Should You Buy the Google TV Streamer 4K or Roku Ultra? A Complete Guide

Streaming devices have become essential for modern TV viewing, and two of the latest contenders - the Google TV Streamer 4K and Roku Ultra 2024 - are vying for a spot in your living room. Both priced at $99, these devices aim to transform your TV watching experience, but they take notably different approaches.

What's New in 2024?

The streaming landscape has evolved significantly. The Roku Ultra, released in September 2024, represents the company's most powerful streaming box yet, featuring WiFi 6 and machine learning for faster app loading. Meanwhile, the Google TV Streamer brings beefier hardware and smart home capabilities to the table, though it sticks with WiFi 5.

Core Streaming Performance

Let's start with what matters most - how well these devices handle your favorite shows and movies. Both streamers support 4K resolution (that's 3840 x 2160 pixels, four times sharper than regular HD) and all major HDR (High Dynamic Range) formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG. These technologies ensure you get the best possible picture quality, with vivid colors and deep contrast.

In practice, I've found both devices handle streaming duties equally well. Netflix, Disney+, and other major services load quickly and play smoothly. The Roku's WiFi 6 support might give it a slight edge in homes with lots of wireless devices, but for most users, the difference won't be noticeable.

Interface and User Experience

This is where personal preference really comes into play. The Roku Ultra maintains its famously straightforward interface - a simple grid of apps with minimal fuss. It's incredibly easy to navigate, even for tech-nervous family members.

The Google TV takes a more ambitious approach, using AI to learn your preferences and suggest content across services. Think of it as having a knowledgeable friend who knows what you like to watch. The home screen shows personalized recommendations, which I've found surprisingly accurate after a few weeks of use.

Smart Home Integration

Here's where these devices really diverge. The Google TV Streamer doubles as a serious smart home hub, supporting both Thread and Matter protocols (these are new standards that help smart home devices work together better). If you've got smart lights, cameras, or thermostats, you can control them all through your TV.

The Roku takes a more modest approach to smart home features. While it works with Alexa and Google Assistant, it's not trying to be the center of your smart home. This focused approach keeps things simple but might leave some users wanting more.

Remote Control Experience

Roku wins handily in the remote department. The Voice Remote Pro (included with the Ultra) is rechargeable via USB-C, has backlit buttons for nighttime viewing, and includes a headphone jack for private listening. There's even a "find my remote" feature that works remarkably well.

Google's remote is perfectly functional but basic by comparison. It does include a customizable button, which is handy, but lacks the premium features of Roku's offering.

Home Theater Considerations

For home theater enthusiasts, both devices support Dolby Atmos audio, which creates immersive 3D sound when paired with compatible speakers. The Roku Ultra has a slight edge with its HDMI 2.1b port supporting QMS (Quick Media Switching), which eliminates the brief black screen when changing content frame rates.

Both devices include ethernet ports for stable networking, crucial for 4K streaming. The Google TV supports gigabit ethernet, while the Roku tops out at 100Mbps - though in real-world use, either is plenty fast for streaming.

Storage and Apps

Google's device packs 32GB of storage, significantly more than the Roku (though Roku doesn't publish exact storage specs). This matters if you install lots of apps and games, though most users won't need nearly that much space.

Both support all major streaming services, but there are some differences in app availability. Roku tends to get new apps first, while Google TV occasionally lacks some niche services.

How to Decide

Choose the Google TV Streamer 4K if:

• You're invested in the Google Home ecosystem
• You want robust smart home controls
• You prefer personalized content recommendations
• You need more storage for apps

Go with the Roku Ultra 2024 if:

• You value simplicity and ease of use
• You want the best remote control experience
• You need WiFi 6 support
• You prefer a platform-neutral device

Value and Long-Term Considerations

Both devices are competitively priced at $99, but offer different kinds of value. The Roku Ultra provides premium streaming hardware with an excellent remote, while the Google TV Streamer adds smart home capabilities and more storage.

Based on past performance, both companies have good track records for software updates and long-term support. Roku typically maintains devices for many years, while Google has improved its update commitment significantly in recent years.

Final Thoughts

These are both excellent streaming devices that take different approaches to your entertainment needs. The Roku Ultra remains the king of pure streaming, with its superior remote and straightforward interface. The Google TV Streamer offers a more ambitious vision, attempting to unite streaming and smart home control in one device.

For most users, the decision will come down to ecosystem preference and whether smart home integration matters to them. If you just want great streaming, the Roku Ultra is hard to beat. But if you're looking to make your TV the center of a smart home setup, the Google TV Streamer offers compelling advantages.

Google TV Streamer 4K Deals and Prices

Roku Ultra 2024 4K Streaming Device Deals and Prices