Roku Premiere
Score: 75/100
Roku Express
Score: 66/100Rankings
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 Express HD is an ultra-compact streaming stick that delivers smooth 1080p playback and a massive free channel lineup. Its main trade-offs are the lack of HDR and only single-band Wi-Fi, which can limit performance in congested environments. Best suited for budget-conscious households with HD TVs or secondary rooms.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1best | 1best | |
0best | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.036 kg | 0.031 kgbest |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Display(2) | ||
Maximum Video Resolution | 4K | 1080p |
HDR Support | true | false |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | Wi‑Fi 5 | 802.11bgn |
Audio(1) | ||
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Digital, DTS passthrough | Dolby Atmos, DTS Digital Surround |
Ports(1) | ||
HDMI Version | 2.0 | HDMI 1.4b |
Controls(1) | ||
Remote Type | Simple IR remote | IR Simple Remote |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 0.036 kg | 0.031 kg |
Dimensions (W×H×D) (mm) | 36×18×84 mm mm | 0.8 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
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praise centers on the included accessories and voice remote, while recurring complaints focus on Wi-Fi reliability, the outdated micro-USB power connector and the lack of additional ports.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 Express HD for its upgraded storage, fast app launches, and the clean, intuitive Roku OS that gives access to a massive channel lineup. They also note the device's tiny footprint and broad smart-home integration as strong points. However, they criticize the lack of HDR, occasional app lag, and the reliance on single-band Wi-Fi, which can hinder performance in busy network environments.
Everyday users praise the device for its plug-and-play simplicity, reliable 1080p streaming, and the huge library of free channels, especially for secondary or guest TVs. Recurring complaints focus on slower app loads, the absence of 4K/HDR, and the basic IR remote that requires line-of-sight, with some noting Wi-Fi buffering in crowded homes.
“very very compact,”
“plug in HDMI, connect Wi-Fi, done”
“tons of fun”
