Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs Roku Express 4K+: Which Roku Should You Buy?

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The Roku Streaming Stick 4K costs $49. The Roku Express 4K+ costs $39. Both are Roku devices. Both run the same Roku OS. Both access the same app catalog. The $10 difference buys one thing: Wi-Fi 6 on the Streaming Stick 4K versus Wi-Fi 5 on the Express 4K+.

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Quick Comparison

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Same Platform, Minor Hardware Differences

Both devices access the same Roku OS — neutral platform, widest app catalog, Roku Voice, and the same streaming apps. Content quality is effectively the same.

Dolby Vision (Streaming Stick 4K): The Streaming Stick 4K supports Dolby Vision; the Express 4K+ does not. On a Dolby Vision TV, this is a real difference in HDR quality.

Wi-Fi 6 (Streaming Stick 4K): The Streaming Stick 4K has Wi-Fi 6; the Express 4K+ has Wi-Fi 5. In congested home networks or with a Wi-Fi 6 router, the Stick 4K has better bandwidth ceiling.

$10: The Streaming Stick 4K costs $10 more. For Dolby Vision support and Wi-Fi 6, $10 extra is reasonable.

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Which Should You Buy?

Get Roku Streaming Stick 4K if:

• Your TV supports Dolby Vision (worth the $10 for better HDR)
• You have a Wi-Fi 6 router and a busy home network
• This is a primary TV setup

Get Roku Express 4K+ if:

• Your TV is HDR10-only (Dolby Vision difference doesn't apply)
• You're equipping a secondary TV or bedroom
• $39 is the right budget

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Our Picks

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Bottom Line

For $10 more, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the better pick if your TV supports Dolby Vision — the HDR upgrade is worth it. For HDR10-only TVs or secondary setups, the Roku Express 4K+ at $39 delivers the same Roku experience for less.

Also see: Roku Streaming Stick 4K Review, Roku Express 4K+ Review, and Roku Ultra vs Roku Streaming Stick 4K.