Top 5 compared
The best streaming devices
Netflix, iPlayer and the rest on the big screen under one remote, even on an older TV.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. How this works
The top 5 at a glance
A streaming stick plugs into the TV’s HDMI port and gives it an up-to-date menu of apps, so a set with old or missing apps works like a new smart TV. Most hide behind the TV; a streaming box sits on the shelf instead. Each brand has its own menu: some lead with their own shows, others keep a plain grid of your apps.
The picture only goes as far as the TV allows: a 4K stick on an HD set still shows HD, and Dolby Vision needs a TV that supports it. Dolby Atmos sound needs a soundbar that plays it. The apps are free to add, but Netflix and the like still need their own subscriptions.
What matters
- For a 4K TV, 4K with the HDR format it shows.
- Wi-Fi 6 or newer where many devices share the router.
- An Ethernet port or adapter where Wi-Fi struggles.
- A remote that also runs the TV’s power and volume.
#1Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
£75–£100
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ picture on a 4K stick, with Wi-Fi 6 that keeps it smooth when the whole house is online. The Alexa button on the remote searches every app at once, and the Xbox app streams games with no console.
What owners say: Owners say it works straight out of the box, with brilliant picture quality, quick menus and an easy set-up. The remote divides them: some find it great, others report it stopped working.
A closer look: Saying “Alexa” from across the room works only through a linked Echo speaker; otherwise press the button on the remote and speak. Wired internet needs Amazon’s Ethernet adapter, bought separately. The Xbox app runs games from Game Pass Ultimate over the internet, which needs its own subscription.
- Alexa searches every app
- Xbox app for cloud gaming
Best for: Alexa voice search on a 4K TV
- Max resolution
- 4K at 60fps
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Remote
- Voice, TV power and volume
- Wired internet
- Adapter, sold separately
#2Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd generation)
£75–£100
The quickest of Amazon’s sticks, with Wi-Fi 6E for a busy home network and 16GB of storage for apps and games. When the TV is idle it can show art and photos, and its remote adds channel buttons for live TV.
What owners say: Owners say it was up and running within minutes and praise its speed and its picture and sound. Opinions split on the remote and the connection, which drops out for some.
A closer look: Wi-Fi 6E only helps with a router that has a 6GHz band; with an older router it streams over ordinary Wi-Fi like any other stick. The Recents button on its remote jumps back to the apps and channels you were last watching.
- 16GB storage for apps
- Art and photos when idle
- Live TV channel buttons
Best for: Wi-Fi 6E routers and gaming
- Max resolution
- 4K at 60fps
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Remote
- Voice, TV power, volume and channels
- Wired internet
- Adapter, sold separately
#3Roku Streaming Stick (HD, 2025)
£29.99 RRP
A simple HD stick for an older or smaller TV that runs from the TV’s own USB port, so it needs no plug socket. Roku’s home screen is a plain grid of the apps you choose; the name is Japanese for six, as it was its founder’s sixth company.
What owners say: Owners find it easy to use, even on older TVs, and like the price, the wide range of apps and a remote that runs the TV. How well it works with some TVs and apps divides them.
Heads up: It streams in HD only, up to 1080p: on a 4K TV, the 4K sticks here show the sharper picture.
A closer look: Powered from the TV’s USB port, it switches off with the set and starts again when the TV comes on. The Roku app on a phone works as a second remote and can play the sound through headphones, so someone can watch late without waking the house.
- Runs from the TV’s USB
- Plain grid of your apps
- Works with Alexa and Google
Best for: HD TVs and simple menus
- Max resolution
- 1080p HD
- HDR formats
- None
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 4, dual-band
- Remote
- Voice, TV power and volume
- Wired internet
- No
#4Google TV Streamer (4K)
£99 RRP
A streaming box rather than a stick: it sits beside the TV, has a gigabit Ethernet port for a steady wired connection, and keeps 32GB of storage for apps. Google TV sorts films and shows from all your services into one place.
What owners say: Owners find it quick, easy to set up and sharp in picture and sound. A few find it drops out now and then, and opinions split on how many apps it supports.
A closer look: Plug a network cable from the router straight into its Ethernet port and it skips Wi-Fi trouble altogether. If the remote goes missing, the Find My Remote setting makes it chime, and its customisable button can switch the TV’s input.
- Sits beside the TV
- Finds a lost remote
Best for: A wired connection to the router
- Max resolution
- 4K at 60fps
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 5
- Remote
- Voice, TV power and volume
- Wired internet
- Built in, gigabit
#5Roku Streaming Stick 4K
£49.99 RRP
Roku’s 4K stick, with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ picture and a long-range Wi-Fi receiver in its power lead for a TV a few rooms from the router. It keeps Roku’s simple home screen and works with AirPlay from an iPhone.
What owners say: Owners rate the picture and sound highly and like how quickly it runs with no buffering, saying it saves them money. Connections and app support are mixed, with drop-outs for some.
A closer look: Use the power adapter Roku puts in the box rather than the TV’s USB port. The Wi-Fi receiver sits in that cable, so let it hang free rather than tucking it behind the TV, where it picks up a clearer signal from the router.
- AirPlay from an iPhone
Best for: Bedroom TVs with weak Wi-Fi
- Max resolution
- 4K at 60fps
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 5, long-range
- Remote
- Voice, TV power and volume
- Wired internet
- No
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 5.
| Feature | #1Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | #2Fire TV Stick 4K Max | #3Roku Streaming Stick (HD) | #4Google TV Streamer | #5Roku Streaming Stick 4K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best budget | Best for wired internet | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Price | £75–£100 | £75–£100 | £29.99 RRP | £99 RRP | £49.99 RRP |
| Max resolution | 4K at 60fps | 4K at 60fps | 1080p HD | 4K at 60fps | 4K at 60fps |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | None | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 4, dual-band | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5, long-range |
| Remote | Voice, TV power and volume | Voice, TV power, volume and channels | Voice, TV power and volume | Voice, TV power and volume | Voice, TV power and volume |
| Wired internet | Adapter, sold separately | Adapter, sold separately | No | Built in, gigabit | No |
| Best for | Alexa voice search on a 4K TV | Wi-Fi 6E routers and gaming | HD TVs and simple menus | A wired connection to the router | Bedroom TVs with weak Wi-Fi |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Photos are illustrative, some computer-generated. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time. How we pick · How this works.
