Skip to content
Compare products

Review Streaming Devices

Roku Streaming Stick (2025) review: buy or skip?

Consider7.2/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you have an older HD TV. Why: small, cheap HD stick powered by the TV's USB port. The catch: HD only.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money

Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

Our verdict on the Roku Streaming Stick (2025)

Buy it if
you have an older HD TV.
Skip it if
you have a 4K TV.
Best for
HD TVs
Key feature
Small, cheap HD stick powered by the TV's USB port
Typical price
$29
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Resolution1080p
Dolby VisionNo
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5
Ads in menuYes

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you have an older HD TV
  • value very small
  • can spend around $29

Skip it if you

  • you have a 4K TV
  • mind this: HD only
  • mind this: basic remote

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Very small
  • Cheap
  • No power brick
  • Simple

Cons

  • HD only
  • Basic remote

The verdict in one breath

The Roku Streaming Stick (2025) is a good streaming device for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: small, cheap HD stick powered by the TV’s USB port. Check the skip-if line before you order.

Reasons to buy

  • Very small
  • Cheap
  • No power brick
  • Simple

Reasons to skip

  • HD only
  • Basic remote

The specs that matter

  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Dolby Vision: No
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5
  • Ads in menu: Yes

Worth knowing

For 4K TVs, the Streaming Stick 4K is the better Roku.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you have an older HD TV. Skip it if you have a 4K TV; the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best streaming devices.

Alternatives worth considering

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Roku · Streaming Devices

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Buy it if you want the simplest menus and every streaming service.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Tight budgets
Typical price
$29–$49

Pros

  • Very simple
  • Every app

Cons

  • Slower than boxes
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Roku Express 4K+

Roku · Streaming Devices

Roku Express 4K+

Buy it if you want 4K streaming for very little.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Budget 4K
Typical price
$29–$39

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Simple

Cons

  • No Dolby Vision
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Roku Streaming Stick (2025)?

Consider it, if you have an older HD TV. Why: small, cheap HD stick powered by the TV's USB port. The catch: HD only.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you have a 4K TV. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the better buy then.

What does the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) cost?

Usually $29 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Roku Streaming Stick (2025): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) worth buying? Short answer: consider it, if you have an older HD TV. This review explains what this Roku model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which streaming device to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Roku Streaming Stick (2025) does well

The headline: small, cheap HD stick powered by the TV's USB port. Key specs: Resolution: 1080p; Dolby Vision: No; Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5; Ads in menu: Yes. In our list it is the pick for: HD TVs. It usually sells for $29.

For 4K TVs, the Streaming Stick 4K is the better Roku.

The trade-offs

Good: very small, cheap, no power brick, simple. Not so good: HD only, basic remote. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you have a 4K TV.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($29–$49): simple, neutral platform with every app for little money. Better if you want the simplest menus and every streaming service.

Instead, consider the Roku Express 4K+ ($29–$39): cheap 4K HDR streaming with Roku's simple interface. Better if you want 4K streaming for very little.

Instead, consider the Google TV Streamer ($89–$99): fast Google TV box with great recommendations and a smart home hub. Better if you use Google services and want a fast box with a findable remote.

Before you buy

Ecosystem: Apple TV suits iPhone homes; Google TV and Roku suit everyone; Fire TV suits Alexa homes. Speed: a faster box makes menus and apps much nicer to use, especially on older TVs. Formats: look for 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Atmos if your TV supports them.

US buyer tip

Fire TV and Roku sticks drop to very low prices on Prime Day and Black Friday, so time the purchase if you can.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.