When it amount to choosing one of thebest streaming devicesfor your menage , there are tons of options these days . Unlike the early days of streaming , these option work like a plate amusement hub with memory access to multiple apps , link up home functionality , biz , and more . While there are a form of excellent options out there , two of our favorites areApple TVandRoku Ultra .
Both of these devices surrender a smart , streamlined experience that is easy and intuitive to use . However , you might not be certain which one is veracious for you . Apple TV 4 K delivers access to moving picture , games , and a miscellanea of apps , along with afree three - calendar month subscription to Apple TVand connects to Apple Smart Home devices . It ’s powered by an A15 bionic Saratoga chip , which also means that this machine is work up to last for at least a few years . instead , theRoku Ultrais a bit more affordable , connect to a variety of apps , as well as Roku Smart Home devices .
So which one is right for you ? rent ’s comprehend in .
Design and remote control
Before we go any further , from here on , we ’ll be refer to the in vogue versions of these gimmick unless we specify an old generation . Now then … Both the Apple TV 4 K and the Roku Ultra are sleek and stylish cyclosis devices that are compact and look good on most medium cabinets , but countenance ’s take a flavor at each streamer with a close lens .
The Apple TV 4 K is 3.7 inches wide , 3.7 inch deep , and 1.2 in from top to bottom . Apple has been using the same showy - chrome outer shell for many age now , and the a la mode Apple TV 4 super acid looks just as well as its herald . This time around , the admit Siri remote is equipped with a USB - C charging port , too , take into account for much faster boot times when compared to the premature Lightning - only iteration of the Siri remote control that came with aged versions .
Over in Roku territorial dominion , the all - Modern Ultra measures 4.9 in wide , 5 inches from front to back , and is only 1 column inch tall . In terms of the outer shell , we ’re crop with a matte - style casing that lets the equipment look stylish without having to worry about fingerprinting it up . And where older Roku equipment only fall with traditional Roku remotes , the latest Ultra comes packaged with the incredibleVoice Remote Pro(which can also be purchase for other Roku computer hardware ) .
The flagship Roku remote also include a USB - C larboard for charging , along with quick start buttons for Netflix , Disney+ , Apple TV+ , and Prime Video . A handy feature film of the Roku is the ability to bump off a push button on the left side of the remote control to turn off / on vox statement .
Apple and Roku are both top - nick when it come to design and remote , but with its slightly smaller chassis for the most outer space - crave amusement centers , we ’re going to give a point to Apple for this category .
Winner : Apple television receiver 4 chiliad
Connections and performance
The Modern - and - improved Apple TV 4 K is equipped with Apple ’s all - raw A15 Bionic splintering , which the ship’s company claim will bear well-nigh double the CPU performance of the previous Apple TV 4 thousand , as well as up to 30 % good performance when it comes to the GPU . In secular ’s terms , this is going to mean faster burden times for apps , sleek voice navigation , and a more responsive substance abuser interface .
In terminal figure of actual ports , the Apple TV 4 K is fit out with an HDMI 2.1 connection ( just as the 2021 Apple TV 4 K before it)that also bear out eARCfor wire the streamer up to your Dolby Atmos - ready soundbar or Ab system . However , if you ’re looking to maximize your overall net performance , there ’s an important difference between the 64 GB and 128 GB Apple TV 4 one thousand models : the latter is the only version that follow with a Gigabit Ethernet embrasure .
If you ’re plan on going Wi - Fi - only , this may not be such a big lot , but the ability to link up the Apple TV 4 K directly to your router helps to take the strain off your wireless internet bands while providing a fast web connection for the machine .
The 2024 Roku Ultra is the fastest Roku gadget available , and feature a 30 % increase in speed over the 2022 model . The onboard quad - pith processor perform at lightning - truehearted upper , open apps and stream 4 kB content in the blink of an eye , even when streaming moving picture and tv set show in HDR . And in terms of actual connection , the Roku Ultra includes an Ethernet porthole right off the bat , as well as an HDMI 2.0b port and a USB - A stimulation for viewing picture , video , and euphony file cabinet , with some support popular data format , including MP4 , MP3 , MOV , and JPG .
Unlike the Apple TV 4 kibibyte , though , the Roku Ultra only boast 4 GB of home store , whereas the Apple TV 4 K offers 64 GB and 128 GB of storage , reckon on the model you buy . And unlike the former Roku Ultra ( 2020 ) , the 2022 variant nixed the microSD notice slot , contravene any external storage capability .
At the end of the day , though , we ’re go to call this category a tie . Performance - wise , Apple ’s A15 Bionic chip and Roku ’s quad - core processor render the good . And while the Apple TV 4 K ’s HDMI 2.1 input beats the Ultra ’s 2.0b port , the Ultra includes a USB - A input , while the Apple TV does n’t .
success : Tie
User interface
The look and feel of a streaming gimmick ’s screen and menus are often the make - or - break factors for both first - clip and recurring buyers . Fortunately , the user user interface of both the Apple TV 4 K and the Roku Ultra are easy to pilot , quick to customise , and iconic by plan .
Navigating with the Siri - power remote is a piece of cake , too , with the spokesperson assistant allowing you to do thing like launching apps , raise and humble volume , search for flick and TV show ( by title , genre , actor , and other criteria ) , and more .
Roku OSis just as mighty , though . Boldly regal and favorable to affiance , the Ultra ’s launch page includes several left - aligned search and customization alternative , with the correct side of the sieve used as real estate for your Roku app ( billed as Streaming Channels ) , of which you ’ll be able to see nine of at one clock time .
The included Voice Remote Pro also allows you to use Roku ’s onboard part assistant to pull up motion picture and TV shows , line up the volume , and more , although the overall seamlessness of Roku ’s adjunct pales in comparison to the quick genius that is Siri . And even though you’re able to control elements of the Ultra with Alexa and Google Assistant ( more on that later ) , Siri win all day when it come to hearing and responsiveness .
Picture and sound quality
There ’s nothing quite like check your favorite pic and TV shows in glorious HDR andpulse - pounding surround phone , and if you ’re a full-grown - time streamer , you ’ll be proud of to recognise that both the Apple TV 4 K and the Roku Ultra can handle pretty muchany HDR format you’re able to bemuse at them , in increase to immersive surroundings formatslike Dolby Atmos .
HDR , HDR10 + , and Dolby Vision are supported by both twist , and Apple ’s A15 chip and Roku ’s quad - essence processor do big work in ensuring the most highfalutin picture from the the like of Disney+ and Netflix soften quickly and act without missing a beat . And if you ’re using a wired Ethernet connection , you ’ll experience even faster warhead times ( but remember , you ’ll only bump this port on the 128 GB Apple TV 4 thou ) .
The Apple TV 4 K also permit for inst audio and TV streaming from an iOS gadget using Apple AirPlay 2 , as well as screen mirroring . If sound is your top precedency , and you own a pair of AirPods open of enjoyingApple ’s immersive Spatial Audio , then that ’s a feature you wo n’t get with Roku .
The Roku Ultra indorse audio and video cast using Apple AirPlay 2 , too , plus screen mirroring for most Android machine and Bluetooth capabilities , although the latter option only allows you to pour medicine to the Ultra . If you need to connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones for secret listening , you ’ll need to download the Roku appon a go - to peregrine equipment to do so .
In terms of icon and sound , both machine are nearly identical in their respective deliverables , and unless you ’re a big Apple fan who cares about Spatial Audio , we ’re going to grant a point to the Roku Ultra in this family , mainly because of its Android machine support ( as limited as this support actually is ) .
Winner : Roku Ultra
Smart home features
If you ’ve been looking for an all - in - one smart menage command center and excellent cyclosis equipment , you ’re in luck when it comes to the latest Apple TV 4 K andkind ofin luck when it come to the Roku Ultra ( more on that in a mo ) .
The Apple TV 4 K is one of the most low-cost Apple peripheral equipment you’re able to purchase to jumpstart an Apple HomeKit smart place web , let you to operate and manage a number of your smart dwelling devices ( such as security cameras and sassy lock ) by giving Siri certain voice commands or using your Apple TV ’s remote control to sail to such feature . This is especially convenient when you want to pull up live footage from one of your home ’s smart cameras to view on your boob tube .
With the continue rollout ofMatter , a sassy gadget unifier , more and more devices are find support for the new banner . And while the Apple TV 4 kB is thing - compatible through a networking protocol called Thread , only the 128 GB edition is Thread - ready .
The latest Roku Ultra is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant , and even though you wo n’t be getting these vocalization assistants with an Apple TV 4 K , the Ultra postulate extra hardware for anything voice - pertain , whether that be an Echo Dot or a Google Nest verbalizer .
moreover , youwillbe able to use your Roku Ultra as a impudent nursing home statement center throughRoku Smart Home , but it will only lick with Roku - branded television camera , plugs , and other smart home plate gear . And while there ’s been some talk of Matter murder Roku machine at some pointedness in the future tense , no such compatibility be at this clip .
That being say , we ’re give this family to the Apple TV 4 atomic number 19 for its unseamed entourage of first - political party fresh home ascendancy .
Price
The latest Apple TV 4 K is uncommitted in two versions : a 64 GB model for $ 130 and a 128 GB model for $ 150 . As previously refer , spending an extra $ 20 not only catch you double the storage but also a Gigabit Ethernet Port and support for Thread / Matter . There ’s really no reason not to buy the 128 GB model .
The new Roku Ultra retails for $ 100 but can be found on sale for prices as abject as $ 70 .
The verdict
When it comes down to prefer between these two devices , it ’s a penny-pinching race . Both swarm equipment are unbelievable , delivering voguish domicile connectivity , lightning fast connection speeds , and admission to a variety of teem apps all from one pour equipment . While the Roku is the more affordable option , Apple TV 4 K is build to last , and delivers the better overall experience .
With its remarkable internal storehouse figure , sinewy Siri voice assistant , Apple - well-disposed impertinent house controls , and zippy A15 Bionic performance , the latest Apple TV 4 green is one of the tough streaming twist ever made , and even though it ’s a small more expensive than the Roku Ultra , there ’s enough in the style of features to back up that slight price bulge .
