There basically are two kinds of folks when it comes to smart TVs and how we use them to access all of our streaming services. There are those who just use whatever operating system is already built in, and those who prefer to plug in one of the best streaming devices available.
That's not to say there's anything wrong with the former, especially since Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV power so many smart TVs, with LG and Samsung picking up the slack with their own operating systems.
Then there are those who prefer to have a little more control and who want to use some other stick or dongle or box to stream their videos — and maybe do a good bit more. There's something to be said about treating your TV like it's a dumb display, especially if it's an older model and doesn't have all those smart things built into it. That's where all these options come in.
Going with a separate device also gets you what we consider to be the best option. That's subjective, of course, but we get paid to make tough choices. So here's what we think are the best streaming devices of 2024. Some are newer than others. Some may be replaced in the months to come. All will serve you well.
But, yes, we do have a best overall streaming device pick.
Best Streaming Devices Overview
- Apple TV 4K (2022): The simplest, cleanest experience you'll find from a streaming device.
- Nvidia Shield (2019): An excellent choice for gamers that's had great longevity.
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K: There isn't a better budget streaming device that offers a complete, smooth experience.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max: A streaming device built for Amazon integration.
- Google TV Streamer: Google's TV Streamer improves on Chromecast for the Google home.
What to consider about streaming devices
The most important distinction between the different streaming devices available (and deciding factor before purchasing) is what OS it runs. This can determine how many ads you come across while navigating the OS, what apps might be available (although at this point most of the major ones are available everywhere), and any additional features they include, like smart home assistant integration. Here's a breakdown of the options you'll find on our favorite streaming devices.
Roku
Roku’s interface is consistent across every model, whether you’re talking the top-of-the-line Roku Ultra or the entry-level Roku Express. There also is a certain look to Roku apps (which the platform calls "Channels"), and you won’t find interface differences across different apps as much as you might on other platforms.
As we’ve mentioned before, you’ll find nearly every streaming service or channel you care about represented here, and unlike certain other platforms, you won’t find any gaps, with the notable exception of iTunes, which is only available on Apple streamers.
And if you're in the mood for the top-of-the-line Roku, there's a new Roku Ultra for 2024. We have one on the way to us now, so expect a review of it soon.
Amazon
Like Roku, Amazon offers a single experience across a bevy of devices. It's got four Streaming Sticks at various prices, the Fire TV Cube, which offers the same features plus hands-free voice control, various Fire TV televisions with the operating system built-in, and third-party soundbars that also have Fire TV OS built-in.
Apple TV
As you might expect, Apple TV devices are designed to offer a seamless experience, especially when paired with other Apple products. In addition to offering a huge number of streaming apps, the Apple TV platform also supports Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and Apple Fitness+, and can even act as the master control for HomeKit devices. HomeKit-compatible security cameras, for instance, can be streamed to the Apple TV with just a few clicks.
The Apple TV app (yes, there's an app that goes by the same name as the device) is actually a curated and personalized interface for browsing content from your favorite streaming services as well as being the official home of Apple TV+, all the details of which you can find in our thorough Apple TV+ explainer. Other features include watch lists, watch next, and dedicated tabs for sports and live TV.
Apple would prefer that users buy and rent content via iTunes, so you won’t currently find an app for Google Play Movies and TV. There's a workaround: Make sure you're signed into the YouTube app, and your purchases should show up. Failing that, Google Play offers a mobile app that allows content to be streamed to an Apple TV via AirPlay — but only from an iOS device.
Android TV/Google TV (Google TV Streamer, Chromecast/Nvidia Shield)
Android TV is a little different from the other options here in that manufacturers can put their own spin on the interface, similar to what phone manufacturers do with Android.
Google has migrated Android TV over to the Google TV interface, which debuted on Chromecast with Google TV. This interface de-emphasizes individual apps in favor of a curated and personalized content recommendation layout that is arguably much more helpful when trying to find something to watch.
Chromecast
RIP Chromecast, which was replaced by the Google TV Streamer. Until the debut of the Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast ran entirely on the magical power of casting — i.e., beaming content from one device wirelessly to your TV. Everything about the Chromecast was controlled via your casting device — including app search, content playback, and even private listening modes — whether that was an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet, a Windows PC, or a Mac.
But the Chromecast with Google TV changed that script, bringing in a handy remote control and on-screen interface, putting it on much more of an even playing field with its competitors. However, with the launch of Google's latest device in August 2024, the Google TV Streamer, its existing Chromecast devices will be no more, so get them while you can.
The best overall streaming device
Apple TV 4K (late 2022)
- Lightning quick navigation
- Gorgeous Audio and Video output
- Feature-packed
- Extremely Powerful
- Intuitive, uncluttered interface
- Several features exclusive to Apple users
It might be a couple of years old, but Apple TV 4K still has the simplest, most consistent experience you can get, with a relatively open-ended shelf life. Those in the Apple ecosystem can make use of some of the extra features, but it's not just for those with iPhones and iPads. In the world of $50 streaming sticks that absolutely can get the job done and get it done fairly well, it's perhaps a little hard to recommend something that costs three or four or five times as much. And to be clear, Apple TV 4K doesn't do three or four or five times as much as its competitors. In fact, you can make the argument that it actually does a little less. More on that in a second. But what it does do, it tends to do better — and with fewer headaches.
What you get for that extra money is hardware that should darn near last forever. (Just ask anyone who's still happily using the original Apple TV 4K, released in 2017.)
It's powered by the A15 Bionic processor, there's support for HDR 10+ (important for Samsung TV owners as Samsung doesn't support Dolby Vision), has Ethernet connectivity (of the super-fast Gigabit variety), as well as support for Thread and Matter, and will likely continue to be supported for years. The fourth-generation Apple TV, released in 2015, is still supported on tvOS. So there's plenty of reason to believe that an Apple TV 4K purchased today should be supported at least five years.
Apple's tvOS is simple. The home screen is app icons, and that's it. No real recommendations of shows or movies or live channels. No advertising. Nothing that overwhelms. Those who are all-in with Apple's ecosystem also will get the added bonus of things like AirPlay 2 and HomeKit — as well as ridiculously slick integration of using your iPhone or iPad for the on-screen keyboard.
Apple TV 4K isn't inexpensive, but it's still the best.
Is an update coming soon? This model is nearly two years old going into late 2024, and it wouldn't surprise us to see a new one in the coming year (here are a few things we'd like to see in an update). But the late-2022 model will remain supported for years. If you want one now, buy one now.
The best budget streaming device
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- All the features you want
- Roku's advertising scheme means tracking
Roku is the grandfather of streaming, back before it really became a thing. It remains as easy to use as ever, with "Channels" taking the place of apps. One Roku device works exactly the same as the next. It's just a matter of what specs and features you get at what price.
The Streaming Stick 4K gets you 4K UHD resolution, support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and improved Wi-Fi over previous models. It does come with a basic remote that forgoes extra features like voice control, but if you really want the extra functionality, the Roku Voice Remote Pro can be purchased separately. Or take a look at the beefier Roku Ultra instead.
Roku's operating system gets pretty regular updates, which usually brings some new features, interface updates, and access to new content. It's easy to update your Roku when needed.
Roku has really started to stand out in the past couple of years with its inclusion of free shows and movies on its own distribution source, the aptly named The Roku Channel. The series and movies are all supported by advertising. There's a lot of old content that you'll recognize, as well as new original content.
Advertising-based content means more tracking, however, and that's just something you have to keep in mind when it comes to Roku. But it's hard to argue against the value proposition of the Streaming Stick 4K.
Is a new one coming in 2024? Given that the current model was released in September 2021, it wouldn't surprise us in the slightest to see a new model in 2024. The only question is when.
The next-best streaming device
Nvidia Shield (2019)
- Great for game streaming
- Good variety of apps
- Excellent AI upscaling
- Doesn't come with a game controller
- No included HDMI cable
The best streaming device that's not Apple, plus a great option for gamers, the Shield (also often referred to as "Shield TV") has a history dating back to 2015. That ancient hardware, running Nvidia's Tegra X1 processor, was overpowered for the time and keeps that original box running just fine today.
The most recent Shield, released in 2019, comes in two flavors. Both add Dolby Vision into the mix, in addition to Dolby Atmos decoding. The non-Pro model comes in a cylindrical body for some reason. The Pro has more RAM and doubles the onboard storage to 16GB (both models still allow for external storage) and is meant for gaming via Nvidia's G-Force Now system. And the Tegra X1+ processor is as good now as it was at release. Additionally, Nvidia does a great job at ensuring even more longevity to its devices with frequent updates that bring additional features and capabilities to the box.
Is a new one coming in 2024? Frankly, we have no idea. It's amazing that Shield is still available, and even more amazing that it's still as good as it is. That's a testament to the hardware.
Also great, but for those who don't want Roku
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
- Same great Fire TV experience
- Double the storage
- Improved processor
- Faster Wi-Fi
- Price is right
- Doesn't include the best Alexa remote
- Waiting on some new AI features
- Laggy interactions
If Roku just isn't your thing or you prefer the native Amazon and Alexa experience, a Fire TV stick might be the one for you. The original Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has been a great buy for a couple of years now. The Max has newer, faster internals, Wi-Fi 6E, and continued support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It ships with the latest Alexa Voice Remote, which doesn't include hands-free voice access, but does have proper television controls.
What it doesn't change is the same great experience you'll get with Amazon Fire TV OS. While the home screen may still be a bit busy for some, that's just a testament to how much great content is available in the Amazon ecosystem. Start with Amazon Prime Video, of course, which has all the movies and series you could possibly want, as well as more than its share of great original content.
And that's all before you get to all the third-party streaming apps, games, and other options available on Amazon Fire TV. The Amazon Fire TV Stick remains an excellent choice and one that's tough to beat.
Any real complaints we have here tend to be in performance. This is still a low-cost device, and laggy graphics and load times occasionally remind us of that fact.
Is a new one coming in 2024? This version was released in the fall of 2023 and is unlikely to be updated anytime soon. But Amazon may well update the Fire TV Cube, which has different features and is more expensive.
The Chromecast replacement has some real smarts
Google TV Streamer
- Stock Google TV experience
- Faster than Chromecast
- Better remote control
- Smart home hub support
- Can't hide it behind a TV
The Google TV Streamer takes everything that was great about Chromecast with Google TV — mainly the stock experience and direct love from Google itself — fixes what needed fixing, and adds what needed to be added. It fully replaces Chromecast in the Google ecosystem.
The basic experience isn't really much different than Chromecast with Google TV. You get the same busy homescreen and all the same apps.
But new this time around is an improved remote control that's easier to hold and easier to use, with a lost-remote finder built in, so you can make it chirp when it goes missing. While the base itself can no longer be hidden behind a television, it's not meant to be because of the addition of a bunch of smart home tech.
The Google TV Streamer supports the Thread and Matter standards, which help all your smart devices talk to each other and work in a single ecosystem. And the Google TV OS has been updated so you can view cameras and adjust lights and temperature using your TV remote.
Welcome to the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are serious about how we test products here at Digital Trends. We test our streaming devices over a period of days or weeks, replicating exactly how you’d use them in real-life scenarios. That includes testing them for speed, convenience, intuitiveness, and a variety of features. Accessibility to a wide variety of apps is also crucial — after all, most TVs and Blu-ray players already are set up for basic streaming — so a designated streamer should offer something more.
But beyond that — we watch TV, too. We use these devices day after day, year after year. We live with them, just as you'll live with them.
A streamer might have the best hardware in the world, but this won’t matter if you can only watch content from one streaming service. To meet our standard, a streaming media player ideally supports all or most of the major content providers, as well as a wide variety of newer features like 4K Ultra HD and HDR. Finally, we look at how much quality and how many features you get on a dollar-by-dollar scale to ensure each of our top streamers is not only a great experience but also a great value.
4K ultra HD: While no longer the highest resolution available (that title goes to 8K), 4K UHD is the highest resolution with significant support from content creators and distributors. At around four times that of 1080p HD (3840 x 2160), it's the standard for all but the most expensive new TVs.
802.11ac Wi-Fi: Superseded by Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ac is still plenty fast — fast enough even for streaming 4K HDR content — but it's not as reliable (or as fast) as Ethernet.
Android TV: An app-centric smart TV platform powered by Google's Android software and available across smart TVs, set-top boxes, and more.
Google TV: A curated and personalized smart TV interface that runs on top of the Android TV software. We expect that Google will eventually make the Google TV experience the default for all Android TV devices.
Casting: A term popularized by Google for making content found on a mobile device or PC appear on a TV or wireless speaker.
High dynamic range (HDR): Short for high dynamic range, HDR offers better contrast, better brightness, and more colors than standard dynamic range (SDR). It's considered by many to be a more notable visual improvement than the jump from 1080p Full HD to 4K Ultra HD resolution. Not all media streamers support it, and of those that do, not every flavor of HDR is necessarily supported.
HDR10: The most widely adopted HDR format. If you buy an HDR TV, it may support other formats too, but it will always have HDR10.
Dolby Vision: A dynamic HDR format (as opposed to the static HDR10), Dolby Vision has several advantages, such as the ability to gauge your HDR TV's capabilities and tailor the HDR experience. Not all TVs or media streamers support it, however, so be sure to check the specifications before you buy.
HDR10+: A license and royalty-free dynamic HDR format that competes with Dolby Vision. It initially showed up on Samsung TVs (which do not offer Dolby Vision), however, it is now gaining traction among other TV makers like TCL and Vizio. So far, only a handful of streaming video services, like Amazon Prime Video, support HDR10+.
Dolby Atmos: A technology that allows sound designers to specify the positioning of audio in an immersive, 3D soundstage. Sounds can be placed anywhere around a room, bringing you deep inside the action on-screen. Dolby Atmos sound systems can include multi-thousand-dollar setups with installed ceiling speakers, but can also be had in a $200 soundbar that creates a virtual Atmos experience from as few as two channels. Support for this sound format varies from device to device, and not all streaming services offer Dolby Atmos content. Those that do, don't offer it on all of their TV shows and movies.
Single sign-on (SSO): A feature that allows users to use a single login to automatically sign in to all linked apps, provided they support the feature. This is supported by each of the devices we've picked here, but it requires an account through a paid TV provider.
