Roku Streaming Stick Plus Review: 4K Streaming That Hides Behind Your TV
Key Features
4K and HDR
Sharp 4K picture with vivid HDR color on any app that supports it. Looks great on a modern TV without any fiddling.
Powers off your TV
It plugs into the TVs USB port for power and tucks behind the screen. No wall outlet, no dangling cord.
Voice remote
The included remote handles your TV power and volume too, and you can just ask it to pull up a show instead of pecking at letters.
Loads of free TV
The Roku Channel piles on free movies and live channels, so theres something on even when you havent paid for anything.
Our Experience
Setup took us about four minutes. Plug it into an HDMI port, run the USB cable to the TVs port for power, sign into your WiFi, and youre basically done. The fact that it hides completely behind the TV is a small thing that turns out to be really nice, no more black stick poking out the side of the screen.
Streaming has been smooth. We bounced between Netflix, YouTube, and the free Roku Channel and didnt run into the lag you sometimes get on cheaper sticks when an app first loads. 4K content kicked in fast and looked clean. The voice remote is the part we use most. Saying a title is just quicker than typing it one letter at a time with a d-pad.
If your TV is older and the USB port is weak, you might need the wall adapter for steady power, and Roku has started leaning harder on ads across the home screen. Neither is a dealbreaker at this price, but theyre worth a heads up.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Hides completely behind the TV
- Quick, lag-free 4K streaming
- Voice remote controls TV power and volume
- Tons of free content built in
Worth Knowing
- Weak TV USB ports may need the wall adapter
- The home screen pushes a lot of ads
- No lost-remote finder like the pricier Roku models
Full Specifications
| Brand | Roku |
| Model | Streaming Stick Plus |
| Max Resolution | 4K HDR |
| Power | TV USB port or wall adapter |
| Remote | Voice remote with TV controls |
| WiFi | Dual-band |
| Amazon Rating | 4.6 / 5 (8,594 reviews) |
| Price | $29.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to plug it into a wall outlet?
Does the remote control my TV?
Will it work on a non-4K TV?
Is there a monthly fee?
Final Verdict
At $29 the Roku Streaming Stick Plus nails the basics: fast 4K streaming, a voice remote that runs your whole TV, and a design that vanishes behind the screen. The ad-heavy home screen is mildly annoying and weak USB ports occasionally need the wall plug, but for turning an older TV into a slick 4K streamer, this is the one wed hand to family without thinking twice.
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