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How To Choose The Best Roku Device 2025 A Guide To Every Model

Leo Migdal
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how to choose the best roku device 2025 a guide to every model

Rokus continue to remain our favorite TV streaming devices. They're super easy to use and offer a wide array of streaming channels. Their displays aren't fancy, but they offer just what someone needs: quick, direct access to their favorite streaming services. The only hard part is figuring out which one to buy. There are currently four Roku streaming devices available, plus TVs, soundbars, and ones sold exclusively at certain retailers (not to mention older models still floating around places like Amazon). Rokus tend to have similar names and look nearly identical, with small changes happening every year or so, and it can be difficult to suss out the differences.

We're here to help. If you're like us, you want the best Roku for the least amount of money. We've broken down the features on the ones we think you'll actually want to own, starting with the most basic model. Even the best smart TVs benefit from a separate streaming device to accommodate all the apps you want in an easy-to-navigate interface. Roku is not the sleekest, but it's reliable and the easiest to set up and use. It includes Peacock and Max, which it was previously lacking, so it now connects to all the major streaming services.

Because so many people use Roku, it typically gets quick app updates. My biggest gripe with Roku is that its search is not always accurate in pinpointing exactly which streaming services carry a particular title, especially whether it's free or not. If you have trouble using the built-in search, you can always use Google on your phone to find whether something is streaming somewhere you subscribe, but that's annoying. There are other options that we break down more in our Best Streaming Devices guide. Let’s say you want to buy a new Roku player, either to replace an old one or as an upgrade over your smart TV’s streaming features. You could read a bunch of reviews, or consult the comparison chart on Roku’s website.

But that’s no fun. What you really need is a simple, visual way to pick a player from Roku’s lineup of a half-dozen streaming boxes and sticks (including one box that doubles as a soundbar). That’s where my Roku decision flow chart comes in. This replaces one I made a few years ago, before Roku revamped its offerings with a couple of new cheap streaming sticks. Roku’s device lineup is more streamlined than it used to be. It no longer includes the Express or Express+, which were less portable than Roku’s streaming sticks, and all of its streaming remotes now include TV power, volume, and voice controls.

(Thank goodness.) The result is a lineup that generally provides more features with each step up the model list: We typically don’t love smart TV interfaces, which is why we recommend streaming devices at all. But, Roku’s TV uses the interface we know and love, which makes it an easy, one-stop shop. We’ve long been fans of the TCL TVs with Roku built in, but now the streaming brand is making its own TVs in-house, and we like the Plus Series. The quantum dot-enabled (QLED) panel and full array local dimming give it excellent colors and solid blacks.

TLDR: You can easily find something to watch thanks to Roku’s simple interface, and it’ll look good too. It also works with HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Serious gamers may prefer a TV with a higher refresher rate, but at 60 frames per second, the Plus Series is fine for most consoles. WIRED senior editor Parker Hall noted that this TV’s legs are particularly wide. Depending on where you’re putting it, you might need to mount it or try an aftermarket pedestal mount. There are new plus models coming for 2024, and we will update this guide as we test them.

★ Note About New Models: Our TV writers are currently testing Roku’s new Pro TV. One noticed some blooming, which means backlight bleeds through to a darker image, but overall they’re impressed. We’ll update this guide with more thoughts when we’re done. Streaming devices have revolutionized home entertainment by making it easier than ever to access thousands of movies, TV shows, and music apps directly on your TV. These compact devices plug into your television’s HDMI port and connect to the internet, turning almost any TV—smart or not—into a powerful hub for streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, and more. At the forefront of this movement is Roku.

Since launching its first player in 2008, Roku has consistently delivered affordable, user-friendly streaming devices designed for everyone from casual viewers to home theater enthusiasts. With millions of units sold and a reputation for simplicity, Roku remains one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world. Roku’s product line has grown over the years to meet the needs of different users. Whether you’re looking for a basic device to stream HD content on a secondary TV or a premium 4K player with Dolby Vision and advanced voice controls for your home theater setup, Roku has... Roku offers several advantages over competitors like Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV: When choosing a Roku player in 2025, there are a few things you should consider:

Here are the best Roku devices to upgrade your TV OS When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. The affordable Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the best Roku device available right now. It plugs into your TVs HDMI port, and, as the name suggests, can stream in 4K too. It runs on Roku's operating system and you can access all your favorite streaming apps, making it an inexpensive way to make an older TV smart.

The best Roku devices can improve both old and new TVs through the power of Roku OS. The TV interface offers a wide variety of free channels, features, and custom controls that make home entertainment all the more enjoyable. I've been testing Roku products for nearly four years and found there's a Roku device for almost every buyer. From soundbars with Roku OS built into them to budget HD streaming sticks, Roku has many options, which even includes excellent TVs. First timer here….Do I need to subscribe to any other streaming device to use a Roku? It functions with only internet and the TV and Roku?

Hi! No, you don’t need to subscribe to another streaming service to use Roku. You can use Roku for free by downloading free channels (apps). Each channel will tell you whether it is free or paid, and it will also state if there may be additional charges. Signing up for paid subscriptions, such as Netflix, is optional. Just keep in mind that the free channels may not include everything that you want.

How do I get started with Roku,,,what to do, how to do? I have to give up cable, too expensive, cannot afford anymore. Local channels? Hi! Roku has many free channels (apps) that can include local channels for your region for free. Once you’ve purchased your Roku, our guide will help you set it up: https://www.cloudwards.net/how-to-set-up-roku/.

We have many other guides that can help, too. My tv has 3 hdmi input sources, but doesn’t tell if any are HDCC2.2. Does that mean only the Roku Express will work, but none of the ones with K4? 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites.

And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader.

Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and... Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. If you want smart TV capabilities without a smart TV price, you may start to look at streaming devices like Apple, Amazon, and Roku.

There are plenty of good options to choose from, but Roku's devices remain our clear favorites thanks to their convenient features, impressive performance and affordable prices. Devices range from the advanced Roku Ultra, which recently got some nice upgrades, to the affordable Roku Express, which you can snag for just $30. Roku also makes some of its own soundbars and speakers, which make it easy to build an all-in-one entertainment setup. We've spent hours testing these devices side-by-side to help you find the right one for your home. Roku's lineup can be confusing, and the two streaming devices at the top of our list are very similar. The first is the Roku Express 4K Plus.

This small box sits next to your TV and is the cheapest Roku device that offers full 4K HDR streaming support, which generally makes it our favorite. Yes, it lacks Dolby Vision, but we tend to think that this isn't too big of a deal, as the service only works with compatible TVs and doesn't offer any real difference in picture... All 4K TVs with HDR support multiple HDR formats and you most likely won't be missing out on anything by skipping Dolby Vision. That said, there are certain times of the year when the Roku Express 4K Plus isn't the best buy. That's because the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is often on sale for less and is therefore the better option. The Streaming Stick 4K is almost identical to the Express 4K Plus -- the only difference is the shape of the device and the fact that the Streaming Stick 4K offers Dolby Vision support,...

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