How to Pick the Right Roku for Your TV
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.
How Roku Differs From Other Streaming Services
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.
- Google Chromecast with Google TV for $100 is the best runner-up to consider if you don't like Roku. Unlike previous Chromecast models, it has an actual remote. I found this interface to be the best, making it super simple to browse across all streaming services at once.
- Apple TV for $130 is expensive, so it's best if you already buy movies and shows from Apple's library or subscribe to Apple TV+. But it does provide a nice viewing experience.
- Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K for $50 and Stick 4K Max for $60 work well, but as you could probably guess, its menus are heavily geared toward Amazon Prime content.
Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano contributed to this guide.
Updated July 2025: We've updated this guide with the latest Roku streaming sticks and soundbars.
Best for Most (Supports Dolby Vision)
Roku's Streaming Sticks are the ones we recommend most. They plug directly into your TV's HDMI port so they don't dangle underneath the screen or need to sit on a table. They're fast and usually around $50 or less. This one allows you to stream in Dolby Vision, if that's important to you.
It comes with a voice remote so you can hold the microphone button to ask it to play specific titles, but it doesn't have hands-free voice control like the higher-end Roku Ultra below. That's not a deal breaker for me; neither is the lack of a dedicated Ethernet port.
For a Voice Remote
This 4K Streaming Stick Plus (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is speedier and better looking than its predecessor, and it now comes with Roku's iconic voice remote.
The rounded pill has a microphone in it that allows you to search for your favorite content across platforms, which is super helpful for those of us who have holiday favorites that we don't own on disc. It's also smaller than the previous sticks, which makes it fit even easier behind your flatscreen. A new USB-C cable takes this out of the micro USB era, and it’s long enough to plug into the back of your TV or a wall wart, depending if your TV has a USB port on it or not (most modern screens do).
There is also an HD version of this dongle for cheaper. It costs $10 less, and isn't worth the buy. Just spend the extra $10 for 4K and HDR compatibility–virtually all modern TVs can do 4K and HDR, even the super cheap ones, and it does look notably better.
For Wired Internet and Silent Viewing
I've never found a Roku to be slow, but if it's something you've struggled with, the pricier Ultra has the strongest dual-band Wi-Fi of the bunch, plus an Ethernet port for wired connections if necessary. It can stream in Dolby Vision and supports HDR10+. The remote here has hands-free voice, so you don't need to press the mic button on it for it to hear you, but you can turn this feature on or off via a slider on the side. Like any other voice assistant, you can ask it to pull up a show, or if you misplace your remote, just ask Roku where it is to set off a beep. This came in handy more than once while testing.
There's also a headphone jack so you can watch TV shows in private while other folks sleep—the Roku-branded headphones are surprisingly decent and come with a few ear tips.
These Rokus Are Also Soundbars
If you’re looking to upgrade the streaming capability and audio quality of your TV in one fell swoop, Roku's soundbars are a great option.
Streambar SE for $100: This is the newest, smallest, and cheapest of the three options, but we haven't tested it yet. It's just 10 inches long, with two 1.9-inch drivers.
Roku TV Wireless Soundbar for $150: This wireless soundbar pairs with Roku TV models seamlessly. So while it doesn't have streaming software on board, it doesn't require anything other than a power cable to pair with a Roku-powered TV, which is a pretty slick party trick.
Roku used to make larger models like the Streambar and Streambar Pro, but those have been discontinued in favor of this smaller lineup.
A Roku TV
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 refresh 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.
Upgrade Your Remote
If you already own a Roku streaming device, it's likely still kicking without issue. But you might consider upgrading the remote to the second-edition Voice Remote Pro. It has backlit buttons and a longer battery life, coming in at about three months before it needs a charge (via USB-C). There's one programmable button and a button to get directly to Roku's live TV guide. Plus it has the hands-free function of the first edition Pros, allowing you to give Roku commands or ask where the remote is without having to push a mic button.
It's compatible with most of the streaming devices, but you have to sign in to your account and check your devices specifically. The Express 4K Pro, Ultra, and Plus series TVs come with the first Voice Remote Pro. The Pro Series TV comes with this second-edition version.
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