Roku Ultra
Exact average 82.5 · 4 printed, 4 estimated · printed scores only: 82
Image: Roku8 professional reviewers tested the Roku Ultra, and 6 recommend it. Most praised: performance and picture quality. Most common complaint: software and app.
Reviewed by TechRadar, Tom's Guide, How-To Geek and 5 more
The catch: Not as quick as the Apple TV.
4 of these 8 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.
What 8 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 90TechRadar
A speedy, format-complete streamer with a standout remote that justifies its higher price, with only minor gripes.
Read TechRadar review - 80Tom's Guide
A fast, polished premium streamer with a great remote, but expensive, ad-heavy and only a small step over the prior model.
Read Tom's Guide review - 80How-To Geek
Snappy and affordable for a premium streamer with a great remote, held back by a dated interface and slow Ethernet.
Read How-To Geek review - 79CNET
Best Roku yet with a good remote and format support, but the upgrades are modest and the price puts it up against stronger rivals.
Read CNET review - 92est.VICE
Calls it the best streaming box he has tested, with a great remote, friendly interface and solid speed at about half the Apple TV price.
Read VICE review - 85est.Business Insider
Named the best streaming device overall in a tested buying guide, praised for its reliable interface and remote, though pricey with a modest speed gain.
Read Business Insider review - 83est.CNN Underscored
After five weeks he calls it a very good streamer and recommends it for most people, while noting it is an evolution with some missing smart home standards.
Read CNN Underscored review - 71est.SlashGear
An opinion piece comparing streaming boxes in which the writer calls the Roku Ultra his second favorite after Apple TV for speed, picture and remote.
Read SlashGear review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Google TV Streamer83
- Android Police (2024) picks the Roku Ultra.
- CNET: it depends. Choose this one if: you have non-Google smart home gear and want a streamer that works with everything.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other streaming devices critics rate highly
Common questions
Is the Roku Ultra worth it?
Most critics think so: 6 of 8 recommend it. Not as quick as the Apple TV.
Do critics agree about the Roku Ultra?
Broad agreement: scores range from 71 (SlashGear) to 92 (VICE), a spread of 21 points across 8 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Roku Ultra?
Software and app (5 of 8 reviews), Price (4 of 8 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Roku Ultra?
The Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) (critic score 87), best overall.