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Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 2022) vs Roku Ultra (2024)
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 2022) ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on speed & interface, apps & formats, ads & privacy, wi-fi & reliability. Roku Ultra (2024) wins on remote.
The biggest complaint about the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 2022) is expensive, and now pricier; for the Roku Ultra (2024) it's expensive for what it adds. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 2022) | Roku Ultra (2024) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in streaming devices | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Box with smart-home hub | Box |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 3% | 9% |
| Overall score | 4.2 | 3.6 |
| Speed & interface | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Apps & formats | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Ads & privacy | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Remote | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Wi-Fi & reliability | 4.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $50 · $$ $50–100 · $$$ over $100. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 2022)
- Expensive, and now pricier
CNET lists it as 'still a lot more expensive than rival, capable streamers' and Tom's Guide as 'still expensive'. PCMag notes Apple raised the price by $70 to $199 on June 25, 2026, citing memory costs.
- Finicky remote, no Find My
PCMag found the touchpad overly sensitive and the lack of a home button unintuitive (both can be changed in settings). Wirecutter calls the remote sometimes finicky, and Tom's Guide lists no Find My remote feature.
- Apple-first, with some gaps
Wirecutter says it puts Apple's content at the forefront. PCMag found tvOS and the Apple TV app confusingly overlapping, no live TV guide, no YouTube Music, and Siri only via the remote. Ethernet is only on the pricier model (CNET).
Roku Ultra (2024)
- Expensive for what it adds
Tom's Guide and PCMag list the price as a con. CNET says a speed bump, faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth aren't enough for a flagship, and the new remote can be added to any Roku for $30. Roku raised its list price to $150 in July 2026.
- Crashes and dropped connections for some
Amazon's review summary says connectivity is mixed, with some owners reporting frequent disconnections, and that some say the device crashes or freezes weekly and the remote doesn't work properly.
- Remote lost the headphone jack; voice lags
PCMag and CNET note the new Voice Remote Pro drops the 3.5mm headphone jack. CNET found it slower to respond to 'Hey Roku' than the old remote, and PCMag calls Roku's voice features stiff.
Source: PCMag review, CNET review
Who should pick which
Pick the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen, 2022) if
iPhone, Mac and HomeKit households
The fastest app loading
Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness+
Skip it if: You're on a budget; You don't use Apple services; You want hands-free voice control
Pick the Roku Ultra (2024) if
Roku fans who want the fastest Roku
Wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi 6 homes
A rechargeable remote you can find by voice
Skip it if: You want the snappiest box for the money; You want deep smart-home control; You want a headphone jack on the remote
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