We purchased the The 8 Best Devices for Streaming TV so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full products reviews.
If you’re a late adopter of smart TVs, investing in one of the best streaming TV devices is a must for a great viewing experience. Picking up a discrete streaming device allows you to watch just about anywhere as long as you have an HDMI compatible display and a stable internet connection, in addition to cutting down on unnecessary cables and other clutter.
The most obvious difference between these devices is their appearance, but it is far from the only factor to consider. You’ll want to know what streaming services or apps are available on each platform, as well as what formats are supported, because not all streaming devices support 4K or HDR yet.
Best Overall: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
With its new streaming stick, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (Check latest price on Amazon) wants to improve your tried-and-true entertainment experience. Choose from over 500,000 movies and TV shows on Hulu, Netflix, STARZ, SHOWTIME, HBO, and Prime Video, as well as live TV on Playstation Vue, Sling TV, and Hulu if you have a subscription. Users can access tens of millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube, as well as music streaming services, podcasts, and live radio stations like Amazon Music and Spotify. The stick supports 4K Ultra HD, HDR, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision for the best visual and audio experience.
The most recent version of the Fire TV Stick includes Amazon Alexa, which can do everything from help you choose what new show to watch to controlling lights, checking live camera feeds, and monitoring the weather. The stick has a powerful 1.7 GHz processor, which resulted in quick loading times in our tests. The addition of physical volume controls and power buttons eliminates the need for multiple remote controls to control a single device.
Our favorite low-cost streaming device is the Roku Streaming Stick+ (Check latest price on Amazon). Whatever subscription services you use, there’s a good chance this tiny device will have an app for them. The Roku, like many of the other devices on this list, connects to your home’s Wi-Fi signal via a long-range wireless receiver and plugs directly into the HDMI port on your TV.
The Roku is a great way to bring all of your different platforms together in one place, allowing you to quickly switch from live TV on Sling to your favorite Netflix and Disney+ shows. It even has Apple TV content. This eliminates the need to have a jumble of different streaming devices on your TV that you have to switch between. The Streaming Stick+’s remote also includes TV controls, so you can turn on and adjust the settings on your TV without switching back and forth.
Best Streaming Device with Antenna DVR: TiVO Bolt OTA
If you’ve “cut the cord” on cable and switched to streaming services only, you might notice that you’re missing some of the programming from over-the-air channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS, and The CW — these channels have a lot of great shows and sporting events that you can watch for free. This is something for which TiVO has provided a solution. You can record shows over the air and play them back at your leisure if you buy a digital antenna and a TiVO Bolt OTA (Check latest price on Amazon).
For all of the shows you watch on free channels, the TiVO Bolt OTA acts as a digital DVR. It has a 1 TB hard drive and can store up to 150 hours of HD video. If you want to use just one device for everything, the Bolt OTA can also stream shows from Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and YouTube. The Bolt OTA, unlike most other boxes in this category, requires you to purchase the box for $250 and then pay for TiVO service to get the most out of it. This will cost you $7 per month, $70 per year, or $250 in one-time payment. Although the price is a little high, if you enjoy network shows and live sports, it may be well worth it to supplement your other streaming services.
Amazon’s Fire TV Cube (Check latest price on Amazon) aims to completely replace the TV remote. It’ll be your new smart home and entertainment hub, responding to your every voice command. It’ll be a combination of the Echo speaker and the Fire TV stick. You can also use Alexa to control your TV, cable box, soundbar, or other audio equipment, just like you can with most of Amazon’s other branded devices. Simply say “Alexa, turn on the TV” to turn on the television. You can also ask it to play your favorite shows or music. During our testing, we discovered that voice commands can even control the volume.
Amazon’s Fire entertainment hub provides instant access to all of your favorite streaming services, including Prime Video, Netflix, HBO, Showtime, and others. There are over 500,00 movies and TV episodes in total. This includes a lot of 4K Ultra HD content that streams at a super-smooth 60 frames per second. With two built-in web browsers, the Fire TV Cube gives you direct access to YouTube, Facebook, and more.
You’ll want a streaming device that delivers the highest-quality image and sound if you have a 4K TV and a great sound system in your entertainment center. The NVIDIA Shield Android TV streaming device (Check latest price on Amazon) is difficult to beat in this case. The Shield differs from the others on this list in that it connects to your TV via an HDMI cable (sold separately) and sits behind your entertainment center, out of sight, rather than being placed under your TV or plugging it directly into the HDMI port.
With the company’s own Tegra X1+ processor, the NVIDIA Shield prioritizes speed and power, making it one of the fastest and most advanced devices on this list — making it the best option for gamers as well. Even if you only intend to stream shows and movies, the Shield includes Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio to ensure that your media looks and sounds its best. It also has video upscaling capabilities that allow you to optimize non-4K content for your 4K display. The NVIDIA Shield Android TV has apps for all of the major streaming services, giving you access to the highest-quality 4K content.
The Ultra, Roku’s new flagship, (Check latest price on Amazon) is an excellent choice for streaming fans looking for the most features. With a powerful quad-core processor and dimensions of 4.9 x 4.9 x.8 inches, the square-ish Ultra is capable of supporting both 4K and HDR picture quality. The 4K Ultra HD streaming is handled at 60 frames per second, or four times the resolution of 1080p HD, and runs without fans thanks to a new design. An HDMI port, Ethernet port (plus 802.11 a/c), digital output, microSD slot for extra storage, and a USB port are all included. Unfortunately, no HDMI cable is included, which is an odd oversight.
Roku’s already user-friendly menu system is even easier to navigate thanks to a powerful processor. Channel selection is prominent, and apps that have been downloaded are displayed. Voice search is available on the Ultra, as it is on a number of other Roku devices, and it works fairly well. Simply say the show’s name, actor’s name, director’s name, or app’s name into the remote control or mobile app (Android and iOS) and your results will appear. With the colorful Purple direction pad and a slew of shortcuts to big-name apps and other controlling functions, the remote is typical Roku.
A 4K spotlight app is available that highlights UHD content from a variety of sources. Night mode is a welcome addition that mutes big explosions and emphasizes dialogue so you can watch late at night while the rest of the house sleeps. The Ultra will not disappoint thanks to the new processor, 4K and HDR streaming, and one of the most extensive channel lineups.
Best Apple Device: Apple TV 4K
The most recent version of Apple’s popular Apple TV streaming devices includes 4K support and Siri integration (Check latest price on Amazon). Gone are the days of the inconvenient click-wheel remote; now you can find your favorite content with ease using voice commands. You can get apps for all of your streaming services, including YouTube, from the Apple App Store (finally).
You’ll get the most out of the Apple TV if you’re already a part of the Apple ecosystem, as with all Apple products. Apple TV syncs automatically with your Apple Music, iTunes, and Photos accounts, allowing you to mirror content from your Macbook or iPhone to your TV. New support for 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos sound will make your media look and sound amazing, which is a huge plus if you already have some high-end equipment in your entertainment center.
Using Fire TV, Echo Show, or compatible mobile devices, you can watch live TV or record your favorite shows with the Fire TV Recast (Check latest price on Amazon). The Recast is Amazon’s first foray into the future of entertainment, providing access to over-the-air (OTA) channels, Prime Videos, and premium subscription services like HBO, Starz, and Showtime. Although a separate HD antenna is required to access OTA channels, the Fire TV mobile app assists you in positioning it for optimal reception.
The two-tuner Recast allows you to record and watch up to two programs at the same time, and it can store up to 75 hours of HD DVR recordings. Upgrading to the four-tuner, 1TB model adds the ability to store up to 150 hours of content. With just a voice command, you can search for shows, change channels, browse, or schedule recordings using the Recast and an Alexa-enabled device.
Related: The 8 Best TV ‘s of 2022
The Final Word
Unless you’re a regular YouTube viewer, the current version of Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is the obvious choice. This device can run a variety of services and applications and won’t cost you a fortune. Users who buy into the Apple ecosystem, on the other hand, may find the latest iteration of the Apple TV to be more useful.
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