Roku’s streaming participant lineup is a bit simpler to grasp in 2025 than ever — however it’s nonetheless a bit complicated. With the discharge of the Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, there are actually three streaming sticks and one set-top field within the firm’s streaming participant household. Categorical fashions and ones with the plus symbols are not within the combine. The Roku Extremely set-top field is the costliest at $100. The 2021 Streaming Stick 4K goes for $50, whereas the Streaming Stick and the Streaming Stick Plus value $30 and $40, respectively. After reviewing the Streaming Stick Plus and evaluating it to different streamers, I believe it packs an honest quantity of energy (and Roku’s handy interface) right into a small dongle.
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus vs the Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Arguably the Streaming Stick Plus’ largest competitors comes from inside its household. The Streaming Stick 4K and the Streaming Stick Plus each assist 4K picture high quality, regardless of the Plus not having the time period in its identify. The Stick 4K additionally helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient and has a longer-range Wi-Fi connection. Each join via the Wi-Fi 5 commonplace, however the “4K” mannequin has a built-in Wi-Fi extender inside its USB energy cable.
At this level, the Stick 4K is four years older than the Plus, and the brand new stick advantages from a number of technological upgrades. For one, the Plus streamier is smaller due to the shortage of Wi-Fi extender and energy adapter. Roku’s math claims the dongle itself is 35 % smaller than the competitors — however truthfully none of those sticks are significantly massive. I discovered that it was certainly smaller than the Amazon Hearth TV Stick I examined. However the measurement discount would not make an enormous distinction in on a regular basis use — particularly since they cover behind most TVs.
One other improve is a bit more important: higher energy effectivity. Now you need to use your TV’s USB port to energy the gadget as an alternative of a wall adapter. The Plus doesn’t even include an adapter within the field, making it a extra travel-ready package deal. Older Roku sticks allowed you to do that (and the 4K mannequin can use USB energy on some TVs) however that is the primary 4K-enabled gadget that Roku truly recommends utilizing with out a energy adapter. Because you don’t want an open wall outlet close by, the dongle will show extra versatile. It definitely would have come in useful throughout a latest journey by which my resort room’s TV was about 12 toes from the closest obtainable plug.
Each Sticks assist Apple AirPlay and are appropriate with Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. They arrive with the identical distant, which packs options like voice enter and the power to regulate the facility and quantity of your TV. They each showcase the identical OS, with Roku’s playful, purple interface, which I significantly like for dwell and free programming — as I outlined in our streaming devices guide.
Efficiency
The Streaming Stick Plus is fairly quick for a $40 gadget. I’ve a Roku Extremely hooked as much as one other TV in my home and, once I carried out the identical actions on each, the Streaming Stick Plus was solely a bit slower than the Extremely. As an illustration, Disney+ took a second or two to begin on the Extremely, and only a half second or so longer on the Plus. Sure, there was a time distinction, however the Streaming Stick Plus was by no means frustratingly sluggish.
I don’t assume anybody truthfully expects a streaming stick with carry out on the identical degree as most up-to-date sensible TVs. My set is comparatively new and side-by-side comparisons confirmed a minor disparity between a dongle and a much bigger, built-in CPU. Take the Netflix menu, for instance. It’s clear and crisp and vibrant by way of my TV’s native Netflix app, however the identical web page was markedly fuzzier and extra pixelated once I opened it on the Roku gadget.
That stated, I solely famous a slight distinction in high quality between the 2 when a present was truly taking part in. Sweeping photographs of the sumptuous-yet-blood-stained White Home interiors in The Residence have been solely the slightest bit grainier on the Roku. True video connoisseurs might word the disparity, however those that are simply right here to see Detective Cupp unnerve all of the suspects received’t seemingly discover.
Do you have to get the Roku Streaming Stick Plus?
One thing the scale of a tube of squashed lipstick can’t rival a very good sensible TV. However when you’ve got an older display or a less expensive set with a tedious interface, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus may make TV time extra pleasant. Comparable streaming sticks embody Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K, which is $10 extra at full worth (although it’s usually on sale). Between the 2, I’d go together with Roku’s Streaming Stick Plus, as Roku’s interface is way extra useful. That is additionally the stick I need to take with me on my subsequent journey. I can plug it in on the Airbnb and, as an alternative of logging in to no matter random apps the TV occurs to have, I can watch extra Doctor Who. I received’t have to fret about the place the closest outlet is and I’ll be spared the hassle of typing in my stupidly lengthy Disney+ password.
As for whether or not it’s best to get this or Roku’s different 4K-enabled streaming stick, I’d go together with this one. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is $10 cheaper and 4 years newer. The truth that it’s powered by the TV means the dongle and the USB energy cable match out of sight so in case you, like me, are against the look of snaking wires in every single place, you’ll be happy. In fact, when you’ve got a TV that supports Dolby Imaginative and prescient or your Wi-Fi router is de facto far-off out of your TV, then you may go together with the Streaming Stick 4K — that’s actually the one main benefit that mannequin has. In any other case, the Streaming Stick Plus is an effective choose for an inexpensive however trendy streaming participant.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/residence/home-theater/roku-streaming-stick-plus-review-powered-by-the-tv-and-perfect-for-travel-130047601.html?src=rss
Trending Merchandise
Thermaltake V250 Motherboard Sync ARGB ATX Mid-Tower Chassis with 3 120mm 5V Addressable RGB Fan + 1 Black 120mm Rear Fan Pre-Put in CA-1Q5-00M1WN-00
Sceptre Curved 24-inch Gaming Monitor 1080p R1500 98% sRGB HDMI x2 VGA Build-in Speakers, VESA Wall Mount Machine Black (C248W-1920RN Series)
HP 27h Full HD Monitor – Diagonal – IPS Panel & 75Hz Refresh Rate – Smooth Screen – 3-Sided Micro-Edge Bezel – 100mm Height/Tilt Adjust – Built-in Dual Speakers – for Hybrid Workers,Black
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo – Full-Sized Ergonomic Keyboard with Wrist Rest, Phone Holder, Sleep Mode, Silent 2.4GHz Cordless Keyboard Mouse Combo for Computer, Laptop, PC, Mac, Windows -Trueque
