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On October 8, 2025, Amazon listed the Roku Streaming Stick Plus for $24, down from $39.99—a 40% reduction. Engadget called it the lowest price it had seen, making it a standout budget 4K-streaming deal at the time. That is a historical Prime Day price, not a guarantee of what the stick costs now.
What the Prime Day deal actually was
The offer covered Amazon’s Roku Streaming Stick Plus listing at $24, compared with a then-listed price of $39.99. Engadget reported the October 8, 2025 price as the lowest it had seen; that wording does not prove an all-time low across every retailer, coupon, bundle or regional promotion.
| Price detail | Amount and qualification |
|---|---|
| Prime Day 2025 price | $24 on October 8, 2025, according to Engadget’s Amazon deal listing |
| Reference price | $39.99 at the time |
| Advertised saving | 40% |
| “Cheaper than ever” claim | Engadget’s lowest-seen price, not an independently verified all-time record |
Prices, sellers, coupons, stock and delivery terms can change. Check Amazon’s live listing for any Prime-member restriction, coupon or quantity limit rather than assuming that every Prime Day offer requires membership.
Current pricing is especially easy to misread. Roku’s product page returned a $39.99 price in this research, while a July 2026 Ars Technica report said Roku had raised the device’s regular price to $60 and was temporarily showing the former $40 level as a sale price. Verify the live Amazon and Roku pages immediately before buying.
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- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
Engadget’s deal report, Roku’s product page and Ars Technica’s July 2026 pricing report provide the dated price context.
What you get for the money
The current 2025-generation device is identified by Roku as model 3830R. It is a compact HDMI stick powered over USB-C, designed to replace a slow television interface or add streaming to an older set.
Rank #2
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
| Feature | Roku’s listed specification |
|---|---|
| Video | Up to 4K (2160p) at 60 frames per second |
| HDR | HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG |
| Wireless | Dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi |
| Remote | Roku Voice Remote with TV power, volume and mute controls |
| Audio and listening | Bluetooth Headphone Mode; digital stereo over HDMI, DTS Digital Surround pass-through and Dolby-encoded audio pass-through |
| Smart-home features | Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Roku Smart Home compatibility |
| Power | USB-C, 5V/1A; approximately 2.5W typical during 4K streaming |
| Size and weight | 3.7 × 0.80 × 0.45 inches; 0.90 ounces (26 grams) |
Roku’s detailed specifications are on its Roku Express 4K Plus product page, which covers the current 3830R platform.
Important limitations before you buy
No Dolby Vision
The stick does not support Dolby Vision. It supports HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG instead. If your television or content library is built around Dolby Vision, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Roku Ultra is a better match.
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- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Performance is budget-tier
Engadget’s review context found slower menu navigation and app launching than on more expensive streamers. It also noted shorter Wi-Fi range than pricier Roku models, although that is less likely to matter when the stick is near the router. These are reported observations, not independent testing of this article.
4K depends on the television and connection
The stick works with HD and 4K televisions, but an HD set will display HD only. 4K/HDR playback requires a compatible television, an HDMI input supporting HDCP 2.2, compatible content and HDR enabled for that input when the television requires it. An older television’s USB port may not supply enough power, in which case use wall power. The remote’s TV controls work with most, not every, television model.
Rank #4
- Hides behind your TV: The all-new design plugs right into your TV with a simple setup
- Super-fast startup: Start streaming channels like Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Netflix, Sling, and Hulu in a snap—just turn on your TV
- Long-range Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room with a strong Wi-Fi connection, now up to 2x faster
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku Streaming Stick with the Roku remote
- Voice search & control: Quickly search, play entertainment, and control your streaming device with the voice remote
Similar names can hide different hardware
Do not confuse the 2025 model 3830R with older products sold as Roku Streaming Stick+—including model 3810. Check the model number and connector details in the listing and setup documentation. Roku’s support pages cover setup and device identification.
Who should buy it?
- Shoppers who want inexpensive 4K streaming.
- Owners of an older or sluggish smart TV.
- Travelers who need a small HDMI device.
- Roku users adding a second television.
- Anyone who does not need Dolby Vision and can place the stick within reasonable Wi-Fi range.
Who should spend more or skip it?
- Dolby Vision users.
- Buyers who prioritize the fastest menus, app launches or strongest wireless range.
- People wanting gaming-focused hardware or a premium home-theater box.
- Households with a recent smart TV that is already fast and fully supported.
- Anyone whose price is close to a higher-tier Roku model.
Roku alternatives
| Device | Price signal in the supplied listings | Best fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roku Streaming Stick | $29.99 | HD-only televisions | No 4K playback |
| Roku Streaming Stick Plus (3830R) | $39.99 shown on Roku’s retrieved product page; $24 historical Prime Day price | Portable, lower-cost 4K streaming | No Dolby Vision; slower than premium models |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K | $49.99 | Buyers who want Dolby Vision in a stick form | Costs more than the Plus |
| Roku Ultra | $69 during October 2025 Prime Day, down from $99.99; historical only | Higher performance in a stationary player | Larger and less travel-friendly; current price not established |
See Roku’s comparison page and player hub for current model availability and pricing.
Best Value
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
Setup and headphone instructions
Initial setup
- Plug the stick into an available HDMI port.
- Connect the included USB-C power cable; use a wall adapter if the TV’s USB port is insufficient.
- Insert the remote batteries.
- Select the television’s matching HDMI input.
- Connect the Roku to Wi-Fi.
- Complete Roku activation and software setup.
- Add apps from the Roku Channel Store.
Connect Bluetooth headphones
- Press Home, then choose Settings > Remotes & devices > Wireless headphones.
- Select the headphones and choose Connect.
While watching content, press the Star button, choose Wireless headphones, select the headphones and choose Connect.
Bottom-line buying rule
At $24 in October 2025, the Streaming Stick Plus was an easy budget recommendation: a tiny 4K player with a voice remote, private-listening mode and broad Roku app support. The “cheaper than ever” wording should remain tied to Engadget’s lowest-seen price, not treated as a permanent record. At today’s price, compare the live listing with the $49.99 Streaming Stick 4K and other current Roku offers; pay more when Dolby Vision or faster performance matters.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
