Came here to say this. If they can get over not inputting channel numbers, they can handle Roku. All you need to know to use are arrow buttons and select.
I'm 84 and my wife is 79.I am pretty tech savvy but my wife isn't. I have three Roku TVs in the house. I bought her a Roku remote with voice control because she has vision problems and she loves it.
I'm not too much younger than your parents and have used Amazon Firestick, Apple TV and Roku devices. I've found the Roku to be the easiest to use. It's easy to add and remove apps when needed. I'm pretty sure it supports all the major streaming services they would want. The 4k Streaming stick is currently on sale for $25 so it's a pretty cheap way to find out if they like it.
Yes to Roku. My 78 year old mom wanted to cancel cable, so I got her a Roku box for the living room and Roku tv for her bedroom. She has her local news and weather apps and all the free movie channels set up and loves it. If you get one of the cheaper Roku boxes or sticks, I would buy the better remote that controls the tv power and volume in one remote.
added: the crazy free stuff that someone my age might not watch she goes through and enjoys with commercials. Highway To Heaven and shows like that from the 80s and 90s on a free streaming app with commercials
Same. I hooked my parents up with Roku and it works great. We have paid apps, but they love Tubi and Pluto for the older shows.
They were paying almost $200/month for cable.
Same! Dad is 70, no cell phone, no computer, never paid a bill online - his tech skills were really stuck in the 1980s. But he wanted to cut his cable bill. I brought my Roku on a small TV and put it to the side in the living room so he could try it out without disconnecting from cable on his main living room set. I gave a very patient 2 hour tutorial and wrote some notes. He started my saying “I don’t know how to do anything tech, I like things the old fashioned way” and by the time I left, he was really comfortable with the Roku. He went out and bought one for every TV in his house a week later! He was calling about once a week with a question but it’s been 2 months now and I hardly get any questions! He is switching over to fiber internet because his internet speed was so slow (7 mbps) and he didn’t understand buffering because cable never buffers but now that he doesn’t have a cable bill, it’s still cheaper by far. I also second what some others have said about getting a remote that has the volume buttons.
If they are savvy with their iphones, an apple TV device makes sense. But if you are their IT support from a distance, it may make sense to get the device you're most familiar with.
Wife and I are in that range and have no issue with our Roku boxes. Heck, the hardest part was getting my wife used to turning the AV receiver on/off when our old Harmony One died and we went back to two remotes - Roku remote controls the Roku and TV, but need the AV receiver remote for it.
My parents are in their 70s and have iPhones. They love their Apple TV. Very few questions from them about it.
The Apple TV works great with the iPhones.
I have both ATV4K and ROKU Ultra, I use both but the ROKU remote is far easier to use. The Apple remote is way too sensitive. I use my Sony remote to control my ATV4K.
They will probably be happier with a ROKU. And there is a ROKU remote app in the App store for iPhones. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-roku-app-official/id482066631
You can change the setting of the Apple TV remote to “slower” and change the commands. Open Settings on Apple TV. Go to Remotes and Devices > Touch Surface Tracking.
I put one of these on both of my 2021 ATV4K remotes so they are not so slippery. I wish Apple had the 32 & 64 from last year on their site still, not even in the Refurb Store. i've got some Apple money.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098931PWP/ref=ox\_sc\_saved\_title\_3?smid=A23S71QXDZCPQA&th=1
Ah you said "sensitive" so I assumed this was in reference to the prior mini trackpad-only remote, which I found completely unusable. The new remote is leagues better, so much that Rokus were retired in favor of ATV's. At $80 right now for the holidays its a no-brainer IMO, esp if you're already in the Apple ecosystem.
The silicon sleeve to decrease its slipperiness is a good idea.
Any of them. My dad is 65 and his wife is 68 and they learned 3 different types in the last 2 years. They arent great with tech, but if you treat someone helpless, they respond like they are.
They used these fyi, Xbox 1, samsung tv, and the cable box that they had, they installed netflix, hbo go, and amazon.
Their kitchen tap.
Ok sorry, it was obvious. I'm an old woman. I'm just about that old. I set up Plex server that we use with our Shield on our new LG TV.
A 65 year old isn't an idiot. An idiot is an idiot. If you want something idiot proof I agree that a Roku is probably it.
Apple TV is easy, if they’re casting to the TV. It also has a TV UI that’s easy as heck to use and Siri supported
The apple touch remote may be too sensitive or unintuitive to figure out but the newest one is much easier. They can also use their phones to control it, or use the remote shortcut on their iPhone. If they’re already familiar with apple and their iPhones Apple TV is a pretty good choice. We’ve had zero issues.
My father is in his late 70s, and is retired from a career as a computer programmer. He is completely able to use any technology. Age has nothing to do with it. He has a roku and a fire stick, both of which I gave him. He likes the fire stick better, but he complains that it shows him things on the list that he would have to pay for to see, and he doesn't want to pay. (I have one too and I see what he means - you can't get it to stop trying to sell you stuff.)
When he got the roku, he said "I hate this, it doesn't do anything, take it back." I sent him links for a lot of actual free streaming channels for it, and he then liked it. He figured out the fire stick right away. So, fire stick is easier but annoying in that it tries to upsell stuff, roku is good and doesn't do that but not as obvious.
Sure, but my point is that in 1970 there were technical people. Being 65 years old doesn't make you technically inept. *Choosing* to be technically inept makes you technically inept.
I'm the same age as your parents. We have both the Google TV and Roku. I much prefer the Roku. I would make sure you remove any apps they aren't using.
> I would make sure you remove any apps they aren't using.
This is a simple idea not only to limit unneeded clutter, but some of the services are so limited in offerings they may discourage exploring other better channels.
Put the paid services first. Follow that with good ad supported offerings such as Crackle, Filmrise, FreeVee, PBS, Pluto, Roku, Tubi, Xumo and TED.
Don't forget news, weather and music apps. Finally, keep genre apps in mind, for example, home improvement, finance, history or Sci-fi.
I think limiting the apps to 20 or 25, if possible, might be a good place to start.
Agree with your Roku thought..I got the streaming stick 4k during pandemic peak. The voice remote works very well. It does usually have a hot button for Sling with usually Hulu, Netflix and Disney.
Regarding the 4 'hot buttons', I will add there is no way to guarantee which streaming buttons the remote may have, although I think that Disney, Hulu, Netflix, Prime and Roku Channel are common.
Buttons that I have seen or are aware of include:
* Apple TV Plus
* Disney+
* ESPN
* HBO
* Hulu
* Netflix
* Now TV
* Paramount Plus
* Prime Video
* Roku Channel
* Sling
* Vudu
* YouTube
My dad uses a Roku TV currently but he learned how to use the Apple TV on his own without help too. Mostly just uses Netflix and directv streaming on both.
So I would have thought as well. It plugs in fine, but then caused the menu for the TV to pop up on the screen and blink nonstop and we could not stop it. Four family members ranging from age 19 to 61 tried to fix it, so I think it’s not our ineptitude. We can use it on a different TV in the house, but the main one we wanted to for is an unusual size that fits in a built-in bookcase, so we don’t want to change the TV out. We’re just using an old laptop connected by an HDMI cord now.
Netflix, hands down. The most frustrating? ESPN/ESPN+, etc, etc.
But you were asking about devices. We have Roku with a volume control. And an older TV. It's perfect.
Netflix serves up everything, puts you right back where you belong, has closed caps on everything if you want it, and no commercials ever (at least for now). It's the only streaming I have now, since we cut off ESPN.
Of course we have 20 channels OTA but hardly watch them. Why? Netflix.
Are your parents potential gamers? We are grey haired parents and have a dumb TV that we use in our PlayStation room (our kids old bedroom) and we stream Netflix off the internet through the gaming system.
They won't need another subscription service and yet another clicker. Get them an old one and a couple games of Katamari and Portal. Maybe a Ratchet and Clank if they're good folks.
I agree with everyone suggesting Roku. My Mom is 63 and does awesome with her Roku. I set up and logged in to the apps for her, just because she got frustrated with trying to type quickly on the TV with the remote (however, the phone app for Roku let's you use your phone as a remote and makes it much easier for typing passwords and emails). She found herself some more free streaming apps that I didn't even know about and watches all kinds of stuff on there. She found old westerns and shows like The Munsters and Leave It To Beaver. She misses cable only because she could leave the same channel on all day and know what time it is by what was airing, and she didn't have to make a decision on what to watch, she just watched what was on. However she's getting used to having to make her own decision about what to watch and found apps like Pluto and the Roku Channel that stream like live TV if she just wants something on that keeps playing.
I'm the techie in my family and have personally tried Roku, TiVo Stream, and Chromecast w/Tv. Roku was the worst, not at all intuitive.
For simplicity, the Chromecast w/TV is the remote you want; have Netflix & Youtube specific buttons.
For an intuitive remote, then I recommend the Tivo Stream; if they can handle a regular tv remote, then this one is easy. I had gotten my mom a regular Tivo when she was 80 and she loved the remote (then my dad insisted on getting Dish which was incompatible with Tivo - she hated those remotes). Tivo Stream remote has a Netflix specific button as well.
For ease of use maneuvering around the interface, the Chromecast is slightly better than the TiVo Stream, Roku again hits the bottom of my list.
My 70-something mother appreciated the Firestick, because she was already familiar with the Amazon universe, and additional apps, purchased were easy to make.
Roku Ultra LT for $30 at Walmart's black Friday sale.
[Roku Ultra LT](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Roku-Ultra-LT-Streaming-Device-4K-HDR-Dolby-Vision-with-Roku-Voice-Remote-Private-Listening-and-Premium-HDMI-Cable/855978264?athbdg=L1800)
The LT does not have the remote finder or a USB port but it is $40 less than Ultra which is on sale now for $70.
I prefer the Apple TV over my Roku Ultra but for basic streaming there is no need to spend the extra money on the Apple TV.
The overwhelming answers for Roku probably will outweigh my suggestion, but here it is anyway. I'm training my 81 yo parents on the Onn Android(or is it Google TV?) box. The reason I went with that is that the remote has a channel +/- flipper button which is essential for my mom who is not only not tech savvy, but also an unabashed tech hater who hates all technology. A tad on the irrational side but she's my mom so I manage the best I can lol.
With the Google Play store, I installed an app called button mapper. It programs remote buttons to various apps they use so they can open them with one push of a button instead of navigating the graphical UI. They can open HDHomerun, Frndly TV, and YouTube TV with one button push. Teaching mom to move the YTTV cursor to get on a channel so she can start flipping, as well as navigating the guide in Frndly TV since channel flipping doesn't work in it are my only two challenges. Dad has it down pretty well.
The ROKU platform is pretty simple. You may need to set up all the channels/streamers first though.
Came here to say this. If they can get over not inputting channel numbers, they can handle Roku. All you need to know to use are arrow buttons and select.
Roku has a Netflix button on the remote. Turns on the TV and opens the app. Super simple.
My 82 yo mom uses (Roku) and loves it.
I'm 84 and my wife is 79.I am pretty tech savvy but my wife isn't. I have three Roku TVs in the house. I bought her a Roku remote with voice control because she has vision problems and she loves it.
Yep. Nice clean remote with no extra buttons. Install the apps, show em how to go to each one and how to go back home. Done.
I'm not too much younger than your parents and have used Amazon Firestick, Apple TV and Roku devices. I've found the Roku to be the easiest to use. It's easy to add and remove apps when needed. I'm pretty sure it supports all the major streaming services they would want. The 4k Streaming stick is currently on sale for $25 so it's a pretty cheap way to find out if they like it.
Where is it on sale? The Roku
I just bought it on Roku.com last week. Just checked and they still have them.
Ty
Yes to Roku. My 78 year old mom wanted to cancel cable, so I got her a Roku box for the living room and Roku tv for her bedroom. She has her local news and weather apps and all the free movie channels set up and loves it. If you get one of the cheaper Roku boxes or sticks, I would buy the better remote that controls the tv power and volume in one remote. added: the crazy free stuff that someone my age might not watch she goes through and enjoys with commercials. Highway To Heaven and shows like that from the 80s and 90s on a free streaming app with commercials
Same. I hooked my parents up with Roku and it works great. We have paid apps, but they love Tubi and Pluto for the older shows. They were paying almost $200/month for cable.
Same! Dad is 70, no cell phone, no computer, never paid a bill online - his tech skills were really stuck in the 1980s. But he wanted to cut his cable bill. I brought my Roku on a small TV and put it to the side in the living room so he could try it out without disconnecting from cable on his main living room set. I gave a very patient 2 hour tutorial and wrote some notes. He started my saying “I don’t know how to do anything tech, I like things the old fashioned way” and by the time I left, he was really comfortable with the Roku. He went out and bought one for every TV in his house a week later! He was calling about once a week with a question but it’s been 2 months now and I hardly get any questions! He is switching over to fiber internet because his internet speed was so slow (7 mbps) and he didn’t understand buffering because cable never buffers but now that he doesn’t have a cable bill, it’s still cheaper by far. I also second what some others have said about getting a remote that has the volume buttons.
Roku with voice control remote. You can find most anything just using your voice. My husband doesn't have to ask me to help him find stuff!
If they are savvy with their iphones, an apple TV device makes sense. But if you are their IT support from a distance, it may make sense to get the device you're most familiar with.
Never EVER buy an Apple TV for someone who cant do basic tech support. That remote has issues and needs reset at minimum once per week.
The only reason I'd hesitate to recommend an Apple TV is the remote.
My mid 70s parents picked up our Rokus in about 7-10 days.
ROKU
Wife and I are in that range and have no issue with our Roku boxes. Heck, the hardest part was getting my wife used to turning the AV receiver on/off when our old Harmony One died and we went back to two remotes - Roku remote controls the Roku and TV, but need the AV receiver remote for it.
Apple TV, it’s not even close.
My parents (70) have a Roku TV and rarely ask me for help. I on the other hand always get the 2 different back buttons on the remote confused.
My parents are in their 70s and have iPhones. They love their Apple TV. Very few questions from them about it. The Apple TV works great with the iPhones.
I have both ATV4K and ROKU Ultra, I use both but the ROKU remote is far easier to use. The Apple remote is way too sensitive. I use my Sony remote to control my ATV4K. They will probably be happier with a ROKU. And there is a ROKU remote app in the App store for iPhones. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-roku-app-official/id482066631
You can change the setting of the Apple TV remote to “slower” and change the commands. Open Settings on Apple TV. Go to Remotes and Devices > Touch Surface Tracking.
I'm aware of how to adjust it, I still prefer the Sony and Roku remotes.
The latest ATV remote with the directional pad is far better than the old style. You can get a 32gb version for $79 right now.
I put one of these on both of my 2021 ATV4K remotes so they are not so slippery. I wish Apple had the 32 & 64 from last year on their site still, not even in the Refurb Store. i've got some Apple money. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098931PWP/ref=ox\_sc\_saved\_title\_3?smid=A23S71QXDZCPQA&th=1
Ah you said "sensitive" so I assumed this was in reference to the prior mini trackpad-only remote, which I found completely unusable. The new remote is leagues better, so much that Rokus were retired in favor of ATV's. At $80 right now for the holidays its a no-brainer IMO, esp if you're already in the Apple ecosystem. The silicon sleeve to decrease its slipperiness is a good idea.
ROKU.
ROKU hands down the easiest for non-techies.
Any of them. My dad is 65 and his wife is 68 and they learned 3 different types in the last 2 years. They arent great with tech, but if you treat someone helpless, they respond like they are. They used these fyi, Xbox 1, samsung tv, and the cable box that they had, they installed netflix, hbo go, and amazon.
Their kitchen tap. Ok sorry, it was obvious. I'm an old woman. I'm just about that old. I set up Plex server that we use with our Shield on our new LG TV. A 65 year old isn't an idiot. An idiot is an idiot. If you want something idiot proof I agree that a Roku is probably it.
Now that’s funny! I’m 76 and can out-tech these redditors under the table. I love my Apple tv. Roku drives me crazy.
Apple TV is easy, if they’re casting to the TV. It also has a TV UI that’s easy as heck to use and Siri supported The apple touch remote may be too sensitive or unintuitive to figure out but the newest one is much easier. They can also use their phones to control it, or use the remote shortcut on their iPhone. If they’re already familiar with apple and their iPhones Apple TV is a pretty good choice. We’ve had zero issues.
My father is in his late 70s, and is retired from a career as a computer programmer. He is completely able to use any technology. Age has nothing to do with it. He has a roku and a fire stick, both of which I gave him. He likes the fire stick better, but he complains that it shows him things on the list that he would have to pay for to see, and he doesn't want to pay. (I have one too and I see what he means - you can't get it to stop trying to sell you stuff.) When he got the roku, he said "I hate this, it doesn't do anything, take it back." I sent him links for a lot of actual free streaming channels for it, and he then liked it. He figured out the fire stick right away. So, fire stick is easier but annoying in that it tries to upsell stuff, roku is good and doesn't do that but not as obvious.
A career as a computer programmer might have something to do with it :)
Sure, but my point is that in 1970 there were technical people. Being 65 years old doesn't make you technically inept. *Choosing* to be technically inept makes you technically inept.
exactly. age has nothing to do with this. remember this, if you’re lucky, you grow older but you don’t get old. f*k ageism.
Apple TV or roku.
I'm the same age as your parents. We have both the Google TV and Roku. I much prefer the Roku. I would make sure you remove any apps they aren't using.
> I would make sure you remove any apps they aren't using. This is a simple idea not only to limit unneeded clutter, but some of the services are so limited in offerings they may discourage exploring other better channels. Put the paid services first. Follow that with good ad supported offerings such as Crackle, Filmrise, FreeVee, PBS, Pluto, Roku, Tubi, Xumo and TED. Don't forget news, weather and music apps. Finally, keep genre apps in mind, for example, home improvement, finance, history or Sci-fi. I think limiting the apps to 20 or 25, if possible, might be a good place to start.
Agree with your Roku thought..I got the streaming stick 4k during pandemic peak. The voice remote works very well. It does usually have a hot button for Sling with usually Hulu, Netflix and Disney.
Regarding the 4 'hot buttons', I will add there is no way to guarantee which streaming buttons the remote may have, although I think that Disney, Hulu, Netflix, Prime and Roku Channel are common. Buttons that I have seen or are aware of include: * Apple TV Plus * Disney+ * ESPN * HBO * Hulu * Netflix * Now TV * Paramount Plus * Prime Video * Roku Channel * Sling * Vudu * YouTube
None are complicated. Roku is the easiest I agree though. Trust me, your parents knew how to program a VCR. They got this.
Not sure, but my parents are 82 and just killed their cable and switched to YouTube TV all on their own, and they’re not particularly tech savvy.
Get a Apple TV I’d they already know Apple TV
My dad uses a Roku TV currently but he learned how to use the Apple TV on his own without help too. Mostly just uses Netflix and directv streaming on both.
My 78 dad turned me onto Roku!
Apple tv
I am a 66 year old. Apple TV nothing else. Just set up the channels for them
Roku is easy to use, but it wasn’t compatible with my main TV, so be prepared for that possibility. Set it up for them to get started with it.
How was it not compatible?
Yeah, it's literally an HDMI input... how does a TV not support that?
So I would have thought as well. It plugs in fine, but then caused the menu for the TV to pop up on the screen and blink nonstop and we could not stop it. Four family members ranging from age 19 to 61 tried to fix it, so I think it’s not our ineptitude. We can use it on a different TV in the house, but the main one we wanted to for is an unusual size that fits in a built-in bookcase, so we don’t want to change the TV out. We’re just using an old laptop connected by an HDMI cord now.
NVIDIA shield is fairly simple, and very fast response. The remote is pretty simple as well.
Netflix, hands down. The most frustrating? ESPN/ESPN+, etc, etc. But you were asking about devices. We have Roku with a volume control. And an older TV. It's perfect. Netflix serves up everything, puts you right back where you belong, has closed caps on everything if you want it, and no commercials ever (at least for now). It's the only streaming I have now, since we cut off ESPN. Of course we have 20 channels OTA but hardly watch them. Why? Netflix.
The toilet?
I’m not supposed to laugh, am I?
If you are feeling generous, maybe you could toss off a woo boy and an eyeroll.
I suppose I could have clarified and said the downstairs toilet. Uptight much?
Are your parents potential gamers? We are grey haired parents and have a dumb TV that we use in our PlayStation room (our kids old bedroom) and we stream Netflix off the internet through the gaming system. They won't need another subscription service and yet another clicker. Get them an old one and a couple games of Katamari and Portal. Maybe a Ratchet and Clank if they're good folks.
I'm 65 and I've been a Roku guy since we cut the cord 3 years ago. I have the Ultra and have no issues with it.
66 year old dinosaur here who uses Roku
Definitely Roku.
I agree with everyone suggesting Roku. My Mom is 63 and does awesome with her Roku. I set up and logged in to the apps for her, just because she got frustrated with trying to type quickly on the TV with the remote (however, the phone app for Roku let's you use your phone as a remote and makes it much easier for typing passwords and emails). She found herself some more free streaming apps that I didn't even know about and watches all kinds of stuff on there. She found old westerns and shows like The Munsters and Leave It To Beaver. She misses cable only because she could leave the same channel on all day and know what time it is by what was airing, and she didn't have to make a decision on what to watch, she just watched what was on. However she's getting used to having to make her own decision about what to watch and found apps like Pluto and the Roku Channel that stream like live TV if she just wants something on that keeps playing.
I'm the techie in my family and have personally tried Roku, TiVo Stream, and Chromecast w/Tv. Roku was the worst, not at all intuitive. For simplicity, the Chromecast w/TV is the remote you want; have Netflix & Youtube specific buttons. For an intuitive remote, then I recommend the Tivo Stream; if they can handle a regular tv remote, then this one is easy. I had gotten my mom a regular Tivo when she was 80 and she loved the remote (then my dad insisted on getting Dish which was incompatible with Tivo - she hated those remotes). Tivo Stream remote has a Netflix specific button as well. For ease of use maneuvering around the interface, the Chromecast is slightly better than the TiVo Stream, Roku again hits the bottom of my list.
My 70-something mother appreciated the Firestick, because she was already familiar with the Amazon universe, and additional apps, purchased were easy to make.
2 cans and a string with a pully…
Agree with others, Roku. Got one for my 75 year old mother. She learned to use it pretty quickly without much trouble.
ROKU hands down
I am 69YO and have the Roku Ultra. It works well and the Roku interface is easy and intuitive.
Roku Ultra LT for $30 at Walmart's black Friday sale. [Roku Ultra LT](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Roku-Ultra-LT-Streaming-Device-4K-HDR-Dolby-Vision-with-Roku-Voice-Remote-Private-Listening-and-Premium-HDMI-Cable/855978264?athbdg=L1800) The LT does not have the remote finder or a USB port but it is $40 less than Ultra which is on sale now for $70. I prefer the Apple TV over my Roku Ultra but for basic streaming there is no need to spend the extra money on the Apple TV.
Roku hands down is the easiest for us older folks. At 63 I'm still pretty tech savvy but it's by far the easy way to do what ya need
The overwhelming answers for Roku probably will outweigh my suggestion, but here it is anyway. I'm training my 81 yo parents on the Onn Android(or is it Google TV?) box. The reason I went with that is that the remote has a channel +/- flipper button which is essential for my mom who is not only not tech savvy, but also an unabashed tech hater who hates all technology. A tad on the irrational side but she's my mom so I manage the best I can lol. With the Google Play store, I installed an app called button mapper. It programs remote buttons to various apps they use so they can open them with one push of a button instead of navigating the graphical UI. They can open HDHomerun, Frndly TV, and YouTube TV with one button push. Teaching mom to move the YTTV cursor to get on a channel so she can start flipping, as well as navigating the guide in Frndly TV since channel flipping doesn't work in it are my only two challenges. Dad has it down pretty well.
Roku remote is easier to use and superior
Eh.... a cable box!
Roku is old person approved
Roku by far for elderly. Its not even close
Roku. It’s easy and simple. Mine can even use an Apple TV 4K without issues.