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Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) vs Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

Buy the Streaming Stick Plus if your TV is 4K and you want sharper picture, HDR, and a faster-feeling interface. Buy the plain Streaming Stick if your TV is 1080p or older and you want the same Roku platform with Bluetooth headphone mode. The Plus adds 4K60, HDR10/10+ and HLG, and a more capable chip; the base stick caps at 1080p with a 720p interface and no HDR. Owners of both praise the simple Roku interface and voice remote; the base model's 4.6 rating across roughly 18,000 ratings shows broad satisfaction, while the Plus is the pick for anyone with a 4K set.

  • Choose the Roku Streaming Stick Plus if you have a 4K HDR TV and want the best picture and smoothest navigation Roku offers in a stick.
  • Choose the Roku Streaming Stick if your TV is 1080p, you want Bluetooth headphone mode, or you need the lowest-cost way into Roku.

Prices

  • Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025): $28.88 at Mercari (checked today)
  • Roku Streaming Stick (2025): $24.00 at The Home Depot (checked today)
  • Difference: the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) is $4.88 cheaper than the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) today
Roku
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)

Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)

$28.88at MercariChecked 2 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Mercari
Pros
  • Sharp 4K60 picture with HDR10/10+ and HLG
  • Snappy interface on a 4K TV
  • Voice remote controls TV power, volume and mute
  • AirPlay and HomeKit support
  • Tiny 0.9 oz stick hides behind the TV
Cons
  • No Bluetooth headphone mode listed
  • Needs a 4K HDR TV to show its advantage
  • No Ethernet port
Roku
Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

4.6(17,992 ratings)
$24.00at The Home DepotChecked 2 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit The Home Depot
Pros
  • Bluetooth headphone mode for private listening
  • Simple setup that powers from the TV's USB port
  • Same Roku interface and 500+ free channels
  • Well rated by a large pool of owners
  • Compact and light at 0.8 oz
Cons
  • Capped at 1080p with no HDR
  • 720p interface looks soft on big screens
  • 512 MB RAM limits headroom for heavy apps

What separates them

Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)Roku Streaming Stick (2025)
Max resolution4K UHD at 60fps1080p
HDRHDR10, HDR10+ and HLGNone
Interface resolutionFull HD UI720p UI
Processor and RAMFaster chip for 4K decodingARM Cortex A55 with 512 MB RAM
Bluetooth headphone modeNot listedYes, private listening on the remote
PowerUSB-C, 5V 1AUSB-C to USB-A cable, 5V 1A
Wi-FiDual-band 802.11acDual-band Wi-Fi
Voice remoteTV power, volume and mute buttonsVoice control remote

Price history

$28.88$24.00
Nov 2Nov 10
  • Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025): lowest $28.88 on Nov 10 at Mercari.
  • Roku Streaming Stick (2025): lowest $24.00 on Nov 2 at Walmart; $24.00 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)

  • MercariNew

    In stock

    $28.88+ $7.39 shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Mercari
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $49.99Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by kcm511 (100% positive, 475 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $28.00+ $10.05 shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $48.08Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 14 stores and price history →

Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

  • The Home DepotNew

    In stock

    $24.00Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit The Home Depot
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $24.99+ $5.99 shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Target
  • Abt ElectronicsNew

    In stock

    $24.99+ $15.73 shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Abt Electronics
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknown

    $24.00Checked Nov 2
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 13 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecRoku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)Roku Streaming Stick (2025)
HDR supportHDR10/10+ and HLGNo
Wi-Fi802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi® (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)Wi-Fi
Weight0.90 ounces (26.0 g)0.8 oz
HD TypeUltra HD (4K)HD
ColorBlackBlack
ResolutionUp to 2160p at 60fps (3840 x 2160)—
PortsBuilt-in HDMI and USB-C for power—
AudioDTS Digital Surround™ pass through over HDMI—
Remote controlVoice remote with TV power, volume, and mute bu…—
Power consumptionApprox 2.5W (typical) when streaming 4K UHD vid…—
Power input5V – 1A—
Smart homeWorks with Apple AirPlay and HomeKit—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecRoku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)Roku Streaming Stick (2025)
DongleYes—
Assistant SupportGoogle Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri—
With Bluetooth Device SupportYes—
Model number—3840X
CPU—ARM Cortex A55
Graphics API—OpenGL ES 2.0
RAM—512 MB
Max UI resolution—720p
Max playback resolution—1080p
Year released

What reviewers say

Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)

Owners of the Streaming Stick line consistently praise the quick setup, the uncluttered Roku home screen and the remote's TV controls. The recurring complaints are the lack of Dolby Vision and occasional Wi-Fi dropouts on weaker networks.

What people mention
  • Picture qualityMixed4K HDR looks sharp, but owners of Dolby Vision TVs miss the format.
  • SetupPraisedOwners say it is running within minutes of plugging it in.
  • InterfacePraisedThe Roku home screen is described as simple and app-focused.
  • Wi-FiMixedWorks well on 5 GHz, but some report dropouts on weaker 2.4 GHz signals.

Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

  • 4.6 / 517,992 ratings

With 4.6 out of 5 from about 18,000 ratings, owners mostly treat the Streaming Stick as a reliable, low-cost way to smarten an older TV. Praise centers on easy setup, the voice remote and the free channel lineup; complaints tend to be about the HD-only picture and the occasional app hiccup.

What people mention
  • Picture qualityMixedOwners find 1080p fine on older sets but notice it can't match a 4K TV's resolution or HDR.
  • SetupPraisedBuyers say it plugs in and is streaming within minutes.
  • Voice remotePraisedThe remote's voice search and volume buttons are called handy and responsive.
Reviews
  • Streaming Stick vs. Ultra: Which Roku Is Right for You? - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • Media Streaming Device Reviews From Our Experts - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2026
  • Media Streaming Device Reviews From Our Experts - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2026

Questions and answers

Which is better for a 4K TV?
The Streaming Stick Plus. It plays 4K at 60fps with HDR10/10+ and HLG, while the plain Streaming Stick tops out at 1080p with no HDR.
Does the cheaper stick support HDR?
No. The Streaming Stick (2025) lists no HDR support and a 1080p maximum, so HDR content plays in standard dynamic range.
Which has Bluetooth headphone mode?
The plain Streaming Stick lists Bluetooth headphone mode for private listening. The Plus spec sheet does not list it.
Is the Plus worth stepping up to?
Yes if you own a 4K HDR TV. The resolution, HDR and faster interface are the main reasons to pay more; on a 1080p TV the base stick is enough.
Do both use the same remote?
Both include a voice remote. The Plus remote adds TV power, volume and mute buttons; the base remote is voice control only.
Which lasts longer?
Both are small sticks with similar power draw and no moving parts. The Plus has more RAM and a stronger chip, which tends to age better as apps grow heavier.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best Roku streaming players and sticks
—
2025
Power requirement—5VDC/1A
WiFi connectivity—dual-band WiFi
Included cable—USB-C to USB-A cable
Audio pass-through—DTS Digital Surround Dolby-encoded audio
Smart Home Platforms—Roku Smart Home, Alexa, Apple Homekit, Google H…
Display Output Resolution—HD
Ports And Interfaces—HDMI
Ethernet—No
Bluetooth Device Support—Yes, Yes (Bluetooth Headphone Mode)
Remote Included—Yes
Remote Type—Voice remote
Remote Features—Voice control
Audio Output—HDMI
Audio Support—Dolby Digital surround sound
USB Ports—USB port (for power)
Video Output—Dolby Vision
Video Highlights—HDR support
Form Factor—Stick
  • SpeedMixedSome owners report menus and app loading that lag behind faster players.