Editor’s Note: While Roku devices and TVs with built-in Roku software are popular options for streaming consumer content, Roku OS is not designed for professional use and does not include signage-focused apps. As such, we recommend using Chromecast with Google TV as a budget signage device, or enterprise-focused streaming devices including the ScreenCloud OS-powered Station P1 Pro for digital signage.

Apple has its tvOS-powered Apple TV devices. Google has Chromecast with Android TV. Amazon has Fire TV. Samsung has its in-house Tizen platform. LG took webOS from a Palm’s last smartphones and turned it into a TV platform.

Roku, meanwhile, is the rare company focused solely on streaming content to TVs. You can buy a Roku-powered TV from Roku or from OEMs including TCL, Hisense, Westinghouse, and Walmart’s Onn for as little as $70 for a 24” TV, or can buy a Roku box or streaming stick from $29 to turn any TV into a smart TV. That versatility meant that one out of every three hours of content streamed globally in 2022 was played on a Roku-powered device.

Roku is built around streaming shows and movies to TVs, and is one of the easier ways to get Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Paramount+, and other streaming services on a TV—along with over 350 live TV channels in the US market including NBC, ABC, and CBS. That’s enough to make it Wirecutter’s runner-up pick for media streaming devices and top pick for budget TVs. The Roku platform is not designed for professional usage, however, and includes fewer features than competitors for looping professional slides and business software-powered dashboards on TVs. It’s great for homes—not offices.

The first Roku was almost a Netflix-branded product. After first building a TV recording platform to compete with TiVo, the Roku team worked with Netflix to build a set-top box for their then-nascent streaming service.

That first Roku device got canceled mere weeks from launch. A Netflix-specific device, worried Netflix founder Reed Hastings, might keep game consoles, TVs, and other devices from building Netflix support into their devices—and Netflix wanted their service to be available everywhere. So the device efforts were spun out to Roku, and Roku went at it alone, building what became one of the larger streaming platforms in the US, UK, and Latin American markets.

The spirit of that first Roku set top box lives on in today’s dedicated Roku devices. They’re the easiest way to get access to the Roku platform.

Roku is both the Roku OS, a streaming platform to play Netflix and more on your TV, and Roku devices as hardware that runs the Roku OS. Roku offers a Roku Express streaming box, a Roku Streaming Stick as a more portable streaming device, and a Roku Streambar as a soundbar with Roku OS built-in. Or, you can purchase a TV from Roku or other OEMs including TCL, Sharp, and more with Roku OS built-in. Each device offers the same Roku OS, where the original focus on streaming content remains core today.

Netflix still looms large in Roku devices. It’s the sole streaming platform enabled by default in Roku OS, and Roku remotes include a dedicated Netflix button (alongside buttons for Disney+, Apple TV+, and Paramount+ in the latest Roku Remote). You can add additional streaming apps to your Roku, including YouTube, BBC, Plex, Hulu, Peacock, and Roku’s own Roku Channel. And you can control Roku with voice commands from a newer Roku remote, or from Alexa and Google Home devices.

Roku OS features a more basic interface than most streaming devices. Styled similar to the default media players built into non-smart TVs, Roku features the streaming apps you’ve installed front-and-center. You can add additional apps, including popular streaming services and a handful of more niche applications including motivational quotes and image slideshows. No games, professional software, or other intensive applications here—just quick access to Netflix, YouTube, Paramount Plus, and other TV channels in an interface that makes streaming as close to cable TV as possible.

Roku today offers 4 core device models: Roku Express, Roku Stick, Roku Ultra, and Roku Streambar. Additionally, Roku both sells Roku TVs and powers the smart features behind TVs from a wide variety of other manufacturers.

Best for: Streaming HD content on a budget

Roku Express is the closest to the original Roku device that’s still available for purchase. It’s a small set top box dedicated to streaming content to older, HD TVs. While it doesn’t include 4K or HDR support, it does include all of the same streaming apps available in more expensive Roku devices. It’s the cheapest way to add Roku features to an older TV.

Best for: Streaming 4K content on a budget

Roku Express 4K+ looks exactly like a Roku Express. The differences are all on the inside. It supports streaming 4K content, with HDR and Dolby audio support. And, its remote supports voice commands for a quicker way to start shows. All that, for $10 more than the base Roku Express.

Best for: Streaming 4K content on a portable device

Want to take Roku with you while traveling—or to easily hide your Roku behind your TV? The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the Roku to choose. It includes the same features as the Roku Express 4K—along with Dolby Vision for compatible TVs—in a smaller form factor that plugs directly into your HDMI port.

Best for: A better Roku remote that supports headphones

For the best Roku experience—including Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support—the Roku Ultra is the top-of-the-line Roku streaming device. It includes a USB port, so you can playback local media even if your Roku is offline. Its remote is where this Roku is most different. It includes earbuds and a standard headphone jack, so you can listen to shows without disturbing others, and is rechargeable so you won’t need to keep spare AAA batteries around.

Best for: Improving your home theatre audio and adding Roku streaming in one device

The Roku Streambar series of devices lets you upgrade your audio and video at once. Connect the Streambar to your TV’s HDMI port for Roku OS with the audio from content routed over the Streambar’s speakers. The Streambar SE costs $99.99 and supports 4K and HDR content, with a basic Roku remote. The Streambar costs $129.99, and adds 5.1 surround sound support, a voice remote, and Dolby Audio. The Streambar Pro $179.99, and adds the rechargeable remote with headphone mode from the Roku Ultra. Each Streambar can also be upgraded with a subwoofer and surround speakers.

Price: From $69.99 for a 3rd-party 24” Roku-powered TV to $1,699 for a Roku Pro QLED 75” TV

Brands Available: Roku, Hisense, TCL, Walmart Onn, Philips, Sharp, Westinghouse, JCV, Magnavox, and more

If you’re in the market for a new TV and want to use Roku OS, a TV with Roku built-in or a Roku-branded TV gives you everything in one device. Roku TVs include similar features to those provided by the Roku Express devices, with the Roku Ultra rechargeable remote included in higher-end TVs.

For most people, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ is the best Roku to choose. It’s Wirecutter’s runner-up choice for media streaming, and provides a good price to feature ratio in a portable design that’s easy to take along and stream Netflix from a hotel.

If you need a new TV or speaker setup, either a new Roku-powered TV for a new display or a Roku Streambar to add better audio to an existing TV could be a better option. The Streambar, especially, is an affordable way to upgrade your audio and add streaming feature support at the same time.

If, instead, you want to use your TV professionally in an office setting to stream slides and show data from apps, we recommend using either a consumer device that has more business features like the Chromecast with Google TV, or a professional streaming device like ScreenCloud’s Station P1 Pro.

Roku devices are commonly available in electronics retail locations in the US and UK, or can be ordered directly from Roku.

Check the Roku site and click the “United States (change)” link on the site footer to select your country. Alternatively, for international orders to countries where Roku is not available, check B&H for international shipping options.

You can go from unboxing a Roku to streaming your favorite Netflix shows in under 10 minutes, including installing updates. And once your Roku is set up, you can unplug it, then connect it to a new TV and start streaming in seconds.

Start first by plugging in your Roku. The Roku Express, Streaming Stick, and Ultra devices all require separate power adaptors. And while you could use any USB-A Micro cable to power a Roku, it’s best to use the cable that comes with your Roku as it includes an antenna to boost WiFi signal strength.

Connect the USB cable to your Roku. Plug in the USB adaptor. Then connect your Roku to your TV—either directly, with the Streaming Stick, or with the included HDMI cable.

Step 2: Select your language, WiFi network, and display type

Turn on your TV and select the correct HDMI input, if needed, and you’ll see the Roku launch screen. Select your preferred language. Then select your WiFi network and add your WiFi password. Roku will then detect your TV’s resolution and supported features automatically.

Step 3: Enter your email to set up a Roku account

Roku then requires you to sign in with a Roku account. Enter your email address on your TV. Then, you’ll receive an email message with a link to setup your Roku account (or login to an existing one, if you’ve used Roku previously). You’ll need to set a password, add a credit card or link a PayPal account for future purchases, set an optional pin number, and add apps to your Roku home screen.

Once you’ve completed the setup, your Roku will automatically install any updates then open your Roku home screen.

You can then click an app to open it, login, and start streaming your favorite shows.

Roku includes the Netflix app by default, and recommends other apps including Apple TV+ during the setup process. To add more apps, tap left on the Roku home screen then scroll down to Streaming Channels.

There, you can browse apps from the Roku Channel Store. Select an app to view more details, then select Add Channel to install it on your Roku. Once it’s installed, launch the app and follow any in-app instructions to login to your account and start streaming content.

You’ll find first-party apps from Roku, including the Roku Media Player, on the Channel Store as well, if you want to use Roku’s built-in features to playback content from USB drives or local media servers.

The Roku Remote is a simplified version of your average TV remote, without the learning curve of the Apple TV or Chromecast remote. There’s a power button on the top, a prominent home and back button to navigate through the apps, and an arrow key pad with an OK button in the center to select items and tap keys on the on-screen keyboard. You’ll also find buttons for popular streaming services—Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Paramount+ on the latest version.

Press the asterisk (*) button to access menus, much like right-clicking on a PC. Press the microphone button for voice commands and search, on all but the most basic Roku devices. And use the play/pause, forward, and backwards buttons to quickly control your streaming media.

Uniquely, Roku remotes feature volume up/down and mute buttons on the right side of the remote, instead of on the top along with the other buttons. And if you have a Roku Ultra or Streambar Pro, you’ll find an audio-out port on the left side of the remote to connect headphones and listen to TV in silence.

While Roku’s simple design and focus on streaming apps makes it a popular way to watch Netflix and more on your TV, it’s not designed for professional use. There are no business-focused apps on the Roku, and no included web browser or file support to showcase slides and more.

You can temporarily use a Roku as signage via AirPlay or screen streaming, to use a Roku to show a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation on your TV. Open your presentation on your smartphone or laptop, then enable AirPlay or screen mirroring on your device to mirror your screen and show your presentation on your TV. That same trick could work to stream ScreenCloud’s iOS or Android apps to a Roku TV as temporary signage if needed.

For basic digital signage, if you have a Roku-powered TV or a Roku Ultra, you could use the built-in USB port to play a slideshow of photos as basic signage. You could also use the Plex app to stream media from a Plex server on your network, or use the Roku Media Player to play images and videos from a DLNA server or network attached storage.

A better alternative would be to use a Chromecast with Google TV or a ScreenCloud OS device, paired with ScreenCloud software to build work-focused dashboards and stream app-powered content to turn your TV into digital signage.

Everything you need to know about Roku OS and devices to stream shows and movies to your TV from an affordable media player.

A Beginner’s Guide to Roku

A Beginner’s Guide to Roku

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