Roku Ultra and Roku Premiere are both excellent choices for home streaming devices. Both devices will excel, depending on the buyer’s specific needs. The Roku Premiere provides ease of set-up and portability, and the Roku Ultra transcends with its list of high-tech features. But what is the difference between the two?
Some differences between Roku Ultra and Roku Premiere include:
- PriceResolutionRemote typeFrequency
Whichever device you choose, you still have access to the thousands of channels and the beautifully designed interface Roku is known for.What are the main differences between the Ultra and Premiere you ask? Keep reading to find out.
How Are the Roku Ultra and Roku Premiere Different?
So you’ve made up your mind to get a streaming device and you have your eye on Roku. With multiple versions at fairly different price points, which one is best for you? Two of the best devices on the lineup are the Roku Ultra, and the Roku Premiere. Each device has advantages to be considered.
Here are the main differences between the Roku Premiere and the Roku Ultra:
Now, let’s take a look at which streaming service will be best for you depending on what experience you’re looking for.
Roku Ultra VS. Roku Premiere Streaming Experience
You now know the difference between Roku Ultra and Roku Premiere, but which one is best for you?
This table shows the streaming capabilities of each device:
Now, let’s dive deeper into each point below.
Roku Premiere
Everything that comes with Roku Premiere is small enough to fit in your pocket. If you are a traveler, this is your device. You simply plug the media streamer into your TV with an HDMI cable, and to an outlet via the power cable (both are included), then connect to the available Wifi network, and you’re ready to go!
Although convenient, the “Premiere’s” portability does come with a few limitations. For example, it is only able to utilize a single-band 2.4GHZ Wifi connection. This can be a busy network for homes that have many devices.
Roku Ultra
When you don’t need to move around and are a more advanced streamer, the Roku Ultra has quite a few options that set it apart from the Premiere.
It has expanded options for the following:
- ResolutionChannelsMediaFaster connectionUpgraded remote
If you ever require discreet viewing, the Roku Ultra provides a headphone port directly on the remote, and the device also comes with its own set of JBL earbuds. Roku Premiere owners don’t fret! You can still watch quietly with headphones through Roku’s handy mobile app.
Why You Should Choose Roku Ultra Over Roku Premiere
Roku Ultra has better options than Roku Premiere, but what really makes it the better choice for a streaming device? Let’s find out below.
Stream On Multiple Devices
The Roku Ultra comes equipped with a USB port for playing local media, the option to stream directly from iOS devices on your network Apple Airplay 2 (though you can also utilize apps like Plex or Miracast to use similar functions from your PC), ethernet to connect directly to your internet hub, and even an 802.11ac WiFi radio!
Better Streaming Quality
Both devices offer access to beautiful picture quality with up to 4K HDR content. At just under $30 the Roku Premiere is easily one of the most inexpensive units to offer this.
If that’s not enough, the Roku Ultra steps it up a notch and gives you access to:
- The newer Dolby VisionHDR10+HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
To pair with this state-of-the-art viewing experience, the Ultra also has the option to output to Dolby Atmos, which for an at-home theater experience is truly second to none.
Upgraded Remote
If ease of use and home automation is your focus – Roku Ultra has it all.
The remote that comes with Roku Ultra is upgraded:
- The remote comes with an impressive set of features like its very own hands-free voice control that allows you to effortlessly control the device with the command “Hey Roku”. Voice Remote Pro will allow you to search for movies or shows, play or pause what you are watching, or even open apps.
Now you know everything about the difference between Roku Ultra and Roku Premiere and which one would be the better choice for you.
The Bottom Line
With The Roku Premiere coming in at such a bargain price, and the Roku Ultra packaging all of the features any technophile could ask for, you are presented with two excellent options for streaming devices. The Ultra is a strong competitor when it comes to any streaming device, still at a surprisingly low price, thus our pick for this Roku showdown.
