# Roku Ultra: The Premier Streaming Device with Speed, Applications, and an Exceptional Remote
In the current streaming landscape, possessing a dependable and swift device is crucial for an uninterrupted entertainment experience. The **Roku Ultra** has emerged as a leading player in the streaming box arena, providing a mix of speed, application accessibility, and an intuitive remote that differentiates it from others. With a reasonable price of $99 (often available for $89), the Roku Ultra represents a fantastic upgrade for anyone aiming to improve their home entertainment system.
## My Transition to Roku Ultra
A few months back, I began facing problems with the integrated apps on my 2017 LG OLED television. Applications would crash, buffer endlessly, or simply fail to initiate. I attempted to cast apps from my phone to my Chromecast Ultra, but soon I realized that casting alone wasn’t sufficient. I longed for a dedicated remote, which the Chromecast lacked. That’s when I opted to try the **Roku Ultra**, and it has been a transformative experience ever since.
### The Roku Ultra Journey
Having previously used Roku devices with my old TCL television, I was already acquainted with the platform. However, I didn’t expect just how much superior the **Roku Ultra** would be compared to the built-in applications on my LG OLED TV. From speed to visual quality, the Roku Ultra surpassed my expectations in almost every aspect.
#### Speed and Efficiency
One of the most notable attributes of the Roku Ultra is its **speed**. Moving through applications and menus is remarkably seamless, and there’s no delay when transitioning between streaming platforms. This stands in stark contrast to the sluggish performance I encountered with the integrated apps on my television, particularly with platforms like **Apple TV Plus**. On the Roku Ultra, everything loads swiftly and operates smoothly.
#### Application Diversity and Quality
The Roku Ultra boasts an extensive array of applications, and the quality of these apps is frequently superior to their counterparts found on smart televisions. For example, watching series like **Rings of Power** on the Prime Video app via the Roku Ultra showcased enhanced colors and HDR quality compared to the native Prime Video app on my television. Additionally, several apps that were unavailable on my TV were easily accessible on the Roku Ultra, making it a more adaptable choice.
Another major perk is the **”skip intro”** feature that numerous apps on Roku support. When casting from my phone to Chromecast, this feature was often lacking, which detracted from the viewing experience.
### The Remote: A Revolutionary Addition
One of the standout features of the Roku Ultra is its **remote**. Unlike Chromecast, which lacks a physical remote, the Roku Ultra includes a thoughtfully designed, backlit remote that is simple to use in any lighting conditions. The remote also incorporates **voice functionality**, enabling you to search for shows or manage playback without needing to touch the remote. I’ve frequently found myself using voice commands like “Hey Roku, pause” when the remote was out of reach.
Moreover, the remote includes a **find-my-remote** feature, which has been a lifesaver on several occasions when it vanished into the couch cushions. A quick press of a button on the Roku Ultra box makes the remote emit a sound, facilitating easy retrieval.
While the remote is nearly flawless, I do wish it featured **gyro-aiming support**, akin to the LG OLED TV remote. However, given the price and other functionalities, this is a minor inconvenience.
### Visual Excellence
The Roku Ultra supports **4K HDR** streaming, delivering breathtaking picture quality. Shows and movies appear vibrant and clear, with particularly impressive HDR performance. Whether I’m viewing content on Netflix, Prime Video, or Apple TV Plus, the Roku Ultra consistently provides exceptional visuals.
### Voice Control and Usability
The voice control feature on the Roku Ultra remote is an outstanding inclusion. Not only can users search for content using voice commands, but playback control is also possible. For instance, if you’re sitting across the room and wish to pause a show, you can simply say, “Hey Roku, pause,” and the playback will halt without the need to touch the remote. This capability reminds me of the old **Xbox One Kinect** voice control, and it’s incredibly handy.
### One Minor Shortcoming: Absence of Google Cast Support
While the Roku Ultra excels in many respects, it does have a small limitation: it lacks **Google Cast** support. This means that if you possess a device that solely supports Google Cast, you will have to discover a workaround to cast content to your TV. For instance, when I attempted to cast content from my **Meta Quest 3S** VR headset, I had to cast to the Meta Horizon app on my phone and then mirror my phone’s display to the TV.
While this is not a dealbreaker for me, it’s worth noting if you heavily depend on
