Comparison of Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Plus: Assessing the $10 Cost Variation

Comparison of Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Plus: Assessing the $10 Cost Variation

Comparison of Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Plus: Assessing the $10 Cost Variation


HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG cater to high-dynamic range media. Nevertheless, the Stick 4K further accommodates the Dolby Vision HDR format, adopted by numerous streaming platforms for enhanced video realism. Both devices feature integrated dual-band Wi-Fi 5 for online connectivity and can transmit Dolby and DTS-encoded surround audio via HDMI to your television. Additionally, the Stick 4K includes a USB power cable that serves as a Wi-Fi antenna, enhancing its Wi-Fi range, which can be beneficial if your router is located at a distance.

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and the Streaming Stick Plus represent two of the company’s most budget-friendly 4K media streaming options. Both share many similarities, including a stick-type design and HDR streaming support. However, the Streaming Stick 4K is priced at $49.99, which is $10 above the cost of the Streaming Stick Plus. So, what features distinguish the two, and are they compelling enough to justify the additional expense for the Streaming Stick 4K?

What additional features do you receive with the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Streaming Stick Plus?

Another significant difference between the two streaming devices is the capability of the Streaming Stick Plus to draw power directly from the TV’s USB port. In contrast to the Streaming Stick 4K, which includes a power adapter in the package and requires about 3.5W of power, Roku does not provide an adapter for the Streaming Stick Plus; instead, it recommends powering it through the USB port, as this device only needs 2.5W of power. Any TV USB port can deliver that, whether it’s USB 2.0 (commonly a black USB port) or USB 3.0 (<a href="https://www.bgr.com/1958136/what-blue-usb-port-means