Streaming Devices / Roku Ultra (2024) vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Roku Ultra (2024) vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Roku Ultra (2024)
Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
Wins overall by 1.8 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.8-point gap makes the Roku Ultra (2024) the straightforward choice here. Roku's flagship — the best remote in the category, plus ethernet and AV1.
The Roku Ultra (2024) and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is $90 cheaper than the Roku Ultra (2024) ($59.99 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 Audio Support, the Roku Ultra (2024) leads (8.5 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. 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 6.1/10 for the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025). 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) | Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $59.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Processor | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55; Roku claims over 30% faster than its other players | ARM Cortex-A55 |
| RAM (GB) | 2✓ | 1 |
| Storage (GB) | Not published by Roku | Not published by Roku |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual-band MIMO | Dual-band; Roku does not publish the 802.11 standard for this model |
| Ethernet | Built in (10/100) | None |
| Bluetooth | Yes — supports headphone mode | Yes — supports headphone mode |
| Operating System | Roku OS 15 | Roku OS 15 |
| Remote | Voice Remote Pro: USB-C rechargeable, backlit, hands-free voice, lost-remote finder; no headphone jack | 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 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 Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Roku Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 6.5 — a 2.5-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 Ultra (2024) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.5 — a 3.0-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 Ultra (2024) and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) 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 5.5 — 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 Plus (2025) 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 Plus (2025) 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 Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-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).
- • 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).
- • 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).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Roku Ultra (2024) scores 8.0/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
Choose the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $90 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is travel or budget.
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
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
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Roku Ultra (2024) or Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) 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 Ultra (2024) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
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 Audio Support, the Roku Ultra (2024) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Audio Support (8.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through.
Which is better for Speed & Performance, the Roku Ultra (2024) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
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 Video Quality, the Roku Ultra (2024) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) scores higher on Video Quality (9.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported.
Is the Roku Ultra (2024) worth the price difference over the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is the cheaper option at $59.99 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 Ultra (2024) is the better fit if you mainly care about home-theater or gaming. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is the better fit for travel or budget.
What's the warranty on the Roku Ultra (2024) vs the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Roku Ultra (2024) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) 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
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.