Editor’s note, Nov. 1, 2023: Although it was released back in 2021, the Roku Express 4K Plus remains our Editors Choice pick for 4K streaming devices in 2023. Even two years on, the Roku Express 4K Plus remains responsive running Roku’s latest software, maintains its simple app-based menus and is a more than capable streamer that offers impressive value for the money. As we mentioned in our Streaming Stick 4K review, the differences between the Express 4K Plus and Stick 4K are minimal and since both are regularly on sale we recommend going with whichever of the two is cheaper. We give the Express 4K Plus the slight edge mainly because it often is at a lower price. Check out our Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs. Roku Express 4K Plus comparison for more details.
Our original review, from May. 11, 2021, is as follows.
The Roku Express 4K Plus sets a high bar for features and value, beating out other Rokus like the $50 Streaming Stick 4K, as well affordable streamers like Google’s $50 Chromecast with Google TV and Amazon’s $50 Fire TV Stick 4K.
Simple Roku
interface? Check. 4K HDR streaming? Check. Wired Ethernet support with an optional adapter? Yup. Cheaper cost? At $40 compared to Roku’s own Streaming Stick 4K’s $50 sticker price, the Express 4K Plus has that, too. After using the device for a few days, watching everything from Netflix and Disney Plus to Apple TV Plus and YouTube TV
, I can say the Roku Express 4K Plus deserves CNET’s Editors’ Choice award as the best streaming device for the money.
9.5
Roku Express 4K Plus
Like
- Super simple, app-based menus
- Cheaper than 4K HDR rivals
- Fast and responsive
- Ethernet support (with third-party adapter)
Don’t like
- No Dolby Vision support
- Roku’s voice assistant remains weaker than rivals from Amazon, Apple and Google.
As with other recent refreshes, such as Roku’s 2020 Ultra or Apple’s new Apple TV 4K, the outside of the Express 4K Plus will look awfully familiar. It’s slightly larger but keeps the half-moon dongle design of the cheaper, HD-only Express, and on the rear, there’s an HDMI output and a Micro-USB port for power, as well as a reset button.
The front is glossy and nondescript, with just a single indicator light. The bottom is where you can apply the included adhesive strip to attach the miniature box to the back or bottom of your TV. Because the Express 4K Plus ships with Roku’s “point anywhere” voice remote, you can hide the box pretty much anywhere near your TV and it will still work — it doesn’t require direct line-of-sight to control the player.