Roku dominates streaming with intuitive interfaces, AirPlay support, and vast app libraries, but its lineup spans budget sticks to premium powerhouses—ranked here by features, price, and real-world TV trends favoring 4K ubiquity. Roku Streaming Stick (2025) kicks off at $30 with 1080p basics; Ultra crowns at $100 with Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, Dolby Atmos. Voice remotes evolve from simple IR to backlit USB-C chargers with lost-remote finders. Bluetooth headphones pair directly, guest modes isolate visitors, OTA tuners unlock locals—all Roku OS unified. 4K shift demands HDR scrutiny: Dolby Vision gaps define tiers.
Budget HD holdouts thrive on Streaming Stick’s TV USB power (2.2W sip), dual-band Wi-Fi, DTS passthrough—perfect non-4K secondary TVs. Plus/4K sticks bridge: HDR10+ glows $40, Vision/Dolby audio $50 premium. Ultra’s desktop dominance: USB 3.0 thumbdrives, Ethernet stability, live TV buttons—media servers/media PCs incarnate. Power quirks: Stick 4K’s 3.5W demands wall warts (USB3 blue ports cope); Bluetooth audio exclusivity shifts models. Fast app launch accelerates Netflix queues—under-hood magic non-existent in base.
Roku Lineup Ranked
| Model | Price | Resolution/HDR | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Stick (2025) | $30 | 1080p | USB power, BT headphones |
| Streaming Stick Plus | $40 | 4K/HDR10+ | Voice remote, no Vision |
| Streaming Stick 4K | $50 | 4K/Dolby Vision | Wi-Fi antenna cord |
| Roku Ultra | $100 | 4K/Atmos/Wi-Fi6 | Ethernet/USB-C remote |
Selection Protocol
- HD TV? Streaming Stick $30—1080p perfection, USB powered.
- 4K entry: Plus $40—HDR10+ value king, no Vision needed.
- Dolby devotee: Stick 4K $50—antenna cord bonus.
- Power user: Ultra $100—Ethernet/Atmos/USB3 media beast.
- Remote wars: Ultra’s backlit finder/USB-C trumps all.
Feature Deep Dive
Bluetooth headphones liberate late-nighters—Stick/Plus direct pair, Ultra Atmos object audio envelops. Guest mode sandboxes visitors; OTA antenna (separate $30) revives ABC/CBS. AirPlay 2 mirrors iPhones; private listening splits audio. Wi-Fi 6 Ultra crushes congested networks; Ethernet purists banish dropouts. Voice search “Tiger King” instant; universal search aggregates Netflix/Hulu/Prime. Power evolution: USB sips to wall wart necessities—HDMI extenders hide bricks.
2025 ecosystem expands: Roku projectors/soundbars/TVs unify. Black Friday bundles slash Ultras sub-$80; secondary market sticks $20. Gaming sidelined—no AV1 decode yet, VRR absent. Economics crown Roku: $0 channels (Tubi/Pluto) subsidize premium. Future: Matter smart home, 8K betas. Verdict: tiered perfection—$30 HD lifeline to $100 theater throne. Plug, stream, conquer cords.
