Roku Streaming Stick 4K review: Small refinements to a winning formula
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a remarkable upgrade to its predecessor, continuing to deliver on the promise of providing a seamless streaming experience in a compact and portable form factor. This streaming stick has received several small refinements that enhance its overall capability and performance. In this review, we’ll break down the features that make the Roku Streaming Stick 4K a must-have device for any streaming fan.
Design and Setup
Maintaining its small form factor, the revised Roku Streaming Stick 4K remains extremely portable and unobtrusive. The device easily plugs into your TV’s HDMI port, successfully eliminating extra clutter. To power the device, you can use the provided USB cable, connecting it to your TV or use the power adapter if needed.
Setting up the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is quick and simple. After plugging in and powering the device, follow the on-screen prompts to connect it to your Wi-Fi network and create or log into your existing Roku account. Once completed, you can easily access your favorite streaming services by downloading their respective apps.
Performance and Features
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K delivers exceptional performance with smooth navigation through menus and no noticeable lag when loading content. One of its key refinements is support for HDR10+ content, providing an improvement in picture quality for compatible TVs. Of course, it also supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision formats.
With plenty of available apps including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube TV, and countless others, there’s no shortage of content. The Roku interface is clear and user-friendly — even new users will quickly adapt to its intuitive layout.
One significant addition to the Roku Streaming Stick 4K’s feature set is the integration of AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support. This allows for seamless casting from your Apple devices and the ability to control your Roku via Siri. This added functionality broadens the possibilities for how you engage with your streaming device, creating a more unified entertainment experience.
Remote and Voice Control
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K also features an improved remote control. In addition to its basic buttons, it now houses a built-in microphone for voice search and commands. The voice control is quite responsive and useful for finding content quickly.
Furthermore, the remote control has shortcuts to popular streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, making access to favorite content even quicker. The remote’s headphone jack is also retained for private listening — this is perfect if you don’t want to disturb others around you.
Verdict
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K offers powerful performance in a petite package. With simple setup, an intuitive interface, wide-ranging app support, and small refinements such as HDR10+ compatibility, AirPlay 2 integration, and upgraded remote control — it is certainly worth the upgrade if you’re looking to enhance your streaming experience.
This device is perfect for those who want a high-quality streaming solution without investing in an expensive smart TV or gaming console. For its price, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K provides exceptional value and represents continuous progress in the world of streaming technology.