Streaming Devices / Google TV Streamer (4K) vs Roku Ultra (2024)
Google TV Streamer (4K) vs Roku Ultra (2024)
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
Wins overall by 0.2 points
Quick Verdict
This is close. The Google TV Streamer (4K) edges ahead by 0.2 points, but that margin is inside the noise — the Roku Ultra (2024) is a defensible pick on its own terms. Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
The Google TV Streamer (4K) and Roku Ultra (2024) are both current-generation streaming Device models, and the Google TV Streamer (4K) is $50 cheaper than the Roku Ultra (2024) ($99.99 vs $149.99). On Smart Home, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (9.0 vs 5.5/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. On Value, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (8.0 vs 6.0/10) — features and performance relative to price. On Remote, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (9.0 vs 7.5/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. Overall, the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.9/10 for the Roku Ultra (2024), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Google TV Streamer (4K) | Roku Ultra (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $149.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8696 — quad-core Cortex-A55 up to 2.0GHz | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55; Roku claims over 30% faster than its other players |
| RAM (GB) | 4✓ | 2 |
| Storage (GB) | 32 | Not published by Roku |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual-band MIMO |
| Ethernet | Gigabit (built in) | Built in (10/100) |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | Yes — supports headphone mode |
| Operating System | Google TV on Android 14 for TV | Roku OS 15 |
| Remote | Voice remote with Gemini, AAA batteries, customizable shortcut button, Find My Remote chime | Voice Remote Pro: USB-C rechargeable, backlit, hands-free voice, lost-remote finder; no headphone jack |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Porcelain, Hazel | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. If that is what you are buying for, the Google TV Streamer (4K) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. If that is what you are buying for, the Google TV Streamer (4K) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Audio Support
The Google TV Streamer (4K) and Roku Ultra (2024) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Platform & Apps
The Google TV Streamer (4K) and Roku Ultra (2024) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Connectivity
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Google TV Streamer (4K) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Remote
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.5 — a 1.5-point margin on voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. If that is what you are buying for, the Google TV Streamer (4K) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 5.5 — a 3.5-point margin on matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Ultra (2024) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.0 — a 2.0-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Ultra (2024) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Google TV Streamer (4K) if…
- • Smart Home matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 9.0/10 here (matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability).
- • Value matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.0/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • You want to spend less — it's $50 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is smart-home.
Choose the Roku Ultra (2024) if…
- • Remote matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 9.0/10 here (voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features).
- • Speed & Performance matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.5/10 here (processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond).
- • Video Quality matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 9.0/10 here (maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported).
- • Your main use case is gaming.
Pros & Cons
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Pros
- +Gigabit ethernet and Thread border router built in, at a quarter of the price Apple charges for the same
- +4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage is generous at this price
- +Google Home panel makes it a genuine smart-home hub, not just a streamer
- +Find My Remote solves a problem every other remote here ignores
- +Full Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
Cons
- −Wi-Fi 5 only — no Wi-Fi 6, which is hard to defend on a device launched in 2024
- −The Cortex-A55 chip is modest next to Apple's A15
- −Remote takes disposable AAA batteries rather than charging over USB-C
- −Google TV's home screen is advertising-led, like Fire TV's
- −Capped at 4K60
Roku Ultra (2024)
Pros
- +The best remote of any streaming device here — backlit, rechargeable, hands-free voice and a lost-remote finder
- +Decodes Dolby Atmos rather than only passing it through
- +HDMI 2.1 with Quick Media Switching, rare outside Apple TV
- +Built-in ethernet and a USB 3.0 port for local media
- +Fastest Roku by a wide margin
Cons
- −Ethernet is 10/100, not gigabit
- −The Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition) dropped the headphone jack the first-gen Pro had
- −List price rose from $99.99 to $149.99 in July 2026
- −No design change since the 2021 Ultra
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Google TV Streamer (4K) or Roku Ultra (2024) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Google TV Streamer (4K) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Smart Home, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Smart Home (9.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability.
Which is better for Value, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Value (8.0/10 vs 6.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Remote, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Remote (9.0/10 vs 7.5/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features.
Which is better for Speed & Performance, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Speed & Performance (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond.
Is the Google TV Streamer (4K) worth the price difference over the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the cheaper option at $99.99 versus $149.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Smart Home.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the better fit if you mainly care about smart-home. The Roku Ultra (2024) is the better fit for gaming.
What's the warranty on the Google TV Streamer (4K) vs the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Roku Ultra (2024) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) — $139.99
Premium Option
Roku Ultra (2024) — $149.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.