Roku Express 4K

Full stream ahead

Top TV performer

TV STREAMER ❘ £39.99 Amazon www.snipca.com/38734

The Roku Express 4K is the latest addition to Roku’s excellent line-up of streaming devices. Designed to plug into your TV and connect to your Wi-fi, a Roku turns any TV into a smart TV, usually with a better line-up of options and channels than you get from your TV’S own smart services.

At £39.99, the Express 4K sits neatly alongside Roku’s existing products. It’s £10 more expensive than the standard Roku Express (which only offers 1080p resolution, not the 4K found here) and is the same price as the Roku Premiere, which also has 4K.

The Express 4K’s main upgrade is that it uses the Wi-fi 5 standard, whereas the Express and the Premiere are restricted to Wi-fi 4. If you have a compatible router, the added bandwidth and flexibility could provide smoother streaming, particularly with 4K content at up to 60fps. While you can control the Express 4K with your voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, it doesn’t have this feature built into the remote control. That’s not a problem if you have a compatible device nearby, such as an

Amazon Echo or a Google Nest, but some rival products, such as the Amazon Fire TV 4K, offer it from the remote.

The Roku Express 4K is similar in design to the Roku Express and the Roku Premiere. It’s a plain, black plastic box with a curved top, measuring 21x39x86mm. It has an HDMI output, a

microusb port for power (pictured below left), and a reset button on the rear.

Switch it on and you’re met with a simple, user-friendly interface that’s easy to set up and use. All the key streaming platforms and UK channels are present, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Spotify, Now, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iplayer, All4, My5, ITV Hub, Sky Store, Youtube and Britbox. There are also plenty more you’ve probably never heard of. The device displays them all with excellent picture and sound quality.

SPECIFICATIONS

Supports TVS with resolutions from 1080p up to 2160p at 60fps • Wi-fi 5 • HDMI port • 21x86x39mm • 45g • One-year warranty www.snipca.com/38734

VERDICT With all the channels you need, superb picture quality and extra bandwidth, the Roku Express 4K is a brilliant streamer

★★★★★

ALTERNATIVE Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K K £49.99 Slightly more expensive 4K streamer r but it comes with Alexa voice control built into the remote

Has Wi-fi 5, which boosts bandwidth for smooth streaming