Description. The new Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a small, stick style streaming player that plugs directly into an HDMI port. The major new addition to the 2021 model is support for Dolby Vision. The major new addition to the 2021 model is support for Dolby Vision. The difference between this and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ is that this model has a standard Roku Voice Remote instead of the new Roku Voice Remote Pro that comes with the higher end model. The model we tested has dedicated buttons on the remote for accessing Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Hulu though streaming service buttons may vary depending on where you purchase the player.
Setup. This player is generally easy to set up, though it requires you to register the device using a computer or mobile device. It has an onscreen guide that automatically scans for available Wi-Fi networks, but it does not support WPS connection, which does not require you to enter a password.
Ease of use. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is easy to use:
Interface. The main home screen uses graphic tiles for all the available apps and content, and it can be customized for easier access to your favorite apps. It has a search function that will search several of the available video streaming services for content. Search results are unbiased based on service provider and are instead listed in price order. It also has a responsive voice search function, which is more convenient than typing in search terms with the on screen keyboard. We found this Roku to be responsive, which allowed quick navigation of the menus and content.
Remote control.. This device comes with the Roku Voice Remote which supports bluetooth so it does not need to be pointed directly at the Roku to control it. The remote has power, volume and mute buttons for controlling your connected TV. It also has a built-in microphone and a dedicated voice search button. The microphone can also be used for speech to text which makes it easier to input passwords, however the function is not currently supported by all apps. You can also download an app that lets you use a phone or tablet to control the player, and use the device's keyboard to enter text. The app lets you search for content and use the device's built-in microphone to do voice searches, access channels directly without navigating the player's menu, and beam photos and music stored on the device to the player.
Picture quality. This player supports up to 4K UHD output. In general we found the streaming picture quality to be excellent. Streaming quality is very similar to what we see with streaming content on the best UHD Smart TVs. This device also supports HDR10, HDR 10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision playback. You will need a compatible TV to take advantage of UHD and HDR formats. The quality of the video you will get is largely dependent on the speed of your network and the picture quality of your television.
Audio. This player will output multichannel digital audio via HDMI. It also supports Dolby Atmos.
Connections. Given its design, this player has a limited number of connections. It has one HDMI output. It supports the Wi-Fi standards up to 802.11ac, which supports dual-band 5GHz networks. It also supports screen mirroring, so you can mirror the screen of any supported device. AirPlay is also supported so you can mirror and display content from an iOS device.
Miscellaneous. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is compatible with smart speakers that support Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
