The Roku Express is the entry-level streamer in Roku’s new lineup and sits below the Premiere and the older Streaming Stick+. The Premiere outputs 4K resolution with HDR10 support, but both it and the Express output 1080p video and upscale from 720p, while delivering stereo, DTS surround, Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos sound over HDMI.
Both also have the same 802.11n single-band Wi-Fi, while the Streaming Stick+ has dual-band 802.11ac. These differences are crucial if you want to replace integrated smart TV services on a 4K TV, but not really an issue if you’re looking for something to stream to an older HD TV or a simple kitchen or bedroom device.
The main advantage of the Roku device is that you get a full range of apps, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Now TV, Amazon Prime Video, All 4, ITV Hub, YouTube, and Google Play Movies & TV, not to mention a wide range of additional channels available by subscription or for free. And as with the more expensive Roku devices, you can download the Roku app for easier text input, voice control, and wireless listening through headphones.
In most aspects, the Roku Express is identical to the Roku Premiere and comes with the same remote control and form factor. Although compact, it is a bit chunkier than previous Roku streaming stick devices. The device itself is a curved module that is placed near or on top of the TV and attached with the included adhesive pad.
Unlike the streaming sticks, it also requires a line of sight to the remote, so it has to be placed in front. That’s not a huge drawback considering it’s so small, but if you stick it on the TV, you can’t move it to another location, and if you don’t, it tends to get tangled in the cables. That’s about the only thing I don’t like about the Roku Express, by the way.
As mentioned earlier, Roku’s big advantage is that it doesn’t compete with any of the big streaming services on the hardware market. You get them all: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now TV and Google Play, all united under one interface with universal search.
You also get all the major UK catch-up TV services, YouTube, and an impressive selection of weird and wonderful extras, ranging from anime specialists like CrunchyRoll to Mubi, a provider of art films. Roku even offers apps for streaming local media from your network – handy if you have a NAS with a Plex or Twonky server.