(checked 2026-10-10)99,178 ratings; the listing pools style variants.
Wirecutter's pick for Roku fans and CNET's top-rated stick (9.0): simple, with Dolby Vision, AirPlay and a long-range Wi-Fi receiver. It's much slower than the boxes, there's no Ethernet, and Roku raised its list price from $50 to $80 in July 2026.
Top complaints
- Slow next to the boxes
Wirecutter says it's much slower to load apps, move through tiles and answer voice queries than its other picks.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Weaker search and discovery
Wirecutter says Roku's interface feels dated and doesn't show what you were watching across apps. CNET lists a limited voice assistant, no smart-home control and no gaming services, and says it doesn't support Dolby Atmos (Wirecutter says it passes Atmos through).
- Remote problems for some
Amazon's review summary says the remote gets mixed feedback, with some owners reporting it would not work.
What owners love
- Simple, clean interface
Wirecutter calls the home screen clean and easy to customize. Amazon shoppers say it works out of the box and praise the uncluttered interface and value.
- Wide format support and AirPlay
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG, plus AirPlay 2 and the Apple TV app (Wirecutter). CNET praises the app selection and search.
- RF remote with TV controls
The remote works through walls and cabinets and has TV power, volume and mute; the Roku app adds private listening (Wirecutter).
Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
- You want the fastest app loading
- You want one home screen across services
- You need Ethernet
- A simple app-grid interface
- Hiding the player behind the TV
- iPhone owners who want AirPlay
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best for Roku fans and stick lovers (updated 2026-03-05). Clean and app-rich, but slower and with weaker discovery than Google TV.
- CNET: Best stick for HDR content, 9.0/10. It costs $10 more than the nearly identical Stick Plus and lacks Atmos, gaming and smart-home control.