Wi-Fi & connectivity

[AreCF]

One advertisement states that the ROKU Ultra has the best WiFi Range.  Another advertisement states that the ROKU Streaming Stick 4K+ has the best WiFi Range.  There is no mention of the WiFi range in the listings that I have found for the ROKU Ultra LT.  Question: Do all 3 of these current ROKU models have the same/best WiFi range?

[makaiguy]

I can't answer your question as I've also seen only these duplicate claims.  But I'll give you one more thing to add to your considerations.

The wifi receiver for the Streaming Stick+ and Streaming Stick 4K/4K+ models (I have one of each) is external to the stick and is part of a special USB cable used to power the unit.  On all other units the wifi radio is built into the Roku device itself. 

Streaming Sticks have no provisions for Ethernet connections so they require a wifi connection to operate.  If this "USB Power Cable with Long-Range Wi-Fi Receiver" (model WR001 for SS+, WR002 for SS 4K/4K+) develops problems you are dead in the water until you can get a replacement that is only a available from Roku. I've had no problems with my Streaming Sticks but there have been numerous posts from people needing replacements, especially from people whose physical configuration requires the cable to make a sharp 180 degree turn.

At this writing, the WR001 has been out of stock for several months now and the WR002 has not even showed up as an item on the Roku website that I can find.  With this in mind, for the present time you might want to give the nod to a non-Streaming-Stick model.

[Update  October 2, 2022]  WR001 has been back in stock for several months now.

[renojim]

I have a SS4k+ and I have to say I'm not impressed with its Wi-Fi range.  I've had a couple of Ultra models over the years, but I've only ever used them wired.  Personally, I say skip the stick and go for the Ultra, but I have a notable bias against the sticks in general.  Just look for all the threads noting a broken long-range receiver and the inability to get a replacement for just one reason.

[MilesT · Accepted solution]

+1 on ultra, Streambar, Streambar pro

[AreCF · Accepted solution]

Thank you very much for your detailed response!!  I just placed my order for a ROKU Ultra LT, as I want the headphone jack on the remote, now want the wired Ethernet connection and don't need HDR or Dolby ATMOS.  Based upon the information that you have provided, there is no way that I would purchase the ROKU Streaming Stick 4K+.

[AreCF · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your response! Based upon the responses that I have received here, I have placed my order for a ROKU Ultra LT as I want the earphone jack on the remote and the wired Ethernet connection, but I do not need Dolby Atmos or the remote finder.  Also, I have one streaming stick in my RV and have found the mounting onto an HDMI connector on my television to be less than optimal, even with the short cable ROKU supplies if you request tat they send one to you. I also have another, older,  ROKU Ultra and greatly prefer the separate "box" for all installations of my ROKU devices.

[AreCF]

Thanks again!

[AreCF · Accepted solution]

Thanks again!  I tried to send a kudo, but was unable.

[UserOfStreamers]

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@AreCF wrote:

Thank you for your response! Based upon the responses that I have received here, I have placed my order for a ROKU Ultra LT as I want the earphone jack on the remote and the wired Ethernet connection, but I do not need Dolby Atmos or the remote finder.  Also, I have one streaming stick in my RV and have found the mounting onto an HDMI connector on my television to be less than optimal, even with the short cable ROKU supplies if you request tat they send one to you. I also have another, older,  ROKU Ultra and greatly prefer the separate "box" for all installations of my ROKU devices.

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You may not want Atmos, but you'll have it in all your apps anyway:  All Roku models have Atmos support (passthrough), and all new models from the 4800 (Ultra 2020) onward have Atmos support in NetFlix as well (everything prior to the 4800 did not have NF Atmos support, but had it for all other apps).

(Roku's marketing doesnt understand this, and equates having a Dolby decoder with Dolby Atmos, and therefore publishes inaccurate/misleading information on the model spec pages).

[AreCF · Accepted solution]

Thank you for the detailed answer.  Nice toknow that many ROKU devices Dolby Atmos pass-through,, however, wouldn't do much for me as our current televisions do not support Dolby Atmos.