When I was living in my studio with the blue balcony in Downtown San Jose, I bought my first Roku. It still lives and works today, and it’s probably one of my must have items for life. Everything about using the Roku is just easy, seamless, and fun. I can watch movies and shows from almost any channel or server, and it always keeps me signed in so I can click back into a show I paused.

Compared to the AppleTV box, this is the more affordable option at $30 give or take. I have used the Roku for streaming Pan Am which is canceled, and not on another streaming platform without ads. I bought the first season of Psych for sentimental purposes and more. I think I have watched all of Netflix, and Hulu combined, and YouTube is a constant go to for me on the TV as well. There is nothing I can’t stream or AirPlay with Roku. I have even used it to stream really hard to find horse shows like Kentucky Three Day Event just by screen sharing.

I highly recommend the Roku especially as the holiday months approach us. I can’t wait to watch all the Halloween movies, Thanksgiving skits and Christmas films on my little Roku player. In a perfect world where I live in my forever home, I would choose the Roku Ultra with the ethernet adapter, but the express is lovely.