Enhanced Roku Streaming SticksAddress One Major Roku Issue resolution
Streaming sticks may not seem exciting, but the new Roku Streaming Stick devices bring a refresh to budget electronics. I've reviewed every Roku for the past five years, and I practically cheered when I realized these sticks fixed my least favorite thing about Roku's budget streamers. Here's my take on the new Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus.
Roku Streaming Stick
The Roku Streaming Stick is a terrific 1080p streaming stick, and it boasts a better remote than the Roku Express it replaces.
$30 at Amazon $30 at Roku
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus upgrades to 4K and HDR support, making it a no-brainer for those with Ultra HD TVs.
$40 at Amazon $40 at Roku
What I liked about it
Say goodbye to the brick
The Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus replace the bulky Roku Express and Express 4K+. These compact sticks are small enough to tuck away in the HDMI ports on the back of your TV, making them discreet and portable. They don't come with a power adapter brick, eliminating excess cable clutter and reducing e-waste.
Price and performance win
The Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus are the top streaming sticks in their price range, beating out competitors such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and the TiVo Stream 4K. The Roku software is straightforward and user-friendly, while the remote comes with volume and power buttons.
Live sports made simple
Navigating sport channels is a hassle, but the Roku Sports section makes it easy to find your favorite team's upcoming games. The only downside is that the Favorite Teams row is a bit hard to reach.
What I didn't like about it
No power adapter means a little wait
While the sticks don't need a power adapter, the lack of one causes a minor inconvenience. Some TVs may not supply power to their USB ports when turned off, meaning you'll have to wait for the Roku startup animation when you turn on your set.
Lack of HDR support
If HDR picture quality is a priority, neither the Roku Streaming Stick nor the Streaming Stick Plus will meet your needs. Only the Streaming Stick Plus supports HDR10 and HDR10+. For better HDR support, consider the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.
Limited live TV integration
While Roku's live TV integration is efficient, it falls short of competing platforms like Fire TV and Google TV by not including paid live TV services in the home screens. This is not a significant issue if you're content with opening those apps.
Bottom line
Streaming sticks may be overlooked in today's smart TV world, but they remain crucial for enhancing older TVs. The Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus make excellent choices for their corresponding resolutions, and the Streaming Stick Plus stands out with its HDR support. Recommended for upgrading HD TVs and for those with no immediate plans to upgrade to 4K.
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus, with its support for 4K and HDR, is a great choice for those with Ultra HD TVs who are looking to upgrade their budget electronics. On the other hand, the Roku Streaming Stick, a 1080p streaming stick, boasts a better remote than the Roku Express it replaces, offering a refresh in the budget gadgets category. However, if HDR picture quality is a priority, one might want to consider the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, as neither the Roku Streaming Stick nor the Streaming Stick Plus fully meets this need.
