Roku has become a popular choice for streaming devices, offering a range of products to suit various user needs and budgets. Two of their most sought-after devices are the Roku Ultra and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive comparison of these devices in terms of design, performance, features, and price, to help you make an informed decision on which one is right for you.
Comparison Of Roku Ultra Vs Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Design And Portability
The Roku Ultra is a set-top box-style device, measuring 4.9 x 4.9 x 0.85 inches and featuring a sleek, glossy-black finish. It is designed to sit near your TV and requires an HDMI cable to connect to your television.
On the other hand, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a compact, portable device that plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port. Measuring 3.7 x 0.8 x 0.47 inches.
It is smaller and more lightweight than the Roku Ultra, making it ideal for users who want a streaming device that is easy to transport or who have limited space around their TV.
Hardware And Performance
The Roku Ultra boasts a Hexa-core processor, making it one of the fastest streaming devices on the market. This powerful processor allows for quick app loading times, smooth navigation, and seamless streaming of 4K content. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K, while still delivering solid performance, features a quad-core processor, which may result in slightly slower app loading times and navigation compared to the Roku Ultra.
Video And Audio Support
Both the Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick 4K support 4K resolution, HDR10, and Dolby Vision, ensuring that users can enjoy high-quality pictures on compatible TVs. Additionally, both devices support Dolby Atmos for immersive audio experiences, provided you have the necessary audio equipment.
However, the Roku Ultra has the added advantage of supporting HDR10+, which provides dynamic metadata for better color and contrast representation on compatible TVs. This feature is not available on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
Connectivity
The Roku Ultra comes with dual-band Wi-Fi, an Ethernet port for wired connections, and Wi-Fi 6 support, providing faster and more reliable connections, especially in congested network environments. This can be particularly beneficial for users with multiple devices streaming simultaneously or those living in apartment buildings with many neighboring Wi-Fi networks.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K also features dual-band Wi-Fi but lacks an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6 support. This may result in slightly less reliable connections compared to the Roku Ultra, but for most users, the Wi-Fi performance of the Streaming Stick 4K will be sufficient.
Remote Control Features
Both devices come with the Roku Voice Remote, which includes voice search, a headphone jack for private listening, and dedicated buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. However, the Roku Ultra’s remote has a few additional features, such as a remote finder button on the device itself, which plays a sound on the remote to help locate it when misplaced, and customizable shortcut buttons.
Storage And Expandability
The Roku Ultra comes with 512MB of RAM and 2GB of internal storage, along with a microSD card slot for expanding storage capacity for additional channels and apps. This feature can be useful for users with large channel libraries or who frequently install new apps.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K, on the other hand, does not include a microSD card slot, limiting its storage capacity to the built-in 512MB of RAM and 2GB of internal storage.
Price
The Roku Ultra is priced at $99.99, positioning it as a premium streaming device with a range of advanced features and performance enhancements.
On the other hand, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is available for $49.99, making it a more budget-friendly option for users who are looking for a reliable streaming device without breaking the bank.
Compatibility With Roku Accessories
Both the Roku Ultra and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K are compatible with a variety of Roku accessories, including the Roku Voice Remote Pro, Roku Streambar, and Roku Wireless Speakers. This compatibility ensures that users can easily upgrade their Roku ecosystem without worrying about compatibility issues between devices.
Setup And User Interface
The setup process for both the Roku Ultra and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is quick and straightforward. Once connected to your TV and Wi-Fi network, both devices will prompt you to sign in or create a Roku account. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the process of adding channels and personalizing your home screen.
Both devices share the same user-friendly interface, which is known for its simplicity and ease of use. The home screen provides quick access to your favorite channels and apps, while the search function allows you to find content across multiple streaming services.
Voice Control And Integration With Smart Home Devices
The Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick 4K both support voice control through the Roku Voice Remote, enabling users to search for content, control playback, and adjust settings using voice commands. Additionally, both devices can be integrated with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your Roku device using compatible smart speakers or displays.
Roku Ultra Vs Roku Streaming Stick 4K: Conclusion
You should consider your specific needs and priorities while comparing the Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick 4K. If you want advanced features, the best performance, and expandable storage then Roku Ultra is the ideal choice for you. It provides a premium streaming experience since it is combined with a Hexa-core processor, Wi-Fi 6 support, HDR10+ compatibility, and additional remote control features.
Besides, Roku Stick 4K is a more affordable option and it offers excellent streaming capabilities and a portable design. But it doesn’t have advanced features like the Ultra version.
Ultimately, the decision between the Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick 4K will depend on your budget, desired features, and performance expectations. Regardless of which device you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy endless hours of entertainment with one of the most user-friendly streaming platforms available.
