Rokus are the most popular TV streaming boxes for good reason: They’re super easy to use, and they offer a very wide array of streaming channels.
Figuring out which one to buy, well, that’s not so easy. There are nine different Roku streaming devices available now (not including TVs and soundbars), and you’ll find a ton of older models floating around on Amazon and other sellers. Rokus also tend to have similar names and look nearly identical, so it’s not that simple to suss out their differences.
We’re here to help. If you’re like me, you probably want the best Roku for the least amount of money. We’ve broken them all down by features, starting with the most basic Roku you’ll actually want to own. And once you get that Roku, be sure to add WIRED’s channel!
Updated for Autumn 2019: The list now features the new Roku soundbar, and the latest model updates.
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Roku
A Bare Bones Roku
Roku Express
Think of the Roku Express like the Express Checkout at the grocery store—easy, but somewhat limited if you’ve got a big order. It’s for people with a standard HDTV (not 4K Ultra HD) and has the same Roku menus and channels that are on the other boxes. But it lacks the extras like voice search, and the ability to control your TV’s volume from the remote. To work, the remote control must also be in visual sight of the Roku box because it uses infrared (IR) to communicate, instead of Wi-Fi.
The Express+ has composite cables if you have an old tube TV, but if you don’t have HDMI ports on your TV, please do save up for a new TV.
Amazon
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Roku
This Roku Adds 4K and HDR
Roku Premiere
The Premiere is $10 more than the Express. That extra Hamilton only buys you the ability to play high-resolution 4K content with HDR10—great for extra vibrant colors. If you’ve bought your TV in the last couple years, and it costed more than $300, there’s a near certainty it’s 4K, also known as Ultra HD, and a good chance it has HDR. That just means it has four times more pixels on its screen than a standard HD television. HDR, or High Dynamic Range, means that scenes like sunsets look brighter, but also have darker shadows and contrast.
If you have a modern 4K television, there are better and more capable Rokus you can buy, but get this one if you’d rather spend as little as possible.
Amazon
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Roku
This Roku Adds Stronger Wi-Fi and Voice
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
The Streaming Stick Plus is the best Roku for most people. It works with HD or 4K HDR televisions and sticks into the back of your TV’s HDMI port. A second cable plugs into a USB port to provide power. It has voice search, TV volume and power control, and dual-band Wi-Fi that has longer range and can connect to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. This is particularly handy for folks living in city apartments, where the many nearby Wi-Fi networks can interfere with your signal.
It really is the best pick for almost everyone, but before you buy it, you’ll want check the back of your TV to make sure your HDMI ports are aligned in a way that will let you plug in a streaming stick. On occasion, it won’t line up correctly, and you’ll need to investigate another Roku option, or an HDMI extender.
Amazon
