Roku Voice Remote Pro review

Our Verdict

The Roku Voice Remote Pro is a major upgrade, with a rechargeable bombardment and hands-free vocalisation feature

For

Rechargeable (no more than AAA batteries!)
Hands-free voice option
Notice my remote command easier than always
Two customizable buttons

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Roku Voice Remote Pro is a major upgrade, with a rechargeable battery and easily-free voice feature

Pros

+
Rechargeable (no more AAA batteries!)
+
Hands-free voice option
+
Detect my remote command easier than ever
+
Two customizable buttons

Hey Roku, where's my new Vocalism Remote Pro? The streaming device company announced it'southward rolling out the Roku Voice Remote Pro, an upgraded version of its electric current remote. It features a rechargeable battery and hands-free vocalization, so users can just say "Hey Roku" and a command to turn on their Television set, control playback, accommodate the volume and find their favorite show — all without pressing a push button.

And the always-listening office makes it easy to discover your remote if you lot've lost it in the couch cushions or misplaced it. Just say "Hey Roku, where's my remote?" and listen for the chime.

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Anyone who doesn't want a device to listen all the fourth dimension can switch off the easily-free voice feature and press the voice button to speak commands.

The Roku Voice Remote Pro carries over all the functions of the regular remote, including the ability to plough on the TV, adjust the book and use individual listening with the headphone jack. We similar the Roku Vocalization Remote Pro so much that information technology won the 2021 Tom's Guide Honour for Best Streaming Device Remote, beating out Apple's highly anticipated new Siri Remote for the Apple TV.

I used the new remote for several days for this Roku Voice Remote Pro review.

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Roku Voice Remote Pro price and devices

The new Roku Voice Remote Pro is compatible with all Roku Telly models, audio devices and select streaming players.

The price is $29.99 and it will be sold by all major retailers, including Amazon and Best Purchase.

That's $10 more than than the regular Roku Voice Remote, which lacks the 2 customizable buttons.

Roku Voice Remote Pro design

The Roku Voice Remote Pro looks and feels virtually identical to the remote that comes with the Roku Ultra. It has all the same buttons — power, home, playback controls, a directional pad and four branded shortcut buttons for Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu and Sling.

In that location are also two personal shortcut buttons that save vox commands. I said, "Hey Roku, open Spotify" and so long-pressed "1" to save that action. After that, I could hit that push button to burn up the Spotify app.

I actually like the option to have personalized buttons, since Roku doesn't have shortcuts for all the streaming services. This fashion, I could quickly get to Spotify or HBO Max. And if I find myself using Peacock more frequently, I can easily switch information technology to one of the personal shortcuts.

On ane side, there are volume up and down buttons every bit well equally a mute button. On the other side is the switch to turn on/off the easily-free vocalisation feature and a headphone jack.

Roku Voice Remote Pro rechargeable battery

The Roku Phonation Remote Pro is a little bit heavier than the previous remote, likely due to the rechargeable bombardment — definitely the best upgrade and one we've been hoping to become for some time.

Roku says a single charge can last as long as two months. I haven't had information technology long enough to examination that out, but I'm happy equally long as I don't have to keep scrounging for AAA batteries.

Roku Voice Remote Pro vocalism features

Aside from the rechargeable bombardment, the other major upgrade is the hands-costless voice characteristic. Plough on a switch on the side of the remote and information technology will always listen for spoken commands, which start with "Hey Roku." Using hands-free vocalism, I was able to turn up and pass up the volume, search for a movie and open up various apps.

The company told me it tin hear inside 12 feet. I tried talking to the remote from that distance and commands worked, though I did have to enhance my voice. Like with other hands-free voice devices, sometimes the Roku remote didn't hear me correctly. When I was watching Devil Wears Prada, I said "Hey Roku, pause." But the remote thought I said "has" instead. So, brand sure to enunciate!

Personally, I don't like ever-listening devices and don't accept any in my home (bated from my iPhone, which I swear is eavesdropping on me). Luckily, yous can only switch off the hands-free function and printing the microphone push to event vocalization commands.

Roku Voice Remote Pro review: Verdict

I don't have that much to say virtually the Roku Voice Remote Pro other than that it'southward great. It fixes the biggest problem we had with Roku's previous remotes by adding a rechargeable battery. I'm tired of hunting downwardly AAA batteries for my various remotes. Plus, this is more than sustainable.

The only ding on the Roku Voice Remote Pro is that it is a lilliputian pricey at $29.99. The new Roku Express 4K Plus is merely $10 more and that's an entire streaming device (and comes with a remote). Merely it's a good investment if you're similar me and don't desire to keep a stock of batteries around.

Roku'southward remotes accept always been good; they're easy to apply, dissimilar other device remotes (yeah, we're looking at you Apple TV). Now, with these upgrades, Roku has made the perfect accessory for your streaming life.

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Kelly is a senior writer covering streaming media for Tom's Guide, and then basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance amusement author for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she's not watching TV and movies for work, she's watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.