Streaming Devices / Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs Roku Ultra (2024)
Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs Roku Ultra (2024)
Roku Ultra (2024)
Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
Wins overall by 1.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Roku Ultra (2024) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.6 points. Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Roku Ultra (2024) are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is $70 cheaper than the Roku Ultra (2024) ($79.99 vs $149.99). On Remote, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (9.0 vs 5.0/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. On Connectivity, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (8.0 vs 5.0/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. On Speed & Performance, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. Overall, the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 7.9/10 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 | Roku Ultra (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $149.99 |
| 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 | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55; Roku claims over 30% faster than its other players |
| RAM (GB) | 1 | 2✓ |
| Storage (GB) | Not published by Roku | Not published by Roku |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) dual-band MIMO with long-range receiver | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual-band MIMO |
| Ethernet | None | Built in (10/100) |
| Bluetooth | None — this model has no Bluetooth | Yes — supports headphone mode |
| Operating System | Roku OS 15 | Roku OS 15 |
| Remote | Roku Voice Remote, AAA batteries, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder | Voice Remote Pro: USB-C rechargeable, backlit, hands-free voice, lost-remote finder; no headphone jack |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-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 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 Roku Streaming Stick 4K does not close the gap elsewhere.
Audio Support
The Roku Ultra (2024) 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 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 5.0 — a 3.0-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 Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 5.0 — a 4.0-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 Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 5.5 against 5.0 — a 0.5-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 Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 6.0 against 5.5 — a 0.5-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 $70 cheaper.
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).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.0/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
- • Speed & Performance matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.5/10 here (processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond).
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.5/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
- • Video Quality matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 9.0/10 here (maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported).
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
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 Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Roku Ultra (2024) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Roku Ultra (2024) 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 Remote, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Remote (9.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Connectivity (8.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports.
Which is better for Speed & Performance, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Speed & Performance (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond.
Which is better for Audio Support, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Audio Support (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through.
Is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K worth the price difference over the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the cheaper option at $79.99 versus $149.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Remote.
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 Roku Ultra (2024) is the better fit for gaming.
What's the warranty on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs the Roku Ultra (2024)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick 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
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) — $59.99
Premium Option
NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro — $199.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.