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Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Review: Roku Streaming Stick Plus makes upgrading your TV foolproof
Whether you're on the road or just want Netflix to load faster, this portable 4K stick makes streaming smoother Review: New Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Photo by Postmedia/Victoria Surla Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. If you're looking to give your TV a modern boost without investing in a whole new screen or fiddling with complicated tech, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K) is a simple, affordable solution. I've been testing it for several weeks now, and it's one of the easiest ways to add smart TV functionality to just about any television — especially if you want 4K streaming in a neat little package. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The product: Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K) Price: $50 Where to buy: Best Buy Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Photo by Postmedia/Victoria Surla Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K) key features 4K streaming: If you have a 4K TV, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus delivers impressive picture quality, with HDR colours and crisp resolution that makes a real difference — especially if you're streaming from apps that offer 4K content like Netflix, Disney+ or Apple TV+. Here's the key detail for anyone comparing models: the regular Roku Streaming Stick (HD) ($40) maxes out at 1080p, while the Streaming Stick Plus supports 4K and HDR. If you're watching on an older HDTV, the HD version might be enough. But if you've already upgraded your screen, or plan to, the Streaming Stick Plus is worth the few extra dollars. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tons of content: Roku boasts more than 200 free channels, and while not all of them will appeal to everyone, there's a surprisingly decent mix of live news, older shows, movies and sports content. The Roku Channel itself offers a curated mix of no-cost options that are great for casual browsing. That said, most will still spend the bulk of their time on the usual suspects: Netflix, Prime Video, Crave, YouTube and Disney+. Roku supports all the major platforms, and navigating between them is quick and intuitive. Simple remote: The included remote controls your Roku as well as your TV's volume and power, which means one less remote on the coffee table. And if you're already deep into the smart home ecosystem, Roku plays well with others: it works with Apple AirPlay, Google Home and Amazon Alexa. That means you can cast content from your iPhone, use voice assistants to control playback, or integrate the Roku into your broader smart home setup. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In testing, AirPlay operated smoothly: streaming photos, videos and music from my iPhone to the TV was seamless. Being able to say, 'Hey Google, open YouTube on Roku' or 'Alexa, launch Netflix' adds a level of convenience, especially when you've got your hands full. Roku Streaming Stick Plus display. Photo by Postmedia/Victoria Surla Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K) review Out of the box, the experience is very plug-and-play. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus goes right into the HDMI port at the back of your TV and draws power from a USB port, meaning no wall plugs, no messy cables and no need to rearrange your entertainment centre. It's small enough to stay out of sight entirely, which is something I have come to appreciate more than I expected. Setup took five minutes, tops. I connected to Wi-Fi, signed into my Roku account with a scannable barcode and that was it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The interface itself has a well-organized layout that makes browsing apps and content straightforward — ideal for anyone who isn't exactly tech-savvy. The remote's familiar buttons and voice-over feature make navigation comfortable, so finding your favourite shows feels quick and effortless. Favourite feature: Travel-friendly streaming One feature I didn't expect to care about, but ended up loving, is how portable the Streaming Stick Plus is. I brought it with me on a weekend trip, plugged it into my friend's TV and within minute, had access to all my usual apps and subscriptions. Roku makes it easy to reconnect to new Wi-Fi networks without needing to log in again and again. For frequent travellers, this is one of those small conveniences that ends up being a real standout — and honestly, it became my favourite feature. The ability to take your streaming setup with you without any hassle makes the Roku feel more like a companion than just another device. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Voice search is built into the remote and works across apps — just press the microphone button and say what you're looking for. It's generally responsive, though this was one of my few frustrations with the device. Like most voice assistants, it sometimes brings up results that are too broad or slightly off the mark. It's not a dealbreaker, but it can be mildly annoying when you're in a hurry to start a show. Final thoughts The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to upgrade their TV, especially if you want to unlock 4K and HDR capabilities without spending a fortune. The setup is fast, the design is tidy and the streaming quality is ideal. Whether you're a smart home fanatic or just someone who wants Netflix to load without lag, this little stick gets the job done. It offers just enough smart features to feel modern, without overwhelming you with bells and whistles. And in a world full of tech that overcomplicates things, that simplicity feels like a win. The product: Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K) Price: $50 Where to buy: Best Buy Read More Shopping Essentials, a category written by research-obsessed shopping fanatics, is now on Explore in-depth product reviews, expert recommendations and exciting collaborations — plus get behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and trending products — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter. Sunshine Girls News Columnists Columnists Columnists
Tom's Guide
10-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Roku Streaming Stick Plus vs Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: which streaming stick is right for you?
When it comes to the best streaming devices, the market is flooded with models to choose from. But two of the most popular — and cheapest — streaming sticks for 4K TVs remain the Roku Streaming Stick Plus and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. Officially launched just a mere few days ago, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus comes in as a serious value pick. It's $10 cheaper than the Fire TV Stick 4K and offers HDR10/HDR10+ support with some extra smart home and screensaver features that make it stand out for the price. In the opposite corner is the Fire TV Stick 4K, which initially launched back in 2023. Unlike the Streaming Stick Plus, this Fire TV Stick comes equipped with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, with the addition of some of the best cloud gaming services. While these streaming devices might seem similar on the outside, there are several key differences that set them apart. Let's see which of these two models serves as the best pick to spend your valued dollar on. The new Fire TV Stick 4K (2024) sports an upgraded 1.7GHz quad-core processor that's 30% more powerful than the previous model. In our Amazon Fire TV stick 4K review, we praised its 4K video quality for a budget price. Features include Dolby Vision/HDR10/HDR10+/HLG support, Wi-Fi 6 support and a Live TV guide button on the remote. You also get Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos support to improve your streaming audio. Roku has refreshed its Streaming Stick Plus that originally launched back in 2021 with a sleek and slim new design. It's equipped with loads of features, like Backdrops, Roku smart home compatibility, and HDR10+ support. It also comes in as one of the cheapest options in the market for 4K streaming sticks, making it one steal of a pick built on one of the best platforms. Roku Streaming Stick Plus Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Resolution Up to 4K/60fps Up to 4K/60fps HDR HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5 Wi-Fi 6 Smart TV software Roku OS Fire TV Price $39 $49 ($29 on sale) Right out of the gate, Roku's already labeled its new Streaming Stick Plus the smallest streaming device yet. It's 35% smaller than most of its rivals, and the extreme thinness shows, allowing it to fit in practically every crevice behind the TV. Still, this doesn't allow the Streaming Stick Plus to fit into every single HDMI input — it wouldn't fit into the bottom HDMI slots of my Samsung S90D OLED TV. That's where the Fire TV Stick 4K proves victorious; while it might be slightly bulkier than its rival, Amazon does provide an HDMI extension cord in the box. In terms of general size comparisons, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is 3.7 x 0.80 x 0.45 inches, whereas the Fire Stick is 3.8 x 1.18 x 0.55 inches. Clearly, the differences are minimal, but the Streaming Stick Plus is the winner here. It even weighs much less at just 26 grams versus the Fire TV Stick 4K's 43.5 grams. Another huge addition on both devices is power delivery. In addition to simply plugging them into an outlet, you can now easily just plug either stick into the USB port on the back of the TV. That's a huge win for those who might not like those annoying wires creating a fuss behind their display. Both devices also come equipped with a handy voice-compatible remote that runs on included AAA batteries. Roku's model is the dumbed-down version of its Voice Remote Pro, and it's about the same size of Amazon's remote. Both remotes are just slightly bigger than the streaming devices themselves, fitting perfectly in one's hand with extra quick access buttons to some of the best streaming services. The neat thing is that the included remotes can replace the ones that come with your TV, allowing you to turn on/off the display and change volume levels on a dime. You won't be able to change the input, unfortunately, so if you do have multiple connected devices you'll still need the TV remote on-hand. The Roku Streaming Stick Pus and Fire TV Stick 4K are essentially neck-and-neck in terms of performance. It will also entirely depend on the particular TV you're using, as both support displays of up to 4K at 60fps, and they can even upscale lower-resolution content. The primary aspect that separates the two is HDR compatibility. Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K casts a much wider net, supporting Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+, while the Roku device just has the latter two and HLG. And, the Fire TV Stick 4K even has Dolby Atmos for surround sound. This allows the Fire TV Stick 4K more leeway when it comes to the display you're using, specifically more premium models among the best TVs. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus, on the other hand, has the best compatibility with Samsung models, which only support HDR10 and HDR10+. Of course, most users aren't buying a streaming stick to upgrade something like the Samsung S90D OLED TV, but maybe you dislike Tizen OS? These will improve the experience you might have with the interface. On that notion, navigation has always proven king on Roku devices. Both models have their fair share of ads plaguing their individual systems, but Roku's are a lot less in-your-face. Plus, getting to the content you like and the streaming services you use the most — whether it be via search or simply scrolling through the interface — is much easier on Roku OS. Both devices shine in terms of free content. Roku's OS is packed with movies and shows, plus loads of free channels all at no extra cost. Amazon claims its Fire TV platform is home to more than 300,000 free movies and TV shows, making them pretty equal on this front. But the Fire TV Stick 4K is a treasure trove of added features, namely video game streaming. With Amazon's Luna, you have access to tons of games on the cloud, and Xbox Game Pass only amplifies the overall experience. It's not quite on the same level as Samsung's Gaming Hub, but it's still a huge get for the Fire TV Stick 4K — and puts to shame most other streaming sticks. In my review for the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, I raved about Backdrops being a phenomenal experience for those who don't want to deal with a blank TV screen all the time. Then again, Fire TV has its own version, called Ambient Experience, and it corrals a slew of photos and art pieces with the addition of AI-generated content. That's hard to beat. And, to make things even more appealing for the Fire TV model, it's also got Wi-Fi 6 capabilities versus the Roku's Wi-Fi 5, meaning 4K streams and game streaming will run flawlessly. The Fire TV Stick 4K also can do a lot more with your assorted smart home devices. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus falls flat in terms of its smart home capabilities, relegated to the Roku camera app, which means you can't even control lights or smart outlets using your streaming stick. That's a bit frustrating, and gives the Fire TV Stick 4K a leg up for smart home enthusiasts. There's a ton of competition in this market, but there's no question that Roku and Amazon are at the top of their game when it comes to streaming devices. Roku's platform still remains one of the most fluid and easy to navigate, but it lacks a lot of the broader features on offer with Fire TV. And, while both are certainly riddled with ads, Fire TV definitely is the one with the worse set of them. But even in the face of that, I still think the Fire TV Streamer 4K is the best choice for most users. Its Ambient Experience, which has loads of art and even AI-generated content for those who want it, puts Backgrounds to shame, not to mention its smart home capabilities. . At the time of writing, the Fire TV Stick 4K is also $10 cheaper than the new Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Typically, I'd say the Roku model is the better value, but it's already beaten on price at the moment. Add that to Fire TV Stick's access to some of the best cloud gaming services, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, plus the slew of free channels it offers, and it's simply the one to go with — even if you don't like the Fire TV interface.
Tom's Guide
08-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Walmart just launched a new Onn 4K Plus streaming stick — and it's cheaper than Roku
Walmart's got another trick up its sleeve in devising one of the best streaming devices with the discovery of a product page for a new Onn 4K Plus. 9To5Google caught the updated listing, showing Walmart's new streaming box with a price of just $29. That's a huge discount over the Onn 4K Pro that launched last year at $49, and even flies in the face of the newly-debuted Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which comes in at $39. Walmart has yet to officially announce the product, so details are sparse at the moment. But with its leveraging of Google TV, the device could serve as a new value pick in the face of Chromecast's departure from the market. The product listing for Walmart's new Onn 4K Plus does give us deeper insight into the device's makeup, highlighting its Google TV operating system and 2GB of RAM. It's also set to have Google Assistant support, owing to its OS, which should give it a leg up in all things search and smart home functionality. If accurate, the pricing is also a major win for Walmart. As stated already, it's cheaper than Roku's newest Streaming Stick Plus and even beats out the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (though, that is on sale for the same price of $29 at the time of writing). Unlike the new Roku Streaming Stick Plus, the Onn 4K Plus will also have Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, according to the product listing, making it an even better deal at a $10 discount. The device's W-Fi capabilities are still TBD at the moment, but it will probably support Wi-Fi 6 for some extra performance with other Google smart home devices. The Onn 4K Plus could prove a major win for fans of streaming devices who aren't out buying one of the best TVs each year, as it slots in perfectly into the budget space left in the wake of Google Chromecast's departure. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. An official release for the Onn 4K Plus is still pending Walmart's official announcement, but the product details do indicate a 2025 launch window. We'll need to get the Onn 4K Plus in for testing before we can make any final judgments on Walmart's new device, but its competitive pricing and purported specs make it one serious new entry in the market.
Engadget
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: Powered by the TV and perfect for travel
Roku's streaming player lineup is a little easier to understand in 2025 than ever — but it's still a bit confusing. With the release of the Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, there are now three streaming sticks and one set-top box in the company's streaming player family. Express models and ones with the plus symbols are no longer in the mix. The Roku Ultra set-top box is the most expensive at $100. The 2021 Streaming Stick 4K goes for $50, while the Streaming Stick and the Streaming Stick Plus cost $30 and $40, respectively. After reviewing the Streaming Stick Plus and comparing it to other streamers, I think it packs a decent amount of power (and Roku's convenient interface) into a small dongle. Roku's new Streaming Stick Plus requires no wall outlet, making it ideal for unpredictable hotel TV situations and homes where plugs are scarce. $40 at Roku Arguably the Streaming Stick Plus' biggest competition comes from within its family. The Streaming Stick 4K and the Streaming Stick Plus both support 4K image quality, despite the Plus not having the term in its name. The Stick 4K also supports Dolby Vision and has a longer-range Wi-Fi connection. Both connect through the Wi-Fi 5 standard, but the '4K' model has a built-in Wi-Fi extender within its USB power cable. At this point, the Stick 4K is four years older than the Plus, and the new stick benefits from a few technological upgrades. For one, the Plus streamier is smaller thanks to the lack of Wi-Fi extender and power adapter. Roku's math claims the dongle itself is 35 percent smaller than the competition — but honestly none of these sticks are particularly large. I found that it was indeed smaller than the Amazon Fire TV Stick I tested. But the size reduction doesn't make a huge difference in everyday use — especially since they hide behind most TVs. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K (left) with it's cable, Wi-Fi extender and dongle. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (right) with it's cable and dongle. (Amy Skorheim for Engadget) Another upgrade is a little more significant: better power efficiency. Now you can use your TV's USB port to power the device instead of a wall adapter. The Plus doesn't even come with an adapter in the box, making it a more travel-ready package. Older Roku sticks allowed you to do this (and the 4K model can use USB power on some TVs) but this is the first 4K-enabled device that Roku actually recommends using without a power adapter. Since you don't need an open wall outlet nearby, the dongle will prove more flexible. It certainly would have come in handy during a recent trip in which my hotel room's TV was about 12 feet from the nearest available plug. Both Sticks support Apple AirPlay and are compatible with Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. They come with the same remote, which packs features like voice input and the ability to control the power and volume of your TV. They both showcase the same OS, with Roku's playful, purple interface, which I particularly like for live and free programming — as I outlined in our streaming devices guide. Amy Skorheim for Engadget The Streaming Stick Plus is pretty fast for a $40 device. I have a Roku Ultra hooked up to another TV in my house and, when I performed the same actions on both, the Streaming Stick Plus was only a bit slower than the Ultra. For instance, Disney+ took a second or two to start on the Ultra, and just a half second or so longer on the Plus. Yes, there was a time difference, but the Streaming Stick Plus was never frustratingly slow. I don't think anyone honestly expects a streaming stick to perform at the same level as most recent smart TVs. My set is relatively new and side-by-side comparisons showed a minor disparity between a dongle and a bigger, built-in CPU. Take the Netflix menu, for example. It's clear and crisp and vibrant via my TV's native Netflix app, but the same page was markedly fuzzier and more pixelated when I opened it on the Roku device. That said, I only noted a slight difference in quality between the two when a show was actually playing. Sweeping shots of the sumptuous-yet-blood-stained White House interiors in The Residence were only the slightest bit grainier on the Roku. True video connoisseurs may note the disparity, but those who are just here to see Detective Cupp unnerve all the suspects won't likely notice. Amy Skorheim for Engadget Something the size of a tube of squashed lipstick can't rival a good smart TV. But if you have an older screen or a cheaper set with a tedious interface, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus could make TV time more enjoyable. Comparable streaming sticks include Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K, which is $10 more at full price (though it's often on sale). Between the two, I'd go with Roku's Streaming Stick Plus, as Roku's interface is far more helpful. This is also the stick I want to take with me on my next trip. I can plug it in at the Airbnb and, instead of logging in to whatever random apps the TV happens to have, I can watch more Doctor Who. I won't have to worry about where the nearest outlet is and I'll be spared the effort of typing in my stupidly long Disney+ password. As for whether you should get this or Roku's other 4K-enabled streaming stick, I'd go with this one. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is $10 cheaper and four years newer. The fact that it's powered by the TV means the dongle and the USB power cable fit out of sight so if you, like me, are opposed to the look of snaking wires everywhere, you'll be pleased. Of course, if you have a TV that supports Dolby Vision or your Wi-Fi router is really far away from your TV, then you can go with the Streaming Stick 4K — that's really the only major advantage that model has. Otherwise, the Streaming Stick Plus is a good pick for a cheap but modern streaming player.
Tom's Guide
06-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: A slimmed-down 4K HDR powerhouse
Roku Streaming Stick Plus specs Size: 3.7 x 0.80 x .45 inches Resolution: up to 4K HDR, 60 FPS Supported video: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Supported audio: DTS Digital Surround, Dolby audio Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) Memory: N/A Ports: Built-in HDMI and USB-C for power Roku's back at it again with a whole new entry in its ever-growing lineup of streaming devices. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus, a redesign of its 2021 model of the same name, is a serious new entry that leverages Roku's interface to excellent precision. Built as a 4K/60fps HDR powerhouse at just $39, the new Streaming Stick Plus delivers where it counts. It's one of the sleekest, cheapest, and slimmest devices on the block, with Roku claiming it's as much as 35% smaller than its rivals. Even despite that size, it's still a potential shoe-in among the best streaming devices thanks to its slew of awesome features, like HDR10/HDR10+ support, Roku Smart Home compatibility, and Backdrops, to name a few. Let's get into what makes the Roku Streaming Stick Plus a considerable step up over not just its predecessor but several of its rivals. You may like Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: Price and availability The Roku Streaming Stick Plus went on sale on May 6 for $49/ £39. It's currently available at Roku's online store in the U.S. and will be launched in EU regions come June 2. It serves as a major refresh over the original Streaming Stick Plus that launched in 2021 at $49. Roku also launched a new $29 Roku Streaming Stick, which drops 4K HDR support. You'll know the difference between the two aesthetically as the base Streaming Stick spells out "Roku" on the body of the device in purple versus the more transparent black tones on the Plus model. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus launches as one of the cheapest streaming devices in the market. It's cheaper than Amazon's newest Fire TV Stick 4K (though, that's currently on sale for $29), and the $99 Google TV Streamer. Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: Design (Image credit: Future) The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is not just Roku's smallest device but one of the slimmest streaming sticks in the market. It weighs just 0.90 ounces (26.0 grams) and measures 3.7 inches by 0.80 inches with an added 0.45 inches of thickness. Roku wasn't kidding when it called this 35% slimmer than most of its rivals. Compared against the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus shows its thinness, but that doesn't mean it can fit into every crevice behind the screen. On the front-facing side, which bears the Roku typeface, there's a small status light to show when it's active. As for ports, the streaming device features an HDMI output and USB-C power port, which can be plugged into the TV for greater efficiency. It would be nice if Roku also added in an HDMI extension, like Amazon does with its Fire TV Stick 4K, in times where its device might not fit into tighter inputs. Given its extreme slimness, I'll give Roku a pass here. (Image credit: Future) Roku's also packed within the box a rudimentary remote that requires two AAA batteries (which it supplies inside). The same layout and functionalities remain the same, with navigation keys at the top below the Power, Home, and Back buttons. You also have quick access to some of the best streaming services, namely Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, and Prime Video. It's a bit of letdown, seeing how much we love the Roku Voice Remote Pro, but given the pricing here it makes sense. You can always buy the second gen Pro remote for an extra $29 to get the best possible Roku streaming experience (and never have to worry about batteries again). Another letdown is no Bluetooth compatibility. Neither the device itself nor the remote offer wireless listening, which means you have to rely on the TV for this functionality. It's a major blow to parents of newborns or users who might like watching content late after their significant other has fallen asleep. Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: Setup (Image credit: Future) It's as plug-and-play as it gets with the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, made all the better given it can use your TV's USB port for power delivery. This means you don't need to find a power outlet that's close to the screen, keeping your home entertainment setup looking relatively wire-free and the device itself tucked neatly behind the TV. Once the device is plugged into your TV, you'll need to pair the remote and then go through the set up process. This should only take maybe ten minutes or less, depending on if you already have an account with Roku or not. I recommend using the QR code step, so you can do most of the heavy lifting on your smartphone or tablet as opposed to typing things out using the remote. The longest bit for me was waiting for the device to fully reboot and download a software update, but again it shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes at most. You will have to sign into all of your streaming apps, which might take a few extra minutes. As for settings, I recommend turning off the "Auto-play video" option under the Accessibility tab so ads don't start playing in menus. And, although it is automatic, I'd head to "Display type" to make sure the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is properly set to the resolution and HDR format provided by your TV. It would be a killer feature if Roku (and other streaming devices) offered you the ability to move settings and even app sign-ins across devices. Some might see this as a privacy concern and it's likely few users switch their streaming devices as often as I do, but it would streamline this entire process. Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: Performance and interface (Image credit: Future) There's so much to love about Roku's interface. It's super simplified, easy to navigate, and lets you customize it to suit your liking. For instance, I like jumping into my favorite apps immediately upon turning on the device, so I tend to set the Recommendation rows to "hide" in the settings. This makes my apps the first thing I see when I turn on the device. However, I will note that powering on is a bit time consuming. I'm more accustomed to instantly jumping into the Roku OS as I use the Roku Ultra in my bedroom, but the Roku Streaming Stick Plus does take a minute or two to boot up over rivals. It's also a bit slower and can skip on navigation every now and again. These drawbacks don't ruin the overall experience, though, they're just minor inconveniences I noticed while using the device over time. Roku's added a bit extra flavor to its OS, too. These new options include Sports and Daily Trivia. While the latter isn't for me, it is a nice touch and something of a way to add legs to its interface in the face of limited gaming options. There's also a new What to Watch section that lets you dive into regularly-watched content across your favorite streaming apps. (Image credit: Future) One of Roku's biggest draws is its free channels, which proves a major selling point here. The Roku Channel is home to a wide swath of free content to enjoy in the event that you're all caught up on shows like "Andor" and "The Last of Us" twice over. While there isn't anything like Google's Gemini powering movie and TV show summaries, Roku's adept voice controls are a major highlight. Commands like "Open Netflix," or "search for horror movies" brings me directly to the content I want to see and that's a serious improvement over middling rivals like Samsung's Bixby assistant. With AirPlay support, you're also not locked into the content on offer solely bound to the device. I could easily cast content from my iPhone without any constraints and it worked flawlessly. It's a huge enhancement to older sets that might be missing modern features you've longed for. I paired the Roku Streaming Stick Plus with my Samsung S90D OLED TV, which was a stellar option largely due to the device's HDR10+ support. Where it might fall flat for some is in its foregoing of both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, but picture performance still remains strong with this device. (Image credit: Future) Plus, the Streaming Stick Plus even offers 4K upscaling for TVs that support it. This means that 720p and 1080p content can be upscaled to 1080p and 4K, respectively, in certain scenarios. That's a major win if you're running a much-less powerful set but still want ample picture performance. As for audio, it merely has support for DTS Digital Surround and Dolby-encoded audio via HDMI, which might seem lacking but is par for the course on this type of device. Most users probably won't be running premium surround sound systems with the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, so it's not a major boon. Of course, you will have to contend with a myriad of ads on Roku OS. It's not so bad, but they can be in your face at times. Like I said, make sure to turn off automated videos so you aren't bombarded with audio-intensive ads on startup and you should be fine. Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: Backdrops (Image credit: Future) Don't expect any fancy AI generated art or something on the level of Samsung's Art Store when it comes to the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Instead, you'll find a neat Backdrops feature that will replace the blank, black screen with a fresh screensaver that can be tailored to your liking. I've discussed my love of Backdrops before and it's no different here. It's an ingenious new addition for Roku, providing loads and loads of art for users to personalize their TV standby settings in a myriad of ways. Backdrops can be selected across a wide variety of different verticals, including general photos, artists, photographers, and institutions. Some of my favorite artworks include the "Morning after a Snowfall at Koishikawa" by Katsushika Hokusai, "El Jaleo" by John Singer Sargent, and "Impressions, Sunrise" by Claude Monet. The list is quite extensive, and you can set different favorites so you never lose them or set various art as your Backdrops so it always shows up when the TV's idle. It might not be some AI-infused creation, but that's honestly what makes this so much more gratifying. As a lover of pure art, it's a welcome change against the current focus on all things artificial. It's important to note that if you're using one of the best OLED TVs with the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, be careful using Backdrops. OLED burn-in is a serious issue on these types of sets, and Roku does a great job of warning of this very issue when setting it all up. And, even if Backdrops isn't your cup of tea, you've always got Roku City to lose yourself in. Roku Streaming Stick Plus review: Smart home controls Unfortunately, Roku's smart home accessibility is sorely lacking in comparison to other major rivals, namely Google. But that doesn't mean the Roku Streaming Stick Plus can't still have its own smart home concepts, which rears its head in the Roku Cameras app. It's here where you can check up on your Roku camera devices, like the Roku Indoor Camera SE, viewing feeds and Events, which are essentially favorited recordings. You'll have to pay a monthly fee of $3.99 per camera or $9.99 for all cameras to gain access to Events, but live feed is free and works with a Roku Streaming Stick Plus so long as it's a Roku camera. Beyond cameras, there's little else you have control over. It would be nice if Roku added a bit more leeway to its smart home ecosystem when it comes to its streaming devices and TVs, especially given just how intuitive voice controls are on the platform. Unlike with the many Google smart home devices on offer in tandem with Google Home, Roku doesn't let you dim lights or set automations around the home. And it's not like Roku isn't ripe with its own slew of smart home gadgets. The major issue is that you can't use other options with its devices; you're relegated to Roku's own smart home models, which limits its overall scope. If you're not a huge smart home enjoyer, this won't matter too much to you, but it would be nice if Roku gave Google a run for its money. Especially as Google Assistant is losing features to make way for Gemini. (Image credit: Future) The world of streaming devices is a large one, but it's packed with a multitude of overpriced options you really don't need. Everything from the $149 Apple TV 4K to the $99 Roku Ultra have their uses, but the Roku Streaming Stick Plus packs most of the features you'd need on a 4K TV at just $39. Add to that the fact that it's one of the smallest designs yet and you've got a serious winner. It not only serves as a perfect at-home solution for either non-smart and smart TVs, but it's also an apt travel companion, allowing you to bring all of your apps wherever you go. That's incredible versatility. But maybe you want a device that casts a wider net for HDR support? You can always go with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, which not only has Dolby Vision support but also Dolby Atmos for improved surround sound. And it's just $10 more (on sale at just $29 at the time of writing). If you're looking to spice up an older TV or simply want to replace an existing one with the Roku interface, you can't go wrong with the Roku Streaming Stick Plus.
