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Roku Streambar Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Dec 20, 2023 11:29 AM

True Score

84
84
21

Experts

90
15.1k

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Roku Streambar is ideal for users who value simplicity and good sound over everything at a pocket-friendly price. It has good sound, a wide soundstage, and a platform that has access to popular streaming services for added convenience.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

First released in late 2020, the Roku Streambar is an entry-level soundbar that’s great for tight spaces. Despite its lack of a subwoofer and missing support for Dolby Atmos, the soundbar’s soundstage is wide enough for owners to generally determine where sounds are coming from.

The best speakers have a wide enough soundstage for users to accurately perceive the sound as coming from all around them.

The Roku Streambar doesn’t have a subwoofer, so movie lovers will miss out on the thump that bass-heavy sound systems tend to deliver. Like many of the best soundbars, it has excellent wireless connectivity through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, and Apple AirPlay.

Its physical inputs,= include one Optical Audio In and one HDMI ARC port. The LG Eclair QP5 fares better in this regard, so feel free to check it out in our LG Eclair QP5 review.

Consensus

our Verdict

The 2.0-channel Roku Smart Soundbar is compact, but it offers well-balanced sound quality, with clearly reproduced vocals and detailed instrumentals.

The soundbar also has exceptional wireless connectivity through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay. Sound customization is limited to four EQ presets, but its soundstage is good since individual sounds can be perceived as coming from exact locations.

The soundbar also has low latency, with a tested 98ms and 108ms for ARC or Optical connections, keeping audio-visuals in sync.

There’s no serious bass emphasis in its bass and treble, but its inputs are fair, with one Optical Audio In port, one HDMI ARC port, and one USB port. Its standout feature is the included media streamer, which hosts Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Well-balanced sound output
    • This soundbar is great for watching TV shows and listening to dialogue-focused content since its got accurate vocal reproduction and its instrumentals are also very clear. However, there’s no bass emphasis in its sound output.

  • Great vocal clarity
    • Vocal content is clear and articulate on the Roku Streambar, making it ideal for listening to dialogue-focused material

  • Smart features/connectivity
    • Owners can stream content wirelessly to the soundbar through WiFi, Bluetooth, or Apple AirPlay. The soundbar also has some wired input options, with an Optical In port and an HDMI port, and it is compatible with both Google Home and Amazon Assistant.

  • Loud max volume
    • Rated at 85dB, the Roku Streambar gets quite loud at max volume, placing it in the top half of the loudest soundbars in its category.

  • Satisfactory latency
    • Its 98ms latency is low enough for undetectable lag, but it compares poorly to other tested alternatives in its category, where it ranks in the bottom 10%.

Reason to Avoid

  • Poor bass output
    • The Roku Streambar doesn’t have a satisfying bass output.

  • Unimpressive surround sound system
    • Because of its size, the Roku Streambar’s surround sound system is not ideal for creating an immersive environment.

Roku Streambar Specs

Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
DepthDepth4.21"
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
Equalizer SettingsBasic
HeightHeight2.4", 2.4"
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels2.0
SubwooferSubwooferOptional (sold separately)
Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDolby
Voice AssistantVoice AssistantAmazon Alexa
Wall MountableWall MountableYes
WeightWeight2.4 lbs
WidthWidth14"
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
Works WithWorks WithAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant

All Specs

Test Results

Low End Roll Off (Hz)144.617
High End Roll Off (Hz)14,273.928
Max Volume Test (db)85.3
Latency (ms)98
THD @ 80dB0.68

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Product Comparison

Roku Streambar Review

True Score

84
81
81
86

Ranking

#

16

/

149

#

51

/

149

#

50

/

149

#

8

/

149

Market Context

First released in late 2020, the Roku Streambar is an entry-level soundbar that’s great for tight spaces. Despite its lack of a subwoofer and missing…

First released in late 2020, the Roku Streambar is an entry-level soundbar that’s great for tight spaces. Despite its lack of a subwoofer and missing support for Dolby Atmos, the soundbar’s soundstage is wide enough for owners to generally determine where sounds are coming from.

The best speakers have a wide enough soundstage for users to accurately perceive the sound as coming from all around them.

The Roku Streambar doesn’t have a subwoofer, so movie lovers will miss out on the thump that bass-heavy sound systems tend to deliver. Like many of the best soundbars, it has excellent wireless connectivity through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, and Apple AirPlay.

Its physical inputs,= include one Optical Audio In and one HDMI ARC port. The LG Eclair QP5 fares better in this regard, so feel free to check it out in our LG Eclair QP5 review.

The Roku Streambar is a more compact alternative than the Roku Streambar Pro, making it a more suitable choice for tight spaces. However, the Roku…

The Roku Streambar is a more compact alternative than the Roku Streambar Pro, making it a more suitable choice for tight spaces. However, the Roku Streambar Pro is the louder pick between the two and offers Virtual Surround sound, which is lacking in the Roku Streambar.

The Roku Streambar also is narrower than the Roku Smart Soundbar, but the Smart Soundbar gets a bit louder than the Streambar. Lastly, the Roku…

The Roku Streambar also is narrower than the Roku Smart Soundbar, but the Smart Soundbar gets a bit louder than the Streambar. Lastly, the Roku Streambar supports Apple AirPlay, a feature lacking in the Roku Smart Soundbar.

The Roku Streambar is a 2-channel soundbar, while the Sonos Beam is a 3-channel soundbar, and as a result, the Roku Streambar is more capable…

The Roku Streambar is a 2-channel soundbar, while the Sonos Beam is a 3-channel soundbar, and as a result, the Roku Streambar is more capable of producing an immersive sound experience.

Bluetooth Enabled

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Depth

4.21"

3.9"

3.9"

3.9"

Energy Star Certified

No

No

No

No

Equalizer Settings

Basic

n/a

Height

2.4", 2.4"

2.8"

2.8"

2.7"

Number of Audio Channels

2.0

3

Subwoofer

Optional (sold separately)

na

Optional (sold separately)

No

Surround Sound Supported

Dolby

Dolby Digital

Dig Deeper

Roku Streambar Pro Review →

Roku Smart Soundbar Review →

Sonos Beam Review →

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  • Save $35
    $129.99
    $94.99

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    No
  • $129.99

    Availability

    Free Shipping

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  • $129.00

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

84

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

90

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

84

Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Rating

    66
    The Roku Streambar is acceptable for mixed usage. This 2.0 soundbar is ideal for listening… Read More

    By:

    John Panoryios
  • PC Mag
    51.6

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The Roku Streambar is a small soundbar that makes for a big improvement over your… Read More

    By:

    Will Greenwald
  • Which?
    59.2

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    This combination sound bar and 4K streamer is Roku’s first foray into the sound bar… Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Tom’s Guide
    77.58

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    Our Roku Streambar review discussed how the gadget is a good option just for streaming… Read More

    By:

    Kelly Woo
  • Trusted Reviews
    57.5

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    For TVs that lack smarts, the Roku Streambar provides great set of smart features at… Read More

    By:

    Kob Monney
  • CNET
    52.25

    Category Trust Rating

    83
    LIKE: Compact, easy to set up and affordable, Excellent dialogue reproduction, Tried and true Roku… Read More

    By:

    Ty Pendlebury