Roku Ultra (2024): two-minute review
The Roku Ultra (2024) is the most capable streaming player I've come across yet, although it is one of the best streaming devices. It will depend entirely on how you feel about Roku's on-screen interface. I'm a fan. While I'll delve into that a little more below, I think Roku's software (and hardware) approach prioritizes convenience. It's one of the reasons why external streaming players are still needed, even though most contemporary TVs have their own built-in smart capabilities, which generally aren't as easy to use.
The Roku Ultra (2024) costs twice as much as Roku's next most expensive streamer, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, and is in the upper price range when it comes to these types of devices. It's still worth it, not to mention ultimately not that expensive either. Plus, if you go for a cheaper price, you might miss out on support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HLG, and HDR10+, all of which are available here. Performance is fast and the remote is as good as any I've personally used. All it's missing is an HDMI pass-through which could be an advantage in certain setups.
As for the physical design, the Roku Ultra (2024) is what one would expect from a Roku streaming player. It comes in the same matte black as all of the company's products, with just a shiny “Roku” logo stamped across the top. There's also a shiny patch on the front where its sensor resides and a small purple Roku sticker on its right flank.
It's quite slim, just an inch tall (its full dimensions are 4.9 x 5 x 1 inches) and has just one physical button on the side that offers dual functionality: one side is used for power and the other activates the button.” find my remote function.” When you press the find my remote part, the remote control will ping until you press a button to indicate that it has found it.
Port selection is pretty straightforward, as you'd expect. There's a single HDMI, an Ethernet port (Wi-Fi 6 is also available), and a USB-A port. The USB port is a nice addition as it will give you a port on the unit to charge the remote as it comes with a rechargeable battery.
As for HDMI, I would have liked a pass-through HDMI port. Although this feature isn't typically found on streaming devices, it would have made it easier to use the Roku Ultra as the main hub of a setup (for example, if you have a gaming console).
On that note, if you have a relatively contemporary TV with HDMI eARC (I can't speak to older ones), the Roku Ultra (2024) can be set to automatically turn the TV on and off and also adjust volume levels. You don't need to navigate the menu for this either, as it's part of the streaming player settings to enable that feature.
Now, let's talk about the remote control. This isn't my first rodeo with the Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd Edition) that comes standard with the Roku Ultra (2024). I was a fan of the remote when I reviewed the Roku Pro Series TV and I'm a fan now.
It only differs from other Roku remotes on close inspection, as it maintains the overall shape and design. It has a USB-C port on its end for charging, which is an upgrade from previous rechargeable remotes that used micro-USB, a form factor I've had general reliability issues with. It has a switch on one side for hands-free voice support (more on this later).
The Roku Voice Remote Pro also has a couple of extra buttons. There's a reprogrammable home button that can be used if you want a shortcut to launch an app that doesn't already have a dedicated button on the remote, or to quickly turn subtitles on or off, just for a few examples. There's also a guide button that launches Roku's live TV guide channel and four app-specific launch buttons for Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Prime Video.
My only complaint is that they should all be reprogrammable (in a perfect world), since not everyone will be subscribed to those four apps. But my remote complaints begin and end there, as the fact that its keyboard is backlit (it will automatically light up when you pick it up) is fantastic.
And the Roku's hands-free functionality is good. I no longer have to press the “listen” button, although it's still there, to use my voice to navigate the interface. I can just say “Hey Roku, start Netflix” to start Netflix. It's not perfect that you don't have to be very clear and concise about your requests, but overall it works very well.
When it comes to voice assistant support, the Roku Ultra (2024) is compatible with Roku Smart Home, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. It's also Bluetooth compatible so you can pair headphones for late-night viewing.
As for the performance of the Roku Ultra (2024), Roku advertises its streaming device as “30% faster than any other Roku player.” While the company doesn't announce what the internal CPU is or even its speed, it definitely feels very fast. The fact that it supports Wi-Fi 6, something other Roku streaming players don't support, will itself contribute to the player's faster response.
I was able to compare the Roku Ultra (2024) to the Roku Streambar for reference. Loading the Roku channel on the Streambar took seven seconds and loading a movie took four. The Roku Ultra (2024) took four seconds to load the same app and one second to load the same movie. Even navigating the Roku interface is almost immediate.
There are no loopholes in what the Roku Ultra (2024) supports as long as you don't mind a 120Hz refresh rate; however, none of the external streaming players support it at this time. What you get is Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HLG and HDR10/10+. None of Roku's other streaming players support all of those formats. The next most expensive in Roku's range is missing Dolby Atmos, for example.
Lastly, we need to discuss the interface. For starters, setup is easy as it always is with Roku. As long as you know your Wi-Fi password and your Roku account password, all you have to do is follow the on-screen steps. Creating a new account or resetting a password (like I had to do) is also easy. Just make sure you have access to your email to do so.
If you've used previous Roku devices registered to your email and had apps installed also registered to your email, those apps will be installed and signed in automatically once you're done with setup.
As for the interface itself, the main page with all the apps listed is easy to read and as intuitive as an interface could be. More detailed features, settings, and more are listed on the left side, including some new ones, like the dedicated “Sports” page. Overcoming them is also intuitive. Everything makes sense in the place where they appear. For example, when you go to the remote controls and devices section, any external devices you can connect will appear here or be connected through the settings here.
There's also a ton of free, Roku-related content available for those of us suffering from ever-increasing app prices. The only thing a little annoying is the ads for Roku content on the right side of the screen or during a screen saver.
I've always thought of Roku as a convenience-first company where the priority is making products that are easy to interact with. That's also the case with the Roku Ultra (2024), but in this case, performance is also a factor.
Roku Ultra (2024): Price and release date
- Price: $99.99 (around £80 / AU$150)
- Release date: September 2024
For some reason, Roku's presence outside the United States is somewhat irregular. That means that, at the time of writing, those in the UK or Australia will simply have to look on with envy (or invest in a capable competitor).
The actual price is $99.99 (around £80/AU$150), in the upper price range for most streaming players outside of the Apple TV 4K, although it's already getting discounts. That's double the price of the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, the next most expensive streaming player Roku makes (excluding sound bars and TVs). You'll have to decide if you're interested in support for Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Atmos, or the new backlit remote, which are part of the Ultra package, but not the Streaming Stick 4K.
The new Google TV Streamer (4K) is the same price and has the same support for 4K, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and HDR10+, but not Wi-Fi 6, a likely factor in the operating speed of these devices. It has a redesigned remote from previous Chromecast players, so it remains to be seen how it compares to Roku's new remote.
Of course, you can go a little cheaper and still maintain the same HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Atmos support with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023).)although Atmos is only available on select services. While it's cheaper at $59.99 / £69.99 / AU$119 (not including its numerous discounts), its OS has a bit of Amazon Prime material, including plenty of related ads, so get this take into account the price difference.
Should you buy the Roku Ultra (2024)?
| Attributes | Grades | Classification |
| Characteristics | It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos and is compatible with smart home protocols from Amazon, Google and Apple. | 4/5 |
| Performance | Fast, supports all necessary formats such as Dolby Atmos and is easy to navigate | 4.5/5 |
| Design | Limited ports, but a near-perfect remote control and a fairly slim and discreet physical design | 4.5/5 |
| Worth | Double the price of the next highest-priced Roku streaming player, but still worth it and comparable to the competition's most expensive offerings. | 4.5/5 |
Buy it if…
Don't buy it if…
Roku Ultra (2024): Also consider
How I tested the Roku Ultra (2024)
- Used regularly for several weeks.
- Tested with all types of applications.
- Tried the remote control
I used the Roku Ultra (2024) regularly for several weeks. I used it with content from Roku, popular content from third parties like Max, as well as free offers from the company. I also spent time using the remote control and its various functions.
I've tested a lot of tech gear over the years, from laptops to keyboards to speakers, and so I've been able to use my experience to provide an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, on any product I test.
First review in November 2024