There are a lot of options for income investors to choose from on the Australian share market.
To narrow things down, I have picked out three ASX dividend stocks that analysts rate as buys and are forecasting 6%+ dividend yields. Here’s what you need to know about them:
The first ASX dividend stock for income investors to consider buying is APA Group.
It is an energy infrastructure business that owns and operates a $27 billion portfolio of gas, electricity, solar and wind assets. This includes 15,000 kilometres of natural gas pipelines that connect sources of supply and markets across mainland Australia.
Analysts at Macquarie are feeling positive about the company’s outlook and expect its long run of dividend increases to continue. The broker is forecasting dividends of 56 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 57.5 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the current APA Group share price of $8.29, this equates to 6.75% and 6.9% dividend yields, respectively.
Macquarie has an outperform rating and $9.40 price target on its shares.
Over at Morgans, its analysts think that Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure could be an ASX dividend stock to buy. It is the long-term operator of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, which has been Queensland’s premier coal export facility since 1983.
The broker currently has an add rating and $3.05 price target on its shares.
As for income, the broker is forecasting dividends per share of 22 cents in FY 2024 and then 23 cents in FY 2025. Based on the latest Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure share price of $2.76, this will mean yields of 8% and 8.3%, respectively.
Morgans is also expecting some big dividend yields from HomeCo Daily Needs shares. It is a property company focused on neighbourhood retail and large format retail assets.
The broker likes the company due to the resilience of its cashflows and its exposure to accelerating click and collect trends. Combined with its development pipeline, Morgans feels the company is well-positioned for growth.
It expects this to underpin dividends per share of 8 cents in FY 2024 and then 9 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current HomeCo Daily Needs share price of $1.21, this will mean yields of 6.6% and 7.4%, respectively.
Morgans currently has an add rating and $1.37 price target on the ASX dividend stock.
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Apa Group wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
Several Target-owned brands, like Cat and Jack, do over a billion dollars in sales each year.
Dominick Reuter/Business Insider
A seller specializing in Target products has amassed a considerable following on eBay and Poshmark.
Bullseye Deals sources salvage merch from Target, including from the company's private label brands.
Off-price sellers have long been part of retail, but few feature store brands so prominently.
A seller has amassed a considerable following, offering huge deals on Target products to buyers on eBay, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace.
Bullseye Deals, which launched on eBay in 2013 and Poshmark in 2022, is a reseller that sources merchandise from Target's salvage inventory, much like the bin stores and liquidation centers that are scattered across the the country.
Modern Retail reported that Target is aware of the business but not officially connected to it. A spokesperson confirmed that to Business Insider.
Bullseye Deals did not respond to a request for comment, but the store's Facebook page says it is run by Liquidity Services, a publicly traded company that helps a wide range of businesses deal with returned or excess inventory. The company identifies Target as a client, as well as Walmart, Amazon, and several other major retailers.
What makes this store different from most is the emphasis on Target's private labels, like its Threshold household line, All in Motion activewear, or the supremely popular Cat and Jack kid's clothing brand.
Off-price sellers have long been part of retail — think T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, among others — but most of those tend to sell national brands or lesser-known independent labels.
That a robust resale market exists for Target-owned brands is a testament to their reach and popularity with consumers.
Target attributes roughly one-third of its sales to private label products — that's over $35 billion last year. In addition, several of Target's top-performing brands do over a billion dollars in sales a year. Cat & Jack sold enough children's apparel last year for every kid in the United States under 12 to have eight items.
In that context, it's no wonder that there would be a shop focused on surplus Bullseye brands. It's a big business.
Amazon's package delivery drones are expanding their horizons following a nod of approval from the FAA, the company announced on Thursday.
"We're excited to share that the FAA has given Prime Air additional permissions that allow us to operate our drones beyond visual line of sight, enabling us to now serve more customers via drone and effectively expand and scale our drone delivery operations," Amazon said in a press release.
The FAA requires companies to get approval to operate drones beyond a pilot's visual line of sight, something Amazon said it accomplished after developing "detect-and-avoid technology."
"We've spent years developing, testing, and refining our onboard detect-and-avoid system to ensure our drones can detect and avoid obstacles in the air," the company said, including "real planes, helicopters, and a hot air balloon."
Now, Amazon plans to scale the use of its MK-27 drone to "reach customers in more densely populated areas," the company said.
The FAA's permission comes after delays in the company's drone ambitions over the last few years due to field testcrashes, one of which involved a drone that fell 180 feet and "just blew apart when it hit the ground," Business Insider previously reported.
The company began executing drone deliveries in 2022 in its distribution areas in College Station, Texas, and Lockeford, California — the latter of which the company closed in April to focus on other locations across the nation, CNBC reported.
Earlier this year, an Amazon executive boasted that one of its drones in College Station managed to deliver a box of cookies less than 16 minutes after it was ordered.
It's time for tech workers to transition into their summer styles.
iStock; BI
Tech bosses are getting noticed for their style in 2024.
As the weather heats up, tech workers should consider updating their wardrobes as well.
Fashion experts suggested brighter colors and more accessories to make an impression this summer.
Tech's top players are switching over to their summer styles — and workers should follow suit if they want to dress to impress.
Whether accessorizing more like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos or opting for sporty outfits like Bill Gates and Sergey Brin, there are more ways to express personal style than the stereotypical tech uniform of jeans and a t-shirt.
Unlike finance workers — who typically have to keep it a bit more professional — the tech industry is known for its looser dress code and emphasis on an open work culture (though that's shifting in recent years).
Still, tech workers have begun hiring stylists to help them dress better for work. Some pay tens of thousands to improve their look, but others aren't so quick to give up their beloved t-shirts, stylists told The San Francisco Standard.
"If you can get them to try something new, and they get a compliment from someone soon thereafter, that makes it much easier for them to continue updating their wardrobe," image consultant Eddie Hernandez told SF Standard.
With Meta and others calling their workers back into the office over the past year, employees will have to update their wardrobes for in-person work.
Here's what fashion experts believe tech workers should be wearing this summer.
Ditch the grey tones for colors
The Norse Project t-shirt (left) is $80, the Uniqlo henley (top right) is $30, and the Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirt (bottom right) is $19.
Uniqlo; Norse Projects; Abercrombie and Fitch
No more black, white, or grey.
Hernandez told the SF Standard that he's discouraging clients from going for the drab shades "that are dominant in SF," and asking them to reach for colorful options instead in 2024.
As the temperature heats up, workers might want to put their shackets away and go for the more typical techy t-shirt.
For his clients who want more luxurious options, Hernandez recommended the $80 Niels Standard t-shirt from Norse Project. Entry level employees who want to save money can shop similar styles at Uniqlo and Abercrombie & Fitch for cheaper.
It looks like Gates got the memo and opted for sporty, breathable shorts and Adidas sneakers while off-duty at Zuckerberg's 40th birthday.
Find chic ways to stay cool
The Good American shirt (left) is $140, and the Cider jumpsuit (right) is $33.
Good American; Amazon
Wearing jean shorts and a tank top to work might not go over well — even at the most laid-back tech firms.
Save that for the weekend, and instead, find ways to stay cool during your commute and still look fashionable around the office. In its round-up of summer office outfits, Cosmopolitan included mostly maxi dresses, wide-leg jumpsuits, and light-weight dress shirts.
Loose, breathable clothes catch the wind and keep your body cool while also adhering to a corporate dress code.
Don't be afraid of accessorizing
The Rolex Explorer (left) starts at $7,000, the Ritani tennis necklace (top right) is $7,030, and the gold bracelet (bottom right) is $970.
"Heading into the summer season, I can see the entry-level tech crowd wearing something clean and understated," Carol Altieri, COO of Bob's Watches told Business Insider.
Altieri suggested a Rolex Explorer for a high-earner starting their watch collection if they want a "clean, low-profile look." The timepiece starts at around $7,000.
To pair with the watch, jewelry brand Ritani told BI that tennis bracelets and necklaces are trendy ways to elevate an outfit.
Ria Papasifakis, vice president of e-commerce at Ritani, said that X CEO Linda Yaccarino is an example of the trend of wearing white gold accessories and putting on chunky bracelets.
"We like to call it the 'powerhouse' look," Papasifakis told BI.
It's now an actual gaming platform that lets you play dozens of popular games — for free.
YouTube launched its new gaming platform, called "Playables," earlier this week, making over 75 games free to play. Some users in select markets could access Playables — which offers games on YouTube's mobile app and desktop site — for the past few months, the company said in a press release.
Most of the games on Playables are popular "lightweight mobile" titles like "Angry Birds," "Cut the Rope," and "Trivia Crack," YouTube said. Playables allows gamers to save their game progress and track high scores.
YouTube isn't the first digital media company to plug into the gaming space.
Netflix also launched a gaming platform in 2021. It was designed for mobile games to keep users engaged for longer periods on different platforms. Old "Grand Theft Auto" games dominated the Netflix platform last year after hype around "Grand Theft Auto VI" caused a surge in downloads.
When an Australian investor buys an ASX bank stock, they are probably doing so with the expectation of receiving steady, fat and fully franked dividend payments. This reputation naturally applies to Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares.
Westpac is Australia’s oldest bank and a prominent member of the big four ASX banks. As you would expect, this company has been delighting its investors with hefty dividend payments for decades.
But do Westpac’s dividends still come with full franking credits attached? This might seem like a silly question. However, we’ve already seen one member of the big four banks club recently drop its commitment to paying fully franked dividends.
As we discussed last month, the culprit is ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ). ANZ shares have transitioned away from paying out fully franked dividends.
This bank’s first partially franked dividend in decades was announced back in late 2019. Over subsequent years, ANZ’s dividends returned to being fully franked alongside those from Westpac shares and the other banks.. until late 2023. At that time, ANZ revealed that its final dividend for 2023 would only come partially franked at 56%. That payment was doled out on 22 December.
Its next dividend, the final 83 cents per share payout that shareholders will receive on 1 July, is also set to come partially franked. This time at 65%. So it seems a new norm has been established for ANZ.
But what about Westpac shares?
Do the dividends from Westpac shares still come with full franking credits?
Fortunately for Westpac shareholders, it’s a different story. All of the dividends this bank stock has paid out over the 21st century so far have come with full franking credits attached. Additionally, the bank has made no indication that it is planning on disrupting this status quo.
Earlier this month, Westpac revealed that its interim dividend for 2024 would come in at a fully franked 75 cents per share. That’s a happy 7.14% increase over 2023’s interim dividend of 70 cents (also fully franked).
Additionally, Westpac investors are also set to be treated to a supplemental special dividend. That’s to be worth an additional 15 cents per share. This too will come with those full franking credits attached.
This makes sense because in order for a company like Westpac to pay out fully franked dividends, the profits that the dividends are funded from must be taxed in Australia.
ANZ, unlike Westpac and the other big four banks, has significant operations outside Australia. As such, these operations make it difficult for ANZ to pay out fully franked dividends.
But Westpac’s business model is far more domesticated than ANZ’s. As such, this bank probably won’t struggle to keep its dividends fully franked going forward.
There’s never any certainty in the investing (or dividend) world. But judging by Westpac’s past dividend payouts, as well as its Australia-centric business model, the likelihood of Westpac’s dividends remaining fully franked is arguably high.
At the current Westpac share price, this ASX 200 bank has a trailing dividend yield of 5.67% on the table. This grosses up to 8.1% with the value of those full franking credits included.
Should you invest $1,000 in Westpac Banking Corporation right now?
Before you buy Westpac Banking Corporation shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Westpac Banking Corporation wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
When an investor searches for ASX dividend shares to add to their portfolio, the gold standard is arguably finding those rare stocks that have the potential to fund a lifetime of passive income.
After all, what could be better than buying a dividend share and never worrying about whether it will be able to scrape together enough cash for its next dividend?
Buying these lifelong sources of passive income can be thought of as investing in a coiled dividend spring.
But of course, finding these coiled springs is easier said than done. So today, let’s discuss two ASX dividend shares that I think have the potential to fund a lifetime of passive income.
2 ASX dividend shares to fund a lifetime of passive income
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)
First up is Washington H. Soul Pattinson, or Soul Patts for short. I’ve long touted this stock as one of the best dividend shares on the ASX. This company owns a portfolio of underlying assets, which it manages on behalf of its shareholders, much as a listed investment company (LIC) does.
In Soul Patts’ case, these assets include major stakes in other ASX stocks, including New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) and TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG). They also include a huge blue-chip ASX share portfolio and other investments like private credit, venture capital, and unlisted companies.
My confidence in Soul Patts as a lifetime passive income payer comes from its almost flawless track record of delivering meaningful returns over many decades. For one, the company has a near-25-year streak of providing annual dividend pay rises â a streak unmatched on the ASX. It also hasn’t cut its dividend in more than 120 years.
Additionally, these fully-franked dividends have not come at the expense of growth. In an ASX release earlier this month, Soul Patts confirmed that its investors have enjoyed an average 12% per annum return over the 20 years to 30 April. That smashes the return of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over the same period.
All of these factors add up to an ASX dividend share that I think has more than enough potential to be a lifelong passive income payer.
When I look for long-term ASX dividend shares, I like to turn to the consumer staples sector. If a company sells us things that we need — rather than want — to buy, I think it inherently makes its business model stronger and more robust than your average ASX share.
That is arguably true of Coles Group. As the second-largest grocer and supermarket operator in Australia, Coles will always be one of the top places customers head to for food, drinks and household essentials if it offers these products at competitive prices.
I believe Coles will continue to be able to do this, thanks to its significant investments in its supply chains and automation-driven distribution centres.
Coles’ rival Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is a larger business with more market share than Coles. However, Coles shares trade with a higher dividend yield right now and have a better history of maintaining consistent, fully-franked payouts.
For these reasons, I think Coles is another ASX dividend share that has the potential to be a spring of passive income that won’t run dry over a lifetime.
Should you invest $1,000 in Coles Group Limited right now?
Before you buy Coles Group Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Coles Group Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service heâs run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Coles Group and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
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The Roku Pro Series TV is the brand's latest flagship offering.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
Roku released its first QLED TV, the Plus Series, in 2023. That model was a solid debut from the brand, delivering respectable performance at an accessible price. But with its new Pro Series for 2024, Roku is upping the ante and making a real play to compete with top displays. The Pro Series' image quality can't quite match the best TVs in its class, but its vibrant quantum-dot colors, speedy 120Hz screen, and powerful Mini LED backlight prove that Roku can hold its own against TCL and Hisense.
Roku's ace in the hole remains its smooth and simple TV interface, which makes everything from finding your favorite streaming apps to connecting Bluetooth headphones a cinch. This year, Roku has also introduced a few new features, including an AI-powered picture mode that auto-adjusts the screen and (coming later this year) art-gallery screensavers designed to complement the TV's flush-wall mounting system (sold separately).
The Pro Series also includes handy accessories like a rechargeable remote that can be summoned when you lose it and built-in Velcro cable straps to keep things clean on both ends of the screen. While not without its flaws, the Pro Series is a well-balanced package with great usability and colorful picture quality that will wow your guests, all at a reasonable cost.
The Pro Series is easy to assemble with no screws or batteries required
The TV's left and right feet attach via a convenient knob system that doesn't need tools.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
The hardest part about setting up the Pro Series is unboxing it. There's foam on foam and cardboard on cardboard, packed up tighter than a Rembrandt heading overseas. The packaging is a bit more thorough than we've seen on other displays in this class, and while that makes the unboxing process take a bit longer, we appreciate the added care taken to avoid mishaps during shipping. Once you've freed the TV from its cardboard bonds, the rest is a breeze.
The Pro Series offers a nice but basic design with relatively slim bezels around the sides and a flat back panel. The display can even be hung flush on a wall with Roku's slim mount (not included), which is a nice perk for buyers who want their TV to blend in seamlessly in their room.
You may notice seemingly glaring omissions in the TV's accessories bag, with no screws or batteries, but don't worry, it's all part of the plan. Custom knobs on the TV's left and right feet allow for attaching by hand in seconds, and you can choose between a high or low position to accommodate a soundbar. The feet are about 43 inches apart (on the 65-inch model), and this gap makes it easy to fit on most consoles. As for batteries, the Roku Voice Remote Pro's USB-C charging port makes them unnecessary. Roku says the remote's built-in battery can last three months per charge, and we never needed to plug it in during our evaluation.
Ports are easy to access and there are handy cable straps to keep things nice and tidy.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
Connecting external devices is similarly smooth, thanks partly to the included straps across the TV's backside that provide neat cable control. And once you boot the TV up, Roku's familiar interface walks you through network setup, naming your components, and adding your primary streaming apps.
Those with an existing Roku account will get even faster service, with some apps logging you in automatically. You may also notice ads as Roku tries to sell you on trials of streaming service partners, though, to be fair, there are some tempting discounts on offer.
The Mini LED backlight provides much-improved contrast and brightness
The Pro Series' contrast control is excellent for a QLED.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
During our Roku Pro Series evaluation, the word "balanced" kept coming to mind, and it's the perfect term to describe the TV's picture performance. Compared to some competitors, the Pro Series doesn't excel at any one thing, but it does a lot of things quite well. And that all starts with its Mini LED backlight system.
Last year's Roku Plus Series QLED TVs used regular-sized LEDs with local dimming. But for the Pro Series, Roku has upgraded to Mini LEDs. As the name implies, Mini LEDs are much smaller, which allows the manufacturer to pack in more dimming zones. This results in more precise contrast control with deeper black levels and higher brightness. And the TV can achieve this while avoiding the kind of distracting blooming (haloing around light objects on dark backgrounds) that has long plagued typical backlit TVs. The Pro Series isn't quite as tight around ultra-bright objects as pricier QLED models, but it offers much-improved contrast over the Roku Plus series, with only minor light bleed in dark environments.
Likewise, the Pro Series is notably brighter than last year's Plus Series. That said, it can't match the blistering brightness levels offered by TCL's latest QM8 or Hisense's new U8N. Instead, it's more on par with the cheaper Hisense U7 series. Still, there's plenty of punch here for both SDR and HDR content, dazzling in scenes like the lava monster fight in "Moana," even when viewed in a fully lit room. Teca's fiery eyes and molten lava balls pop brilliantly against the obsidian backdrop. Combined with the TV's quantum dots, this brightness results in bursting colors that bring realism and sparkle to everything, from nature scenes to big-budget Hollywood spectacles.
The Pro Series' anti-reflective filter isn't the best we've seen in this class, so you will notice glare during bright daytime viewing. But even with full daylight pouring in, the TV serves up impressive shadow detail in darker content without raised black levels. We had no trouble seeing everything with brightness set on the TV's tamer Normal mode, but if you want some more pop, you can always ramp things up with the Bright or Brighter settings.
Reflections are visible in rooms with lots of light, but black levels remain deep.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
The TV shows some flaws when it comes to video processing, which Roku is likely to keep refining in newer iterations. It has noticeable color banding on blockier streaming content in darker scenes, as well as some jerky motion with hard panning. However, unlike the Plus Series, there is a motion smoothing option to account for the latter, but it's quite strong and emits the dreaded "soap opera" effect even on low.
Upscaling is generally solid for 1080p content, though 720p can sometimes look a bit fuzzy. You'll also see some Moire or flicker in upscaled images with tightly packed details, like a checkered shirt or an overhead shot of a flock of birds. Hisense's U8N has similar troubles, and to its credit, the Pro Series actually does better in some scenes.
Like most QLED and LED TVs in its class, the Pro Series has trouble with off-axis viewing, revealing more blooming and notable color loss when you move off to the side. Again, this is common for TVs of this type, but it's not ideal. For substantially better viewing angles, you'll have to pay more for a high-end Samsung QLED, like the QN90 series, or opt for one of the best OLED TVs instead. Check out our QLED vs. OLED comparison for more details about each display type's pros and cons.
Though noteworthy factors for enthusiasts to keep in mind, most of the issues raised above are subtle. Unless you're a big videophile, you may not notice most of them in daily viewing. We showed the TV to some friends and family and the consensus was something to the effect of "I need to get me one of these!"
Roku's OS remains our favorite smart TV interface
Roku's streamlined interface makes navigation a breeze.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
Roku has plenty of competitors when it comes to intuitive TV interfaces these days, but the Roku OS (operating system) is still among the best and most accessible on the market. Its familiar layout of large tiles for all your inputs and streaming apps (aka "channels") makes navigation simple even for smart TV novices.
The Roku Streaming Store has all of the best streaming services, and it's easy to rearrange them for convenient access. The only notable omission compared to other platforms like Google TV is a Continue Watching section that lets you pop back into content across apps from the home screen.
The system mostly makes up for this with easy access to Settings via the sidebar and features like a quick key on the remote to connect Bluetooth headphones. Even as Roku continues to pile on the ads (like most rivals), the interface steers clear of jerky and sluggish lag, leading to remarkably smooth navigation.
Like most TVs we test, the Pro Series has sensors to adjust the screen brightness to your environment, but Roku's new Smart Picture Max feature goes further, auto-adjusting the picture for different content types via a dedicated Neural Processing Unit. Roku says it's more advanced than the company's standard "Smart Picture" feature rolling out to older Roku TVs, able to adjust the picture scene-by-scene and even respond to adjustments you make to other picture modes.
It's hard to test Smart Picture Max thoroughly since it only works with non-Dolby Vision streaming content and doesn't support live TV. We tried some reality TV and streaming sports, and both seemed to auto-adjust to something akin to Standard Mode, skipping Sports Mode. For a more accurate image that suits most rooms and content, we recommend just sticking with the regular Movie Mode with a few minor tweaks to account for lighting conditions. That said, Smart Picture Max could be useful for some scenarios and users who don't like to mess with settings, especially if it continues to improve.
The remote is rechargeable and has backlit keys.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
The TV comes with Roku's second-gen Voice Remote Pro, which is packed with handy features. As mentioned earlier, it's rechargeable via USB, so you don't need batteries, and it even has backlit keys so you don't accidentally hit the wrong button in the dark.
Roku's voice search is as easy and accurate as ever, and the remote supports hands-free commands when you say, "Hey, Roku." If you're not keen on a device that's always listening, you can turn off this feature via a switch on the side of the remote and use the dedicated mic button instead.
Smarts aside, the remote's most convenient feature has to be its location chime. If you lose the remote in your couch cushions (or the bathroom, the kid's room, etc.), you can press a button on the TV's right side to activate the remote's chime. Frankly, every TV should have a similar option.
On the downside, the remote no longer has a built-in headphone jack, which was previously featured on older Roku models. But since the TV makes it so easy to pair Bluetooth headphones, we don't see this as a big drawback.
The TV's gaming features are solid, but there are a couple of omissions
The TV has all the core gaming features we look for, but we do wish it had a dedicated gaming bar on-screen.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
The Pro Series offers most of the top gaming features we expect from a flagship TV. That includes a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay. It supports HDMI 2.1 across two of its four inputs for extras like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and AMD FreeSync Pro for tear-free gaming, as well as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) to provide fast input response when you connect a gaming console or PC.
It's also nice to see that the HDMI eARC port, used for connecting an A/V receiver or soundbar, is separate from the HDMI 2.1 ports, meaning you can connect an audio device without taking up one of your precious gaming inputs.
However, unlike similar TVs from TCL and Hisense, the Pro Series does not include a dedicated gaming pop-up menu for viewing your refresh rate in real time, adjusting contrast or gaming-only picture modes, or adding onboard crosshairs. Though not a dealbreaker, a gaming bar is something we've come to expect from a TV at this price.
For those with select gaming PCs, the TV is also capped at 120Hz rather than the 144Hz refresh rate you'll find in many competing midrange QLEDs. It's not a huge problem, especially for console gamers, but it is something to note for the more ardent gaming fans out there.
Should you buy the Roku Pro Series TV?
The Roku Pro series offers good image quality in a convenient, easy to use package.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
The Roku Pro Series is a worthy buy for anyone who wants a great midrange QLED TV. However, compared to similarly priced competitors, its strengths lie more in its convenient interface and handy design perks than in its image performance.
Don't get us wrong, the Roku Pro Series is an impressive-looking TV with great contrast and colors. But it doesn't offer the best picture quality in its class. Hisense's U8N, often on sale for around the same price as the Pro Series, offers better processing and much higher brightness, while the cheaper U7N (which we haven't tested yet) is likely to offer as good or better image performance for less. You'll also get higher brightness and better picture processing from TCL's pricier QM8 series.
But the TV experience is about more than just picture quality. What really makes the Pro Series cook is its distinctive blend of good picture performance and easy usability. From the breezy Roku OS interface to a remote that's tough to lose and never needs batteries, the TV's intuitive design makes it effortless to use as your daily driver.
It all comes together to make the Pro Series a worthy new option in the increasingly competitive mid-tier TV market. We tested a 65-inch Roku Pro Series model, but our overall impressions also apply to the 55- and 75-inch sizes.
A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit against Disney theme parks.
The lawsuit says she went unconscious and experienced brain damage on a Typhoon Lagoon waterslide.
She's seeking $50,000 in damages.
A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit against Disney, saying she lost consciousness and sustained a brain injury after riding a waterslide at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday in Orange County and obtained by Business Insider, says the plaintiff visited the theme park on May 11 and rode the Humunga Kowabunga.
Local Orlando news outlet WKMG identified the plantiff as Laura Reyes-Merino.
The woman's attorney, Richard Russo, did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider.
The Walt Disney World website says the waterslide has a "near-vertical" 214-foot drop with a 60-degree angle.
Reyes-Merino fell unconscious after "banging inside the ride," according to the lawsuit. Her family discovered her limp at the end of the waterslide and "frantically" asked attendants to help.
"The attendants told Plaintiff's fiancé and mother that they were not lifeguards and would have to find lifeguards to help," the lawsuit says. "As they were all waiting for help, blood kept coming out of Plaintiff's mouth in the water.
Reyes-Merino's fiancé pulled her from the water, but a lifeguard who arrived at the scene told the family not to touch her and called an ambulance, the lawsuit says.
"Had Defendant had lifeguards at the end of the ride to watch and help guests coming off the ride, Plaintiff's brain injury would not have occurred as she wouldn't have been drowning in the water coughing up blood," the lawsuit says.
Reyes-Merino has experienced mental, emotional, and physical ailments following the incident, including brain damage, the lawsuit says. She's seeking $50,000 in damages.
Representatives for Walt Disney World and Reyes-Merino did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Disney has faced lawsuits related to the Humunga Kowabunga waterslide in the past, including in October 2023, when a woman claimed she experienced vaginal bleeding after a hard landing.
That lawsuit said the woman experienced permanent bodily injury following the incident. She also sought $50,000.
