Streaming Devices / Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) vs Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) vs Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
The only Roku stick with Dolby Vision — but no Bluetooth and ageing silicon.
Wins overall by 0.2 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.2 points separate them. The only Roku stick with Dolby Vision — but no Bluetooth and ageing silicon. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) and Roku Streaming Stick 4K are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is $20 cheaper than the Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($59.99 vs $79.99). On Video Quality, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K leads (8.5 vs 6.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. On Audio Support, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K leads (6.5 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. On Value, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) leads (6.5 vs 5.5/10) — features and performance relative to price. Overall, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K scores 6.3/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.1/10 for the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025), 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 | Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) | Roku Streaming Stick 4K |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $79.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2021 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | No | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | No | Yes |
| Processor | ARM Cortex-A55 | ARM Cortex-A55 |
| RAM (GB) | 1 | 1 |
| Storage (GB) | Not published by Roku | Not published by Roku |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band; Roku does not publish the 802.11 standard for this model | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) dual-band MIMO with long-range receiver |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Bluetooth | Yes — supports headphone mode | None — this model has no Bluetooth |
| Operating System | Roku OS 15 | Roku OS 15 |
| Remote | Roku Voice Remote, AAA batteries, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder | Roku Voice Remote, AAA batteries, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) and Roku Streaming Stick 4K are level here, at 6.0/10 each. processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Video Quality
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Audio Support
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.5 — a 1.0-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 Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) and Roku Streaming Stick 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 Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) leads clearly here, 5.5 against 5.0 — a 0.5-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 Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) and Roku Streaming Stick 4K are level here, at 5.0/10 each. voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Smart Home
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) and Roku Streaming Stick 4K are level here, at 5.0/10 each. matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.5 — a 1.0-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 Plus (2025) if…
- • Value matters most to you — the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) scores 6.5/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) scores 5.5/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
- • You want to spend less — it's $20 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is travel or budget.
Choose the Roku Streaming Stick 4K if…
- • Video Quality matters most to you — the Roku Streaming Stick 4K scores 8.5/10 here (maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported).
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Roku Streaming Stick 4K scores 6.5/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
- • Your main use case is home-theater.
Pros & Cons
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Pros
- +4K HDR from a stick that needs no wall outlet — unusual and genuinely useful for travel
- +Roku OS remains the cleanest major streaming platform
- +Bluetooth headphone mode direct from the device
- +Same 0.9oz body as the HD stick
Cons
- −No Dolby Vision — HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG only
- −No Dolby Atmos
- −No ethernet option
- −Basic AAA remote with no backlight or finder
- −List price rose from $39.99 to $59.99 in July 2026
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
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) or Roku Streaming Stick 4K better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Roku Streaming Stick 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 Video Quality, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) or the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?+
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K scores higher on Video Quality (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported.
Which is better for Audio Support, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) or the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?+
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K scores higher on Audio Support (6.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through.
Which is better for Value, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) or the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) scores higher on Value (6.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) or the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) scores higher on Connectivity (5.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports.
Is the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) worth the price difference over the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is the cheaper option at $59.99 versus $79.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Video Quality.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is the better fit if you mainly care about travel or budget. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the better fit for home-theater.
What's the warranty on the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) vs the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Roku Streaming Stick 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
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $49.99
Premium Option
Google TV Streamer (4K) — $99.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.