Smart TV vs Roku TV – Which One Should You Choose

Televisions have come a long way from their mechanical rotary disk days. Today, consumers can choose from among a variety of designs and between smart and regular cable varieties. However, traditional, non-smart televisions are slowly going out of fashion because of the growing popularity of smart TVs. This popularity can primarily be ascribed to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc., that are potent contenders for people’s attention—as against the most boring cable TV channels.

In case you were wondering, yes, the word “smart” in smart TV entails the same thing as the smart in smartphone; simply put, these gadgets can interact with other devices using wireless protocols like Wi-Fi. “But, what exactly is a Roku TV?” You may inquire. Well, when it comes to the question of a Roku TV, it is a kind of smart TV that relies on the Roku software for its operating system.

Smart TV vs Roku TV – What is Difference between these two in 2022?

Let us survey some of its qualities in contrast to a smart TV to give you a better handle on what is what.

Roku TV

Marketed as “not a smart TV—a better TV,” a Roku TV will bring a plethora of free and paid channels and apps to your fingertips. What makes this an improvement is how many of these channels and apps are inaccessible for many smart TVs out there. The fact of the matter is, some smart TVs cannot even update to encompass more services and channels altogether—leaving you to toggle between the same boring things perpetually.

Additionally, Roku TV has perhaps one of the cleanest interfaces out there and is more navigable than other smart brands. This minimal interface, together with the ability to customize one’s home screen, makes Roku TV a tad more popular than any workaday smart TV. Roku TV has both Pros and Cons.

Here are some other praises to sell you on the efficacy of a Roku.

Pros

• Since it offers several free channels and defeats the purpose of a cable subscription, it is considerably lighter on the pocket.
• It is a one-stop shop for all of your favorite applications and streaming providers and saves you the hassle of downloading different applications.
• It allows you to surf multiple streaming services collectively, so you do not have to open each separately to look for your desired content.
• Rokus have excellent processing speeds and a storage space ranging between somewhere around 500 MBs to 1 or 2 GBs.
• You can use your smartphone to mirror your slideshows and other memorabilia for special occasions.
•  Now you can rent films directly from Roku’s store. It is very much like a revival of the video rental stores of the past.
• The frequent updates ensure that your system runs smoothly and never grows stale.
• With a Roku TV, your smartphone can also stand-in for a remote control. This is an excellent plus for differently-abled people who frequently rely on voice recognition compared to regular remotes.

If you are already sold on the benefits of a Roku TV, hold that thought and consider some of the cons as well.

Cons

• If updates are a pet peeve of yours, then this TV might get on your nerves with its recurrent updates.
• Some of the applications and contents may be inaccessible based on your location. Thus, one of its top selling features may be withheld from you.
• If its OS crashes, then the TV gives out as well, which is a bummer, considering that Rokus costs a little extra buck than a regular smart TV.
• You might not be able to download several apps because of incompatibility. Furthermore, some apps are rarely updated, and you have to make do with older versions.

Roku TVs done and dusted, how about we proceed to assay smart TVs in general? You must need best antenna for your TV to run channels better.

Smart TV

Different smart TVs proffer various features based on their affiliated company and price point, but some of their general pros and cons are as follows. Smart TV also has its pros and cons.

Pros

• They are on the cheaper side and more plentiful in keeping with technical specifications.
• It is not necessary to update them repeatedly.

Unfortunately, we do not have many praises to sing, and the cons list is relatively longer.

Cons

• Unlike a Roku TV, other smart TVs have a very convoluted interface and are usually teeming with first-party ads. This makes them really difficult for beginners to operate.
• Their storage space and processors are not promising as a Roku TV.
• They do not have the immersive auditory experience characteristic of Roku TVs.
• Video on demand and Live television is not available for cheaper smart TVs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is a Roku TV?

Their prices depend on the model/size that you are interested in. Where a 30 to 35-Inch Roku will cost you 100 bucks, a 75-inch one will be—understandably—in the $1000 range.

Do smart TVs act up?

Since smart TVs are part of the same family as computers, they can also crash. The fact that some of the more expensive brands actively work to reduce the existence of such problems does not make up for it.

Final Verdict

Although we strongly believe in “To each their own,” the discrepancy in the preceding pros and cons lists is a tell-tale sign of Roku TV supremacy. Nonetheless, there is no harm in investing in a regular smart TV if a few hours of streaming and surfing is all you require of your television set.

Believe it or not, many smart TVs out there are now starting to adopt similar features to Roku televisions for a more affordable range as well. So if you are interested in buying a snazzier television, take a look at some of these options.

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All in all, most smart TVs serve roundabout the same purpose, and sometimes purchases come down to the hype surrounding certain brands. Thus, we would advise you to do in-depth research before giving into pretensions. After all, you are the one paying. Thank You!