Roku Stick Vs Roku Box- How Do They Compare?
Roku Inc boasts varied collection of media players, each of which is functional in its own right, the media players have been configured to cater to different categories of users, most of which are fairly priced. For over 10 years Roku has, therefore, been instrumental in turning the standard tv sets into smart television sets.
The media streaming devices from Roku have many useful features and all you have to do is understand what each of these devices has to offer, before narrowing down to one. We have therefore carried out an analysis of the Roku Stick and the Roku Box to help you choose one that will suffice your needs.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Roku Stick and Roku Box
Model |
Roku Stick |
Roku Box |
processor |
ARM Cortex A7 quad-core 800 MHz |
ARM Cortex A53 |
Storage Capacity |
256mb |
None |
RAM |
512 MB |
512MB |
Throughput speed |
3.0mbps for SD
9.0mbps for HD |
15 – 20 mbps |
Ports |
HDMI, micro USB, MHL |
Micro USB |
Availability |
Roku Stick Vs Fire Box – How do they compare?
Speeds and Performance
When using a media streaming device, the provision of a high-quality video resolution largely depends on your ISP; you should, therefore, ensure that your internet connectivity is fast. If you are using the Roku stick then it is recommended that you ensure to have about 3.0mbps download speeds for standard definition and about 9.0mbps if you want to engage high definition content.
The download range for the Roku box has been set at 15-20 Mbps, remember that this device only supports a single band (2.4 GHz), and is known to quickly switch between applications, and navigate through menus. Overall, however, the unit seems to be underperforming when it comes to speeds, and consequently renders poor voice and picture quality, it also frequently buffs.
The Roku stick is not very different from the Roku box in terms of performance, the only option, therefore, is to try some fixes to improve transmission speeds and performance, such as using the HDMI extenders or trying out the different wireless broadcast channels. And because of the above, the Roku stick is definitely a better performer than the Roku box as it utilizes only one frequency.
Storage capacity
Most Roku devices have been equipped with a storage capacity of up to 256mb such as the Roku box and Roku 3, they have additionally incorporated an operational memory of up to 512mb. The storage space in the above Roku devices helps with the storage of channels, which then translates to faster loading, and that is why you find that some of the Roku devices have incorporated the micro-SD port, meant to allow users expand their internal memory.
The latter is then used to install games and channels; be informed therefore, that the provided storage capacity cannot store, any other content including your video files. Roku box does not have storage capacity and this explains why its performance is poor when compared to the Roku stick.
Connectivity options
Upon the purchase of the Roku stick, you will be provided with a USB power cable and a wall adapter; the media streamer has also incorporated a micro-USB port. The device will, therefore, plug to your TV’s HDMI port and stream content from the internet, the stick doesn’t however, have an Ethernet port,
Roku streamers are normally equipped with USB ports, which then give users the option of connecting to the external USB drives. The above enables users to play the local audio, video files, or the stored photos, and even better is that users can connect more than one USB drive to their Roku devices, all they need to do is get a USB hub.
To use the Roku stick, you will connect it to the HDMI port on your TV; you also don’t have to necessarily connect it to a power source as it can be powered by connecting it to a USB port but on select TV’s.
The Roku box, on the other hand, operates differently from the Roku stick, for one it is normally used on TVs that don’t have an HDMI connection and therefore, uses the composite inputs instead. To begin streaming you will plug the three composite cables to the back of your TV set and plug the opposite end to the Roku box. The Roku box is, therefore, limited as regards connectivity and expandability options, features that are readily available in the Roku stick, and which make it highly functional.
Roku stick vs Roku Box – A Comparison Overview
Rokus stick
- Powerful quad core processor & best wireless performance
- Brilliant 4k, HDR, and HD streaming
So while most of the channels on Roku box are free, Roku stick gives you a clear distinction between the free and the paid channels, for one is that you will get up to 75,000+ channels equipped with free entertainment options. And for the movies and TV episodes, you have up to 500,000+ to choose from, the unit also offers the best wireless performance thanks to the storage space and the incorporated powerful processor.
Pros
- Allows flawless management of the channels
- Offers excellent screencasting capabilities
- Fairly priced
- Offers seamless streaming
Cons
- The remote is not very effective
- Not convenient for the long term
Roku Box
The Roku box is a toned-down version among the various Roku streamers; it has incorporated a fairly easy to use user interface and is quite affordable given that most of the channels are free. Upon purchase of the unit, Roku will provide you with a free mobile application that you can use in either the IOS or Android devices.
You will however not be provided with the composite cables upon purchase, which is quite a disappointment, as it could affect functionality given that getting the original cables from retailers could be a challenge.
Pros
- Has incorporated voice search and private listening
- Works with a USB cable, so no need for power supply
- Can be customized through the application on your phone
- Turns analog tv sets into smart tv’s
Cons
- The unit’s interface is slow
- Wireless casting not supported
Conclusion
The advantage of using the Roku box is that you are not subjected to the monthly rental fees thus gives you the option of turning all the TVs in your home into smart TVs. And just because it’s free you might be tempted to think that there are limitations, well to surprise you is that you will be provided with up to 450,000+ movies some of which you might have to pay for.
Final Verdict – So which is the better? Roku Stick or the Roku Box?
The Roku stick is the better option given its high processing capacity, the unit has a large storage space and varied expandable connectivity options when compared to the Roku box, which does not have any storage space and offers poor video and audio quality.
FAQ’s
-
What is the shelf life of the Roku Stick?
Roku stick doesn’t have a very long lifespan, so you can expect a maximum of two years, which is quite low given that by resetting to factory settings the small issues are easily obliterated.
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Do I need to install the Roku Box if I already have a Roku TV
You don’t need to install the Roku box if you already have the Roku TV because the tv comes preinstalled with almost everything that you might be looking for in the Roku box.