Roku streaming stick 4K
RRP $ 50.00
"All the specs you want in a streaming stick, at the right price."
advantages
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Payable
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Easy to use
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All the functions you want
disadvantage
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Roku's advertising scheme means tracking
There's a reason Roku is the largest streaming platform in the United States. Okay, there are a couple of reasons. That it's cheap is one thing. The most expensive traditional streaming product (excluding the newfangled speakers) costs around $ 100 – and that before you factor in retail prices.
In reality, however, the $ 50 mark is more of the sweet spot. And there we are with the new one Roku streaming stick 4K, and his close cousin, who Roku streaming stick 4K +. Both are part of the Fall 2021 update, and both will play important roles in Roku's future roster – though they're not really the most important thing for Roku in terms of the company's overall business strategy. Yes, we will get into these weeds below.
But what you really need to know is this: for most people, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Streaming Stick 4K + will be the Roku sticks you should buy. Here's why.
Streaming Stick 4K and the secret of Roku's success
If you've never tried Roku, here's the short, short version: It's a company that has a range of devices – "streaming sticks," if you will, although the hardware is definitely more – that are inexpensive and simple so you can watch almost any streaming service you want to watch. Roku also puts a lot of emphasis on The Roku Channel, the ad-based channel that features dozens of series, shows, and movies. A disadvantage that spans the entire Roku ecosystem can be found here. Advertising means tracking. And tracking means that with Roku you are trading information about you and what you see. In return, you get shows and affordable products. That's the deal.
The hardware comes at a variety of prices, neither of which breaks the bank. The cheapest option is the Roku Expresswhich is now the only one that doesn't support 4K resolution. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is at the top of the inexpensive part of the range and has been given a bit of a freshen up for 2021.
The internals have been updated, but otherwise the Roku Streaming Stick 4K offers the same Roku experience – only better.
What we usually call "speeds and feeds" is new. That's technically speaking for important, but not exciting, improvements to the internal components. According to Roku, the new quad-core processor is up to 30% faster. These are just numbers on paper, of course. And if you don't let things go side by side, you will be forgiven if you say, "I can't say anything."
But when you combine it with some of the software improvements that it has helped streaming services over the past few years – and the new Roku OS 10.5 operating system – it makes a noticeable difference. Incremental, yes. But that's a good thing again.
Wi-Fi has also been upgraded a little with the new hardware. Technically, it runs on Wi-Fi 5, also known as 802.11ac. This is the previous generation Wi-Fi standard, but also a lot fast enough in terms of speed and probably fine for most people who have no idea (or want to know) how their home network actually works. It also uses MIMO dual band if you take care of that. If you're not worried, that's fine. You still want it. Roku also says the radios and antennas have been redesigned on the hardware side and you'll see a better choice of access points in the latest operating system. So there is.
A nice touch here – and I like that compared to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, for example – is how the power cord is where the wireless antennas are plugged in, which is important to note. It lacks an HDMI extender in the box, however, and that could be an issue with some TVs.
Elsewhere on the spec front, you have Dolby Vision and HDR10 for high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos for audio. Of course, you need a TV and sound system that meets these standards, but that's a lot of licensed firepower in a $ 50 device.
Otherwise, it's pretty much the same Roku experience you've probably enjoyed for years. It still works great. Just a little better. And it's still the only platform that gives you access to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant in addition to Roku's own assistant. Plus, you can still use Apple's HomeKit or AirPlay 2.
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
The plus in Roku Streaming Stick 4K +
There is one difference between Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Roku Streaming Stick 4K + and only one difference. And that is the supplied remote control.
Roku led the in spring 2021 Roku Voice Remote Pro. It still looks and feels like the premium Roku remote, with the headphone jack for private listening and customizable buttons for voice commands in addition to the new hands-free mode. But this one dispenses with the replaceable batteries for a rechargeable setup. Better for the environment, bad if you hate the occasional recharge of your remote control.
It's deceptively light, which is probably only the case if you're used to the voice remote control with removable batteries. But it's also not insignificant to lose about 30% of the weight of the older remote with a headphone jack to cut things down to 2.8 ounces. That doesn't make up for the fact that it uses micro-USB to charge, which is almost unforgivable in 2021. It is long time to tear this association off.
The Voice Remote Pro also has a feature to help you find the remote control if you lose it. Which is nice.
It was a little strange to see a screen on the first boot asking me to put the batteries in the remote before pairing them. That's a very minor nitpick in Roku's otherwise excellent onboarding process. But it's a stupid one that Roku should have caught before sending the Streaming Stick 4K + to reviewers. That said, it is entirely possible that it will be fixed for retail setups. But don't be surprised if you see this confusing screen. The 4K + does not need to install batteries.
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The Roku voice remote control Pro. - 2.
The on / off switch for the always listening microphone of the Roku Voice Remote Pro. - 3.
Roku requires you to actively confirm that the remote is listening.
Roku gets it right with the idea of an always listening remote control.
However, Roku makes up for this misstep by handling the hands-free mode. If you don't want a remote to always listen for your command, you can press the slider to turn it off. And Roku explicitly spells this out on one of the early onboarding screens – and asks you to confirm it works before proceeding with the setup. The on-off slider is color-coded, and removing it will sound an audible alarm if you turn the microphone on or off in addition to an on-screen notification. Very nice.
Speaking of hands-free voice control, it works flawlessly. Say "Hey, Roku," then say an order and it'll be quick. In other words, it works, and it works fine.
Is that worth the $ 20 premium over the Streaming Stick 4K? It is your call. Note, however, that the Roku Voice Remote Pro costs $ 30 if you buy them individually.
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
Our opinion
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K won't change the way you use Roku if you're a current Roku user. It won't change the way you stream videos if you consider switching. What you are getting here is an iterative update for a product that has been undergoing iterative updates for years.
That is actually a good thing. It shows that what Roku is doing is working. It works for Roku as a company – it offers inexpensive hardware that still makes money – and it works for you as a customer, giving you an easy way to see the things you want to see.
Just know that a large part of the future Roku strategy will be based on advertising, both in traditional home screen display ads and in ads sold on the Roku channel. In fact, Roku made about $ 532 million in the platform category – basically everything but hardware – and $ 113 million in the gamer category in the second quarter of 2021.
Going forward, it's really more about what Roku can offer you – be it on The Roku Channel or any other streaming service that Roku is taking a cut from – and less about what you watch. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a mass product. It's what I would buy if I wanted to spend less than $ 100, but it's also not something I would think about too long, and it shouldn't be.
| Roku Express | Roku Express 4K + | Roku streaming stick 4K | Roku streaming stick 4K + | |
| Publishing year | 2019 | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 |
| Retail price | $ 25 | $ 40 | $ 50 | $ 70 |
| resolution | 1080p | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Dolby Vision | no | no | Yes sir | Yes sir |
| Dolby Atmos | no | no | Yes sir | Yes sir |
| WiFi version | WiFi 4 | WiFi 5 | WiFi 5 | WiFi 5 |
| storage | 256 MB | 4GB | 8GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 512 MB | 1G | 1.5 GB | 2GB |
Are there alternatives?
Secure. Roku has a variety of devices that all work the same but bring different specs and functions to the game. For example, if you just need to be connected to ethernet or have expandable storage, check out the latest Roku Ultra. If Roku just isn't your thing or you don't like the idea of what is now an advertising company in charge of your viewing habits, then maybe the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is for you.
Or if you want more power and a simpler experience – something that will last far more years than you might expect – then check out the latest Apple TV 4K. Or if Apple just isn't your thing, then Nvidia shield and Android TV can be the way to go.
Basically it is an alternative when it is connected to a television. Choice of dealer.
How long it will take?
Can't tell you It's a piece of plastic, not a plant.
But at $ 50 retail, you're going to get more than what you are looking for if you've been using the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for a few years. And if you get the Streaming Stick 4K + with the better remote, it's an even better deal as this remote can be used with any other Roku device you buy in the future.
Should you buy it?
Secure. If you love Roku and don't want to jump on the better Roku hardware I would get this.
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