The Apple TV 4K is the perfect fit for enthusiasts who want powerful performance, extra storage space, and seamless integration with the rest of Apple's ecosystem.īest for Google users: Google Chromecast - See at Walmart

The Fire TV Stick Lite only supports high definition (HD) playback rather than 4K, but it's inexpensive and comes with a handy Alexa voice remote.īest high-end: Apple TV 4K - See at Best Buy The Roku Ultra is the most comprehensive streaming device in its class, with 4K playback, support for every major HDR format, a rechargeable voice remote, and some extra perks like an Ethernet port and USB input.īest budget: Fire TV Stick Lite - See at Amazon If your TV's OS doesn't play nice with other smart devices you already own, you can pick a streaming player that supports the digital assistant you use the most to create an integrated ecosystem.īased on a combination of hands-on testing and a decade worth of experience covering home entertainment products, these are the best streaming devices you can buy for different budgets and types of users. Separate streaming players are also a perfect solution for anyone who has an old 'dumb' TV that needs some extra smarts.ĭifferent brands use different operating systems (OS) and voice search platforms, including Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri. The best streaming devices deliver access to all your favorite apps, along with speedy navigation and convenient voice search capabilities.

These compact devices connect to your display using an HDMI cable and are typically designed as set-top boxes that rest on your TV stand, or streaming sticks that hang right out of your TV's HDMI port. If you're unhappy with the platform your TV comes with and you crave snappier performance, a standalone streaming device is exactly what you need.

Though all of the best 4K TVs now have built-in access to popular streaming services, their navigation speeds, interfaces, format support, and digital assistant capabilities vary a lot between different brands.

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