Your TV is likely already smart, so why might you want a streaming stick or set-top box? Well, for one thing, a lot of TVs start getting really sluggish with their streaming interfaces after a couple of years, and a streaming stick is a cheap and easy way to breathe new life into a TV that feels old but still looks great.
Also, you might not like the smart software built into your TV, and a streaming stick is an inexpensive way to switch to your favorite interface. And for another thing, streaming sticks and even some streaming boxes are portable, so you can take them with you on trips and vacations and enjoy your style of TV watching anywhere you go. Finally, some streaming boxes are just flat-out more powerful than what’s built into your TV. So, which one should you get? Let me help you out with that.
I’m Dada Rowland, and I’ve been streaming on streaming sticks and boxes ever since it was a thing. I use them all the time, and I definitely have my favorites. But which one is best for you depends on your needs. So, let me run through which one I think might be best for you.
STREAMING STICKS
Roku Streaming Stick 4K: I’m going to start with the Roku Streaming Stick 4K. Now, you’ll see a lot of folks say this is the best streaming device. I don’t feel that way I’m actually saving the best streaming device for the end of this video, so stick around. But I will admit that this is the streaming device that makes a lot of sense to most people. The simple reason why is that it is so easy to use and understand.
Roku is a popular platform, so you get access to all the apps you could want. It puts out a 4K HDR and Dolby Vision. Its Wi-Fi reception is really, really outstanding. It easily controls your TV’s volume and power, so you don’t need another remote floating around. It’s just an outstanding streaming device for about $35. I mean, the reason why most folks are going to buy this is because it’s a real no-brainer the ease of use is what really sets this one apart.
Amazon TV Fire Stick 4K OR 4K Max: Amazon Fire Stick 4K or 4K Max. I’m going to keep this one really simple. You get the Fire TV Stick because you’re into the Amazon universe in some way. Maybe you use Alexa a lot, maybe you do a lot of music streaming with Amazon Music, or you subscribe to other streaming services through Amazon Prime Video. Whatever the case,
if you’re a heavy Amazon user, then it just makes sense to get a Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max. Now, choose the Max if you like snappier performance and better Wi-Fi reception. It’s an $11 difference, either 22 bucks or 33 bucks, your choice.
Chromecast with Google TV: Chromecast is in favor of the new Google TV streamer box, and I think that’s a mistake. The Chromecast is still a great streaming dongle, and in that word is half of why I still like it, it’s a dongle that plugs directly into your TV. No HDMI cable is required. Between that and its size, it’s also more portable. I’m also admittedly a fan of the Google TV interface. All things told, it’s my favorite smart TV platform, and when I travel, this is the device that I take with me. You can pry it from my cold, dead hands or, you know, whenever it just ages out. But it’s not there yet. For 50 bucks, this will be good for a few more years.
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BEST STREAMING BOXES
These boxes are just going to be more powerful devices, potentially with even better Wi-Fi reception. They often support Ethernet connectivity, some of them offer content upscaling, and they generally offer more handy features than their stick-shaped counterparts. Let’s just go in the same order of platforms as the stick list, at least to start.
Roku Ultra: The Roku Ultra 2024 version. This box is lightning-fast and supports Ethernet for more stable streaming, so consider it a great Plex companion. The remote is backlit—that’s a big one for me—and it’s USB-C rechargeable now, which, finally! Roku offers a great remote finder feature as well, and this model has Wi-Fi 6 support too. This box is $100, but if you’re into the ease of use that Roku offers and you’re something of a power user, this is Roku’s best piece of hardware I highly recommend it.
Amazon Fire TV Cube: Amazon Fire TV Cube, the third generation. It’s part Alexa speaker and part streamer. It’s got Wi-Fi 6 like the Roku Ultra, but what makes this device unique aside from being the most powerful Amazon Fire TV device that you can buy, is that it can control other devices in your entertainment system using infrared commands, not just HDMI-CEC control.
Google TV Streamer 4K: Google TV streamer that I mentioned before. Also $100, very powerful, with Ethernet, also with Bluetooth for headset and audio streaming purposes. What really sets this box apart from the others is its support for Matter and Thread, meaning it’s a legit smart home control center. And that’s honestly why I’m going to get one for myself—even though my favorite streaming box is actually coming up next. I’m glad the Google TV streamer exists; I just wish it was positioned as a big brother to the Chromecast as opposed to a successor.
NVIDIA Shield TV and Shield TV Pro: Before I get to the best streamer that you can buy, I just want to address the Nvidia Shield TV and Shield TV Pro and explain that, while those devices remarkably still work well today despite being over 5 years old, they are 5 years old. And they really don’t do much that these other streamers can’t, save cloud-based gaming.
I know there’s a bunch of enthusiasts out there who are probably screaming at their screens, saying, “Yes, but it does this and this and this and this!” That’s awesome that’s awesome for you. But for most folks, the Nvidia Shield and Shield Pro just don’t make a lot of sense. But if cloud-based gaming is your thing awesome.
The Shield TV and TV Pro are great, but the AI upscaling built into this device is not noticeably better than what’s in most TVs. So, I don’t know. It’s over 5 years old, so I just don’t feel like it belongs on this list. Apologies to the fan club out there I know you still love it, and I understand why. It’s just not right for everyone.
Apple TV 4K: And now, the best streaming device that you can buy, as far as I’m concerned, is the Apple TV 4K. And it is the best for one very important reason NO ADS. At least, not like on the other platforms. I mean, look, it is a ridiculously overpowered box. Its interface is super pretty and pleasant to use.
It’s insanely customizable, not to mention all the unique stuff that it offers owners of other Apple devices. But at the end of the day, the reason why I use an Apple TV 4K more than any other streaming device at least at home is because there are no invasive ads, at least not coming from Apple or the box itself. If your streaming service runs on ads, there’s nothing Apple can do about that. But at least there are no ads before you even get to the ads that your streaming service is going to force on you And that counts for a lot to me.