Skip to content
Compare products

Review Streaming Devices

Roku Ultra (2024) review: buy or skip?

Buy8.4/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want the best Roku with every format. Why: fastest Roku with Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet and a backlit remote. The catch: ads in menu.

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 Ultra (2024)

Our verdict on the Roku Ultra (2024)

Buy it if
you want the best Roku with every format.
Skip it if
you want no ads on the home screen.
Best for
Best Roku
Key feature
Fastest Roku with Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet and a backlit remote
Typical price
$99
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Resolution4K
Dolby VisionYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6
Ads in menuYes

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want the best Roku with every format
  • value fast
  • can spend around $99

Skip it if you

  • you want no ads on the home screen
  • mind this: ads in menu
  • mind this: pricier than sticks

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+
  • Backlit remote
  • Ethernet

Cons

  • Ads in menu
  • Pricier than sticks

The verdict in one breath

The Roku Ultra (2024) is a streaming device we would point many buyers to. What earns it the buy: fastest Roku with Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet and a backlit remote. In our list it is the pick for: best Roku.

Reasons to buy

  • Fast
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+
  • Backlit remote
  • Ethernet

Reasons to skip

  • Ads in menu
  • Pricier than sticks

The specs that matter

  • Resolution: 4K
  • Dolby Vision: Yes
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
  • Ads in menu: Yes

Worth knowing

The Roku Ultra is the pick for anyone who wants Roku’s simple interface on a fast box.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want the best Roku with every format. Skip it if you want no ads on the home screen; the Google TV Streamer is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best streaming devices.

Alternatives worth considering

Google TV Streamer

Google · Streaming Devices

Google TV Streamer

Buy it if you use Google services and want a fast box with a findable remote.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Android homes
Typical price
$89–$99

Pros

  • Fast
  • Matter and Thread hub

Cons

  • Recommendations include ads
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)

Apple · Streaming Devices

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen)

Buy it if you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
A clean, ad-free interface
Typical price
$119–$149

Pros

  • Very fast
  • Ad-free interface

Cons

  • Expensive
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Roku Ultra (2024)?

Buy it, if you want the best Roku with every format. Why: fastest Roku with Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet and a backlit remote. The catch: ads in menu.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want no ads on the home screen. The Google TV Streamer is the better buy then.

What does the Roku Ultra (2024) cost?

Usually $99 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 Ultra (2024): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Roku Ultra (2024) worth buying? Short answer: buy it, if you want the best Roku with every format. 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 Ultra (2024) does well

The headline: fastest Roku with Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet and a backlit remote. Key specs: Resolution: 4K; Dolby Vision: Yes; Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6; Ads in menu: Yes. In our list it is the pick for: best Roku. It usually sells for $99.

The Roku Ultra is the pick for anyone who wants Roku's simple interface on a fast box.

The trade-offs

Good: fast, dolby Vision and HDR10+, backlit remote, ethernet. Not so good: ads in menu, pricier than sticks. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you want no ads on the home screen.

What to buy instead

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.

Instead, consider the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) ($119–$149): the fastest, cleanest streaming box with no ads in the menus. Better if you want the smoothest experience, especially with an iPhone.

Instead, consider the Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) ($149): fastest streamer with Ethernet, Thread and no ads. Better if you want the fastest, cleanest streaming experience.

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.