Roku 3960R Express HD Streaming Media Player w/ HDMI

The Roku Express (model 3960R) is designed to solve a straightforward problem: giving any TV with an HDMI port access to streaming apps without spending much money. It supports 1080p Full HD, connects over Wi-Fi, and gives you access to popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+, along with thousands of free channels through The Roku Channel. If you have a spare TV, a guest room setup, or an older TV that just needs smart functionality, this is one of the simplest ways to get there. The Roku OS interface is clean, fast, and ad-supported on the home screen — but the actual apps load quickly and stream reliably.

The hardware is a small, lightweight box that connects via the included HDMI cable and draws power from a USB cable (wall adapter included). Build quality is basic plastic, but since it sits behind your TV permanently, that's not really a concern. The standard remote is functional but bare-bones — directional pad, select button, playback controls, and four shortcut buttons for streaming services. There's no voice search, no TV controls, and no headphone jack on the remote. For the price, these are understandable omissions, but they do mean this is best suited as a secondary streaming device or a first device for someone who values simplicity over features. Wi-Fi performance is solid for 1080p content, though users in homes with heavy network congestion may occasionally see buffering during peak hours.