Roku Express vs Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K & HDR Streaming Device with Voice Remote
Buy the Roku Streaming Stick+ if your TV is 4K or you want HDR and a tidier setup; it costs $29.00 at Walmart as of November 3, 2026. Buy the Roku Express only for a 1080p TV on a tight budget; it is $21.25 at eBay as of November 3, 2026. The $7.75 gap buys 4K, HDR, a dual-band Wi-Fi radio and a remote that controls TV volume and power.
Today the Roku Express costs $7.75 less at its best price.
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Roku Express
4.5$21.25at eBayObserved Nov 2, 2026, 6:45 PM
Choose the Roku Express if you have a 1080p TV, want the lowest price, and do not need HDR or 4K.
Pros
- Lowest price of the two at $21.25.
- Simple to set up on a 1080p TV.
- Bluetooth headphone mode for private listening.
- Works with Alexa and Google Home.
Cons
- No 4K and no HDR.
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, which can struggle on busy networks.
- Remote cannot control TV volume or power.
- Needs a power cable to a USB port or outlet.
What separates them
| Roku Express | Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K & HDR Streaming Device with Voice Remote | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum resolution | 1080p (FHD) | 4K Ultra HD |
| HDR | Not supported | HDR10 and Dolby Vision |
| Design and power | Small box, sits on a shelf, needs the included USB power cable | HDMI dongle hidden behind the TV, powered from the TV's USB port |
| Wi-Fi | Single-band 2.4 GHz | Dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz with a boosted antenna |
| Remote | Simple remote with voice control; no TV volume or power buttons | Voice remote with TV volume and power buttons |
| Bluetooth headphone mode | Yes | Yes |
| Ports | HDMI out only; no Ethernet | HDMI out only; no Ethernet |
| Price, November 3, 2026 |
Price history
- Roku Express: lowest $21.25 on Nov 2 at eBay.
- Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K & HDR Streaming Device with Voice Remote: lowest $29.00 on Nov 2 at Walmart.
Prices at every store
Roku Express
- eBayNew
In stock
$21.25Observed Nov 2, 2026, 6:45 PM - The Home DepotNew
In stock
$39.99Observed Nov 2, 2026, 6:02 PM - AmazonRefurbished
Availability unknown
$34.99Observed Nov 2, 2026, 6:02 PM
Also available at
- BlueDogInkCheck price at BlueDogInk
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K & HDR Streaming Device with Voice Remote
- WalmartNew
In stock
$29.00Observed Nov 2, 2026, 6:02 PM - MercariNew
In stock
$45.12Observed Nov 2, 2026, 6:02 PM - TargetNew
In stock
$49.99Free shippingObserved Nov 2, 2026, 6:02 PM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
$49.84Free shippingObserved Nov 2, 2026, 6:02 PM
Specs compared
| Spec | Roku Express | Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K & HDR Streaming Device with Voice Remote |
|---|---|---|
| color | Black | Black |
| HD Type | HD | Ultra HD (4K) |
| size | 6.00" x 4.00" x 4.00" | — |
| Display Output Resolution | HD, 1080p, 1080p (FHD) | — |
| HDR Support | No | — |
| Display Output Formats | HDMI | — |
| Display Highlights | Up-scaling from 720p | — |
| Streaming Services | Netflix, Hulu | — |
| Music Services | Pandora, Spotify | — |
| Smart Home Platforms | Alexa, Google Home | — |
Questions and answers
- Is the Streaming Stick+ worth the extra over the Express?
- Yes if you have a 4K or HDR TV. The $7.75 gap at the November 3, 2026 prices buys 4K, HDR, dual-band Wi-Fi and a remote that controls your TV. On a 1080p TV the Express does the same job for less.
- Which is better for a 1080p TV?
- The Express. It outputs up to 1080p, so 4K and HDR on the Streaming Stick+ would go unused. Put the savings toward a streaming subscription.
- Which has better Wi-Fi?
- The Streaming Stick+. It has a dual-band radio with a boosted antenna and can use 5 GHz. The Express is 2.4 GHz only, which is more prone to interference in crowded apartments.
- Do both have Bluetooth headphone mode?
- Yes. Both support private listening through Bluetooth headphones in the Roku app or remote. Neither has an Ethernet port, so both rely on Wi-Fi.
- Which remote is better?
- The Streaming Stick+ remote. It adds TV volume and power buttons on top of voice control. The Express remote has voice search but cannot turn your TV on or change its volume.
- Which lasts longer?
- Neither has a clear edge; both are small Roku players with similar hardware and no moving parts. The Streaming Stick+ stays useful longer because 4K and HDR carry over to your next TV.