If you’re looking for a media streamer then you’ve probably considered buying a Roku. While primarily designed for the USA or UK markets, Roku can be setup to work with Australian internet connections with a bit of DIY involving smart dns. Today we’ll show you the best Roku.
Until recently you’d probably had to use a parallel importer such as Smart TV Works but now you can buy Roku directly from Amazon with low international shipping fees. Most orders can be delivered in under 10 working days for cheap shipping and 3 days for premium shipping.
There’s many different models of Roku’s on the market and as a consumer it can be difficult to choose the best one. We decided to put together this guide, outlining the best Roku for Australian consumers.
A Roku can turn any TV into a smart tv instantly without having to buy a brand new TV. It also offers far more features than Australian providers such as Netflix USA, Hulu Plus, HBO, ESPN to name a few.
Best Roku Australia
Before we get into the technical specs, it’s important to note that you can install the same channels on all devices. You also need a credit card to activate your Roku dashboard to complete setup (free).
1. Roku Ultra
It’s the powerhouse of the Roku range offering the fastest quad-core processor and is suitable for 4K Ultra HD streaming. Of course you’ll need a super fast internet connection and a suitable television to actually get 4K quality but it’s definitely possible.
The Roku Ultra offers dual band wireless which allows you to use 2.4 and 5GHz connections if available. On the back you’ve got an ethernet connection for even faster connectivity, an HDMI connection and an optical port which is good for surround sound.
The remote offers great functionality with hot keys and an earphone slot that automatically mutes your TV and plays audio through the headphones. The remote is small but there is a remote finder button on the actual device and you can even use the Roku app on your phone instead.
Buying the Roku Ultra may require a power adapter and is manufactured for 110v-240v so will work without a power transformer in Australia.
Pricing regularly fluctuates so I recommend checking out the best price with low international delivery to your Australian address.
2. Roku Express
It’s the smallest device in the range but packs quite a punch. If you’re looking for a quick and easy Roku device that is setup and operational within minutes then you should consider the Roku Express.
Featuring a quick processor it’s suitable for streaming 1080P HD video from all the major Roku channels available. Similar to the Roku Ultra this device requires a power connection and uses an HDMI cable to connect to the television. You can’t power the Express through HDMI only.
The included remote doesn’t feature a headphone slot and doesn’t include as many hot keys. The remote also is slightly fiddly and when you’re trying to do lots at once you’ll notice the dashboard lags a little. You need to consider the price vs spec. If you want something more powerful then the Roku Stick+ might be a better option.
Pricing regularly fluctuates so I recommend checking out the best price with low international delivery to your Australian address.
3. Roku Stick+
It’s the newer version of the Roku Stick which is now called the plus and features a few major improvements including a sleeker more nimble design and an enhanced remote with hot keys. An advanced wireless receiver gives you 4x better signal strength for faster uninterrupted streaming.
Provided you’ve got a suitable television and internet connection and a 4K Netflix subscription you can easily watch 4K Ultra HD content with the Roku Stick+ in Australia. The one of 3 devices offering 4K streaming.
At a much more affordable price and with the ability to power the device using HDMI and USB only the Stick+ is a great option for travelers and kitting out multiple televisions in your house where power may not be freely available.
If you’re on the fence between this and the standard (old version) Roku Stick I’d say go for this one for the better wireless and 4K functionality.
Pricing regularly fluctuates so I recommend checking out the best price with low international delivery to your Australian address.
4. Roku Premiere
It’s probably one of the nicest sounding models and the premiere sure does deliver lots of power and strong wireless connectivity. It’s a slightly bigger model from the Roku Express and is in effect the 4K version.
5. Roku Stick
It’s the older model of the Roku Stick+ and includes all the same features which the exception of the improved wireless, less hot keys and weaker processor. It’s likely it will be removed from production in the next few months of 2019.
How To Setup Roku In Australia
Before buying a Roku you should note that the devices are configured specifically for residents in the United States, Mexico and United Kingdom. With that said you can use a Roku outside those countries using your standard connection and only use services such as Netflix Australia.
If you want to access Netflix USA, Hulu Plus, HBO, ESPN and all those other premium channels then you need to setup Smart DNS on your internet router. The Roku hard codes their software and buying a standard VPN will not work. You need a VPN at the router level, more commonly called Smart DNS. Some good providers include PureVPN and SmartDNSProxy.
Anyone can alter their router settings and it’s just a matter of making a few changes using the web interface. If you live in a communal area such as a university it’s unlikely you’ll be able to alter the router settings so a Roku might not be the best option for you. Other routers provided by telecom companies require advanced configuration so check to ensure you can access the web configuration before making any changes.
I’d suggest reading the guide over at PureVPN on how to setup their service to access the Roku via your router.