Experts recommend Roku Ultra more than Roku Ultra 2020
As of 16 Jan 2025, experts prefer Roku Ultra over Roku Ultra 2020, but both Streaming Players have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Roku Ultra received 5 recommendations: from Business Insider (1 Nov 2024), Reviewed (25 Jul 2023) PCMag (26 Nov 2024) and 2 others. By contrast, Roku Ultra 2020 received only 1 recommendation from Tom's Guide (5 Dec 2024).
| Rank | Change | Price | Streaming Player | CNET  | Digital Trends  | Business Insider  | Reviewed  | The Verge  | PCMag  | IGN  | Tom's Guide  | TechRadar  | WIRED  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 20 | N/A | $98 |  Roku Ultra 2020 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 10 | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire TV Boxes and Sticks ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 5 Dec 2024 Tom's Guide ranked Roku Ultra 2020 as #10
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #10 out of 13 Roku Ultra 2020 Best streaming device for finding your lost remote... ... ... Source: www.tomsguide.com - On 1 Nov 2024 Business Insider ranked Roku Ultra as #1
Rank Streaming Player Comment #1 out of 5 Roku Ultra Best overall... ... ... Source: www.businessinsider.com - On 25 Jul 2023 Reviewed ranked Roku Ultra as #1
Rank Streaming Player Comment #1 out of 7 Roku Ultra Best Overall / Editors' Choice... ... ... Source: www.reviewed.com - On 26 Nov 2024 PCMag ranked Roku Ultra as #4
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #4 out of 7 Roku Ultra Best Roku Streamer... ... ... Source: www.pcmag.com - On 2 Jan 2025 IGN ranked Roku Ultra as #1
Rank Streaming Player Comment #1 out of 9 Roku Ultra Best Overall Streaming Device... ... ... Source: www.ign.com - On 7 Oct 2024 WIRED ranked Roku Ultra as #4
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #4 out of 9 Roku Ultra The Best Roku... ... ... Source: www.wired.com
After counting and adding up the 76 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Roku Ultra outranks Roku Ultra 2020. This is not to say that Roku Ultra 2020 is a bad option. Like Roku Ultra, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Roku Ultra is mentioned by key experts in Jan 2025, while Roku Ultra 2020 is not.
| 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 [26]
Total expert reviews: 26
- with a score: 14
- without a score: 12
| Highest score by Reviews | 100 |
| Average score based on 26 reviews | 83 |
| Lowest score by Android Authority | 80 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
Expert reviews [3]
Total expert reviews: 3
- with a score: 3
- without a score: 0
| Highest score by excitingtechnews.com | 90 |
| Average score based on 3 reviews | 84 |
| Lowest score by PCMag | 80 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
From Seller:
- Outrageously powerful: Enjoy a lightning-fast interface and channels like Sling, Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video that launch in a snap on the fastest, most powerful Roku player ever
- Our best Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room in the house with our best Wi-Fi or choose to wire up over Ethernet
- Read more
From Seller:
- Outrageously powerful: Enjoy a lightning-fast interface and channels that launch in a snap with the fastest, most powerful Roku player ever
- Super-fast startup: Stream your favorite channels like Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video, and more in a snap
- 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
- Google Play
- Amazon Prime or Instant Video
Amazon Video, Crackle, Google Play Movies & TV, 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
- Microphone
- Headphone Jack
- 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
SPDIF output
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Physical Features
Weight
7.8 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
- HDR color
- Midnight Mode
- Lost remote finder
- Smartphone remote controlled
- Voice search
- Internet radio playback
- Internet video playback
- Digital audio playback
- Digital photo playback
- Digital video playback
- On-line Internet gaming
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