Should you buy the new Roku Streaming Stick Plus? I tested it to find out and responded to CNET’s big complaints. This $40 budget device replaces the Roku Express 4K Plus and supports 4K and HDR. In this review, I walk through setup, performance, app load times, and how it compares to Roku’s other devices including the Ultra and Streaming Stick 4K.
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PRODUCT LINKS:
Roku Streaming Stick Plus: https://amzn.to/4lLfh5b
Roku Ultra: https://amzn.to/4lwTii3
ROKU BUYING GUIDE: https://michaelsaves.com/streaming/roku-buying-guide/
CNET REVIEW: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-streaming-stick-plus-hands-on-wonky-start-for-promising-streamer/
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Should You Buy Roku Streaming Stick Plus?
0:31 What CNET Said About Buffering and HDR
1:06 Testing HDR on Hulu and Disney Plus
1:39 Does Netflix Work on This Device?
2:22 Roku Speed Test Issue
3:24 Setup and USB Power (No Wall Outlet)
4:19 How This Device Fits into Roku’s Lineup
5:10 Performance and App Launch Times
6:01 Remote: What You Get vs. Voice Remote Pro
6:40 Roku User Interface: Ads!
7:17 Final Thoughts and Alternatives
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Onn 2025 4K Plus streamers at $30 is what's blowing people away.
We have the Roku Streaming Stick 4K on a TV that we don't watch much. It is powered by a USB power block rather than by the TV. Despite this, whenever we watch on that TV, the streaming stick is painfully slow, sometimes hanging up. In a few instances, it requires power cycling via pulling the USB power cord. The main TV that gets viewed has an Ultra LT (4K/HDR) that generally performs much better. We may end up getting a regular Roku Ultra for the main TV and moving the Ultra LT to the TV that now has the streaming stick. Very frustrating.
I’ve used Roku for about 20 years I think it’s been so long it’s hard to say when I started, I’ve always been happy but when I bought a couple of new Ultras last December they are the newest model and have never been more unhappy both of them are the slowest to load or switch to the guide, most times I have to hit any button I push 2-3 times for it to do anything.
I ordered a Amazon fire stick today to see if it works better than these Roku’s I wondered if it was my streaming I had a directv streaming I paid $134.99 a month for and just switched to a directv genre streaming where I get 3 packages and pay like $51.99 a month I get tired of hitting a home button 2-4 times before anything happens. Roku has to get better , does anyone else have these problems?
Since the theme of your website is saving money, I offer this experience. Don't skimp on the streaming device, if you are going to skimp, do it on the tv. I had a top of the line 45" Sony TV go out that I bought in 2008 which wasn't smart and I had hooked up to an Apple streaming device. Sixteen years is pretty good. I'm sure if I could have found anyone able to repair it it would not have been cost effective. Went to the big box electronic store and spent some time looking at picture quality. There were some fantastic televisions. But I saw a 43" Insignia television on sale for 150 dollars which honestly had a picture comparable to my 16 year old Sony. Since I didn't trust the brand, I bought the warranty plan for another 50 dollars which I usually don't do. I've had the television for nearly a year and I'm very satisfied. My point is my Apple streaming device retails for more than what I bought my television on sale for. That said I only came to the Apple TV 4k after going through a Roku and unreliable and clunky firetsticks. I have a 2024 Amazon Fire TV in my kitchen and its navigation is so clunky comparted to the Apple TV 4k. And for the record I'm not usually an Apple fan boy.
I bought the Roku Streaming Stick that you have to plug in the wall. I got it last year when I cut the cord. You can use your smartphone as backup remote. Voice remote is perfect for looking up movies, it shows where you can watch. Nobody can beat Roku user friendly interface, I get to pick want I want to see, on the home page. The apps I want not all that other clutter. Streaming /Cable companies have boxed themselves in they no longer have control on how or what we watch. 😎🤣👍
I’m happy with my Roku 4K Plus streaming stick with the Smart Remote Pro.