Roku Decision Flowchart How To Pick The Right Model In 2025

Leo Migdal

-Dec 10, 2025, 8:29 AM

roku decision flowchart how to pick the right model in 2025

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: Get this blog via RSSSubscribe to my newsletters 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. Picking a Roku can feel confusing with all the options out there. Each model has different features and prices, so it helps to know what sets them apart. This post looks at the latest Roku models, breaks down what each one offers, and gives a general idea of where they sit in terms of price.

We also talk about what kinds of streaming needs each model fits best, whether you want the most affordable choice, something in the middle, or the one with the most features. If you are trying to figure out which Roku works best for your home, this guide will walk you through the details so you can make a choice that fits your budget and streaming... The Roku Streaming Stick 2025 is one of the most affordable and also newer options if you are looking at Roku models. It connects right to your TV’s HDMI port and is a small device, so it does not take up much space. This model comes with a voice remote, which means you can search for shows just by talking instead of typing. The Roku Streaming Stick is made for HD streaming, so you get clear picture quality if your TV is not 4K.

It also gives you access to free and live TV channels, which can help if you do not want to pay for lots of streaming services. When you compare it to other Roku devices, this stick is usually in the low end for price. If you only need HD and want something simple that you can move between TVs, the Roku Streaming Stick is a good pick. If you want 4K or faster speeds, you might want to look at more expensive models like the Roku Streaming Stick Plus or Roku Ultra. For basic streaming and a voice remote, this one works well for most people. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 is one of the newer options from Roku.

It supports 4K and HDR, which means you get clearer picture quality if you have a TV that can use those features. It plugs right into your TV, so it does not take up much space. The voice remote lets you search for shows or change settings without using buttons. This model is usually priced in the mid range, making it a good choice for people who want better picture but do not want to pay as much as they would for the most... It works well for most people who want an easy way to stream both free and live TV, without a lot of extra features. If you only need basic streaming, a cheaper model might work.

If you want more storage or faster performance, a higher-priced Roku could be better. The Streaming Stick Plus strikes a balance between price and features for most homes. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is one of the more popular choices when looking at different Roku models. It is a mid-range option when it comes to price. This model stands out because it is small and plugs right into the back of your TV, so you do not have to deal with extra wires or boxes. The long-range Wi-Fi helps if you have your TV set up far from your router, which can help prevent buffering.

The Streaming Stick 4K lets you watch shows and movies in 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, so your picture will look clear if you have a newer TV that supports these formats. The voice remote lets you search for shows or apps just by speaking into it, which can save time compared to typing. People who move a lot or want to take their streaming device with them often pick this model. For someone who wants good streaming quality, a simple setup, and portability without paying the highest price, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a solid pick among the latest Roku devices. The Roku Ultra LT (2023) is one of the higher-end choices in the Roku lineup. It supports HD, 4K, and HDR streaming, and it also works with Dolby Vision, which can help if you have a newer TV.

Inside, it runs on a quad-core processor, so it handles apps and menus without much lag. This model comes with an HDMI cable, headphones, and a voice remote that lets you use private listening, meaning you can watch shows without bothering anyone else. It also has an Ethernet port if you prefer a wired connection for better stability. Compared to other Roku models, this one costs more than the Roku Express or Roku Streaming Stick, but it offers more features. If you want better picture quality, a faster device, and extras like private listening and Ethernet, the Ultra LT is a good pick. People who just want basic streaming might pick a less expensive model, while those who want more features and stronger performance might find the Ultra LT worth the extra cost.

To be the streaming platform that connects the entire TV ecosystem by powering every TV in the world. This analysis for Roku was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data. While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge. Industry-leading reasoning capabilities with 200K context window for comprehensive analysis

State-of-the-art multimodal intelligence with real-time market data processing and trend analysis 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: With December here, it's officially the season for end-of-year recaps.

Spotify Wrapped kicked off the trend, and services like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube have followed with their own takes. Now, Roku is joining in on the fun with its Roku Rewind 2025. While Roku's recap isn't interactive or personalized like Spotify's, it does offer some interesting insights into what US households watched this year. Roku says the top five states for streaming per capita were Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, and West Virginia. It also revealed that Thanksgiving was the biggest streaming weekend of the year. However, the most interesting stat Roku shared was that the average Roku household used about nine different streaming apps this year, and three of those were free to watch.

In other words, a third of the content people streamed on Roku in 2025 came from FAST apps (free ad-supported television), rather than paid services like Netflix, Max, or Disney+. Considering Roku had 90 million users by the end of 2024, that's a huge number of people watching free TV. I'm not surprised to see this shift at all. With streaming costs rising and services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ all raising prices this year, it makes sense that more people are turning to free options. Meanwhile, free streaming apps like Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi keep growing, adding new channels and more on-demand movies. Roku also highlighted the genres users streamed most this year, noting that original horror films surged in popularity in 2025.

The biggest driver was Sinners, which became the most-searched movie in the genre. Overall, Roku says searches for original horror titles were up 20 percent year over year.

Roku Decision Flowchart How To Pick The Right Model In 2025

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