Streaming Devices / Roku Ultra (2024) vs NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
Roku Ultra (2024) vs NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
Roku Ultra (2024)
Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
Wins overall by 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Roku Ultra (2024) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 0.6 points. Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
The Roku Ultra (2024) and NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Roku Ultra (2024) is $50 cheaper than the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro ($149.99 vs $199.99). On Platform & Apps, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (8.5 vs 6.5/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is. On Value, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (6.0 vs 4.0/10) — features and performance relative to price. On Video Quality, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (9.0 vs 8.0/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. Overall, the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 7.9/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.3/10 for the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro. 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) | NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $199.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2019 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55; Roku claims over 30% faster than its other players | NVIDIA Tegra X1+ with 256-core GPU |
| RAM (GB) | 2 | 3✓ |
| Storage (GB) | Not published by Roku | 16 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual-band MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) dual-band |
| Ethernet | Built in (10/100) | Gigabit (built in) |
| Bluetooth | Yes — supports headphone mode | 5.0 + LE |
| Operating System | Roku OS 15 | Android TV 11 (not Google TV) |
| Remote | Voice Remote Pro: USB-C rechargeable, backlit, hands-free voice, lost-remote finder; no headphone jack | Motion-activated backlit buttons, built-in mic, programmable button, IR blaster for TV and soundbar |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. If that is what you are buying for, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. If that is what you are buying for, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Audio Support
The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-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 Ultra (2024) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is. If that is what you are buying for, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Roku Ultra (2024) and NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro are level here, at 8.0/10 each. Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Remote
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. If that is what you are buying for, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.5 — a 1.0-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 Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 6.0 against 4.0 — a 2.0-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Roku Ultra (2024) if…
- • Platform & Apps matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.5/10 here (operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is).
- • Value matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 6.0/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Video Quality matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 9.0/10 here (maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported).
- • Remote matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 9.0/10 here (voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features).
- • You want to spend less — it's $50 cheaper.
Choose the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro if…
- • Smart Home matters most to you — the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro scores 6.5/10 here (matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability).
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
NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
Pros
- +AI upscaling genuinely improves HD sources and nothing else here does it
- +Gigabit ethernet plus two USB 3.0 ports make it the best local-media and Plex box in the category
- +DTS-X passthrough and hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz
- +Backlit remote with an IR blaster and a programmable button
Cons
- −Seven-year-old hardware still selling at $199
- −Wi-Fi 5 and HDMI 2.0b — no Wi-Fi 6, no 4K120
- −Still on Android 11, and it runs Android TV rather than Google TV
- −No HDR10+ support
- −NVIDIA has confirmed the non-Pro SHIELD TV is out of stock with no availability update, so platform end-of-life is a real risk
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Roku Ultra (2024) or NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro 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 Platform & Apps, the Roku Ultra (2024) or the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Platform & Apps (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is.
Which is better for Value, the Roku Ultra (2024) or the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Value (6.0/10 vs 4.0/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Video Quality, the Roku Ultra (2024) or the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Video Quality (9.0/10 vs 8.0/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported.
Which is better for Remote, the Roku Ultra (2024) or the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Remote (9.0/10 vs 8.0/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features.
Is the Roku Ultra (2024) worth the price difference over the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) is the cheaper option at $149.99 versus $199.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Platform & Apps.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) is the better fit if you mainly care about 4k-hdr. The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro is the better fit for home-theater or gaming.
What's the warranty on the Roku Ultra (2024) vs the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) ships with a 12-month warranty; the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro 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 Ultra (2024) — $149.99
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.