Roku Premiere
Score: 79/100
TiVo Stream 4K
Score: 68/100Rankings
The Roku Premiere is a compact 4K/HDR streaming player that shines with a responsive quad-core processor and a voice-controlled remote. Its main trade-offs are the lack of Ethernet, an older micro-USB power input, and Wi-Fi 5 only. It's best suited for budget-conscious users who want simple 4K streaming without wired networking.
The TiVo Stream 4K aggregates multiple streaming apps and live TV into a single Android TV interface with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. Its modest processor, limited 8 GB storage, and lack of Ethernet reduce its suitability for power users. Suited for casual viewers wanting a unified streaming experience.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 2 GBbest | |
— | 8 GBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 5 Wbest |
| ↓ lower better | 36 gbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(1) | ||
Processor Model | Quad-core 1.2 GHz ARM | Amlogic S905Y2 |
Ports(1) | ||
HDMI Version | HDMI 2.0 | 2.0a |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | Wi‑Fi 5 | 802.11ac |
Audio(1) | ||
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Digital, DTS | MPEG, AAC, HE‑AAC, OGG, OGA, FLAC, ALAC, Ape, M4A, RM, MPEG‑1/2 Layers I/II, Dolby Digital/Plus, Dolby Atmos, DTS, WMA, WMA Pro |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Dimensions (W×H×D) (mm) | 36x17x84 mm | 53x16x77 mm mm |
Display(1) | ||
HDR Formats Supported | HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
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praise centers on the included accessories and voice remote, while recurring complaints focus on Wi-Fi reliability, the outdated micro-USB power connector and the lack of additional ports.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 TiVo Stream 4K for its content aggregation that simplifies browsing across multiple services and for delivering solid 4K Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos performance at a budget price. However, they criticize the modest Amlogic S905Y2 processor, the lack of Ethernet, and the outdated Android 9.0 operating system, noting these as trade-offs for the dongle's compact form factor.
Everyday users praise the device for its easy setup, responsive voice remote, and the "headache-free" unified recommendations that make managing multiple streaming accounts simple. Recurring complaints focus on the limited 8 GB internal storage, occasional app lag, the need for AAA batteries in the remote, and the absence of a wired Ethernet connection for more stable streaming.
“very very compact,”
“plug in HDMI, connect Wi-Fi, done”
“tons of fun”
