Roku Express HD (2022)

The 2022 Roku Express HD is the most affordable player in Roku's lineup, delivering 1080p SDR streaming at $29.99. The 2022 refresh added dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi over the previous single-band model, improving reliability on congested 2.4GHz home networks and enabling connection to faster 5GHz bands. It connects via HDMI and draws power from a USB cable, making it compact enough to hide behind any television. The Roku Channel Store provides access to over 4,500 streaming channels including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, Tubi, and Pluto TV. Roku OS remains one of the cleanest and most approachable streaming interfaces available, using a simple row-based grid with minimal promoted content. The included standard remote uses IR and has no voice button, but the Roku mobile app provides voice search and full remote functionality as a supplement. The device works with Alexa and Google Home via their respective skills for basic playback control. The Roku Express HD (2022) is best for older 1080p televisions, secondary bedroom setups, or first-time streamers who want the simplest possible interface at the lowest price. It does not support HDR, Dolby Vision, or Dolby Atmos, and the IR remote lacks voice input. For any 4K-capable TV or primary viewing setup, the Roku Express 4K+ at the same $30 price range is a meaningfully better option.