The chart below lists the Roku models in order from the least expensive model (the Roku LT) to the most expensive model (the Roku 3).
Personal factors to consider
To begin deciding which Roku is right for you situation, you should answer the questions below about your home network and entertainment environment.
What type of TV are you connecting the Roku to? An HDTV with an HDMI port? Or a TV without an HDMI port?
If you have a TV with an HDMI port, then you can purchase any of the Roku models. If you do not, however, then you will need one of the Roku models with the composite video connections, such as the Roku LT, the Roku HD or the Roku XD.
Do you have a wireless network?
If you do not have a wireless network, then you will need to purchase the Roku 3, as it is the only model with an ethernet port. But all of the Roku models above are capable of connecting to a wireless network.
If you do have a wireless network, how is the wireless reception by the TV to which the Roku will be connected?
If the reception is not good near the television, then you may want to get the Roku 3, as its’ dual-band wireless card has a much better range than the other models.
Do you have a lot of video on external hard drives or USB drives?
You will need to buy a Roku model with a USB port if you want to watch this content on your Roku. Currently that is only the Roku 3.
How much are you going to use the Roku?
If this is something that is going to be a primary source of entertainment in your home, then the improved performance, features and capabilities of the Roku 3 are well worth the higher price tag. But if you are just buying it to be able to watch video on a TV in a guest room or in an area that will not be getting a lot of viewing activity, then the lower price tag of the Roku LT will be much easier to justify.
Some additional factors to consider
HD video streaming requires a pretty hefty Internet connection, so it is important that your Internet service is capable of streaming video easily. If you can watch movies from Netflix on your computer without a lot of buffering, or if you know that your cable, DSL or fiber-optic Internet service is more than capable of video streaming, then you will be fine. You will still need to pay the monthly subscription cost for whatever video-streaming services you are currently subscribed to. The Roku merely provides the device and means for watching that content; it does not replace the need to continue paying for it. Note, however, that there is no additional monthly or yearly fee for using a Roku. You can click any of the links below to learn more about a specific Roku model, as well as read reviews from people that have purchased each of those devices. We have also written some comparisons of the Roku models, which you can find below. Roku 3 vs. Roku XD Roku LT vs. Roku HD Roku 3 vs. Roku HD After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites. His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well. Read his full bio here.
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