The Front Desk Review

Roku · Updated June 2026

Roku Streaming Stick 4K: price, specs & release date

Roku Streaming Stick 4K, released 2021-09. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.

Source: roku.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger

BronzeDeskmark5/100#16 of 16 in class

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is listed at $49.99 on roku.com as of 2026-06-27, #4 cheapest of 13 streaming devices (median $49.99); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 5/100 pay-blind standing, #16 of 16 in class.

Verified Jun 27, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below

Cheapest streaming devices: Onn 4K Plus Streaming Device — $29.88

See Roku Streaming Stick 4K on Amazon Live price at the store — may differ from the dated listed price above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K — Roku
Image: support.roku.com (© Roku)

Is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K a good buy?

At $50, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is #4 cheapest of the 13 streaming devices we track, where the median is $49.99. On the spec sheet, its storage of 4 GB is the lowest of the 16.

Evidence of Record

Our data
Independent labsmeasured it
2
Physical metricsrecorded
8
Outlets on recordall tested
2

Two independent labs measured this product across 8 physical metrics — speed, netflix app load, youtube app load and 5 more. With a second lab on record, each figure comes from more than one independent hands-on source — a measure of how much evidence exists, not a rating of the product.

speed · netflix app load · youtube app load · disney plus app · peacock app load · hbo max app · sling app load · spotify app load

A coverage record, not a rating. How we count

Review consensus · sourced & dated

What reviewers say about the Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Two whitelisted testers (PCWorld and Tom's Guide) hands-on reviewed this exact 2021 Roku Streaming Stick 4K and both rate it a top sub-$50 streamer: fast and fluid, with newly added Dolby Vision (plus HDR10+) and a simple, ad-light apps-first interface. Both dock it for lacking Dolby Atmos; PCWorld additionally flags that it is Wi-Fi-only with no wired/ethernet option, and measured 160 Mbps Wi-Fi throughput, while Tom's Guide logged app-load times (Netflix 17s, Sling 9s).

Based on 2 reviews · 2 lab-tested · 2021-10-15–2023-03-22

Tested by PCWorld, Tom's Guide

Consistently praised

  • Fast, fluid performance for a $50 dongle · 2 sources
  • Adds Dolby Vision HDR (plus HDR10+) · 2 sources
  • Simple, ad-light apps-first interface with clever extras (Replay button, private listening, voice) · 2 sources
  • Improved long-range Wi-Fi reception

Commonly flagged

  • No Dolby Atmos audio support · 2 sources
  • Wi-Fi only — no wired/ethernet option
  • Content discovery and show-tracking could be easier

Where reviewers disagree Little genuine disagreement — both rate it among the best $50 streamers. The nearest split is wired connectivity and Wi-Fi: PCWorld treats the missing ethernet option as a real drawback and credits stronger Wi-Fi reception, while Tom's Guide (testing only 8 feet from its router) explicitly declined to evaluate the long-range Wi-Fi receiver's benefit.

The sources (2)

PCWorld lab-tested ·

Wi-Fi speed-test throughput (on 200 Mbps connection): 160 Mbps

This $50 streaming dongle feels fast and fluid, and it supports 4K HDR video with both Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
Menus load quickly and scroll smoothly on the Streaming Stick 4K, and you never have to wait long for apps to load.
That makes it a non-starter for users who prefer a wired connection.

Tom's Guide lab-tested ·

Netflix app load time: 17 s · YouTube app load time: 13 s · Disney Plus app load time: 13 s · Peacock app load time: 10 s · HBO Max app load time: 9 s · Sling app load time: 9 s · Spotify app load time: 11 s

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is just as great as its predecessor, and offers one big perk over the Roku it replaces: Dolby Vision.
Overall, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is snappy, and fast enough — with zero glaring issues.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is lacking on audio standards, missing the spatially-focused Dolby Atmos sound technology.

Specifications

Price (US)$49.99 US MSRP, model 3820R2; HDMI dongle form factor
BrandRoku
Released2021-09
Max resolution4K
HDR formatsDolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
ProcessorRealtek 1315NR
Storage (GB)4
Wi-FiWiFi 5
Remote voiceYes
EthernetNo

Source: roku.com (verified 2026-06-15) · corroborated by en.wikipedia.org. Roku product page confirmed: 4K/60fps, Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG, WiFi 5 (802.11ac dual-band MIMO), no built-in ethernet, voice remote with TV controls, model 3820R2. Wikipedia Roku article confirmed processor Realtek 1315NR, 4 GB storage, 1 GB RAM, released September 2021. MSRP $49.99 is the widely-reported launch price; page was JavaScript-rendered and did not surface price text.

Is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K worth it vs cheaper streaming devices?

Roku Streaming Stick 4K against its closest cheaper and pricier streaming devices on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 13 ranked

ProductPriceMax resolutionHDR formatsProcessorStorage (GB)Wi-Fi
Roku Streaming Stick 4K this$49.994KDolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLGRealtek 1315NR4WiFi 5
Roku Express 4K+$39.994KHDR10+, HDR10, HLGRealtek 1315PR4WiFi 5
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)$59.994KDolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLGMediaTek 2.0 GHz quad-core16WiFi 6E

Frequently asked questions

What do reviewers say about the Roku Streaming Stick 4K?

Two whitelisted testers (PCWorld and Tom's Guide) hands-on reviewed this exact 2021 Roku Streaming Stick 4K and both rate it a top sub-$50 streamer: fast and fluid, with newly added Dolby Vision (plus HDR10+) and a simple, ad-light apps-first interface. Both dock it for lacking Dolby Atmos; PCWorld additionally flags that it is Wi-Fi-only with no wired/ethernet option, and measured 160 Mbps Wi-Fi throughput, while Tom's Guide logged app-load times (Netflix 17s, Sling 9s). Praised: Fast, fluid performance for a $50 dongle; Adds Dolby Vision HDR (plus HDR10+); Improved long-range Wi-Fi reception; Simple, ad-light apps-first interface with clever extras (Replay button, private listening, voice). Flagged: No Dolby Atmos audio support; Wi-Fi only — no wired/ethernet option; Content discovery and show-tracking could be easier. (From 2 tester reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

How much does the Roku Streaming Stick 4K cost?

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K has a US price of $49.99 (US MSRP, model 3820R2; HDMI dongle form factor), as of 2026-06-15.

How does the Roku Streaming Stick 4K compare on price?

At $50, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is #4 cheapest of the 13 streaming devices we track, where the median is $49.99.

When was the Roku Streaming Stick 4K released?

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K was released 2021-09.

What are the Roku Streaming Stick 4K's key specs?

Roku Streaming Stick 4K (Roku): max resolution 4K, hdr formats Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, processor Realtek 1315NR, storage gb 4, wifi WiFi 5. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.

Price of record: $49.99 at roku.com, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:

See Roku Streaming Stick 4K on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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