Top 4 compared
The best streaming devices
Netflix, Crave, YouTube and free live channels on any TV with an HDMI port, all under one remote.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. How this works
The top 4 at a glance
A streaming stick or box plugs into the TV’s HDMI port and puts the streaming apps on one home screen, which makes it the easiest upgrade for an older TV. Roku shows a plain grid of the apps you pick, Fire TV answers to Alexa, and Google TV suggests shows from the services you use. A stick hides behind the set, while a box sits on the shelf.
Every one here plugs into a wall outlet with the adapter in the box and comes with a voice remote that also turns the TV on and off and sets its volume. Dolby Atmos sound only matters with a soundbar or receiver that plays it, and the newest Wi-Fi needs a router to match before it helps.
What matters
- 4K, with the HDR format your TV supports.
- A wired Ethernet port, if the router is rooms away.
- AirPlay for iPhones, Google Cast or mirroring for Android.
#1Roku Streaming Stick 4K with Voice Remote (3820CA2)
$30–$50
- 4K with Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- Long-range Wi-Fi receiver
- Casts from iPhone and Android
A long-range Wi-Fi receiver built into the power cable reaches a TV a few rooms from the router, and the picture comes in 4K with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. AirPlay sends photos and videos from an iPhone or Mac, and an Android phone can mirror its screen, so a home with both kinds of phone is covered.
What owners say: Owners say setup and everyday use are simple, and they enjoy its range of channels. The remote, the app selection, the connection and its responsiveness get mixed reports.
A closer look: Use the USB cable and the adapter that come in the box: the long-range Wi-Fi receiver is built into that cable, so a spare one loses the extra reach. Roku’s free phone app can stand in for the remote, and the voice remote’s own buttons turn the TV on and off and set its volume.
Best for: Long Wi-Fi reach
- Max resolution
- 4K
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 5, long-range receiver
- Ethernet
- No
- From a phone
- AirPlay, Android mirroring
- Smart-home systems
- Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home
#2Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
$30–$50
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Dolby Atmos sound
- Xbox cloud gaming
Amazon’s 4K stick answers to Alexa: press the button on the remote to find a show, check the weather or dim compatible smart lights. Wi-Fi 6 helps keep 4K streams smooth when other devices share the router, Amazon says, and the picture supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ with Dolby Atmos sound.
What owners say: Setup and day-to-day use are a breeze by its owners’ reckoning, and the speed and smoothness of its streaming win praise. Which channels and apps are on offer, and the remote, divide them.
A closer look: Preset buttons on the remote jump straight to the big streaming apps, and its power and volume keys run the TV, a soundbar or a receiver over infrared. Xbox Game Pass games stream to it too, with the subscription and a compatible controller sold separately.
Best for: Alexa homes
- Max resolution
- 4K
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Ethernet
- No
- From a phone
- Android mirroring, no AirPlay
- Smart-home systems
- Alexa
#3Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
$50–$75
- Wi-Fi 6E support
- 16GB of app storage
- Dolby Atmos sound
Wi-Fi 6E on the 6 GHz band keeps a 4K stream steady in a house full of connected devices, as long as the router is Wi-Fi 6E too. A 2.0 GHz quad-core processor and 16GB of storage leave room for more apps, games and downloads, and Alexa is built into the remote.
What owners say: Owners are struck by its speed and by how crisp the 4K picture looks, and they found setup easy. Opinions differ on the remote, on compatibility and on the connection.
A closer look: When nobody’s watching, the Ambient Experience turns the screen into a frame for art and photography from a collection of more than 2,000 pieces. The Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced adds a recent-apps button and channel buttons for flicking through live TV, along with power and volume keys for the TV.
Best for: Live TV channel buttons
- Max resolution
- 4K
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Ethernet
- No
- From a phone
- Android mirroring, no AirPlay
- Smart-home systems
- Alexa
#4Google TV Streamer (4K), Porcelain
$150–$200
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Google Home hub built in
- Finds a lost remote
- No HDMI cable in the box
A box for the TV shelf, Google’s replacement for its Chromecast, with a gigabit Ethernet port for a wired connection, 32GB of storage and 4K with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos. Google Cast sends shows and photos from a phone or tablet, and it doubles as a Google Home hub for Matter and Thread smart-home devices.
What owners say: Quick, simple to get going and easier to use than other streamers, say owners. Reliability, the price, the software, picture quality and connectivity split their verdicts.
A closer look: No HDMI cable comes in the box, and Google says it needs a certified HDMI 2.1 cable, so buy one along with it. Setup runs through the Google Home app on a phone, and when the remote goes missing, a button on the streamer makes it ring.
Best for: Wired internet
- Max resolution
- 4K
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 5, dual-band
- Ethernet
- Gigabit
- From a phone
- Google Cast, no AirPlay
- Smart-home systems
- Google Home (built-in hub)
Side by side
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 4.
| Feature | #1Roku Streaming Stick 4K | #2Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | #3Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max | #4Google TV Streamer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Price | $30–$50 | $30–$50 | $50–$75 | $150–$200 |
| Max resolution | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5, long-range receiver | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 5, dual-band |
| Ethernet | No | No | No | Gigabit |
| From a phone | AirPlay, Android mirroring | Android mirroring, no AirPlay | Android mirroring, no AirPlay | Google Cast, no AirPlay |
| Smart-home systems | Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home | Alexa | Alexa | Google Home (built-in hub) |
| Best for | Long Wi-Fi reach | Alexa homes | Live TV channel buttons | Wired internet |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Tell usBack to top
