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The Best Roku Devices to Buy for an Immersive Home Entertainment Experience

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The Best Roku Devices to Buy for an Immersive Home Entertainment Experience

Finding the right show or movie to watch can be a hassle, especially if you only have access to a handful of streaming platforms. Or perhaps your budget TV doesn’t support the exact streaming platform you like watching shows on. Or maybe you’re stuck with an HDTV that doesn’t support modern TV technology, which means no access to streaming platforms at all.



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Usually, a TV streaming device would be the right solution here, but not many come with Roku devices’ versatility. Whether upgrading to 4K resolution for enhanced visuals, using voice commands to change the channel, or finding the remote, Roku has a unique suite of streaming devices and TVs. Here are the best ones that we recommend for an immersive home entertainment system. If you are searching for a high-speed router or LED lights to add more appeal to the living room, the best smart home gadgets would be a great place to look.


Game Rant’s Best Roku Devices for an Immersive Home Entertainment System

Roku Ultra

Best Overall Roku Device

Roku Ultra

Boasting significantly better features than other Roku streaming devices, the Roku Ultra has set itself apart as one of the best streaming devices worth getting. Featuring a new processor that makes it possible for viewers to easily navigate the UI and perks like Dolby Vision and HDR10+, streaming your favorite shows or movies has never been better. 
 

Brand
Roku

Operating System
Roku OS

Resolution
4K

Connectivity
HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi

Dimensions
5″L x 4.9″W x 1″H

Pros

  • Fastest Roku streaming device
  • Roku remote with a rechargeable battery
  • Cinematic streaming with 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision
Cons

  • No Gigabit Ethernet connection

Folks looking to upgrade their HDTVs to a smart TV or need to expand their streaming channel options without spending too much will be thrilled about the Roku Ultra. Featuring significant improvements that put it in a league of its own compared to other Roku streaming devices, the Ultra comes with an all-new quad processor, which brings the perks of cinematic-grade entertainment such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and HDR 10+. The new processor is also 30% faster than other Roku devices, meaning that users should enjoy a more fluid experience when navigating the UI.


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Wi-Fi 6 provides users with terrific streaming and download speeds, sustained even when connected to multiple connected devices. The Roku Ultra comes with a remote that’s not only rechargeable, but also allows users to control it with voice commands. Plus, it has backlit buttons that make it easy for users to know which one to press in a dark room. Users have noted the lack of a Gigabit Ethernet connection, which they feel would make the Roku Ultra feel perfect. Despite the lack of that feature, it’s still the best overall Roku device for an immersive home entertainment system, thanks to its amazing offerings that is strongly competitive against the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max.


Building a home entertainment system can be pretty expensive, especially if one wants a 4K TV paired with a soundbar for crowd-pleasing audio quality. Fortunately, the Roku Streambar brings the best of both worlds without costing shoppers the several hundreds of dollars they’d need for a new TV and soundbar. Designed like a traditional soundbar, the Streambar comes with a built-in 4K streaming device that makes it possible for people to watch their favorite movies or shows. By rendering content in 4K resolution, viewers are guaranteed crisp images and life-like colors.

Aside from offering a wide range of content that cuts across multiple platforms, including Prime Video and Netflix, the Steambar’s four internal speakers deliver loud bass that quickly envelops your room. When watching a movie, conversations will sound better thanks to advanced audio engineering, which results in improved volume and speech clarity. Admittedly, it’s somewhat more pricey than most Roku streaming devices, but seeing as it combines streaming with sound, the price seems reasonable.


Roku Express

Best Budget Roku Device

Roku Express

The Roku Express may not come with the bells and whistles you’d find on other premium Roku streaming devices, but it’s a fair deal at its current low price. Viewers get treated to 1080p quality content which translates to clear images though not on the same page as a 4K display. It includes a user-friendly remote that features the necessary shortcuts to help users easily turn on popular streaming platforms. 
 

Brand
Roku

Operating System
Roku TV

Resolution
1080p

Ports
USB, HDMI

Connectivity
WI-FI

Pros

  • Fast 108p streaming
  • Automatic software updates
  • Headphone mode on mobile allows for quiet listening
Cons

  • No 4K resolution
  • Remote lacks advanced features

One amazing thing about Roku streaming devices is that different options fit different shoppers’ needs. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that will transform your home entertainment for the better, then it’s worth checking out the Roku Express. Users will notice the absence of premium features like 4K and Dolby Vision. Content is rendered in 1080p, which still holds up in today’s standards. Not only do viewers get access to various streaming channels through a subscription, but Roku offers over 300 free live channels as well.

The set-up process is pretty simple, as users just need to plug in the device and connect to the internet. Automatic software updates ensure that users get the latest features for an improved viewing experience. Although the remote is pretty functional, Roku allows you to turn your smartphone into a second remote. On days when you can’t find the standard remote, your phone can step up by increasing the volume and switching from channel to channel, among other things. These offerings make the Roku Express an excellent budget Roku device to enjoy immersive home entertainment.


Roku

Best Mid-Range Roku Device

Roku Express 4K+

$36 $40 Save $4

The Roku Express 4K+ is designed specifically for budget-conscious shoppers who want to stream 4K content on their non-smart TVs. Beyond its ability to upgrade one’s viewing experience to 4K resolution, buyers can also customize the home screen. The remote has a voice search feature which lets them seamlessly find shows and increase the TV’s volume. Aside from the availability of many streaming services, buyers also get to enjoy a catalog of 350+ free live channels. 

Brand
Roku

Operating System
Roku OS

Resolution
4K

Connectivity
Wi-Fi

Dimensions
3 x 1.6 x 0.83 inches

Pros

  • Supports 4K, HD, HDR formats
  • Allows users to customize the home screen
  • Very affordable
Cons

  • Lacks Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision

The Roku Express 4K+ is intended for shoppers who crave a streaming device that lies between affordable and pricey. If 4K picture quality is a must-have, but you don’t want to spend much, this device should cater seamlessly to your needs. The availability of 4K resolution, HDR, and HD content ensures that no matter what you’re watching, the images will look fantastic. The setup process is quite simple as users don’t have to worry about a power adapter. Simply plug the device into the TV and connect it to the internet to finalize the process.

Equipped with voice features, the Roku remote lets you search, play movies, and do lots more with voice commands. Compatibility with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa makes it possible to experience the perks of voice control. The Roku remote can also control the TV’s functions, thereby eliminating the need for using two remotes. Users have faulted the audio quality, saying that it could be a lot better, though it’s not exactly a deal-breaker.


Roku Streambar SE

Best Roku Streaming Device for Premium Audio

Roku Streambar SE

$94 $100 Save $6

Looking for a TV soundbar that’s selling for under $100? The Roku Streambar SE comes with two built-in speakers that complement the TV’s audio, transforming your listening experience. On top of that, you get a 4K streaming device that not only grants access to various platforms but has a ton of free live channels as well. Users can also adjust the Streambar SE’s volume based on the content being streamed (movies or music). 
 

Connectivity
Wi-FI, HDMI

Colors
Black

Dimensions
9.6″L x 3.5″W x 2.4″H

Pros

  • 4K streaming
  • Easily expandable with booming bass
  • Bluetooth® Headphone Mode
Cons

  • Not as loud as the regular Streambar

Although it shares several features with the Streambar, the Roku Streambar SE is a less expensive variant that still blends crisp streaming quality with stunning audio quality. Whether it’s your living room, bedroom, or dorm room, the Streambar SE knows how to make an impression. Whether your TV comes with native 4K resolution or not, the Streambar SE will optimize the content to make it more enjoyable for viewers. Equipped with two built-in speakers, we hear every sound the way it’s intended to. Unlike many soundbars, this Roku device comes with presets for movies and music, which means viewers can adjust the volume to hear voices better or lower during commercials.


The Roku remote can control the TV’s functions like brightness and volume, thereby allowing you to control both without switching remotes. When you feel like watching a movie or show at night and don’t want to disturb your roommate, feel free to connect your headphones with the Streambar SE for a quiet listening experience. It’s worth noting that its bass quality is not the best out there and shoppers who crave premium bass could add the Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer to the mix.

The best TVs manage to stand out from the rest due to the incredible number of features they deliver to buyers. The 65-inch Roku 4K Smart TV brings breathtaking visuals to the screen. By featuring a native 4K resolution, shows and movies look way better here than on a 1080p screen. Instead of constantly tweaking the brightness settings, the TV has an auto-brightness feature that instantly adjusts based on the room’s lighting. Expect great viewing angles thanks to the QLED display technology which delivers accurate colors.


Running on Roku TV OS, expect to find a wide range of content on streaming platforms or free live channels. No matter which area you decide to look in, there’s always something new to watch. The Roku TV remote is programmed to heed voice commands, which means “Hey Roku”, and will help you locate it even when it seems like you lost it. However, the TV is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which may not deliver the best experience, especially with fast-paced scenes in movies and games. Despite this shortcoming, it remains the best Roku TV for an immersive home entertainment system, largely due to its breathtaking visuals, and decent sound, among others.

How to Choose the Right Roku Device for an Enjoyable Home Entertainment System

Roku has many TVs and streaming devices on sale with terrific features, thereby making it tough to pick one immediately. For those who want to avoid making regrettable purchases, the factors below should be helpful.


Resolution

Although 4K is viewed as the hallmark of TV streaming, some TVs and streaming sticks are capped at 1080p, which isn’t bad, but may not meet the needs of a viewer looking for breathtaking visuals. As such, it’s worth checking if the desired streaming device or TV can output 4K resolution. If you’re comfortable with 1080p, then look for devices that support that resolution. Nowadays, more and more budget 4K TVs are swarming the market, so gone are the days when 4K was utterly expensive.

Price

This factor should be considered for virtually every product you intend to purchase. How important are a TV’s features? Can you do without the voice commands that are available on select Roku devices? If you like all the perks, then prepare to spend a lot more. If you’d like to keep things small, then you will be better off with cheap devices like the Roku Express. Just remember that the more expensive a device is, the more features it will likely come with.


It’s common for certain products to come with added features that you won’t find on other products. Usually, products with extra perks end up costing more than the regular ones. For instance, features such as voice commands, a rechargeable remote, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision are considered extra features. If you feel these added features can enhance your viewing experience, then you should go for devices that come with that. Just have a budget that can accommodate that need.

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FAQ

Q: Is Roku better than Amazon Fire TV Stick?

In terms of affordability, you can find affordable models when you check both brands. The newest iterations of streaming devices from both brands are superfast and boast significant improvements. However, Roku slightly comes out on top for having less bloatware and fewer ads.

Q: What are the different types of Roku streaming devices?

There’s the Roku Express and Ultra devices, which cater to streaming alone. Then there are the Streambar and Streambar SE, which combine TV streaming and soundbar functionality in one package.


Q: What kind of TV uses Roku OS?

Currently, several TV models including the ones made by Roku and some from TCL and Hisense run on Roku TV OS. The Roku OS has been said to be quite easy to navigate.

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