The 5 Best Streaming Devices (And Why They’re Better Than Your Smart TV)
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Most smart TVs released since the mid to late 2010s run an operating system that allows you to download and run apps for popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, and Peacock. However, most smart TVs are also sluggish, and you’ll rely on your TV manufacturer to continually release app updates for them to work.
The best solution? Pick up a media streamer, a gadget designed specifically to access streaming services with faster speeds and a better interface than most TVs.
At a glance: The Best Streaming Devices
- Best Overall: Roku Ultra
- Premium Pick: Apple TV 4K (Third-generation)
- Best Streaming Stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
- Best Design: Google TV Streamer 4K
- Budget Pick: Roku Streaming Stick 4K
These gadgets are generally supported for several years, and in some cases may have a more powerful processor and more memory than your TV does. Additionally, you can take them on vacation to avoid logging into your streaming accounts on hotel or Airbnb TVs.
If your TV is starting to lag when you’re trying to stream your favorite shows — or you’re trying to eke out an extra year or two out of an older TV with no built-in streaming apps — read on. As a tech writer, I’ve tested all the top options and rounded up the best streaming devices to buy right now.
How to Choose the Best Streaming Device
Here’s what to keep in mind while shopping for the right streaming device for your needs.
Your TV’s specs: All of the media streamers I’m recommending can play 4K video and support a variety of HDR (High Dynamic Range) video formats and surround sound audio formats. That said, you don’t need the most premium media streamer if your TV is older and you don’t plan on upgrading soon. If you plan on upgrading to a newer set, have a TV released in the past couple of years, or use a proper home theater system, I recommend upgrading to a premium media streamer like Apple’s.
Streaming sticks vs. boxes: Media streamers come in two styles: streaming sticks and larger boxes. Streaming sticks have an HDMI connector built into them, so they can be plugged directly into the back of your TV, where they’ll be entirely out of sight. Some can be powered by one of your TV’s built-in USB ports, so you won’t even need to use an outlet. These ultra-portable devices work for most people and are ideal for frequent travelers.
Larger media streaming boxes need to be connected to an outlet at all times and your TV via an HDMI cable. These larger boxes tend to be more powerful, which means they may support additional formats that a media streaming stick won’t. The boxes typically have an Ethernet port, which can come in handy if your home’s Wi-Fi network is spotty, or you’re planning on streaming a lot of high-bitrate 4K (UHD) video, which requires more internet bandwidth than HD or SD video.
Operating system: Every media streamer runs on a different operating system, which varies in complexity and functionality. All of them have a large library of streaming apps, but some integrate more tightly into a certain hardware ecosystem or smart home platform. If you’re already using Apple, Google, or Amazon smart-home speakers, it’s best to get a streaming device from the same brand. If you’d prefer to be platform agnostic, which frees you up to jump from one ecosystem to another without much friction, there are more options to choose from.
Price: The good news is that most media streamers are available for under $100, and a couple can be found under $50 pretty frequently.
How I Tested the Best Streaming Devices
I tested the best media devices by playing 4K and HD video from different streaming services, checking out what FAST (Free, Ad-Supported TV) channels were available, and assessing how easy they were to use. I also considered the quality of the included physical remote and the smartphone remote control app (if available). All of the media streamers I tested had smart-home features, and while these were secondary considerations, I factored them in, too.
The Best Streaming Devices
Roku Ultra
In general, I found Roku media streamers to be the easiest to use. They’re also not tied to a major tech company, which is a plus. Roku’s higher-end Ultra box offered rock-solid performance (no buffering or app crashes), its interface is the easiest to navigate, and its offering of FAST channels is robust. Roku also has a slate of original series and movies that are worth a look. A couple of additional niceties: Its remote has backlit buttons and a built-in speaker that makes a pinging noise when you push a button on the Ultra device (no more lost remote).
Apple TV 4K (Third-generation)
The third-generation Apple TV comes with more features than others, and it’s the one I’ve used on a daily basis for several years. It has an ad-free interface that’s pretty intuitive, an app store that’s full of non-streaming apps (including games), and plenty of on-board storage and processing power, so I have never experienced a stutter. That said, it’s also the most expensive option (starting at $129.99), and only the higher-end model (which costs $149.99) has an Ethernet port and Thread radio that enables more robust smart home features. In short, it’s the nicest media streamer in terms of raw power and design, but you’ll have to shell out for it.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
The recently-released Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a step forward in performance over previous generations, and Alexa+ (Amazon’s updated smart home assistant) makes it easier to navigate with your voice. Asking Alexa for the show you want is quick and easy, and it’s capable of answering your questions or controlling plenty of smart-home accessories while you watch. The streaming stick’s remote has a lot of tiny buttons, which is a double-edged sword: I could easily access the settings menu and media controls, but I found myself looking down more often than I like while getting used to it.
Google TV Streamer 4K
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked Google’s TV Streamer 4K after spending some time with it. The full-sized media steamer was more powerful than the Chromecasts it replaced, and having Google Assistant accessible on your TV is genuinely useful if you’re in the Android ecosystem. Every streaming app I used downloaded and launched quickly, and I could navigate through settings and other menus without lag. The TV Streamer 4K also uses a USB-C port for power rather than a proprietary charger, so you can replace it easily and inexpensively should it break.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K has the same user interface, features, and overall experience as the higher-powered Ultra, but in a more compact size. Its remote doesn’t have the backlight or built-in speaker, though, and it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos surround sound. That said, neither of those is a dealbreaker, and the Streaming Stick 4K is typically available for around $35. It’s a no-brainer tech upgrade to extend the life of an older TV, or to keep in your travel bag. I was especially impressed with its svelte size, which meant it never rubbed up against the chunky HDMI cables plugged into adjacent ports.