You'll need one of the best streaming devices to get in all of your favorite shows and movies if you don't want to rely on a DVD player or simply casting from your mobile device. While most modern displays these days have built-in smart functionalities that give you access to various platforms, it doesn't hurt to have one if you prefer a particular interface, like Roku or Fire TV, or want a less ad-intrusive experience, as is available on Google and Apple.
I've been testing streaming devices, TVs, and audio equipment for years. I even use a Roku Ultra on an old 1080p TV in my bedroom, primarily because it offers the easiest casting capabilities and I can control the volume with the awesome Roku remote. But not everyone may like Roku's rather egregious use of ads on its platform, which is why I tend to recommend the Apple TV 4K (despite its age).
And even then, not everyone wants to spend near or over $100 on a streaming box when most TVs already come well-equipped with similar functionality. That's why we ranked the $49 Roku Streaming Stick 4K in our top spot due to its exceptional range in features on a chic, narrow design. It stays tucked behind the TV and you never have to worry about it getting in the way.
While Amazon did just launch its new Fire TV Stick HD for $35, we'd recommend scooping up the Google TV Streamer instead. It's a bit more of an investment at $99, but we find it has a much better interface with tons of incredible features, especially for smart home enthusiasts. My opinion might change once Alexa Plus becomes available on streaming devices, but right now the Google TV Streamer is a prime premium option among the best streaming devices.
I wouldn't be covering all my tracks here if I didn't mention the fact that a new Apple TV 4K might be on the horizon. Rumors are already percolating and it's high time Apple refreshed the system, given it's now been three years since its initial debut. Even so, the 2022 Apple TV 4K is still an essential pick among the best streaming devices, it's just a little too expensive more most buyers.
Check out all of our favorite models below and pick the streaming device that fits your needs and budget.
The quick list
Here's a quick overview of the best streaming devices you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews. And keep on scrolling if you want to see more in-depth analysis of all the top streaming devices for every user and budget.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K does a lot for just $40. It uses a snappy interface and a clean UI with Roku's storied OS as a backbone. A Wi-Fi range extender and Dolby Vision, among other additions, could make it even more appealing.
This is the no frills, all budget Roku Express 4K. What makes this model a steal is that is also comes with an upgraded remote so you don't need a line of sight to your TV. It's also slightly bulkier, but manageable to tuck away behind your display.
The Google TV Streamer is a powerful smart home controller as much as it is among the best streaming devices. It has a slew of AI upgrades, as well, letting you generate TV show summaries and special screensavers in just a click.
Th Apple TV 4K is one of the fastest streaming devices on the block and is one of the only streaming devices with no intrusive ads. iPhone and iPad users will benefit the most using this streaming box, but a new model might be on the way.
The Nvidia Shield TV may look like a phone charger, but it packs a ton of streaming smarts — plus several interesting gaming capabilities. Our testing also showed rapid 4K load times, and we appreciate its handy remote with backlit buttons.
The Fire TV 4K Max is faster than the rest of Amazon's slew of streaming sticks, which makes its ad-heavy interface easier to manage. It's also a solid pick if you use Alexa's functionality a lot with hands-free voice controls and several neat features for Fire TV fans.
The best streaming devices you can find today
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The best streaming devices you can find today
Although there's little in the way of raw upgrades over its predecessor, the king stays the king, and that's the Roku Streaming Stick 4K. It finally brings Dolby Vision support, allowing you to experience all your favorite shows and movies with perfected color balance and contrast. Do note your TV will require Dolby Vision support for this to function, though.
As one of the best streaming devices and our personal favorite of the bunch, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K strikes a perfect balance between price and performance. It costs all but a mere $50 (often discounted to just $40), all while providing snappy navigation and smooth streaming. As with most of the best streaming devices you'll find on this list, it also corrals all the apps you could ask for.
I, for one, am a huge proponent of the Roku platform. It's a delight to use and beloved by many, with one of the easiest navigations on the block plus tons of value baked in, like loads of free streaming channels. One reason you might want to consider is a streaming device with Ethernet connectivity (if your living space demands it), which is available on the Roku Ultra and Apple TV 4K.
In our testing of the Streaming Stick 4K, we noticed a certain crispness in both 1080p and 4K content. App loading was also impressively fast, especially when compared to older Chromecast devices. I also can't recommend the Roku Streaming Stick 4K enough when it comes to travel. It's a stellar addition to your next hotel or Airbnb room's TV, taking up minimal space in your bag while keeping all of your logins secure.
Read our full Roku Streaming Stick 4K review.
The best value streaming device
The Roku Express 4K Plus is your best bet if you need a cheap TV OS replacement. It's the successor to the flawed Roku Premiere, but doesn't bring with it any of the unwarned baggage from that tired system.
I personally like the Express 4K Plus for its major improvements on the remote, which now doesn't require a direct line of sight for proper functionality. It also offers UHD image quality and the well-known snappy performance Roku is best known for, making it one of the best streaming devices for users on a budget.
I do wish the device itself was slightly heavier, as it doesn't quite sit flush on a surface without a bit of finagling. You may also find yourself fiddling with its HDMI cable to make it sit properly, which is a bit of a pain. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus doesn't have that issue.
Of course, due to its price, the Roku Express doesn't come equipped with Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos. so if you want these features you'll have to look elsewhere.
Read our full Roku Express 4K Plus review.
The best Live TV streaming device
Say goodbye to the Chromecast with Google TV 4K, as the Google TV Streamer is now taking up the reigns (and for good reason).
Similar functionalities and OS navigation remain on the updated device, which has live TV integration, tons of free content, plus several various broadcast TV services to choose from (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.
That's not all, as the TV Streamer has a slew of smart home integrations that makes it stand out. Directly from your TV, you can now monitor and control all our smart home devices. Mike Prospero notes in his review of the Google TV Streamer how he was able to view live streams from his various home security cameras and video doorbells, and also see which lights were still on — and dim them, too. You can even check the temperature on our smart thermostat. It's a step up from what other streaming devices offer and will make smart home enthusiasts gush the world over.
As with most newer TV models,. Google has also incorporated its Gemini AI into the TV Streamer. This will do a variety of tasks, like providing simple summaries of whatever content is on-screen and pull in reviews from both critics and the general public — for better or worse. You can also use Gemini to create screensavers. Think of (almost) anything and speak it into the remote, and Gemini will create it for you, to amusing (or horrifying) effect.
Yes, the Google TV Streamer costs $99 — twice that of the Chromecast with Google TV — but the upgrades will keep it relevant for years to come.
Read our full Google TV Streamer review.
The best streaming device for iPhone users
The $129 Apple TV 4K is a premium most might not be willing to invest in, but it's not among the best streaming devices for nothing. It offers some of the most robust features (made all the better for Apple device users). The A15 Bionic system-on-chip super-charges the Apple TV 4K, delivering incredibly fast load times, beating even the latest Fire TV Cube and Roku Ultra on loading Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus and Spotify.
The Apple TV 4K also has support for HDR10+ (though this only works if your TV supports it), and the remote has USB-C charging, meaning you can kiss goodbye to all your Lightning wires. Smart home enthusiasts will also be excited for the inclusion of a Thread support for Matter, which was just added on the new Google TV Streamer (and not the new Roku Ultra). Some may be annoyed you need to spend $20 more for an Ethernet port, but the Roku Ultra, for example, includes one by default at just $99. So there's something.
That said, one of the best reasons to get the Apple TV 4K is tvOS, which remains one of the cleanest interfaces 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.
Despite these faults, Apple TV 4K remains a stellar pick for iPhone and iPad users, even if it's starting to show its age. Rumors are already percolating of a new model on the horizon and it could come before the end of 2025.
Read our full Apple TV 4K (2022) review.
The best Android TV streaming device
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.
Read our full Nvidia Shield TV 2019 review.
The best Amazon Fire TV streaming device
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd gen) inclusion is noteworthy in its inclusion in this list. In our testing, we saw that Amazon improved performance and speed, especially in load times for certain apps. It also supports tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, which is great — if you have an advanced router.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd gen), otherwise, isn't a huge upgrade. It has all the apps you need, the matte black dongle is nearly invisible and picture quality is top-notch. We just wish it was slightly less expensive (which it might be during sales events) and the interface featured less blatant and constant Amazon content promotion. Still, those who want an Amazon Fire TV streaming device should go with this model. It may cost a little more, but it's worth the investment to nab one of the best streaming devices.
Read our full Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd gen) review
While it may be hard to find in stock at the moment, the onn 4K Google TV streaming box is actually pretty great for its price. As the first $20 4K streaming device — and that's the price before any sale — this little puck offers Ultra HD streaming at a shockingly low price.
It also delivers all the same apps you can get on the Chromecast with Google TV, another option among the best streaming devices. The only problems are that its Google Home remote app integration is a little inconsistent, and we wish the Google Assistant search options were a little smoother.
Read our full onn 4K Google TV streaming box review.
The Chromecast with Google TV HD is a streaming device that sort of explains itself. It's just like the recent 4K Chromecast, but it's not outputting video in 4K. Instead, it tops out at 1080p. These days, that means you're primarily buying it to smarten up a 'dumb' TV or display, or because you'd rather save $20 than stream in 4K.
That means it still has the same great new Chromecast design, and the new Chromecast remote. The Chromecast with Google TV HD is no slouch, either, as it still packs HDR (high dynamic range) support for better contrast — which the Roku Express does not. Performance-wise, it's comparable to all the other devices at its price range. Speaking of which, we prefer the Chromecast with Google TV HD over the $29 Amazon Fire TV Lite (which also has HDR) because the Chromecast's home screen packs fewer ads. So, if you want a $29 streaming device, we'd push you in this direction. It also packs Nest support for controlling smart home devices.
Read our full Chromecast with Google TV HD review.
So what if you want the best streaming device with the best remote Roku makes? Then you can save $10 with this bundle, which takes the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and pairs it with the Roku Voice Remote Pro. The remote's big perks include — as its name implies — always-on voice commands, so you can control your TV even if you can't find your remote. It just needs to be within a shout's distance. Also, this remote is rechargeable, reducing the need for batteries. Plus, it's got a headphone jack for private listening over wired headphones, and programmable buttons so you're not stuck with just the four branded app buttons on the remote.
And as we said with the regular Streaming Stick 4K, this is a fantastic streaming device by itself. You've got Roku's simple, customizable interface, snappy performance and a ton of apps, which is pretty much everything you could ask for, though YouTube TV is buried in YouTube at the moment. The big upgrade on this model is Dolby Vision, which will have your content looking as it should.
Read our full Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus review.
The new Roku Ultra is pretty much still the great streaming box it's always been, just with a couple of tweaks — and keeping most of the perks you'd expect for $100 (4K HDR video and fast performance for starters). For example, they've also added Dolby Vision, a must for those streaming high-quality movies and TV shows. Plus, it's still got a USB port which allows for folks to play back their own library of movie files on their TV. Yes, you don't even need to learn what a media server is, or how to set one up. This year's model also offers a faster processor and better wireless streaming. It even packs a button on the side to make your remote chirp when you can't find it.
The other big boon of this model is that you can program the Roku remote's two customizable buttons to open your favorite channels, in addition to the pre-programmed ones for Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV and Vudu. The included earbud headphones sweeten the deal, as they plug right into the remote control for private listening. This is highly important to those who want to watch TV without disturbing the other people in the room.
Recently, Roku finally added the Voice Remote Pro to the Roku Ultra. Though quite an expensive option in the throes of the best streaming devices, it's arguably the best pick in Roku's lineup if you're willing to make that large an investment.
Read our full Roku Ultra (2020) review.
Amazon's Fire TV Cube just got smarter, partially through a new octa-core processor that makes it one of the fastest streaming devices on the market. In our testing, that improved speed has it neck and neck with the Roku Ultra (2020) and Apple TV 4K (2021). But this streaming device is more about its voice commands, as it also functions as an Alexa speaker. Not only does it let you control a cable box (or a live TV service if you cut the cord), but it's also able to control your TV volume and inputs.
This year's model is also better because it offers an HDMI-IN port for those of us juggling all the devices, and puts a USB-A port and Ethernet inside as well, so no adapters are necessary for webcam connections or more stable streaming. That said, don't expect Amazon's new Super Resolution Upscaling feature to remaster your content, as it's more about providing smaller upgrades to non-4K content.
Read our full Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022) review.
The excellent (and actually available) Xbox Series S is $299, and is probably the best modern consoles that can also function as a streaming device. While it can't render games in 4K, it can run streaming media apps such as Netflix, Disney Plus and more. If you know what Kodi is, you'll be happy to know you can put it on the Xbox Series S. The rest of us will be happy to know that it also supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision HDR and Movies Anywhere.
But since the Xbox Series S is the same price as six Chromecast with Google TVs, it's good that it also comes with a fantastic console. Capable of outputting games at 1440p, and running the gamut of all the goodies on Xbox Game Pass, the Xbox Series S is seen as a solid alternative to the much-more expensive Xbox Series X. Its only major drawback aside from not hitting 4K gaming is its 512 GB SSD, which can fill up fast with major games, and might require you to uninstall titles often.
Read our full Xbox Series S review.
A ton of streaming apps? Check. An affordable price? Check. Support for your own media on external storage too? You bet. At just $40, the Tivo Stream 4K is one of the best streaming devices and deserves a place in this hall of fame. And unlike some streaming devices, it actually comes equipped with HBO and Peacock support. Sling users will appreciate its live TV integration, and Google Assistant is there to follow through on all of your voice commands.
Our one wish is that the Stream 4K had a better interface for its Stream app that aggregates content, and that its recommendations were a little more on the nose. Plus, Hulu with Live TV and Fubo TV don't get the red carpet treatment that Sling and YouTube TV get.
Read our full TiVo Stream 4K review.
How to choose the best streaming device for you
Figuring the right streaming device for your needs is pretty easy. While everyone should start with the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, your mileage may vary. If your budget is tight, the Roku Express 4K Plus can bring a lot of content to your TV without adding the clutter of a remote.
If you're trying to stabilize your connection, the Roku Ultra and Apple TV 4K make that process super easy with their dedicated Ethernet cables. But if you're a performance first type, and watch a lot of 4K UHD content, the Nvidia Shield TV or Apple TV 4K is where you should start.
Lastly, folks who already treat Alexa like a member of the family should consider the 3rd Gen. Fire TV Cube, which makes controlling your entertainment as easy as talking. That being said, it's quite expensive, and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus remote also supports voice commands, you just have to click the microphone button, whereas the Fire TV Cube is hands-free.
If you like the Amazon ecosystem and want a cheaper device, consider the Fire TV Stick. Amazon just launched its brand new iteration in the Fire TV Stick HD, which we also tested, and it too could serves as a proper upgrade for those who love its ecosystem.
How we test the best streaming devices
We test streaming players by looking at both the content they can provide (most are very similar at this point) and how they deliver said content. Any streaming player worth its salt can load a 4K stream, but only a good one possesses straightforward navigation, robust search features and a wide variety of content to suit all tastes.
The first thing we evaluate is the setup, to see how quick and simple it is. From there, we take the user interface for a spin to see what content gets highlighted, what gets hidden, and how easy it is to navigate to our favorite channels. As live TV service integration becomes a bigger feature in streaming devices, we look at how these sticks and boxes can place your favorites within closer touch.
We'll also watch a few different shows on a variety of channels to gauge the quality of the video and audio, to make sure they look good regardless of if you have one of the best TVs or not. That said? Check out our guide to the best cheap TV deals if you need a discount.
After that, it's onto the extra features, like gaming, voice search and screen mirroring. These factors don't weigh quite as heavily toward the final score, but they're nice to have if they work well, and extremely distracting if they don't.
