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Head to head · Electronics

Ultra, Ultimate Streaming Player vs Echo Dot Max (newest model)

Ravvy scores Ultra, Ultimate Streaming Player at 92.4 and Echo Dot Max (newest model) at 89.4. Ultra, Ultimate Streaming Player takes the overall pick, best for home theater enthusiasts and power users who prefer a physical ethernet connection.

Ravvy pick

Roku Ultra, Ultimate Streaming Player - 4K Streaming Device for TV
92.4

$91

The Roku Ultra is the best choice for users who want the most responsive interface possible and a rechargeable remote, even if it carries a premium price tag.

Amazon Echo Dot Max (newest model), Alexa speaker with room-filling sound and nearly 3x bass, Great for living rooms and medium-sized spaces, Designed for Alexa+, Graphite Graphite Pack of 1
89.4

$100

The Echo Dot Max is the best choice for users who want to consolidate their smart hub, wifi extender, and high-quality audio into a single, stylish unit, provided they are comfortable with the increased price point.

How they score

FactorUltra, Ultimate Streaming PlayerEcho Dot Max (newest model)
Value82–
Ease of use96.5–
Performance98–
Connectivity95–
Visual Quality92–
Wifi Range–85
Compactness–88
Audio Quality–92.5
Voice Recognition–94.2
Smart Connectivity–98

Ultra, Ultimate Streaming Player

What owners praise

  • Significantly faster interface and app loading
  • Backlit remote is perfect for dark home theaters
  • Rechargeable battery saves money on AAs
  • Reliable Ethernet port for lag-free 4K
  • Hands-free voice control works across the room

What to know first

  • Larger footprint than discrete HDMI sticks
  • Higher price point than most competitors
  • Interface design remains somewhat dated

Skip it if budget-conscious viewers with older non-4k televisions

Echo Dot Max (newest model)

What owners praise

  • Substantial bass improvement with dedicated 2.5 inch woofer
  • Acts as an eero mesh wifi extender for up to 1,000 sq ft
  • Integrated Zigbee, Matter, and Thread smart home hub
  • Automatic room adaptation optimizes sound to the environment
  • AZ3 processor enables faster, more conversational Alexa+ responses

What to know first

  • Significantly more expensive than the standard Echo Dot
  • eero extension speeds capped at 100 Mbps
  • Mono playback unless paired with a second unit

Skip it if casual listeners looking for a basic, low-cost voice assistant for simple timers

Specs side by side

SpecUltra, Ultimate Streaming PlayerEcho Dot Max (newest model)
UPC829610006888–
ASINB0DF44RTTP–
GTIN829610006888–
BrandRoku–
ColorUltra (with Wi-Fi 6)–
Model NameRoku Ultra 2024–
Resolution4k–
Form FactorTV Box–
Item Weight18 g–
Video CodecH.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, AV1, VP9, HDR10/10+, Dolby Vision–
ManufacturerRoku–
Model Number4850R–

Other options in this category

Amazon Echo Dot (newest model) - Vibrant sounding speaker, Designed for Alexa+, Great for bedrooms, dining rooms and offices, Glacier White Glacier White Device only
88.5

Best for small to medium rooms needing a mix of smart control and background music.

  • Custom full-range driver
  • Integrated eero Mesh technology
  • Ambient temperature sensing
$504.7(198,010)