The Best Streaming Devices So You Can Ditch Your Expensive Cable Bill

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Wi-Fi 5 | Remote: Handheld, voice support | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, Hulu, ESPN+ and more.

Best for: Watching 4K and 1080p content on your favorite streaming services.

This Roku streaming stick can serve up 4K resolution content, and supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ to make compatible movies and TV shows really shine. The included Voice Remote Control Pro uses a rechargeable battery; has a lost remote finder; and works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple’s Siri.

The voice-enabled remote means you either press buttons on the remote or use voice commands to quickly find the programming you want to watch. As with Roku’s standard voice remote, Voice Remote Pro has a headphone jack and integrated Bluetooth wireless so you can connect your choice of wired or wireless headphones for private listening instead of using the TV’s speakers. This streaming device supports Apple AirPlay so you can stream media from your Apple phone or tablet, or mirror the screen from your Apple device on your television.

Pros

• Voice-controlled remote control
• Private listening functionality
• Supports Apple AirPlay

Cons

• Lacks gaming services
• No Dolby Atmos audio

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5 | Remote: Handheld, voice support, lose remote finder | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, Hulu, ESPN+ and more.

Best for: Enjoying 4K content privately using headphones.

The Roku Ultra isn't a streaming stick, more so a streaming box. It's larger than the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, but shares the same core feature set. The extra physical space allows room for additional functionality over less expensive Roku models. For one, it has an Ethernet port at back, so you can use a cable between the device and your modem to ensure a steady and fast connection. It also adds Dolby Atmos audio support in addition to Dolby Vision and HDR10+ image technologies.

The Roku Ultra connects to your TV via an HDMI cable. This 2022 update is physically the same as the prior generation, but adds Roku’s newest Voice Remote Pro, which has a headphone jack built in so you can plug in the included (or your own) headphones for private listening. Alternatively, you can connect headphones to your phone and use the Roku app for private listening. It also has a handy remote finder feature so you’ll never have to hunt for your remote control again. As with all Roku devices, you’ll be able to access the widest breadth of streaming video services. While the Roku platform has some standalone games, it lacks support for game services.

Pros

• Supports Dolby Atmos audio
• Ethernet connection for speedy connections
• Remote has headphone jack and lost remote function

Cons

• No game streaming
• Remote lacks USB-C charging

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Wi-Fi 6 | Remote: Handheld, voice support | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Amazon Music, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Luna game streaming, and more.

Best for: Streaming your favorite 4K movies and shows over fast Wi-Fi 6.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max improves upon the less expensive Fire TV Stick 4K by adding speedy Wi-Fi 6 wireless. As the latest Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 6 allows for a faster and more reliable wireless connection when streaming content from the internet. However, you only see that speed boost if you’re using a router equipped with Wi-Fi 6.

Beyond being able to showcase 4K resolution content, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max can display programming that uses Dolby Vision and HDR10+ High Dynamic Range image technologies and immersive Dolby Atmos audio when available on Netflix, Disney+ or Prime Video titles. The remote control that comes with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max can be controlled using Amazon’s Alexa voice commands. A nifty feature is picture-in-picture playback. The stick can be paired with compatible Echo speakers so you can have audio stream through those speakers instead of your television.

Pros

• Plugs into a TV using either a USB or HDMI connection
• Includes Dolby Vision and HDR10+ image and Dolby Atmos audio technologies
• Uses Wi-Fi 6 for ultra-fast wireless

Cons

• No Apple AirPlay or Google Chromecast support
• Displays advertising on the Home Screen and screensaver

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Wi-Fi 5 | Remote: Handheld, voice support | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Apple TV and more.

Best for: Streaming content from your Android phone to your TV.

The Google Chromecast with Google TV is a great device for streaming content from services like Disney+, Paramount+ and Netflix—all from within the Google TV app. The app pulls content from these services so you can search based on what you want, not the service. This approach simplifies finding TV shows, movies and live programming. You can also stream directly from your Android smartphone, if you have one, making this a great tool for showing family photos and videos to friends.

Although 4K is not part of its name, this model—the only one currently sold by Google—streams at up to 4K resolution. Interact with Chromecast using the included voice remote control and Google Assistant voice commands. It is also compatible with other apps and devices in the Google ecosystem. For example, you can see the live video feeds from these devices right on your TV Google’s Nest Video Doorbell and Nest Outdoor Cams. You can also display your photos and videos from your Android-based smartphone or tablet on TV with a few taps on your mobile device.

Pros

• Works seamlessly with YouTubeTV to access popular broadcast channels and live programming (subscription required)
• Voice remote uses Google Assistant
• Finding and accessing programming is very easy

Cons

• Free Google account required to use it
• Not compatible with all TVs

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Wi-Fi 6 | Remote: Handheld, voice support | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, Apple Fitness+, ITV, All4 and more.

Best for: Apple TV users streaming their favorite content, and linking up with their iPhone.

The Apple TV 4K stands out for its integration with all things Apple. This becomes obvious immediately: If you already use the Apple TV+ app on a mobile device or computer, the Apple TV+ experience on Apple TV 4K looks and feels familiar, unlike on non-Apple devices. Beyond gaining a smoother Apple TV+ experience, the Apple TV 4K has an edge if you already have a home filled with Apple products. The Apple TV 4K works smoothly with other Apple devices—including Apple HomePod Mini smart speakers, Apple HomeKit products and the Apple iPhone Control mobile app. For example, you can easily stream or mirror content from your other Apple devices—including photos and videos—onto your TV using Apple AirPlay, or output TV audio to you HomePod speakers.

This 4K streaming set-top box supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 image and Dolby Atmos audio technologies. The remote includes an Apple Siri button for voice commands. In addition to offering the most popular streaming services, Apple TV 4K provides a range of exclusive content from Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music and Apple Arcade.

Pros

• Seamless integration with the AppleTV+ service
• Works well with Apple ecosystem
• Supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision image and Dolby Atmos audio technologies

Cons

• More expensive than many other streaming devices
• Not ideal for non-Apple users

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Wi-Fi 5 | Remote: Handheld, voice support | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, Apple Fitness+, ITV, All4 and more.

Best for: Streaming 4K content on a budget.

The Amazon Fire TV 4K streaming stick is one of the best deals available for a 4K Ultra HD resolution streaming device. It lacks the faster Wi-Fi 6 of the Fire TV 4K Max, but it does include a remote control with Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant built-in. Like the Max, the remote control includes TV controls and shortcut buttons for Prime Video, Netflix, Disney + and Hulu. It also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ image and Dolby Atmos audio technologies when watching compatible content.

This version of the Amazon Fire TV 4K plugs directly into the HDMI port of your TV. Unlike the pricier Fire TV 4K Max, this model lacks support for picture-in-picture playback.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ image and Dolby Atmos audio technologies
• Great “starter” device for transforming a TV into a smart TV

Cons

• No Wi-Fi 6 support
• No picture-in-picture support

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Wi-Fi 5 | Remote: Handheld, voice support | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, Hulu, ESPN+ and more.

Best for: Enjoying your favorite content in 4K and 1080p on a tight budget.

The Roku Express 4K+ is the best budget-friendly choice if you want the functionality that Roku is known for, combined with support for 4K HDR10+ programming. The device comes with the Roku Voice Remote, so you can control it and find programming using voice commands. If you want to listen to your favorite shows via headphones, simple download the Roku app and connect your headphones to your phone.

Like the other Roku devices in this roundup, this streamer works with Apple Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice assistants. You’re also able to stream content from your computer or mobile device to your TV via Bluetooth or Apple AirPlay. When it comes to programming, you get unlimited access to The Roku Channel, plus hundreds of streaming services, streaming channels, or streaming TV networks (some of which require a paid subscription)—same as you would with Roku’s pricier options.

Pros

• Low cost
• Works with all popular streaming services
• Control device with Roku mobile app

Cons

• Lacks Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
• Slower Wi-Fi speeds

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Wi-Fi 5 | Remote: Handheld, voice support | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, GeForce NOW, VUDU, Amazon Music and more.

Best for: Streaming games and movies with the lowest possible latency.

The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is more than just a run-of-the-mill video streaming device. It's also a powerful game streaming device. The Shield can install games from the Google Play Store, or you can stream games remotely from your own local network gaming PC if it’s equipped with a compatible Nvidia GTX or RTX graphics card. It is also unique in that it supports Nvidia's GeForce Now game streaming service to play some of the world's most popular AAA and independent games—no gaming PC required. The Shield TV Pro has two USB ports and Bluetooth, and it fully supports popular gamepads and controllers, leaving the choice of what to use up to you.

Outside of gaming, the Shield TV Pro offers full support for 4K movies and TV shows using HDR10 and Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range image technologies, and Dolby Atmos audio. Nvidia's impressive AI upscaling can make standard 720p and 1080p HD content look much closer to 4K than traditional sharpening features. The Shield TV Pro has built-in voice control using Google Assistant, and it connects to both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Pro

• Play games on your TV via the GeForce NOW streaming service
• Excellent 4K resolution upscaling from 720p or 1080p programming
• Supports Dolby Vision image technologies and Chromecast casting

Con

• More expensive than average streamer
• Does not include a game controller

Resolution support: 4K, 1080p | Networking: Wi-Fi 5 | Remote: Handheld, voice support | Streaming options: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV+ and more.

Best for: Enjoying movies and TV with high-quality sound in a compact, all-in-one device.

If you have a 4K TV that’s not yet a smart TV—and it also needs better sound—you can fix these two issues at once with the Roku Streambar Pro. This awesome sounding soundbar also has the Roku 4K streaming platform built-in, so you don’t need a separate streaming device. The soundbar supports Dolby Audio via its four 2.5-inch full-range drivers, so it’ll nicely fill a room with sound. If you want to supplement the bass, Roku sells a subwoofer separately. To take your sound fully immersive and experience 5.1-channel surround sound, add both the subwoofer and a pair of Roku’s wireless speakers to the Streambar Pro.

The vast range of streaming services is the same as that found in dedicated Roku streamers. This model lags a bit in its codec support, though; it supports 4K HDR10, but not HDR10+ or Dolby Vision.

The device comes with a variant of the Roku Voice Remote, distinguished by the inclusion of handy personal shortcuts. The Streambar Pro connects to your TV via HDMI and an optical digital audio cable. To turn the soundbar into the center audio of a 5.1-channel surround sound system, If you want to stream music or video from an Apple device, you can do so using AirPlay 2.

Pros

• Add terrific surround sound to most any TV
• Includes full Roku streaming capabilities
• Voice remote with personal shortcuts

Cons

• Lacks Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support