I had a Roku 2, 2015 model, which filled all our needs except the remote didn't work well unless it had a perfectly direct line of sight to the unit.
But we got a Samsung 4K HDR TV recently, so when Roku introduced these latest models, we were tempted. When Amazon put them on sale, we gave in and got a Premiere+.
We are very happy with the purchase.
Most importantly, the picture quality including 4K programs is excellent - and this is with wifi streaming to the Roku box, because we currently can't have it located near our router for a direct ethernet connection. We are hoping to move our incoming cable internet wiring, modem, and router to the room with the new TV so we can have a wired ethernet connection to the Roku. But you should know that this is not necessary to get excellent picture quality.
The remote with the brand new Roku models no longer requires a direct line of sight. We actually put the Roku Premiere+ inside the cabinet that our TV sits on, so there's less gadget and cable clutter in plain sight on top of the cabinet.
The Premiere+ interface is quite snappy, making the Roku 2 introduced in Spring 2015 feel laggy in comparison.
The Roku smartphone app works better with the Premiere+ with no lag, and includes the ability to stream music, video, or photos from your phone's camera roll directly to the TV.
This is my first Roku with a headphone jack on the remote. The included earbuds don't sound that great, but using a $100 Bose headphone sounds decent plugged into the remote--not as good as plugging the headphone directly into the TV, but plenty good enough for most shows. Better yet, there's no lag in the sound when heard through headphones plugged into the remote.
Setup took 10 minutes. Plugged it in to the wall power and the TV, entered our wifi login and password, then let it auto-download the latest firmware update. Once I logged into my Roku account, it auto-installed all the same apps/channels I had on my previous Roku. The only slightly annoying thing was I had to enter my login and password the first time I used Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other channels. But this is much less tedious using the smartphone app, which has a handy keyboard function.
A few other reviewers here said they had to reboot their new Roku a few times. We haven't at all, and we've been using it heavily.
You can pay a bit more for the top model which includes voice search and a feature that makes it easier to find the remote if you misplace it. Those are the only differences between that model and the Premiere+. I recommend saving your money and buying this model instead. The excellent Roku smartphone app has voice search that works pretty well in our experience.
I haven't tried the latest Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV streaming boxes. I understand they are quite good, and I won't claim the Roku is better. But I think the Roku is excellent for the reasons I've given above. Plus, as with my two previous Roku boxes, it's easy to set up and super easy to use.
Highly recommended.
| Brand Name | Roku |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 7.7 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 4.9 x 4.9 x 0.85 inches |
| Item model number | 4630R |
| Batteries | 2 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | Black |
