Google Chromecast vs. Chromecast Ultra: What's the Difference?

At $69, Google's new Chromecast Ultra costs nearly twice as much as the regular Chromecast ($47.99 at Walmart) , a PCMag Editors' Choice for its price and features. We'll know whether the Chromecast Ultra is a worthy upgrade when we get it in the lab for testing, but until then here are the main distinctions we can identify.

The Big Difference: 4K
Ultra high definition (UHD or 4K) video is the main feature that bumps the Chromecast Ultra above the regular Chromecast. Chromecast Ultra can output streaming video at 3,840 by 2,160, while the regular Chromecast is limited to 1,920 by 1,080. That's four times as many pixels and the new standard for the latest original shows on Netflix and Hulu.

Besides just the higher resolution, the Chromecast Ultra also supports high dynamic range (HDR) video. HDR video not only has more pixels than standard 1080p video, but each pixel can cover a wider and more granular range of color and light output. If you have a television that can handle it (and that's not all 4K TVs), it looks stunning.

Ethernet Alternative
The Chromecast Ultra includes an Ethernet adapter, so you can plug the device directly into your router or modem for the strongest, fastest network connection. Streaming video is pretty reliable over Wi-Fi if you have a good router, but a wired connection ensures even more speed and reliability, and that can be the key between whether Netflix actually sends a 4K HDR signal to your television or whether it throttles down to 1080p because it thinks that's all your network can handle.

More Power
According to Google, Chromecast Ultra is simply faster than the Chromecast. The distinction is "ultra fast load times" compared with "fast load times." Whether there actually is a noticeable difference is a question we can't answer until we test the new device.

Should You Upgrade?
If you don't have a 4K television, the answer is an unequivocal no. If you do have a 4K TV, especially one that supports HDR, that's a different matter entirely. On paper, the Chromecast Ultra is more powerful and supports better video quality, but it costs twice as much as the Chromecast, putting it solidly in reach of non-budget streaming media devices like the 4K-capable Roku Premiere. We'll have a final verdict when we get the Chromecast Ultra in and put it through its paces in the lab.