The best streaming devices

With 4K resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR) standard in virtually all new TVs, you want to make sure you buy a streamer that is compatible, but that’s only the start. You also want to make sure the streaming services you care about (and the content you want to watch) can be easily found without having to scour the web for hours.

Right now, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is our favorite streaming device. It boasts a near-endless collection of top-tier streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix — all of which can be controlled using the streamer’s integrated Alexa voice assistant. Plus, the latest model now supports Dolby Vision, giving the Fire TV Cube all it needs to take over your living room.

We’ve been testing streaming devices ever since the first Apple TV hit the shelves back in 2007, so with more than a decade’s worth of experience under our belt, we know a thing or two about what makes a good one. Below, we serve up the absolute best streaming devices out there so you can get the most from your streaming experience.

Amazon Fire TV Cube

The best streaming device

Why should you buy this? The Cube isn’t just an excellent streaming device — it can control your entire entertainment system better than your remotes can.

Who’s it for? Those looking for a streamlined, Alexa-driven home entertainment experience.

Why we picked the Amazon Fire TV Cube:

It was going to take a lot to knock a Roku device out of our top spot, but the Fire TV Cube has snatched the crown of the streaming device kingdom. That might be a surprise, especially since the device was originally announced as little more than the first Fire TV box to have Alexa integrated directly into the device — no external Echo speaker necessary. In reality, however, it’s loaded with powerful tech and features that will allow you to control just about everything in your entertainment center with minimal need for a remote.

Thanks to ports supporting HDMI CEC and HDMI-ARC alongside included IR blasters, you’ll be able to use voice commands to turn on your TV, swap between apps, and even switch inputs over to other connected devices like gaming consoles, A/V receivers, and Blu-ray players. You can walk into the room with the TV and all other devices off, and direct Alexa to do things like “play Stranger Things,” and the Cube will switch on the TV and sound system and immediately start up the show on Netflix — all without a remote. Using the Cube like this is pretty much the closest we’ve felt to talking to the computer on the Starship Enterprise. While Alexa will require specific voice commands out of the box, the A.I. assistant will learn to recognize your input style.

The Cube’s nature as a home theater control hub may be its biggest selling point, but it is also just an excellent streamer. The black box is capable of 4K and HDR playback, and comes with an Ethernet adapter for the most reliable data connection possible — something sorely lacking from other Fire TV devices. Speaking of upgrades, the Fire TV Cube features a much more open and platform-agnostic interface than what we’ve seen from other Fire TV releases.

Amazon recently released a refreshed model that added Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which was a big knock on the original. With that, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is better than we ever imagined it could be. The onboard Alexa integration, Ethernet adapter, and more open ecosystem solve our biggest issues with previous Fire TV devices, but it’s the all-in-one control afforded by HDMI CEC support, the IR blaster, and Alexa voice commands that earned it the throne.

Roku Express

The best budget media streamer

Why should you buy this? It’s got everything you need for streaming the best free and premium content, for a rock-bottom price.

Who’s it for? People who don’t care about features like 4K or Dolby Atmos and just want a simple and inexpensive media streamer.

Why we picked the Roku Express:

If you don’t need 4K, or HDR, or even Dolby Atmos, why should you have to pay extra for a device that does all of these things? The Roku Express is minimalism at its best: Just as easy to use as every other Roku streamer thanks to the excellent remote and user interface, it does away with all of the frills, leaving you with a tiny device that fits anywhere, and way more money in your pocket.

It delivers 1080p full HD video which still looks great, and the two-cable set-up (one for power and one for HDMI) is dead easy. You won’t find MicroSD card slots or USB ports or even voice commands here, but that’s the whole point. If you want those features, Roku has many other excellent streamers to choose from as you can see on this roundup.

Despite its minimal hardware feature set, you still get all of the software enhancements that continue to make Roku a killer streaming platform like its free app for iOS and Android that acts as a remote, a content casting device, a voice remote, and a private listening accessory. Add to this Roku’s awesome line-up of free streaming content from the Roku Channel and other sources and your money will be incredibly well spent.

Google Chromecast

The best casting device

Why should you buy this? The Chromecast syncs with your phone or other media devices for simple streaming.

Who’s it for? Anyone who just wants a simple, affordable HD streamer.

Why we picked the Chromecast (3rd generation):

If you don’t have a 4K HDR-enabled television, you obviously don’t need to spend on a device that streams in 4K. The Chromecast is a tiny, simple streaming device that works in tandem with devices you’re already using — namely your phone or tablet.

Frankly, the most recent update for Google’s aging HD Chromecast doesn’t add much at all, but the fact that you can’t buy the older model anymore makes this the de facto choice. The new device does have a slightly faster framerate (60 frames per second) for 1080p content and a new look, but other than that it’s pretty much the same old Chromecast, offering the same primary appeal: Dead simple streaming on the cheap.

If you do have a 4K HDR-capable TV, and you just love casting, the Chromecast Ultra — which supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR — will be your best bet. That said, you can get more for your money elsewhere in streaming, including the Roku Streaming Stick+ listed above, as well as the new Roku Premiere+. 

Unlike other streaming devices, Chromecasts (including the Chromecast Audio and the Ultra) use the apps you’ve already got on your phone to control playback and search for content. Simply call up your supported streaming app, click the cast button, and you’re ready to watch. Google Home also makes search snappier and more convenient than before.

The Chromecast is also deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem — or at least it can be — and supports Google Assistant, as well as any Google smart home devices. For Android and Google die-hards, this is likely going to be a key feature. Users of iOS, Mac, and Windows devices can still get plenty of use out of the Chromecast, though, as each of them supports casting across tons of apps.

Roku Streaming Stick+

The best streaming stick

Why should you buy this? It’s the best streaming stick on the market, and it’s affordable to boot.

Who’s it for? Anyone who wants to stream 4K and HDR through an easy-breezy interface.

Why we picked the Roku Streaming Stick+:

The Streaming Stick+ delivers one of the best features-to-price ratios among streaming devices out there. You’ll be able to experience 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos Audio through this tiny device that looks like a USB thumb drive and easily hides behind your TV.

The discreet design extends beyond just its physical profile. Thanks to powerful 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless support, you’ll be able to set it up anywhere within your home’s Wi-Fi range — no Ethernet required. The only actual requirement with the Streaming Stick+ is a TV or any display with an HDMI port and USB. Just plug the Streaming Stick+ into the HDMI port and the power cable into one of its USB ports (or an adapter if it doesn’t have one), and you’re done.

One of our favorite things about the Streaming Stick+ is a feature shared by all Roku devices: An awesome user interface. Roku OS uses an app-agnostic approach, which makes finding the best place to watch what you want easier than with almost any other device on the market. Even with newer devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K available, we still prefer the Roku’s voice search and easy-t0-use interface. As far as we’re concerned, it’s still the best streaming stick on the market.

Apple TV 4K

The best media streamer for Apple lovers

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Why should you buy this? The Apple TV 4K provides a seamless TV experience across all your Apple devices.

Who’s it for? Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Why we picked the Apple TV 4K:

After spending two years as an afterthought in the streamer market due to a lack of 4K support, the Apple TV is back and better than ever. With a bevy of cool features, it’s a good choice for Apple devotees and a solid competitor to high-end offerings from Roku, Amazon, and Google.

The Apple TV 4K has a few tricks up its sleeve, beginning with its super-fast A10X Fusion processor. Put it this way: The only thing holding this box back speed-wise will be your internet connection.

There is also a cool option that allows users to copy login info directly to the Apple TV from iPhones, iPads, and Apple laptops, which drastically reduces the amount of time spent entering passwords. Plus, if you have a third- or fourth-generation Apple TV, it will automatically sync your previous tvOS layout to make life simpler. If you’ve ever bought movies or TV shows from iTunes, they’re all available, and Apple will even update them to the 4K HDR versions for free, when and if they’re made available using this format.

The most recent major software update for the streamer added Apple Arcade, which turns the small black box into a capable casual gaming platform that works with both Sony and Xbox Bluetooth wireless game controllers.

You can use Siri to search for content from any of the streaming services that Apple supports, with intuitive questions and statements like “Show me 4K movies on Netflix” instead of resorting to awkward jargon. And though Apple’s library of apps isn’t as diverse as Roku’s, you can access all of the majors like Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, and more recently, Amazon Prime Video.

With Dolby Atmos, 4K, and HDR in both Dolby Vision and HDR10, it’s got the support you need to watch and listen to the newest formats, though beware: It is super picky about which HDMI cables you’re using, and might well prevent you from seeing Dolby Vision if your cables aren’t rated for ultra-high-speed connections. Is the Apple TV 4K worth its hefty price tag? We’re on the fence there, but if you’re one of those “all-Apple-everything” types, this is the streaming device for you.

One last thing we want to point out: Although many other third-party devices and smart TVs now have Apple’s TV app (along with access to Apple TV+) we think the Apple TV 4K is the best way to experience it. You’ll probably get faster updates and better OS integration with Apple TV. Keep that in mind if Apple TV+ is important to you.

Roku Ultra

The best premium set-top streaming box

Why should you buy this? It’s a powerful, well-rounded set-top streaming box bolstered by Roku’s excellent interface and app support.

Who’s it for? Those who want the features of the Streaming Stick+, but desire a little more horsepower and stability.

Why we picked the Roku Ultra:

The Roku Ultra brings with it a slew of awesome features. Like any high-end streamer, it supports 4K, Dolby Atmos audio, and HDR10 (Dolby Vision and HDR10+ aren’t currently compatible), but that’s just the beginning.

Like the Fire TV Cube, the Ultra sports an Ethernet port to help improve connection speeds and even adds a MicroSD card slot to store even more apps or work as a source for pictures and video. It also has a USB port, so you can view content from any compatible device. The box also features a “lost remote” button that will trigger a tone from the remote (even though we all know it’s under the couch). The remote has both a headphone jack for private listening and dedicated power/volume buttons that can control TV volume, depending upon the model.

The remote now has two customizable shortcut buttons that are a snap to program: Simply speak a voice command while holding the microphone button, then hold the shortcut button until you hear a beep. The Ultra is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant-powered smart speakers, and Roku’s Featured Free menu option makes finding free content to watch incredibly easy.

Night Listening mode automatically adjusts volume scene-by-scene to avoid waking up the kids, and the included JBL headphones should offer better sound for headphone playback as well. As you probably already surmised from the Streaming Stick+, we also just love the Roku OS. From the biggest library of apps (aka “Roku channels”) to incredible cross-channel search functionality, there is no digital ecosystem that competes.

How we test

We test our streaming players over a period of days or weeks, replicating exactly how you’d use them in real-life scenarios. That includes testing them for speed, convenience, intuitiveness, and a variety of features. Accessibility to a wide variety of apps is also crucial — after all, most TVs and Blu-ray players are already set up for basic streaming — so a designated streamer should offer something more.

A streamer might have the best hardware in the world, but this won’t matter if you can only watch content from one streaming service. In order to meet our standard, a streaming media player ideally supports all or most of the major content providers, as well as a wide variety of newer features like 4K Ultra HD and HDR. Finally, we look at how much quality and how many features you get on a dollar-by-dollar scale, to assure each of our top streamers is not only a great experience but also a great value.