- #ROKU STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER VS STICK FULL#
- #ROKU STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER VS STICK VERIFICATION#
- #ROKU STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER VS STICK PLUS#
- #ROKU STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER VS STICK TV#
The Roku Streaming Stick 4+ stayed connected to my WiFi network for the entire time of my review. But the WiFi connection did shine in another way. My house used to have WiFi dead spots, but I’ve since moved to a six-unit eero mesh network, so we’re never far from a router. Roku claims the new model uses “adaptive algorithms” to dynamically adjust its WiFi radios for the best streaming quality, regardless of how far it is from your router or what kind of network you’re on. I did find the new model more responsive and able to access content quicker than the older Roku HD Streaming Stick we use upstairs in my wife’s office, however. But during my short review I didn’t see any major differences in speed or connectivity compared with my Roku TV.
#ROKU STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER VS STICK FULL#
We’ll be testing some of these claims, including 4K picture quality, in our full lab review of the player. For example, Roku says the new Streaming Stick 4K+ has a faster quad-core processor and an improved long-range wireless receiver that offers faster WiFi speeds. If you already own a Roku 4K player, a lot of the player’s new features, such as smoother streaming and faster load times, will seem more iterative than revolutionary. Once it did, I was able to control the TV’s basic functions using the Roku player remote.
#ROKU STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER VS STICK TV#
Given that my TV is a Roku model, I was also a bit surprised to find that I had to cycle through eight options before the remote paired to my TV. The written setup instructions were accurate, however. Instead, the pairing button is located on the back of the remote. But because the new remote has a rechargeable battery, there’s no battery cover.
#ROKU STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER VS STICK VERIFICATION#
Fortunately, one of the testers was able to get the verification link and enter it so I could complete the setup.Īlso, the onscreen instructions said I had to remove the battery compartment on the remote control to access a pairing button in order to link the remote to the TV. Because I used the CR test account for the preview, it didn’t recognize my phone and sent a verification email to the phone used by our testers, which was in the CR streaming lab. Like all Roku products, the Streaming Stick 4K+ requires you to have or create a Roku account. (If you see a red light on the player, it means that the USB port doesn’t have enough electrical oomph.) During setup, you choose a language and the display capability of your TV (HD, 4K, Dolby Vision), although this can also be done automatically. I powered the player using one of the TV’s USB ports. Setting up the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ was fairly straightforward. It comes with a USB power cable with what the company claims is a long-range WiFi receiver, a USB charging cable, a power adapter, and the new remote control. Like that model, it can be powered using the included AC adapter or via a TV’s USB port. Compared with the older HD Streaming Stick in my wife’s home office, the Stick 4K+ is sleeker, with rounded rather than square edges. But more on that in a bit.įor my at-home trial, I connected the new Roku Stick 4K+ to my 75-inch TCL 75R635 4K TV, a Roku TV model.
#ROKU STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER VS STICK PLUS#
The main difference between the two new players is that the Stick 4K+ comes with a new rechargeable voice remote, plus a few additional features. Both models support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content, will work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay 2, and support Roku’s voice capability. Roku is actually introducing two new models: the Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($50), which is replacing the Streaming Stick+, and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, a $70 model positioned below the company’s flagship Roku Ultra ($100). I borrowed that unit and will be sending it back, but Consumer Reports will soon buy one at retail and run it through our labs for a full evaluation. While I also have Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV players in my house-all connected to smart TVs, by the way-I tend to prefer using one of the Rokus when I can.įor the past few days I’ve been trying out one of the company’s newest models, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+. I’ve long been a fan of Roku streaming players, thanks to their easy-to-use interface, the ability to customize the home screen with only your most-used apps, and access to lots of content.
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