Roku Streaming Stick 4k Plus Review
This Roku® Streaming Stick® 4K also works with popular voice assistants. Ask your Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled device to launch channels, search for entertainment, control your streaming, and more. You can also control your TV using the Apple Home app or Siri on your Apple devices plus share videos, photos, and music from your Apple device using AirPlay. If you prefer using Roku’s mobile app rather than the remote control, there are also some improvements there.
But if you already have a streaming setup and you don’t notice any issues, I wouldn’t be too worried about this either. The 2021 model of the Roku Express 4K + is currently $ 30 and has the same apps and almost all of the same features. It’s slower and slimmer, but it also streams in 4K, even if it doesn’t support some of the same tech standards. The stick is as long as a credit card and just a little wider and thicker than the HDMI port it plugs into – it’s less of a streaming box than a dongle. The only thing to keep in mind is the USB power cord which is also the Wi-Fi antenna (difficult to replace so don’t break).
The Streaming Stick 4K doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6 since Roku believes better Wi-Fi 5 performance would benefit more people who don’t want to replace their router . One thing I did appreciate is the memory management of the Streaming Stick 4K. I was able to jump between multiple apps without having to reload them from scratch. You probably don’t watch TV by jumping between apps all the time, but it does equate to faster browsing when you’re looking for something to watch between apps.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K works with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and a new processor. Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Easily search across thousands of channels with your voice and control your TV, streaming, and sound—all with the included Roku voice remote. As this Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus review has shown, it is not so much faster or more powerful than the previous model that it demands you upgrade immediately.
On top of all that, the remote lacks the TV controls for power and volume that have become standard features over the past year. There’s now a vast selection of content using the HDR format across popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Vudu (which is now Roku’s default rental store), and others. And the Streaming Stick 4K played it all back without any problems — not that I’d expect otherwise. During my time with the unit so far, I didn’t run into any overheating issues that the Streaming Stick Plus could occasionally be susceptible to.
There’s a lot of hand-holding during the initial setup of a Roku device, the bulk of which actually happens through a web browser and not the device itself. That’s all well and good, but before everything was done, there’s also a screen with info about over 20 free trials for streaming services. That’s where things started feeling a little spammy, but soon after, I was dropped into the same-as-ever app grid homescreen. When it does come time to log into streaming apps on the Roku, you can now use voice dictation to enter your email and password. Most every new TV has a 4K resolution and supports high dynamic range video playback, so your streaming box should, too. The more HDR formats a streaming device supports (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG), the more compatible and future-proof it is with newer HDR TVs.
That cable has something new — an in-line long-range Wi-Fi receiver measuring 3.3 x 0.6 x 0.3 inches. With many 4K smart TVs offering a good chunk of the stuff the Streaming Stick+ does, and in some cases , doing a better job of it, the answer will depend on whether your TV can match the Roku’s extensive range of apps. It also gives you the option to send photos, videos and music from your phone or tablet to the TV and a ‘private listening mode’ that sends the TV sound roku streaming stick 4k 4k+ 2021 to a pair of headphones connected to your device. We notice some lag when using Bluetooth headphones, so would recommend a wired pair for the best experience.
If you want an even cheaper option for your 4K TV, the Roku Premiere is worth a look — it costs $39.99 and does nearly everything the stick does. If you’ve used a Roku device before, you’ll know exactly how it looks and feels. The operating system is laid out as a grid, with different apps, or “Channels.” It’s not the prettiest interface out there, but it works well and gets you to your apps as quickly as possible. Even if you haven’t used Roku before, you should find it relatively easy to use. The Roku Streaming Stick has long been a great way to get smart streaming without breaking the bank. So much so, that even if your TV does have built-in smart features, getting a Roku device can allow you to integrate it with the rest of your smart home.