Best Roku Streaming Device in 2026 - Every Model Compared

Roku's biggest advantage over Fire TV and Google TV is simplicity. The interface is clean, the ads are less aggressive, and setup takes about two minutes. If you want a streaming device that just works without promoting one company's content over another, Roku is the pick.

The catch: Roku's Dolby support is limited. Only the $100 Ultra has Dolby Atmos, and only two models support Dolby Vision. Here's which one to buy depending on what matters to you.

Quick answer

• Roku Ultra ($100) — buy this if you want Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Ethernet, and the best remote. The only "full-featured" Roku.
• Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($50) — buy this if you want Dolby Vision on a budget. Only budget Roku with it.
• Roku Streaming Stick Plus ($40) — buy this for cheap 4K with a clean interface. No Dolby Vision, no Atmos.
• Roku Streaming Stick HD ($30) — only if your TV is 1080p

Every current Roku device compared

Our picks

Roku Ultra — best overall Roku

The Ultra is the only Roku worth buying if you care about audio quality. It's the only model with Dolby Atmos, which matters if you have a soundbar or AV receiver that decodes it. It also has Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6, an Ethernet port for wired stability, USB 3.0 for local media playback, and the Voice Remote Pro — which is rechargeable, backlit, and has a lost-remote finder.

At $100 (often $80 on sale), it's more expensive than Fire TV devices with equivalent features. But the Roku interface is genuinely simpler and less cluttered than Fire TV's Amazon-heavy home screen.

Roku Ultra on Amazon (paid link)

Roku Streaming Stick 4K — best budget Roku with Dolby Vision

This is the sweet spot if Dolby Vision matters but Dolby Atmos doesn't (or if your soundbar handles Atmos independently). At $50 (often $35 on sale), it supports 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and has a long-range Wi-Fi receiver that performs well even in homes with the router in another room.

Important: The newer Streaming Stick Plus ($40) dropped Dolby Vision. If Dolby Vision matters to you, buy the Streaming Stick 4K specifically, not the Plus.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K on Amazon (paid link)

Roku Streaming Stick Plus — cheapest 4K Roku

The 2025 Streaming Stick Plus replaced the Express 4K+ and costs $40. It handles 4K with HDR10+ and supports AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth headphone pairing for private listening. It can be powered from the TV's USB port — no wall outlet needed.

The trade-off: no Dolby Vision and no Dolby Atmos. If you're plugging this into a 4K TV without a soundbar, these omissions won't matter. If you have a home theater setup, spend the extra $10 for the Streaming Stick 4K (Dolby Vision) or $60 for the Ultra (Dolby Vision + Atmos).

Roku Streaming Stick Plus on Amazon (paid link)

Roku Streaming Stick HD — for 1080p TVs only

At $30, this replaces the discontinued Roku Express. Plugs directly into HDMI, can be USB-powered, and supports AirPlay 2. No 4K, no HDR, no Dolby features. Buy this for a 1080p bedroom TV or a secondary TV where you just need basic streaming.

Roku Streaming Stick HD on Amazon (paid link)

Roku vs. Fire TV: which is better?

Choose Roku if:

• You want a simple, clean interface without heavy content promotion
• You're setting this up for someone who isn't tech-savvy
• You don't want Amazon's ecosystem pushed on you
• You use Apple AirPlay

Choose Fire TV if:

• Budget is the top priority (Fire TV Stick 4K Plus gives you Dolby Vision + Atmos for $50)
• You use Alexa for smart home control
• You want Dolby Atmos without spending $100

The biggest gap: Roku charges $100 for Dolby Atmos (Ultra only). Fire TV includes Dolby Atmos on every model from $35 up. If lossless audio to your soundbar matters, Fire TV delivers more features per dollar.

For a full comparison including Apple TV and Google TV Streamer, see our best streaming device guide.

Discontinued models to know about

If you see these on sale or refurbished, know what you're getting:

• Roku Express / Express 4K+ — Discontinued, replaced by the 2025 Streaming Sticks. Still functional but no longer manufactured.
• Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ — Older model with Voice Remote Pro (rechargeable). Replaced by the Ultra as the premium option.

Setup tips

1. Plug the stick directly into the TV's HDMI port — use the included HDMI extender if the stick doesn't fit flush
2. Power via the included USB adapter — TV USB ports sometimes don't provide enough power
3. Connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi for better streaming quality (the HD and Plus models use Wi-Fi 5, but 5GHz is still faster than 2.4GHz)
4. Enable Dolby Vision in Settings > Display type > select "4K HDR 10+/Dolby Vision" if your TV supports it (Streaming Stick 4K and Ultra only)
5. Pair Bluetooth headphones for private listening — Settings > Remotes & devices > Wireless headphones

FAQ

Which Roku has Dolby Atmos? Only the Roku Ultra ($100). No other current Roku device supports Dolby Atmos. If you need Atmos on a budget, consider a Fire TV Stick 4K Plus ($50) instead.

Is the Streaming Stick Plus better than the Streaming Stick 4K? No — the Plus is newer but cheaper, and it dropped Dolby Vision. The Streaming Stick 4K is the better device if Dolby Vision matters to you.

Can I use a Roku with a soundbar? Yes. Plug the Roku into your TV, then connect the TV to your soundbar via HDMI ARC/eARC. Audio passes through the TV to the soundbar. For Dolby Atmos passthrough, you need the Roku Ultra.

Does Roku work with Apple AirPlay? Yes, all current Roku models support AirPlay 2. You can stream content or mirror your screen from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Related guides

• Best Fire TV Stick — if you want more features for less money
• Best streaming device overall — Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, and Google TV compared
• Best soundbar overall — pair your streaming device with better audio