Own a “dumb” TV and want to make it smart? As long as your set has HDMI inputs, all you need to do is purchase a streaming device. There are several companies that make these fantastic gadgets, and one of our favorites is Roku. And as it stands, two of the best Roku streaming devices are marked down on Amazon: the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and the Roku Express.
First and foremost, this is 4K hardware, so those with a 4K TV to hook this up to will be best served. Fortunately, even if you’re stuck with a 1080p set, the Streaming Stick 4K will simply downscale its video to match your display.
We’re glad to report that this is one of Roku’s plug-and-play models too, with the HDMI connection built right into the dongle. The only other plug you’ll need to worry about is power. Once paired to your Wi-Fi network, the Roku fun can really begin! Stream movies and TV shows from noteworthy platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu; and enjoy upwards of 350 free live TV channels through the Roku Channel.
The Streaming Stick 4K delivers top-notch picture, and is particularly great for watching HDR content. The device supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which covers a vast majority of HDR titles. You’ll also be able to control certain Roku functions using smart assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
Roku Express — $19, was $30
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends / Digital Trends
The Roku Express is one of the least expensive streaming devices on the market, and right now, you can buy it on Amazon for even less! Consider this an entry-level Roku device, but with access to each and every app and Roku exclusive you’ll get with the company’s higher-priced hardware. That’s nice and all, but what are you losing?
Resolution, for one: The Roku Express is capped at 1080p HD, so no 4K movies and shows. This also means you can say goodbye to HDR support. That being said, if you’re looking to score a reliable streaming device for the absolute-best price, Amazon’s markdown is quite the aggressive deal.
If you’d prefer to invest in a smart TV instead, we have a whole list of great TV deals for you to peruse. We even have separate roundups for the best Walmart deals and Best Buy deals!
The best streaming device you can buy is $40 off at Verizon
Apple TV 4K has a bare minimum of cables and ports — just as you'd expect from Apple. Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
It's rare that we see any sort of major discounts on Apple TV 4K, let alone one this big. So if you're in the market for what we consider to be the best streaming device you can buy — yes, even if you're not a huge Apple fan — then you'll definitely want to check out the Apple TV 4K at Verizon, which is currently on sale for $89. That's $40 off its regular price, or about 37% less than what you'd normally pay.
Save $400 on this Samsung 65-inch QLED TV at Best Buy
If you want to buy from QLED TV deals but you want to spend less than $1,000, we've found an offer from Best Buy that will surely catch your attention. The 65-inch Samsung Q70D QLED 4K TV, originally priced at $1,300, is down to only $900 for savings of $400. We're not sure how much time is remaining before this bargain ends though, so if you want to take advantage of it, you're going to have to proceed with the purchase immediately. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of missing out.
Why you should buy the 65-inch Samsung Q70D QLED 4K TV
The 65-inch Samsung Q70D QLED 4K TV is a welcome addition to any living room, as its large screen offers 4K Ultra HD resolution for sharp details, with the brand's Quantum Processor 4K upscaling all content to 4K quality. The QLED TV grants access to all of the popular streaming services through Samsung's Tizen operating system, which will also allow you to launch a wide variety of apps. The Samsung Q70D QLED 4K TV also comes with the Samsung Gaming Hub, which brings together various cloud gaming services so that you can play all the top titles even without a console.
NAD updates its C 700 streamer with surround sound and a phono input
NAD's new C 700 V2 Streaming Amplifier takes the company's existing concept of an amplified network music sreamer and makes it more accurate and more versatile. An upgraded DAC, Dolby Digital compatibility, surround sound capability, and a new phono input have been added. These extras come with a bit of a price bump too: the C 700 V2 will be available in late August for $1,599 -- $100 more than the V1 model.
At the heart of the C 700 V 2 is a new ESS Sabre ES9028 DAC. When the V1 model launched, many observers noted that it came equipped with the lower-grade ES9010 DAC, as compared to NAD's flagship streaming amplifier, the M1. Now, with the ES9028 chip, the two streamers have reached parity, at least as far as their decoding capability is concerned. Unchanged in the V2 is NAD's HybridDigital UcD integrated amplifier technology.
