Roku's 4K streamer is now even cheaper. Find out why the Streaming Stick+ is so good in our full review.
Should I Buy The Roku Streaming Stick+?
Our Verdict
- The Streaming Stick+ is another great media streamer from Roku, bringing a 4K option to the UK. The device has a lot going for it including upgraded wireless, smooth performance, a decent remote and more content channels that your mind or free time can handle.
Price When Reviewed
- $59.99
The Roku range of streaming players in the UK now has three options. Here we take review the more expensive and premium model: the Roku Streaming Stick+.
In the past, Roku's line-up of devices might have been a little confusing for some consumers. And although it's a shame we don't get all the models available in the US, perhaps choosing between two is a better strategy.
Price
Roku already dropped the price of the Streaming Stick+ from £79 to £59, but has now slashed it again to just £49. There's also a new 2019 version of the Express which remains at £29. In the US they are $59 and $29.
New to the line-up, in the UK anyway, is the Premiere. This sits in the middle at £39/$39.
In terms of rivals, the equivalent 4K devices from Amazon and Google are £49/$49 and £69/$69 respectively. Meanwhile, the Apple TV 4K is a lot more at £179/$179.
Overall then, the Streaming Stick+ is a pretty solid price for a 4K media streamer, especially since the second reduction. You can also read about the upcoming Roku Express 4K here.
Design And Build
If you're not accustomed to streaming sticks yet, they are a bit like a USB flash drive but a bit bigger and with an HDMI port instead. Rather than a larger box that sits under your TV, it plugs directly into the back.
The Streaming Stick+ has had small redesign so is now shiny black plastic instead of purple like the original. Not that it really matters since you won't see the device unless you look behind the TV.
The problem, as with similar devices, is that the rigid stick shape might not fit into all TVs. It depends how your set has the HDMI ports positioned. This is easily rectified with a short extension cable but Roku doesn't include one in the box. However, you can request one for free which helps.
Set up is pretty simple, although you still need a Roku account to connect the Streaming Stick+ to. The big advantage of a small device like this is being able to take it with you to a friend's house or even a hotel and stream to you hearts content.
Roku has added power and volume buttons which can be used to control most TVs – we even got it to work with the Sonos Playbar – so you can do more with it. However, it's a shame not to see the headphone port which we loved on the Roku 3. Luckily you can use the free Roku app to use the Private Listening feature.
Specs And Features
It's taken a while, but as alluded to earlier, Roku has finally brought a 4K streamer to the UK. And that's the main reason to get this model over the much cheaper Express.
4K, or Ultra HD, means the Streaming Stick+ can stream content in up to 2160p at 60fps and can also upscale from 720p and 1080p. You'll need a TV that has a 4K resolution, otherwise this feature is going to waste.
There's more and more content available in Ultra HD and that's only going to increase and Roku has a neat 4K Spotlight channel to highlight the content that's available to watch in the higher resolution.
Roku hasn't messed about with its user interface much and that's a good thing – if it ain't broke comes to mind – although you will likely want to turn off the annoying sound for every time you move around menus.
The interface is one reason to get the Roku over rivals like the Chromecast which relies on content being cast from a device like smartphone. It makes things a lot simpler and works much better for browsing through content to find something to watch.
It's also still the case that Roku has a huge line-up of available services. Really there are too many – hundreds as many are very niche – but the main thing is that all the big names are there.
Whether you want Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, All 4, Sky Now TV, Spotify, ITV Player, Demand 5. The list goes on (you can search channels here before you buy) and still trumps rivals despite them catching up somewhat.
Verdict
The Streaming Stick+ is another great media streamer from Roku, finally bringing 4K to the UK. The device has a lot going for it including upgraded wireless, smooth performance, a decent remote and more content channels that your mind or free time can handle.
We're only a tiny bit disappointed by the lack of an HDMI extension cable in the box for awkward ports and the loss of the headphone jack on the remote. It's now only £49, so we can't complain too much at all.
Specs
- Point anywhere remote control
- HDMI 2.0a
- Up to 2160p at 60fps (3840 × 2160)
- USB power cable with advanced wireless receiver
- 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless
- DTS Digital Surround pass through over HDMI
- <3W (typical) when streaming 4K UHD video
- 3.7x0.8x0.47in
- 25g
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