The best Roku devices are your entry point into one of the most robust streaming platforms in the world. It's here where you can do a host of things, like check your Roku smart cameras on in the dogs in the backyard while watching a cooking show on one of Roku's plethora of free channels.
As someone who has tested quite a few difference streaming devices, I can be the first to admit that Roku is a serious value with tons of incredible features for you to enjoy. While it doesn't quite scratch the gaming itch, Roku still are incredibly robust with a wide selection to choose from, and the lineup only continues to grow.
I personally use a Roku Ultra as my bedroom TV interface. Given the TV is rather dated and doesn't have any smart functionality, Roku's streaming devices turn it into a world of change. The ecosystem allows me to cast content to the screen, control my smart home products, and live carefree in Roku City when I need a bit of a breather.
Best of us is the ease-of-use with the whole system. Roku devices tend to be snappy and with simple controls, letting you jump instantly into the content of your choice without friction. There's even a Streambar that fuses Roku's incredible ecosystem with unbridled audio performance, so you're not stuck with the middling speakers available on your older TV.
The best Roku Devices are expanding, as well. Roku announced in April 2025 two brand new streaming devices in the Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus. This is already off the back of releasing a refreshed Roku Ultra in September 2024, which rounds out its product lineup to great effect.
The quick list
The best Roku device
The $49 Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the best Roku device and one of our favorite streaming devices bar none. it's got a smart and snappy interface with a Wi-Fi range extender baked in and Dolby Vision support to boot.
The best value Roku device
The Roku Express 4K Plus has a range of features at just $39, but drops Dolby Vision support for those who don't need it. You'll have access to HDR10 and HDR10+, so if you need to save a bit the Express is perfect for you.
The best premium Roku device
The brand-new Roku Ultra is a major win, thanks to its Ethernet port, improved Roku Voice Remote Pro, and slightly slimmer design. It's still the same awesome, premium experience with much faster speeds and even cheaper, too!
The best Roku soundbar
Incredible audio and streaming mashed into one; what more could you ask for in one of the best Roku devices? The Roku Streambar is kitted with a full speaker system for audio immersion in tandem with a swift and robust interface, a perfect pairing.
The best cheap Roku device
The Roku Express is the most budget Roku model on the market, offering an upgraded remote and just 1080p resolution support. It's the simplest way to add some smarts to your 'dumb' TV, and its performance is great for the price.
The best Roku devices available right now
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Best Roku device for most people
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is one of the best streaming device, so it's no wonder it sits at the top of our Roku list as well. It elevates the experience with faster response times and improves the flaws of its predecessor with the inclusion of Dolby Vision for the HDR fans.
A speed boost of 30% faster app boot times means you're not sitting around waiting to dive back into your favorite shows. It's also much more intuitive and responsive than its predecessor, and Roku's continued evolution on the platform keeps the experience fresh while still adequately easy to use.
Now that the Roku Streaming Stick 4K supports Dolby Vision (along with HDR10/+), you can stream all your shows and movies in the HDR format to impeccable quality. The picture plays in crisp UHD image and looks stunning, even when you're not using a 4K TV.
My dad love his Roku Streaming Stick 4K, largely because of its price to performance ratio. Plus, the streamlined system that makes changing settings and finding new content a breeze. The device does lack some features, namely Dolby Atmos sound sound technology.
Do note that Roku announced several new devices in April 2025, and the Streaming Stick 4K is on the way out in favor of the new Streaming Stick Plus. We'll have a full review of the device up soon and will update this page if it fits among the best Roku Streaming devices.
Read our full Roku Streaming Stick 4K review.
The best value roku device
Getting a crisp 4K streaming stick under $40 is rare, and always comes with a caveat or two. That's where the Roku Express 4K Plus comes in to amend all these setbacks, building out a system that fixes many of the major annoyances surrounding the Roku Premiere. And it all starts with the remote.
One of the major changes the 4K Plus does is provide a remote that doesn't require direct line of sight to the TV or display, so you can point it in whichever direction you please. That upgrade, plus faster performance and UHD streaming, makes the Roku Express 4K Plus an excellent option for those trying to get a 4K Roku (and all the apps that it comes with) at the lowest price.
Roku Express 4K Plus does have a few setbacks, like being a little too light, which might require some finicking to get it to lie flat on a surface. Also, without Dolby Vision or Atmos surround sound, you lose a ton of the awesome features that make the Roku Streaming Stick 4K so special.
Roku is launching a new streaming stick in 2025 that will take over for the Express, called the Roku Streaming Stick At $30, it's cheaper and is much slimmer than its original modeling, which might make it one of the best Roku devices, but we won't know until we get it in for full official testing. We'll update this page with our inevitable findings on Roku's new device.
Read our full Roku Express 4K Plus review.
The best premium Roku device
The Roku Ultra is the zenith of of Roku streaming deices and by far my personal favorite. It's the most premium model you can get, hence its name, making it one of the most expensive models of the bunch, and that's for good reason. The Ultra nets you 4K resolution streaming, an onboard Ethernet port for improved internet connectivity, plus a USB port so you can watch your own videos and music where necessary.
The Roku Ultra got a sleek refresh last year at $99 (slashed down to $79 already) that's much faster and smarter than its predecessor. In my testing, I found it to be faster than all previous models among the best Roku devices, plus it even uses Quick Media Switching for improved performance in content that switches refresh rates. The only other device in this category with this feature is the Apple TV 4K.
It's certainly got the premium price, but that's a worthy sacrifice for all that you get with the new (and old) Roku Ultra. It might be a tad bulky in design compared to most other streaming devices, but its flatter body makes it easy to simply stick to the back of the TV with Velcro or tape, which is exactly what I do. Even when nestled out of view, the improved remote works as well as all the others.
Read our full Roku Ultra (2024) review.
The best Roku soundbar
It's no secret that TV audio is lackluster at best, which is where the Roku Streambar makes itself known as a stellar option for audiophiles. While it's not quite among the best soundbars, it offers excellent audio quality with all the amazing features you crave in a Roku device.
It's a great solution that does come at a hefty price point, but given that it's often on sale, it's hard not to recommend. Though the largest of the bunch, it won't take up too much space on your countertop or entertainment center but also provides quality audio in both loudness and clarity. Its bass leaves something to be desired, but that's not a problem for most TVs.
While I'm personally more of a Roku Ultra fan, the novel combination of soundbar and streaming device is hard to ignore, especially when they work so soundly together. But you can always just get the Ultra if audio is of no concern for you.
Read our full Roku Streambar review.
The best cheap Roku
The Roku Express, relaunched in 2022, is the kind of streaming device you buy to upgrade a 'dumb' TV or display that doesn't have any apps (my dad has another two of these). Its performance is relatively snappy for its $30 price point (but by no means as fast as the above models), and it's still a Roku, so you get all the great standards like a customizable home screen and apps available across its ecosystem.
What's great about the Roku Express is that its remote app allows for wireless private listening, perfect for when you want to watch TV when your significant other is sleeping.
At $30, though, it's slightly cornered by the Chromecast with Google TV HD, which has a better remote, as well as the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, which has a voice-enabled remote. So it really comes down to your appreciation of the Roku ecosystem.
No matter how good it is as a streaming device, it's not my personal favorite option under Roku, but it does offer quite a robust set of features at just $30.
Read our full Roku Express (2022) review.
I have tested and used tons of streaming devices, including most of Roku's many models, the Google TV Streamer and Chromecast devices, as well as the Apple TV 4K (that's in desperate need of a refresh). I've also tested tons of different TVs and soundbars.
New Roku devices
In April 2025, Roku launched two new products in the Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus. It's also bringing up several TVs to meet the new standard and updated some of those designs, like the Plus Series, which is getting Mini-LED backlighting.
The Roku Streaming Stick will start at $29, while the Streaming Stick Plus comes in at $39. The Plus will be the one of major note, as it offers 4K resolution, ideal for almost every user (though if your TV is just 1080p, you can stick with the base Streaming Stick model).
Both Sticks are 35% smaller and will have the Voice Remote to go with them. Preorders started on April 23 on the Roku Store, with availability kicking off May 6.
How to choose the best Roku device for you
Figuring the right Roku device for your needs can get a little complicated since the most affordable ones are not too visibly distinct. While I believe the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is best for most people, your mileage may vary. If your budget is tight, the Express 4K Plus is the best option for delivering crisp imagery, but its quality isn't as strong thanks to a lack of support for certain standards.
That said, I'm a huge fan of the Roku Ultra for its dedicated Ethernet port. In areas with highly congested Wi-Fi, it allows you to ensure super-steady streaming and has incredibly snappy performance. It's also nice that it's got the premium Roku Voice Remote Pro, which is rechargeable (fewer batteries to buy) and includes wired headphones (ever-scarce as they are) for private listening.
But if you don't want to keep your listening private the Roku Streambar is another great model to get for impeccable audio.
How we test the best Roku devices
I've tested tons of streaming devices beyond Roku models. With Roku, I like to test across all varied use cases: watching movies, shows, and listening to music. Depending on the model, I'll also try other features, like smart home testing and sound quality, as in the case for the Ultra and Streambar.
Snappiness is a top priority. That's not only in regards to navigation but also in terms of how fast apps open. It's one of the reasons I love the Ultra, but also is why several other models listed here are perfect for a wide range of users.
Although Roku devices all offer the same operating system, price is a major factor. If one can stand out from the rest by loading 4K content faster than the others, that's worth some points in our scorecard, but it's not always the key to victory, as not all of them have 4K resolution.
Depending on the model, I also try to gauge HDR content. Of course, most users won't be using best TVs with a Roku device, because why would you they have their own robust operating systems? But to get the best out of your Roku device, check out our guide on the best cheap TV deals if you need a discount.
