Roku Express 4K+: A Budget-Friendly 4K Streaming Experience
Introduction
In the world of streaming devices, Roku has long been a budget-friendly option. With its latest release, the Roku Express 4K+, the company aims to elevate the standard of entry-level 4K streamers, offering a feature-rich experience at a competitive price point.
Design and Features
The Roku Express 4K+ maintains a compact design similar to its predecessors, ensuring it fits discreetly behind your TV. It comes with essential accessories: a 2-foot HDMI cable, a Micro USB cable, and a power adapter that can connect to either a wall outlet or your TV’s USB port.
The most significant upgrade lies in the remote control. Unlike earlier budget Roku players, the Express 4K+ features a remote with voice control, volume, and power buttons. It also utilizes dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi for faster and more stable connectivity.
Video and Audio Support
The Express 4K+ supports 4K resolution with HDR10 and HDR10+ support, ensuring a vibrant and detailed viewing experience. However, it lacks Dolby Vision support, which may limit its compatibility with some high-end TVs. On the audio side, it offers Dolby Atmos passthrough for immersive surround sound.
Software
Roku’s software remains a highlight, offering a user-friendly interface and a vast app selection. However, the lack of a universal streaming guide, akin to those found on competing devices, is a noticeable omission. Roku continues to prioritize free, ad-supported content, offering a dedicated "Featured Free" section and a free Roku Channel app.
Convenience Features
The Roku Express 4K+ excels in providing convenience features. Its mobile app allows for private listening through headphones and easy access to volume leveling and night modes. A dedicated rewind button with closed captions and a 5 GHz Wi-Fi reminder further enhance the user experience.
AirPlay and Voice Control
The Express 4K+ supports Apple’s AirPlay 2 protocol, making it easy to mirror your iPhone or iPad’s display or stream content to your TV. Voice control is also integrated, allowing you to search for content, launch apps, and control volume using voice commands.
Content Provider Disputes
It’s important to note that Roku has faced disputes with various content providers in recent years. While streaming carriage disputes are not uncommon, Roku has seemingly invited more of them lately. These disputes can potentially lead to the removal or limited availability of certain apps and services.
Comparison and Conclusion
The Roku Express 4K+ stands out as a compelling budget-friendly choice, offering a superior remote and a well-rounded feature set compared to its $30 Express and $50 Streaming Stick+ predecessors. While the Streaming Stick+’s built-in HDMI plug and better Wi-Fi performance might appeal to some, the Express 4K+’s voice control and HDR10+ support make it a more value-oriented option.
For those seeking Dolby Vision support or tighter integration with other ecosystems, the $100 Roku Ultra or competing devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Chromecast with Google TV, or Apple TV 4K might be more suitable. However, if you’re looking for an affordable and feature-rich 4K streaming experience without major compromises, the Roku Express 4K+ is an excellent choice.
