When it comes to high-end streaming boxes, you have the Google TV Streamer, the Roku Ultra, and the Apple TV 4K. Of that trio, the Apple TV 4K is my favorite of the bunch, but they all have their pros and cons. I don’t own a Google TV Streamer, but I do have a Roku Ultra that I use daily just before going to sleep.
Despite that, I’ve come to the realize that I don’t need the Roku Ultra for what I use it for, and you likely don’t either. For something as simple as throwing Netflix on before bed, there’s no need to spurge and buy the best product on the market. For this use, a simple stick would suffice, and Roku already has one of the best streaming sticks out there. My living room is where I keep my Apple TV 4K, and that’s where I value having great picture quality and audio. In my bedroom where there’s just a TV and no external audio source, I don’t worry about it much.
- Dimensions
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4.9 x 5.0 x 1.0 inches
- Connective Technology
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Bluetooth® streaming, 802.11ax dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz), 10/100 Base-T Ethernet
- Brand
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Roku
- Audio outputs
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Digital stereo over HDMI, DTS Digital Surround pass through over HDMI, Dolby Atmos decode via HDMI (with compatible speakers)
The Roku Ultra has refreshed for the first time since 2021. A new backlit remote, faster performance, and Wi-Fi 6 support separate this 2024 edition from the past generation.
A Roku Ultra is overkill for many people
It might be for you, too
The Roku Ultra comes packed with extra features that are worth a lot to somebody who values them, but they fall flat for a casual viewer. For example, the Roku Ultra has both an Ethernet port and a USB port. This means you can plug in a flash drive with a show on it and watch it directly on your Roku, something that’s cool to have, but I don’t imagine most people will be using it in that way.
For most people, a Roku Streaming Stick will be just fine, but make sure to get a 4K-capable one if you have a 4K TV. To take it even further, you don’t even have to stick with Roku. Both Amazon and Roku sticks go on sale very often, and if you can snag one for $20 or so, it’s a bargain. I use a stick in my basement and have absolutely no issues with it.
I’ll admit the biggest difference I notice between my Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku Ultra is the speed.
There’s a lot to like about the Roku Ultra, and its ports are a big part of that. A regular streaming stick is packed with apps, and that’s it. If you want to go above and beyond, then the Roku Ultra or a similar box is perfect. The one thing working in Roku’s favor over the likes of the Apple TV 4K is how frequently it goes on sale. I grabbed mine for $80, and that’s nearly half the price of a third-gen Apple TV 4K. With that perspective, it’s easy to view the Ultra as a steal, but that’s only if you’re using all the features it’s capable of.
Speed isn’t everything to me
A stick works just fine
I’ll admit the biggest difference I notice between my Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku Ultra is the speed. The stick takes longer to navigate the UI and open up apps, but that’s not a huge deal for me. We’re only talking about a couple of seconds at the most, so it’s not like it’s taking me minutes to open up Netflix and start watching.
The stick plugs directly into the back of my TV, uses the same remote as my Roku Ultra, and it even carries over all my log-in information. It feels like pretty much the same thing, and if I wasn’t scrutinizing everything, I don’t think I’d notice a difference between the two. For the average person, it’s worth it to save some cash and go for a stick. It’s still a big upgrade from your smart TV’s UI, and I think it’s worth the price of admission for that alone.
I’d wager most people looking for a streaming device are just looking for something simple to stream shows on. The high-end models are geared toward the enthusiast who has a universal remote, plugs into their streaming device for top speeds, and perhaps sets up a library of ripped Blu-rays. That doesn’t describe most people, and that’s why a Roku Ultra might not be what you need.
