People love wandering on Online streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and are ready to pay a hefty sum for their subscription. But in recent times, a desire to watch their favorite TV series and movies on a big screen has also gone through the roof. And here’s were tech giants decided to take control over the streaming industry by introducing their streaming player like Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, NVidia Shield in the market. Each one of them has its specialty and is full of techy specs to cover all your needs. This article will introduce you to all these devices so you can select the best one and get on the marvelous endeavor with your streaming subscriptions.
I’ve included options for every type of consumer. So whether you’re looking for a budget Streaming Stick for basic streaming platforms, like Netflix and Disney Plus, or premium streaming device that can also handle high-end gaming – all of the products for you.
6. Google Chrome cast
Google Chrome cast is technically the best for android and Google Assistant Users. It is one of the cheapest streamers available in the market. Even though it doesn’t come with a remote, it’s pretty comfortable to control it with a phone or Google assistant.
GOOGLE CHROMECAST
5. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
This is Amazon’s best budget streaming device. If you are looking for the cheapest way to start watching 4K content and movies from your favorite streaming services, then the Amazon Fire TV stick 4K is definitely one of your best options. Currently priced at $72 the 4K Fire TV stick brings Ultra HD streaming to your television from most of the popular streaming platforms with Alexa voice functionality and smart home compatibility. It’s extremely simple to use. You just plug it into the HDMI slot on your television, plug in the power, connect it to your Wi-Fi and you’re ready to watch programs from all your favorite streaming platforms. You’ll never run out of great content to watch. Choose from over 500,000 movies and TV episodes. You’ll be able to enjoy favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Apple TV, Starz, Showtime, CBS All-access, and others. You can also stream live news sports and Must-see shows plus thousands of titles and Brilliant 4K Ultra HD, HDR, HDR 10 plus, or Dolby Vision. The remote has full media controls and Alexa integration. So you can speak into the remote at the Press of a button and have Alexa’s Search up the shows for you.
The key features are
- Alexa – Voice integration allows you to search for Movies, switch apps, and use Smart Home features verbally.
- Content – virtually unlimited content to watch from all the popular streaming sites.
- Storage -Popular streaming sites storage 8 gigabytes of offline storage with free cloud storage for Amazon content.
The pros are
- Bluetooth – Bluetooth 5.0 + Ellie. Pair with compatible Bluetooth speakers, headphones, video game controllers, and more.
- Quality – Stream 4K UHD up to 60 frames per second
- Ease of use – Extremely simple to set up and use especially with the remote or Alexa.
- Wi-Fi – dual-band dual-antenna Wi-Fi and supports MIMO for faster streaming and fewer dropped connections than standard Wi-Fi
- Portable – It’s small enough to take on vacations and cabins with Wi-Fi.
And for the cons
- Build – Stick design may cause issues with certain TV HDMI ports if the TV is against a wall.
If you’re looking for virtually endless 4K streaming content at an affordable price than the Amazon Fire TV stick 4K is one of the cheapest options to watch movies, TV shows, live sports, and other great content from your favorites.
4. Roku Ultra.
This is our best value streaming device. If you’re looking for a solid streaming device that delivers a lot of bang for your streaming dollar, then the Roku Ultra is one of your best choices. Currently price to $88 the Roku Ultra offers all the perks of a great streaming device with 4K HDR video, incredible power, and speed as well as all the same content you’ll find on the Amazon Fire TV stick 4K, plus some of the more Fringe channels. You’ll find the overall performance quite solid. Although you’ll find the speed and buffering to vary depending on which streaming platform or app you’re using. What sets the Roku apart is the USB port making the streaming box of full-fledged media player. You’ll be able to plug in your thumb drive or the external hard drive of your own collected movies and video, making it extremely easy to watch additional content. One of the nice features that you’ll like about the ultra is actually its remote. Aside from the regular control buttons, you’ll find a built-in headphone jack for private listening and to entice you to use it, the Roku comes with a set of JBL earbuds. It’s a convenient way to listen, but if you have Bluetooth headphones, you can just as easily pair them so you can grab a snack from the kitchen while listening and not have to carry the remote with you.
The key features are –
- USB Port – You can easily connect a thumb drive or external hard drive of your own collected movies and videos to watch
- Remote – includes a built-in headphone jack for private listening.
The pros are
- Video – 4K streams with HDR support, JBL earbuds that you get a pair for free.
- Content – Similar access to all the major streaming platforms like the Fire TV stick plus an abundance of additional channels curated by Roku.
And for the cons
- Expensive- For those that wouldn’t take advantage of the USB port, the Roku may seem expensive compared to the competition.
If you’re looking for a solid streaming device that can also connect an external drive for additional movies and videos, then the Roku Ultra is one of your best choices. The USB port adds added Value to the streaming device making it well worth the bang for the buck.
3. Amazon Fire TV Cube.
This is our best voice control streaming device. If you’re looking for a more premium experience than the Amazon Fire TV stick 4K, then the Amazon Fire TV cube is a great choice, especially if you’re already an Amazon Prime subscriber. Currently priced at $99, the Fire TV Cube offers all the great features found on the Fire TV Stick 4K. But up’s the ante with a Built-in microphone for a completely hands-free experience with Alexa Voice Assistant giving you full control of your entertainment system. You’ll also enjoy the benefit of Dolby vision for HDR, giving you high dynamic range making your video look incredible with brighter and more pop while the darks are darker. You’ll appreciate the nice bump in faster performance with a faster processor. The standout differences, of course, the built-in microphone giving you complete control by just using your voice. Otherwise, you’ll have access to All the same content and streaming services as you would with the Fire TV Stick 4K. Pick up a Bluetooth video game controller and you’ll even be able to play some great casual games.
The key features are –
- Built-in microphone – Allows for a completely hands-free experience with Alexa Voice Assistant giving you full control of your entertainment system.
- Content – Access to over 500,000 movies and TV episodes from multiple streaming platforms.
- Processor – Hexa-core processor versus only quad-core on the Fire TV Stick 4K
The pros are
- Quality – stream 4K UHD with Dolby Vision for HDR up to 60 frames per second.
- Storage – 16 gigabytes of offline storage with free cloud storage for Amazon content doubling the storage of the Fire TV Stick 4K. Plus supports up to 128 gigabytes of external flash storage via its micro USB port.
- Bluetooth 5.0 + Ellie – pair with Bluetooth compatible speakers, sound bar, or headphones
And for the cons
- Expensive – Aside from the bumped up specs and features the cube delivers the same content in 4k as the much cheaper Fire TV Stick 4K.
If you’re looking for a more premium experience with the completely hands-free experience with Alexa Voice Assistant giving you full control of your entertainment system. then the Amazon Fire TV cube is a great choice. Especially if you’re already an Amazon Prime subscriber.
2. NVidia Shield Android TV.
This is our best streaming device for gamers. If you’re an avid gamer looking for a streaming device that allows you to play Steam games, then the NVidia Shield TV is your best choice. Currently available at $149.99 the NVidia Shield TV, not only offers amazing streaming performance with AI up scaling seen in high-end TVs, plus access to all the popular streaming platform for unlimited content, but you’ll also enjoy a robust library of games both console level and even games from the Google Play Store. In addition, you’ll get access to NVidia’s game streaming service GeForce Now As well as Play your Own Steam, or you play games seamlessly on your TV. It’s basically like getting a free mini gaming console with your streaming device. You’ll love the Fantastic picture quality with powerful 4K HDR streaming that loads and buffers substantially faster than budget streamers, plus you get support for both HDR 10 and Dolby Vision content, along with Dolby Atmos audio. So you can pair it up with your home theater system or even just a great sound bar to give you an immersive cinematic movie night or immersive gameplay. The Shield is powered by Android TV, opening options for numerous apps, games, and more from the Play Store. Like the other streaming devices, you’ll have access to all the great streaming platforms like Amazon, Disney plus, and Netflix. But for the moment Apple TV Has not officially supported. However, if you’re Savvy you may find some workarounds.
The key features are
- Under the hood – powered by a Tetra X1 plus processor with 2 gigabytes of RAM to easily handle your gaming needs
- AI upscaling – NVidia’s proprietary AI algorithm makes 1080p look 4K and it’s pretty impressive.
- Android TV – Runs on Android TV giving you access to the Google Play Store.
The pros are
- Content – Access to all the major streaming platforms, except for Apple TV.
- Games – Access to NVidia’s game streaming service G-Force now as well as play your steam or you play games plus various Android games.
- Video – 4K HDR with support for both HDR 10 and Dolby Vision.
- Sound – Dolby Atmos audio
And for the cons
- Expensive- But since you’re basically getting a free mini gaming console with your streaming device it’s really a bargain
If you’re looking for the ultimate streaming device for content and gaming than the NVidia Shield TV is clearly your best choice.
1. Apple TV 4K.
This is our best apple streaming device. If you’re looking for a great streaming device and in the Apple ecosystem, then the Apple TV 4K is your best choice for content and ease of use with your Apple devices. Currently priced at $199, The Apple TV 4K is more about ease of use and compatibility than anything else. You’ll still enjoy the great 4K streams with HDR support and Dolby vision and it all looks amazing powered by Apple’s A10x Fusion chip and does an impressive job of scaling standard resolution to HD. In addition to Apple TV’s original content, you’ll have access to all the big streaming platforms. You can add a plethora of Network apps to watch like Fox, ABC, CBS, HBO, Starz, and others. While the Amazon stick and Cube have Alexa, Apple has Siri that works across all Apple devices. Plus as with everything in the app ecosystem, things work seamlessly. So whether you want to watch original Apple TV content on your TV or stream videos stored on your Imax video library or even the videos on your iPhone, It’s all super easy. You’ll find it won’t compete with the NVidia Shield when it comes to gaming but you do have access to the games on the App Store and with the launch of Apple arcade subscription, you’ll be able to play as many premium mobile games as you want right on you’re TV.
The key features are
- Siri – Easily control your Apple TV 4K hands-free with your voice as well as added to Apple’s home kit as part of your smart home.
- Apple ecosystem – Work seamlessly with all Apple devices.
The pros are
- Video – 4K streams with HDR support and Dolby Vision
- Apple TV remote – streamlined and minimalist with a touchpad. Love it or hate it, but it’s pretty cool.
- Content – just as many as NVidia Shield plus all the exclusive Apple TV content
- Apple arcade – Not on the same level as gaming as the shield, but you can download as many premium games from the App Store with a separate subscription.
And for the cons
- Expensive – You get the streaming box, know many gaming consoles, but well worth it for those on the Apple ecosystem.
If you’re in the Apple ecosystem and looking for a great streaming device than the Apple TV 4K is your best choice for content and ease of use with your Apple devices.
CONCLUSION –
So here was the list of best online streamers, suited for every individual according to his/her needs. Each one of them has its modes and tech to make it suit better for all customers. There are various streamers out there in the market, but this list is based on hours of research and would order them by price, features, and reviews to help you select the best one for you.
Hope you like it. Thanks for reading.
