The 4 Best Roku Media Players

  • Dani Rosewater

With the boom of smart phones, it was only a matter of time before smart televisions hit the market, too. While there are a number of different smart TV options out there, Roku reigns supreme. For the uninitiated, Roku streamlines your favorite streaming services, like Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, into one simple interface. With an ever-expanding range of platforms, Roku makes the world of television and movies accessible with the touch of a button. If you're looking for nearly-endless streaming opportunities, we recommend getting the right Roku media player. There are several different options to choose from, so we've come up with a list of the four best Roku media streaming devices. Here, you'll find the Roku player that suits your budget and your needs, from the compact option to the premium setup.

Roku Streaming Stick+

One little stick, endless possibilities

With 4k streaming capabilities, an affordable price tag, and an extremely compact design, the Roku Streaming Stick+ wins the crown for best overall pick.
Best Overall

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It’s hard to believe how much power they packed into such a little device. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the Roku Streaming Stick+ can deliver endless entertainment at that coveted 4k resolution. The setup is as simple as the design: plug it into the HDMI input of your television, connect to the Wifi, and you’re ready to stream. The wireless receiver has a super long range, so you don’t need to worry about proximity to the internet router. Our favorite part is the remote, which features a voice button that allows the user to control their experience with voice commands. Say goodbye to the days of fiddling with multiple remotes and struggling your way through different menus. It even features a button for voice control, which makes popping on subtitles or switching between services easy as pie.

Pros

  • Wide-range wireless receiver
  • Sleek, compact design
  • 4k streaming capabilities
  • Responsive remote

Cons

  • Consumes Wifi data when TV is in standby mode

Roku Express

The expressway to Netflix

For less than the cost of a couple of pizzas, Roku Express unlocks a vast world of streaming services.
Best on a Budget

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For those looking for HD streaming without breaking the bank, the Roku Express is a dream come true. It’s inexpensive, at less than 30 bucks. It’s simple, with an included HDMI cable and a fast setup. Best of all, it’s Roku, giving you access to over half-a-million TV shows and movies. Plus, it even works with Google Assistant or Alexa, so you can control your streaming with voice commands. The Express doesn’t stream in 4k, but the HD image is colorful and uninterrupted. It’s a great option for those looking to turn their old TV into a Smart TV. At this price range, you can’t go wrong.

Pros

  • Complete access to Roku platforms
  • No extra fees
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Maximum resolution of 1080p

Roku Ultra

The gold standard for streaming

The Roku Ultra is the best streaming device money can buy, with a quadcore processor and tons of premium features.
Best Premium

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The Roku Ultra sets the gold standard for streaming media players. It might be a little pricier than the other options on our list, but this simple little device packs a powerful punch. For starters, the voice commands and interface feature a lightning-fast response time, thanks to the quad-core processor. And with the extended range internet receiver, you’ll get to enjoy uninterrupted streaming in a stunning 4k picture format. Plus, the Ultra is packed with extra features that make streaming enthusiasts squeal with glee. The remote has a jack to plug in headphones, so you can enjoy your shows and movies without waking your housemates. It also has USB and micro SD ports that can plug-and-play your pre-loaded movies. Our favorite part? The lost remote finder means no more tearing apart the house for that elusive controller.

Pros

  • Includes Premium JBL headphones
  • Extremely responsive controls
  • Wifi and Ethernet port

Cons

  • Consumes phantom power in Standby mode

Roku Premiere

Big picture, small price

Though it may not have the range or super compact design of the Streaming Stick+, the Roku Premiere is the least expensive option for streaming crisp 4k video.
Best Value for 4k Streaming

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If you’re hunting for the right Roku device but don’t want to sacrifice 4k image quality for price, look no further. The Roku Premiere is an inexpensive option with all the best features that we look for in a streaming media player. Through the included HDMI cable, the Premiere delivers 4k video at a max frame rate of 60 frames-per-second. Plus, we love the small, sleek design. This compact device is only a little larger than the Streaming Stick+ and looks great in place of your bulky old cablebox. It’s a great option for those with 4k televisions that don’t care for the bells and whistles of the more expensive Roku devices.

Pros

  • Optimizes image quality
  • Fast setup
  • Works with Alexa

Cons

  • No integrated voice commands

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Roku TV work?

Roku is a device that streamlines all the different streaming platforms into one simple interface. That means one interface for switching between Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and many more. It connects to your local internet connection to stream your favorite shows and movies. For example, if you are a subscriber of Netflix, Roku provides an interface for you to access your Netflix account. It also saves all your log-in information so you won’t have to keep signing in every time you want to access your account. You can even save payment information to rent movies and shows with the click of a button.

What is the Roku mobile app used for?

The Roku Mobile app is a free software that links your phone or tablet to your Roku media player. It’s compatible with any Apple device running iOS version 9.0 or higher, and any Android device running Android 4.4.4 or higher. Once downloaded and linked to our account, this simple app gives the user access to the entire Roku streaming interface. That means you can watch your favorite shows and movies on-the-go, right off your tablet or phone. Even better, it can be used in place of the remote controller, so you can plug your headphones into your phone and watch TV privately. It’s a great way to silently stream videos on your TV without bothering your housemates or neighbors. Although all of the Roku devices included on our list are compatible with the app, some older Roku devices may not be compatible.

Do you have to pay monthly to use Roku?

While most of the platforms that are accessible through Roku do have subscription fees, there are no additional costs to use Roku. In other words, you will still have to pay for a Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime membership, but Roku has no additional costs beyond the initial price.

You will also have to set up a Roku account. However, this is free and has no monthly fees. There have been incidents in which some Roku users were scammed into paying a bogus company monthly fees, or even gave their account and payment information. Always remember that there are no additional fees with Roku.

 

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

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