Editor’s observe, Nov. 1, 2023: Though it was launched again in 2021, the Roku Categorical 4K Plus stays our Editors Alternative choose for 4K streaming units in 2023. Even two years on, the Roku Categorical 4K Plus stays responsive operating Roku’s newest software program, maintains its easy app-based menus and is a greater than succesful streamer that provides spectacular worth for the cash. As we talked about in our Streaming Stick 4K overview, the variations between the Categorical 4K Plus and Stick 4K are minimal and since each are often on sale we advocate going with whichever of the 2 is cheaper. We give the Categorical 4K Plus the slight edge primarily as a result of it usually is at a lower cost. Take a look at our Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs. Roku Categorical 4K Plus comparability for extra particulars.
Our authentic overview, from Might. 11, 2021, is as follows.
The Roku Categorical 4K Plus units a excessive bar for options and worth, beating out different Rokus just like the $50 Streaming Stick 4K, as effectively inexpensive streamers like Google’s $50 Chromecast with Google TV and Amazon’s $50 Hearth TV Stick 4K.
Watch this: Which Roku Is the Go-To? We Break It Down
Easy
Roku
interface? Examine. 4K HDR streaming? Examine. Wired Ethernet assist with an optionally available adapter? Yup. Cheaper value? At $40 in comparison with Roku’s personal Streaming Stick 4K’s $50 sticker worth, the Categorical 4K Plus has that, too. After utilizing the gadget for just a few days, watching all the things from Netflix and Disney Plus to Apple TV Plus and
YouTube TV
, I can say the Roku Categorical 4K Plus deserves CNET’s Editors’ Alternative award as the most effective streaming gadget for the cash.
9.5
Roku Categorical 4K Plus
Rating Breakdown
Options 9Worth 10Design 9Ecosystem 10Efficiency 9
$30 at Amazon
Like
Tremendous easy, app-based menus
Cheaper than 4K HDR rivals
Quick and responsive
Ethernet assist (with third-party adapter)
Don’t love
No Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist
Roku’s voice assistant stays weaker than rivals from Amazon, Apple and Google.
A easy, acquainted design
All the pieces you want is included within the field.
As with different current refreshes, corresponding to Roku’s 2020 Extremely or Apple’s new Apple TV 4K, the surface of the Categorical 4K Plus will look awfully acquainted. It is barely bigger however retains the half-moon dongle design of the cheaper, HD-only Categorical, and on the rear, there’s an HDMI output and a Micro-USB port for energy, in addition to a reset button.
The entrance is shiny and nondescript, with only a single indicator mild. The underside is the place you’ll be able to apply the included adhesive strip to connect the miniature field to the again or backside of your TV. As a result of the Categorical 4K Plus ships with Roku’s “level anyplace” voice distant, you’ll be able to cover the field just about anyplace close to your TV and it’ll nonetheless work — it does not require direct line-of-sight to regulate the participant.
In my testing I had the Categorical 4K Plus positioned behind a few-years-old Samsung 4K TV and encountered no points controlling it with the distant. I used to be additionally in a position to energy the Roku instantly from my Samsung’s built-in USB port, no energy adapter required. Utilizing the gadget with a 2019 TCL 6-Collection Roku TV equally produced no points. Assuming you will have a reasonably current TV with a 5V USB port, the Roku ought to work advantageous hiding utilizing your TV’s energy.
Along with the tape, Roku contains Micro-USB and HDMI cables and AAA batteries for the distant, together with a wall adapter for energy in case you might want to use that as an alternative. Retaining the Roku plugged into the wall for energy, versus your TV, can even save just a few seconds of boot-up time.
Whereas it will’ve been good for Roku to lastly embrace USB-C, on this gadget — which is supposed to be plugged into your tv and left alone — I do not thoughts the usage of the growing older port.
The distant has the identical easy format and design discovered on different Rokus, with TV quantity controls on the right-hand aspect. There isn’t a rechargeable battery or always-listening microphone (for that you’re going to must shell out one other $30 for the corporate’s Voice Distant Professional), however it’s a completely good controller that paired immediately with each the Categorical 4K Plus and simply managed quantity, mute and energy on my TV.
The one actual distinction I observed was a brand new shortcut key: this distant has the brand new Apple TV Plus button to go together with devoted keys for Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu.
Notice: An Categorical 4K with out the “Plus” within the identify will probably be accessible for $35 at Walmart. The one distinction between this gadget and that one is the Categorical 4K Plus comes with this higher distant versus a easy, IR one which lacks voice and TV management. I might advocate spending the additional $5 to get the Categorical 4K Plus.
Strong 4K HDR streaming
Working on Roku’s newest OS 10 software program, the interface is basically the identical as all its current units, full with the identical shortcomings corresponding to the constraints of its voice assistant in comparison with these of Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Assistant.
That stated, all of the apps I attempted on the Categorical 4K Plus appeared to open and cargo shortly and painlessly. I had no issues opening reveals or films on Disney Plus, Netflix or Apple TV Plus, and playback of a baseball sport on MLB.TV or a Champions League soccer match on YouTube TV each opened and loaded shortly. I observed it was additionally barely zippier opening apps in comparison with my Streaming Stick Plus.
(I used to be in a position to get YouTube TV to reinstall from a backup of older Rokus regardless of the corporate’ ongoing carriage dispute with Google, which has additionally added a strategy to watch YouTube TV by way of the common YouTube app.)
I had to enter my TV’s settings to verify my Samsung was set correctly to HDMI UHD Colour to allow 4K HDR. As soon as that was arrange, the Roku was in a position to reap the benefits of the upper high quality streams. I had no such points establishing 4K HDR on the TCL.
I used to be equally impressed with how effectively the Categorical 4K Plus dealt with Apple AirPlay, which, as with all current Rokus, is obtainable on the gadget. Streaming movies off of YouTube or mimicking my
iPhone’s
display labored advantageous, and I used to be even in a position to play video games solid from an iPhone through Apple Arcade or the Xbox Cloud Gaming iOS beta.
The previous labored so much higher than the latter, and whereas the Roku is not designed to play video games, it labored effectively sufficient casting that I do surprise if apps for cloud-based gaming could possibly be in Roku’s future.
Additionally new on this Categorical 4K Plus is the flexibility to attach Ethernet, a function that on its gamers has most just lately been restricted to its Extremely bins. As with different streaming gamers just like the Amazon Hearth TV Stick 4K. I used a $12 cable from an organization known as UGreen. With this, I merely plugged within the cable to the Roku’s micro-USB port, linked the adapter’s USB energy to my TV’s USB port and plugged in an Ethernet cable.
The large distinction between this and the Extremely is that the Categorical 4K Plus lacks Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist. Seeing as how rival $50 streamers corresponding to Google’s Chromecast with Google TV and Amazon’s Hearth TV Stick 4K each assist Dolby Imaginative and prescient, it will have been nice to see Roku embrace it right here. Then again, we do not think about Dolby Imaginative and prescient vital, partly as a result of it is not a serious picture high quality improve over normal HDR.
Dolby Atmos audio is supported by the Categorical Plus 4K on sure apps if in case you have the correct sound system.
Roku Categorical 4K Plus vs. Roku Streaming Stick 4K
The Categorical 4K Plus and its distant, left, subsequent to the Streaming Stick 4K.
The most important query for these taking a look at Roku’s lineup might be which of these two units you can purchase. Roku costs the Categorical 4K Plus at $40, whereas the Streaming Stick 4K sells for $50. What does that $10 distinction get you? Not a complete lot.
The principle distinction is that you just get Dolby Imaginative and prescient on the Streaming Stick 4K, plus a sleeker stick design that’s good for wall-mounted TVs and long-range wi-fi. Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist is the largest promoting level right here, provided that the Categorical 4K Plus can simply tuck underneath or behind a TV. Roku additionally by no means quantifies its Wi-Fi enchancment and I’ve discovered that sign on the Categorical 4K Plus works advantageous, and in contrast to the Streaming Stick Plus, this gadget is appropriate with Ethernet adapters for wired connections if wanted.
So is Dolby Imaginative and prescient value the additional cash? For some folks, possibly. But it surely’s a function that’s solely helpful for many who personal TVs that additionally assist Dolby Imaginative and prescient. For those who personal a Samsung TV, for instance, do not hassle — your TV does not assist it. And even on TVs that do assist Dolby Imaginative and prescient, its enchancment over normal HDR is often minimal.
My choose? Save the $10 and get the Categorical 4K Plus.
Roku Categorical 4K Plus or Chromecast with Google TV?
Google’s Chromecast with Google TV is the closest competitor to Roku’s gamers. We in contrast the newest Chromecast with Roku’s Streaming Stick Plus in December, and whereas Google’s participant has glorious search and voice management, it was onerous to beat Roku’s super-simple interface.
Whereas it stays to be seen what sort of updates Google will give its revamped Google TV platform at its I/O developer convention
9.5
Roku Categorical 4K Plus
Rating Breakdown
Options 9Worth 10Design 9Ecosystem 10Efficiency 9
$30 at Amazon
Like
Tremendous easy, app-based menus
Cheaper than 4K HDR rivals
Quick and responsive
Ethernet assist (with third-party adapter)
Don’t love
No Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist
Roku’s voice assistant stays weaker than rivals from Amazon, Apple and Google.
, for now, Roku stays the selection for most individuals, particularly when you think about the Categorical 4K Plus is $10 cheaper than Google’s participant.
