The best streaming device for 2024 to make the most of your TV viewing experience
Which stick or box from Amazon, Apple, Google or Roku deserves a place in your living room? There's one clear winner
I watch an embarrassing amount of TV. Hey, don't judge, I also read a lot. (For proof, check out five fantastic books for guys who don't like to read.) Needless to say, I want the best possible viewing experience, which means picking the best streaming device to deliver movies and TV shows to my eyeballs. There are four major runners in this race: Amazon, Apple, Google (coming soon, see below) and Roku, each with their own gadgets that plug into your TV and their own unique interfaces. They all have their pros and cons, but I think there's a clear winner. Read on to discover what I consider the best streaming device, period.
Table of contents:
First, let me tackle an obvious question: Do you even need one of these things if your TV is already "smart"? By which I mean it can already stream the likes of Netflix, Hulu and Tubi? Answer: maybe. If it's an older TV, it may have an interface that's slow, clunky or incomplete. (Maybe Tubi isn't even in the lineup?) Or maybe you just don't like it. Not everyone is wild about LG's WebOS, for example.
There's also the upgrade consideration: A TV or streaming device that's more than a few years old won't have the fastest processor or latest Wi-Fi antenna, which could explain why it takes Netflix so damn long to load. You also stand to gain some new features, like voice controls: You can tell a streamer to mute the audio or play Dark Matter on Apple TV+. (Do the latter, by the way; it's really good.)
Other notable features available in some of the latest streamers: Pairing with your phone to view your photos and videos on the big screen; connecting with game services for console-free play; and adding Dolby Atmos sound (assuming your TV and/or soundbar support it).
To learn how I tested these devices and get answers to some frequently asked questions, keep reading past the reviews. In the meantime, let's start with the single best streaming device you can buy right now.
Read more: The best streaming services for TV, movies, sports and more
The best streaming device for 2024
No. of free live TV channels: 400+ | Dolby(s): Atmos, Vision | Wi-Fi situation: Wi-Fi 5 (not the latest spec but fine for most users) | Game situation: Some casual games but limited overall | Rechargeable remote: Yes | Supports Apple AirPlay: Yes
Roku's secret sauce has always been simplicity. If you want a streamer that's both easy to learn and easy to use, the Roku Ultra is without question the top pick. (That said, there are a couple other Roku options worth considering as well; see below.)
On the feature front, it ticks all the important boxes: 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Atmos — all the stuff to ensure a crisp, colorful picture and the best possible sound (with a compatible TV and/or soundbar, that is). Beyond the usual assortment of streaming apps, you'll find fun animated screensavers and some free casual games (mostly of the Pac-Man and Tetris variety). The newly launched Backdrops feature adds an extensive art-gallery screensaver similar to what you'd find on Samsung's The Frame TVs, but at no extra charge.
Mostly, though, it's about the interface: Roku employs a simple grid of tiles, three or four across (your choice) and easy to rearrange by tapping the "star" button on the remote. There's also a simple sidebar menu for quick access to things like search, live TV and watch recommendations. (Too many options? You can customize that menu to show only the ones you want.)
The Ultra offers hands-free voice controls available as well. You can say "Hey Roku" and then speak a variety of commands: turn on the TV, launch Netflix, watch a particular movie or even find the remote if it's missing. (There's a find-it button on the box itself as well, just in case the clicker is buried in the couch cushions and unable to hear you.)
Speaking of which, the Voice Remote Pro borders on perfection, with an intuitive layout, six shortcut buttons (two of them programmable to do whatever you like), a rechargeable battery and a headphone jack for plugging in wired earbuds (included!) or headphones. Doing so instantly activates Private Listening, great for those who might be hard of hearing or just don't want to disturb others. If you prefer a wireless option — say, AirPods or Bluetooth headphones — that's available as well.
I wish the remote had a USB-C charging port instead of MicroUSB, but that's a minor nitpick. Similarly, the Wi-Fi 5 spec is a little behind the times, but I've never encountered any Internet speed-related issues with my Roku gear. That said, if your router supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 spec and you've had problems getting a strong signal to your TV, it might be worth considering a streaming device that also supports Wi-Fi 6.
Similarly, if you're into gaming, you're likely to be happier with an Apple TV 4K, which supports Apple Arcade, or Amazon Fire TV 4K Max, which lets you play actual Xbox games — without an Xbox (but with a subscription).
Because I prize simplicity above all else, I'm sticking with Roku. And you can get the same great interface for less money: The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is half the price and nearly as capable. (Mostly it's the remote that's missing a few features, like a locator and rechargeable battery.)
There's also the Roku Streambar, a small soundbar with most of the same features as the Streaming Stick 4K. I've found this a welcome addition to our smaller bedroom TV, which has a sluggish interface and poor built-in speakers.
Worth noting as well: Many modern TVs — including models from TCL, Westinghouse and Roku proper — come with Roku already baked in. Whether you go that route or add something like the Ultra, you're getting the best of all possible streaming solutions.
- Very good printed setup instructions
- The easiest and most intuitive streaming interface
- Hands-free voice operation
- Instant private listening through wired earbuds (included)
- Rechargeable remote that can beep if it's lost
- Nifty art-mode screensaver
- Ethernet port for those seeking wired connectivity
- Last-generation Wi-Fi
- Limited gaming features
- Remote doesn't always catch voice commands
Other streaming devices we like
No. of free live TV channels: 700+ | Dolby(s): Atmos, Vision | Wi-Fi situation: Wi-Fi 6E (the latest and greatest version of the spec) | Game situation: Unrivaled; supports Amazon Appstore, Luna, Xbox Game Pass | Rechargeable remote: No | Supports Apple AirPlay: No
Listing for $60 but regularly discounted to $40, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a premium streamer with a budget price. It offers best-in-class Wi-Fi, robust smart-home integration (courtesy of Alexa) and some amazingly good gaming options. There's just one thing keeping it from the tippy-top of our best list — and it's something you might be willing to overlook.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (hereafter just "4K Max") is, true to its name, a stick. A fairly big one at that, meaning you might need the included HDMI adapter cable if it won't fit in any of your TV's HDMI ports. (That was the case for me; my TV has recessed ports.) Either way, it stays hidden behind the TV rather than sitting out, which I consider a decor win. The Apple, Google and Roku streamers are decidedly visible devices.
Setup is largely uncomplicated, but this 2nd-generation 4K Max includes a less-detailed print guide than its predecessor. If you want instructions beyond basic installation, you'll have to scan a QR code. Why, Amazon, why?
The 4K Max packs some impressive hardware, including Dolby Atmos and Vision, Wi-Fi 6E, 16GB of storage and the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced. I'm not sure what's "enhanced" about the remote, though, given that it runs on non-rechargeable AAA batteries and doesn't support hands-free Alexa: You have to press a button to use voice commands. The layout is a little crowded, too, with a couple buttons that don't immediately make sense. (When do I choose Menu instead of Settings? And what's the button with the two overlapping squares?)
However: Gamers, this is the streamer for you. The 4K Max supports a wide range of games not only from Amazon's Appstore, but also from Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service and Xbox Game Pass Unlimited. The latter two require a subscription and controller (I used the one from my Xbox), but then effectively give you a console gaming experience without the console. It's pretty amazing — though as with all cloud-gaming services, you need fast internet and a fast router for an optimal experience.
Another Fire TV Stick advantage: seamless integration with Alexa-compatible cameras and other devices. For example, I can say, "Alexa, show me the front door" to get a big-screen look at my porch video feed. (There's even a picture-in-picture option available so I can keep that feed live while watching a show — very cool.)
The 4K Max is currently the only Fire TV streamer that supports Ambient Experience, which is basically a fancy screensaver with lots of choices: animations, impressionist paintings, personal photos and so on. It can also overlay a clock, weather bug and various widgets, same as those on Amazon Echo Show devices. In this way it's a bit more versatile than Roku's similar Backdrops feature.
So why isn't the 4K Max our top pick among streamers? For me it boils down to Amazon's aggressively unintuitive and ad-heavy interface. Maybe I'm spoiled by the simplicity of Roku, but I constantly struggled to navigate the Fire TV OS. It's a jumble of icons, apps and movie/TV tiles, all of them jammed together and bereft of any logical organization. Ironically, if you open Amazon's own Prime Video app, you get a modified version of the same interface — which just leads to more confusion.
Meanwhile, ads seem to show up more and more: in the top carousel, in the "Amazon collection" default screensaver and now in Prime Video content as well. This is, of course, one way Amazon is able to sell the 4K Max for as little as $40.
Speaking of which, the 4K Max is one of five streamers in the Fire TV lineup. Three of them cost slightly less, but assuming you're able to find this one selling at $40, it's well worth the extra few bucks. On the top end, the Fire TV Cube adds an Ethernet port and hands-free Alexa, but it's a whopping $140 (except when it's on sale for $110, which is often).
No, the Fire TV 4K Max is the smart choice of the lot. Assuming you can live with the ads and interface, there's no other streamer that delivers so much horsepower for such a relatively small investment.
- One of the lowest-priced premium streamers, and often on sale
- Unrivaled gaming options, including Xbox Game Pass streaming
- Fastest Wi-Fi of any streamer
- Hides behind the TV rather than sitting beside it.
- Great for viewing feeds from compatible smart-home cameras
- Robust parental controls
- Cluttered and confusing interface
- Remote not rechargeable
- Ads creeping into more areas of the UI
- Voice commands aren't hands-free
- No AirPlay support
Other streaming devices we're testing
Google TV Streamer: The successor to the popular Chromecast, Google's totally redesigned streamer is a decor-friendly set-top box (if you can call a flat, rounded oval a "box") available in Porcelain or Hazel colors. On the feature front it closely aligns with the other devices here, with one major exception: Google's Gemini AI is front and center to give you things like review summaries and custom screensavers based on your prompts. (Example: "Relaxing ocean view at sunset with a snow-capped mountain in the distance.") That arguably makes it the most advanced streaming device to date. The new Google TV will sell for $100; we'll be testing it soon.
How we tested
I tested these products by plugging them into a Roku TV Pro Series, which may seem odd considering that it practically has a Roku Ultra already baked in. But this is also part of the point: When you plug any streaming device into any TV's HDMI port, that's what you're using now; it effectively overrides whatever software is built into the TV. It gives you the speed and features inherent to that box.
My tests focused not only on features, but also usability: Was the streamer easy to set up? Did it come with decent printed instructions so that non-tech-savvy users could figure it out? And most important of all, did the interface make sense? No one wants to feel "lost" when they're just trying to find The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.
FAQs
Does a streaming device replace my cable box?
It can, especially if you subscribe to a service like Hulu with Live TV or YouTube TV — but those basically cost as much as cable TV, so it's a wash. For many of us, a streaming device co-exists with a cable box, but gives you access to a wider array of on-demand streaming programming (think Netflix, Disney+ and more). To switch between them, you'd simply select the corresponding HDMI input on your TV. Think of it like the taps behind a bar: One gives you beer; another, soda.
How important is an Ethernet port in a streaming device?
Available on the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra (and via a $15 dongle for the Fire TV Stick 4K Max), an Ethernet port gives you the option of a wired — rather than Wi-Fi — connection to your router. This could prove crucial if you're not getting a decent wireless signal into your TV. An Ethernet cable delivers data as fast as your router can supply it; no worries about interference or other potential Wi-Fi woes. It's another cord cluttering up the living room, but it can definitely make a big difference.
What are the differences in Wi-Fi versions and why do they matter?
This gets a little technical, and it's hard to say whether it'll even matter for you. Video streaming, especially at high resolution (meaning 4K), requires a fast connection to the internet. Even if you have a fast internet provider, your router controls how quickly data gets delivered to various devices (such as streamers). Meanwhile the streamer itself is limited by its own Wi-Fi radio. Bottom line: Wi-Fi 5 can get the job done for most users; Wi-Fi 6 and 6E are newer and faster, but you need them in both your router and streamer to take full advantage.
What's the deal with live TV? Do I get it from these streamers?
This also gets a little technical. For "traditional" live TV, you need one (or more) of three things: an antenna that delivers local channels directly to your TV (no streamer required), a cable box (again, no streamer required) or a subscription to a streaming service that carries a cable-like assortment of channels. For that final option, our top two choices are currently YouTube TV and Philo. Check out The best streaming services for TV, movies and sports for more.
Do any of these streamers have backlit remotes?
No! And that's downright criminal. Yes, lighted buttons consume batteries faster, but it's well worth it — especially if the remote is rechargeable. If there's any good news here, it's that you can upgrade: The Alexa Voice Remote Pro ($35) and Roku Voice Remote Pro ($30) each have backlit buttons. The latter also brings USB-C charging into the mix, a welcome upgrade from the previous version's MicroUSB.
What are the "Dolbys" referenced above?
Dolby Atmos is all about audio; it's basically an advanced way for a soundbar or speaker system to simulate surround-sound. All the streamers in this roundup support the technology, but whatever is actually producing your audio — TV speakers, soundbar, headphones, etc. — needs to support it as well.
As for Dolby Vision, it's an advanced version of High Dynamic Range (HDR) video, which optimizes things like color, brightness and contrast. Again, it's supported by all the streamers; again, you need a TV that supports it as well.
