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Roku Streaming Stick Plus: Two-minute review
There is a lot to appreciate the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. It is very inexpensive, enough compact to take on the road, and is sufficient power-skilled to run a USB port behind a TV. Its only defect, and this is a large one, that is a slight interval when navigating the menu, possibly due to its old Wi-Fi standard. However, there is no performance problem after receiving shows or movie streaming.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus is ideal for someone on a budget or who wants a streamer that can tuck behind a mounted TV. If the performance is a top priority, however, more expensive Roku Ultra (2024), which I think is one of the best streaming devices available right now, is worth upgrade.
When the first time Roku Streaming Stick Plus is unboxed, it is almost surprising how small it is. Measuring just 3.7 x 0.80 x 0.45 inch, it is dwarf by Roku Voice Remote, which comes with it.
Since it is very small, it is an HDMI male port at one end to plug a TV directly into a TV and is a USB-C woman port located at the other end for power. There is also a very small reset button at the same end of the USB-C port.
Interestingly, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus does not come up with power supply. Instead, it only comes with a cable with a USB-A port at the other end. The idea is that this streaming stick is so efficient that it draws all the power of its need from the USB port operated behind a TV – as a very good concept you do not watch any device while watching the TV.
Roku’s voice remote is not the best remote of the company – which belongs to the Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd version) that comes with Roku Ultra (2024) streaming box and Roku Pro Series TVs – but it ticks all normal boxes. It looks good that the way Roku remote with its goal back, and these days there are different play / poses buttons instead of the wheel of a lot of remote input. There are app buttons for various streaming services and, the most important thing is that the voice command button, which lets you talk in the remote.
Now, the performance is the place where the Roco Streaming Stick Plus may suffer a bit. Before I discuss, I want to say that once I start something and was streaming in 4K, there was no problem such as stuttering or other artifacts.
When the first setup was happening for the first time, I started browsing the apps, and there was a small interval to enter tiles or menu entry. Although this was the worst, I saw very little delay. This can happen because the Roku Streaming Stick Plus somewhat uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard. In addition, its processor can be reduced.
As far as the Roku interface goes, this is the standard layout that the company uses for all its streaming products. This is a tile-first scene, where you browse various apps instead of the content recommended from those apps as you will do with Google or Alexa streaming device. (There is a small selection of suggestions at the top of the interface, however.)
Roku ecosystem has a lot of free material, which offers 500 different channels with Roku channel. Even the menu has a common sports tab.
If you want to use Roku Streaming Stick Plus for streaming films, keep in mind that it does not support every feature. It can stream in 4K with HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range, but it does not support the dolby vision. On Smart Home Front, it supports Roku Smart Home, Apple Homekit, Alexa and Google Home. It is also worth noting that it passes through the Dolby encoded audio and DTS digital surround.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus: Price and release date
- $ 39.99 / £ 39.99 (About AU $ 70)
- Released on April 2025
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is given an affordable price for a 4K streaming stick, which sells only for $ 39.99 / £ 39.99 (about AU $ 70). Compare that Ruku Ultra (2024), which goes to $ 99.99 (about £ 80 / AU $ 150).
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) is the same in a lot of ways, but Alexa uses ecosystem and supports Dolby Vision. Despite being the same form factor, it is also big. (When Amazon Fire TV Stick reviews 4K Max, I remember that the dongle involved was used as the fire TV stick was very heavy to fit directly into my TV’s HDMI port.) The price of Amazon’s streaming stick is $ 59.99 / £ 69.99 / AU $ 119, but it gives up the same price on the same price, but it stops for the same price, which is left out for the same price, which is left out on the same price, which is released on the same price. Sticking is in the form of sticks.
If you want to go as cheaply as possible, Roku also has a Roku Streaming Stick that only goes up to 1080p (HD) resolution, exiting 4K and HDR support. This is a little cheaper at $ 29.99 / £ 29.99, so if you have an old TV, it may be worth it to save ten rupees.
Should you buy Roku Streaming Stick Plus?
|
Property |
Note |
Rating |
|
features |
4K and HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby ATMOS but no dolby vision |
4/5 |
|
Display |
While browsing, the bus falls slightly backward, which makes it feel a little less. |
4/5 |
|
design |
Not only is it really small, but it can pull electricity from your TV, eliminating the need for a power cable. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
price |
This streaming device may propose the best value of Roku, with its low price and 4K / HDR support. |
4.5 / 5 |
Buy it if …
Do not buy it if …
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) Review: Consider also
How I tested Roku Streaming Stick Plus
- Regularly used for a week
- Tested with all types of apps
- Remote tested
I used Roku Streaming Stick Plus regularly for a weekend, just enough to see everything. I used it with free Roku content and popular third-party apps like Max. I also spent time testing remote and its various tasks.
I have tested a lot of tech gear from laptops to keyboard and speakers for years, and so I am able to use my expertise to give an honest and fair opinion, not to mention an important eye, not for any product.
Read more about how we test
May 2025 review for the first time
