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Irmgard Rossie
Instead of presenting a grid of separate streaming apps the way many competing platforms do, the Google TV home page prioritizes recently watched shows and movies, as well as personalized recommendations, and it adds a live-TV interface that works across several apps. This design makes it easier and faster to find what you want to watch. Streaming content from mobile devices via Chromecast is simple, too.
The RF-based remote can work through walls and cabinets, has dedicated power and volume controls for your TV, and includes a microphone for voice search. For $30, you can upgrade to the rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro, which adds a headphone jack, a remote finder, and an optional always-on voice assistant.
While this guide focuses on standalone streaming boxes and dongles, we also see it as a guide to the software built into smart TVs. The information and critiques here concerning Google TV, Roku, and Fire TV boxes apply to their smart-TV counterparts, too.
Google TV has built-in Bluetooth audio support, so you can wirelessly transmit the audio signal to Bluetooth headphones for private listening. Our runner-up pick from Roku requires the use of a mobile app for private listening, which is less convenient.
The menu also offers personalized recommendations pulled from various services, instead of limiting recommendations to a single service. And the Google TV mobile app mimics a lot of the interface options, if you prefer to browse on your mobile device.
When you select a show or movie, Google TV also gives you a lot of information about the title, including the Rotten Tomatoes rating, cast info, the different sources you can stream it from, and related content. You can rate a show to improve your recommendations or add it to your watchlist so you can come back to it later. Since this functionality works across the different streaming services, it gives you a more consistent experience.
If you prefer a more app-centric interface, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a great alternative that presents a wide selection of streaming services in a simple, uncluttered way. This HDMI stick plugs directly into an HDMI input and can draw power from a compatible USB port, so you can easily add it to a variety of TVs and other home entertainment systems.
It plays nicely with Apple devices. The inclusion of AirPlay 2 support and the Apple TV and Apple Music apps gives the Roku Streaming Stick 4K a lot of the perks of the Apple TV 4K streamer at a much lower price.
Even the more affordable, $130 version is still significantly more expensive than our picks, and despite the slick appeal of the Apple TV interface and its interrelated services, the box is not abundantly more powerful (where streaming is concerned) than something like the Roku Ultra. Our picks will serve the average buyer better at less expense.
The best streaming devices are there for you in your time of need. Whether you have an older display, one that might not be among the best TVs, or you're looking for an upgrade over your current TV interface, a streaming device will gift you access to all of your favorite entertainment.
We test these products across a wide range of use cases, looking not only at general value and features, but ease of use, as well. When searching for a new streaming device, you'll want to consider what type of ecosystem you want to leverage and which speaks to you the most, from the likes of Roku, Google TV, tvOS, and Prime Video.
Our top pick among the best streaming devices is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, a worthy addition to any TV in need of refreshing. With access to over 24,000 apps, yet costing all but a mere $40, Roku's Streaming Stick 4K is a delight to use and nets users access to its beloved Roku City concept.
But maybe you're not a fan of Roku's interface (or its severe lack in cybersecurity), which means you could always go with either an Apple TV 4K or Chromecast with Google TV for any additional levels of comfort you need in your entertainment needs.
Here's a quick overview of the best streaming devices you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews. And keep up on scrolling if you want to see our in-depth analysis of all the top streaming devices for every user and budget.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K does a lot for just a mere $40 streaming device. Not only does it provide snappy performance and a clean interface on Roku's beloved OS, but its Wi-Fi range extender will be valued and its Dolby Vision upgrade is long overdue.
For just a little less than its Streaming Stick rival, the Roku Express 4K is the same beloved experience for much cheaper, all while still keeping Roku's user-friendly interface. This model also comes with an upgraded remote so you don't need a line of sight to your TV.
Another strong $50 4K streaming device, the Chromecast with Google TV sets itself apart with its interface that leans towards surfacing live TV. Its support for paid cable alternatives is limited to YouTube TV, Sling TV and Philo.
Our testing has shown that the Apple TV 4K opens most apps faster than all of the competition. iPhone users will love the it, as it fits right into the Apple app ecosystem and its Remote app can be opened from the lock screen.
Yes, you can always find a deal on a cheap Fire Stick, but we recommend you wait until you see a deal on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. It's faster than the rest of Amazon's sticks, which makes its ad-heavy interface easier to manage. It's also a solid pick if you use Alexa a lot.
As one of the best streaming devices and our personal favorite, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the perfect balance of price and performance, costing $50 (often discounted to just $40) while still providing snappy navigation and smooth streaming. It's got all the apps you could need, too. Since Roku's platform is a delight to use and beloved by many, it's an easy win for those looking to snap up a great deal with tons of value.
When we tested the Streaming Stick 4K, we saw content crispness jump to 1080p and then 4K in short amounts of time. We also noticed app loading that's comparable to the Chromecast with Google TV. Roku wins overall though thanks to its streamlined interface, which puts apps above content. But the Roku Streaming Stick 4's dominance isn't by the widest of margins, as evidenced by our tightly contested Roku Streaming Stick 4K vs. Chromecast with Google TV face-off. We also recommend this Roku streaming stick for travel, as it's a perfect addition to your next hotel or Airbnb room's TV, while taking up minimal space in your bag.
We wish it were a little heavier, though, as you may wind up spending a minute fiddling with its HDMI cable to make it sit flat on a surface. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus doesn't have that issue. And if you love A/V standards such as Dolby Vision or Atmos Audio. you may need to look elsewhere. Want something cheaper? Our Roku Express (2022) review dives deep on its performance gains.
The Chromecast with Google TV 4K makes the company's traditional streaming device a whole lot more complete. It also features excellent live TV integration, with a whole section for free TV and select paid live TV streaming services (YouTube TV, Sling and Philo). It also packs 4K UHD streaming with support for HDR and Dolby Vision, for excellent picture quality, and Dolby Atmos for immersive sound. And with Google TV, you have support for the over 6,500 Android TV apps.
While it's not the minimalist streaming device that the Chromecast 3 was, the new Chromecast remote could even replace your TV's remote. It's got the power and volume controls you need to turn on your TV, plus a TV Input button for switching to other devices, such as gaming consoles. Also, we really like the feel and build quality of the Chromecast remote, as it fits nicely in the palm of the hand and the buttons have a good click. Also, there are minimal branded app buttons, with just Netflix and YouTube. The Roku and Fire TV remotes offer too many, and should take notes. Plus, if you feel like personalizing your streaming sticks, this device comes in multiple fun colors.
We absolutely love the Apple TV 4K (2022) at $129, which is $50 lower than before. Yes, that price is still a incredibly high for the industry, but this price drop makes one of the best streaming devices (especially for Apple users) even more accessible. Apple's super-charged the Apple TV 4K with its A15 Bionic system-on-chip, delivering some of the fastest load times we've seen on any streaming device. For example, it beats the latest Fire TV Cube and Roku Ultra on loading Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus and Spotify.
On top of that, HDR10+ is finally supported (though this only works if your TV supports it too), and the remote can charge over USB-C, not Lightning. Smart home enthusiasts will be excited for the inclusion of the Thread support for Matter, and some may be annoyed you need to spend $20 more for an Ethernet port. The Roku Ultra, for example, includes one by default at just $99.
That said, one of the best reasons to get the Apple TV 4K is tvOS, which is still the cleanest interface out there. But as much as I love the Apple TV remote, I've recently come into a weird problem where it stops being able to use my TV's volume controls. Check out our guide on how to fix an Apple TV for how I solved it.
The Nvidia Shield TV is a power user's Android TV device. But it doesn't look like any other of the best streaming devices we've ever seen (it's more like a mobile power charger). This tube for your tube is great at speedily spitting out UHD 4K content, and its thousands of apps means you're getting practically everything you could watch. Its small size also ensures it will fit discretely into the ever-crowded space around your TV, or work as a companion piece as your entertainment engine when on any trips away from home.
This Shield TV also includes a remote control, rather than a game controller. We love this remote because it illuminates when you pick it up in the dark, so we're not only relying on remembering where buttons are and what shape they are. You won't miss the lack of a packed in controller, thanks to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controller support. That all adds up to the best streaming device for those willing to spend just a bit more for some added gaming thrown in the mix.
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