Your Guide to Roku Streaming Devices

Roku streaming media players are a favorite among TV watchers because they offer a larger number of channels—Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc—than any other streaming media player. Plus, they’re extremely easy to use. You can even stream movies directly from your computer hard drive—no HDMI cable necessary!—using the “Plex” channel. Once you’ve added Plex to your Roku menu and downloaded the app on your computer, the set-up is simple and straightforward. Some models also have headphone output and a voice-search feature, both of which are accessible via the remote control or the Roku app on your phone. Once you’ve created a Roku account, you can use it for access across multiple devices. It only takes a few minutes to connect and let the streaming begin.

Roku Premiere has fewer bells and whistles than newer Roku models like the Ultra and Streaming Stick+, but it offers full resolution capabilities of 4K TV and has all the features that have made Roku a hit since it first hit the market in 2014.

The Ultra streaming media player is Roku’s top-of-the-line model. It includes all the standard brand features plus a finder function to locate a misplaced remote. It also has a USB port that you can use to watch content from your personal library simply by connecting the device to a hard drive or memory stick. JBL premium headphones are included for quiet binge sessions.

You won’t find a Roku device more portable than the Streaming Stick+. Just plug it into the HDMI port on your television and enjoy. And here’s the added bonus: An external wireless extender increases the range of the device. That means you can use it several rooms away from your wireless router and still receive impeccable reception.