Roku Express / Express Plus / Express+ (3900, 2017)

Superb app selection ; Neutral approach ; Easy to use ; Cheap

Some apps look dated ; Still some lag

For an even-handed approach, and the cheapest of its kind on the market, the Roku Express is hard to beat.

Unbelievably inexpensive ; Roku’s egalitarian platform ; Comes with a remote

Weak Wi-Fi antenna ; Remote requires line-of-sight ; Sluggish loading times

As a replacement for the original Roku 1, the Roku Express works as advertised: it’s a supremely small streaming device that acts as a portal to Netflix, Amazon, HBO and more for less than the cost of a few DVDs. Unfortunately, however, the Express...

Cheap and efficient mini set-top box with all the major services ; Cross-service search ; Easy to setup and use ; Fantastic companion app

Supplied cables are a little short (this may or may not be beneficial to some) ; May be superfluous for many ; Strong competition from Amazon

Whether or not you need the Roku Express in your life depends entirely on your TV viewing habits, the TV you already own and any other peripherals you may already have attached. If you have a games console, for example, you can get the same major apps...

The Roku Express is ultra-affordable, easy to use and packed with streaming apps. Unlike last year, it loads menus, apps and videos quickly.

The menus can seem dated compared to rivals, and some apps use old-school layouts.

Quick, simple and less expensive than the competition, the Roku Express is the perfect basic streamer.

The Roku Express Plus is one of the only ways to add Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, YouTube and more to an old TV. It's ultra-affordable, easy to use and packed with streaming apps.

Since there's no wired Ethernet option, it needs a solid Wi-Fi signal to work properly.

If you want to stream video to an old TV, your best (and pretty much only) option is the Roku Express Plus.

Great app selection ; Easy to navigate ; Improved performance ; Cheap

Some dated app designs ; Still not the fatest in use

A simple and affordable way to get HD streaming smarts to a not-so-clever telly

Affordable ; Easy to use ; Loads of channels ; Private listening via app

No 4K Ultra HD ; No headphone port on remote

If you want to upgrade a telly in your home to smart TV status, or if you want to access the less mainstream apps found in the Roku private channels, then this streaming box is a really affordable way to do it..