Which is better for listening to music on a phone?

The EarPods. They plug into a 3.5mm jack and have an inline mic and remote. The Roku has no audio output of its own.

Which is better for a 4K TV?

The Roku Streaming Stick+. It adds 4K HDR streaming, a voice remote and Bluetooth headphone mode. The EarPods do nothing for a TV.

Do the EarPods work with an iPhone without a headphone jack?

Not directly. They need a 3.5mm jack or a separate adapter. iPhones with only Lightning or USB-C need an adapter.

Does the Roku need a wall outlet?

No. It draws power from the TV's HDMI port. You still need Wi-Fi and a TV with an HDMI input.

Which has the better rating?

The Roku, 4.6 out of 5 from 3,700 ratings, against 4.5 out of 5 from 7,514 ratings for the EarPods. The gap is small.

Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug vs Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K & HDR Streaming Device with Voice Remote

Q: Is the Roku worth the extra over the EarPods?

It is not extra: the Roku is $29.00 at Walmart and the EarPods are $35.61 at Walmart as of November 3, 2026. They do different jobs, so compare by use, not price.

These are not competing products. The EarPods are wired 3.5mm earbuds; the Roku Streaming Stick+ is a 4K HDR streaming player. Buy the EarPods if you need cheap wired earbuds with a mic. Buy the Roku if you want to add 4K streaming to a TV. On price, the Roku is $29.00 at Walmart and the EarPods are $35.61 at Walmart as of November 3, 2026, so the streaming stick is currently cheaper.

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