The new Roku Ultra promises faster performance. Here's how to buy the latest version of our favorite streaming device.
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Roku
Roku has released a new edition of its flagship streaming device, the Roku Ultra. The updated model promises faster performance and comes with an improved remote with extra perks like backlit buttons.
Like previous versions, the 2024 Roku Ultra is a compact set-top box designed to rest on your media console and connect with your TV via an HDMI cable. It uses the Roku OS (operating system) to offer access to the best streaming services, and it supports 4K video with high dynamic range (HDR). This new Roku Ultra replaces the last edition released in 2022, which itself was only a minor refresh of the 2020 model.
The Roku Ultra has long been the reigning champ in our guide to the best streaming devices, so I'm excited to see how this latest model improves on its predecessor. I'll have detailed impressions soon, but until then, check below for a full breakdown of pricing and specifications.
How to buy the Roku Ultra (2024)
The Roku Ultra is now available to buy from Amazon and the Roku Store for $99. The device was officially released on September 24. Availability will expand to additional retailers like Best Buy over the coming weeks.
The 2024 Roku Ultra has a new processor and an improved remote
Roku
Since 2019, Roku has released a couple of refreshed versions of the Roku Ultra, but each iteration's underlying hardware has remained largely the same. However, for this new 2024 model, Roku says it's incorporated a brand-new quad-core processor.
Roku claims the new Ultra is over 30% faster than its other players. I still use the 2020 Roku Ultra as my daily streaming device, and though I don't have any issues with the player's speed, some newer competitors, like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, have it beat when it comes to app loading times. If Roku's 2024 Ultra can match top rivals, it could be a big winner for buyers who crave snappy navigation.
Outside the new chip, the 2024 Roku Ultra looks similar in design to its predecessor, with a rounded set-top box. It has an Ethernet port for wired internet, but wireless connectivity now supports WiFi 6 when paired with a compatible router, which can lead to better performance in homes with many connected devices.
Like the last Ultra model, this version connects to your TV with an HDMI cable and supports 4K resolution with HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. However, the 2024 Roku Ultra makes the jump from HDMI 2.0 to 2.1, which Roku says will enable Quick Media Switching (QMS) to provide smooth transitions when you switch from watching content at different refresh rates. On my current setup with the 2020 Roku Ultra, my TV will often flash to a black screen for a second or two when the device encounters content with a different refresh rate, so I'm curious to see if this feature will remove that behavior.
The 2024 Roku Ultra now includes the brand's latest Voice Remote Pro (Second Edition). Like the first edition, the remote supports hands-free voice search (with a mic mute switch), a lost remote chime, and a built-in rechargeable battery. For this improved edition, the remote switches from Micro USB charging to a USB-C port, which is a more modern standard found on many tech devices, like phones. It also adds backlit keys so you can see buttons clearly in the dark. This remote was already included with the Roku Pro Series QLED TV and our reviewer loved its features.
Should you buy the Roku Ultra (2024)?
Roku
While I can't recommend the 2024 Roku Ultra until my hands-on evaluation is complete, the new model looks promising on paper. At $99, it costs the same as previous editions and promises a few improvements that match similar features that Amazon, Google, and Apple have implemented in their latest streaming devices.
Based on the specs and my previous experience with Roku Ultras, this new model looks like a safe bet for anyone who wants a flagship streaming box with the company's intuitive interface. That said, it remains to be seen whether the device's souped-up navigation speed and updated remote will be enough to warrant an upgrade for buyers who already own a previous 2022 or 2020 Roku Ultra.