How Do I Control The Volume On My Roku Express

Roku revamped its whole lineup recently, replacing its old numbered models with new branded ones. Among the new models is the Wi-Fi-merely Roku Express, which replaces the old Roku 1 and targets "budget-conscious" consumers. But wait, doesn't that audio at a lot like the Roku Streaming Stick? Here's our guide to the Roku Express vs. Roku Streaming Stick showdown.

Roku Express vs. Roku Streaming Stick

The Roku Express and Roku Streaming Stick are both relatively low-cost streaming solutions. Both rely on Wi-Fi to stream content, and both apply Roku's popular operating system. And so only what is the departure between the 2? Let's take a await at how the devices differ in a few major categories. Beneath, nosotros'll look at the hardware in the device, the form factors, the remotes (which are different, believe it or not), and, of course, the prices.

Hardware

Under the hood, the Roku Streaming Stick is the more powerful of these two devices. The Roku Streaming Stick has a quad-core processor, which the Roku Express lacks, and that's the chief hardware difference between the two. Both devices accept 802.11 (b/g/n) wireless.

Neither device supports 4K video – you'll have to pace upward to the Premiere, Premiere+, or Ultra for that. Both the Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku Express top out at 1080p.

In practice, we oasis't establish much of a departure between the two in terms of streaming operation. The Roku Streaming Stick, however, is the more powerful device.

Class factor

Both of these devices are very, very small. The Roku Express is probably a fleck better looking, though that's a thing of gustatory modality – and information technology'southward of import to note that the Roku Streaming Stick's design makes information technology virtually certain that you lot won't be able to see information technology when you're facing your TV. The Roku Streaming Stick plugs direct into an HDMI port, so you'll have to look at the back of your Telly to even see the affair.

We'll talk more about this in a minute, but considering of the Roku Express' remote, the device needs to exist visible from wherever you're sitting and watching. The Express can sit on your entertainment center or can be stuck to the side or top of your TV with the included double-stick agglutinative strip. Information technology'southward non an eyesore past any means, but it's plain more noticeable than the hidden Roku Streaming Stick.

The concluding matter to annotation here is that the Roku Streaming Stick is a lilliputian more than portable. Because it plugs directly into the HDMI port, it has one less cord to worry virtually.

Remotes

I difference between the Roku Express and Roku Streaming Stick? The remote control. While both remotes await pretty much the aforementioned, the Roku Streaming Stick's remote is a "point anywhere" remote – in other words, it doesn't have to exist aimed at the device to command it. That's a good affair, since the Roku Streaming Stick is designed to hide behind your Tv set.

With the Roku Express, though, yous'll have to aim at the device. That sounds like a pocket-size thing, just as we noted in our review, information technology'south a little annoying when you're used to the bespeak-anywhere remote.

Other than this, both remotes are pretty much the same. They both have headphone jacks for private listening, and they both have shortcut buttons for popular streaming services.

Cost

The Roku Express is the more affordable of the two devices. The Roku Limited is priced at $29.99, while the Roku Streaming Stick costs $49.99.

Our reviews

We liked both of these products when we reviewed them. Check out our review of the Roku Express here.

Should you go a Roku Streaming Stick or a Roku Limited?

If price is your main business concern, get the Roku Express. The differences in performance are pretty minimal, and the Express is 40% cheaper. If you're concerned at all about aesthetics or portability, the Roku Streaming Stick may be the improve choice considering of its form factor.