X

Roku's new Streaming Stick takes on Chromecast (pictures)

Roku has revamped its Streaming Stick, making it compatible with any TV that has an HDMI input and a new $49 price.

Matthew Moskovciak
Covering home audio and video, Matthew Moskovciak helps CNET readers find the best sights and sounds for their home theaters. E-mail Matthew or follow him on Twitter @cnetmoskovciak.
Matthew Moskovciak
Roku_Streaming_Stick-15.jpg
1 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Roku's new $49 Streaming Stick

Google Chromecast, you're not the only stick in town.

Roku announced the Roku Streaming Stick today, which manages to pack nearly all the functionality of a full-size Roku box into a device not much bigger than an USB flash drive. It's actually a new version of Roku's old MHL-based Streaming Stick, but there are two major differences: it now works with any TV that has an HDMI input, and it's half the price, at just $49.

Roku_Streaming_Stick-16.jpg
2 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

HDMI-compatible

The Streaming Stick sports Roku's signature purple color and it's designed to connect directly into a spare HDMI port on your TV.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-18.jpg
3 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Small, simple

It's just a little over three inches long and there's not much else to the device, save for the HDMI connector, a micro-USB port, an indicator light, and a tiny button to reset the stick.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-17.jpg
4 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Micro-USB for power

The Micro-USB port lets you power the device, by connecting it to a USB port on the TV (if it has one) or using the included power adapter.
IMG_3031.jpg
5 of 26 Matthew Moskovciak/CNET

Fits behind your TV

The tucked-away location of the Streaming Stick means it likely won't work with a universal remote.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-13.jpg
6 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

AC adapter included

Roku includes a power adapter and a Micro-USB-to-USB cable.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-21.jpg
7 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Roku Streaming Stick vs. Chromecast

If this all sounds familiar, that's because the design is awfully similar to Google's $35 Chromecast. It's hard not to see the updated Streaming Stick as a response to Google's popular streamer.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-22.jpg
8 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Roku Streaming Stick vs. Chromecast

The Streaming Stick is slightly longer but doesn't have the bulbous end of the Chromecast.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-12.jpg
9 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Remote included

So what do you get for the extra $15 over the Chromecast? For one, you get a traditional remote and an onscreen interface. It's a pretty standard Roku remote, and it works via Wi-Fi Direct, so it can still control the Streaming Stick when it's hidden behind your TV.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-20.jpg
10 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

No headphone jack

Note that the remote doesn't have the neat headphone jack for private listening, so you'll still need to step up to a Roku 2 or Roku 3 for that feature.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-23.jpg
11 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

More apps

The other major perk over the Chromecast is you get access to all 1,200 of Roku's apps, or "channels" in Roku's parlance.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-07.jpg
12 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

More channels

The Streaming Stick supports nearly every major service -- such as Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Amazon Instant, MLB.TV, Showtime Anytime, and PBS -- as well as a huge number of niche content sources. While the Chromecast has added some crucial apps since its launch (including HBO Go, Hulu Plus, and Pandora), it still can't compare to Roku's sprawling and frequently updated library.
IMG_3034.jpg
13 of 26 Matthew Moskovciak/CNET

New app coming in April

Roku also showed off an upcoming version of its overhauled mobile app, which is due in April.
IMG_3044.jpg
14 of 26 Matthew Moskovciak/CNET

Integrated cross-platform search

Besides the new look, the app also integrates Roku's excellent cross-platform search, which scours several major content sources (including Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, and Hulu Plus) to find where a TV show or movie is available and how much it costs.
IMG_3039.jpg
15 of 26 Matthew Moskovciak/CNET

Plays right on Roku

Select one of the services and it plays right on your Roku. It's a great feature to add to the mobile app, where it can be easier to type in search terms, although Roku's predict-as-you-type searching using the onscreen keyboard is pretty quick, too.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-01.jpg
16 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

The box

Roku also had the retail packaging for the Streaming Stick on display.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-29.jpg
17 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Back of the box

Roku_Streaming_Stick-02.jpg
18 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Unboxing

While it may not match Apple's celebrated packaging, it's clearly a step above your typical retail box.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-03.jpg
19 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Happy streaming

Roku_Streaming_Stick-06.jpg
20 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Remote underneath

Pull out the Streaming Stick and the remote is underneath.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-24.jpg
21 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

AC adapter, Micro-USB cable, and manual

At the very bottom, you'll find the power adapter, a Micro-USB cable and the manual.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-14.jpg
22 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Specs

The Streaming Stick measures 0.5-inch high, 3.1 inches long, 1.1 inches wide, and it weighs 0.64-ounce.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-11.jpg
23 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Hardware

In terms of the hardware, the Streaming Stick has 1080p output and dual-band Wi-Fi support. Roku says the internal chip is similar to the one in the Roku 1, so it likely won't be quite as lightning-fast as the Roku 3.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-10.jpg
24 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Power consumption

Roku rates the Streaming Stick's power consumption at less than two watts when streaming HD video.
IMG_3033.jpg
25 of 26 Matthew Moskovciak/CNET

USB cable length

I didn't have a tape measure on hand, but the Micro-USB cable easily reached across the length of the TV in the demo.
Roku_Streaming_Stick-28.jpg
26 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Coming in April

The new Roku Streaming Stick is scheduled to come out in April for $49. I'll have a full review as soon as I get my hands on a review sample, but from my initial impressions the new Streaming Stick has a decent shot at dethroning our current Editors' Choice, the Roku 3.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos