Consensus
Roku 4 is the best and most expensive streaming media player for those who have 4K Ultra HD TVs now or plan to get one in the future.
Average Overall Rating
★★★★★★★★★★
4.34 out of 5 stars (6 reviews)
Critics Reviews (Around the Web)
If what you want is an outstanding streaming media player with next-gen 4K support and access to all the hottest app-channels, the Roku 4 is tough to beat. Read full review →★★★★★★★★★★
4.5 out of 5 stars
– Home Theater Review · Dec 2, 2015
The biggest reasons to buy a Roku 4 are if you want something with a simple interface and the best selection of content. The only reasons to veer elsewhere are if you are particularly titillated by more advanced voice search (Amazon Fire TV 2) or better integration with your current mobile ecosystem (Apple TV). Read full review →
– Gizmodo · Oct 30, 2015
A future-proofed 4K version of the best streaming box (so far). $130 box is larger and faster, and it's overkill for most people right now. Read full review →
– Ars Technica · Oct 29, 2015
If you own a 4K TV, this is hands down the best video streaming system money can buy, offering more options than any one competitor. If you don't need Ultra-HD and still want some of the same amazing OS, consider stepping down to a Roku 2 or 3. Read full review →★★★★★★★★★★
4.5 out of 5 stars
– TechRadar · Oct 28, 2015
The Roku 4 is a great streaming box, but it's not a must-upgrade... as a whole is still the best-in-class streaming video box, due mostly to its volumes of programming, content-agnostic approach and ease-of-use. Read full review →★★★★★★★★★★
4.45 out of 5 stars
– The Verge · Oct 27, 2015
In my book the best streaming player for the money is still the Roku 2. The Roku 4 costs twice as much for the privilege of 4K streaming, along with a few other niceties like the remote finder and an optical output. But none of those extras are worth it for most people. Read full review →★★★★★★★★★★
4.1 out of 5 stars
– CNET · Oct 24, 2015
Simply put: The Roku 4 is the best 4K Ultra HD streaming set-top box on the market today. Read full review →★★★★★★★★★★
4.5 out of 5 stars
– Digital Trends · Oct 24, 2015
At $129.99 it won't break the bank, but the Amazon Fire TV offers nearly the same power and features for a slightly lower price, so it remains our Editors' Choice media streamer. Read full review →★★★★★★★★★★
4.0 out of 5 stars
– PC Magazine · Oct 21, 2015
Pros
- 4K streaming
- Voice search
- The Feed (follow content for updates)
- Headphone jack on remote for private listening
- USB and micro-SD slots for viewing external sources
- Google Play channel
- Offers games
- Huge selection of channels
- Faster internals, 802.11ac Wi-Fi
- More future-proof than other Roku devices
- Nice selection of ports, including optical audio out and Ethernet
- Nice remote app for your smartphone
- Excellent universal search function
- Quad-core processor for 60fps 4K
- Responsive, easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Interface show ads
- Batteries in remote don't last long
- Interface looks dated
- Voice search is basic and hit-or-miss
- Requires HDCP 2.2 for 4K streaming, something that not all 4K-capable TVs and receivers will support
- More expensive than Chromecast or Roku stick for basic streaming
- Poor selection of games
- High power consumption
- Audible noise and heat
- No HDR support
- Some apps feel dated
- Pricier than all previous iterations
Our Final Conclusion
This future-proof set-top 4k streamer should handle all of your movie and TV needs for many years to come, as long as you never need to watch anything from iTunes.
Product Overview
October 6, 2015 - Roku today announced the Roku 4 streaming player, which streams 4K Ultra HD (UHD) videos as well as Full HD 1080p content. In addition to its sleek new design, the Roku 4 includes a new handy Remote Finder feature, which enables you to locate your remote control at the touch of a button. The new streaming media player will cost $130, which is a $30 dollar premium over Roku 3 without 4K. The Roku 4 runs the new... Read product announcement →
