Tech & Smart Home

Streaming Devices

Compared on resolution, HDR support, storage, remote type, Ethernet and operating system.

Top picks compared: 4
Specs compared per product: 6

Side-by-side comparison

The four top picks in Streaming Devices, chosen from public third-party testing and editorial research, then compared on specs, strengths and drawbacks. Swap any product to compare something else.

Best OverallBest ValueTop PremiumCustomer Favorite

Compare

AppleApple TV 4K (3rd Gen, Ethernet)

Top Premium

Apple

Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation, Wi-Fi + Ethernet)

Overview

4K streaming box with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, an Ethernet port, and the Siri remote with clickpad.

Buying Recommendation

Top Premium. The highest published performance and build quality.

Web Consensus Insights

Expert testing from PCMag and Vice positions this model as a high-performance powerhouse with seamless smart home integration. It holds the premium role in this lineup due to its robust processing and superior networking hardware.

Best For

The cleanest interface if you already own Apple devices

Top Pros

Gigabit Ethernet
Fast A15 Bionic chip
Seamless smart home integration

Top Cons

Lacks some niche apps
Remote design divides users

Key Specs

Max Resolution: 4K
HDR: Info not available
Storage/RAM: 128GB
Voice Remote: Siri Remote
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet
OS: Info not available

Check Current Price on Amazon

RokuUltra (2024)

Best Overall

Roku

Roku Ultra 4K Streaming Player (2024)

Overview

Flagship 4K Roku player with Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 and the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro.

Buying Recommendation

Best Overall. Our top pick after weighing every trade-off.

Web Consensus Insights

Reviewers at CNET and PCMag praise the updated model for its faster performance, Wi-Fi 6 support, and excellent backlit remote. It earns the top spot in the lineup by offering a comprehensive, user-friendly home theater experience with broad format support.

Best For

Wired, responsive streaming with a rechargeable remote

Top Pros

Fast performance
Wi-Fi 6 support
Backlit hands-free remote

Top Cons

Remote lacks a headphone jack
Voice features lag behind competitors

Key Specs

Max Resolution: 4K
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG
Storage/RAM: Info not available
Voice Remote: Yes
Ethernet: 100Mbps
OS: Roku OS14

Check Current Price on Amazon

AmazonFire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)

Best Value

Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation)

Overview

4K streaming stick with Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Vision and the Alexa voice remote.

Buying Recommendation

Best Value. The strongest published capability for its place in the lineup.

Web Consensus Insights

Consumer Reports highlights its ambient experience that transforms the television into a smart display when not streaming. It secures its role by packing advanced wireless standards and robust HDR support into a compact form factor.

Best For

Cheap 4K upgrade for a bedroom or second TV

Top Pros

Wi-Fi 6 support
Ambient experience feature
Compact design

Top Cons

Interface can be cluttered
Requires included power adapter

Key Specs

Max Resolution: 4K
HDR: HDR10, HDR10+
Storage/RAM: Info not available
Voice Remote: Yes
Ethernet: Info not available
OS: Info not available

Check Current Price on Amazon

GoogleChromecast with Google TV (4K)

Customer Favorite

Google

Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K)

Overview

4K streaming dongle running Google TV with voice search, casting and a remote control.

Buying Recommendation

Customer Favorite. The one shoppers keep coming back to.

Web Consensus Insights

Editorial coverage frequently cites this device as a primary benchmark for smart streaming interfaces and broad compatibility. It takes this role due to its massive adoption and familiar ecosystem integration.

Best For

Android users who want recommendations to actually fit

Top Pros

Intuitive interface
Broad app support
Compact form factor

Top Cons

Limited storage
No built-in Ethernet

Key Specs

Max Resolution: 4K at 60 Hz
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
Storage/RAM: 8 GB / 2 GB
Voice Remote: Google Voice Remote
Ethernet: No, adapter sold separately
OS: Google TV

Check Current Price on Amazon

Product 1 of 4 · swipe to compare

Apple

AppleApple TV 4K (3rd Gen, Ethernet)

Top Premium

Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation, Wi-Fi + Ethernet)

The highest published performance and build quality.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Overview

4K streaming box with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, an Ethernet port, and the Siri remote with clickpad.

Buying Recommendation

Top Premium

Best For

The cleanest interface if you already own Apple devices

Web Consensus Insights

Top Pros

Gigabit Ethernet
Fast A15 Bionic chip
Seamless smart home integration

Top Cons

Lacks some niche apps
Remote design divides users

Key Specs

Max Resolution: 4K
HDR: Info not available
Storage/RAM: 128GB
Voice Remote: Siri Remote
Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet
OS: Info not available

Roku

RokuUltra (2024)

Best Overall

Roku Ultra 4K Streaming Player (2024)

Our top pick after weighing every trade-off.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Overview

Flagship 4K Roku player with Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 and the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro.

Buying Recommendation

Best Overall

Best For

Wired, responsive streaming with a rechargeable remote

Web Consensus Insights

Top Pros

Fast performance
Wi-Fi 6 support
Backlit hands-free remote

Top Cons

Remote lacks a headphone jack
Voice features lag behind competitors

Key Specs

Max Resolution: 4K
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG
Storage/RAM: Info not available
Voice Remote: Yes
Ethernet: 100Mbps
OS: Roku OS14

Amazon

AmazonFire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)

Best Value

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation)

The strongest published capability for its place in the lineup.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Overview

4K streaming stick with Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Vision and the Alexa voice remote.

Buying Recommendation

Best Value

Best For

Cheap 4K upgrade for a bedroom or second TV

Web Consensus Insights

Top Pros

Wi-Fi 6 support
Ambient experience feature
Compact design

Top Cons

Interface can be cluttered
Requires included power adapter

Key Specs

Max Resolution: 4K
HDR: HDR10, HDR10+
Storage/RAM: Info not available
Voice Remote: Yes
Ethernet: Info not available
OS: Info not available

Google

GoogleChromecast with Google TV (4K)

Customer Favorite

Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K)

The one shoppers keep coming back to.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Overview

4K streaming dongle running Google TV with voice search, casting and a remote control.

Buying Recommendation

Customer Favorite

Best For

Android users who want recommendations to actually fit

Web Consensus Insights

Top Pros

Intuitive interface
Broad app support
Compact form factor

Top Cons

Limited storage
No built-in Ethernet

Key Specs

Max Resolution: 4K at 60 Hz
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
Storage/RAM: 8 GB / 2 GB
Voice Remote: Google Voice Remote
Ethernet: No, adapter sold separately
OS: Google TV

Also researched

The rest of the Streaming Devices lineup. Each one was researched alongside the four picks and did not take one of the roles.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Prices, availability and ratings change constantly, so we do not store them: always confirm the current price with the link on each product. Picks, pros, cons and consensus summaries are compiled from public third-party testing, editorial reviews and published specifications. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.