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Roku Ultra LT vs. Roku Ultra

With their responsive and easy-to-use interface, the Roku Ultra LT and Roku Ultra are great devices for people who want to cut the cord on cable or satellite and rely solely on streaming.

Lara Vukelich
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Getty

Device Overview

Roku Ultra LT Roku Ultra
• Starting Price: $69
• Voice-activated remote
• MicroSD card port
• Pairs with popular digital voice assistants
• Pairs with Apple devices
• Starting Price: $100
• Voice-activated remote with buttons for personal programming
• USB port
• Pairs with popular digital voice assistants
• Pairs with Apple devices
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Extended wireless range

Between Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and the Disney+ bundle, HBO Max, Peacock, and more, streaming live and on-demand video content has become a popular entertainment option for millions of people. Watching your favorite content without cable requires a streaming service and streaming device that will allow you to easily access all your favorite channels.

Roku is one of the most popular device options, with more than 53 million users. Two of its players that stand out are the Roku Ultra LT and the Roku Ultra. While these streaming devices have many similarities, there are also significant differences to be considered before choosing one. 

Comparing Roku Ultra LT vs. Roku Ultra


Roku Ultra LTRoku Ultra
Price $69$100
Size 0.8x4.9x4.9in. 5.9 ounces1.0x4.9x5.0 5.9 ounces
Streaming quality HD, 4K, HDRHD, 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision
Voice enabled remote Siri, Alexa, Hey GoogleSiri, Alexa, Hey Google
Connect to TV via HDMIHDMI
Headphones for private listening YesYes

Roku Ultra LT vs. Roku Ultra Pricing

Roku Ultra LT

The Roku Ultra LT is priced at $79 at Roku.com, but is currently on the Walmart website through a variety of sellers, with a price tag as low as $44. At Amazon, you can find a new Roku Ultra LT for just $56, or $8 off its list price.

Roku Ultra

Although the Roku Ultra has a list price of $100 on Roku's website, the price varies depending on the store you choose to purchase it. At Walmart, you can find the device priced as low as $69, or $31 off, while Amazon also offers the Roku Ultra for the same price. Keep in mind, Walmart and Amazon prices are listed as a discount and are subject to go back up to its $100 list price in the future.

Roku Ultra LT vs. Roku Ultra features

Roku Ultra LT

Powered by a quad-core processor, the Roku Ultra LT can provide HD, 4K, or HDR wireless streaming capabilities. It also includes a wired experience, through an Ethernet connection. Roku recently boosted its Wi-Fi capabilities too, so the latest Roku Ultra LT has 50 percent more range than previous models.

The Roku Ultra LT player also has a responsive interface that makes navigating the system a simple experience, plus features a microSD port to store extra channels. You can share all types of media -- videos, photos, and music -- from an Apple device by pairing your Roku Ultra LT with the AirPlay feature on your iPhone or iPad. 

The voice-activated remote works with Siri, Alexa, and Hey Google to make it easy to adjust your TV volume, change channels, and turn captions on or off. You can plug the enclosed headphones into the remote to enjoy private listening. The player can also be controlled through the Roku mobile app, which turns your smartphone into a second remote.

More than 100 live TV channels can be streamed on the Roku Ultra LT. This includes news, sports, family, and entertainment channels, along with movies and music. The Roku Channel itself offers thousands of free TV shows and movies.

Additionally, the Roku Ultra LT has a near perfect 4.7 out of five-star rating from more than 800 Amazon shoppers.

Roku Ultra

Roku's fastest and most powerful streaming player, the Roku Ultra now offers 50 percent more range than previous models, allowing you to place it in a room further away from your router. However, you can still have a wired connection over Ethernet if you need it.

In addition to video streaming through HD, 4K, and HDR (High Dynamic Range), the Roku Ultra can stream titles in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for a brilliant picture quality and a richer audio experience. And with Bluetooth capabilities, you can connect your smartphone or tablet and stream music and videos directly to your devices.

Like the Roku Ultra LT, the Roku Ultra can be paired with Siri, Alexa, and Hey Google to control channels, program captions, and TV volume. Another identical feature is the ability to connect the provided headphones with the remote. This is a great option when multiple TVs are being used at the same time or if you're watching a movie late at night and don't want to disturb the household.

Other features in common with the Roku Ultra LT are the ability to pair Apple devices through AirPlay, access to the Roku mobile app and Roku Channel, and the ability to stream more than 100 live TV channels.

However, the Roku Ultra remote has some additional features not found on the remote for the Roku Ultra LT. This includes buttons that allow you to set personal shortcuts using the fast channel launch feature. These can be used to perform your most frequent actions or navigate quickly to your favorite channels. Another popular feature solves the all-too-common problem of a misplaced remote. Just press a special button on the Roku Ultra player, the remote will play a sound, making it easier for you to find it.

Meanwhile, the Roku Ultra earned an impressive 4.7 out of five-star rating from nearly 21,000 Amazon shoppers.

Our Final Take

With their responsive and easy-to-use interface, the Roku Ultra LT and Roku Ultra are great devices for people who want to cut the cable or satellite cord altogether and rely solely on video streaming.

The Roku Ultra LT will provide a quality viewing and audio experience for less than $70. However, for an additional $30, the Roku Ultra has a few features that help it rise above the Roku Ultra LT. 

What sets the Roku Ultra apart is its audio and visual capabilities, with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support providing a more rich and stunning picture and audio experience. While the Roku Ultra LT will give you a great streaming experience at a lower price, the Roku Ultra is worth the extra cash for its wireless capabilities, faster streaming speeds, Dolby support, and much more.