Two of the most popular streamers, compared
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Overall Findings
Express and Express 4K+ options.
Base Express is the cheapest option at just $30.
Express 4K+ costs $40.
Can support Ethernet with additional dongle.
Limited features on base model.
Only one option in 2024.
More expensive than even the top-end Express at $50.
Better Wi-Fi but no Ethernet support.
When deciding between an Express and a Stick, there are a few things to keep in mind.
However, you will also lose out on the voice remote that comes with the other Roku streamers.
That said, if you do want 4K and HDR support, the decision becomes a bit more complicated.
Hardware: The Stick Has Better Wi-Fi and a Remote
Smooth performance.
4K output on Express 4K+ and 1080p on Express.
Express 4K+ supports HDR, while the Express doesn’t.
No Dolby Vision support.
No voice remote on base Express.
Can connect an Ethernet adapter.
Capable of 4K output.
In general, the hardware of these streamers is quite similar.
None of them will lag or stutter much when running apps.
The key difference comes down to two areas: internet connectivity and image quality.
The base Express is limited to just 1080p without HDR, and it doesn’t have a voice remote.
The Express 4K+ supports 4K/HDR but not Dolby Vision.
Both Express models also have shorter-range Wi-Fi capabilities, but you might pair them with an Ethernet adapter.
The biggest advantage of the Stick is its Dolby Vision support and longer-range Wi-Fi.
Its simple, out-of-the-way design is also nice to have.
1080p streaming on base Express.
4K/HDR streaming on Express 4K+.
Voice remote only available on Express 4K+.
Enjoy all the same content.
Stream in the highest quality.
Voice remote with TV power/volume control.
Like with hardware, features across all three devices are quite similar.
Unless you plan on using an Ethernet adapter with the Express 4K+, it’s about the same.
Meanwhile, the base Express is limited in its stream quality.
Otherwise, though, there’s relative feature parity.
Its slim design makes setup take seconds and allows it to fit cleanly behind your TV without any hassle.
You are losing out on an Ethernet adapter, but you don’t need a hardwired connection for streaming.
Even 4K streaming will be more than enough for almost everyone, and Wi-Fi will be more than enough.
