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The Roku Express (2022) is the Roku you buy if you don't need 4K. Everyone who needs to upgrade a 'dumb' 1080p display in their life might consider it. But should they? In a moment where there are three $30 HD streaming devices, that question doesn't have a cut and dry answer.

And while the new Roku Express is mostly an upgrade for the better, it faces increased competition for the HDMI slots in our lives. On paper, the Roku Express (2022) looks to impress with improved performance, but we're not sure if that's the key differentiator. Like all Rokus, though, it's got The Roku Channel's live TV built right in, and makes it easy to watch Weird: The Al Yankovic Story online.

So, I'll spend this Roku Express (2022) review comparing it against other non-4K devices: the Chromecast with Google TV HD and the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite. But which of these will make it to our best streaming devices list?

Roku Express (2022) specs
Header Cell - Column 0 Roku Express (2022)
Starting price $29.99
Resolution Up to 1080p
Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11n dual-band Wi-Fi
Port microUSB (power)
Dimensions 6.4 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches
Colors Black
Audio Dolby Atmos via HDMI passthrough
Video No HDR
Remote Roku simple remote
Roku Express (2022) review: Price and availability
The Roku Express (2022) costs $29.99(opens in new tab) and it's available online right now. This places it alongside the newly announced Chromecast with Google TV HD and the Fire TV Stick Lite — which both have the same MSRP.

Roku announced the Roku Express (2022) on Sept. 12, 2022.

the Roku Express (2022) box

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)
Roku Express (2022) review: Design
Unlike most of the cheap streaming devices, the Roku Express (2022) is not a dongle that hides behind your TV. It's a small curved piece of plastic that's matte on the top and glossy on the front, where you may notice a faint power indicator light.

It's almost too light, but unlike past models we didn't need the included adhesive strip to make sure it lies flat on a surface. It just took a small amount of effort. A stick or dongle design would be easier to use, though.

(clockwise) the parts inside the Roku Express (2022) are a USB cable, adhesive strip, two AAA batteries, an HDMI cord, the Roku Express itself and the Roku remote

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)
An extremely simple device, its HDMI port sends video to your TV and its micro-USB draws power. The Roku Express (2022) also has a small reset button. In the box, you get the Roku Simple remote, AAA batteries for said remote, and HDMI and USB cables for those aforementioned ports.

What's frustrating here is that, unlike with the Roku Express 2019, you don't get a standalone power adapter with your Roku. You're expected to have one you already use, or plug the Roku Express' USB cable into the back of your TV.

The bouncing Roku logo on a TV attached to the Roku Express (2022)

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)
When I did the latter (plugging it into a USB port in the back of my relatively recently acquired LG OLED TV), I found that the Roku Express (2022) was always off unless my TV was on. That meant I couldn't use the Roku remote to boot up the system, and I needed the TV remote to do that. Some TVs may have a setting to keep USB power on at all times, but my TV does not have such an option. I get that Roku (like Apple before it) can say it does not include a power adapter out of a want to reduce waste and you may already have an extra power adapter.