New Roku Express vs Roku Ultra 2022 Review and Comparison

Cloud745

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Roku has announced two new TV streaming products for 2022, the 2022 Roku Express and the 2022 Roku Ultra. What are the features of these two streaming devices? What are the similarities or differences between them? In this article, we'll compare the 2022 Roku Express vs 2022 Roku Ultra to help you make the right choice.

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2022 Roku Express vs Roku Ultra Quick Decision​


When comparing the Roku Express and Roku Ultra 2022 streaming devices, it's easy to see that these are two different products from the Roku lineup and position. the Roku Express 2022 is an entry-level product that offers basic streaming services at a low price for those on a budget.

The Roku Ultra 2022 is an advanced Roku streaming device with better picture quality and a more expensive price tag than the Roku Express. If it's a quick choice between the two, we recommend the Roku Ultra 2022 for better picture quality, faster operation, better network and Bluetooth connectivity, and more. The Roku Express 2022, on the other hand, is less expensive but has an average configuration and is not suitable for long-term use.

Specs2022 Roku Express2022 Roku Ultra
Year20222022
Price$29.99/$24.98$99.99/$68.84
Demension and Weight3x 1.5 x 0.75 inches
1.1 Ounces
5 x 4.9 x 1 inches
5.9 Ounces
RAM+ROM512 MB RAM2GB+4GB
Picture Quality1080p ResolutionHD TVs
4K TVs*(Up to 2160p at 60fp)
4K HDR TVs*(Dolby Vision® at 60fps, HDR10/10+ HLG)
NetworkWifiEthernet 10/100
802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi(2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)
AudioDolby Atmos via HDMI passthroughDigital stereo over HDMI
DTS Digital Surround
Dolby Atmos
Bluetooth/Yes
Streaming ServicesHulu, Disney Plus, Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Showtime and Starz, among othersSling, Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max
Voice RemoteRoku simple remoteRoku Voice Remote Pro
ConnectivityHDMI Port
Power Port
HDMI 2.0b
USB 3.0
Power Port

2022 Roku Express Quick Review​


The Roku Express 2022 is a small streaming device that turns a regular TV into a smart TV, and it can connect to any TV with an HDMI port. The package comes with a streaming box that connects to your TV and a battery-powered remote control. Roku Express 2022 also comes with the AAA batteries needed for the remote control. The setup is simple and only costs about $30.

The Roku Express 2022 is one of the most basic streaming devices out there. It's no-frills, but you can access almost all streaming apps. And the Roku device itself doesn't require a monthly subscription. You do, however, have to pay for on-demand and live TV streaming services that you watch on the device. If you already subscribe to a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or fuboTV, you can even use the Roku Express 2022 to log in to stream and switch to cable. Roku also has its own channels that offer ad-supported shows and movies, including the entire catalog of the now-discontinued Quibi app.

All you need to get started is a TV with an HDMI input and a home Internet connection with a wireless router. The Roku Express 2022 uses Wi-Fi to stream content, and it can stream video up to 1080p. As a result, the device works with most HDTVs. However, the Roku Express cannot stream in 4K Ultra HD.

Overall, the Roku Express 2022 is a basic model with basic features and streaming quality up to 1080p. It's an inexpensive way to stream Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max on your TV. So, it's for people who just want a simple way to connect to their favorite on-demand streaming services.

And, if you are looking for a more reasonably priced streaming device, you can check out the comparison of the 2022 Roku Express vs Fire TV Stick 4K Max and make your decision.

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✅ Pros​

  • Cost about $30 or less with discount
  • Free channel with movies, shows, and live news

❌Cons​

  • No 4K streaming available
  • No voice commands for the remote
  • Limited running space available

2022 Roku Ultra Quick Review​


The Roku Ultra is the most full-featured (and expensive) line of streaming TV devices, and the Roku Ultra 2022 has combined all the features together, like 4K, HDR capability, wired Ethernet Internet, USB media port, quad-core processor, and Roku remote headphone jack. Like other Roku devices, the Roku Ultra's Channel Store offers nearly 4,000 streaming apps, which include many free channels.

The Roku Ultra 2022 is a small, four-square TV box that supports 1080p, 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and other video formats and features a digital stereo, DTS digital surround sound, Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos for about $100. Sometimes it offers discounts, like during the Black Friday event when you can buy it on Amazon for $68. But for now, you'll need to wait.

Plus, the Roku Ultra 2022 gets a major upgrade to its remote, the Roku Voice Remote Pro, which conveniently recharges with features like TV controls and personal shortcut buttons. You can control your TV hands-free with your voice, or even find a lost remote, or plug headphones into the remote or use wireless pairing with the Roku mobile app to turn up the volume without bothering anyone else.

All in all, the Roku Ultra 2022 is a small TV streaming device that comes fully equipped. It's perfect for those who demand smart entertainment services. With the Roku Ultra 2022, you can enjoy content in 4K quality, as well as HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and more, and use your voice to control your TV or find your remote.

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✅ Pros​

  • Full-function remote control
  • 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos capabilities

❌Cons​

  • Expensive price compared to competitors
  • Limited voice search

New Roku Express vs Roku Ultra 2022Comparison​


Appearance Design​


The Roku Express and Roku Ultra 2022 are from different series and their designs present different styles. 2022 Roku Express is a small curved black block with a Roku logo on the top, an HDMI port and a charging port on the side, as well as a reset button and a indicator light. It's compact and simple to connect, doesn't need to be placed on a desktop, but hides well behind or under the TV.

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The Roku Ultra 2022 is a small black TV box. It also has the Roku logo on the top, ports and a purple braid on the side, and rounded corners. It connects to your TV via the HDMI port and sits on your TV table or behind your TV.

Display and Audio​

In terms of picture quality, the biggest difference between the Roku Express and Roku Ultra 2022 is that the former only supports 1080p resolution, while the latter supports 4K resolution. This means that with the content available, the Roku Ultra 2022 presents a more detailed and clear picture than the Roku Express 2022.

2022 Roku Express SCREEN


In addition, the Roku Ultra 2022 also supports video formats such as Dolby Vision running at 60fps, HDR10/10+ HLG. As a result, the Roku Ultra 2022 presents a more realistic picture quality with vibrant colors. As for audio, the Roku Ultra 2022 supports Digital stereo, DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Atmos, while the Roku Express only supports Dolby Atmos via HDMI passthrough.

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Connectivity​

The Roku Express 2022 has poorer connectivity than the Roku Ultra 2022 due to price and size limitations. In addition to the charging port, the Roku Express 2022 has only one HDMI port for connection to the TV, as well as connection via Wifi and the internet. As a result, it's very easy to connect. Just plug the Roku Express into your TV's HDMI port and power it up, and you'll be able to transfer your TV signal to the Roku Express.

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The Roku Ultra 2022 is a TV box that has interfaces including HDMI, USB 3.0 and Ethernet. So you can connect it to other devices and, in addition to WiFi, to limited networks. If your home doesn't support WiFi, the Roku Ultra 2022 is a better choice.

What's more, the Roku Ultra 2022 supports Bluetooth connectivity, which the Roku Express lacks.

Remote​

In fact, the most important upgrade to the Roku Ultra 2022 is the remote control. The Roku Express 2022 comes with a regular Roku remote control with basic functional buttons and 4 specific buttons.

The Roku Ultra 2022 comes with the Roku Voice Remote Pro, which is conveniently rechargeable and features TV controls and personal shortcut buttons, among other things. Most importantly, it supports voice remote control, remote finder function and headphone jack.
Roku Express vs Roku Ultra 2022 remote.jpg

The upgrade to the Roku Voice Remote Pro means you only need to issue commands to the remote to have the Roku Ultra perform. If you have the misfortune of losing your remote, simply press a button on the Roku Ultra 2022 device and the remote will make a sound to guide you to it. If you want to listen to content privately, you can plug your headphones into the Roku Voice Remote Pro. Overall, the Roku Ultra 2022 ground remote is smarter and more useful, which is the main feature of the Roku Ultra 2022.

Running Performance​


Finally, we compare the runtime performance of the Roku Express 2022 to that of the Roku Ultra 2022, and the latter is the undoubted winner. the Roku Ultra 2022 has 2GB of runtime memory, while the Roku Express 2022 has only 512MB, which is four times more than the latter. This means that the Roku Ultra 2022 can run more applications at the same time and keep running smoothly for a longer period of time. The running memory of the Roku Express 2022 is small and limited, and it may lag when multiple applications are open or when used for a period of time.

Roku Express vs Roku Ultra 2022 Running ability.jpg

Roku Express vs Roku Ultra 2022 Final Verdict​

By comparing these two new TV streaming devices, Roku Express and Roku Ultra 2022, it's easy to draw the conclusion that Roku Ultra 2022 has better picture quality, sound quality, connectivity, remote control capabilities, and better operability. But again, the Roku Ultra 2022 costs more. If you're new to Roku streaming devices and have a small budget, go for the Roku Express 2022. If you're looking for better quality and want a device that will last longer, go for the Roku Ultra 2022.
Roku Express vs Roku Ultra 2022 specs Final Verdict

Check if the similar products' comparison of Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs Roku Ultra 2022 and 2022 Apple TV 4K vs Roku Ultra if you are looking for more advanced streaming devices released in 2022.
 
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