Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs. Roku Express: Which is the Best Streaming Stick?

The Roku Express vs. Roku Streaming Stick 4K comparison is always interesting and important. Both are accessible streaming devices that are available to everyone. Netflix, Amazon, Hotstar, and other streaming video and content providers are available on these devices.

The two devices provide a large selection of streaming entertainment and voice control. With the aid of a remote, you can use your voice to change the channel while watching. The main difference between Roku Express and Roku Streaming Stick 4K is that Roku Express offers the same visual quality as a 1080p HD TV on compatible TVs. On the other hand, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K sends video at 60 frames per second in both 1080p HD and 4K Ultra HD. Here are the differences between the Roku Express vs. Roku Streaming Stick 4K.

What is Roku?

Your favourite apps, like Netflix and Hulu, are all conveniently housed on the Roku TV streaming player and platform. You can choose between streaming players or sticks, which you can use to connect to your TV via an HDMI connector. From that point, you only need a Roku account and an internet connection. You’ll need broadband speeds of at least 1.5 Mbps for standard-definition content and 3.0 Mbps for high-definition content, including streaming media from Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Netflix, and other sources. It also offers access to a variety of free other pleasures as well.

Installation procedures

The procedure for installing the Roku Express is easy and very fuss-free. The box is equipped with an HDMI cable and two AAA batteries so that they may be set up as soon as they are purchased. When everything is taken out of the box, written instructions and thorough illustrations aid you. If you want to follow additional guidelines online, Roku provides links. After connecting the media player to the TV, you must create a Roku account and establish a Wi-Fi connection.

Setting up the Roku Streaming 4K Stick is simple. The Roku remote, however, needs several AAA batteries. Plug the USB power cable’s other end into the Roku stick to control it after inserting the stick into the HDMI port on the TV. Once you’ve established a WiFi connection and registered for — or entered into — Roku.

What is the Difference between Roku Express vs. Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Roku Streaming Stick 4K Design

The Roku logo is now displayed on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K in glossy black on a matte background. A better long-range Wi-Fi supporter is incorporated into the USB power cord of the Streaming Stick 4K. The performance of the Streaming Stick 4K is fluid. The HDMI port on the TV’s back accepts the Streaming Stick 4K, making it perfect for TVs mounted on walls. One of the most stylish medium hubs is probably the Streaming Stick 4K.

Its dimensions are just 3.4 by 0.6 by 0.4 inches (HWD), which is not much larger than Amazon‘s Fire TV sticks. It also has altered sides, which lessens its blocky appearance. It would be nice to charge the stick and use it for a few hours without the power line, but since it is minimal and compact with the wire, not having that choice is not a major drawback. The complete Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a reliable media player. It operates well and has all the key features I look for in a streaming device in this price range.

The remote, stick, cable, and a few handy plug adaptors are all included in the box, making it possible for the stick to fit a UK or European plug.

Roku Express Design

Those without a smart TV can access streaming services and apps thanks to the Roku Express. More than 150,000 movies, TV shows, and entertainment and music apps, like BT Sport, Spotify, and YouTube, are available on Roku. The Roku interface is simple and easy to use due to its low price. It makes a more neutral contribution than the Amazon Fire TV Stick.

The Roku Express is incredibly lightweight, weighing only 31g, and can easily perch underneath the TV screen or sit on top of your TV with support from the glue strip.

• Style: The media player has a minimalist design and is a small black box with smoothed edges and the Roku logo on the top. The design should be consistent on any media player or TV because it is essential. The remote is similarly tiny, black, and has rubber buttons.
• Size: The Roku Express can be tucked behind the TV or attached to the highest point without a blemish at 7.6 cm in length and 3.8 cm broad.

Quality

The Roku Express only supports HD streaming and does not support 4K. It can support resolutions of up to 1080p, and the streaming quality is superb for the price. There were no lag or buffering difficulties while using the remote to navigate or doing a voice search on the media player. The Roku mobile app’s voice search performs excellently when given clear instructions and phases.

On the other hand, the 4K video on the Roku Streaming Stick plays in new UHD image quality. Regardless, the system lacks the spatially focused Dolby Atmos sound technology and requires sound standards. The Streaming Stick 4K was advertised as having the highest picture quality of any stick offered by Roku.

Remotes

What’s one thing the Roku Express and Roku Streaming Stick 4K have in common? The television remote. The two remotes, however, seem to be the same.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K Remote

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K remote is a “point anywhere” remote, so you can operate the device without having to keep it in your line of sight. We should be grateful for it because the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is made to blend in behind your TV. A button must be pressed to activate the speech controls on the Streaming Stick 4K’s basic Roku Voice Remote.

The Roku Voice Remote that comes preinstalled with the device is a short, black plastic wand with rounded sides and Roku’s enormous, plus-shaped, purple guidance pad. Over the pad and a pinhole microphone for voice search, Home, Back, and Power buttons are located. The pad has separate buttons for Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix, as well as menu and playback controls. The volume rocker and silent button are on the remote’s right edge. Using IR and HDMI-CEC signals, the remote can adjust several aspects of your TV’s loudness.

Roku Express Remote

However, you’ll have to concentrate on the Roku Express. That may seem like a minor inconvenience, but as we discovered, it can be a little annoying when you’re used to a point-anywhere remote. Including a second remote on the mobile app is much appreciated, and Roku media players stand out for their convenient “Private Listening” mode. The remote control has 12 buttons, including pause/play, home, channel shortcuts, and navigation arrows.

The two remote controls are pretty similar to one another other from this. Both devices offer shortcut buttons for popular streaming services and headphone ports for private listening.

Pricing

Offering HD streaming, the Roku Express has an RPP of £19.99. It is accessible at different retailers, including Amazon, Very, and Currys PC World.

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K will slow you down by £48.39. If cost is a real problem, you can get the Plus for about £3 less.

Main Differences

• An entry-level HD streaming box is the Roku Express. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a premium 4K stick that supports HDR Dolby Vision, has better WiFi connectivity, a more powerful CPU, and a voice remote.

Design

• The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is 17.9 x 14.3 x 5.2 cm, whereas the Roku Express measures 9.4 x 2 x 1.1 cm.
• The Roku Streaming Stick 4K, as its name implies, is a stick with a design similar to a USB stick, unlike the Roku Express, which has little “boxes” that are placed next to or even attached to your TV.
• A bit more portability is provided by the Roku Streaming Stick. It has one fewer cord to worry about as it connects straight into the HDMI port.

Technology

• The Roku Streaming Stick 4K offers dual-band WIFI, whereas Express only supports single bands.
• The Roku Streaming Stick 4K have 1GB of RAM, while the Roku Express has 512MB.
• The Roku Streaming Stick 4K provides HDR video quality up to UltraHD (4K), whereas the Roku Express only supports Full HD (1080p) content.

Remote

• The Roku Streaming Stick 4K includes a more sophisticated remote than the “basic” one that comes with the Roku Express.
• The biggest hardware distinction between the two is that the Roku Streaming Stick features a quad-core CPU whereas the Roku Express does not.
• Due to the Roku Express’ remote, which must be visible from wherever you are sitting and watching, the gadget is arguably slightly more attractive. Express stands out more than the Streaming Stick’s hidden Roku counterpart.
• The Roku Streaming Stick’s remote is a “point anywhere” remote, which means you can operate the device without having to point it directly at it.

Price

• Of the two devices, the Roku Express is more reasonably priced. The Roku Streaming Stick is $49.99 while the Roku Express is $29.99.
• Purchase the Roku Express if price is your primary concern. Performance changes are quite small, and the Express is 40% less expensive. Because of its compact shape, the Roku Streaming Stick could be a better option if you have any concerns about portability or appearances.

Similarities

• Both are sophisticated streaming technologies.
• The Roku operating system and interface are shared by both devices, which is advantageous because it’s clean and straightforward to use.
• Dolby Audio, Dolby ATMOS, Digital Stereo, and DTS Digital Surround are all supported by both devices.
• On both devices, the app offers the same extra functions.
• Because these devices only support HDMI, you cannot use them with an outdated TV with only SCART or RCA connectors.
• WiFi is used by these devices to connect to the internet.
• This streaming video-on-demand channel, which offers free movies, TV shows, and kid-friendly material, is available on all Roku devices.
• Wireless 802.11 (b/g/n) is present in both devices.
• Since neither device can play 4K video, you must upgrade to the Premiere, Premiere+, or Ultra. The maximum resolution for the Roku Express and the Roku Streaming Stick is 1080p.
• Both remotes are almost identical. Both devices offer shortcut buttons for well-known streaming providers and headphone ports for private listening.

Specs :Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs Roku Express

	Roku Streaming Stick 4K	Roku Express
Price	$24.99	£17.99
Resolution	720p	1080p
HDR	No	Dolby Vision, HDR10
Connector Type	HDMI	Wi-Fi
Supported Internet Services	Netflix, Disney, All 4, Amazon Prime Video, My5, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, BT Sport, Apple Tv	Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV, BlinkBox.
Controller Type	Remote Control, App Control	Remote Control, Voice Control
Weight	1.1 ounces	0.9 Ounces
Compatible Devices	Television	Television, Streaming Players
Dimensions LxWxH:	17.9 x 14.3 x 5.2 cm	9.4 x 2 x 1.1 cm
Batteries:	2 AAA batteries required	‎1 Lithium Ion battery required
RAM:	512 MB	1 GB
CPU:	ARM Cortex A53	ARM Cortex A55

Conclusion-Which to choose?

Purchase the Roku Express if price is your primary concern. Performance changes are quite small, and the Express is 40% less expensive. Because of its compact shape, the Roku Streaming Stick could be a better option if you have any concerns about portability or appearances.

One of the most affordable intelligent TV sticks on the market, the Roku Express provides outstanding value. It lacks 4K compatibility, much like the more expensive Roku Premiere. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a great choice if taking the shortest path is your primary focus. However, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K isn’t delayed in any way and isn’t integrated with the Alexa ecosystem, making it a better option for individuals.

Read more!

• Adobe Express free online video editor Review!
• Roku Ultra (2020): Improved Wi-Fi Performance and Faster Streaming!
• Roku vs. FireTV Stick: Which is the Best Streaming Stick?
• The Roku Channel for Live streaming and classic shows: Detailed Review!
• Roku Stick+ vs. Amazon Fire Stick Max – Which one’s best for you?