Experts recommend Roku Express 4K Plus more than Roku Express
As of 16 Jan 2025, experts prefer Roku Express 4K Plus over Roku Express, but both Streaming Players have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Roku Express 4K Plus received 4 recommendations: from CNET (17 Dec 2024), Reviewed (25 Jul 2023) Tom's Guide (5 Dec 2024) and 1 other. By contrast, Roku Express received only 2 recommendations from Reviewed (25 Jul 2023) and TechRadar (7 Oct 2022).
| Rank | Change | Price | Streaming Player | CNET  | Digital Trends  | Business Insider  | Reviewed  | The Verge  | PCMag  | IGN  | Tom's Guide  | TechRadar  | WIRED  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | - | $29 |  Roku Express 4K Plus The Roku Express 4K Plus is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content availability, high-quality picture and sound, user-friendly setup, and some gaming capabilities, making it a great choice for users who prioritize access to streaming services and enjoy watching content in 4K HDR. | 1 | - | - | 5 | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | - |
| 14 | - | $26 |  Roku Express The Roku Express is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content availability, good picture and sound quality, and a user-friendly interface, making it suitable for casual streaming users. | - | - | - | 7 | - | - | - | - | 5 | - |
Curious to see this month's entire TV Boxes and Sticks ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 25 Jul 2023 Reviewed ranked Roku Express 4K Plus as #5 and Roku Express as #7
Rank Streaming Player ... ... #5 out of 7 Roku Express 4K Plus ... ... #7 out of 7 Roku Express Source: www.reviewed.com - On 7 Oct 2022 TechRadar ranked Roku Express as #5 and Roku Express 4K Plus as #7
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #5 out of 9 Roku Express The best streaming stick for good value HD content... ... ... #7 out of 9 Roku Express 4K Plus A good budget choice if you don't want to go with Amazon... ... ... Source: www.techradar.com - On 17 Dec 2024 CNET ranked Roku Express 4K Plus as #1
Rank Streaming Player Comment #1 out of 7 Roku Express 4K Plus Best Streaming Device Overall / Editor's Choice... ... ... Source: www.cnet.com - On 5 Dec 2024 Tom's Guide ranked Roku Express 4K Plus as #2
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #2 out of 13 Roku Express 4K Plus The best streaming device under $40 / Best Value... ... ... Source: www.tomsguide.com
After counting and adding up the 76 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Roku Express 4K Plus outranks Roku Express. This is not to say that Roku Express is a bad option. Like Roku Express 4K Plus, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Roku Express 4K Plus outranks Roku Express by 7 positions. This indicates that, as of 16 Jan 2025, Roku Express 4K Plus is more critically acclaimed than Roku Express.
| Rank | Change | Price | Streaming Player | CNET | Digital Trends | Business Insider | Reviewed | The Verge | PCMag | IGN | Tom's Guide | TechRadar | WIRED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $247 |  Apple TV 4K The Apple TV 4K (2022) has received positive reviews for its content availability, picture and sound quality, setup, and gaming capabilities, making it a versatile streaming device suitable for users who want a comprehensive range of streaming services, impressive picture and sound quality, easy setup, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | - | $38 |  Roku Streaming Stick 4K The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, high-quality picture and sound, easy setup, and the option for casual gaming experiences. | 2 | 2 | - | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| 3 | - | $73 |  Roku Ultra The Roku Ultra 2022 is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, excellent picture and sound quality, easy setup, and some gaming capabilities, making it suitable for various streaming preferences. | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 4 | 1 | - | - | 4 |
| 4 | - | Check price |  Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content options, 4K resolution, HDR and Dolby Vision support, fast navigation, and gaming capabilities, making it a recommended choice for users seeking a user-friendly and high-quality streaming experience. | 4 | 4 | 4 | - | 4 | - | 2 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [23]
Total expert reviews: 23
- with a score: 14
- without a score: 9
| Highest score by techadvisor | 90 |
| Average score based on 23 reviews | 73 |
| Lowest score by CNET | 40 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
From Seller:
- Watch what you love: Start streaming with a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV, including Roku Originals and 275 plus live TV channels for free on The Roku Channel
- Quick and easy setup: It’s easy to get started with everything you need included in the box, including a High Speed HDMI Cable—just plug it into your TV and connect to the internet
- Read more
From Seller:
- Brilliant 4K picture quality: Stream in HD, 4K, and HDR with sharp resolution and vivid color optimized for your TV
- Seamless streaming: Enjoy a smooth streaming experience with a faster wireless network connection
- Read more
Video Quality
4K Capable 4K or Ultra-HD is the latest (and highest) screen resolution for TV sets. If you have a 4K TV, you must have a 4K capable TV box or stick in order to stream at the maximum resolution. For reference, 4 ... Show more
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Web Content
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Major Apps Available
Does the device have some of the most popular apps/channels?
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime or Instant Video
Amazon Video, Crackle, HBO NOW, Hulu, Netflix, PBS KIDS, Showtime Anytime, SlingPlayer
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Downloadable Content Some media devices offer the opportunity to download content (rather than stream it) for a quicker experience uninterrupted by buffering. An example of this is Apple TV, which allows users to download ... Show more
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Web Browser Some media streamers will come with a web browser that allows you to search the internet on your TV, in addition to the myriad of apps available for download. While an interesting feature, the experie ... Show more
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Live TV
Live Broadcasts A TV box or stick that connect to broadcast is key for those who want to watch live TV. Oftentimes, you can pay for a subscription to a TV network’s app (HBO, Starz, CBS, etc.), but this can add up fi ... Show more
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Record/Catch-Up TV If the TV box can connect to broadcast TV, you may be able to record live programs and replay past programs within a certain time period. This means no more missing your favorite shows! Set the box to ... Show more
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Pause/Rewind Live TV While watching live TV, you may want to pause the program or rewind a part you missed. Some media streamers are limited in how far you can rewind, such as 30 minutes. Also, if you pause the program fo ... Show more
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Controls
Remote Capabilities If the TV box or stick comes with a remote, it may also double as a microphone or contain a headphone jack for private listening. Microphones are useful in remotes because they allow you to use your v ... Show more
App Specific Buttons (Netflix, YouTube, etc.)
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Voice Control A microphone—whether in the remote or on the box/stick—allows the user to control the TV using their voice. You can search for programs, change channels and apps, turn volume up or down, turn power on ... Show more
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Smartphone/Tablet Control Some media streamers allow you to control your TV with your smartphone or tablet by downloading an app on your device. The Google Chromcast is one example of a media streamer that does not use a remot ... Show more
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Gaming Controller Options If you plan to use your media streamer for gaming, you’ll need a controller. Some TV boxes and sticks use the remote as a controller, which is sufficient for basic games and kids play. You may also re ... Show more
Remote
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Connections
Network Connection Type The different network connections available for media streamers includes Ethernet, wireless/Wi-FI, Bluetooth, satellite, aerial/cable, and AirPlay. Most all media streamers will have Wi-Fi. If you hav ... Show more
- Wired/Ethernet
- Wireless/Wi-Fi
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Device Connection Type The different outputs or device connections include HDMI, digital optical audio output, USB, SD or microSD. TV sticks will connect to your TV through HDMI, but won’t contain any outputs (except for po ... Show more
- HDMI
- USB
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Physical Features
Weight
13 oz
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Dimensions
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Other Info
Device Type Media streamers come in two types: TV sticks or TV boxes. Generally speaking, there are a few main differences between the two. The most obvious one is size. TV sticks are much more unobtrusive becaus ... Show more
TV Box
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Other Features
- Midnight Mode
- Smartphone remote controlled
- Voice search
- Internet radio playback
- Internet video playback
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