Rankings
The Roku Ultra 2024 is Roku's fastest streaming player, offering 30% faster performance, 4K 60 fps with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos, plus a premium rechargeable remote. Its lack of Apple AirPlay 2/HomeKit and a barrel power connector are notable limitations. Ideal for cord-cutters and families seeking top-tier performance and cinematic experience.
The Roku Premiere is a compact 4K/HDR streaming player with a quad-core processor and voice-controlled remote, offering solid picture quality at an affordable price. Its main trade-offs are the absence of Ethernet, USB data ports and a modern USB-C power connector. Ideal for budget-conscious users who want simple 4K streaming without wired networking.
The Roku Ultra LT (2023) is a compact 4K streaming player that offers Dolby Vision HDR, a voice remote with private-listening headphones, and Ethernet stability. It lacks a USB port and can suffer from Wi-Fi 5 inconsistencies, which may affect users who rely on wireless connectivity. Best for budget-conscious 4K TV owners who want premium HDR and a dedicated remote with headphones.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K provides 4K HDR video with Dolby Vision and long-range Wi-Fi in a slim, hideable form factor and includes a voice remote with TV controls. Its lack of an Ethernet port and only 1 GB RAM can lead to occasional slowdowns, and storage is limited to 4 GB. It's perfect for users who need reliable 4K streaming in rooms far from the router.
The Roku Streaming Stick HD 2025 is an ultra-compact HD streaming stick that delivers 1080p video and includes a voice-enabled remote with TV controls. It lacks 4K and HDR support and has modest storage and RAM, which may affect performance. Ideal for budget-conscious users with HD-only TVs or secondary rooms.
The Roku SE is an affordable 1080p streaming player that offers a vast channel lineup and a compact form factor for basic HD streaming. Its drawbacks include the absence of 4K/HDR, minimal hardware resources, and limited connectivity options. Best suited for budget-conscious households with HD-only TVs or secondary rooms where basic streaming suffices.
The Roku 2 XS is a compact 1080p streaming player that offers both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity along with a motion-sensing Bluetooth remote. Its limitations include lack of 4K/HDR and very small internal storage. It is best for budget-conscious users or secondary TVs where space is at a premium.
| Attribute | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 GBbest | 0.51 GB | 2 GBbest | 1 GB | — | — | 0 GB | |
4 GBbest | 0.512 GB | — | 4 GBbest | — | 0.5 GB | — | |
— | — | — | — | 1best | 1best | — | |
— | — | — | — | 0 | 1best | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.018 kg | 0.06 kg | 0.167 kg | 0.026 kg | 0.036 kg | 0.009 kgbest | 0.031 kg |
2 yearsbest | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 0.25 years | 1 years |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance(2) | |||||||
RAM (GB) | 2 GB | 0.51 GB | 2 GB | 1 GB | — | — | 0 GB |
Processor | — | ARM Cortex A55 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex A55/A53 | ARM Cortex A55 | Quad-core ARM | — | — |
Display(2) | |||||||
Maximum Video Resolution | 4K | 1080p | 3840x2160 | 4K | 4K | 1080p | 1080p |
HDR Support | true | false | true | true | true | — | — |
Storage(1) | |||||||
Internal Storage (GB) | 4 GB | 0.512 GB | — | 4 GB | — | 0.5 GB | — |
Connectivity(3) | |||||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | Wi‑Fi 6 | Wi‑Fi 4, Wi‑Fi 5 | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 5 | Wi‑Fi 5 | Wi‑Fi N | Dual-band |
Bluetooth Version | headphone mode | Bluetooth 5.0 | — | — | — | 3.0 | — |
Ethernet Port | true | false | true | false | false | true | — |
Audio(1) | |||||||
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos | — | Dolby Atmos | Dolby, DTS | Dolby Digital, DTS passthrough | AAC, MP3 | — |
Ports(2) | |||||||
HDMI Version | HDMI 2.1 | HDMI 2.0 | 2.0 | HDMI 2.0b | 2.0 | HDMI 1.3 | — |
USB Ports | — | — | — | — | 0 | 1 | — |
Controls(1) | |||||||
Remote Type | Rechargeable Voice Remote Pro with backlit buttons | Roku Voice Remote | Voice remote with headphones | Roku Voice Remote | Simple IR remote | Bluetooth game remote with motion sensing | IR remote |
Software(1) | |||||||
Operating System | — | Roku OS | Roku OS | Roku OS | Roku OS | Roku OS | Roku OS (SE variant) |
General(1) | |||||||
Warranty (years) | 2 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years | 0.25 years | 1 years |
Build & Design(2) | |||||||
Weight (kg) | 0.018 kg | 0.06 kg | 0.167 kg | 0.026 kg | 0.036 kg | 0.0085 kg | 0.031 kg |
Dimensions (W×H×D) (mm) | 4.9×1.0×5.0 in mm | 20.32x12.7x93.98 mm mm | 25.4x124.4x127 mm mm | 20.32x11.43x93.98 mm mm | 36×18×84 mm mm | 84x23x84 mm mm | 178×61×178 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers hail the Roku Ultra 2024 as the most powerful and fastest Roku device, emphasizing its lightning-fast interface, seamless 4K/Dolby Vision/HDR10+ playback, and premium remote that together deliver a cinematic experience for any living-room setup.
Everyday users consistently praise the ultra-fast app launches, smooth 4K streaming over Wi-Fi 6, and the convenience of the Voice Remote Pro with its finder and headphone jack, while recurring complaints focus on shipping limitations, the barrel-style power connector, and occasional Wi-Fi range concerns.
“Fast app loading, vivid colors, easy voice control.”
“breathtaking upgrade for any TV”
“very very compact,”
Choose the Ultra if you need wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 and a premium remote; otherwise the Premiere offers similar Roku content at a fraction of the cost.
User feedback is sparse, but the few comments indicate interest in being able to download premium apps like HBO Max, while no major complaints or praise trends are evident.
Professional reviewers commend the Ultra LT for delivering a full-size Roku Ultra experience in a smaller, cheaper package, especially noting its solid 4K 60 fps performance, Dolby Vision support, and Ethernet stability. However, they flag the missing USB port and limited GPU details as notable compromises.
Everyday users consistently highlight the device's sharp 4K picture, fast UI, and convenient voice remote with headphones, while recurring complaints focus on the lack of USB connectivity and occasional Wi-Fi reliability issues.
Professional reviewers praise the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for its breathtaking 4K clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, noting the vibrant color pop and excellent upscaling. The long-range Wi-Fi receiver is highlighted as a key strength, delivering stable 4K streams even in challenging locations. Editors also commend the slim, hideable form factor and the voice remote with TV power and volume controls, calling it ideal for wall-mounted or secondary TVs. Minor criticisms focus on the lack of Ethernet and limited 1 GB RAM, which can cause occasional lag.
Everyday users consistently highlight the easy setup, sharp 4K picture quality, and reliable long-range Wi-Fi as top positives. The compact, hidden design and the abundance of free live channels are also frequently praised. Recurring complaints revolve around occasional interface slowdowns, the need to replace remote batteries often, and the absence of an Ethernet port for wired connections.
Professional reviewers consistently commend the Roku Premiere for its unbeatable price-to-performance ratio, easy setup, and crisp 4K/HDR picture quality. They appreciate the responsive quad-core processor and the extensive Roku channel library, while noting the trade-off of missing Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 and a premium remote.
Everyday users love how quickly they can get the device up and running and enjoy the sharp 4K picture and compact form factor. Common praise centers on the included accessories and voice remote, while recurring complaints focus on Wi-Fi reliability, the outdated micro-USB power connector and the lack of additional ports.
Professional reviewers commend the Roku 2 XS for its ultra-compact design, universal TV compatibility, and the flexibility of having both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. The motion-sensing remote is seen as a unique differentiator that adds casual gaming value, but critics caution that its older hardware limits future app updates, internal storage, and modern video standards such as 4K HDR.
Everyday users love how easy the Roku 2 XS is to set up and operate, praising its small size, broad channel compatibility, and quick streaming performance. The main consumer concerns revolve around its age, limited internal storage, and lack of newer features compared to current streaming devices.
Professional reviewers position the Roku SE as an entry-level family streamer that excels in content breadth and ease of setup, but they note its lack of 4K, HDR, and premium audio as significant limitations compared to newer Roku Ultra and Streambar SE models.
Everyday users appreciate the device's simplicity, extensive channel selection, and low price, while repeatedly expressing frustration over its 1080p ceiling, occasional app lag, and the absence of voice-control features.
