Superior Streaming Stick for $50
Superior Streaming Stick for $50
3:16

Superior Streaming Stick for $50

Media Streamers
Roku's streaming boxes have gotten smaller and smaller over the years. And know they've finally whittled it all the way down to the Roku Streaming Stick. This is actually the second Streaming Stick that Roku's made. But the new model is a huge leap forward now that it works with any TV that has an HDMI port. And it's half the price at just $50. Hey, I'm Matthew Moskovciak for CNET and the streaming stick is Roku's answer to Google's $35 Chromecast. And it's the same compact form factor with essentially all the hardware of a full size Roku Box, packed into a device that's not much bigger than a USB Flash Drive. The plastic casing sports Roku's signature purple color which won't be on display since it's designed to live behind your tv in the spare HDMI port. The back of the tv placement would leave the stick almost entirely concealed, except it needs power. Which it can get from a USB port on your tv or by connecting to the included power adapter. With not much else to the device save for a micro USB port, a small indicator light and a tiny button you can use to reset the stick if it freezes up. In terms of internal hardware it has dual band wi-fi support as well as full [UNKNOWN] output. Now while the chrome cast relies on your smart phone or tablet for all it's navigation the streaming stick includes an actual remote. It's essentially the same remote you'd get with Roku's other budget streaming boxes. Although it works with WiFi direct. So it can communicate with the stick, when it's hidden behind your TV. Roku also lets you control the stick, using its mobile. And the streaming stick supports some casting functionality, similar to the Chromecast, for Netflix and YouTube. So with the streaming stick you get to choose which kind of control scheme you prefer. The streaming stick is also packed with apps. There are over 1200 apps on Roku's platform. And while many of these are filler, there's also a lot of great content. Including Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Pandora, MLB. TV. Amazon Cloud Player, Vudu and Showtime Anytime. Even better, the streaming sync has cross-platform search. So you can search for a movie or TV show and it will show you all the services that offer that content and how much it costs. Now when this version of the streaming stick fist came out, we liked almost everything about it, expect for the fact that some apps, like Netflix and YouTube took over 30 seconds to load. Since then, Roku's made big improvements to the Netflix app's load speed, getting it down to just five seconds. So while there are still some apps that take a while to boot up, it feels like a much smaller issue now that Netflix works quickly. And when you look at the total package, the Roku streaming stick is definitely worth the extra $15 over the Chromecast. With it's huge library of apps, the included remote, and cross-platform search the Roku 3 is still the better overall streamer, since it's faster and includes the cool remote with a built-in headphone jack, but also costs twice as much. So, when it comes to overall value, it's tough to beat the $50 Roku Streaming Stick. I'm Matthew Moskovciak from CNET, and this is the Roku Streaming Stick. [MUSIC]

Up Next

Roku vs. Chromecast vs. Apple TV 4K: What's the Best Streaming Device?
best-streaming-cnet-thumb

Up Next

Roku vs. Chromecast vs. Apple TV 4K: What's the Best Streaming Device?

Best Streaming Devices of 2022
best-streamers-2022-thumb

Best Streaming Devices of 2022

Best Rokus for 2022
selects-00-20-35-14-still003.png

Best Rokus for 2022

Apple TV 4K (2022) Review: An Excellent Streamer That's Still Too Expensive
apple-tv-2022-hands-on-5b

Apple TV 4K (2022) Review: An Excellent Streamer That's Still Too Expensive

7 Tips to Get More Out of Your Roku TV
screenshot-2022-08-16-at-12-52-46.png

7 Tips to Get More Out of Your Roku TV

Which Roku Is the Go-To? We Break It Down
006-roku-stick-plus

Which Roku Is the Go-To? We Break It Down

Roku Voice Remote Pro review: 'Hey Roku' only goes so far
fl-roku-voice-remote-pro

Roku Voice Remote Pro review: 'Hey Roku' only goes so far

Roku Remote Pro: Rechargeable battery, 'Hey Roku' voice and more for $30
roku-remote-pro

Roku Remote Pro: Rechargeable battery, 'Hey Roku' voice and more for $30

Apple reveals the HomePod Mini
homepod-mini-watch-apples-full-presentation-here-mp4-00-01-14-06-still001

Apple reveals the HomePod Mini

Chromecast with Google TV wants to help you find what to watch
new-chromecast-first-look-10

Chromecast with Google TV wants to help you find what to watch

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

Apple to Talk AI in June: This WWDC Is a Big Deal
240328-yt-omt-wwdc24-v07

Apple to Talk AI in June: This WWDC Is a Big Deal

New Xbox Leaked
240328-yt-xbox-leaked-image-v01

New Xbox Leaked

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
screenshot-2024-03-22-at-17-41-16.png

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
240321-site-nvidia-project-groot-vs-tesla-optimus-v1

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
240321-site-apple-and-gemini-ai

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
240320-site-nuro-r3-first-look-v1

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
240229-site-best-of-show-at-mwc

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
240225-site-lenovo-translucent-laptop-concept-v3

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
240225-site-motorola-rollable-concept

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist

Latest How To All how to videos

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
superbowl-tv-settings-thumb1

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
240202-site-spatial-computing-on-meta-quest-3

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro