Very Quick
"I bought a Roku Express because I was upgrading from a 1st generation Roku device and this one is (or at least feels) a thousand times faster, more powerful and has the upgraded software interfaces for apps like Netflix where you can manage your profiles - the older versions did not support that ability, it only presented your default profile."
"It pains me that a manuf is so cheap, that they would rather have you plug/unplug your device all the time to power it up/down, rather than design it to be turned off."
"It also suddenly can't find any wireless networks even though its very close to the router and all other devices can."
"Unfortunately, I'm now stuck with a faulty, $30 Roku Express device that is covered under Roku's one-year warranty, but Roku Customer Support would not authorize the return for a replacement."
"It's already set up with Sling (which is our basic TV package now), and with Netflix (for movies and power watching shows), both of which are also programed into the remote, so a one touch tuner!"
"Of course, if the unit had an on/off switch, I could use that to fix the above error, but it doesn't which leads to my next problem, it wastes electricity 24/7 doing nothing."
"Roku has ZERO customer service- unless you buy one of their more expensive products you don t qualify to talk to a person for help they only send you the same list of troubleshooting moves that do not work."
Roku Express | 5X More Powerful HD Streaming (Click to Compare Deals)
Quick
"I bought a Roku Express because I was upgrading from a 1st generation Roku device and this one is (or at least feels) a thousand times faster, more powerful and has the upgraded software interfaces for apps like Netflix where you can manage your profiles - the older versions did not support that ability, it only presented your default profile... this is not plugged by cables, this device streams over the air radio waves, so the distance to your router, obstacles, speed of your network (not only download speeds, but actual WIFI band speeds) can all affect the outcome, so do your homework and think about your entertainment system as a whole, not just the TV / streaming portion... I hope this helps - I am an early adopter of Roku, have major streaming services like Netflix, Prime and supplemented with an "a la carte" cable service like sling, spectrum choice, DirectTV now or any of your preferred providers and this will unlock all the major broadcast networks, plus some other channels."
"This is even what I have found out, that the manuf recommends to do, if you want to power the device down. It pains me that a manuf is so cheap, that they would rather have you plug/unplug your device all the time to power it up/down, rather than design it to be turned off... Even at rest over night with the screen saver on (remember, you CAN NOT shut this device off unless you physically unplug it) it is still hot to the touch in the morning."
"It also suddenly can't find any wireless networks even though its very close to the router and all other devices can... The number listed in the Amazon support for the device only allows phone support for Roku streaming sticks or Roku TVs, not the Roku Express... UPDATE: After leaving me hanging for up to 5 minutes at a time, the agent asked me to connect the device to another TV while I was doing so, he disconnected the chat since I hadn't typed in 2 minutes."
"One continues to work great, but just recently, the other one would not connect properly to my WiFi network and when it did connect, the internet speed was extremely slow to the point where the television picture quality was awful... ) After several frustrating back-and-forth emails with Roku Customer Support, the Roku representative told me to contact my Internet Service Provider (ISP) to solve the problem... Unfortunately, I'm now stuck with a faulty, $30 Roku Express device that is covered under Roku's one-year warranty, but Roku Customer Support would not authorize the return for a replacement."
"Second, it would constantly spool (that irritating circle in the middle of the screen while it's trying to download info) at the WORST times and we'd miss something important... It took me exactly 7 minutes to not only hook it up and get the latest updates downloaded, but to also go through the HUGE list of available programs to use with our new Roku! It's already set up with Sling (which is our basic TV package now), and with Netflix (for movies and power watching shows), both of which are also programed into the remote, so a one touch tuner!"
"There is an alternate work-around I found on the internet, I can reboot the device, but that actually takes longer than walking across the room and unplugging / plugging it back in... Of course, if the unit had an on/off switch, I could use that to fix the above error, but it doesn't which leads to my next problem, it wastes electricity 24/7 doing nothing... Our electricity is about 40 cents per KWH, so this Roku will cost me a little over $9/year in electricity costs because it doesn't have an off button."
"After trying the helpful list of troubleshooting and moving the box around to try to appease this piece of trash and spending too much of my time sitting in front of a loading screen trying trying to tough it out I just went ahead and ordered the new Apple TV. Roku has ZERO customer service- unless you buy one of their more expensive products you don t qualify to talk to a person for help they only send you the same list of troubleshooting moves that do not work. Also I found out by reading forums that this has happened to lots of other folks and just seems to be part of the risk you take going with a Roku."
Less Quick
"* There are hundreds of reviews for this product, so rather than touching on what has already been said, let me just throw in some Do's and Don'ts if you find yourself, like me, navigating the vast array of options in the streaming space... I bought a Roku Express because I was upgrading from a 1st generation Roku device and this one is (or at least feels) a thousand times faster, more powerful and has the upgraded software interfaces for apps like Netflix where you can manage your profiles - the older versions did not support that ability, it only presented your default profile... Sure, you can plug it to your smartTV usb port for power, but if you read about this, there are tons of issues that stem from lack of power supply to the device... It is not invasive, it has nice black finish so it won't ruin any aesthetics, but once you stick it on, you need to leave it there, otherwise you could end up with a tape that will no longer work, creating an extra hassle - think location first, then execute and paste it... this is not plugged by cables, this device streams over the air radio waves, so the distance to your router, obstacles, speed of your network (not only download speeds, but actual WIFI band speeds) can all affect the outcome, so do your homework and think about your entertainment system as a whole, not just the TV / streaming portion... I hope this helps - I am an early adopter of Roku, have major streaming services like Netflix, Prime and supplemented with an "a la carte" cable service like sling, spectrum choice, DirectTV now or any of your preferred providers and this will unlock all the major broadcast networks, plus some other channels. One last thought: The interest thing is that Roku has a channel for many of these major network stations and watching their content through the Roku channel as opposed through the cable provider app, I've found that there is more content outside, and better choices for on-demand."
"In less than 15 minutes, I had set up a Roku account, added my channels, and was watching streaming TV... There is no power button on the remote, and no way even to enter the settings/menu, to power it down... This is even what I have found out, that the manuf recommends to do, if you want to power the device down. It pains me that a manuf is so cheap, that they would rather have you plug/unplug your device all the time to power it up/down, rather than design it to be turned off... Even at rest over night with the screen saver on (remember, you CAN NOT shut this device off unless you physically unplug it) it is still hot to the touch in the morning. The picture I took isnt the best, but you can see the Roku to the left of the digital/laser thermometer, which reads 96 degrees on the top of the device... So unless youre going to use the enclosed 1-sided tape to glue the device to the back of your TV, rather than set it on the same thing your TV sits on...."
"The device randomly started giving me a "low power" warning that my TV USB didn't have enough power for the device..... It also suddenly can't find any wireless networks even though its very close to the router and all other devices can... The number listed in the Amazon support for the device only allows phone support for Roku streaming sticks or Roku TVs, not the Roku Express... I finally got some chat help and the responses are literally 3-5 minutes apart and ignore my comments like troubleshooting steps I have already completed... UPDATE: After leaving me hanging for up to 5 minutes at a time, the agent asked me to connect the device to another TV while I was doing so, he disconnected the chat since I hadn't typed in 2 minutes. I am not back to 8th in the queue to speak to an agent and over an hour into what should have been a simple issue... I've spent way too long on this already so it looks like I'm going back to the FireStick."
"One continues to work great, but just recently, the other one would not connect properly to my WiFi network and when it did connect, the internet speed was extremely slow to the point where the television picture quality was awful... I resorted to contacting Roku Customer Support for a replacement device since my original purchase was outside the Amazon 30-day return window... ) After several frustrating back-and-forth emails with Roku Customer Support, the Roku representative told me to contact my Internet Service Provider (ISP) to solve the problem... Unfortunately, I'm now stuck with a faulty, $30 Roku Express device that is covered under Roku's one-year warranty, but Roku Customer Support would not authorize the return for a replacement... UPDATE: Roku Customer Support finally contacted me a few days later via e-mail and said they would replace my defective Roku Express device... I haven't received the replacement yet, but I'm hopeful that it will be a NEW device as opposed to a refurbished unit. If nothing else, at least I'll have a spare if one of my other devices has issues in the future."
"I had purchased a streaming media box (also from Amazon) last spring when we decided to unplug from cable... Second, it would constantly spool (that irritating circle in the middle of the screen while it's trying to download info) at the WORST times and we'd miss something important... A good friend had been recommending Roku for years, so that's what I was shopping around for... It took me exactly 7 minutes to not only hook it up and get the latest updates downloaded, but to also go through the HUGE list of available programs to use with our new Roku! It's already set up with Sling (which is our basic TV package now), and with Netflix (for movies and power watching shows), both of which are also programed into the remote, so a one touch tuner!... The remote is easy to use, and also comes pre-programed with Hulu and CW, and does EVERYTHING with just one tap!... but once I hooked up Roju Express and turned on the first show it was obvious that that was NOT the case!"
"* I like the product and enjoy streaming lots of free TV and movies- that I have no problems with... How come every time I want to use the unit I have to get up and unplug it and plug it back in? There is an alternate work-around I found on the internet, I can reboot the device, but that actually takes longer than walking across the room and unplugging / plugging it back in... Of course, if the unit had an on/off switch, I could use that to fix the above error, but it doesn't which leads to my next problem, it wastes electricity 24/7 doing nothing... Our electricity is about 40 cents per KWH, so this Roku will cost me a little over $9/year in electricity costs because it doesn't have an off button... If you are unfamiliar with them, they are used for cutting parasitic electrical loads. The strip senses when the TV is turned off and then kills the power to all the other devices that only normally run when the TV is on."
"I was excited to spend less than $150 on something that could presumably stream the same way. Well this thing worked fine for a month and now can t find or hold my WiFi signal. My other devices have no trouble, there is nothing wrong with the signal. After trying the helpful list of troubleshooting and moving the box around to try to appease this piece of trash and spending too much of my time sitting in front of a loading screen trying trying to tough it out I just went ahead and ordered the new Apple TV. Roku has ZERO customer service- unless you buy one of their more expensive products you don t qualify to talk to a person for help they only send you the same list of troubleshooting moves that do not work. Also I found out by reading forums that this has happened to lots of other folks and just seems to be part of the risk you take going with a Roku. It s true, I am a scorned customer and my review is biased- I know happy Roku users, but Apple comes with a warranty and customer service."
