Roku’s 2025 Streaming Sticks Are Smaller, Smarter, and Start at Just $30

Published On: April 24, 2025
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Roku’s 2025 Streaming Sticks Are Smaller, Smarter, and Start at Just $30

From $30 streaming sticks to 85-inch TVs and long-lasting security cameras, Roku just announced a lot—and it’s all coming soon.

Roku’s 2025 Streaming Sticks Are Smaller, Smarter, and Start at Just $30

  • Nemanja Grbic is a tech writer with over a decade of journalism experience, covering everything from AV gear and smart home tech to the latest gadgets and trends. Before jumping into the world of consumer electronics, Nema was an award-winning sports writer, and he still brings that same storytelling energy to every article. At HomeTheaterReview, he breaks down the latest gear and keeps readers up to speed on all things tech.

Roku is back with new streaming gear for 2025, and this time it's all about keeping things compact, simple, and budget-friendly. The company has just launched the Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus, two pocket-sized devices designed to plug right into the HDMI port on your TV and disappear behind it. These new sticks are basically replacements for the older Roku Express and Express 4K+—but now in a much smaller package.

They’re already up for preorder in the U.S., and shipping kicks off May 6.

At just over two inches long, these new sticks are among the tiniest Roku has made. They’re about 35% smaller than the competition, which makes them super easy to tuck away behind a wall-mounted or compact TV setup. And because they use so little power, you can just plug them into a USB port on the back of your TV—no need to deal with a bulky power adapter or extra wall plug.

Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick Plus with remote.

Despite the size, Roku didn’t cut corners on connectivity. Both sticks have built-in dual-band Wi-Fi to keep your streaming stable and buffer-free.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

  • Streaming Stick (standard): Streams in up to 1080p (Full HD). Great for older TVs or anyone who doesn’t need 4K.
  • Streaming Stick Plus: Streams in 4K with support for HDR and Dolby Vision pass-through. Ideal for newer TVs that can take advantage of the extra resolution and color.

Neither stick decodes Dolby Atmos on its own, but they can pass Atmos content through to a compatible soundbar or receiver—so you're still covered if you've got a decent audio setup.

Roku 2025 hardware lineup includes the Roku Ultra, Streaming Stick Plus, Streaming Stick and more.

One of the nice upgrades across both models is the remote. Unlike older entry-level Rokus, these new sticks come with Roku’s voice remote included right in the box. That means you can search for movies, shows, or even launch apps just by speaking—no typing required.

If you're already in the Roku ecosystem, the interface will feel familiar. And if you're new to it, it's one of the simpler, more straightforward streaming platforms around.

Both sticks support Apple’s AirPlay and HomeKit, so if you're an iPhone user, you can cast content or mirror your screen with no hassle. You’ll also get Bluetooth support for streaming audio straight to headphones or speakers, which is a nice touch for late-night viewing.

Here's where Roku really goes after the value crowd:

That’s cheaper than pretty much all their main competition. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick HD is $34.99, and Google’s Chromecast HD is $29.99. For 4K options, Roku's Stick Plus is $10 less than both Amazon and Google’s comparable models.

Woman holding Roku Voice Remote.

Like always, Roku makes its money through ads and partnerships. That means you might see sponsored rows on your home screen or autoplay ads when scrolling through certain menus. It’s the trade-off for keeping the upfront price low. Want an ad-free experience? You’ll need to stick to paid services or opt for premium upgrades.

Alongside the new hardware, Roku is rolling out the latest version of its software. That includes some handy new features like:

  • A “Coming Soon to Theaters” tab for upcoming movies
  • Personalized sports highlights from your favorite teams
  • Improved accessibility settings
  • Faster app launches

So even if you're not upgrading the hardware, the software side is getting a bit of a polish too.

The new sticks are just one part of Roku’s broader push into more of your living room. Alongside the streaming devices, Roku also shared what’s next for its own line of smart TVs—and it’s a pretty big update. Since launching its first in-house Roku TVs last year, the company says it has already sold over a million units. For 2025, Roku is giving its entire lineup a refresh, focusing on better picture quality, clearer sound, and a faster overall experience.

Roku TV in living room.

The flagship Roku Pro Series TVs are getting custom factory calibration, which should help with out-of-the-box accuracy for color and contrast. Meanwhile, the Roku Plus Series is being upgraded with mini-LED backlighting, and it’ll now include Roku’s Smart Picture Max feature, which was previously only on the Pro models.

Plus Series buyers will also get a remote finder button and built-in cable management, both inherited from the higher-end TVs. All 2025 Roku-made TVs, across all tiers, will include Bluetooth Headphone Mode, letting you pair your headphones directly to the TV—no app or external device needed.

And if you’ve been waiting for a larger screen size, there’s now an 85-inch version of the Roku Select Series on the way. Roku didn’t share pricing or exact launch dates yet, but these models are expected to hit shelves sometime later this year.

Beyond TVs, Roku is also expanding its Smart Home lineup with two new products: the Roku Battery Camera and Roku Battery Camera Plus. These weather-resistant, wire-free cameras are designed for both indoor and outdoor use and run on rechargeable batteries.

Introducing the Roku Battery Camera and Roku Battery Camera Plus

Roku says the standard model should last up to six months on a single charge, while the Plus model can stretch that to around two years—especially if you use the optional solar panel. Both cameras record in 1080p HD, support color night vision, and offer motion detection and remote monitoring through the Roku Smart Home app or via web view.

You can also pull up live feeds directly on your Roku TV or streaming player thanks to tight platform integration, including features like Camera Carousel, on-screen notifications, and even Picture-in-Picture mode. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but both cameras are expected to roll out in the coming months.

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