Whether you’re looking to cut the cord for the first time, or have been streaming for years, knowing which streaming device to use is more important now than ever before. Over the past years, streaming devices have changed significantly. Now there are even more models on the market than ever before, making it more difficult to figure out which one is right for you. Deciding on the best live TV streaming service is only half the battle these days, as the device you use to stream the service can really impact your overall viewing experience.
While there are lots of options, the good news is that almost all of them support a very similar selection of apps, and the most popular subscription streaming services are easy to set up. Whether you’re looking to add smart features and streaming capabilities to your existing TV, or you want to get a new TV with everything built into it, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve rounded up all of the best streaming devices you can buy right now below. Before we get into all the details, let’s take a quick look at the devices.
The best streaming devices
- Best overall streaming device: Amazon Fire TV 4K Max
- Best budget streaming device: Roku Express
- Best premium streaming device: Apple TV 4K
- Best streaming device for gamers: NVIDIA Shield Pro
- Best all-in-one streaming device: Roku Streambar SE
- Best smart TV for streaming: Amazon Fire TV Omni Series
Best overall streaming device
Amazon Fire TV 4K Max
Amazon has a wide selection of streaming devices available under the Fire TV name with prices ranging from $30 to over $100. For most people, I recommend the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Not only does it offer 4K streaming capabilities, but it is future-proof and feature-packed.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max has 2GB of memory and 16GB of storage, which is double the storage of the standard Fire TV Stick 4K. It utilizes Wi-Fi 6E to connect to the internet, which means you’ll get a stronger, more reliable connection. It comes with the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced, which means it has backlit buttons and a remote finder feature.
In terms of the software, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a go-to choice because, in addition to the standard set of features that Amazon includes, this device also offers Live View Picture-in-Picture and has the Fire TV Ambient Experience.
One of my favorite features about the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is that it offers you easy access to Alexa. With this, you’re able to not only search for your favorite content or switch streaming apps, but you can also control your smart home, order a pizza, stream music, and so much more with just a simple voice command.
If you happen to get tired of streaming your shows or a movie, you can pick up a controller and play games instead. Where the extra storage on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max shines is that it can hold extra video games. You can find games on Amazon’s Luna platform, as well as through Xbox Game Pass, and there’s a bunch of free options to check out.
When it comes to a well-rounded streaming device that is great for most people, it’s easy to recommend the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max as the top choice.
Shop for the Amazon Fire TV 4K Max here:
Best budget streaming device
Roku Express
Much like Amazon, Roku has a pretty diverse selection of streaming devices. One of its entry-level devices is the Roku Express, and for budget-conscious shoppers, it’s one of the best, inexpensive streaming devices out there.
The Roku Express does a good job of having important features while remaining affordable. Of course, at this price point, you will be missing out on some of the features that you’ll find in other streaming devices on this list, but that’s completely understandable. It doesn’t have 4K streaming, the remote can’t control your TV, and there are no voice control features.
What it does have is a seamless HD experience that is great for both new and seasoned streamers. You can access all the same apps on this Roku as you can on its higher-end models, and getting it set up takes just a few minutes. If you’re looking for a new streaming stick for a spare TV or even one to give as a gift, this is a great option.
Shop for the Roku Express here:
Best premium streaming device
Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV 4K is one of my personal favorite streaming devices and the one that I tend to use the most in my own home. While it’s not going to be right for everyone, it does a lot of things well and offers one of the best premium experiences on the market.
Much like with other Apple products, the Apple TV 4K is a well-constructed streaming device that comes packed with a ton of features. This makes it a perfect complement to other Apple devices you may have around your home. From easy access to tons of apps and games to consistent software updates, feature enhancements, and more, it is easy to justify the more substantial price tag of the Apple TV. Not only is it a streaming device, but it also doubles as a Home Hub for your HomeKit devices.
Additionally, the revamped Siri Remote is a huge upgrade over the previous model. The new features took it from one of the biggest pain points of owning an Apple TV into one of the best parts of using the device Unlike with some other brands, there are not a million options in Apple TV’s hardware lineup. There’s one Apple TV 4K model available right now, and the only thing you have to worry about is whether you want 64GB of storage or 128GB, and since the price difference is so small I would highly recommend just getting the 128GB as it also offers Ethernet.
If you have other Apple products in your home and want something that not only integrates easily with them but also streams your content seamlessly, the Apple TV 4K is a no-brainer!
Shop for the Apple TV 4K here:
Best streaming device for gamers
NVIDIA Shield Android TV Pro
While it may not look quite like the other streaming devices in this article, and may be closer in design to a gaming console, the NVIDIA Shield Android TV Pro is an incredible option for streamers to consider. While it may not be for everyone, the features that it offers make it easier to justify the small inconvenience of its uniquely large size.
The NVIDIA Shield is powered by Android TV, which means that it has a wide selection of apps and games available for download. You can use the two built-in USB ports to connect cameras, keyboards, controllers, and more, which makes it extremely versatile. It has 3GB of RAM, 16GB of on-board storage, and a Plex Media Server built right in. You can take advantage of GeForce Now Cloud Gaming to access over 1,000 game titles, with over 100 of them being available at no cost.
The NVIDIA Shield Android TV Pro has built-in Google Assistant, allowing you to control smart home devices, search the internet, find your favorite shows more easily, and more. It also has both Dolby Vision to enhance the images and Dolby Atmos to offer the best possible sound quality. The devices latest remote features backlit buttons, an IR blaster so you can control your TV, and a remote locator so you don’t have to worry about misplacing it.
If you’re looking for a well-balanced device that can both stream your favorite movies and play your favorite games, this is a great choice.
Shop for the NVIDIA Shield Android TV Pro here:
Best all-in-one smart streaming device
Roku Streambar SE
The Roku Streambar SE is a bit different from most of the other streaming devices on this list because not only is it a streaming device but it is also a soundbar for your home theater system. That’s right, the speaker has all of Roku’s smarts built in, allowing you to combine both devices into one.
Combining 4K streaming with premium audio makes for a pretty great all-in-one device for those looking to build a home theater experience without going broke. The Streambar SE offers immersive sound by using four internal speakers with Dolby Audio to fill your room. It’s not just a basic soundbar, either; it has some smart features that help ensure it delivers a loud, clear sound regardless of what you’re watching. You can also customize the sound using the built-in controls to make sure that everything sounds perfect.
Want to upgrade your TV speakers while finding a better way to stream your favorite shows and movies? If so, the Roku Streambar is a great option.
Shop for the Roku Streambar SE here:
Best smart TV for streaming
Amazon Fire TV Omni Series
In general, I prefer my streaming hardware to be separate from my TV, but the convenience of having a smart TV is hard to beat. As we’ve added some new TVs to our house over the years, I’ve bought a few of Amazon’s Fire TVs for areas like our playroom and loft, and they’ve ended up working out well.
The Fire TV Omni Series is one of Amazon’s higher-end TV models with Fire TV built-in. It’s the more premium brand in its lineup but still doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It comes in a few different sizes, ranging from 43 inches up to 75 inches, with prices starting at under $400.
It’s a 4K TV that has HDR 10, Dolby Digital Plus, 3 HDMI ports, and more. The bezels are super thin, which helps give a high-end appearance to the TV, and the hands-free Alexa is sure to impress your friends and family.
With the Fire TV Omni Series, you can connect right to the internet, download the apps you need for streaming, and you’re good to go. You don’t need anything else to get started, making it easy to set up and use. If you want something that is self-contained and requires little effort and maintenance, this TV is one you should be looking for.
Shop for the Amazon Fire TV Omni Series here:
What to consider when buying a streaming device
Price
Streaming devices have a rather large price range, and that can make it hard to decide which to get. When they’re on sale, pricing can start at around $15 and some of them are well over $100, but do you really sacrifice a ton by going with the cheap option? It depends.
In most cases, if you’re looking for a spare streaming device or something for a secondary TV, I recommend looking for something inexpensive. While the cheaper hardware may lack a feature or two, be a little less powerful, and have a few other small differences, odds are you won’t notice the difference. If it’s your main TV, it’s worth paying the extra upfront so that you’re not stuck buying a new device in a year when you’ve pushed the limits of your current one.
Streaming service compatibility
Not every streaming service has an app on every different type of streaming device. While compatibility has become more universal over the years, it’s still very important that you double check each of the services that you plan to use to ensure that they are compatible with the brand of hardware you are planning to use at home.
Some of the apps will come pre-installed on the hardware, and others will be available to download via a store on the hardware. The companion apps for streaming services are available for free to download, though other apps on the platforms may require payment.
Remote
You may think that the remote is a silly thing to worry about, but considering that’s the primary way that you’ll interact with the apps and all of your streaming content, it’s very important. Having a remote that is easy to use, works well, and gives you easy access to the features you need the most is very important.
Previous generations of the Apple TV remote bothered people to no end and both the Fire TV and Roku remotes have pre-programmed buttons dedicated to streaming services that you may not have or use. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, look at the remote and make sure it’s something you’ll be comfortable and happy using regularly.
Additional features/functionality
While the primary use of streaming devices is to consume media and watch your favorite streaming services, some of them can do more than just that. From web browsing to being able to play games, the best streaming devices can be useful in many ways. Be sure to consider any extra features that the hardware may offer, like voice control, game downloads, and more to see if they are things that you’ll use or if you’re going to end up paying extra for them and never touch them.
Frequently asked questions about streaming devices
What’s the difference between a smart TV and a streaming device?
Fundamentally, the two are very similar, but also very different. A smart TV has built-in features that allow you to connect to the internet to access content, stream media, and more. A streaming device is a standalone piece of equipment that you plug into your TV to access the content.
Not every TV is a smart TV, especially older ones. Most recent models have some type of smarts built into them, whether it’s Amazon’s Fire TV OS, Roku, LG’s webOS or something else. While you can’t just make any TV smart, you can use a streaming device with any TV, whether it’s smart or not.
Do you need an internet connection to use a streaming device?
Yes. In order to access content on a streaming device, you need an active internet connection. No content, aside from the apps, is stored locally on the hardware. When you turn on a streaming device and open an app, it connects to the service via the internet in order to access all of the content that you want to stream.
Can you download apps on streaming devices?
All of the streaming devices on this list, and most others on the market, will allow you to access some type of store to download apps. While the selection of officially supported apps will vary depending on the device, the major streaming services are available on most hardware these days.
Beyond just streaming apps, you can also download things like VPNs, web browsers, games, and more to your streaming device.
