Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) Review (2026): Complaints, Pros & Cons

#8 of 8

$$StickScore 2.9/5

of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)10,591 ratings.

Tom's Guide's best streaming device overall: tiny, powered by the TV's USB port, with good 4K HDR and Roku's simple menus. It drops Dolby Vision and Atmos, Tom's Guide calls the ads intrusive, and its list price rose from $40 to $60 in July 2026.

Top complaints

No Dolby Vision or AtmosVery common
Tom's Guide and PCMag both list the lack of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos as a con. Wirecutter says that's not worth saving about $10 over the Stick 4K.
Source: Tom's Guide best streaming devices, PCMag best media streamers, Wirecutter (NYT)
Intrusive adsMentioned often
Tom's Guide calls ads the biggest drawback, advising you to turn off video autoplay to avoid noisy videos on startup, and lists intrusive ads as a con.
Source: Tom's Guide best streaming devices, Tom's Guide best Roku devices
Disconnections and dead units for someMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says connectivity and the remote are mixed, with some owners reporting disconnections and several saying it stops working randomly. Tom's Guide notes the remote needs batteries and the stick doesn't fit behind every HDMI port.
Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), Tom's Guide best streaming devices

What owners love

Compact and powered by the TV
Tom's Guide praises how small it is and that it runs off the TV's USB port, which makes it good for travel. PCMag notes it doesn't need a wall outlet.
Source: Tom's Guide best streaming devices, PCMag best media streamers
Simple, snappy interface
Tom's Guide found 4K playback hitch-free with no slowdown while browsing. PCMag calls it the most user-friendly streamer. Amazon shoppers call it the best Roku yet and say it runs without lag.
Source: Tom's Guide best Roku devices, PCMag best media streamers, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
Niche apps and AirPlay
Tom's Guide notes niche services like HiDive are on Roku; PCMag lists AirPlay support.
Source: Tom's Guide best Roku devices, PCMag best media streamers

Skip it if…

You have a Dolby Vision TV or Atmos soundbar
You hate home-screen ads
You need Ethernet

Good for

Travel and second TVs
A simple, low-cost 4K upgrade
AirPlay from Apple devices

Scores (tap for why)

Speed & interface3.0
Why 3.0?
Snappy navigation in Tom's Guide testing and quick per PCMag's Roku stick reviews; the Ultra is smoother (Tom's Guide).
Source: Tom's Guide best Roku devices, PCMag best media streamers
Apps & formats3.0
Why 3.0?
4K with HDR10/HDR10+ and AirPlay, but no Dolby Vision, Atmos or Twitch (PCMag, Tom's Guide).
Source: PCMag best media streamers, Tom's Guide best Roku devices
Ads & privacy2.5
Why 2.5?
Tom's Guide lists intrusive ads and autoplaying video ads at startup as the biggest drawback.
Source: Tom's Guide best streaming devices
Remote3.0
Why 3.0?
Well laid out but basic and battery-powered, with no Voice Remote Pro (Tom's Guide). Amazon owners are mixed on the remote.
Source: Tom's Guide best Roku devices, Amazon.com product page
Wi-Fi & reliability3.0
Why 3.0?
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), no Ethernet (Tom's Guide). Amazon owners report disconnections and units that stop working, though only 5% of ratings are 1-2 stars.
Source: Tom's Guide best Roku devices, Amazon.com product page

What experts say

Tom's Guide: Best overall (updated 2026-10-01) and best-value Roku. Excellent 4K and a simple UI; the cons are ads, a battery remote and no Dolby Vision or Atmos.
PCMag: 4.0/5, most user-friendly streamer. It lacks Dolby Vision, Atmos and a Twitch app.
Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick: not sure who it's for, since you give up Dolby Vision and Atmos to save at most $10 versus the Stick 4K.

Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025): the downsides first

Top complaints

What owners love

Scores (tap for why)

What experts say

If that catch is a deal-breaker