Reviewed in Canada on August 17, 2022
I want to preface this by stating I had owned a few Roku products many, many years ago, but have since migrated more to Amazon FireTV products after joining Prime in 2019. I was in need up getting a new streaming device for one of my 4K TV's from 2018. It is a great TV, but sadly the integrated smart streaming features built into it just aren't cutting it anymore with many missing newer services such as Disney+ and Paramount+ to name a couple. I thought I would revisit the ROKU line and see whether things had changed. I was hoping this 2022 4K/HDR variant of the Roku Stick with the upgraded Remote with TV power/volume/mute controls would be just what I needed for my 2018 4K TV (which does support HDR, but not Dolby Vision). I will also note that this review will probably end up running quite long, but I hope to pass on some beneficial points for those that continue reading. Ok, lets go....
First off, I want to go over a lot of confusion I first encounted when researching the newer 2022 variants of the Roku devices here on Amazon. It wasn't just there were still many Amazon listings for prior generation models, but it finally occurred to me that many of the listings you may come across are actually from third party vendors and geared towards Roku users outside of Canada!! I happened to notice one review right here on this page where the buyer noted it did not include CRAVE as advertised or much of anything Canadian. I noticed a screen shot he provided that showed many UK apps? Well, that is NOT the model in question here. I can only assume that buyer opted for a cheaper device from a "third party Seller" instead of a "Shipped and Sold by Amazon" device and ended up being sent any device that vendor had. So, my first caution would be that you make sure the item you are ordering specifies Amazon.ca as the actual Seller and Shipper. The device I received is in fact the Canadian version and the remote as is pictured with a CRAVE quick link button. If you find yourself looking at a Roku listing on Amazon that shows a remote with buttons for Hulu, Vudu or any US only services, you probably want to avoid that listing as those services will NOT work here in Canada. Also, if want to end up with a single remote control, make sure you are looking a Roku listing that has a RED power button at the top and Volume/mute buttons on the right hand side like the unit I am reviewing. If you get one of the "lite" or basic variations, it will not have these remote buttons and you will be forced to use your original TV remote or an additional universal type in order to turn you TV on and adjust the volume. I almost chose the wrong device myself, so just pay close attention to the little details in whatever Roku listing you are looking at.
I think that I should also point out before I go further that if you happen to be BELL user (either FibeTV or Satellite) and you use and require the Bell "FIBE TV" app, then you can almost stop reading now as the Bell FibeTV app is NOT available on Roku, you will be missing an important feature. You get the "Crave" app, but no "FibeTV".
Now, I will get to the new remote itself. This kit shipped with Duracell branded batteries for the remote. I appreciated that touch. The remote also incorporates 4 preprogrammed quick link buttons for specfic services. It’s still very familiar with roughly the same same size and footprint of my current FireTV Stick remotes, but at first glance I was actually annoyed by the inclusion of the quick access buttons for 4 pre-set services as these are set in stone and NOT changeable to something else. Depending on whether you actually use these services, it may or may not be very convenient for your household. The 4 hotkey buttons are for direct access to NetFlix, Crave, ATV+ and The Roku Channel.. That last one is a big deal and I will touch on the The Roku Channel App a little later. I feel that the Roku remote is well made and feels durable with a nice texturing to it. The buttons have a satisfying tactile feel and soft "click" to them. I think its actually slightly better quality than my current Amazon FireTV stick remotes. The remote functions are quite intuitive and straigtforward in their simplicity. The remote also has a Voice Assistant enabled, but thankfully you do not need to make any use of it if you don't want to and you need to always push a button to activate it in any event. Its not listening in on you.
In addition to the nice remote with the Duracell batteries, this 4K/HDR Roku stick includes a MicroUSB power cord with a power wall adapter, a quick start leaflet and curiously a set of Roku stickers meant for use on glass? which seemed utterly pointless in my opinion.
SetUp is relatively easy and took me about 10 minutes or so.. But a few more for the Roku account setup which I did online before I activated the device. Once pluggIed into power and you turn on your TV you will be met with the Update screens within a few moments. You just need to take a few minutes to follow the simple on screen prompts to log into your network for the first time, and then after entering your Roku account details the updates will complete and you will be given the option also adding multiple streaming apps before you intial installation finishes (thereby simplfying the overall process for you) You will also be able to set it to work to your TV in moments during this same processs and from there on, the Roku remote will be able to turn you TV on and off, raise, lower and mute Volume. (assuming your TV's codes are within Rokus current database).
If you are a brand new Roku user (as I basically was) its not too difficult to navigate this process, but you will also be prompted to set up an new Roku Account in order to get going. Setting up a new Roku Account is absolutely FREE! But.. here is where I encountered a bit more confusion (that was a bit offputting at first), but I got through it. You will be required to enter a valid email and set up a password (thats a given). However there was then a 3rd screen that was trying to get me to fill in PAYMENT info!? (either C.C. or Paypal was an option). This was a turn off to me. I pay for my subscription services individually with providers. I see that Roku is attempting to provide an option for "convenience" as they might say, so that you can have them pay your subsription fees to Netflix, Disney+, ATV+, etc. I would say just AVOID that! I was able to page back and exit from that payment info screen and still get my Roku Account set up (which they even say on their FAQ's is FREE!).
Remember, you do NOT necessarily have to be a paying subscriber to any third party service to be able to get good use from a Roku streaming device as there are all sorts of Free Apps you can download from the Roku "Store" across many Interests and Genres. There are tons of free apps like CBC, Tubi, Plex, YouTube, etc. But of course all the other big services (both free and subscription based) are there including Netflix, ATV+, Disney+, Crave, Paramount+, SiriusXM etc., etc.
In simple summary, the 4K/HDR version of the 2022 Roku Stick is blazingly fast vs. my prior Roku experiences from years ago. I can really notice the huge performance difference when surfing through the GUI menus and searching. Now, I have a minor gripe in that the basic Roku home menus almost look unchanged from years ago! in that it is a very simple grid like User Interface layout. However, it is fast, crisp and clean, and once you are in the specific app, your interface will then take on the look of whatever that service is in any event (ie: Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, etc.) I terms of Picture and Audio quality I will simply say they are fantastic! This stick can most definitely deliver stunning 4K streaming on my 4K set with HDR. That will of course be dependant on a strong wifi signal with fast download service, but if you have quality internet, this Roku stick will deliver excellent performance. Note, that this Roku stick is wifi only. There is no method of connecting a hardwired LAN with this model. If you really would like to go hardwired, you should consult listings for the other models that look like a small box device as opposed to a "stick".
Overall, I am very happy to have picked up the 2022 version of the Roku 4K/HDR Streaming Stick. I wanted a better 4K stick to upgrade my 2018 75" display and this delivered! If you are the "cord cutter" type, you will be well served with a Roku device as their free "Roku Channel" App is like getting a "lite" version of a Cable or Satellite TV service what will also include CBC News and a nice varierty of channels across many interests.. learning (like Magellan TV), sports, music and I especially like the Free classic movie channels from "Cinevault". Its almost like having multiple versions of TCM. These are very good channels for old school movie fans. And, you get all of that with an on screen guide just like a Cable or Sat service would look. I feel the "The Roku Channel App" is Roku's standout FREE feature in my opinion. However, I will say that if you are a heavy Amazon user and are a Prime member, you will honestly want to probably stick with an Amazon FireTV Streaming device. I say that because those products are optimized for Prime Services.. Also, the Roku also does NOT have the Amazon MUSIC app!. You get Spotify and others, but you will miss your Amazon Music on here so keep that in mind if that is an important service for you. Again, just to restate, Roku also does NOT have the Bell FibeTV app, so if that is also a critical feature you may want to look at an Amazon FireTV stick instead.
The Roku 4K/HDR stick is very similar to price and features to an Amazon 4K FireTV Stick with both having a list price of about $69, but both often go on sale. I picked up this Roku stick during a 20% off sale at $54.99. I feel that is very good value for money for what you are getting here. I am going to give this Roku Stick about a 4.5 out of 5 rating. It is very good.. just not "perfect". I recommend this, but with the couple of caveats I noted previously.
** If you happened to make it this far, sorry about the very long ramble! I hope you picked up some beneficial info and points from this. HAVE A GREAT DAY! ***