Check the latest price at Amazon US →The Roku Streaming Stick HD with Voice Remote is an uncomplicated proposition: give an HD television a way to stream, without turning the sitting room into a museum of little black boxes. It plugs into an HDMI port and hides behind the screen, which is considerate of it. Kevin The Crow would still spot the cables, naturally.
What does it do?
Roku describes this model as a streaming stick for HD televisions, with output up to 1080p. It connects to Wi-Fi and provides access to streaming services through the Roku interface. You'll need an internet connection, and some services require their own subscription. The stick doesn't magically make those subscriptions free, however persuasive you are with the remote.
The included voice remote can search using voice commands and has TV power, volume and mute controls. For anyone who has slowly pecked a programme title into an on-screen keyboard, speaking the name instead has obvious appeal. Whether a particular service or voice feature is available can depend on where you live, so check the apps you actually want before buying.
Setup and everyday considerations
The stick fits directly into HDMI, so it doesn't need a shelf of its own. Roku says it can be powered from a suitable TV USB port; the practical arrangement depends on the television and available power. You'll also need a Wi-Fi connection strong enough for your streaming habits. If the router is on the other side of several very determined walls, the stick cannot negotiate with the brickwork.
This is the HD version, not the higher-resolution Streaming Stick Plus. An HD screen is its natural home; if you have a 4K television and want to watch 4K content, check a 4K-capable player instead. The ability to plug a device into a 4K screen is not the same thing as delivering 4K video.
Who is it for?
It makes most sense for someone with an HD television whose existing apps are missing or awkward, or who wants a small streaming device to move between compatible screens. The remote is a useful extra for anyone tired of juggling separate controls, although compatibility with a particular television should be checked.
We haven't tested the stick, its Wi-Fi performance or its voice recognition, so these are considerations based on Roku's stated features rather than a claim about how it performed in our lounge.
Sir Trash Panda verdict
The attraction is straightforward: HD streaming and a voice remote in a compact package. The main compromise is equally straightforward: this model stops at HD. If that matches the television and the apps you use are supported, it is a sensible little option; if 4K is the aim, look elsewhere in the range.
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