Roku unveils "most compact streaming sticks on the market," don't require a power outlet

[midian182]

What just happened? Roku has introduced two new streaming sticks that it says are not only the smallest available today, but are also more power efficient than most rivals. The sticks can be powered by the USB port alone on the majority of TVs, meaning you don't need a spare outlet to use one.

Both models and their remotes are mostly identical. Roku claims they are the most compact sticks on the market, measuring over 35 percent smaller than other brands – it never specified which ones – without compromising their performance or speed. Considering the rear ports of most people's TVs are packed with cables, anything that saves space is welcome. And there's little risk of them blocking unused HDMI ports.

The other big feature is that the sticks can be powered by most TVs' USB ports using a separate cable, so you don't have to plug them into a power outlet.

Roku is pushing the sticks' portability. According to its research, 74% of viewers want to be able to watch their go-to shows or pick up where they left off without having to skip a beat. The company says the portable stick design is perfect for vacations where you don't want to log in to someone else's device.

The new sticks feature Roku's home screen, which has been described as the easiest and most intuitive to navigate of all streaming devices. The entry-level streaming stick offers HD picture quality, while the Plus model comes with 4K and HDR support. The cheaper model now includes voice activation features, too.

Roku's 2025 hardware lineup

Roku's Streaming Stick will cost $29.99 and the Streaming Stick Plus will be $39.99 when they go on sale on May 6 – they can be preordered today. The models are replacing the Roku Express and Roku Express 4K Plus at the same price points.

Roku also announced new software features, including a "Coming Soon to Theaters" row, personalized sports highlights, and more. The company has also shared a Roku TV Smart Projector reference design with its TV-manufacturing partners, so expect to see a (comparatively) cheap projector arriving at some point carrying the Roku brand name.

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Roku unveils "most compact streaming sticks on the market," don't require a power outlet

 

[VitalyT]

Is it really better though?

If you simply speak softly the other man will bully you. If you leave your stick at home you will find the other man did not. If you carry the stick only and forget to speak softly in nine cases out of ten, the other man will have a bigger stick.

Sorry, couldn't help it. The quote is from the Big Stick Ideology.

 

[Megalomaniac]

Most SMART TV nowadays include Roku built in and come with a Roku remote. Especially the budget big screens sold in Walmart, Target and bigbox stores.

It's only the old dumb TV that require the powered ports (typically) or a second port to power a Smart stick.

Still, these sticks are a great way to breath new life in an old big screen. I have an old 50" that could use one.

 

[darkzelda]

I really like Roku devices, they are really simple to use, I even have one connected to my LG OLED. My only complain is that even the Roku Ultra does not support lossless audio passthrough.

 

[Antias]

My biggest issue with these types of devices is the lack of integration of free live to air (via rooftop Airial) TV into the devices access... I.E. just like the Foxtel Now box did with its Foxtel channel line up.
By this I mean for a specific subset of streamers... namely the elderly, like my parents.
They're in their 80's and have trouble understanding that to watch free to air channels OR Foxtel they need to change the TV's input. HOWEVER, the old and now discontinued Foxtel Now box integrated the channels from Foxtel and Free to Air all into one channel list, simplifying it for the user, especially the elderly.
I'm just praying that the old Foxtel Now box lasts as long as they do because they are too old to understand changes to the technology landscape... I even keep an eye on second hand places like Gumtree for anybody selling them. However, due to their discontinued status and much loved simple interface they are hard to get now... the occasionally listed is often way more expensive that its old original retail price...

 

[GrayDragon]

I don't use a TV at all, just a monitor and some accessories that allow me unlimited expansion. I also have a HDMI splitter with enough ports for anything I want to use so Roku is actually forcing me to buy yet another piece of tech: a USB-to-HDMI adapter. Fortunately, it's not very expensive. I just wish they would have added it as an option rather than a replacement for the players.