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Save 25 percent on a refurbished Roku box

This deal means a Roku 2 XD for $59.99 or a Roku 2 XS for $74.99 -- and with the same warranty as a new unit.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
2 min read
You can save a full 25 percent when you opt for a refurbished Roku.
You can save a full 25 percent when you opt for a refurbished Roku. Roku

This is an update of a deal I posted a couple of months ago.

Finding out what all the "Downton Abbey" fuss is about. The arrival of movies like "Mission Impossible III" and "Team America: World Police" on Netflix. The early debut of shows on Hulu.

These are just a few of the reasons why you need a Roku. As I've noted before, I think these little boxes are the best way to bring streaming media into your living room. They sling not only Netflix, but also Amazon Instant Video, CNET, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, MLB.TV, Pandora, and a host of other awesome channels.

Rokus are already reasonably priced, IMHO, but now they're even better: for a limited time, you can get a Roku 2 XD for $59.99 shipped or a Roku 2 XS for $74.99 shipped. Those prices are 25 percent off list.

Update: Although my cart showed free shipping when I checked out earlier today, it's now adding $9.99 for ground shipping. I apologize for the discrepancy; not sure why Roku suddenly changed gears on that.

Update No. 2: Roku contacted me to clarify: Free shipping is standard only with new Roku players. It has updated its promo page to reflect the shipping charge on the refurbs.

(Also: the much-ballyhooed Roku LT is back in stock, though it's still priced at $49.99. For an extra $10, the Roku 2 XD is a much smarter buy.)

Never mind that the XD and XS are refurbs; they come with the same 90-day warranty as new Rokus. (Wait, only 90 days? Eh, I guess they don't have many mechanical parts that can break.)

Both these models can stream video at up to 1080p (unlike the LT, which tops out at 720p). So what's the difference between them? The top-of-the-line XS adds a motion-sensitive remote, USB and Ethernet ports, and Angry Birds. I'm not sure those items are worth the extra $15, but the option is there for those who want it. The XS sells new for $99.99, so it's still a great savings. See CNET's review.

I cannot overstate my love for Roku boxes; I own three. They're cheap, they're adorably small, they have no monthly fees (other than what you pay for services like Hulu Plus and Netflix), and they work beautifully.

If you haven't yet pulled the trigger, here's your chance to score a higher-end model for a lower-end price. Oh, and make sure you grab the Roku remote app (Android | iOS), which is equal parts fun and practical. Android users should also check out Juice, which lets you stream photos and music from your device to your box.

Watch this: Roku 2 XS