Roku Simple Remote Vs. Voice Remote: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

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Roku is one of the pioneers of streaming entertainment. Whether you’re using one of the company’s streaming devices or a smart TV running Roku OS, you’ll benefit from an intuitive, customizable user interface. You’ll navigate these screens and menus using a remote provided by Roku, and there are four first-party controllers on the market currently. If the version you are using does not have a microphone button, it means that the remote does not support voice commands.

There are two proprietary Roku remotes like this, which the company calls Simple Roku Remotes: the $10 Roku Players Remote and the $10 Roku TV Remote. Most of Roku’s current lineup of streaming devices come with the $20 Roku Voice Remote. The exception is the Roku Ultra, which includes the $30 Roku Voice Remote Pro. The Voice Remote Pro features a rechargeable battery, backlit buttons, hands-free voice commands, and lost remote functionality. If your Roku-powered streamer or smart TV comes with one of the simple Roku remotes, upgrading to a mic-equipped model may be worth it, especially if you don’t like using directional buttons or hotkeys.

I’ve used Roku products for many years and have learned that remotes tend to eat up batteries, no matter which version you use. My advice: splurge on the Voice Remote Pro, even if the only advanced feature you’ll benefit from is its USB-C rechargeable battery. The Voice Remote Pro is also compatible with most Roku streaming devices and audio technologies, as well as all Roku TVs, whether a proprietary model or a Hisense/TCL model that uses the Roku operating system.

Beyond adding voice commands, you may also want to invest in one of Roku’s higher-tier remotes if you don’t want to be limited by infrared (IR). Both simple Roku remotes use IR, which requires you to point the remote directly at your Roku streamer or smart TV to control it. Both the Voice Remote and Voice Remote Pro use radio frequency (RF), so you don’t have to worry about line-of-sight obstructions affecting your TV or device’s inputs.

An RF remote control is especially handy if you’re opting for an out-of-sight, out-of-mind home theater setup. You can store a device like the Roku Ultra behind closed cabinet doors, without having to add an infrared emitter to your already cramped entertainment center. Alternatively, you can even attach said Roku Ultra to the back of a wall-mounted TV; No matter where the device is, an RF remote will control it – no questions asked.

We should mention that you can also control most Roku hardware using the free Roku mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices. As an added bonus, you can even pair wireless headphones or earbuds to your phone or tablet to use Roku’s private listening mode. Ultimately, upgrading to a Roku Voice Remote or Voice Remote Pro is often worth the extra $10-20, especially since the highest remote price is only $30.