Streaming Devices / Roku Ultra (2024) vs Google TV Streamer (4K)
Roku Ultra (2024) vs Google TV Streamer (4K)
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
Wins overall by 0.2 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.2 points separate them. Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub. The Roku Ultra (2024) answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Roku Ultra (2024) and Google TV Streamer (4K) 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 | Roku Ultra (2024) | Google TV Streamer (4K) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $99.99 |
| 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 | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55; Roku claims over 30% faster than its other players | MediaTek MT8696 — quad-core Cortex-A55 up to 2.0GHz |
| RAM (GB) | 2 | 4✓ |
| Storage (GB) | Not published by Roku | 32 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual-band MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Ethernet | Built in (10/100) | Gigabit (built in) |
| Bluetooth | Yes — supports headphone mode | 5.1 |
| Operating System | Roku OS 15 | Google TV on Android 14 for TV |
| Remote | Voice Remote Pro: USB-C rechargeable, backlit, hands-free voice, lost-remote finder; no headphone jack | 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 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 Roku Ultra (2024) and Google TV Streamer (4K) 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 Roku Ultra (2024) 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 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 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.
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.
Pros & Cons
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
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 Ultra (2024) 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 Ultra (2024) or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
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 Roku Ultra (2024) or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
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 Roku Ultra (2024) or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
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 Roku Ultra (2024) or the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
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 Roku Ultra (2024) worth the price difference over the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
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 Roku Ultra (2024) is the better fit if you mainly care about gaming. The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the better fit for smart-home.
What's the warranty on the Roku Ultra (2024) vs the Google TV Streamer (4K)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) 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
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.