If you like your streaming cheap, simple and portable, Roku just handed you a neat little moment: the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is currently selling for $29.99 at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, down from $39.99.
This is the kind of sale that’s easy to overlook (it’s not a headline-grabbing TV set), but it matters more than you’d expect. The Streaming Stick Plus is essentially Roku’s compact 4K stick with HDR support, a straightforward interface and the company’s well-known ecosystem — all in a pocket-friendly shape that’s built for both everyday living rooms and weekend travel.
For only $29, Roku’s Streaming Stick Plus gives you easy 4K streaming, HDR10+ support, and access to an endless lineup of free shows and movies.
At a glance, you get a 4K-capable stick that handles HDR10 and HDR10+ as well as HLG, supports upscaling for non-4K content, pairs with Roku’s voice remote (which includes TV power and volume buttons), and draws power from a USB source — often the TV itself — so you don’t need another wall wart. In short, it upgrades older TVs to Roku’s current software without clutter.
Important nuance: the Streaming Stick Plus supports HDR10/10+ and HLG, but it does not support Dolby Vision. If Dolby Vision is a make-or-break feature for you, Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K (or the Roku Ultra) is the model to consider instead.
Roku’s strength isn’t flashy hardware — it’s the platform. The Roku Channel, the company’s built-in free-and-ad-supported hub, now aggregates 500+ free live channels (news, sports feeds, weather, lifestyle channels and rotating movie/TV lineups), which keeps the overall value very high even if you never pay for a subscription. For many people, that free content plus Roku’s clean, ad-minimal interface is what keeps the brand at the top of the streaming-OS conversation.
Pair that content library with a low-cost piece of hardware and you get something that’s easy to gift, stash in a carry-on or hide behind a dorm TV — and for many shoppers, that’s more than enough.
A small but meaningful clarification: the remote that ships with the Streaming Stick Plus is Roku’s voice remote with TV power and volume buttons and typically comes with disposable AAA batteries (Roku’s product listings still note two pre-installed AAA batteries). If you prefer a rechargeable controller with backlighting, headphone mode and a “find my remote” feature, Roku sells the Voice Remote Pro separately — that remote has a rechargeable battery and extra features, but it’s an add-on. So the free remote is convenient, but it’s not the rechargeable Pro remote out of the box.
Who should buy this at $29
- Budget-conscious streamers: If you want 4K + HDR basics without spending much, this is a terrific low-risk purchase.
- Travelers and students: It’s small, plugs into HDMI and can be powered by many TV USB ports — perfect for hotels, rentals or dorms.
- Anyone who values free live content: If you rely on The Roku Channel or free FAST channels for news and sports highlights, grabbing a dedicated device is cleaner than juggling apps on a smart TV.
If you care about the absolute best picture with Dolby Vision, or you want the fastest hardware Roku offers, you’ll want to spend more. But for under $30, the Streaming Stick Plus is an extremely practical pick.
Final call
The Streaming Stick Plus isn’t trying to win any awards for being the most powerful streamer — it’s trying to be the most useful. At $29, it’s hard to argue against. It gives you Roku’s full platform (including hundreds of free channels), solid picture options for 4K TVs, and a tiny, no-fuss form factor that’s ideal for travel or a minimalist living room. If you’ve been curious about Roku or just need a compact, reliable streaming stick on a tight budget, this sale is the cleanest, lowest-risk entry point you’ll find right now.
Disclaimer: Prices and promotions mentioned in this article are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change based on the retailers’ discretion. Please verify the current offer before making a purchase.
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