Roku Ultra 2024

The Roku Ultra 2024 is the flagship set-top box for Roku enthusiasts, offering the most complete Roku experience with a host of premium features. It is updated with a faster processor and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, which helps improve performance and wireless reliability. The standout feature is the included Voice Remote Pro, which has a backlight that activates when picked up, making it easy to use in a dark room. It also has an always-on microphone for hands-free voice commands, allowing users to say 'Hey Roku, open Netflix' to turn on the TV and launch an app. A remote finder feature allows the user to ask the remote to ring. The Ultra adds a USB port for local media playback from external drives, a feature missing from most streaming sticks. It supports 4K HDR10/10+ streaming, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, ensuring high-quality audio and video. The device also has a 100Mbps Ethernet port for a stable wired connection. While the hardware is robust, the Roku operating system, while clean and simple, feels dated compared to Google TV. It lacks the ability to integrate recently watched content from different apps into a single home screen view. The search function is accurate for specific titles but less effective for general queries. For users who prefer Roku's straightforward approach and want the best hardware the platform offers, the Roku Ultra 2024 is the definitive choice, though its speed lags behind the competition.