Review: Roku Streaming Stick Plus makes upgrading your TV foolproof

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If you’re looking to give your TV a modern boost without investing in a whole new screen or fiddling with complicated tech, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K) is a simple, affordable solution. I’ve been testing it for several weeks now, and it’s one of the easiest ways to add smart TV functionality to just about any television — especially if you want 4K streaming in a neat little package. 

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The product: Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K)
Price: $50
Where to buy: Best Buy

Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K) key features

4K streaming: If you have a 4K TV, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus delivers impressive picture quality, with HDR colours and crisp resolution that makes a real difference — especially if you’re streaming from apps that offer 4K content like Netflix, Disney+ or Apple TV+.  Here’s the key detail for anyone comparing models: the regular Roku Streaming Stick (HD) ($40) maxes out at 1080p, while the Streaming Stick Plus supports 4K and HDR. If you’re watching on an older HDTV, the HD version might be enough. But if you’ve already upgraded your screen, or plan to, the Streaming Stick Plus is worth the few extra dollars. 

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Tons of content: Roku boasts more than 200 free channels, and while not all of them will appeal to everyone, there’s a surprisingly decent mix of live news, older shows, movies and sports content. The Roku Channel itself offers a curated mix of no-cost options that are great for casual browsing. That said, most will still spend the bulk of their time on the usual suspects: Netflix, Prime Video, Crave, YouTube and Disney+. Roku supports all the major platforms, and navigating between them is quick and intuitive. 

Simple remote: The included remote controls your Roku as well as your TV’s volume and power, which means one less remote on the coffee table. And if you’re already deep into the smart home ecosystem, Roku plays well with others: it works with Apple AirPlay, Google Home and Amazon Alexa. That means you can cast content from your iPhone, use voice assistants to control playback, or integrate the Roku into your broader smart home setup. 

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In testing, AirPlay operated smoothly: streaming photos, videos and music from my iPhone to the TV was seamless. Being able to say, “Hey Google, open YouTube on Roku” or “Alexa, launch Netflix” adds a level of convenience, especially when you’ve got your hands full. 

Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K) review

Out of the box, the experience is very plug-and-play. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus goes right into the HDMI port at the back of your TV and draws power from a USB port, meaning no wall plugs, no messy cables and no need to rearrange your entertainment centre. It’s small enough to stay out of sight entirely, which is something I have come to appreciate more than I expected. Setup took five minutes, tops. I connected to Wi-Fi, signed into my Roku account with a scannable barcode and that was it. 

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The interface itself has a well-organized layout that makes browsing apps and content straightforward — ideal for anyone who isn’t exactly tech-savvy. The remote’s familiar buttons and voice-over feature make navigation comfortable, so finding your favourite shows feels quick and effortless. 

Favourite feature: Travel-friendly streaming

One feature I didn’t expect to care about, but ended up loving, is how portable the Streaming Stick Plus is. I brought it with me on a weekend trip, plugged it into my friend’s TV and within minute, had access to all my usual apps and subscriptions. Roku makes it easy to reconnect to new Wi-Fi networks without needing to log in again and again. 

For frequent travellers, this is one of those small conveniences that ends up being a real standout — and honestly, it became my favourite feature. The ability to take your streaming setup with you without any hassle makes the Roku feel more like a companion than just another device. 

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Least favourite feature: Voice control

Voice search is built into the remote and works across apps — just press the microphone button and say what you’re looking for. It’s generally responsive, though this was one of my few frustrations with the device. Like most voice assistants, it sometimes brings up results that are too broad or slightly off the mark. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can be mildly annoying when you’re in a hurry to start a show. 

Final thoughts 

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to upgrade their TV, especially if you want to unlock 4K and HDR capabilities without spending a fortune. The setup is fast, the design is tidy and the streaming quality is ideal. 

Whether you’re a smart home fanatic or just someone who wants Netflix to load without lag, this little stick gets the job done. It offers just enough smart features to feel modern, without overwhelming you with bells and whistles. And in a world full of tech that overcomplicates things, that simplicity feels like a win. 

The product: Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4K)
Price: $50
Where to buy: Best Buy

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