A television can have a perfectly good picture and an interface that makes opening Netflix feel like paperwork. These four streaming devices start at $17.99, with inexpensive sticks for straightforward viewing and boxes that do more for a busy living room.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select – $17.99 (64% off)
For a spare television that mainly needs Netflix, Prime Video, and a few other apps, the Select keeps the investment small. It covers 4K viewing for less than $20, which is plenty of reason to keep things simple. The catch is app installation: only Amazon’s Appstore is supported, so skip this one if installing apps from other sources is part of the plan.
| Key spec/feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Video resolution | Up to 4K Ultra HD |
| HDR formats | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Voice control | Alexa Voice Remote |
| App installation | Amazon Appstore only; no sideloading |
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max – $44.99 (47% off)
The Max is where I’d start for a television used every evening, especially one that supports Dolby Vision. There’s more storage for apps than on the Select, plus Wi-Fi 6E for households with a compatible router. Whether those extras justify the price difference depends on the setup, but they’re useful reasons to spend more than the bare minimum.
| Key spec/feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Video resolution | Up to 4K at 60 frames per second |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos support |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Storage | 16GB |
Amazon Fire TV Cube – $89.99 (55% off Amazon’s listed price)
The Cube is for people who’d rather ask Alexa to turn things on than work through a small collection of remotes. Its built-in microphones allow hands-free control of compatible entertainment equipment, and a supported cable box can connect through the HDMI input. It costs twice as much as the discounted Max; I’d pay that difference only if those controls would get regular use.
| Key spec/feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Octa-core |
| Video and audio | 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos |
| Network connections | Wi-Fi 6E and built-in Ethernet |
| HDMI connections | HDMI input and output |
| Voice control | Hands-free Alexa with built-in microphones |
Roku Ultra – $92.99 (38% off)
Backlit buttons and a lost-remote finder are easier to appreciate from the sofa than another row of app logos. The Ultra’s rechargeable remote includes both, while Ethernet offers a wired alternative if Wi-Fi is unreliable near the TV. Buyers who prefer Roku’s interface have a premium option here without switching to Fire TV to get the extra conveniences.
| Key spec/feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Video resolution | Up to 4K at 60 frames per second |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos support |
| Network connections | Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet |
| Included remote | Rechargeable Voice Remote Pro with backlit buttons and lost-remote finder |
