For a long time, I’ve been recommending Roku’s streaming devices to friends and family for a few simple reasons. For one, they’re easy to use and reliable. Second, The Roku Channel is filled to the brim with free content to watch. And third, arguably the most important point, Roku devices have always been really affordable.
But it’s that last point, affordability, that’s unfortunately starting to change. Recently, Roku announced that it is raising prices across its hardware lineup in response to the ongoing global memory shortage, largely driven by the AI boom, which has caused component prices to soar.
Roku is raising prices by $10 to $50, depending on the device, with the Roku Ultra taking the hardest hit. Its price has jumped from $100 to $150, while the entry-level Roku Streaming Stick is going up $10, from $30 to $40. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is increasing from $40 to $60, while the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is going from $50 to $80.
These price hikes completely change the value proposition of Roku’s entire lineup. While I would have previously recommended most of Roku’s devices, I really do think there’s only one that’s still worth buying.
The one Roku that’s still worth it
If there’s one Roku device I’d still recommend buying after these price hikes, it’s the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Although it now costs $20 more, going from $40 to $60, I still think there’s some value to be had here.
For one, it’s Roku’s cheapest 4K streaming stick, so if you have a 4K TV and want to hook up a Roku to it, this is your most affordable option. In addition to 4K streaming, it supports HDR and HDR10+, and it can be powered entirely by your TV’s USB port, so there’s no need to worry about finding an available wall outlet.
While the Roku Streaming Stick is cheaper at $40, it only supports 1080p HD streaming and lacks HDR. And since the Fire TV Stick HD is priced around $35 and can usually be found on sale for around $20, it’s harder to recommend Roku’s entry-level option.
That said, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is now the same price as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. While the 4K Max arguably offers better feature support, including Dolby Vision and cloud gaming, the Streaming Stick Plus still makes sense if you’re specifically after the Roku experience. You get streamlined access to The Roku Channel, along with features like Headphone Mode, and if those are things you value, I still think the Streaming Stick Plus is worth considering at $60.
Previously, I would’ve recommended the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, but I really don’t think it’s worth spending an extra $20 to get it at $80 anymore, especially since the only major feature it adds over the Plus is Dolby Vision support. If Dolby Vision is a must-have, I’d honestly just go with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and download the Roku app instead. Additionally, at $150 now, the Roku Ultra isn’t worth it anymore either, especially since the more powerful Google TV Streamer is $100.
Ultimately, these price hikes suck to see, and in fairness to Roku, it’s not alone in making them. Apple has also recently raised prices on its iPads, Macs, and Apple TV, with the Apple TV 4K jumping from $130 to $200.
At $60, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus now costs the same as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, but if you prefer Roku OS, I still think it’s worth buying. And if you’re interested, it’s currently on sale for a limited time at $40, so now’s the time to grab one before the price goes back up.
- Brand
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Roku
- Operating System
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Roku OS
- Downloadable Apps
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Thousands
