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One of the many reasons for a happy 2024? Gone are the days of needing a cable subscription and shelling out countless hundreds of dollars for Blu-rays! Now, all the good stuff is available through streaming platforms and you don’t need a set-top box or even a new TV to enjoy it. All you need is a streaming device. Plug it into your TV, usually via a basic HDMI connection, and you can immediately settle in and enjoy all the movies, series, comedy specials and the like that your eyes can handle.
Ah, but what streaming device to buy? Lucky for you, we’ve tested a few of them on our own TVs to see which ones are the best of the best. Below, we share all the information to help you choose the best option for your smart home theater system.
roku
Some of our favorite streaming devices are also some of the most affordable, namely Rokus. The software is super easy to use, has a friendly home screen, and is compatible with all the major streamers: we’re talking Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, HBO Max, and more.
$30 on Amazon
The Roku Express 4K+ includes a ton of benefits and features at a great price. It is one of the cheapest streaming boxes with 4K HDR capabilities and also supports the Apple ecosystem and Airplay format.
“I’m incredibly impressed!!!” exclaimed the writer of a happy five-star review. “I have a big old Samsung TV in my room that my dad bought for free. I’ve had this TV with an older Roku for years. It started not working well and started lagging a lot. I went out and bought a new smaller Vizio TV, it worked terribly and I returned it within a day. I decided to try this Roku on my old Samsung TV. All I have to say is: OMG. This made my TV work like new and saved me a ton of money. If you are in a similar situation to mine or looking for a great alternative, don’t hesitate, try this Roku. It is incredible for the price, the image and quality are like new and it works very fast. I’m 21 years old and I don’t write reviews often, but I had to for this one.”
roku
If you like Roku devices but prefer a stick-style design, this is the unit for you. It offers all the features of the Express 4K+ and adds support for Dolby Vision HDR.
$39 on Amazon
A big advantage of the 4K Streaming Stick? Your wireless receiver is designed for remote operation, so it will work in rooms that are not near your router. We also like the hands-free voice remote, which allows you to use voice controls. Don’t worry if you lose the TV remote between the couch cushions, either: you can search for it by voice through Roku and it will start playing.
One five-star reviewer said: “I went from using my old Samsung Smart DVD player with a very limited app selection to this Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, with literally any app I could want. I love being able to add apps using my TV, computer or phone. The device is out of sight; plugged into the HDMI port behind my TV. I didn’t realize until it was delivered to me that it had to be plugged in to get its own power, however, I can power it using the USB port, “which is also behind my TV. The remote control is also very impressive. It’s simple and easy to use, but also very capable. The price is very reasonable, especially compared to other streaming devices.”
The Chromecast dongle with Google TV is a fantastic option for those living in the Google ecosystem. Plus: it will give you the opportunity to say electronic key on a regular basis!
$48 on Amazon
We love Google Assistant voice search on Google Chromecast; You can search for movies and shows by searching for actors’ names, for example. We also like that this Google TV device integrates with Google Photos – you can add your favorite photos to a rotating slideshow! If you’re a fan of YouTube or YouTube TV, this is the streamer for you.
“It was easy to set up and install!” said this Chromecast customer. “I had a TV that didn’t even have a working remote, and this replaced my old Fire Stick, and now I can turn on the TV, watch all my streaming apps and a cast from my phone, both Android and Apple. , al “TV with ease. Mute the volume, etc… They all work with one device and one remote! If you don’t have a smart TV with streaming capabilities… buy this! You won’t regret it.”
Amazon
If you live in a home with Alexa, you may want to opt for a Fire TV product. This is our favorite.
$60 on Amazon
The 4K Max supports Dolby Vision and has a picture-in-picture feature for viewing security camera feeds. And of course, Alexa is on board to make your viewing choices a reality and to handle all your content searching needs. This is the way to go if you are a big fan of Amazon Prime.
“The new Fire Stick is a major improvement over previous versions,” said this happy buyer. “Easy to install, easy to move content from your old Fire Stick. The price is great. I recommend doing a trade-in from the previous version; once the trade-in is complete, the price is not bad at all. I highly recommend upgrading all older versions of Fire Stick to get the new and improved version. Wi-Fi 6 is a huge improvement, no buffering issues so far! 4K HDR looks amazing on my new 65” LG! Completely happy with this new Fire TV Stick. The remote control has major changes! Easily access Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and of course Amazon Prime Video. Voice recognition is great – Alexa finds it for you.”
Apple
THE reference component for Apple device enthusiasts. As is typical of the brand, its user interface is considerably sleeker than its competitors and the remote control has been updated to optimize on-screen navigation.
$147 at Amazon$129 at Walmart
You can also ask Siri, “What did they just say?” her while she watches a movie, and she will play the scene with subtitles. Apple TV is also a media streaming device for gamers through Apple Arcade, or if you want native support for Apple’s Fitness+ training program.
“My experience with a regular Apple TV has been a bit life-changing,” said one enthusiastic buyer, who calls it a fantastic Apple product. “Smart TV apps are essentially terrible around the world and don’t guarantee 4K quality (at least with LG), so I was instantly pleased the moment I set up this Apple TV 4K. My TV is finally up to date! living up to its 4K potential! Setup “was surprisingly easy, as it generally is across the entire Apple product line. The new all-metal remote control design is thicker and heavier than the previous generation and feels good in the hand. The ergonomics of the buttons have also been improved. Excellent value for money, excellent product.”
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Still are you not a member? No problem. You can sign up for your 30-day free trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
The reviews cited above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
