You can follow your favorites shows and movies from Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus and more on your TV using a streaming device. Streaming devices are small boxes or rods that connect to a TV with an HDMI cable. Once connected, it turns your TV with an internet connection into a fully equipped streaming center.
Many smart TVs come up with some kind of operating system that is capable of downloading streaming applications, but additional streaming devices often have simpler remote controls, more applications, better searches, and more frequent updates than the OS built into your suite. In addition, they are a much more affordable alternative to upgrading your entire TV.
A year later, he released a new version of the high-end Ultra which now includes Voice Remote Pro. The system is expensive and may not be the most suitable for most people. So which streaming devices do we think could offer better value?
We’ve checked almost every streaming device and major smart TV system available today, including Roku, Google Chromecast, Amazon and Apple TV. Read on as we discuss the best streaming devices now available.
Read more: The best streaming service of 2022
Sarah Tew / CNET
Roku is our favorite streaming system with the most streaming application options, the simplest streaming platform interface and the best search. It also has a content agnostic platform that doesn’t push any media streaming service provider like Amazon Prime Video or Apple over another. The Express 4K Plus streaming media player is one of the cheapest options for streaming TV with 4K HDR. (Although your current TV doesn’t support these formats, your next one probably does.) With AirPlay, this Roku device is one of the cheapest ways to connect your iPhone or other Apple device to your TV. It is cheaper than 4K + streaming stick companies and other 4K HDR streaming devices, it is our best choice for the best streaming devices overall.
Read our review of Roku Express 4K Plus.
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Chromecast with Google TV is not as good as Roku Express 4K Plus, but it is closer than any other device on the market. Chromecast outperforms Roku by adding Dolby Vision compatibility, but its biggest advantage of the smart device is Google Assistant voice search, which works well when looking for things to watch. We also like the impressive integration with other Google services, such as Google Photos and YouTube TV. The interface looks more developed than Roku, but in the end we prefer easier Roku access, nonsense search results and lower cost. This means that the new Chromecast is a better smart streaming choice for those who already live in the world of Google.
Read our review of Chromecast with Google TV.
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Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a long-awaited update to Roku Streaming Stick Plus. It features the same simple interface, large selection of applications and impressive search functionality found on all Roku devices, but also offers Dolby Vision support. Dolby Vision HDR, along with the rod design, is the main difference between Streaming Stick 4K and Express 4K Plus and is seemingly the reason why Streaming Stick 4K is more expensive than its sibling. While we think Streaming Stick 4K is a great device, we just don’t sell in the Dolby Vision upgrade – mostly because we don’t generally think it provides a major picture quality improvement over standard HDR. But if Dolby Vision is important to you, this device will not disappoint.
Read our review of Streaming Stick 4K.
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If you are looking for a fast device, look no further than Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Max loads the application almost immediately and the navigation in the system is fast and smooth. Even better, Max supports Wi-Fi 6 and almost all the latest playback standards, including Dolby Vision. Max’s downside is its Fire TV platform and the fact that commercials are at the forefront everywhere. We just don’t appreciate that TV in screen saver mode has become a giant rotating billboard for content or advertising. But it’s a good choice for those looking for fast equipment or for those involved in the Amazon ecosystem. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the best Fire Stick on the market today and is worth the extra money compared to the standard Fire TV Stick 4K.
Read our review of Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
Let’s get this out of the way: If you prefer the simplicity of offers based on Roku applications, you may like Roku Express better. However, Lite beats Express in terms of money. The biggest advantage of this Fire TV remote control is the controller with built-in voice search and control (the cheapest Roku with a voice controller is Streaming Stick Plus) thanks to Alexa Voice Remote. The Fire Stick remote control also does not require direct visibility to operate. If you can’t reach a player for $ 50, Lite is your best bet on a streaming device.
Read our review of Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite.
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The most expensive streaming box from the Year is more than double the price of our best streaming device, but you may appreciate its extra features so much that you will want to upgrade. The 2022 still costs $ 100 and is almost identical to previous versions, but now comes with an excellent Voice Remote Pro.
But if you really love remote control and want to save a little money, you can try Roku’s other package, $ 70 Year Streaming Stick 4K Plus, which also includes Voice Remote Pro. The Streaming Stick 4K processor is not as powerful as the Ultra processor, but it can do almost all the same tricks as the Dolby Vision HDR, and costs $ 30 less than the Ultra 2022.
Otherwise, Ultra continues to provide Dolby Vision video, faster responses than Streaming Stick 4K, improved Wi-Fi and a wired Ethernet port – especially welcome if your home Wi-Fi is overloaded.
Read our review of Roku Ultra (2022).
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The new Apple TV 4K, the perfect addition to the affordable 4K streaming devices above, still costs $ 179, but is a better choice for people who want to check out all the features – or just want Apple devices to use Apple Arcade to play games or take full advantage of them. Apple One subscription packages. Video tourists will appreciate its flexible HDR and TV calibration function, while those with older Apple boxes will love the new and improved remote control.
For most people, however, Apple’s venerable remote streaming device just isn’t worth the money, especially now that Roku has almost every major application and AirPlay. If you really want Dolby Vision, you can find it on the Year Streaming Stick 4K for a fraction of the price.
Read our review of Apple TV 4K.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Soundbars with on-board streaming may be a relatively recent development, but the new Streambar from Roku surpasses that. It has an interface of the Year that we know and love, complemented by 4K HDR with enhanced sound for any TV, especially dialogue. It’s smaller and more affordable than its predecessor, Roku Smart Soundbar, but we think the new Streambar media streaming device makes more sense for most people.
Read our review of Roku Streambar.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Sure, it’s an expensive media device for $ 200 – even before adding a game driver – with 8GB of storage and 2GB of RAM compared to 16GB of storage and 3GB of RAM, but if you want a full quality video streaming player, it’s Shield . In addition to 4K streaming and HDR, it offers a robust library of console-level games, Android, Steam Link, built-in Google Assistant with smart home control, NAS access, Plex server capabilities, HDHomeRun integration and much more.
Read our review of Nvidia Shield TV.
Sarah Tew / CNET
How we test streaming devices
Every streaming device we inspect goes through hours of practical testing. This usually involves installing the device on multiple TVs, evaluating the setup process, adding your favorite streaming channels, and using the product as if it were our own. We use all the main features available on the platform and notice how they stand compared to the competition. To do this, we connect competing streaming devices to the same TV, so we can easily switch back and forth and compare experiences.
Our metrics that we focus on when evaluating devices include: hardware design and features, remote capabilities and design, overall ease of use of the platform, efficient layout and design, search capabilities, privacy settings, number of applications and their performance, and overall speed and reliability system.
Frequently asked questions
Do streaming devices have monthly fees?
No. The streaming devices themselves have no monthly fees. However, the channels you can watch on streaming devices such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu require users to pay monthly fees to access their content.
Need a streaming device with a smart TV?
Not necessarily. Many smart TVs come with their own streaming platform, where users can download popular applications such as Netflix and Hulu. Samsung smart TVs offer quite robust options. TVs are now also integrated with more common streaming platforms such as Roku, Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.
Problems can occur when the interface of your TV lacks some of the content you need. For example, Spectrum users who have an LG smart TV will not be able to find the Spectrum app through the LG platform. Instead, they will need to pick up Roku, Apple TV or Google Chromecast to stream their cable package. Generally speaking, streaming devices from Roku or Amazon tend to have more applications available than a streaming platform from a TV manufacturer. Of course, as you will see below, there are exceptions.
Can I get all the channels I want on any device?
Each streaming device has major streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and Amazon Prime. This means that not all services have access to every existing streaming channel. The Spectrum TV application is again illustrative. It is available on most platforms, but not on any Amazon Fire TV device. Before you buy, it may be a good idea to check which device contains the apps you need. Otherwise, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that your device doesn’t have an app for one of your favorite services.