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Roku
Though all of the best 4K TVs now have built-in access to popular streaming services, their navigation speeds, interfaces, format support, and digital assistant capabilities vary a lot between different brands. If you're unhappy with the platform your TV comes with and you crave snappier performance, a standalone streaming device is exactly what you need.
These compact devices connect to your display using an HDMI cable and are typically designed as set-top boxes that rest on your TV stand, or streaming sticks that hang right out of your TV's HDMI port. The best streaming devices deliver access to all your favorite apps, along with speedy navigation and convenient voice search capabilities. Separate streaming players are also a perfect solution for anyone who has an old "dumb" TV that needs some extra smarts.
Different brands use different operating systems (OS) and voice search platforms, including Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri. If your TV's OS doesn't play nice with other smart devices you already own, you can pick a streaming player that supports the digital assistant you use the most to create an integrated ecosystem.
Based on a combination of hands-on testing and a decade worth of experience covering home entertainment products, these are the best streaming devices you can buy for different budgets and types of users.
Here are the best streaming devices:
Best overall: Roku Ultra - See at Amazon
The Roku Ultra is the most comprehensive streaming device in its class, with 4K playback, support for every major HDR format, a rechargeable voice remote, and some extra perks like an Ethernet port and USB input.
Best budget: Fire TV Stick Lite - See at Amazon
The Fire TV Stick Lite only supports high definition (HD) playback rather than 4K, but it's inexpensive and comes with a handy Alexa voice remote.
Best high-end: Apple TV 4K - See at Best Buy
The Apple TV 4K is the perfect fit for enthusiasts who want powerful performance, extra storage space, and seamless integration with the rest of Apple's ecosystem.
Best for Google users: Google Chromecast - See at Walmart
The newest Chromecast features a built-in library of apps and comes with a Google Assistant voice remote that makes it a great fit for people already plugged into other Google products.
Best with Alexa: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max - See at Amazon
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a tiny streaming device with Ultra HD playback, impressive navigation speed, and a voice-controlled Alexa remote.
Best for gamers: Nvidia Shield TV Pro - See at Amazon
The Nvidia Shield TV is a powerful media device with support for Android gaming and cloud services like GeForce Now when you pair it with a controller.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Pros: 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, wireless headphone support with Bluetooth, rechargeable remote with hands-free voice control, simple navigation, Ethernet port, USB input
Cons: Some may find Roku's interface to be outdated, remote charges via Micro USB rather than USB-C
The Roku Ultra has virtually everything a buyer could want out of a streaming box. It supports 4K video and all of the major high dynamic range (HDR) formats to help you get the most out of a 4K TV.
The Roku OS features a huge library of apps with access to all of the best streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Peacock, Amazon Prime, Paramount Plus, and Max. Just connect the box to your TV via HDMI, and install all your favorite streaming channels to get started.
With HDR capabilities, the Roku Ultra displays richer colors and better contrast when playing HDR-enabled videos on a compatible TV. In addition to standard HDR10, it has support for the more advanced Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats, which can more precisely tell compatible TVs how to render HDR images on a scene-by-scene basis.
The 2022 Ultra also comes with Roku's Voice Remote Pro so you can adjust volume and search for content with spoken commands. It even has a hands-free feature for voice controls with a wake word rather than holding a button. The remote also has a handful of extra perks that make it a bit more convenient than some competitors, including a rechargeable battery, a private listening port for headphones (earbuds included), and a "lost remote" chime.
Compared to less expensive Roku models, the Ultra adds an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection, a USB port for local media playback, built-in Dolby Atmos decoding, and Bluetooth support for pairing wireless headphones.
This helps cement the Ultra as the most versatile and reliable media player in its price range, and we like that it's more universal than Amazon, Apple, and Google devices. There are cheaper alternatives with fewer features, but we think this model is the best overall value for anyone who wants a fully capable streaming device.
Amazon
Pros: Cheap, compact stick design, supports HDR, includes Alexa remote
Cons: Doesn't support 4K, no Ethernet, lacks Dolby Atmos decoding
Amazon's Fire TV Stick Lite is one of the most affordable streaming devices on the market, and unlike the similarly priced Roku Express, it comes with a voice remote. To keep the cost down, the Fire TV Stick Lite is limited to 1080p playback, but you're still getting a capable streaming stick that pairs especially well with aging HDTVs that need extra smarts.
Like all of Amazon's streaming devices, the Fire TV Stick Lite uses the Fire TV OS, which offers access to every major app there is. Though it's not our favorite interface, Amazon has improved the design a bit in recent years with better organization, and it should please fans of content-focused navigation.
Compared to more expensive Fire TV Sticks, this model is missing 4K support, decoding for Dolby Atmos audio, Dolby Vision capabilities, and TV controls on its remote. It's also not quite as fast as the flagship Fire TV Stick 4K Max. But on the plus side, you still get Alexa voice control and it even supports HDR10 and HDR10+, albeit with streaming limited to HD. Since HDTVs with HDR support are rare, however, this feature seems a bit unnecessary.
Frequently on sale for around $20, the Fire TV Stick Lite is a good option for buyers who just need a basic but capable HD streaming device and want to spend as little as possible. That said, 4K TV owners are better off paying an extra $10 to $20 to get a model that supports higher resolution playback, like the Fire TV Stick 4K or Roku Express 4K+.
Apple
Pros: Familiar interface for Apple users, 4K playback with comprehensive HDR support, can serve as a HomeKit hub, latest model has HDMI 2.1 and a rechargeable remote
Cons: Need to buy 128GB model to get Ethernet, pricier than Roku options
If you're looking for a high-end media player to integrate with your Apple account and other Apple devices, then the third-generation Apple TV 4K is your best option.
The device's tvOS interface will especially appeal to people who already use other Apple products like an iPhone. It's also the only major streaming interface that isn't available as an integrated OS on any smart TVs. Though Roku, Google, and Amazon all license their streaming systems to various TV brands, Apple doesn't, so the only way to get the tvOS experience is with an Apple TV device.
The Apple TV 4K can access tons of streaming apps, as well as music, podcasts, and even games via Apple Arcade. You can also mirror content from an iOS or macOS device using AirPlay. In addition, the Apple TV 4K can serve as a HomeKit hub for Apple's smart home ecosystem.
As its name implies, the Apple TV 4K streams in up to 4K resolution. And like the Roku Ultra, it supports every major HDR format, including Dolby Vision and, new for the third-gen model, HDR10+. These formats provide the best image quality on compatible TVs, giving your display scene-by-scene instructions for how to best optimize color and contrast.
The included voice remote features support for Siri, and the newest edition has built-in USB-C charging so you don't need batteries. An Ethernet port is also included if you need a wired internet connection, but this feature is only offered on the more expensive 128GB model. The 128GB Apple TV 4K also adds Thread networking support, which enables it to connect other supported devices to the internet so they all can communicate with each other.
On the downside, the Apple TV 4K is pricier than a lot of competing options from Roku and Amazon. Most people who aren't invested in Apple's ecosystem will be satisfied with the less expensive Roku Ultra. The deciding factor comes down to budget and the OS you prefer.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Pros: 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, Google Assistant voice remote, built-in interface and casting capabilities
Cons: Minor glitches, some lag
Google's latest Chromecast model offers a sizable step forward in performance and usability over older versions. Though previous models, like the Chromecast Ultra, needed a separate phone, tablet, or computer to stream apps from, the Chromecast with Google TV features its own built-in interface with an extensive library of services.
You can still cast apps from a mobile device if you'd like, but the on-screen selection makes it more convenient to find your favorite shows and movies right on your TV screen. This makes the Chromecast a more worthy competitor to similar compact players, like the Fire TV Stick 4K.
Powered by the latest Google TV platform, the Chromecast offers access to a huge collection of apps and the homepage interface is nicely organized with a row of your favorite services up top, followed by various content recommendations below.
From a design perspective, the Chromecast features a similar puck-shaped form factor as older models, complete with a dongle connection that hangs from your TV's HDMI port. Unlike older models, the latest version includes a handy voice remote with integrated Google Assistant support.
We encountered a few glitches while testing the new Chromecast and some lag here and there, but the device offers solid value, especially for buyers already invested in Google's ecosystem.
Amazon
Pros: 4K with support for every major HDR format, Alexa voice control, compact, offers fastest navigation and loading times of any streaming stick we've tested
Cons: Fire TV interface is a bit cluttered, not a huge upgrade over previous model
Amazon's latest streaming stick plugs right into the HDMI port on your TV, adding access to a ton of apps with support for up to 4K playback. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is also compatible with every major HDR format, so people who own Dolby Vision or HDR10+ TVs can watch videos in the best quality available.
An Alexa voice remote is included as well, so you can control playback and search for content with spoken commands. Though the remote requires you to press a button to activate Alexa, you can also pair the device with an Echo speaker for hands-free control.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max works with all of the most popular streaming apps. Though some notable services used to be missing, Amazon's selection is now on par with other major players like Roku.
Compared to the older Fire TV Stick 4K, the 4K Max isn't a huge upgrade, but it does offer some improvements. Most notably, navigation speed is a bit snappier. This helps to cement the Fire TV Stick 4K Max as the fastest media device we've ever tested in this price range.
People who already own the old Fire TV Stick 4K don't need to upgrade, but new buyers on the hunt for the best streaming stick with Alexa should snag this model. People willing to pay more should also consider the latest Fire TV Cube, which has a set-top box design, a faster processor, and built-in support for hands-free Alexa. But since the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is often on sale for as little as $35, we don't think the Cube is worth the extra money for most people.
