ZDNET's key takeaways The Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus are available now for $30 and $40, respectively.
Both streaming devices are more compact than ever, only slightly larger than an HDMI port; they're also portable and can be powered by your TV
These new Roku Sticks don't feature Find My Remote or backlit buttons, which are reserved for the high-end Roku remote. $29.99 at Amazon $34.99 at Walmart $29.99 at B&H Photo-Video more buying choices
Prime Day features some of the best discounts of the year, and the new Roku streaming devices are both $10 off each. The Roku Streaming Stick is now $20, and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is $30.
I remember making the switch from cable to streaming devices 14 years ago at my first apartment. I was fresh out of college and working an entry-level job, when paying $80 a month on cable became unsustainable. So I switched to a Roku streaming device in my living room and a Google Chromecast in my bedroom.
Also: I changed 6 settings on my Roku TV to give it an instant performance boost
Multiple Roku devices have passed through my house since that day, but I still have the same 32-inch HD TV where I made the initial switch from cable to Roku in that apartment. It's now my guest room TV, but it felt fitting to try the new Roku Streaming Stick on it.
Of course, testing the Roku Streaming Stick Plus with 4K warranted a better TV, so I've been testing it in my living room.
Cutting the cord was a permanent thing for me, as it is for most of us who do it, and I've since expanded my streaming device collection to include each of the major streaming platforms. But even if Roku, Google TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV have gotten as popular as cable was in its heyday, they each stand out for their individual accomplishments.
For me, Roku is the clear winner in user interface and ease of navigation. Since its launch, Roku has maintained a clean, no-frills aesthetic that makes it stand out for being the easiest to use.
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