Roku Express 4K Plus review: The best streaming device under $40
Our Verdict
The Roku Limited 4K Plus is a solid upgrade from the Roku Premiere, especially in its remote.
For
- Inexpensive 4K streaming
- Speedy performance
- Improved remote
Against
- No Dolby Vision or Atmos Sound
- However a flake besides lightweight
Tom's Guide Verdict
The Roku Express 4K Plus is a solid upgrade from the Roku Premiere, especially in its remote.
Pros
- +
Cheap 4K streaming
- +
Speedy performance
- +
Improved remote
Cons
- -
No Dolby Vision or Atmos Audio
- -
Still a fleck too lightweight
The new Roku Express 4K Plus shows that 4K streaming is getting pretty cheap. Or at least Roku's getting skillful at remixing its current lineup. The Roku Express 4K Plus takes the bones blueprint of the Roku Express (a $30 1080p streamer) only upgrades information technology with the 4K streaming from the Roku Premiere (which it replaces every bit Roku'southward $40 streamer).
But this Roku Limited 4K Plus review will show how this new device upgrades yous even further. And that'southward through its remote, which is better than ever, and takes the hiccups out of streaming. The Roku Express 4K lags backside some slightly pricier streaming devices in its support for Dolby A/V standards. Even so, the Roku Express 4K is 1 of the all-time streaming devices, as the new all-time $xl streaming device.
- Best TVs: Our elevation picks tested and rated
- The all-time streaming services correct now
- Increase your streaming potential with the best Roku VPN
The Roku Limited 4K Plus won a Highly Recommended award in the 2021 Tom's Guide Awards for All-time Streaming Devices, by making 4K UHD streaming more affordable without putting more ads in.
Roku Limited 4K Plus review: Price and release date
The Roku Express 4K Plus starts at $39.99, and will be available in mid-May at most retailers. At that price, it'south but under the $49.99 Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which has similar streaming capabilities, but nosotros found information technology has a improve remote.
Roku Limited 4K Plus specs
Cost: $39.99
Video: Up to 4K
HDR: Yes, HDR10 and HDR10+ supported
Connectivity: Dual-ring Wi-Fi, Ethernet via microUSB
Remote: Voice remote
Ecosystem compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2
The two major 4K streaming devices of notation — the Amazon Burn down Idiot box Stick 4K and Chromecast with Google TV — are both at $50. At that place's also the TiVo Stream 4K, which started at $50 and has seemingly been marked downward to $40, permanently, at Amazon. All of those devices support Dolby Vision and Atmos Audio, and the Express 4K Plus does non.
The Apple TV 4K (2021), which costs much more than these options, too supports Dolby Vision and Atmos.
Roku Limited 4K Plus review: Design
The Roku Express 4K Plus is simple, yet nonetheless kind of awkward. It's a curved rectangular device, designed to sit down flat on next to your Tv set or in your entertainment console. Its got a matte black pattern, shiny Roku logo, and glossy front end, with a majestic LED indicator for power.
The sole trouble with the Roku Express 4K Plus' design is that it's too light. Typically, lightweight tech is a good affair, but it's then lightweight that it may take a niggling fiddling with the HDMI cablevision (which can lift the light crush with its tension) to become it to sit down right. Roku includes an adhesive strip and so you can adhere it to a surface, The Chromecast with Google TV, Fire Television set Stick 4K and Tivo Stream 4K are all easier-to-use dongles that just handle behind your Television receiver. We besides prefer the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which has that same design.
Yous may also find the included HDMI cable to be bereft in length. A little nether two feet in length, the cable is but long enough to connect to the HDMI port on my TV that itself is seated on a surface. My wall-mounted TV's HDMI ports are too far away, for example. Then once again, if y'all've got such a custom setup, I imagine you may already own HDMI cables of sufficient length.
Much like its competitors, the Express 4K Plus' ports situation a very short story. You've got HDMI for connections, microUSB for ability from an included adapter and a small reset button. The Chromecast with Google Boob tube offers all of these buttons, while the Tivo Stream 4K and Burn TV Stick require using the remote to reset the device.
- Check out our Roku Ultra LT review
Roku Limited 4K Plus review: Audio and video
The Roku Limited 4K Plus is not bad for cheap, speedy ultra high-def HDR video. Dialing up an episode of Netflix's Glow (RIP), I noted the night shadows of the Las Vegas scenery, bright pinks and golds. Details came in crisp from their elaborate outfits, with distinct feathers in headdresses and the textures of ruffled fabrics.
The biggest shortcoming of the Roku Express 4K Plus is the lack of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio. These A/5 standards, available on the slightly more expensive Chromecast with Google TV and Fire TV Stick 4K, are the kind of thing yous might not wait for when looking for the most affordable 4K device.
Admittedly, you might exist plenty happy without either standard. Every bit I streamed Parasite in 4K off the Apple tree TV app, I was however amazed past the color reproduction of the nighttime scenes in the streets of Seoul and how great the well-monied Park family's home looks. Similarly, the thumping soundtrack and bright neon lights of John Wick still impressed on the Roku Express 4K Plus.
Roku Limited 4K Plus review: Performance
As a long-fourth dimension Roku Ultra possessor, I'g pretty impressed how the much cheaper Roku Express 4K Plus is still pretty speedy. The Netflix and Hulu apps loaded practically instantly, with content such equally I Care A Lot, Shadow and Os and Netflix opening in mere moments.
That's due in part to its 802.11ac dual-band wireless modem, which makes the Express 4K Plus is speedy enough to download the dozens of apps in mere moments, during the initial setup.
And that's all over wireless, as the Roku Limited 4K Plus doesn't offering an Ethernet port. If you lot need that, you lot'll want to go a tertiary-party solution from a company such as UGREEN, which provides adapters for larger households, where your Television receiver is far from your Wi-Fi router.
- Roku vs. Amazon Burn Idiot box Stick: Which is all-time for you?
Roku Express 4K Plus review: Remote control
Considering the Roku Limited 4K Plus replaces the Roku Premiere, I was most concerned about how well its remote would work. Our Roku Premiere review emphasized that its IR-based remote made for the device'southward "biggest shortcoming," as it required you to accept the stick "pointed within a few degrees of the device's face," and not permit any obstructions.
The Roku Express 4K Plus' Voice Remote (which is network-based, not IR-based) enables you lot to axle a signal no matter what direction you're pointing it in. Equally I spun the controller around in my hand, clicking it in practically every direction possible, I sighed in relief.
That upgrade out of the way, the Roku Vocalisation Remote is pretty standard, offer everything you should expect at this price. That includes basic navigation buttons, vocalism controls and Tv set controls for power and volume.
The Roku Voice Remote feels light in my paw, and its textured surface makes information technology piece of cake to grip. At two.vii ounces, it's a little heavier than the Chromecast with Google TV's two.2 ounce remote, but because the Roku remote is larger, information technology distributes that weight more evenly.
Yous also get four colorful buttons for pop channels — which seem less useful than they are valuable to Roku for revenue. If you can programme your brain to use these buttons for Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple Television set Plus and Hulu, you'll grow to capeesh the 1-click access.
Roku Express 4K Plus review: Search and Roku OS
Finding things to watch — the ultimate low-stakes quest — on Roku is easy. With the vocalisation button on your remote, I can say "show me movies starring David Duchovony" (or Gillian Anderson), then I tin can continue to follow the X-Files stars throughout their careers. Roku's search helps you decide what to spotter next with a row for all results, another for free content, a 3rd for what's included with your memberships and another for items you'd have to pay to buy or rent.
Roku'due south likewise gotten ameliorate with more refined search. Using vox search to ask for "movies starting John Travolta from the 1990s," I got a set of good results including Pulp Fiction, The Thin Cerise Line, Face up/Off and Get Shorty.
The Chromecast with Google TV simply showed me a list of results (that wasn't interactive at all), and the Burn down TV included much more recent results, such as 2019's The Toxicant Ride and 2012'south Savages (and put them up front end). Our Tivo Stream 4K review explained how poor its search abilities are, and gave me petty reason to add one to my menagerie of streaming devices.
Roku Bone 10 has delivered a new feature dubbed Instant Resume, where you would starting time a show right where you left off when re-opening the app. Of note is that not all apps use Instant Resume the aforementioned style. Roku is allowing app developers to let channels resume how they prefer, going straight back to the channel, or opening the app faster than earlier. Likewise of note: Roku Alive Channel customization is still rolling out, and should be available past May 13.
Roku Express 4K Plus review: Bottom line
As a successor to the Roku Premium, the Roku Express 4K Plus is a step in the right direction. Non simply is information technology merely every bit good at streaming 4K HDR content speedily, only its remote is better than ever. We only wish its design didn't err on the side of lightness.
The Roku Express 4K asks y'all how much you value the Dolby Vision and Atmos Audio. If you would spend an extra $10 (a quarter of its price) to have your picture and audio produced at those standards, you might be meliorate off getting the Chromecast with Google TV (though its search isn't up to snuff). Want a Roku that'southward easier to place in your amusement setup? The Roku Streaming Stick Plus costs $10 more and it's worth it.
That said, the Roku Express 4K Plus attacks its competition at the checkout counter, and does so well. Certain, it has some tradeoffs in exchange for that lower toll, just they won't nearly streaming experiences.
- Roku vs. Amazon Fire TV Stick: Which is all-time for you?
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/roku-express-4k-plus
Posted by: mayonstent1991.blogspot.com
0 Response to "Roku Express 4K Plus review: The best streaming device under $40"
Post a Comment