Finding the perfect streaming device isn’t just about accessing your favorite shows, movies and sports; it’s also about how the experience fits into your home. Whether you need lightning-fast navigation, cinematic sound with Dolby Atmos compatibility or smart home integration, there’s a device for you –- especially if your older smart TV isn’t keeping up with the latest streaming platforms.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K features the same simple interface, large app selection and impressive search function found on all Roku devices, but also offers Dolby Vision support. Along with a stick-like design, Dolby Vision HDR is the main difference between the Streaming Stick 4K and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, and is ostensibly why the Streaming Stick 4K is more expensive than its sibling. While the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is a little cheaper, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the one to get if Dolby Vision is important to you.
Pros
- Robust app and Dolby Vision support
- Simple interface
- Good search for TV and movies
Cons
- Costs $10 more than the nearly identical Roku Streaming Stick Plus
- No support for gaming services
- No smart home control
- Voice assistant remains limited
- Does not support Dolby Atmos
Like its predecessor, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) loads apps almost immediately, and navigating around the system is swift and smooth. Even better, the Max offers Wi-Fi 6E and nearly all the latest playback standards, including Dolby Vision. For people hooked into the Amazon ecosystem, the new Ambience mode can include up-to-date delivery information on your TV screen. Though it's only a little better specified than the original Max, the second gen is now officially the best Fire Stick on the market today.
Pros
- Fast loading times
- Latest playback standards offered
- Amazon ecosystem capabilities
Cons
- Only slightly improved from previous model
The Apple TV 4K starts at $129, $50 less than its previous version. It also has a faster A15 Bionic processor under the hood and an updated Siri Remote that swaps out the proprietary Lightning connector for USB-C. If those changes sound minor, that's because they are. When using the device, it's hard to see any real difference compared to last year's model.
Pros
- Cheaper starting price than previous Apple TV 4K
- Speedy performance
- Modern, A15 Bionic chip
- Robust app and format support, integration with other Apple services
Cons
- Still a lot more expensive than rival, capable streamers
- No noticeable apps or experiences to take advantage of new chip
- TV gaming on Apple Arcade remains lacking
- Ethernet is just on the priciest model
The TV Streamer is fun to use, zippy and -- unlike the Chromecast before it -- powerful enough for use in (a little) cloud gaming. If you're looking for a high-end video streamer with excellent AV support and more, then the Google TV Streamer should be high on your list.
Pros
- The Google Tv Streamer is powerful enough for gaming
- Google TV has broad app support
- The device has excellent smart home integration
Cons
- The interface is very busy
- It costs twice what most streaming sticks do
- The Apple TV 4K is even quicker
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We’ve spent hours testing every major streaming device and smart TV system on the market. From Roku and Google to Amazon Fire TV Sticks and Apple TV, we’ve dug deep to bring you the best device for your needs.
What is the best streaming device overall?
Roku's content-agnostic approach, ease of use, large app library and excellent search functionality help give its products the edge over companies' offerings. We've found that the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the best streaming device due to its enhanced HDR support and user-friendly interface. While I haven't formally reviewed the Roku Streaming Stick Plus yet, the current version is also worth a look. Watch this space.
If you want a device which offers enhanced functionality, such as cloud gaming or smart home integration, then the Google TV Streamer or Apple TV 4K have the added features and processing kick that power users need.
Best streaming devices of 2026
Pros
- Robust app and Dolby Vision support
- Simple interface
- Good search for TV and movies
Cons
- Costs $10 more than the nearly identical Roku Streaming Stick Plus
- No support for gaming services
- No smart home control
- Voice assistant remains limited
- Does not support Dolby Atmos
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K features the same simple interface, large app selection and impressive search function found on all Roku devices, but also offers Dolby Vision support. Along with a stick-like design, Dolby Vision HDR is the main difference between the Streaming Stick 4K and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, and is ostensibly why the Streaming Stick 4K is more expensive than its sibling. While the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is a little cheaper, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the one to get if Dolby Vision is important to you.
Pros
- Fast loading times
- Latest playback standards offered
- Amazon ecosystem capabilities
Cons
- Only slightly improved from previous model
Like its predecessor, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) loads apps almost immediately, and navigating around the system is swift and smooth. Even better, the Max offers Wi-Fi 6E and nearly all the latest playback standards, including Dolby Vision. For people hooked into the Amazon ecosystem, the new Ambience mode can include up-to-date delivery information on your TV screen. Though it's only a little better specified than the original Max, the second gen is now officially the best Fire Stick on the market today.
Pros
- Cheaper starting price than previous Apple TV 4K
- Speedy performance
- Modern, A15 Bionic chip
- Robust app and format support, integration with other Apple services
Cons
- Still a lot more expensive than rival, capable streamers
- No noticeable apps or experiences to take advantage of new chip
- TV gaming on Apple Arcade remains lacking
- Ethernet is just on the priciest model
The Apple TV 4K starts at $129, $50 less than its previous version. It also has a faster A15 Bionic processor under the hood and an updated Siri Remote that swaps out the proprietary Lightning connector for USB-C. If those changes sound minor, that's because they are. When using the device, it's hard to see any real difference compared to last year's model.
But it continues to be a good choice for those who want an Apple device to use Apple Arcade for gaming or take full advantage of their Apple One subscription bundles. Video purists will appreciate its flexible HDR and TV calibration feature.
For most people, however, Apple's venerable remote control streaming device just isn't worth the money, especially now that Roku has nearly all the major apps and AirPlay. If you really want Dolby Vision, you can find that on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K at a fraction of the price.
Pros
- The Google Tv Streamer is powerful enough for gaming
- Google TV has broad app support
- The device has excellent smart home integration
Cons
- The interface is very busy
- It costs twice what most streaming sticks do
- The Apple TV 4K is even quicker
The TV Streamer is fun to use, zippy and -- unlike the Chromecast before it -- powerful enough for use in (a little) cloud gaming. If you're looking for a high-end video streamer with excellent AV support and more, then the Google TV Streamer should be high on your list.
Budget
Before anything else, you'll want to consider how much you're willing to spend on a new streaming device. Higher-end devices can cost well over $100, like the Apple TV 4Kand the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. But if your budget is a little tighter, there are plenty of simpler yet still very effective streamers which are priced as low as $30.
Brand compatibility
You'll want to consider the other brands in your home's ecosystem before choosing a product. If you're already an Apple loyalist, you might opt for the Apple TV to round out your supply of iPhones and HomePods. Or, if you're already an Amazon Prime subscriber, the Fire TV Stick may be your best option. Google and Chrome junkies may prefer to keep it in the family with several Chromecast and Google options to complete their ecosystem. In any case, keeping it "in the family" may be your best bet in terms of picking your streaming device.
Use cases
Consider what exactly you'll be using your streaming device for. Are you looking for extra streaming services beyond what your TV already offers? Are you looking for a powerful device that you are also able to game on? Make sure your use cases align with the capabilities of the streaming device you choose.
Display hardware and connectivity
Ask yourself how you'll be integrating the streaming device into whatever environment you're buying for. Most devices offer both HDMI connectivity and Wi-Fi, though wireless connectivity issues may force some people to use Ethernet, for example. Consider whether you're willing to add wires to your setup to let your streaming device run as smoothly as possible.
Every streaming device we review receives hours of hands-on testing. Typically, this involves installing the device on multiple TVs, evaluating the setup process, adding popular streaming channels and using the product as if it were our own. We use all of the major features available on the platform and note how they stack up against the competition. To do this, we hook rival streaming devices to the same TV so we can switch back and forth easily to compare the experiences.
Our metrics that we look at to rate a device include: hardware design and features, remote capabilities and design, overall platform ease-of-use, effective layouts and design, search capabilities, privacy settings, the number of apps and their performance, and the overall speed and reliability of the system.
JubileeTV: JubileeTV's modus operandi is to simplify streaming TV access for aging Americans. With technology constantly advancing and an overwhelming amount of content available, older viewers can feel lost. JubileeTV provides a familiar viewing experience for seniors to enjoy their favorite programming while staying connected to family and loved ones. Learn more about the simplified streamer in our full JubileeTV review.
The Roku UItra (2024) includes a new remote but it's not an essential upgrade.
Josh Goldman/CNETRoku Ultra (2024): The Roku Ultra (2024) has seen some upgrades including a new caching system for faster loading times and a new voice remote with USB-C charging. If you already have an Ultra, then simply buy the new Voice Remote Pro 2nd Edition instead. Read CNET's full review of the Roku Ultra (2024).
Fire TV Stick 4K: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K debuted in 2018 and is still around today. While we generally think it's worth it to upgrade to the Max, the original Fire TV Stick 4K is still a good choice for those who want 4K streaming without paying for the latest bells and whistles, namely Wi-Fi 6 and blazing-fast speed.
Fire TV Stick Lite: The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is our favorite budget streaming device, besting the Roku Express. The Lite trounces the Express in features-for-the-money. This Fire TV's biggest advantage is a remote with built-in voice search and control powered by Alexa. The cheapest Roku with a voice remote is the Express Plus 4K, which uses Roku's more basic voice system, not Alexa. The Fire Stick's remote also doesn't need line of sight to work. If you want to spend as little as possible on a streaming player, learn more about the Fire TV Stick Lite in our full review.
Do streaming devices have monthly fees?
No. Streaming devices themselves do not have any monthly fees. However, channels that you can watch on the streaming devices, like Netflix, HBO Max and Hulu, do require users to pay monthly fees in order to access their content.
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Do you need a streaming device with a smart TV?
Not necessarily. Many smart TVs come with their own streaming platform where users can download popular apps like Netflix and Hulu. Samsung's smart TVs offer fairly robust options. Also, TVs now come with more built-in mainstream streaming platforms such as Roku, Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.
Problems can arise when your TV's interface lacks some of the content you need. Generally speaking, streaming-centric devices from Roku or Amazon tend to have more available apps than a streaming platform from a TV manufacturer. Of course, there can be exceptions.
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Can I get all the channels I want on any device?
Every streaming device has major streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and Amazon Prime. That said, not all services have access to every streaming channel in existence. It might be a good idea to double-check which device has the apps you'll need before making a purchase. Otherwise, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise when you find out that your device doesn't have an app for one of your favorite services.
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