Both also have the same 802.11n single-band Wi-Fi, while the Streaming Stick+ has dual-band 802.11ac. These differences are crucial if you’re looking to replace integrated smart TV services on a 4K TV, but not really an issue if you’re looking for something to stream to an older HD TV or a simple kitchen or bedroom set. In most respects, the Roku Express is identical to the Roku Premiere and comes with the same remote and form factor. Although compact, it is a bit chunkier than previous Roku streaming stick devices. The device itself is a curved module that is placed near or on top of the TV and attached with the included adhesive pad. Unlike the streaming sticks, it also requires line-of-sight contact with the remote, so it has to be placed in front. This isn’t a huge drawback since it’s so small, but if you stick it on the TV, you can’t move it to another location, and if you don’t, it tends to get tangled in the cables. As for performance, it’s as good as can be expected from an HD system. On a Samsung 4K TV, it delivered sharp picture quality, vivid colors, and minimal artifacts. Comparing 1080p Netflix on the Roku to 1080p Netflix on the TV’s built-in app, there’s virtually no difference. On a smaller 24-inch 1080p monitor, the video quality is hard to fault, and anything that could be detected is usually due to the stream itself and not the player.
