The best streaming devices you can buy in 2023
From dongles to set top boxes, there’s an option for every budget.
Roku Ultra
85
Engadget Review
The Roku Ultra is the company's fastest streaming player yet, and it throws in just about every feature you can imagine. The only major downside is that Roku's $100 Premiere+ includes most of the capabilities you'd actually need.
It’s time for cheap set-top boxes to shine.
Devindra HardawarNovember 05, 2016
Pros
- Incredibly fast
- 4K/HDR content looks fantastic
- Speedy networking
Cons
- Not much more capable than Roku's $100 player
- Roku's interface is dated
View All Critic & User Reviews
Roku Ultra
- Critic Reviews (8)
- User Reviews (2)
- 85AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE8 ReviewsTom's Guide90Roku Ultra Review — The Media Streamer to BeatThe Roku Ultra lives up to its name, with 4K resolution, HDR support, digital audio, USB connectivity and more than 3,500 channels.Sound and Vision90Review: The Roku Ultra Struts its Stuff Read moreThe Roku Ultra is a strong performer. ... If you’re looking for a streaming device that supports 4K TV with HDR and surround sound, check out the Roku Ultra.PC Mag80Roku UltraThe Roku Ultra includes just about every media-streaming feature you can think of, at a premium price.Gizmodo90Roku Premiere+ and Ultra Are Better Than the CompeThe Roku Premiere+ and Ultra are both significantly cheaper than the competition and give a just much more satisfying TV watching experience. If you need a new set-top box, and have a TV that’s better than 1080p, then these two should be at the top of your list.TechHive70Roku Ultra and Roku Premiere+ reviews: The priciesMy advice for 4K HDR TV owners? Grab the Roku Premiere+, unless you have a specific need that's only met by the Roku Ultra, such as USB storage or optical audio out.The Verge90ROKU AND CHROMECAST COME WITH 4K NOW, BUT YOU DON'Some people will definitely find value in the huge number of apps available with Roku ... if your TV's apps are miserable to use, then plugging in one ... can definitely lessen the pain. But the inexpensive appeal has vanished, and you can probably leave the store without them.The Next Web90Review: The Roku Ultra makes few compromisesIf you just want to plop your butt on the couch and watch some darn TV, the Roku Ultra just works. Roku remains the easiest system to recommend on the whole; just save yourself a few bucks and go for the Premiere+ instead unless you really need those extra features.Techno Buffalo80Roku Ultra Review – Can it set a new standard foAbout the only people we don’t recommend it for is someone who has a Roku already and no 4K TV. Except for that sub-category of consumers, the Roku Ultra is a great device to have so that you can enjoy all of the streaming options out there in the world.
- 55AVERAGE USER SCORE2 ReviewsHawkstream100June 4, 2018Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The Roku Ultra is the best media payer on the market. Period. It has 4k / HDR support in an actual box with an Ethernet port. It also supports access to media files on a USB drive and LAN access to a media folder on a PC all with a speedy GUI. No one else can claim this. I was a big fan of the Amazon fire stick for 1080p but their slow 4k interface coupled with no Ethernet port and the stupid fight with Google which has removed YouTube from it means its a no go. And come on, why would anyone buy an Apple product?! I am not loyal to Roku at all but the fact is they make the best and most complete product out there and at the best price. they could charge $50 more and it would still be the best choice.Engadget Reader10May 11, 2017Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!An awful product that should be avoided. You'll be sorry. - Engadget
Key Specs
TYPE
Audio / video player
VIDEO SERVICES
Netflix, Amazon, Youtube
VIDEO CODEC SUPPORT
H264, Mpeg4, Quicktime
AUDIO CODEC SUPPORT
Aac, Flac, Mp3, Wma
VIDEO OUTPUTS
HDMI
AUDIO OUTPUTS
Via HDMI
WIFI
Yes
ETHERNET
10/100 [Fast Ethernet]
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