Streaming Devices / Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs Google TV Streamer (4K)
Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs Google TV Streamer (4K)
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
Wins overall by 1.8 points
Quick Verdict
The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.8 points. Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Google TV Streamer (4K) are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is $20 cheaper than the Google TV Streamer (4K) ($79.99 vs $99.99). On Smart Home, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (9.0 vs 5.0/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. On Connectivity, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (7.5 vs 5.0/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. On Remote, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (7.5 vs 5.0/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. Overall, the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.3/10 for the Roku Streaming Stick 4K. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Roku Streaming Stick 4K | Google TV Streamer (4K) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $99.99 |
| Release Year | 2021 | 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 | ARM Cortex-A55 | MediaTek MT8696 — quad-core Cortex-A55 up to 2.0GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 1 | 4✓ |
| Storage (GB) | Not published by Roku | 32 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) dual-band MIMO with long-range receiver | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Ethernet | None | Gigabit (built in) |
| Bluetooth | None — this model has no Bluetooth | 5.1 |
| Operating System | Roku OS 15 | Google TV on Android 14 for TV |
| Remote | Roku Voice Remote, AAA batteries, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder | Voice remote with Gemini, AAA batteries, customizable shortcut button, Find My Remote chime |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Porcelain, Hazel |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Google TV Streamer (4K) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Audio Support
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Google TV Streamer (4K) 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 Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.0 — a 2.5-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Remote
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.0 — a 2.5-point margin on voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 5.0 — a 4.0-point margin on matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 5.5 — a 2.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Roku Streaming Stick 4K if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $20 cheaper.
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).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 7.5/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
- • Remote matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 7.5/10 here (voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features).
- • Value matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.0/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.5/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
Pros & Cons
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Pros
- +The only Roku stick with Dolby Vision
- +Long-range Wi-Fi receiver helps in rooms far from the router
- +Roku OS remains the cleanest major streaming platform
- +Compact enough to pair with a projector
Cons
- −No Bluetooth at all, so private listening only works through the phone app
- −Needs a wall outlet, unlike the two 2025 Roku sticks
- −802.11ac Wi-Fi, not Wi-Fi 6
- −The oldest silicon in Roku's current line
- −List price rose from $49.99 to $79.99 in July 2026, the steepest increase in the range
- −Dolby Atmos is passthrough to a receiver, not decoded on the device
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
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Google TV Streamer (4K) 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 Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Smart Home (9.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Connectivity (7.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports.
Which is better for Remote, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Remote (7.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features.
Which is better for Value, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Value (8.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K worth the price difference over the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the cheaper option at $79.99 versus $99.99. 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 Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the better fit if you mainly care about 4k-hdr or home-theater. The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the better fit for smart-home.
What's the warranty on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K ships with a 12-month warranty; the Google TV Streamer (4K) 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
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) — $59.99
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.