About Roku
Roku is the leading streaming device platform in the United States, producing a range of streaming sticks, players, and streaming-capable smart TV sets that give users access to thousands of streaming channels through a unified, easy-to-navigate interface. Founded in 2002 and launching the first streaming player in 2008 in partnership with Netflix, Roku pioneered the dedicated streaming device category before smart TVs became ubiquitous.
Their product lineup ranges from the entry-level Roku Express (the most affordable streaming player available) through Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Ultra (with enhanced performance, remote features, and 4K HDR support), to Roku-branded smart TVs (sold through TCL, Hisense, and other TV partners). The Roku platform aggregates paid streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Max) alongside free ad-supported channels (The Roku Channel, Tubi, Pluto TV) in one interface.
Roku hardware prices are at their lowest during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday sales—the Roku Express regularly drops to $20–25 during promotional periods. The Roku Channel provides substantial free streaming content (movies, TV shows, live news) at no cost. Comparing Roku against Amazon Fire TV Stick and Apple TV 4K helps identify the best streaming platform for specific ecosystem preferences and feature requirements.
Quick Savings Tips
- Black Friday pricing drops Roku Express to $20–25—best time to buy if you can plan ahead
- Roku Channel provides free ad-supported streaming without any subscription cost
- Roku Ultra's remote finder feature is genuinely useful for households where remotes disappear frequently
- Voice search works across all streaming apps simultaneously—search for a movie without knowing which service has it
- Compare with Amazon Fire TV Stick if you're embedded in the Amazon ecosystem (Prime Video, Alexa)