Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick+ are devices that enable users to stream movies and TV shows on their TV. The two streaming media players, from device manufacturer Roku, are popular as they offer an affordable way for cord-cutters to have all their favorite streaming services in one place.
The Roku Ultra is a media hub that connects to a TV via an HDMI cable. Find out more about the device in our Roku Ultra review. The Roku Streaming Stick+ is plugged directly into an empty HDMI port on the user’s TV. Find out everything about the device in our Roku Streaming Stick+ review.
The two Roku devices feature automatic software updates that ensure users always have the latest Roku features and functionalities. They’re also quick and easy to set up by simply plugging the device into a TV then connecting it to the Internet.
Both of these Roku devices enable viewers to download apps for more than 4,000 channels and streaming services. This includes on-demand streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, CBS All Access, Curiosity Stream, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and STARZ, and live streaming services like ESPN+, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, and Vidgo. The devices can also be used to access apps and services that cover all interests, such as free and paid-for cooking, lifestyle, movies, music, news, science, sports, and travel channels. Read on to learn more about the Roku streaming stick vs. Roku ultra head to head.
Roku Ultra vs. Roku Streaming Stick Plus features and specs
Check out the table below to compare the Roku Ultra vs. Streaming Stick Plus’ key features.
| Roku Ultra | Roku Streaming Stick+ | |
| Price | $99.99 | $49.99 |
| 4K support | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Vision support | Yes | No |
| Expandable storage | Yes | No |
| Remote control | Yes | Yes |
| Google Assistant compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Alexa compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Siri compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | Height: 1 inchWidth: 4.9 inchesDepth: 5 inchesWeight: 5.8 ounces | Height: 3.7 inchesWidth: 0.8 inchesDepth: 0.47 inchesHeight: 0.9 ounces |
Roku Ultra vs. Roku Streaming Stick Plus cost
The Roku Ultra is Roku’s high-end and most expensive streaming device, costing $99.99. The Roku Streaming Stick+ is Roku’s high-end stick device and sits in the middle of Roku’s streaming device range with its price point of $49.99.
Roku Ultra vs. Roku Streaming Stick Plus interface and personalization
The Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick+ both use the Roku operating system (OS) interface. The OS makes it simple to find their favorite channels and streaming services, as well as individual movies or shows through the My Feed, Search, and Streaming Channels tabs.
The devices also feature a Settings tab, which enables users to modify their preferences, set parental controls, and change the look and feel of their home screen. Both devices also come with the free The Roku Channel, which provides a huge library of more than 4,000 movies and over 600 TV series.
The Roku Ultra comes with Roku’s most advanced remote control and premium JBL headphones. The remote contains shortcut buttons, A and B buttons that enable users to play games on the device, a headphone jack for private listening, and allows users to control their TV’s power and volume. The remote is also voice-activated, so users can control their Roku device without lifting a finger and can pair it with other Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri devices. The Roku Ultra also has a button that, when pressed, forces the remote to emit a sound for the user to find it.
The Roku Streaming Stick+ comes with a remote control that enables users to control their TV’s power and volume settings. It also features voice control capability, which allows users to search for channels, turn on captions and subtitles, and manage their TV’s power and volume controls.
Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick+ users can also manage their devices through the free Roku mobile app for Android and Apple mobile devices. The app doubles as a second remote, enables further voice controls, private listening, and search capabilities.
Roku Ultra vs. Roku Streaming Stick Plus streaming quality
Both the Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick+ enable users to watch content in 4K, 1080p high definition (HD), and high-dynamic-ranging (HDR). This ensures users get a high-performance, smooth streaming experience when watching movies and TV shows through the two devices.
The Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick+ both support Dolby HDR10 and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), which is another HDR format. But Roku Ultra also enables users to enjoy Dolby Vision, which improves the viewing experience by constantly optimizing the HDR image quality. Users of both devices also get exceptional sound quality with digital stereo over HDMI, DTS Digital Surround pass through over HDMI, and Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos.
Roku Ultra vs. Roku Streaming Stick Plus compatibility
Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick+ are compatible with any TV that has an HDMI port. Both are compatible with HD TVs, 4K TVs, and 4K HDR TVs.
The Roku Ultra connects to a TV through an HDMI cable and is powered by an AC adaptor. It also has a USB 3.0 port that can be used to connect it to a computer or a hard drive and a MicroSD card slot for extra storage space. The device comes with 802.11ac dual-band MIMO wireless connectivity and an Ethernet port, which is ideal for guaranteeing the internet speeds required for streaming 4K content.
The Roku Streaming Stick+ is plugged directly into the user’s TV. The stick device can be powered either through an AC adaptor or by a mini-USB cable. It also offers 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless connectivity thanks to an extender on the power cable that boosts the range of the device and ensures a more reliable signal.
The final cut
The Roku Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick+ enable cord-cutters to have all of their favorite streaming services in one easy to navigate location. They both allow users to stream content in 4K, which is the best video quality currently available, while Roku Ultra also offers Dolby Vision. They’re also simple to use, enable users to download apps for thousands of streaming services, and offer great personalization features.
The Roku Ultra costs $99.99, and the Roku Streaming Stick+ is available for $49.99.