If your TV is too slow to stream built-in apps, here’s a decent deal that can solve your problem on the cheap. Roku Streaming Stick 4K is on sale again for $29. This offer will be available for most of the holiday season, and while it’s not the lowest it’s ever been (the dongle previously dropped to $25 towards the end of 2023), it’s comparable to the biggest discount we’ve tracked this year. For reference, Roku typically sells this device for $50, but in recent months it has often been sold for $34 at third-party retailers like Amazon. Either way, you’ll save a little more than you normally would.
This discount is available at multiple stores including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Roku.com. If you want to get this device as a Christmas present, it will be even more of a hassle. Most listings we found say they won’t ship until after the holidays, so you’ll probably need to order before the end of the year. -In-store pickup at Walmart, Best Buy, or other brick-and-mortar retailers.
Roku
That’s on par with Roku’s highest price for a 4K streaming dongle in a year.
$29 on Amazon
In our guide to the best streaming devices, we recommend the Streaming Stick 4K. While it’s not as fast or fluid as premium set-top boxes like the Apple TV 4K, it still loads apps and menus quickly, and its small design allows you to connect directly to your TV’s HDMI port. It supports nearly every major HDR format and streaming service (except Twitch), and even works with Apple’s AirPlay 2 protocol, so you can beam content from your iPhone. Although you can’t decode Dolby Atmos audio on its own, you can pass that audio to a compatible sound system from apps that support the technology.
Like other Roku devices, the Streaming Stick 4K is very easy to use, with the home screen consisting of a basic grid of apps. Google’s TV Streamer (the one we top in this guide) is much more proactive at recommending content you like and returning to recently watched shows, but if you don’t mind surfing , Roku’s interface may be more acceptable. For those who monitor themselves.
The UI also gives you easy access to a lot of free content, and we found that search worked well, even if it wasn’t as robust as Google’s OS. I also like Roku’s mobile app. This app allows you to control your device and listen privately with headphones. Like all streaming players, there are ads scattered throughout the UI, but Roku isn’t as aggressive as Amazon’s Fire TV devices.
Several other Roku devices are still available at Black Friday prices. These include the $24 Roku Express 4K+ (which doesn’t have Dolby Vision HDR) and the Roku Ultra, which has a larger box design, full Atmos support, and a more advanced remote control. ) $79. However, for most people considering a visit to Roku City, the Streaming Stick 4K should be the best value.
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