Roku’s New Streaming Sticks Hit UK Stores: First Look

After months of anticipation, Roku’s revamped streaming sticks have finally landed in UK shops.

The new Roku Streaming Stick (HD) and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (4k) are now available online at Amazon and in-store at ASDA, with Argos set to stock them from late July, and other retailers are expected to follow soon.

I’ve been putting these streamers through their paces over the past few weeks, and my first review will go up this weekend.

• Update: See my in-depth Roku Streaming Stick Plus review

However, for now, let’s revisit what these new Roku devices bring to the table and whether they’re worth your attention.

Sleeker Design, Finally Proper Sticks

As we reported back in April, Roku has completely redesigned its entry-level streamers, shifting from the small box format of the Express range to true streaming sticks.

The company seems quite proud of these being “35% smaller than other brands” – not exactly what keeps most of us up at night, but the practical benefits are worth noting.

The new stick format means you can plug directly into your telly’s HDMI port without needing a surface for the device to sit on. They’re designed not to block adjacent ports either, which is handy if you’re constantly swapping between streaming and gaming devices.

Perhaps most usefully, both sticks can finally be powered directly from your TV’s USB port, potentially eliminating that annoying extra cable dangling down your wall-mounted setup.

For years, Roku actively discouraged users from powering their devices via the TV’s USB port, insisting we use wall sockets instead because their streamers were too power-hungry – but now has that changed (which can also be helpful when you’re travelling abroad, using the sticks in hotel TVs, for example).

The new sticks also sport USB-C ports for power instead of the older micro-USB connection, with an appropriate cable included in the box.

And, as always, both sticks support hundreds of streaming apps and services, including all the major UK broadcasters (so BBC iPlayer, ITVX, etc.).

Voice Remote Now Standard

Both new models include Roku’s voice remote with TV power and volume controls – a genuine upgrade for the entry-level model, which previously shipped with a basic remote lacking these features.

Being able to control everything from one remote without paying extra is a welcome change, especially at the £29.99 price point. The voice functionality lets you search for content, launch apps, and control playback with simple commands.

Don’t get too excited though – this isn’t the fancy Voice Remote Pro that’s been available in the US for ages but never officially released in the UK. We’re still stuck with battery-powered remotes that lack a headphone jack for private listening.

What’s the Difference Between the Two?

Here’s a quick refresher on what sets these two sticks apart:

Roku Streaming Stick (£29.99):

• HD streaming up to 1080p
• Basic dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
• Voice remote with TV controls
• Digital stereo and DTS Digital Surround pass-through over HDMI
• Built-in HDMI connector and USB-C for power
• Weighs just 26g
• Compatible with Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Alexa

Roku Streaming Stick Plus (£39.99):

• 4K streaming up to 2160p/60fps
• Better Wi-Fi standard (802.11ac)
• HDR10/10+ and HLG support (no Dolby Vision)
• Same voice remote with TV controls
• Same audio features
• Same 26g weight and compact design
• Same smart home compatibility

The extra tenner gets you 4K resolution, HDR support and slightly better Wi-Fi. If you’ve got a 4K telly, the Plus is the obvious choice – if not, save your money and get the standard version.

Roku’s Somewhat Confusing Lineup

Remember that these new sticks replace the old Roku Express and Roku Express 4K, but they’ll be sold alongside the existing Roku Streaming Stick 4K from 2021.

So in the UK, we now have:

• Roku Streaming Stick – HD only, entry-level (Replacing the Roku Express)
• Roku Streaming Stick Plus – 4K HDR, mid-range (Replacing the Roku Express 4K)
• Roku Streaming Stick 4K – 4K with Dolby Vision, premium

Both the “Plus” and the “4K” models support 4K, but only the one actually named “4K” has Dolby Vision support and a long-range Wi-Fi receiver. 

And to add to the confusion, Roku used to have a model called “Roku Streaming Stick+” in the UK, which you might still find from unofficial sellers – so be careful, as that’s NOT the new stick, which has a slightly different name: “Roku Streaming Stick Plus”.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

If you’re using an older Roku Express or Express 4K, the main benefits of upgrading would be:

• The stick form factor instead of a little box
• Voice remote now included with the entry model
• Potentially cleaner setup with TV USB power
• No need for a flat surface or wall-mounting

As mentioned, my full reviews of both sticks will be ready soon – but as a teaser, I can tell you that while performance has indeed improved, it’s not a night and day difference. So if you don’t care about the form factor, there’s no real reason to upgrade from one of the older Roku sticks.

Then again, if you’re in the market for a brand new, compact, streaming device – then these two are worthy contenders, especially if you prefer Roku’s simple, easy to use interface.

• Get Roku Streaming Stick on Amazon
• Get Roku Streaming Stick Plus on Amazon

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