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The best streaming device for Netflix is down to $38 for Prime Day

By Kelly Kaliszewski October 13, 2020

roku streaming stick+ review in tv — Caleb Denison/Digital Trends

Streaming has become the most popular way to watch your favorite shows, movies, and sports these days, and though there are many ways to stream, the best streaming device for Netflix fans is on sale today for Prime Day for just $37. The Roku Streaming Stick+ is the best streaming device for Netflix lovers because it is 4K Ultra HD and has a dedicated Netflix button on the remote control. Today only, you will receive a 26% discount on this streaming master, regularly priced at $50. If you are also in the market for a new TV to go with your new Prime Day Roku deal, Amazon also has Prime Day 4K TV deals that feature some of the lowest prices we’ve ever seen.

The Roku Streaming Stick+ has built-in Wi-Fi and supports Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO and, Hulu with Live TV, Apple TV, Disney+, The Roku Channel, Showtime, and Google Play. This device allows you to stream live shows, movies, and stored content from your favorite channels and streaming services. Featuring brilliant picture quality, the device lets you experience shows and movies in HD, 4K Ultra HD, or HDR. The device also optimizes picture quality for your TV with sharp resolution and vivid colors.

The built-in Wi-Fi makes this device perfect for streaming in areas that aren’t close to your in-home router. The Roku is ideal for basement theater rooms and backyard movie nights. The long-range wireless receiver gives you up to 4 times the range and a stronger signal so that you won’t be interrupted by lagging streams. The Roku Streaming Stick+ is perfect for families, college kids, and adults alike, due to its simple set-up and one-touch remote controls.

The Roku Streaming Stick+ is regularly priced at $50, and today for Prime Day, it can be yours for just $37, which is a savings of 26%. This deal won’t last long, as Prime Day discounts are only good until the end of Prime Day or until the stock runs out. If you’re a Netflix lover, this is a must-have deal.

If you are shopping on a budget, don’t forget to check out the best Black Friday Roku deals we found.

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Kelly Kaliszewski

Content Writer

Kelly's work has appeared in blogs and on websites. She enjoys writing about all things kitchen and food. When she's not…

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Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football stream bad for some, again

Dolphins-Bengals on Thursday Night Football.

Three weeks of Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video, and a third week of streaming problems, apparently. The September 29 game, which had the Miami Dolphins at the Cincinnati Bengals, was the third straight to experience any number of problems with the stream itself, according to numerous reports online.

This season is the first in which Amazon is producing the Thursday night broadcast from start to finish and not just distributing it. And just like in Weeks 2 and 3 of the NFL season, the distribution is what had issues. The Prime Video stream would go from an excellent quality to something we can only call "substandard-definition." Everything dropped to a lower resolution, from the game itself to the on-screen graphics and even some of the advertising. And just like in previous weeks, the issues would come and go.

Audio / Video

Thursday Night Football stream struggles continue for Prime Video

amazon prime video thursday night football streaming issues week 3 steelers

Amazon Prime Video execs said this week they were "very hopeful" that Thursday Night Football streaming issues were "going to be less and less a thing." Looks like we'll all have to give it another go for Week 4.

The September 22 game between AFC North rivals Pittsburgh and Cleveland was peppered with continued streaming issues, where the resolution would drop out and pixelate — look bad, in other words — before returning back to normal. Then it would be fine for a while before dropping out again. And the problem wasn't just limited to the game broadcast — ads would look bad, too, which was at least a little ironic given the sheer number of spots for Amazon Web Services.

Audio / Video

Cut the cord: Quit cable for the best streaming services

The LG G1 Gallery Series OLED TV.

So you want to cut the cord and join the streaming revolution? There are so many on-demand streaming services available now such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+ to name a few. Add to that that the growing selection of live TV streaming services, such as Hulu Plus Live TV, Sling TV, ESPN+, and YouTube TV, as well as live HD broadcasts with an antenna. The whole thing can be rather confusing, especially when you're trying to pick the best streaming services for you. We'll walk you through everything you need to know to finally cut the cord and kick cable to the curb.

Not everyone is cut out to be a cord-cutter, though. Ditching your satellite or cable subscription and the bill it carries sounds great in theory, but it's not something you want to rush into without a bit of research. Let's go through the best methods for dropping traditional cable in favor of some of the best streaming services.
First things first: How's your internet?
The thing about internet-delivered TV is that you need a broadband connection that can keep up with the streaming lifestyle. This may seem like a foregone conclusion, but we want to make it clear that if you're going to bet your precious entertainment future on your home network, you had better have a solid internet connection. Netflix and other similar streaming video services suggest a minimum downstream speed of 5Mbps for HD streaming, but if you have inadequate home internet connection (like 5Mbps) that is not going to allow for a smooth streaming service experience, especially when you consider other devices also using the connection. You will likely experience buffering and possible crashing of the show you are streaming, especially for those with families or households streaming more than one show or movie at a time.
High-quality streaming needs higher-speed internet
Of course, if you're looking to get into the streaming big leagues to access the growing array of 4K Ultra HD streaming content available from Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, YouTube, and others, you'll want to kick up your broadband speed to at least 25Mbps. If you're only going to be downloading 4K content from sites like FandangoNow or Ultraflix -- which offer 4K content at speeds as low as 4Mbps to 10Mbps -- 25Mbps will probably suffice, but regardless of which streaming service you select, fast and reliable internet is key to a positive streaming experience.
Peak internet usage time can affect your streaming
We also recommend testing your internet speed at peak streaming hours (between 6 and 10 p.m. on weekdays) to determine if your neighborhood struggles under the strain of heavy traffic. For example, if you routinely get around 10Mbps downloads during the day, but that speed takes a dive to about 3Mbps around dinner time, you'll want to call your internet provider to see if anything can be done. Fortunately, this is an increasingly rare problem outside of rural areas, but better to check ahead.
Check your home network equipment
Don't forget to check your home network equipment. Most modern routers and modems should offer up all the speed you need, but non-gigabit equipment may not suffice for simultaneous 4K streams. Any hiccups in your experience also may be caused by weird technical issues such as improper port forwarding, wireless interference, or other random things that are tricky to track down, some of which we'll attempt to help you troubleshoot. If you're unsure about any of it, be sure to give your internet service provider a call.