Which Roku Streaming Stick Should You Buy In 2025? I Tested Every Model, And Here's My Pick

Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus are disposable now for $30 and $40, respectively.
• Both streaming devices are much compact than ever, only somewhat larger than an HDMI port; they're besides portable and tin beryllium powered by your TV
• These caller Roku Sticks don't characteristic Find My Remote aliases backlit buttons, which are reserved for nan high-end Roku remote.

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I retrieve making nan move from cablegram to streaming devices 14 years agone astatine my first apartment. I was caller retired of assemblage and moving an entry-level job, erstwhile paying $80 a period connected cablegram became unsustainable. So I switched to a Roku streaming instrumentality successful my surviving room and a Google Chromecast successful my bedroom. 

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Multiple Roku devices person passed done my location since that day, but I still person nan aforesaid 32-inch HD TV wherever I made nan first move from cablegram to Roku successful that apartment. It's now my impermanent room TV, but it felt fitting to effort nan caller Roku Streaming Stick connected it. 

Of course, testing nan Roku Streaming Stick Plus pinch 4K warranted a amended TV, truthful I've been testing it successful my surviving room. 

Cutting nan cord was a imperishable point for me, arsenic it is for astir of america who do it, and I've since expanded my streaming instrumentality postulation to see each of nan awesome streaming platforms. But moreover if Roku, Google TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV person gotten arsenic celebrated arsenic cablegram was successful its heyday, they each guidelines retired for their individual accomplishments.

For me, Roku is nan clear victor successful personification interface and easiness of navigation. Since its launch, Roku has maintained a clean, no-frills artistic that makes it guidelines retired for being nan easiest to use. 

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This is why I support a Roku successful nan impermanent room, which hosts family members of each ages, from grandparents to teenage nieces and nephews. Roku's level is easy for non-techy users to navigate without emotion intimidated. 

The distant that comes included pinch nan Streaming Stick.

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The distant that comes pinch nan Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus is besides a victor for simplicity. It's not nan premium Roku Voice Remote Pro 2, truthful you don't get nan expertise to ping it easy erstwhile mislaid aliases nan backlit buttons successful low-light settings. But including that high-end distant would summation nan devices' affordable $30 and $40 prices. 

Replacing my aged Roku Stick pinch nan caller Roku Streaming Stick successful nan impermanent room made a very noticeable quality successful navigation. Even if my older Roku Stick was still getting nan latest updates, it was slowing down somewhat, particularly erstwhile loading apps. But nan caller Roku Streaming Stick is snappy, and nan image looks crisp and elaborate connected my HD TV. 

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The caller Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus are slimmer and easier to install, too. Both devices are only somewhat thicker than nan HDMI port, truthful they don't encroach connected nan abstraction of different ports connected your TV, which is simply a large plus. They're besides long, pinch nan powerfulness larboard located astatine nan extremity of nan device, leaving it retired of nan way. 

I still had to usage an hold cord connected my older TV for nan Roku Streaming Stick.

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus some usage your TV arsenic a powerfulness source, truthful you don't person to plug successful yet different cord to a adjacent outlet. This besides reduces nan number of cords you person hanging down from your TV.

I've knowledgeable issues connecting older Fire TV Sticks via nan USB larboard to nan TV and bypassing nan outlet, but nary pinch nan caller Roku Streaming Stick aliases Stick Plus -- not moreover erstwhile streaming 4K content. The simplified relationship intends you tin besides return nan caller Roku Streaming Stick and Stick Plus anyplace you go, for illustration a edifice aliases short-term rental.  

ZDNET's buying advice

The Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus some connection immoderate of nan champion worth you tin get from high-quality streaming devices. I particularly urge nan Roku Streaming Stick if you're looking for an inexpensive measurement to upgrade an HD TV to make it smarter and snappier, particularly an older one. For only $30, it'll make it consciousness for illustration new. 

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I'd urge nan Roku Streaming Stick Plus to anyone looking for a 4K streaming device, whether your TV is smart aliases not. These devices will springiness your TV a smart, intuitive level and entree to hundreds of free channels and media files via nan Roku Channel.