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 want 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 device. In most aspects, the Roku Express is identical to the Roku Premiere and comes with the same remote control 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 a line of sight to the remote, so it has to be placed in front. That’s not a huge drawback considering 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. That’s about the only thing I don’t like about the Roku Express, by the way. You also get all the major UK catch-up TV services, YouTube, and an impressive selection of weird and wonderful extras, ranging from anime specialists like CrunchyRoll to Mubi, a provider of art films. Roku even offers apps for streaming local media from your network – handy if you have a NAS with a Plex or Twonky server.
