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For most people with a 4K TV, the best Roku to buy is the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Get the Streaming Stick 4K if your TV supports Dolby Vision or sits far from your router. Choose the Roku Ultra if you want the fastest model with Ethernet and a USB port. The basic Roku Streaming Stick is fine for a 1080p HD TV. If you already have a Roku TV, you don’t need a Roku player at all.
This guide covers the five players on Roku’s streaming players page, checked in September 2026.
Roku models compared
| Model | Picture | Extras | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roku Streaming Stick | Up to 1080p HD | Voice Remote with TV controls | HD TVs, spare rooms |
| Roku Streaming Stick Plus | 4K, HDR | Voice Remote with TV controls | Most 4K TVs |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K | 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision | Long-range Wi-Fi | Dolby Vision TVs, weak Wi-Fi |
| Roku Ultra | 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos | Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, USB, rechargeable Voice Remote Pro | Fastest performance, wired internet |
| Roku Streambar SE | 4K, HDR | Built-in speakers | Better sound and streaming in one |
Roku Streaming Stick: for HD TVs
The basic stick streams up to 1080p, so it’s a good match for an older HD TV or a small TV in a bedroom or kitchen. It hides behind the TV and comes with a voice remote that can also control your TV’s power and volume.
Check the Roku Streaming Stick on Amazon
Roku Streaming Stick Plus: best for most 4K TVs
The Plus adds 4K and HDR in the same small stick. If you have a 4K TV and a decent Wi-Fi signal where the TV sits, this is the one to get.
Check the Roku Streaming Stick Plus on Amazon
Roku Streaming Stick 4K: for Dolby Vision and weaker Wi-Fi
Roku says the Streaming Stick 4K adds Dolby Vision and HDR10+, plus long-range Wi-Fi for TVs farther from the router. Pick it if your TV supports Dolby Vision or if streams buffer on other devices in that room.
Check the Roku Streaming Stick 4K on Amazon
Roku Ultra: the fastest Roku
The Ultra is Roku’s top player. It has Wi-Fi 6, an Ethernet port for a wired connection, a USB port for playing your own videos and photos, and Dolby Atmos support. Its Voice Remote Pro is rechargeable, has backlit buttons, and includes a lost remote finder. To use the USB port, see how to play videos from a USB drive on a Roku.
Check the Roku Ultra on Amazon
Roku Streambar SE: streaming plus a soundbar
If your TV speakers sound thin, the Streambar SE puts a 4K Roku player inside a compact soundbar. It’s one device and one remote instead of two.
Check the Roku Streambar SE on Amazon
Not Sure Roku Is Right for You?
If you mostly cast from an Android phone or use Alexa, a Google TV Streamer or Fire TV Stick may fit better. See Fire TV Stick vs. Google TV Streamer. iPhone users can also cast to current Roku players, since Roku lists Apple AirPlay support on its streaming sticks. The free Roku app can also turn an iPhone into a Roku remote with private listening.
How to pick the right Roku
- Check your TV’s resolution. For a 1080p TV, the basic Streaming Stick is enough.
- For a 4K TV, see which HDR formats it supports. If it lists Dolby Vision, get the Streaming Stick 4K or the Ultra.
- Think about your Wi-Fi. If the TV is far from the router, get the Streaming Stick 4K, or get the Ultra and use an Ethernet cable.
- Decide whether you need extras like a USB port, a rechargeable remote, or better sound.
- Skip the player if your TV already runs Roku.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Roku if I have a smart TV?
No, but many people add one because it’s faster or easier to use than the TV’s built-in apps. If your TV is a Roku TV, you already have the Roku software.
Does Roku charge a monthly fee?
Roku says there are no monthly equipment fees. You pay only for the streaming services you sign up for, and many channels are free. To confirm your services are supported, check our streaming service availability by device chart.
Do I still need an HDMI cable?
The streaming sticks plug straight into an HDMI port. For 4K on any Roku, Roku says you need a TV with an HDCP 2.2 HDMI port. If you use a cable, use a High Speed HDMI cable.
What about older Roku models?
Older models like the Roku 3, Roku LT, and early Streaming Sticks are no longer sold. If yours is slow, upgrading to a current stick is an inexpensive fix.
Next steps: how to set up a Roku, which Roku Streaming Stick to get, and Fire TV Stick vs. Google TV Streamer.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.