Roku and Google leverage a few of the finest streaming units on the planet, and each manufacturers lately rolled out new $99 fashions constructed for severe efficiency. That’s a comparatively excessive price ticket, however these fashions provide a variety of options past simply entry to the very best streaming providers.
The newly-introduced Roku Ultra, a refreshed model of the premium mannequin initially launched again in 2015, provides as much as 30% quicker speeds than its predecessors. We’ll have to provide this a run for its cash in an official evaluation later within the month, however by all accounts, the upgrades appear promising.
As for Google’s new entry, it is dropping the long-lived Chromecast with Google TV title in favor of the Google TV Streamer. The title is much much less of a mouthful however one which displays new nomenclature. It takes on an entire new design that extends even to its distant management. It additionally options a number of baked-in AI enhancements, particularly a screensaver perform to tackle the Samsung The Frame TV.
Read on to search out out which new premium streaming machine is a worthy improve on your TV.
Roku Ultra (2024) vs Google TV Streamer: Specs in contrast
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Roku Ultra (2024) | Google TV Streamer |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1b, Ethernet (10/100) | USB-C, HDMI 2.1a, Ethernet (10/100/1000) |
| Refresh charge | 60Hz (with QMS) | 60Hz |
| Storage | N/A | 32Gb |
| Resolution | 3,840 x 2,160p | 3,840 x 2,160p |
| HDR | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision |
| Smart TV software program | Roku OS | Google TV |
| Price | $99 | $99 |
Roku Ultra (2024) vs Google TV Streamer: Design
Roku maintained the Ultra’s minimalist look and hasn’t added any new shade schemes for its refreshed mannequin. In truth, should you have a look at them facet by facet, you’ll be able to’t actually see a lot of a distinction.
The Google TV Streamer, then again, is a very new search for Google. It makes use of a sloped construction, virtually like a small skateboard ramp, and is available in two colours: Hazel and Porcelain. Even the distant sees a serious alteration with an extended design and quantity controls that now sit on the entrance of the machine.
Roku adopted in Google’s footsteps, together with its redesigned Voice Remote Pro within the field. This unhealthy boy is charged through USB-C and even has backlit buttons, placing Google’s new distant to disgrace. (Who desires to continually be altering batteries and twiddling with controls at nighttime once you’ve obtained limitless energy and backlit buttons?)
Both streaming units are somewhat cumbersome in comparison with their counterparts and can take up house someplace near your TV. They’ll additionally present their wires, however you may get round that by stashing them conveniently behind your TV.
The Roku Ultra and Google TV Streamer make use of various ports. The Ultra leverages a USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1b and Ethernet that may solely hit 100 Mbps of velocity. Meanwhile, the Google TV Streamer has energy and information connectivity with USB-C, HDMI 2.1a and Ethernet that hits as much as 1Gb wired.
It’s additionally vital to notice that the Roku Ultra makes use of WiFi 6 (2.4 Ghz / 5 GHz), whereas the Google TV Streamer sports activities simply WiFi 5. The Google TV Streamer, nevertheless, provides a Thread board router for sensible house connectivity and improved collaborations throughout your Thread and Matter-based sensible house ecosystem. The Roku Ultra doesn’t.
That’s to not say the Ultra does not have sensible house capabilities, although. They’re simply locked behind Roku’s low cost sensible house units, which means you must use the Roku Light Strips, Roku Doorbell Camera, and extra for correct performance. Thus, should you’re well-invested within the Roku ecosystem, the brand new Ultra may be the proper match, however even with its higher distant, the TV Streamer wins out.
Winner: Google TV Streamer
Roku Ultra (2024) vs Google TV Streamer: Performance
The Chromecast with Google TV 4K is now useless. Taking its place is the Google TV Streamer. It’s a robust little machine with a ton of assist past simply leisure wants, extending even into the sensible house realm with a Thread board router. Gemini additionally makes large strides with summarized evaluations and overviews of reveals, plus higher suggestions to search out your subsequent favourite present or film.
In our evaluation of the brand new Google TV Streamer, we praised the redesigned distant, enhanced sensible house controls, and AI screensavers. In phrases of its common efficiency, it really works as supposed and does some unbelievable issues for the $99 value level. Yes, that is dearer than the Chromecast with Google TV platform, however the upgrades are there.
As for the Roku Ultra, whereas quicker (and with extra options, just like the Quick Media Switching perform), its upgrades fall wanting the Google TV Streamer. Sure, it provides higher connectivity with Wi-Fi 6, however no 1Gb speeds over wired connection is a serious let down, to not point out its locked Roku sensible house ecosystem means you do not have almost as many appropriate units to select from.
The Roku Ultra and Google TV Streamer each boast the vary of HDR codecs, together with Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG (plus Dolby Atmos for audio). One factor the Ultra lacks, nevertheless, is the next storage capability. It is not listed on any of its spec sheets, however the Google TV Streamer comes with a whopping 32GB of inside storage — almost as a lot as an Apple TV 4K, which prices $30 extra. Picture high quality will, kind of, depend upon the kind of TV you are utilizing.
The Roku Ultra is available in at precisely the identical value as its predecessor and even the Google TV Streamer. Its 30% quicker speeds and entry to QMS, a somewhat area of interest perform that works to mitigate “HDMI bonk” when content material switches refresh charges, do not precisely justify its somewhat excessive value.
Winner: Google TV Streamer
Roku Ultra (2024) vs Google TV Streamer: Smart platform
When evaluating Roku vs Google TV, it is vital to keep in mind that their interface designs are related. Access to streaming platforms is made extremely easy with user-generated rows and tiles. Both include a slew of ad-heavy banners and annoyances, however these are simply ignored within the face of extra egregious culprits in the marketplace (like LG webOS and Fire TV).
Roku has its beloved Roku City screensaver web page that many customers adore for its myriad Easter eggs and mini-advertisements. It’s nothing as profound as what might be discovered on the Google TV Streamer and its AI-fueled screensavers, although.
Several makers of the very best TVs from the likes of Sony, Hisense, and TCL, have moved away from Roku in favor of Google TV. The main downside with Roku is that its personalization choices are restricted and does not permit for extra superior options like Google TV.
Google TV’s preliminary arrange stage is handy, because it pulls a lot of your long-existing sign-ins to immediately log you into most purposes. It’s additionally obtained a strong for you part that is aware of precisely the kind of content material you are in search of.
But the very best Roku TVs would not be so wanted and not using a well-rounded system in place. Those already invested within the Roku ecosystem discover its easy design price sticking with, but it surely’s typically lacking apps (like Twitch). Plus, Google TV even provides the Roku Channel, which means you continue to get all the identical free stuff on the Streamer as you’ll on the Ultra.
Winner: Google TV Streamer
Roku Ultra (2024) vs Google TV Streamer: Verdict
Both the Roku Ultra and Google TV Streamer provide distinctive options for these seeking to improve an outdated TV, or for individuals who simply wish to change their current interface with one which’s extra aligned with their sensible house ecosystem.
With each priced the identical, it actually comes all the way down to your personal desire and common wants. If you just like the Roku interface over Google TV, the Ultra may be a greater match, particularly should you already use a number of different Roku units round your house. But it is no secret that Google TV is now successful the TV race — and for good purpose.
The Google TV Streamer unlocks way more potential for customers outdoors of the Roku model with its Thread board router, to not point out its 1Gb web potential over wired connection. The Roku Ultra may be quicker than its predecessors, and even within the face of a greater distant, Quick Media Switching and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, its minimal upgrades aren’t sufficient to overhaul Google’s extra versatile streaming machine.
