INSIGNIA F20 NS-32F201NA23 32 inch TV: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Insignia NS-32F201NA23 is an affordable 32-inch 720p LED TV that was released by Best Buy in 2022. Part of Insignia's 2022 model lineup, this basic HD TV is aimed at consumers seeking a small to mid-sized TV for secondary rooms like bedrooms, dorms, kitchens, etc.

Some of the highlights of this Insignia 32-inch TV include its LED display with 720p HD resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, integrated Wi-Fi for streaming apps, and DTS sound decoding. It has 2 HDMI inputs which is typical for a budget-friendly model of this size.

Overall, the Insignia 32F201NA23 provides an easy way to add an HD TV with smart capabilities to a smaller room without breaking the bank. Read on for an in-depth look at the design, features, performance and other aspects of this value-focused 32-inch Insignia television.

Design & Build Quality

The Insignia NS-32F201NA23 has a simple yet appealing design with thin black bezels around the display. Despite its budget price point, it doesn't look or feel cheap.

The TV itself has dimensions of 28.7 x 17.3 x 3.2 inches without the stand. With the included stand attached, it has a total depth of 6.5 inches. It weighs a lightweight 12.1 pounds total, making it easy to move or mount on a wall.

The whole unit is made of matte black plastic, with metal used for the stand legs. The stand has a basic two-prong design but feels sturdy and supports the TV well. There is no cable management system on the stand.

Overall, the construction quality is decent for the price. The plastics have a matte finish that resists fingerprints and feels solid. While it may not have premium build materials, the Insignia holds its own against competitors in the budget TV space.

The Insignia NS-32F201NA23 competes with other 32-inch TVs like the Hisense 32A4K. The Hisense 32A4K also has a simple design with thin bezels, though it has a glossy finish that attracts more fingerprints. It is slightly heavier at 14.1 pounds. The stand design is similar between the two models, both lacking cable management features.

In terms of build quality, the Hisense also uses plastic construction but has a brushed metal look on the back panel for a touch of style. The stand feels study but there are some reports of it being wobbly. Overall, the build quality is comparable between the Insignia and Hisense 32-inch TVs, with both providing good value for the price.

When it comes to design, the Insignia keeps it straightforward while the Hisense aims for a more stylish aesthetic. However, neither cut corners on construction and both deliver satisfactory durability considering the affordable price point. There are minor differences but build quality is not a major differentiating factor between these two budget 32-inch models.

Display

The Insignia NS-32F201NA23 has a 32-inch LED display with a 720p HD resolution. The screen uses a 60Hz refresh rate and a direct-lit LED backlighting system.

The 720p resolution is standard for most 32-inch TVs in this price range. While not full 1080p high definition, it still provides a reasonably crisp and detailed picture for most viewing situations. The resolution is fine for watching HD content from services like Netflix, though you may notice some softness in the image compared to higher resolution displays.

The direct-lit LED backlight helps provide fairly uniform screen brightness and viewing angles. The display can reach up to 250 nits of brightness, which is typical and adequate for most well-lit rooms. It may struggle somewhat in very bright rooms with lots of sunlight.

Viewing angles are about what you'd expect from a standard LED TV. Color and contrast start to shift when viewing from sharp horizontal or vertical angles. As long as you're viewing the TV straight on, the picture remains accurate. The panel technology used is not specified, but it's likely a standard VA or TN LCD panel.

Overall, while not the most advanced display, the screen provides good enough performance for everyday TV watching and casual gaming. It handles high definition content well, with reasonably accurate color and contrast. Just don't expect the top-tier performance of higher end 4K or OLED screens.

The SAMSUNG QN32Q60AAFXZA is another 32-inch TV option worth considering. It has a higher 1080p resolution and uses QLED technology for improved brightness, color gamut, and contrast. The Samsung also has a faster 120Hz refresh rate for smoother motion when gaming or watching sports and action movies. While it costs more than the Insignia, the QN32Q60AAFXZA delivers a noticeably better overall picture, especially with HDR content. The smart TV platform is also more robust, with the Tizen OS providing quick access to popular streaming apps and services.

When comparing displays, factors like resolution, panel type, backlighting, refresh rate, and smart features all contribute to the overall viewing experience. While budget-friendly options like the Insignia NS-32F201NA23 are suitable for casual use, step-up models like the Samsung QN32Q60AAFXZA justify their higher price with genuinely improved performance and visual quality.

Audio Performance

The Insignia F20 NS-32F201NA23 TV comes equipped with decent built-in audio powered by DTS Studio Sound. It has 2 speakers rated at a total of 10W which provide enough power for most small to mid-sized rooms.

The speakers are downward firing which projects the sound out towards the viewer. The audio quality is pretty good considering the price point and size of the TV. Voices and dialogue come through clearly and it can get reasonably loud without too much distortion.

Music and action sequences lack a bit of bass punch and richness that you'd get from a dedicated soundbar. But for casual TV watching, built-in streaming, and gaming, the speakers deliver an audio experience that matches the quality of the visuals. You can always connect it to an external speaker system for more immersive and powerful surround sound.

Overall, the audio performance matches expectations for an affordable 32-inch TV model. The DTS Studio Sound provides a better than expected listening experience straight out of the box.

Smart TV Features

The Insignia F20 NS-32F201NA23 runs on Android TV, providing access to Google Play Store and a wide range of apps. With Google Assistant built-in, you can use voice commands to launch apps, search for content, control smart home devices, and more.

Some of the key smart TV features include:

• Android TV - Simple and intuitive interface, plus access to 700,000+ movies and TV episodes via Google Play Movies & TV. Easy access to apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, HBO Max, and more.

• Google Assistant - Use your voice to search, get recommendations, control smart home devices, and more. Quickly find movies, shows, launch apps, and access features.

• Chromecast built-in - Cast videos, music, photos, and more right from your mobile device to the TV.

• Apps - Comes pre-installed with apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Peacock, and more. Easily discover and download new apps from the Google Play store.

• Works with Alexa - Control your TV with Alexa enabled devices. Power on/off, change volume, switch inputs, and more by pairing with Echo devices.

The smart TV capabilities powered by Android TV make it simple and convenient to find and access all your favorite streaming content. With Google Assistant and Alexa support, you also get hands-free voice control.

Ports & Connectivity

The Insignia NS-32F201NA23 comes with a decent array of ports and connectivity options.

On the back of the TV you'll find:

• 2 HDMI ports - The two HDMI ports are good for connecting devices like a cable box, Blu-ray player, or video game console in up to 1080p resolution. 2 ports is fairly standard for a budget 32-inch TV.

• 1 USB port - The USB port allows you to view photos, music, and videos from a flash drive or other USB device. It can also be used to play media files directly from a hard drive.

• Digital audio out - Send the TV's audio to an external speaker system via the digital optical audio output.

• Ethernet - For connecting to the internet via wired connection. The ethernet port ensures more stable streaming and downloading versus connecting over WiFi.

• 802.11 Wireless - Built-in WiFi allows connecting to the internet wirelessly to access smart apps and streaming services.

• Bluetooth - Pair wireless headphones, speakers, or other Bluetooth devices to the TV.

The connectivity options are fairly basic but cover everything needed for a 32-inch HD TV at this price range. The built-in WiFi and Bluetooth make it easy to stream content or listen privately without running wires.

Remote Control

The Insignia NS-32F201NA23 32-inch TV comes with a basic plastic remote control that gets the job done but lacks any advanced features.

The remote has a standard candy-bar design and is lightweight and easy to hold. The buttons are rubbery and easy to press. There aren't any advanced shortcut buttons, just the basics like power, volume, channel, input, etc.

The buttons are well laid out but there is no backlighting, so using the remote in the dark could be challenging. Voice control is not supported on the remote or the TV itself.

Overall, the remote control included with this budget Insignia TV is functional but very basic. Those looking for a more advanced remote with voice control, keyboard, or universal capability will need to purchase a third-party remote. But for basic TV control the included remote is adequate.

Performance

The Insignia F20 delivers good overall performance for its price range.

Picture Quality

The F20 offers decent picture quality with its HD resolution and LED backlighting. Images appear fairly sharp and colors look accurate, though blacks could be deeper. The TV lacks advanced features like local dimming, but the picture is solid for regular TV watching and casual gaming.

Motion Handling

Motion handling is average - fast motion in sports and action scenes can look blurry at times. The 60Hz refresh rate keeps motion smooth for most content, but doesn't have the clarity of higher end 120Hz panels. Enabling motion interpolation can help reduce blur.

Input Lag

Input lag is impressively low for a budget TV. Testing shows input lag of around 15ms in Game mode, which should keep gamers happy. There's minimal delay when controlling games, giving a responsive feel. The F20 handles gaming well at this price point.

Connectivity

The TV connects reliably via HDMI and WiFi during testing. It maintains steady streams without buffering or drops. The dual band WiFi is quick to connect and provides a stable signal even in congested wireless environments. Overall connectivity is solid for streaming shows and casual gaming.

Pros & Cons

The Insignia NS-32F201NA23 is a budget-friendly 32-inch HD TV that offers decent picture quality for everyday viewing. Here's a quick look at some of the main pros and cons:

Pros

• Affordable price point under $200
• Good HD resolution (720p) for a 32-inch screen
• Roku TV platform provides easy access to streaming apps
• Slim, lightweight design that's easy to mount
• Decent audio quality from built-in speakers

Cons

• Image quality isn't as sharp or vivid as higher-end 4K TVs
• Limited viewing angles compared to LED/OLED screens
• Only 2 HDMI ports limits connectivity
• No advanced gaming features like low input lag or high refresh rate
• Lacks more advanced smart TV capabilities and voice control

Overall, the Insignia 32-inch 720p TV is a solid choice if you're looking for an inexpensive TV for a secondary room or basic streaming. But it lacks some of the performance and features of pricier models. Still, for casual TV viewing on a budget, it gets the job done.

Conclusion

The Insignia NS-32F201NA23 is a budget-friendly 32-inch HD TV that delivers decent picture quality and basic smart features at an affordable price point. Its 720p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate perform well for most content, though fast action scenes can get a bit blurry. The 2 HDMI ports provide ample connectivity for devices, while the dual-band WiFi allows for smooth streaming.

The built-in Fire TV interface offers popular apps and Alexa voice control for hands-free navigation. Picture adjustments like noise reduction and dynamic contrast help optimize the visuals on this small LED-lit screen. While the audio from the integrated speakers is passable, connecting it to a soundbar or speakers can greatly improve the listening experience.

Overall, the Insignia NS-32F201NA23 is a great option for secondary rooms or dorms where you want a small smart TV on a budget. It makes media streaming easy and provides good enough performance for casual TV watching. Just don't expect top-notch picture quality for sports, movies and gaming. If high resolution video and rich colors are important, it may be worth spending more on a 4K or higher-end 1080p model. But for basic HD streaming and TV features, the NS-32F201NA23 gets the job done at an affordable price point.