Which Roku to Buy
Stick HD vs Stick Plus vs Ultra vs Streambar
For most people, get the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Every Roku runs the same apps and the same simple home screen. The real differences are 4K, Wi-Fi speed, the remote and whether you also want better sound.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 13, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
If you have a 4K TV, get the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. It streams in 4K with HDR10+, powers from your TV’s USB port so there is no wall plug, and comes with a voice remote that also controls your TV’s power and volume. It costs only a little more than the HD stick and is the best value in the lineup.
Pick the Roku Ultra if you want Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the fastest menus Roku makes and the rechargeable, backlit Voice Remote Pro with hands-free “Hey Roku” and a lost-remote finder. Pick the Roku Streaming Stick HD only for an older HD TV in a bedroom, kitchen or dorm. And pick the Roku Streambar SE if your TV speakers are thin and you want streaming and a sound upgrade in one box.
Skip the Stick Plus if your TV is not 4K: you would pay for picture you can’t see. Skip it too if you want Dolby Vision; on paper, the Ultra is the Roku in this lineup that lists it. And if you already own a Roku TV, you don’t need a stick at all unless the built-in one has become slow.
How we picked: we compared the current Roku players sold by Roku on Amazon, read each live listing for specs, and checked what owners say about speed, Wi-Fi and the remotes. We don’t claim hands-on tests. Checked October 2026.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 4.
| Product | Best for Most 4K TVs Roku Streaming Stick Plus 4K streaming stick |  Most Powerful Roku Ultra 4K streaming box |  Best for HD TVs Roku Streaming Stick HD HD streaming stick |  Best Sound Upgrade Roku Streambar SE 4K streamer + soundbar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 91 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 85 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| Best for | Any 4K TV, best value | Main living room TV and home theaters | Bedroom, kitchen, dorm or older TVs | Smaller TVs with weak speakers |
| Typical price (checked October 13, 2026) | $40–$60 | $80–$100 | $30–$40 | $90–$110 |
| Resolution | Up to 4K | Up to 4K | HD | Up to 4K |
| HDR & audio | HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos | See listing | 4K HDR |
| Power | TV USB port (no wall plug) | Wall adapter | TV USB port (no wall plug) | Wall outlet |
| Remote | Roku Voice Remote with TV controls | Voice Remote Pro (rechargeable, backlit) | Roku Voice Remote with TV controls | Roku remote with TV controls |
| Extras | Travel-friendly, hides behind TV | Lost remote finder, “Hey Roku” hands-free | Travel-friendly, hides behind TV | Speech clarity, volume leveling |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best for Most 4K TVs
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
BeastScore 91 / 100Typically $40–$60 on Amazon (checked October 13, 2026)The Stick Plus is the Roku most people should buy. The listing promises 4K with HDR10+, and like the HD stick it powers from your TV alone, so it hides behind the set with no wall adapter. The slim body won’t block a neighboring HDMI port. The voice remote turns the TV on and off and changes the volume, so most families can put the TV remote in a drawer. Owners like how quick it is to set up and that it travels well, since you can log in once and take it to a hotel or a relative’s house. What it lacks: Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and the Ultra’s rechargeable remote.
Pros- 4K HDR10+ for not much more than the HD stick
- Powered by the TV’s USB port, no extra cords
- Voice remote controls TV power and volume
Cons- No Dolby Vision listed
- Standard remote: not rechargeable or backlit
- Slower menus than the Ultra with many apps
- 2. Most Powerful
Roku Ultra
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $80–$100 on Amazon (checked October 13, 2026)The Ultra is the Roku for your main TV. Roku says it is 30% faster than any other Roku player, so apps open quickly even with a full home screen. It adds Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos on top of 4K and HDR10+, which matters if you have a good TV and a soundbar. The big upgrade is the remote: the Voice Remote Pro is rechargeable, has backlit buttons, listens for “Hey Roku” hands-free and has a lost remote finder. Owners say the remote alone is worth the jump. It is a box, not a stick, so it needs a wall outlet and a shelf, and it costs about twice the Stick Plus.
Pros- Fastest Roku with Dolby Vision and Atmos
- Rechargeable, backlit Voice Remote Pro
- Lost remote finder and hands-free voice
Cons- Needs a wall outlet and shelf space
- About double the price of the Stick Plus
- Overkill for a small bedroom TV
- 3. Best for HD TVs
Roku Streaming Stick HD
BeastScore 85 / 100Typically $30–$40 on Amazon (checked October 13, 2026)The Stick HD is the cheapest way onto Roku and the right pick for any TV that isn’t 4K. It has the same simple home screen, the same apps and the same free live channels as the pricier Rokus. Like the Stick Plus, it powers from the TV’s USB port and tucks out of sight, and the voice remote handles TV power and volume. It is one of the most-reviewed streaming devices on Amazon, and owners mostly praise how easy it is for kids and grandparents. The limit is plain: it tops out at HD, so on a 4K TV you are leaving picture quality on the table for a small saving.
Pros- Lowest price for the full Roku experience
- No wall plug, hides behind the TV
- Simple voice remote that runs the TV too
Cons- HD only, wasted on a 4K TV
- No HDR
- Same basic remote as the Stick Plus
- 4. Best Sound Upgrade
Roku Streambar SE
BeastScore 84 / 100Typically $90–$110 on Amazon (checked October 13, 2026)The Streambar SE is two things in one box: a 4K HDR Roku and a compact soundbar. Roku pitches it at bedrooms and smaller TVs, where flat-screen speakers sound thin. It has two speakers and a dedicated bass port, a speech clarity mode so you can stop relying on captions, and automatic volume leveling that turns down loud ads. One remote runs the TV, the bar and the streaming. Owners like how much clearer voices sound for the price. It is not a home-theater bar, though: there is no subwoofer and no Atmos, so on a big living room TV, the Ultra plus a separate soundbar is the better setup.
Pros- Streaming and better sound in one box
- Speech clarity for easier dialogue
- Auto volume leveling for loud commercials
Cons- No subwoofer, and no Atmos listed
- Too small for a big living room
- Needs a wall outlet and a spot under the TV
All 4 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- PictureRoku Ultra · 9.8/10
- SpeedRoku Ultra · 9.8/10
- RemoteRoku Ultra · 9.8/10
- SoundRoku Streambar SE · 9.0/10
- Easy setupTie
- ValueRoku Streaming Stick Plus · 9.6/10
Who wins where
The winner of each category, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Pick the rounds that matter to you.
- Round 1
Picture quality
Roku Ultra winsThe Ultra lists 4K with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HDR10, the widest support here. The Stick Plus and Streambar SE do 4K HDR. The Stick HD tops out at HD, so it only makes sense on a non-4K TV.
- Round 2
Speed
Roku Ultra winsRoku says the Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player. The sticks are fine for a handful of apps, but the Ultra feels quicker with a full home screen and lots of switching.
- Round 3
Remote
Roku Ultra winsOnly the Ultra comes with the Voice Remote Pro: rechargeable, backlit, hands-free “Hey Roku” and a lost remote finder. The others use the standard voice remote with TV power and volume buttons.
- Round 4
Sound
Roku Streambar SE winsThe Streambar SE is the only Roku here with speakers. Two drivers, a bass port and speech clarity make a clear difference over thin TV speakers. The Ultra passes Dolby Atmos to a soundbar you already own.
- Round 5
Easy setup
TieThe two sticks are the tidiest: they power from the TV’s USB port with no wall plug and hide behind the set. The Ultra and Streambar SE both need an outlet.
- Round 6
Value
Roku Streaming Stick Plus winsThe Stick Plus gets you 4K HDR10+ for only a little more than the HD stick. Unless you need Dolby Vision, the Pro remote or built-in speakers, it is the smarter buy.
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
- You have a 4K TV
- You want the best price for 4K
- You want no extra wall plug
- It is for your main living room TV
- You want Dolby Vision and Atmos
- You always lose the remote
- Your TV is HD, not 4K
- It is for a bedroom, kitchen or dorm
- You want the cheapest Roku
- Your TV speakers sound thin
- You struggle to hear dialogue
- You want one box for streaming and sound
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
4K HDR10+ streaming with no wall plug and a TV-controlling voice remote, for only a little more than the HD stick.
- 4K HDR10+
- Powered by the TV
- Voice remote with TV controls
Quick tips before you buy
No 4K TV? The Stick HD is enough. A 4K Roku won’t make an HD TV look sharper.
The sticks run from the TV’s USB port. If one reboots, the port may be weak; a USB wall adapter fixes it.
For smooth 4K, put your router close or use a mesh system. A slow network buffers on any Roku.
Skip the Streambar SE and pair the Ultra with your bar for Dolby Atmos.
Quick answers
Which Roku should I buy?+
For a 4K TV, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. For your main TV with a good soundbar, the Roku Ultra. For an HD TV, the Streaming Stick HD. For a small TV with weak speakers, the Streambar SE.
What is the difference between the Roku Streaming Stick and Stick Plus?+
The Streaming Stick HD plays in HD. The Stick Plus plays in 4K with HDR10+. Both power from the TV’s USB port and use the same voice remote, so 4K is the only real difference.
Is the Roku Ultra worth it over the Stick Plus?+
Yes if you want Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, faster menus and the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro with a lost remote finder. For a bedroom TV or basic streaming, the Stick Plus is enough.
What about the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?+
The older Streaming Stick 4K adds Dolby Vision and a long-range Wi-Fi receiver over the Stick Plus. It is still sold, and we cover it in our Roku vs Fire TV vs Google TV guide. For most people, the Stick Plus or Ultra is the simpler choice today.
Do Roku sticks need a wall outlet?+
The Streaming Stick HD and Stick Plus are designed to power from your TV’s USB port alone. The Ultra and Streambar SE need a wall outlet.
Is there a monthly fee for Roku?+
No. The device has no subscription. You pay for services like Netflix or Hulu, and there are many free channels and free live TV on Roku.
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