Roku setup

[HDMIGuy]

I see that the Roku Streaming Stick 4k is also available in the United Kingdom.  I know an earlier poster indicated to stay away from sticks but I love my roku Streaming Stick 4k and have several of the older model Roku Streaming Stick plus and have had no problems with any of them.

[DBDukes]

I concur with @HDMIGuy about sticks. While @MilesT may find the sticks inferior to other devices, my experience is that they are fine. At least, the recent ones.

No, they aren't the top of the line devices, but the Ultra isn't available there. The Streambar is good, but I'm not prepared to say it's twice as good as the Streaming Stick+ (my stick) or the Streaming Stick 4K (what @HDMIGuy said), unless you also need a sound bar.

The only suggestion I really have is avoid the basic Express model, because of the WiFi limitations and the inferior remote. I mean, it works, but to me, anything else is worth the upgrade.

[MilesT]

Roku is available at all the big retailers of tech in the UK. 

Use a website like Kelkoo or google shopping to find what/where/pricing.

The challenge I have with sticks is as follows:

* no option for wired network connection, which is helpful for some.

* locks you into needing the more expensive wireless controllers, no 3rd party universal IR ones

* which in turn may lead to the unfortunately too common "battery draining" issue (the most responded to post here on the support website).  Why risk having a bad experience when you can guarantee a good one?

[DBDukes]

@MilesT 

I get it. But I actually always got the higher-end remotes. I had a Roku with a simple (IR) remote, and replaced the remote with the Voice Remote (or whatever the WiFi Direct remote at the time was). The sticks use the same WiFi remotes, like the Voice Remote

I've never had an issue with battery drain on my remotes. Of course, I don't use the earbuds, so that battery drain isn't happening with me. And I've used the WiFi Direct remotes since Roku introduced the first version of them in 2013 with the Roku 3 (the 2011 Roku 2XS used a Bluetooth remote). Since then, I've used dozens (literally) different Roku devices for me and family, and every one had a WiFi Direct remote (two that came with IR remotes, I replaced the IR remotes immediately).

I'm not doubting others have had issues, but I've had plenty of opportunity for issues and have had none with unexpected batter drainage.

I agree about the wireless vs wired, but only one of my TVs is near a port for Ethernet connection. All the others are far away and use wireless. I don't have network issues. I spent a lot of money on a good network, and have zero network issues.

But, I understand your concerns. Those are valid and something for people to consider. I normally use the Roku Ultra or Streambar, but will put a stick on wall-mounted TVs without hesitation.

[renojim]

Adding to what @MilesT said, sticks also have many, many complaints about faulty long range receivers (which in my experience is totally misnamed) and I'll stick with my "avoid the sticks" position.