Roku’s newest streaming sticks have just got their first proper price cuts, with discounts across the entire lineup.
The deals, which Roku is positioning around the new academic year, apply to all three current streaming devices and run throughout August (6th-28th) at major UK retailers.
The biggest savings are on the company’s newest models that only hit UK shops a couple of months ago. It’s rare to see meaningful discounts so soon after launch, making this a particularly good time to consider Roku’s refreshed lineup.
Roku’s Long-Awaited UK Refresh
If you’re not familiar with Roku, you might be surprised to learn they’re actually a streaming powerhouse. In the US, they regularly battle it out with Amazon for the top spot in streaming device market share.
Here in the UK, however, they’re probably not as well-known as Fire TV sticks, though they’ve been steadily building their presence.
Roku’s main differentiator has always been simplicity. While Amazon and Google keep adding more algorithmic recommendations and promotional content to their interfaces (as in – adverts), Roku sticks to a clean, straightforward approach that gets you to your apps without fuss.
This year, Roku finally gave their UK lineup a much-needed refresh, ditching the chunky Express boxes for proper streaming sticks. The new Roku Streaming Stick (HD) and Streaming Stick Plus launched in June, joining the existing Streaming Stick 4K from 2021.
The shift to the stick format solves several real-world annoyances – no more hunting for flat surfaces near your TV, no more adhesive strips to mount boxes somewhere visible, and no more dangling HDMI cables.
All three current models plug directly into your TV’s HDMI port, and the new ones can also run off USB power, creating much cleaner setups.
Having deals appear just two months after the newer models launched makes this a particularly good time to consider jumping into Roku’s ecosystem.
What’s On Offer
The discounts cover Roku’s entire current UK lineup, with savings between £5 and £10:
Roku Streaming Stick (HD) – £24.99 (was £29.99)
The budget option
This HD-only model is Roku’s cheapest entry point, and I was pleasantly surprised by its performance during testing (see my full review).
Despite modest specs, it delivered “surprisingly good performance” with the interface feeling responsive and apps launching without frustrating delays.
The inclusion of Roku’s voice remote as standard is a genuine upgrade – older budget models used to ship with basic infrared remotes that lacked TV controls. Being able to control everything from one remote without paying extra is welcome.
But here’s the thing that kept nagging at me during my review: “With just £10 separating this from the 4K-capable Plus model, you’re left wondering – is saving a tenner now worth potential regret when you upgrade your TV later?”
The device also uses older WiFi standards and has half the RAM of its pricier siblings. It’s perfectly adequate for what it does, but the limitations are real.
Best for: Secondary TVs, guest rooms, or if you travel frequently and know you’ll mainly encounter HD displays.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus – £29.99 (was £39.99)
The sweet spot (and my main recommendation)
This is where things get interesting. The £10 discount brings the Plus down to what the HD model originally cost, creating exceptional value.
It has also become my go-to recommendation for anyone asking about Roku devices (see my full review).
During my month of testing, the Plus consistently impressed: “4K content from services like Netflix and Disney+ appeared crisp and vibrant, with HDR enhancing highlights and improving detail in darker scenes.”
Performance felt snappy throughout: “4K content loads promptly (assuming your broadband can handle it), and switching between apps is quick and painless.”
The stick supports 4K at 60fps with HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG – basically everything except Dolby Vision. For most people, that’s more than adequate.
There are some downsides worth mentioning. You’re entirely dependent on WiFi – there’s no Ethernet option at all – and its WiFi standard is getting a bit old (802.11ac dual-band – WiFi 5)
Despite these minor grumbles, the Streaming Stick Plus offers exceptional value that’s hard to beat at its regular price. At £29.99, it’s an absolute bargain.
Best for: Most people, especially if you want 4K future-proofing without spending a fortune.
Update: Amazon dropped the price even further – I don’t know if they will keep this price for the whole duration, but at this price, the Plus is a no-brainer vs the HD stick.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K – £44.99 (was £49.99)
The premium option (but is it worth it?)
Here’s Roku’s top-tier model, though it’s starting to feel a bit long in the tooth having launched back in 2021. The main selling points over the Plus are Dolby Vision support and enhanced WiFi with a range booster (see my full review).
But honestly? As I noted in my comparison, this model has become a bit redundant, with the Streaming Stick Plus providing excellent performance, the same voice remote, and all at a lower price.
The enhanced WiFi might matter if you’ve got a massive house or challenging wireless conditions, but for most setups, the Plus model’s connectivity is perfectly adequate.
And unless you’re particularly bothered about Dolby Vision (which requires both a compatible TV and content that actually uses it), the benefits don’t justify the extra cost.
Best for: Dolby Vision enthusiasts or those with particularly tricky WiFi setups.
It’s worth mentioning that Roku also used to sell a streaming soundbar – the Roku Streambar, which combined a soundbar with streaming capabilities – but it appears to have been discontinued in the UK, as it’s no longer available anywhere.
Roku vs Fire TV: Different Philosophies
Amazon’s Fire TV sticks dominate the UK market, but Roku offers a different approach that many users prefer once they actually try it.
The key difference is philosophy. Amazon’s interface has become increasingly cluttered over the years, packed with promotional content, algorithmic suggestions, and Amazon’s own services front and centre.
Sometimes finding your actual apps feels like an archaeological expedition.
Roku keeps things simple. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to explain to friends how to find their actual apps on a Fire TV Stick, which is often buried beneath Amazon’s promotional content.
With Roku, your apps are right there on the home screen, exactly where you’d expect them to be.
Now, Amazon does have some advantages. The Fire TV 4K Max offers more powerful hardware, supports WiFi 6, and generally feels snappier. Amazon also tends to get new streaming apps before Roku does in the UK.
But if you value a clean, no-nonsense experience over bleeding-edge specs, Roku’s approach has real appeal. These devices pass what I call the “grandmother test” – you could set one up for your gran and not expect weekly support calls about finding Netflix.
My Recommendation: Go with the Plus
While all three deals represent decent value, the Streaming Stick Plus is the clear winner at £29.99. That £10 discount brings it down to the HD model’s original price while adding 4K support, better WiFi, and double the RAM.
Even if your current TV only does HD, spending the extra fiver over the discounted basic model makes sense. When you eventually upgrade to 4K (and let’s face it, that’s increasingly inevitable as prices keep falling), you won’t need to replace your streaming device too.
The old 4K model, while perfectly capable, feels overpriced even at the discounted £44.99 unless you genuinely need Dolby Vision or have specific WiFi challenges.
For most people wanting a simple, reliable streaming device that just works without trying to be too clever, the Plus hits the sweet spot – especially at this price.
The deals run until August 28 across all major retailers, so there’s plenty of time to sort your streaming setup.
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