The Roku Streaming Stick saved my TV’s life

I have never had a Roku Ultra for lengthy, however throughout my time, I rapidly realized the Roku UI was my favourite of all of the streaming units. I’ve tried the Apple TV 4K and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, but it surely’s Roku with the love-it-or-hate-it Roku Metropolis that retains me coming again.

The brand new Roku Streaming Stick is not something just like the Roku Extremely. As a substitute of focusing on the high-end market, Roku sells this stick for $30, and at that value, I do not see how one can go unsuitable. There are some limitations to pay attention to, primarily that it solely streams in 1080p, so do not plug this into your 4K TV hoping to get the most effective image high quality. What I did was plug it into my 10+ year-old Samsung TV to provide it a brand new life. This TV was purchased lengthy earlier than good TVs grew to become commonplace, however with this Roku Streaming Stick, you’d assume it was a brand-new TV. With regards to price range streaming sticks, it is tough to beat the 2025 Roku Streaming Stick.

Editor’s Selection

Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

The Roku Streaming Stick plugs instantly into your TV and allows you to begin watching your reveals and flicks out of your favourite streaming providers. It comes with a Roku Voice Distant.

Professionals & Cons

• Assist for all main streaming providers
• No exterior energy required
• Comes with a voice distant

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Worth, availability, and specs

Some actually good worth right here

The principle factor that works within the Roku Streaming Stick’s favor, at the least in my eyes, is its value. For $30, you get a tool you may plug into the again of your TV and rise up and operating in a matter of minutes. All of your TV wants is a USB port to energy the machine. If you do not have one, it’s worthwhile to choose up an exterior energy supply to plug your cable into. You most likely have one thing like this already mendacity round, whether or not it is a energy strip or an previous cellphone charger, so do not fret in case your TV does not have a port.

As soon as it is operating, the Roku Streaming Stick outputs at 1080p, so it is a persist with keep away from in the event you’re in search of higher image high quality. Whilst you can set up apps like Max, Peacock, and plenty of extra, the distant solely has fast launch buttons for Disney+, Apple TV+, Netflix, and Prime Video. If in case you have one other Roku machine, you may skip the sign-in course of for all of the apps simply by linking your account to the brand new Roku. Signing into the whole lot is a giant problem for me, so it was good that I may simply load up Disney+ and see my profile already there.

If in case you have any good house units, this stick most likely works with them. The Roku Streaming Stick helps Roku Sensible Residence, Apple AirPlay, Apple Residence, Alexa, and Google Residence. That is one among my favourite issues in regards to the Roku ecosystem, since you’re not punished for proudly owning issues from different firms. I want all my streaming units may say the identical factor, however that is not how the cookie crumbled.

This 2025 mannequin ought to section out the older ones over time, however inventory for the older ones will nonetheless be floating round on the market. On Roku’s web site, it is the mannequin that reveals up if you click on on Roku Streaming Stick, however you may must double-check what you are shopping for at different shops. You do not need to miss out on the stick that does not want a wall outlet to energy on, so search for mannequin 3840R.

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What I like in regards to the Roku Streaming Stick

Straight to the purpose

Roku

I am unable to discover a lot to be upset with in regards to the Roku Streaming Stick. It really works simply as I anticipated it to, and it is house to many apps and even some reside TV channels. The machine itself is moderately small, in regards to the measurement of my palm, and when it is plugged away behind the TV, I am unable to even see it. Because it’s powered by the TV, I haven’t got to see a twine jutting out of the aspect and going to my wall. Should you’re touring, it is also straightforward sufficient to pack up the Roku and take it with you.

The distant’s voice controls work simply high quality, though I usually do not use them. I knew all in regards to the preliminary setup course of since I already personal a 2024 Roku Extremely, however even newcomers should have no challenge getting their stick up and going. One other bonus is that you may ditch your previous distant and management the whole lot with the included Roku distant by following the steps throughout setup to make it management your TV. It was instantly capable of acknowledge it was plugged right into a Samsung TV, and the setup was painless from there.

Roku’s new streaming stick just isn’t as quick as my Extremely, but it surely’s not meant to be. The streaming stick is arguably the most effective worth you will get for a no-frills streaming machine. It is excellent for abandoning your good TV UI or giving new life to an previous TV with no web capabilities. Should you do not want 4K decision, I am unable to consider something that does the job higher. You would possibly just like the look or really feel of the Fireplace Stick greater than the Roku, however that is not the case for me.

Having audio passthrough is a superb contact as effectively, as a result of that is one thing my Apple TV 4K does not even assist. For an entry-level machine, I am impressed with how a lot it offers. Nevertheless, that does not imply it isn’t with out its share of downsides.

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What I do not like in regards to the Roku Streaming Stick

Just a few nitpicks

It is simple to lament what the Roku Streaming Stick does not do, primarily the truth that it does not assist 4K, however I feel that is unfair. The machine does not set out to try this, and there are different Roku merchandise obtainable for individuals who want a bit extra. Nevertheless, the Roku Streaming Stick positions itself as a stick that is for individuals with no plans of upgrading sooner or later. A 4K streaming stick prices simply $10 extra, so it is likely to be a good selection to splurge on that in the event you plan to maneuver to 4K finally. There isn’t any draw back to utilizing the 4K stick on a 1080p TV, so you may cowl your bases and basically future-proof your self.

The distant, regardless of its strong voice controls, leaves a bit to be desired. The cumbersome plastic physique makes it really feel so much like a toy, and it is heavier than I would count on it to be. It additionally takes a pair of AAA batteries to energy on, so you may must swap these out as a substitute of merely charging the distant as soon as it dies. My Roku Extremely got here with a distant with the identical construct high quality, but it surely has a charging port on the backside as a substitute of taking batteries.

That is actually all I’ve to say that is unfavorable in regards to the machine. In my case, I’ve a 1080p that I preserve in my basement, so there is not any sense spending the additional cash for a 4K machine since I will by no means want one for this TV. There have been just a few instances after I was informed I had inadequate energy to my stick, however the pop-up went away by itself inside seconds and did not affect something. It is likely to be one thing I’ve to arrange for down the road, but it surely appears all good as of proper now. My TV could be very previous, in order that could possibly be the offender, and I can at all times change to a wall outlet if wanted.

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Do you have to purchase the Roku Streaming Stick?

I do not see why not

Pocket-lint / Roku

For $30, the Roku Streaming Stick will not break the financial institution by any means, so I say go for it. I prefer it higher than comparable merchandise just like the Fireplace Stick and the Onn. sticks you could find at Walmart. I am an enormous fan of the Roku UI, in order that’s why I am giving it the sting right here.

Accessing each streaming app I can consider with a stick that is powered by the TV is tough to move up. Whereas the stick is noticeably slower than my devoted streaming containers just like the Apple TV 4K and Roku Extremely, it isn’t something I will ding the Streaming Stick for because it packs loads of worth in for the low value. So long as your expectations are in test, I am unable to discover a cause why you’d not just like the 2025 Roku Streaming Stick. It integrates properly into good houses no matter what ecosystem you are in, and the automatic updates imply you by no means miss out on new options. It isn’t going to supplant my Extremely or Apple TV, however the Roku Streaming Stick has accomplished greater than sufficient to show it deserves to be plugged right into a TV.

Editor’s Selection

Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

The Roku Streaming Stick plugs instantly into your TV and allows you to begin watching your reveals and flicks out of your favourite streaming providers. It comes with a Roku Voice Distant.