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Roku Ultra vs Roku Ultra LT: Which streaming box should you prefer?
Roku makes a bunch of media streaming devices. If you want to buy a new Roku, you may have come across the Roku Ultra and the Roku Ultra LT. These two higher-end streaming devices are very similar, but there is a slight difference in price and features. So, which Roku Ultra version is a better fit for you, the regular Ultra or the LT variant? We explore the differences in these similarly-named media streaming boxes in this Roku Ultra vs Roku Ultra LT article.
Roku Ultra vs Roku Ultra LT: At a glance
- Roku Ultra supports Dolby Atmos, while the Ultra LT does not.
- Roku Ultra has a USB port, which the Ultra LT does not.
- Roku Ultra comes with the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro, which has programmable buttons, a "Hey Roku" wake word, and the ability to find a lost remote, while the Ultra LT gets a standard Voice Remote.
- Roku Ultra LT is a Walmart-exclusive product that is often cheaper but has fewer features.
Roku Ultra vs Roku Ultra LT: Specs
| Roku Ultra (4802R) | Roku Ultra LT (4801RW) | |
|---|---|---|
TV compatibility | Roku Ultra (4802R) - HD TVs: Up to 1080p with upscaling from 720p - 4K TVs: Up to 2160p (4K) at 60fps with upscaling from 720p and 1080p - 4K HDR TVs: Supports Dolby Vision at 60fps, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | Roku Ultra LT (4801RW) - HD TVs: Up to 1080p with upscaling from 720p - 4K TVs: Up to 2160p (4K) at 60fps with upscaling from 720p and 1080p - 4K HDR TVs: Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG at 60fps |
Networking | Roku Ultra (4802R) - 802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) - 10/100 Base-T Ethernet | Roku Ultra LT (4801RW) - 802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) - 10/100 Base-T Ethernet |
Ports | Roku Ultra (4802R) - HDMI 2.0b - Ethernet 10/100 - USB 3.0 | Roku Ultra LT (4801RW) - HDMI 2.0b - Ethernet 10/100 |
Audio features | Roku Ultra (4802R) - Digital stereo over HDMI - DTS Digital Surround passthrough over HDMI - Dolby Atmos decode via HDMI; requires Dolby Atmos-compatible speakers | Roku Ultra LT (4801RW) - Digital stereo over HDMI - DTS Digital Surround passthrough over HDMI - Supports passthrough of Dolby-encoded audio over HDMI |
Remote control | Roku Ultra (4802R) Voice Remote Pro: - "Hey Roku" wake word - Headphone jack - Rechargeable via USB-C - Programmable buttons - Plays beeping sounds to help find remote | Roku Ultra LT (4801RW) Standard Voice Remote: - Headphone jack - Uses 2x AA batteries |
Compatibility | Roku Ultra (4802R) Works with: - Apple AirPlay and HomeKit - Google Home - Alexa | Roku Ultra LT (4801RW) Works with: - Apple AirPlay and HomeKit - Google Home - Alexa |
Dimensions and weight | Roku Ultra (4802R) 127 x 124.4 x 25.4mm 167.2g | Roku Ultra LT (4801RW) 127 x 124.4 x 25.4mm 167.2g |
As you can see, the Roku Ultra and the Roku Ultra LT are very similar. The media streaming boxes look the same, with the Ultra LT missing out on the USB 3.0 port on the back.
Most of the differences between the two streaming boxes are in the remote. The remotes may look similar, but the Ultra LT’s remote skips out certain functions despite including buttons for the same.
The Roku Ultra comes with the Roku Voice Remote Pro, while the Roku Ultra LT gets the standard Roku Voice Remote. The Voice Remote Pro has many nice features, including the ability to charge via USB-C, two user-programmable buttons, “Hey Roku” wake word functionality, and the ability to have the remote beep when lost. The standard Voice Remote uses 2x AA batteries and also misses out on the other functions.
Further, the most significant difference in technical specifications is that the Roku Ultra supports Dolby Atmos, but the Ultra LT does not. Otherwise, you can find Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG support on both versions.
Beyond these differences, the two media streaming boxes are the same. Both can connect to Wi-Fi and ethernet to let you access online content. You can stream the best movies and the best TV shows on both of these boxes. Both boxes also support 4K HDR content.
Supported OTT apps on both boxes include Roku Channel, Netflix, Spectrum, Apple TV Plus, Hulu, Tubi, Disney Plus, Peacock, Max (formerly known as HBO Max), Paramount+, YouTube TV, and more. You can also stream music through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeart, and more, on both.
Roku Ultra vs Roku Ultra LT: Price
Roku Ultra: $100
Roku Ultra LT: $79
There is a price difference between the Roku Ultra and the Roku Ultra LT prices. However, since both devices are a few years old, you can frequently spot them at a discount. The Roku Ultra has decreased to as little as $67, while the Ultra LT has been spotted at $30. However, prices usually go back to normal after these deals disappear.
The Roku Ultra LT is a Walmart-exclusive product. There are listings for the Ultra LT on Amazon, but beware, as they are often the older generation, which has a blue box. The current-generation Ultra LT has a purple box, similar to the Ultra’s. If you want to purchase the Ultra LT, be sure to buy it from Walmart and match the model number to the ones we mention in the image descriptions.
Roku Ultra vs Roku Ultra LT: Which streaming box should you buy?
The Roku Ultra and Ultra LT are very similar products, with very few dollars separating them. We recommend the Roku Ultra to most people since it offers a complete experience. The Roku Ultra LT makes sense only if you are getting it at throwaway prices, and even then, an argument can be made about upgrading to the Ultra since the price difference is not that much. You should only consider the Roku Ultra LT if you want to save money. And if that’s the case, Roku has other much more affordable options you can consider.