Why never bother with cheap streaming sticks?

Cheap streaming sticks are an easy way to access a huge list of content. However, they come with so many features and benefits that you might not mind.

Table of Contents

• 5. You miss out on useful features
• 4. Performance tends to be “good enough”
• 3. Unbranded streaming sticks can be a security risk
• 2. App support may be inconsistent
• 1. Customer support is not helpful

5. You miss out on useful features

You know the saying, “It’s better to have and not need than to need and not have”? Many people apply this to streaming sticks as well. Do you need a streaming stick that can output 4K even if your TV is 1080p? Probably not, but it never hurts to futureproof some of your setup.

More expensive streaming sticks also come with a ton of convenience features, not just better performance and app support. The Roku Express, for example, is limited to 1080p and a standard remote, while the Roku Ultra has a rechargeable remote with voice controls, Dolby Vision , HDR, and 4K. You’ll still find fun ways to use your Roku Express.

4. Performance tends to be “good enough”

It's great that cheap streaming sticks are more accessible, but the trade-off is mediocre performance that can be really frustrating to use.

Performance is becoming more and more of an issue, especially with regular use, and it will only get worse. It will only get worse as apps are updated and inevitably require more processing power to run. Then you will have more lag, slowness, glitches, and buffering issues.

While buying a more expensive streaming stick won’t solve the problem of it eventually becoming obsolete, it will help you avoid the inevitable in the long run. Sure, the higher upfront cost isn’t exactly pleasant. However, it will last longer, be less frustrating to use, and protect your setup in the future.

3. Unbranded streaming sticks can be a security risk

It’s reasonable to want to save money by buying a cheap streaming stick. You’re probably already paying for at least two streaming services, so it makes sense to save money elsewhere. You know, the ones that are really cheap, but can introduce viruses and malware to devices in your home. Viruses are usually downloaded onto computers or smartphones, but they can also attack your network.

It's a simple but cruel scheme: As soon as you connect your cheap streaming stick to the Internet , either via Ethernet or Wi-Fi , you open yourself up to having your data stolen or, worse, your identity stolen. Even if you don't choose a cheap streaming stick, it 's always good to know the signs of a virus !

2. App support may be inconsistent

Speaking of performance, using a cheap streaming stick runs the risk of some apps becoming unavailable for download or losing support over time. Once the apps reach a certain version, older streaming sticks can’t keep up and are completely removed. This is especially bad with Smart TVs , as you can’t upgrade the internal components.

Here’s an example—the Roku 2 3100X can no longer run a number of popular streaming platforms. It’s not compatible with Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and Max. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s a big iceberg, since all of those streaming services are so popular.

In a sense, buying a cheaper streaming stick is like buying a smartphone that’s a generation or two behind the current models. Yes, it’s much more affordable, but the smartphone’s security updates are much shorter than when it first came out. If you upgrade your streaming stick every two years or so, you might as well get a better model and save money in the long run.

1. Customer support is not helpful

Good customer support can be life-changing; poor (or nonexistent) customer support can make or break a product. With cheap streaming sticks, you’re forced to contact customer support more often to troubleshoot problems. Of course, if you buy an off-brand streaming stick, you might end up with something that doesn’t really have any customer support at all.

This is an often overlooked benefit. However, it is unreasonable to expect customer support for an old product indefinitely, especially for a product that receives new upgrades every year.

While cheap streaming sticks can be a great way to access your streaming services and even turn a regular TV into a Smart TV, you’ll always get a better deal if you step up a level or two. It’ll last longer, perform better, and come with features you’ll love.