Roku Stick Power Requirements 101

Roku Sticks are incredible. I have one connected to my smart TV, and now I’m thinking of getting one for every TV I own.

Not only is the user interface intuitive, but they complement many smart TVs to give you extra features you’ll love.

Even though they’re great streaming devices, you may have a few questions.

For instance, how environmentally friendly are they? What are the power requirements for Roku Sticks? Does each product have a different power requirement? Do they use a lot of power?

While every Roku Stick may have a different power requirement, the difference is minimal. With the exception of some Roku products, many of the Roku Sticks use 2.2 watts when streaming.

Let’s get into details about every Roku Stick available below.

Comparison Table

Roku Express

There are currently four different types of streaming sticks by Roku. They are the Roku Express , Roku Express 4K, Roku® Streaming Stick+ , and the Roku® Streaming Stick® 4K .

But first, let’s get into the power requirements for the Roku Express.

When you’re streaming from a Roku Express, it consumes 2.2 watts of power. If you’re worried about how much power is required to operate it, it’s about five volts to one amp of power.

Now let’s take a look at other Roku Sticks to see how similar or different their power requirements are.

Roku Express 4K

Are the Roku Express 4K power requirements different from the Roku Express? Let’s see.

Considering the Roku Express 4K streams 4K video (as the name suggests), one would assume it uses a lot more power. However, this model’s requirements are not that different than the Roku Express.

The power consumption when streaming 4K video is approximately 2.5 watts. The power input is about five volts to one amp.

Roku® Streaming Stick+

As you move up the Roku chain of devices, their capabilities increase. Naturally, the power requirements increase slightly.

The power requirements for the Roku® Streaming Stick+ are slightly higher than its previous model. For instance, the power consumption for this model is just under three watts when streaming 4K UHD videos.

That’s slightly more than the Roku 4K Express.

The power input needed to power the device is the same as the above, five volts to one amp.

Now, let’s see if the upward trend continues with the next model.

Roku® Streaming Stick® 4K

If you were betting that the Roku Streaming Stick 4K‘s power requirements were slightly higher than all the rest, you’re right!

It’s higher but just slightly.

The power consumption of this model, when streaming 4K Ultra-High-Definition videos, is less than 3.5 watts.

The power input requirements for this model also increase. Please note that the power input requirements were the same for the last models until now. However, this model ups the input slightly.

The power input for this model is five volts of power to 1.5 amps (5V–1.5A).

How Do the Roku Sticks Compare to Its Other Models?

If you’re wondering how the Roku Sticks’ power requirements compare to their other models, like the Roku Ultra and the Roku® Streambar®, keep on reading because we’re going to tackle that next.

Roku Ultra

The Roku Ultra is not a streaming stick but is similar to a set-top box that’s more powerful than the streaming sticks. As you can imagine, a more robust streaming apparatus requires more power.

Although we’re not going to cover the differences in specifications, we will enlighten you on the power requirements of the Roku Ultra.

The Roku Ultra uses significantly more power than the streaming sticks.

However, it is also certified by ENERGY STAR, which means it’s still an efficient gadget that uses a lot less energy than you would think. In order to be certified by ENERGY STAR, a product must meet the strict energy standards of the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency).

Now let’s get to the Roku Ultra power requirements. The energy consumed by this particular product is about 4.5 watts when you stream a 4K video.

However, the power input is only slightly more than Roku’s other products coming in at 12 volts to 1.5 amps of power for it to function as needed.

Roku® Streambar®

The Roku® Streambar® is one of the more robust models encompassing sound and video streaming in one sleek design.

This design is for users that don’t want to purchase extra speakers and a Roku box. It’s a convenient, all-in-one integrated system. But with such a product, how much power is required?

The Roku® Streambar® is more of a regular electronic device. Therefore, the power requirements are not as low as you would think.

The Streambar requires 100 to 240 volts AC power to operate. As a side note please be aware that some AV voltage varies by country. For example, the US uses 120 volts.

Even though the Streambar is a great product, it uses far more power than any of the above Roku products.

So, if you’re going for environmentally friendly products that require less energy, going for one of the Roku streaming sticks or even the Roku Ultra is a better choice.

However, the choice is yours to make.

And Those are Roku’s Power Requirements

As you can see, the Roku Sticks use very little power. Most streaming sticks use about five volts to one amp and are powered via USB cable. This makes Roku a very environmentally friendly product.

Although the power requirements of each streaming stick differ slightly, the range is about the same. However, we should mention that the wattages mentioned are for “peak” wattage usage. For example, watts are used in bursts of power, like when streaming 4K HDR content. But usually reduced wattage when performing lighter activities such as browsing or standby mode.

When it comes to the Roku Ultra, this device is ENERGY STAR certified, which means it uses a lot less energy than similar products. However, the Ultra uses slightly more than the streaming sticks mentioned above.

Now that you know how much energy each product requires, what will your choice be?