Though most smart TVs come equipped with a host of built-in apps for streaming, having a dedicated streaming device is a great way to improve your setup. This is especially useful for folks who have older smart TVs that aren't fully compatible with all streaming platforms. Additionally, individual devices provide all sorts of hardware improvements, like Dolby Atmos compatibility, swifter navigation speeds and 4K HDR streaming. At the same time, each streaming platform has its own distinct interface.
We've spent hours reviewing and testing every streaming device and major smart TV system available today so we can help you figure out the best streaming device that'll work for you. We've gone through every device in Roku's extensive lineup, checked out Google's latest offerings, tested all of Amazon's Fire TV Sticks and pored over Apple's most recent update to the Apple TV 4K so that we can give you informed and unbiased advice.
Read on as we break down the best streaming devices available now.
Read more: Best Streaming Service of 2024
We prefer Roku's content-agnostic approach, ease of use, large app library and excellent search functionality over those from other companies. We've found that the Roku Express 4K Plus is usually the cheapest Roku that offers 4K HDR streaming, and is therefore the best streaming device to buy. The Express 4K Plus lacks Dolby Vision support, but we've found that this usually isn't a deal-breaker, as Dolby Vision only works on TVs that also support it. Additionally, we don't think that Dolby Vision looks any better than regular HDR and isn't generally worth extra money.
That said, there are times during the year when the Roku Express 4K Plus is not our top pick. This occurs when the Streaming Stick 4K is on sale and is cheaper than the Express 4K Plus. The Streaming Stick 4K offers all the same functionality of the Express 4K Plus, but includes Dolby Vision support -- which is why it's typically more expensive. We don't think this addition is worth the premium price, but it certainly shouldn't prevent you from grabbing the Streaming Stick 4K if it's the cheaper of the two.
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 Express 4K Plus, and is ostensibly why the Streaming Stick 4K is more expensive than its sibling. While we think the Streaming Stick 4K is a great device, we're just not sold on the Dolby Vision upgrade -- mostly because we generally don't think that it provides a major image quality upgrade over standard HDR. But if Dolby Vision is important to you, this device will not disappoint.
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$53 at Best Buy $53 at Best Buy
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.
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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.
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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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 built-in with more 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. For example, Spectrum users who have an LG smart TV will not be able to find the Spectrum app through LG's platform. Instead, they'll need to pick up a Roku, Apple TV or Google Chromecast in order to stream their cable package. 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, as you'll see below, there are some exceptions.
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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. Once again, the Spectrum TV app proves illustrative. It is available on most platforms, but is not on any Amazon Fire TV device. 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.
Show moreThroughout most social media platforms, you can click a button and start sharing a live broadcast. On top of that, there are also a number of other platforms created specifically for live streaming. But why is live video such a big deal? Live video streaming is one of the most powerful ways to reach and interact with your audience. Here are 5 reasons why live streaming is so important for your business and personal brand. If you haven’t started yet, you should!
Live streaming is the evolution of live TV. The reasons why live TV made such a big impact was because it brought viewers up-to-date, informative and accessible content. Though it’s still popular, since online streaming, TV subscriptions have been in decline.
Its decline can be attributed to the growth of streaming and specifically to a shift in viewers’ behavior. The online video industry showed viewers that they should be in control to watch what they want when they want it.
While on TV, the content and accessibility are limited, on online streaming there is endless content accessible for free and with mobile devices. Even though viewers still have the time constraint on live streaming, it’s more flexible than on TV. They can watch on their phones and, most of the times, they can also watch the recording of the live video later.
One of the main reasons why live streaming is so important, for brands and individuals, is because of the level of interaction and engagement it offers. No other platform or marketing strategy allows for such level of interaction. Live streaming also has the highest rate of engagement of all content types.
On a live stream on Facebook, for example, viewers can post their comments and it shows up live, automatically. There is an opportunity for other viewers to interact with that person and for the presenter to interact as well. This instant gratification creates a deep connection between the viewers and the presenter. It also drives more viewers to engage with your content, in the hopes of reaching you.
The real-time interaction brings your audience closer to you and opens a great communication channel. You can ask them questions to get to know them better and they can do the same. What’s more, when they interact with each other, it creates a sense of community and they will associate you with it.
The genuine interaction that live streaming allows, creates a relationship with viewers. Videos on demand simply can’t create the same feeling because there’s less room for viewers to identify with the presenters.
The fact that a live stream is actually live, brings a human element to it. Anything can go wrong, at any time. If presenters make a mistake, stutter or laugh about something, viewers see the authenticity and identify with them. Unlike Live TV News, where anchors seem stiff and emotionless. Why do you think people love to see them make mistakes on live TV? It humanizes them and it’s relatable.
Being relatable is extremely important for any content creator. Though it might be more challenging for brands because they need to show their human side without being “human”. The personality of a brand needs to be in tune with its customers.
When you think “why live streaming?”, try thinking “why NOT live streaming?”
One of the reasons why live streaming can help you reach more people is because platforms will favor live content. For example, if you go live on Facebook, the chance of your followers seeing it on their newsfeed is higher than if you share an image or a video on demand. YouTube will also favor live video on its searches, as will many other platforms.
With increased exposure, you can generate more leads for your business or get more followers for your personal brand. Within social media, it’s also easier to get people to find and share live videos. Since it requires immediate action, they’ll need to share your content right away so their friends can also see it.
Another reason why live streaming is great to grow your audience is its cost-effectiveness. In the marketing world, there are many effective ways to reach people, but most require large investments. In comparison, live streaming can be created on a shoestring budget and still bring great results.
Online streaming is one of the fastest growing industries. In fact, the video streaming market is worth more than 30 billion dollars. It’s expected to be worth more than 70 billion dollars by 2021.
More importantly, live video streaming is outgrowing video on demand. The year over year growth of live video is 113%, while long videos on demand have grown 30% and short formats have grown only 9%.
Source: Neil Patel
Another proof of the growth of live videos is the changes happening in all the social media platforms. Apart from the platforms created for live streaming, most social media channels now also facilitate live video. For example, Facebook live, YouTube live, Instagram, Periscope from Twitter, Live.ly from Music.ly and many more. Live videos are here to stay and they are taking over.
What’s more exciting about the live video format is its audience. Since live video is out there, on most platforms, people of all ages are watching and creating live streams.
Source: Statista
If you prefer watching videos, check out this one and other on our YouTube Channel:
Live streaming is one of the fastest growing industries out there because it’ helps you reach a much broader audience with relatively low investment. When you interact with your viewers on a personal level, you create an authentic connection with them. You won’t be able to create this kind of relationship with your viewers through any other content. This is why live streaming is so important.
Live streams are the best way to grow your audience and get them engaged. But, let’s face it, always creating new content can be exhausting. Since consistency is key to your online success, as an individual or a brand, you need to keep creating content… (Continue reading)
Live streams are now, mainstream. Live video has grown faster than most mediums, because it establishes a real-time connection and facilitates a conversation between the streamer and the audience. Nowadays, most social media platforms and video platforms allow you to stream live video. But, between the 2 major platforms, YouTube and Facebook… (Continue reading)