Design

  • Smart TV Features

  • Picture Quality

  • Conclusion

  • Science Introduction

  • Contrast Ratio

  • Other Tests

  • Introduction
  • Design
  • Smart TV Features
  • Picture Quality
  • Conclusion
  • Science Introduction
  • Contrast Ratio
  • Other Tests

Introduction

Design

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For some reason the words "lipstick" and "pig" come to mind.

The Toshiba 40E210U looks like any other boxy, black TV in most regards, except for a silvery blue streak that runs along the bottom of the bezel. Above that is a dot screen pattern that transitions from black to grey. Stepping outside of traditional design is always risky, so we’ll give Toshiba some credit for trying. But most of our editors found this to be a misstep—cheap looking, mostly.

The Toshiba 40E210U is equipped with only the most basic connectivity options, making it less than an ideal choice for your home theater hub. There are just two HDMI ports, while most HDTVs these days offer three or four. This may not be an issue if you don't have an HDMI-capable receiver, but if you do you'll probably want to opt for a higher-quality display.

{{photo_gallery "Design Landing Page Photo", "Front Tour Image", "Back Tour Image", "Sides Tour Image", "Connectivity Tour Image 1", "Connectivity Tour Image 2", "Connectivity Extra Photo", "Stand Photo", "Controls Photo", "Remote Control Photo"}}

Smart TV Features

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The menu system on these budget Toshiba TVs is not pretty, but it is simple and straightforward.

The Toshiba's simplicity has a lot of appeal after you’ve experienced a beautiful, overly-complex menu (we’re looking at you, Sony). It’s very hard to get lost in the Toshiba menus. Everything is laid out right there. The only thing slowing you down is the remote control, with its crowded and confusing button layout.

The menu isn't going to win any beauty contests, but it does its job well enough.

The Toshiba 40E210U has a USB port on the side that can connect to USB mass storage devices, like thumb drives. From here, you can play photos (JPEGs only) and audio files (MP3s only). As with the other menus, the interface is far from pretty, but it’s intuitive enough. The menu isn't going to win any beauty contests, but it does its job well enough.

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Picture Quality

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The Toshiba 40E210U tested with decent color performance for a TV in this price range.

Overall, this entry-level Toshiba is not a bad performer at all, especially when you consider its relatively cheap MSRP of $599. It handles colors with a surprising amount of accuracy, offering decent spectrum representation and a very impressive contrast ratio. As far as performance is concerned, the Toshiba 40E210U is a fine choice. Its real drawbacks are only those not related to how it creates a picture.

While it should seem obvious that a television capable of creating a good picture is a smart purchase, the lack of features and cheap appearance may turn some people off. We'd caution that performance matters a lot more than design, but you're the one that has to live with this thing in your living room.

Conclusion

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Like a great person who only dresses in lime-green leisure suits, style isn't the Toshiba 40E210U's strong suit.

Entry-level and budget TVs like the Toshiba 40E210U ($599 MSRP) are always a study in tradeoffs. You can tell immediately that it didn’t receive the care and attention to design you see in most Samsung and Sony TVs. The physical components are crude and the remote control is cluttered and requires a lot of finagling to get a response.

That said, the menus are straightforward. The TV’s overall design is simple. Everything works just fine (except the remote control). We liked the performance, for the most part. The color curves were smooth and the contrast ratio was impressive. The motion performance was marred by a little judder but few other problems.

You probably won’t hate the Toshiba 40E210U; it's an affordable display that is easy to use and performs beyond its price point. Is it going to be the glorious centerpiece to a freshly renovated man cave? Probably not, but it's a great first television as long as you remember that beauty is only skin-deep and you buy a better remote control.

Science Introduction

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There's nothing truly outstanding about the Toshiba 40E210U's performance in terms of the "world of televisions," or whatever you'd call it. However, for an entry-level model at an MSRP of $499, its contrast ratio was very impressive. That alone might be enough to justify picking it up, as long as you care more about performance than design.

Contrast Ratio

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This entry-level Toshiba is decently dark and brilliantly bright, resulting in magnificent contrast.

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The resulting contrast ratio of 5840:1 is absolutely massive for a TV in this price range, rivaling flagships from Sony and Samsung that cost well over $1000.

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Other Tests

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Meet the tester

Lee Neikirk

Lee Neikirk

Former Editor, Home Theater

@Koanshark

Lee was Reviewed's point person for most television and home theater products from 2012 until early 2022. Lee received Level II certification in TV calibration from the Imaging Science Foundation in 2013. As Editor of the Home Theater vertical, Lee oversaw reviews of TVs, monitors, soundbars, and Bluetooth speakers. He also reviewed headphones, and has a background in music performance.

See all of Lee Neikirk's reviews

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