Gone are the days when a cable subscription was required to watch all the latest TV series. These days, you can find tons of quality shows and movies on streaming platforms. The best way to watch these services is on a TV, and there are plenty of devices out there to help you stream your favorites on the display of your choice. Before buying a specific player, however, you'll want to consider a few things.
First, it's important to ensure that the streaming device you pick includes support for the apps you use the most. The most popular services, like Netflix and Disney Plus, are supported on virtually all streaming players, but some services are missing from certain devices.
You'll also want to keep in mind the specs of your TV. Not all streaming sticks and boxes are able to handle 4K or high dynamic range (HDR), so if you have a 4K TV, you'll want to get a device that can take full advantage of your display.
You should also consider the ecosystem you're most plugged into. For example, Android users might be able to get more use from a Google TV device, while those using an iPhone or Mac might prefer the Apple TV.
After testing a variety of media players, we've picked the best streaming sticks and boxes you can buy to turn your dumb TV into a smart one.
Here are the best streaming boxes and sticks:
- Best streaming box overall: Roku Ultra
- Best budget streaming box: Roku Express
- Best high-end streaming box: Apple TV 4K
- Best streaming device for Google users: Google Chromecast
- Best streaming stick for Alexa: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
- Best streaming box for gamers: Nvidia Shield TV
The best streaming box overall
The Roku Ultra streams in 4K and HDR, has voice search, and comes with a remote control that has programmable shortcut buttons.
Pros: 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, Bluetooth, voice remote, lots of apps, improved Wi-Fi connection, Ethernet, USB port
Cons: A bit pricey
The Roku Ultra has virtually everything a buyer could want out of streaming box. It supports 4K video and all of the major HDR formats to help you get the most out of your display.
The Roku OS features a huge library of streaming channels with access to popular services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Peacock, Amazon Prime, Apple TV Plus, Paramount Plus, and HBO Max. Just connect the box to your TV via the HDMI port, and install all your favorite streaming services to get started.
With HDR capabilities, the Roku Ultra displays richer colors and better contrast when playing back HDR-enabled videos on a compatible TV. The lastest Roku Ultra model also adds support for the advanced Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats.
The Ultra also comes with a voice remote so you can adjust the volume and search for content with spoken commands. If you're watching at night, you can plug the included earbuds into the remote for private listening.
The Roku Ultra is the most versatile and reliable media player in this price range, and we like that it's more universal than Amazon, Apple, and Google devices. There are cheaper alternatives with less advanced features, but we think this model is the best choice for most people with a 4K TV.
The best budget streaming box
The Roku Express is one of the most affordable streaming boxes you can buy, and it offers a great interface with basic HD playback.
Pros: Cheap, compact design, easy-to-use, built-in OS
Cons: Doesn't support 4K or HDR, no voice remote, no Ethernet
For buyers who want a simple and inexpensive streaming solution, the Roku Express is the perfect fit. This model is about as basic as they come, but for the money, you're still getting a capable HD streaming box.
Perhaps the best thing about the Roku Express is how easy it is to use. The compact design makes it one of the smallest streaming boxes there is, and the package comes complete with an HDMI cable for simple setup. The interface is well-designed and extremely easy to navigate with access to all the major services you could want.
Unlike the Roku Ultra, however, this model lacks a voice remote, and it's missing a USB port for playing external video files or Bluetooth for music streaming from a smartphone. The Roku Express also lacks 4K and HDR support, so we only recommend this model for people who have regular HDTVs.
Buyers who want 4K on a budget, should consider the upcoming Roku Express 4K+ instead. It's similar to the standard Roku Express, but it has support for 4K, HDR, and AirPlay for a bit more money.
If all you need is basic HD streaming, though, there's little reason to pay extra for a model more powerful than the Roku Express.
The best high-end streaming box
The Apple TV 4K is an ideal streaming player for enthusiasts who want easy integration with the rest of Apple's products.
Pros: Well-designed interface, 4K and HDR, can serve as a HomeKit hub, new model has HDMI 2.1
Cons: Expensive compared to the competition
If you're looking for a high-end media player to integrate with your Apple account and other Apple devices, then you'll want to consider the Apple TV 4K.
Apple is set to release an upgraded version of the Apple TV 4K in May. The 2021 model will cost the same as the 2017 version while adding an improved Siri remote and a couple new features, like high frame rate playback.
Since the price is the same, we recommend buyers preorder the new model rather than pick up the 2017 version. You can find a full breakdown of differences here.
One of the best things about the Apple TV 4K is Apple's tvOS interface, which is super easy to use. It can stream in 4K and has HDR support for improved contrast and colors. Like the Roku Ultra, the Apple TV 4K also offers Dolby Vision for better HDR on select services and TVs.
And with Siri, you can use your voice to search for content. Plus, you can access music, podcasts, games, and hundreds of apps, or cast or mirror content from an iOS or macOS device using AirPlay technology. In addition, the Apple TV 4K can even serve as a HomeKit hub for Apple's smart home ecosystem.
On the downside, the Apple TV is notably more expensive than streaming options from Roku and Amazon. Most people who aren't invested in the Apple ecosystem will be more than happy with the less expensive Roku Ultra instead. The deciding factor comes down to budget and the ecosystem you prefer.
The best streaming device for Google users
Unlike older models, the new Chromecast with Google TV can play apps right from the device, rather than having to rely on casting from a separate smartphone.
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 newest Chromecast model offers a sizable step forward in performance and usability over older versions. Though our previous pick in this category, the Chromecast Ultra, needed a separate phone, tablet, or computer to stream apps from, the Chromecast with Google TV actually 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 new Google TV platform, the Chromecast offers access to a huge collection of apps. Though a few services, like Vudu and Movies Anywhere, were initially limited to HD and SDR video, recent updates have added 4K and HDR playback.
From a design perspective, the new 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 impressive value, especially for buyers already invested in Google's ecosystem.
The best streaming stick with Alexa
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K streams video in 4K straight to your TV and includes a handy Alexa remote.
Pros: 4K streaming, Alexa voice control, affordable, compact, support for HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision
Cons: Missing a few apps like Google Play and Peacock
Like other media sticks, this slim dongle plugs right into the HDMI port on the back of your TV, adding support for up to 4K HDR playback on compatible displays. It also comes with an Alexa voice remote for easy access to play, pause, stop, volume up/down, and more.
Fire TV Stick 4K works with Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, and many other video streaming apps. Since it's part of Amazon's ecosystem, Fire TV is also compatible with Alexa voice controls on other Amazon products, like an Echo Dot. You can tell Alexa to play "The Mandalorian" without lifting a finger.
It's also very affordable for a 4K streaming stick and includes extensive HDR format support for its price. If you're buying the device for features like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, however, you might be disappointed by Prime Video's surprisingly limited support for those formats.
A few key apps are also currently missing, including Peacock and Google Play. If that's a deal-breaker, you'll have to grab a Roku, Apple TV, or Google TV player instead.
The best streaming player for gamers
The Nvidia Shield TV doesn't just run Google's Android TV, it also supports 4K streaming and can even pair with a controller for gaming.
Pros: 4K support, Dolby Vision capabilities, support for a separate gaming controller, Android TV operating system, powerful processor
Cons: Expensive, most buyers don't need the extra power
Though pricier than other players, the Nvidia Shield TV is the ultimate streaming device for buyers who want beefy specs.
More than just a video player, the Shield TV is also the best streaming box for gamers. In addition to the included Google Assistant voice remote, you can add a separate gaming controller for playing games from the Google Play Store or through the GeForce Now cloud gaming service.
When it comes to raw specs, the Shield TV incorporates 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. The device is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1+, which is one of the most powerful processors used in any streaming device. This extra muscle even allows the device to take advantage of advanced upscaling technology, which can make HD videos look better on 4K TVs.
Unlike most streaming players, the Shield TV features a unique cylindrical design which takes the form of a compact tube that's meant to be placed behind a display. This style won't be for everyone, but it makes it easy to hide the device out of sight.
For buyers who want even more power, there's also a Shield TV Pro model to consider. This more expensive version features a more traditional rectangular shape and upgraded specs with 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and two USB 3.0 ports.
Check out our related buying guides for streaming and TVs
