Why get a Roku streaming device? 8 Reasons

8 Reasons to choose a Roku streaming device

Looking to add streaming functionality to an older TV or maybe you just need an easy to use streaming option to give you more channels? There’s plenty of external streaming devices out there, so which one should you choose?

I’m going to make the case for a Roku device, and I’d like to thank Roku for sponsoring this blog and video. Their sponsorship helps me keep the blog and YouTube channel running and in truth I’ve long been a fan of these devices. Here’s why.

1. Roku streaming devices are small, compact, portable

If you’ve been shopping for a streaming device, you know there’s lots out there, and some of these devices are bigger than others. While that’s fine if you have a place to set them, if you have a wall mounted TV, you want a streaming device that’s easy to hide. Roku Streaming Stick, Premier or express are all small enough to tuck out of the way and some versions come with double sided tape to make it even easier.

2. Choose your resolution

Whether you’re still using an HD TV or you’ve upgraded to crisper, brighter, higher resolution 4K TV, there’s a Roku Streaming option for you.

The HD-ready Roku express is inexpensive and gives you high quality HD video streams. If you want a 4K option you can choose the Roku Streaming Stick+ or Roku Premier. Both the Premier and Streaming Stick are also HD backwards compatible, making them a great choice if you do plan to upgrade your HD TV to 4K soon.

3. Affordable prices

Gone are the days where you need to pay hundreds of dollars for a premium streaming device. Roku streamers are affordable and the range of prices means you can find a Roku streamer that fits your TV—and your budget.

4. Content, content, content!

Roku streaming devices like Roku Streaming Stick, Premier or express and new Roku-powered TVs like the hisense Roku TV all come loaded with a tonne of channels or apps so you can access a wide variety of TV shows, movies and events. There’s plenty of content on a Roku streamer—both free options and paid channels—including Canadian TV and programs too.

5. Now with Apple TV and disney +!

Roku TV streamers and Roku TVs have the necessities you expect, like the Roku channel, Netflix and YouTube, but now you can also get Apple TV and disney +. These pay services are bringing a lot more great shows to Roku, meaning almost anything you want to watch you should be able to find.

6. Easy to use interface

I think Roku has one of the most user-friendly and easy to operate TV streaming systems out there. It’s so easy, you could put one in your child’s playroom and they could use it no problem. Similarly if you’ve got seniors in your life or technophobe parents or grandparents who don’t usually like fussing with ‘this newfangled technology’ you’ll have them streaming content in seconds.

If you’re shopping for a new TV, look for hisense and TCL TVs which are built on that easy Roku operating system too.

7. Remote (and batteries!) included!

One of the things that makes a Roku streamer great is the included Roku Remote control. This compact remote makes it easy to control your Roku streaming device with a few clicks. With the Roku Remote, you don’t need to keep giving your smartphone to the kids every time they need to change the channel like you do with some other streamers. The Remote has all the buttons you need to navigate your TV, including some shortcut buttons for favourite channels too. And the batteries are always included in the box!

If you do prefer to use your phone as the remote, you can. The Roku Remote app is available free from the App Store or Google Play. Download it and connect to your Roku Streaming Stick, Premier or express for remote control anywhere. The app also has another special feature that makes Roku stand out…

8. Private Listening—use headphones with Roku

A favourite feature of mine is the Private Listening option with Roku streamers. Using the Roku Remote App, you can connect your favourite headphones to your phone and redirect the sound from the TV to your headphones. This is a great option when you can’t listen to Baby Shark one more time, or if you want to watch a loud action flick after the rest of the house has gone to bed. Just tap the Private Listening button on your Roku Remote app and you’re ready to watch!

Those are 8 great reasons to pick up a Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Premier or Roku express right now. If you’d like to read more about them, including full reviews of the devices, or some helpful how-tos, you can visit TechGadgetsCanada.com