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The best roku devices Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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The Best Roku Devices of 2026

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The best roku devices Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

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Editor's Choice Product image of Roku Ultra 4802R (2022)
Best Overall

Roku Ultra 4802R (2022)

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The latest flagship model of the Roku lineup is easy to use, supports 4K, HDR and Dolby Atmos sound, has the best remote, and every app you need. Read More

Pros

  • Top-notch voice remote pro
  • 4K/HDR and Dolby Vision
  • Fast, with wired internet

Cons

  • More expensive than streaming sticks
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Roku Streaming Stick 4K (2021)
Best Value

Roku Streaming Stick 4K (2021)

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The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is one of the best you can buy, with a superb remote, plenty of streaming options, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, and more. Read More

Pros

  • Simple and intuitive interface
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+
  • Great remote

Cons

  • No Ethernet option
  • No onboard storage
3
Editor's Choice Product image of TCL 55R625
Best Roku TV

TCL 55R625

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The 2019 TCL 6-Series isn't among the best QLED TVs we've seen lately, but its performance—bolstered by quantum dots—is well worth the TV's accommodating asking price. Read More

Pros

  • Budget-friendly quantum dots
  • Built-in Roku smart platform

Cons

  • Lacks native 120 Hz refresh rate
4
Product image of Roku Premiere 3920R

Roku Premiere 3920R

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The Roku Premiere still gives you the great Roku experience, but the latest version offers worse Wifi connectivity and no Ethernet support. Read More

Pros

  • Roku's easy-to-navigate platform
  • Supports 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos sound

Cons

  • Bad connectivity
  • No Ethernet
5
Product image of Roku Express 3930R

Roku Express 3930R

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Access to the entire Roku platform, but this very entry-level model offers a very barebones experience with no 4k or HDR support. Read More

Pros

  • Access to Roku's full platform

Cons

  • Remote lacks voice-control, power/volume buttons
  • Video maxes at 1080p
  • Requires HDMI

  • Roku Ultra

  • Roku Streaming Stick 4K

  • TCL 6-Series

  • Other Roku Devices We Tested

  • How We Tested Roku Devices

  • What To Know About Roku Devices

  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

  • Best Overall Roku Ultra
  • Best Value Roku Streaming Stick 4K
  • Best Roku TV TCL 6-Series
  • Other Roku Devices We Tested
  • How We Tested Roku Devices
  • What To Know About Roku Devices
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy
TJ Donegan
Written by TJ Donegan, who has covered electronics, TVs, smartphones, parenting for 10+ years.

November 23, 2020

The Rundown

  • Our favorite Roku devices are the Roku Ultra and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
  • The Roku Ultra offers 4K/HDR, Dolby Atmos, an intuitive interface, and a stellar voice remote with a headphone jack for private listening.
  • The Streaming Stick 4K provides excellent value with 4K resolution, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Google Assistant/Alexa integration in a compact form factor.

Edit 8/25/2022 - we’ve updated our roundup with the latest models of the Roku Ultra, Roku Streaming Stick, and more

Here at Reviewed, we take TV watching seriously—some might say too seriously. We’ve been testing streaming devices since the early days, back when Roku was just about the only option.

After years of evaluating (and living with) dozens of different devices, Roku continues to consistently top our lists. From easy streaming, decking out a theater room, or even an all-in-one streaming TV, we've found the best Roku devices.

In our guide to the best streaming devices, the Roku Ultra 4802R (2022) (available at Amazon) topped all the other brands out there. The latest Ultra supports 4K and HDR video and Dolby Atmos sound. It also has an intuitive interface, a stellar voice remote, and supports every major streaming service.

But that’s not the only good Roku out there. Here are our favorite Roku devices:

Roku is almost entirely platform agnostic, putting your favorite services front-and-center, with few ads and minimal clutter.
Credit: TJ Donegan / Reviewed.com

The Roku Ultra offers everything we want in a streaming box.

Best Overall
Roku Ultra

Roku’s current flagship is also the best bet for most people. It supports 4K/HDR (including Dolby Vision), Dolby Atmos sound and an impressive selection of streaming services, including Apple's own TV app.

As time goes by, Roku’s interface has started to incorporate more ads, mostly for its own Roku Channel. While it’s a nuisance, you can still easily navigate between Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

The Roku Ultra's remote control continues to be the best around. It’s the easiest to use, it has dedicated buttons to go straight to the services you probably use most, and programmable buttons you can point to other apps and functions. It also has volume and power buttons for your TV, so you may only need a single remote if you don’t use cable.

The remote also has a rechargeable battery and voice controls to carry out certain functions. And if you happen to lose the remote, a “remote finder” button on the device or app will make it play a sound so you can find it.

Best of all, the remote has a headphone jack for private listening. Plugging in any pair of headphones gets you wireless audio through the remote for whatever you're streaming. You can also use the Roku app to route audio through your smartphone.

Unless you’re on a tight budget or have very specific needs, the Roku Ultra is the best Roku device—and the best streaming device, period—for the vast majority of people. If you want to learn more, you can check out our full Roku Ultra 2022 review.

Pros

  • Top-notch voice remote pro

  • 4K/HDR and Dolby Vision

  • Fast, with wired internet

Cons

  • More expensive than streaming sticks

Buy now at Amazon


$99.90 from Walmart

The matte black, candy-bar sized Roku Streaming stick is held with its port showing above a orange-red table with accessories.
Credit: Reviewed/Ryan Waniata

The Stick 4K comes with everything you need, including a wall adapter if your TV's USB port isn't available.

Best Value
Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K is a great beginning Roku player. This tiny device can hold its own in high definition, with 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, HDR and Dolby Vision support, and integration with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple’s Siri. It also supports Dolby Atmos sound with supported devices.

The USB form factor can draw all the power it needs from the TV you plug it into, but if your TV doesn’t support that, you can also use the included power cable. The (mostly) no-nonsense interface and fast streaming performance is comparable to the Ultra.

Downsides are minimal, but the stick can’t do wired internet or built-in storage. That means you’re limited to your Wi-Fi speeds and you may need to re-download apps if you juggle a lot of services. Roku claims that the new Stick is twice as fast, though we were unable to verify that.

As always, Roku’s remotes are efficient and thoughtfully designed. The Streaming Stick 4K’s remote is no exception, but if you’re willing to spend an extra $20 you can upgrade to the Voice Remote pro we love so much in the Ultra, which adds the headphone jack, customizable buttons, a rechargeable battery, and the remote finder.

Pros

  • Simple and intuitive interface

  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+

  • Great remote

Cons

  • No Ethernet option

  • No onboard storage

Buy now at Amazon


$37.59 from Walmart


$75.48 from Best Buy


$49.99 from Target

TCL 6-Series
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jackson Ruckar

The TCL 6-Series is our pick for the best overall Roku TV, due in part to its low, low price tag.

Best Roku TV
TCL 6-Series

The TCL 6-series is our favorite Roku TV, as well as our “best value” pick for TVs overall. It offers a bright, colorful picture at an incredible price, and Roku is already integrated into the television—no separate purchase required

The TCL 6-Series, available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch models, is a budget-friendly QLED TV that brings the benefits of quantum dot technology (namely better brightness and color production) to the masses.

We were quite impressed with the TCL 6-Series’ contrast as well; the TV’s relatively deep black levels are gorgeous in contrast to the bright colors it displays for HDR content. We also, obviously, love the TV’s built-in Roku software. It’s speedy, easy to use, and supports virtually every streaming service on the market.

That said, you can’t really offer a QLED TV in this price bracket without some concessions. Higher-end QLED TVs have a native refresh rate of 120 Hz, and you can tell the difference compared to the 60 Hz panel on offer here. Additionally, the 6-Series’ optimal viewing angle is quite limited.

Still, this TV is jam-packed with value, especially if you’re after a Roku TV bright enough for rooms with lots of natural or artificial light.

See all of the best Roku TVs we've tested.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly quantum dots

  • Built-in Roku smart platform

Cons

  • Lacks native 120 Hz refresh rate

Buy now at Amazon

Other Roku Devices We Tested

Product image of Roku Premiere 3920R
Roku Premiere

The Roku Premiere has changed forms several times in the last few years. The current version serves as a slight step up from the entry-level Express. It’s actually slightly lower-end than the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, offering worse Wi-Fi connectivity and no Ethernet port.

Unlike the higher-end models, the Premiere's remote requires line-of-sight for control, doesn’t control TV volume or power, and doesn't include voice support, making it much more difficult to use the search function. You still get the great Roku experience, but since it’s only slightly cheaper than the Streaming Stick 4K, we recommend spending the extra $10 or so for the better remote and faster Wi-Fi speed in most situations.

That said, if you can't get the Streaming Stick+, the Premiere isn’t a bad alternative. You’re still getting the excellent Roku platform, and it still supports 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos sound with a compatible TV and audio system.

Pros

  • Roku's easy-to-navigate platform

  • Supports 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos sound

Cons

  • Bad connectivity

  • No Ethernet

Buy now at Amazon


$39.65 from Best Buy

Product image of Roku Express 3930R
Roku Express

The very entry-level model in Roku’s lineup is the Express, and it offers a barebones experience. Though you do get Roku’s excellent, clicky remote, it does not support voice searching or wireless listening, and it doesn’t have buttons to control your TV’s power or volume.

The platform is fully featured, so can access all the same streaming services, but the device maxes out at 1080p video. The box itself is quite small, so it’s a nice option for a second bedroom, den, or kitchen TV where you just want streaming support and don’t care about high-end options like 4K or HDR.

Just note that, unlike some earlier models of the Roku Express line, this model requires an HDMI port to connect. It includes the cable, but it no longer supports the older RCA jack cables.

For most people, it’s worth the extra money to jump up to the Streaming Stick 4K, but if you’re on a tight budget or just don’t mind the missing features, this is a viable alternative.

Pros

  • Access to Roku's full platform

Cons

  • Remote lacks voice-control, power/volume buttons

  • Video maxes at 1080p

  • Requires HDMI

Buy now at Amazon


$37.03 from Best Buy

How We Tested Roku Devices

The Testers

This guide was tested and put together by Reviewed Executive Editor TJ Donegan. He's been testing consumer electronics for a decade, focusing on cameras, tablets, smartphones, televisions, laptops, headphones, and—of course—streaming boxes. He's owned a Roku since the company’s early days and has since amassed streaming devices from every major manufacturer, too.

To test TVs, Reviewed's home theater team includes Michael Desjardin, a senior staff writer who for the past six years has focused on technology. He's a film enthusiast and TV expert who takes picture quality very seriously.

The Tests

In testing Roku devices, we focused on hardware—the remote, the device itself, how it connects to your TV, how fast it is, and how it feels to use it. We also tested their software, evaluating ease of use, the presence of ads, voice search compatibility, any mobile apps, and other usability features.

Our goal was to find the best possible streaming box for most people who want to stream plenty of TV shows and movies.

What To Know About Roku Devices

Roku platform on TCL TV
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

There are a few key things to keep in mind when selecting a streaming box or a streaming stick. The first is making sure you get a device that works with your TV.

Do You Need a 4K Streaming Device If You Don’t Have a 4K TV?

In short, yes. Almost every new TV is going to come with a 4K screen these days, which means that it has four times as many pixels as older 1080p Full HD screens. Nearly every device on this list supports 4K, and will usually say so on the box and in the model name).

Even if you don’t have a 4K TV yet, you’re likely to have one at some point and it’s not worth pinching pennies on a 1080p device just to have to replace it with a 4K-ready one later.

Does Roku Support HDR?

While 4K resolution is fairly simple, HDR—or High Dynamic Range—is much more complex. Basically, it lets your TV adapt to make part of the screen brighter or darker depending on what is playing. This affects the color shading and vibrancy.

HDR TVs also typically support wider color gamuts, meaning you get more vivid colors than older TVs were capable of displaying. We’re skipping a lot of detail here, but in short, if you have an HDR TV you’ll want a streaming box that supports HDR to get the most out of it.

Roku supports HDR, so as long as your TV supports it and you’re using any newer HDMI cable, you should be able to just play HDR content with no hassle.

Is My Privacy Secure with a Roku Streaming Device?

Reviewed takes data privacy extremely seriously, but unfortunately most streaming services do not. In most cases, you can opt out of letting the box track and monetize your viewing habits, but you’ll still see ads. You can opt out of most of these settings by going to Roku's account or settings pages and navigating to the section on privacy.

Still, be aware that each streaming service may have its own ad tracking built in, which you often can’t opt out of.

Meet the tester

TJ Donegan

TJ Donegan

Former Director, Content Development

@TJDonegan

TJ is the former Director of Content Development at Reviewed. He is a Massachusetts native and has covered electronics, cameras, TVs, smartphones, parenting, and more for Reviewed. He is from the self-styled "Cranberry Capitol of the World," which is, in fact, a real thing.

See all of TJ Donegan's reviews

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