The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (2024)

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The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (1)

Best Overall

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023)

4.5 Outstanding

  • Affordable
  • Fast performance
  • Wi-Fi 6
  • Speedier Alexa responses
  • Plenty of apps and features
  • No Apple AirPlay or Google Cast for local streaming

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is one of two competing media streamers that offer incredible value for just $50. It's loaded with features, including the Alexa voice assistant (you can talk directly into the included remote, or use a separate Echo smart speaker for hands-free voice control). It streams at ultra high-definition (4K) resolution with support for high dynamic range (HDR) content in HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. And it can handle Dolby Atmos as well. The newest version has a faster processor, more RAM, and Wi-Fi 6, though you might not see a big jump in performance unless you have a Wi-Fi 6 router to go with it.

This is the media streamer to get if you subscribe to Amazon Prime and use Alexa-compatible smart home devices. Prime Video offers tons of content and the Fire TV interface sorts through it quite nicely (while also aggregating many other non-Amazon services). If you already have an Echo and use Alexa to control your lights, a Fire TV media hub carries that flexibility over into the remote. And if you have a Ring security camera or video doorbell, you can bring up its feed on your TV through the stick. Just be aware that it only has Miracast, not AirPlay or Google Cast, so you can't seamlessly stream your phone or tablet to it like with the Google TV Streamer (for Android devices) or a Roku streamer (for iOS devices). The second-gen Max version of this streamer costs just $10 more and adds the 6GHz band to improve speed and reliability in congested network environments, but you should only get that model if you have a Wi-Fi 6E router.

Resolution 4K

HDR Dolby Vision, HDR10

Platform Amazon Fire TV Store

Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa

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$21.99 Amazon

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023) Review

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (2)

Best for Old TVs

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD

4.5 Outstanding

  • Affordable
  • Full-featured Fire TV platform with Alexa voice control
  • Supports HDR10 and Dolby Atmos
  • Remote has volume controls
  • Occasionally choppy interface
  • Uses Wi-Fi 5 instead of Wi-Fi 6

Not everyone has a 4K TV, and that's fine because Amazon has a 1080p alternative that's a bit cheaper than the Fire TV Stick 4K. The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is effectively the same device with the same features, just with a resolution limited to 1080p.

If you haven't upgraded to a 4K TV yet, you don't need to spend $50 for good media streaming capabilities. The Fire TV Stick HD costs even less than the Fire TV Stick 4K, offering the same sprawling content selection and access to the Alexa voice assistant. This is an economical way to breathe new streaming life into aging 1080p TVs that might not have many (or any) streaming capabilities.

Resolution 1080p

HDR HDR10

Platform Amazon Fire TV

Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa

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$17.99 Best Buy $17.99 Amazon

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Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Review

  • Hands-free Alexa voice assistance
  • HDMI pass-through with Alexa overlay
  • Supports Wi-Fi 6E
  • Fast performance
  • Expensive
  • Wi-Fi 6E doesn't necessarily offer video benefits

The Fire TV Cube remains the most powerful Fire TV media streamer available. It has one big advantage and a few small ones over the cheaper Fire TV Stick 4K that helps justify its much higher price. First, it has far-field microphones that let you interact with Amazon's Alexa assistant hands-free, which is much more convenient than picking up the remote, holding the voice button, and speaking into it. It's effectively an Echo speaker and a Fire TV Stick 4K mashed into one device. It also now has HDMI pass-through, so you can get Alexa visual information on your TV while you use your set-top box or game console. Finally, it supports Wi-Fi 6E, though anything over Wi-Fi 5 is a bit overkill for the bandwidth 4K HDR content requires.

Like the Fire TV Stick 4K, this is best for dedicated Amazon users. Even if you aren't already deep in Amazon's device ecosystem, this is an excellent starting point to go hands-free with your home theater and begin using smart home devices. Neither Apple nor Google offers a media streamer with far-field microphones, though some televisions with the Google TV platform on board have hands-free Google Assistant.

Resolution 4K

HDR Dolby Vision, HDR10

Platform Amazon Fire OS

Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa

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$99.99 Amazon $99.99 Best Buy

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Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) Review

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (4)

Best Roku Streamer

Roku Ultra (2024)

4.0 Excellent

  • Fast performance
  • Wi-Fi 6 support
  • Ethernet port for wired connections
  • Hands-free voice control
  • Apple AirPlay
  • Expensive
  • Voice features lag behind competitors
  • Remote lacks a headphone jack
  • No Twitch app

The Ultra is Roku's most feature-rich media streamer. It has Wi-Fi 6 for fast streaming and an Ethernet port for the most reliable network connection if you can run a cable. It comes with the second-generation Roku Voice Remote Pro that allows for hands-free voice control. Roku's interface is very simple and easy to use, with tons of media streaming apps and services along with Apple AirPlay support.

If you want the most accessible streaming experience paired with the best network connectivity options and hands-free voice control support, this is the media hub to get. Just be aware that while you can control a handful of Roku's smart home devices, Roku's voice features don't have the broad functionality of full voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Twitch still isn't available on Roku's platform, either.

Resolution 4K

HDR Dolby Vision, HDR10

Platform Roku OS

Built-In Voice Assistant Search

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$79.00 Amazon $79.99 Best Buy

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Roku Ultra (2024) Review

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (5)

Best for Affordable AirPlay

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

  • Fast, responsive performance
  • Sleek, small design
  • Supports Apple AirPlay and Dolby Vision
  • Voice features still lag those of Amazon Fire TV and Google TV
  • No Twitch app available
  • 5GHz Wi-Fi hiccup in testing

Amazon Fire TV and Google TV have a bit more whole-home power because of their fully functional voice assistants, but Roku is still an excellent platform purely for media streaming. And the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is an ideal choice in the lineup. It's another $50 media hub that plugs into the back of your TV and offers 4K media streaming with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision with a big benefit Fire TV and Google TV lack: Apple AirPlay support. That integration lets iPhone, iPad, and Mac users stream their screens to the TV via the Streaming Stick 4K.

Because the Roku interface is so focused on media and doesn't have many non-media features like smart home control or voice assistants, it's also much more accessible to users who don't want to build their home theater into a hub for everything in their home.

This is a reliable, cheap media streamer that covers most bases (except Twitch), especially for Apple users thanks to its AirPlay support (for less than half the price of an Apple TV 4K). Its simple interface should also appeal to less tech-savvy users who want to stream their favorite shows without dealing with extraneous features.

Resolution 4K

HDR HDR10, Dolby Vision

Platform Roku OS

Built-In Voice Assistant Search

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$29.00 Amazon $24.99 Target $29.00 Walmart

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Roku Streaming Stick 4K Review

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (6)

Best for Siri Users

Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation)

3.5 Good

  • Fast, responsive performance
  • Deep integration with Apple devices and services
  • Apple AirPlay 2
  • Pricey
  • Confusing overlap of Apple tvOS and Apple TV app features
  • Using Siri requires speaking into the remote

The Apple TV 4K is a capable media streamer that can serve as an Apple HomeKit hub if you prefer Apple's ecosystem for your smart home devices. It's also the only device that lets you use Siri rather than Alexa or Google Assistant (though only through the remote, since there's no hands-free model like the Fire TV Cube).

The Apple TV 4K is for dedicated Apple users. If you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, use Siri, and your smart home devices support HomeKit, this ties them together in your living room. It's expensive if you aren't a hard-core Apple fan, though.

Resolution 4K

HDR Dolby Vision, HDR10

Platform Apple tvOS

Built-In Voice Assistant Apple Siri

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$127.00 Walmart

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Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) Review

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (7)

Best for Google Assistant Users

Google TV Streamer

3.5 Good

  • Fast, smooth performance
  • Ethernet port for wired connectivity
  • Works as a Matter hub and Threads border router
  • Expensive
  • No Wi-Fi 6
  • Lacks hands-free voice control

The Google TV Streamer replaces the Chromecast With Google TV and costs twice as much. It's a bit faster than its predecessor, can function as a Matter hub and a Thread border router, works with Google Assistant voice commands, and has an Ethernet port.

This is the only way to add Google TV to your television. The Google TV Streamer is a strong performer, it's just expensive for what it offers.

Resolution 4K

HDR Dolby Vision, HDR10

Platform Google TV

Built-In Voice Assistant Google Assistant

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$99.99 Amazon $99.99 Best Buy

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Google TV Streamer Review

Buying Guide: The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (8)

Amazon's Fire TV OS (Credit: Will Greenwald)

What Does Amazon Fire TV Do?

Amazon's Fire TV platform is a modified version of Android that puts Amazon's Prime content right at your fingertips, including Prime Video and Music Prime. Plenty of other content services are available through the Fire TV platform as individual apps, such as Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube.

Amazon equips Fire TV devices with Alexa, the same voice assistant in the company'sEcho smart speakers. It's a handy tool to use with the voice remote that current Fire TV Sticks include. And, if you want hands-free Alexa with your Fire TV, the Fire TV Cube features a far-field microphone array that can pick up your commands just like a standalone speaker.

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (9)

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (10) Video Streaming Services: What You Should Know

What Does Google TV Do?

Android TV was Google's dedicated Android-based media streamer menu system, which differs from the heavily modified version of Android that Amazon's Fire TV products use. The capable platform is still available on the TiVo Stream 4K, but Google TV is slowly replacing it.

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (11)

Google TV (Credit: Will Greenwald)

Google TV is an updated, streamlined version of Android TV. It offers all of the same apps and services, plus Google Assistant for voice control and Google Cast for local streaming. It's available on most Hisense, Sony, and TCL TVs, along with the Google TV Streamer. The system offers all of the benefits of the outgoing Android TV platform but with a more intuitive and useful interface complete with better content suggestions. It covers all of the streaming media bases that Fire TV does (including Amazon Prime Video), but with Google Assistant instead of Amazon Alexa. Google Cast is also useful for Android phone users.

What Does Roku Do?

Roku calls the services and apps available on its devices Channels and currently offers thousands of choices in the Roku Channel Store. All of the big streaming media names are available, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, and Sling TV, along with many smaller, niche apps and services for movies, sports, weather, news, and international content. It also has Apple AirPlay support.

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (12)

Roku OS (Credit: Will Greenwald)

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Streaming Stick 4K+, and Ultra all stand out as top choices. Each offers 4K video with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support. The Streaming Stick 4K+ and Ultra feature Roku's Voice Remote Pro, which boasts hands-free voice control, a remote finder function, and a headphone jack for private listening. The Ultra is the most expensive, but it's the only model with Ethernet (for wired network connections) and USB ports (for playing media directly from a USB drive).

In addition to dedicated media streamers, Roku also offers a soundbar with media streaming functions, theRoku Streambar($129.99). It's expensive as a media hub, but that price is reasonable for a modest stereosoundbarwith the additional benefit of streaming 4K video. You can pair it with the Roku TV Wireless Speakers for surround sound and the Roku Wireless Subwoofer for more rumble.

Roku has also established itself as one of the biggest companies for smart TV platforms with Roku TV. The company both makes its own TVs and offers its technology to manufacturers to incorporate into their screens. A dozen companies, including Hisense, use it on some of their TVs. Roku TVs work just like Roku media streamers, except that they are built directly into the sets.

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (13)

Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) (Credit: Apple)

Is an Apple TV Worth Buying?

Apple's content and AirPlay 2 support are available on many smart TVs and media streamers. However, the company still sells the Apple TV 4K, the latest iteration of which includes a faster CPU and a new remote. It also offers the ability to Color Balance your TVwith a compatible iPhone. Still, in light of its high price and Apple's continual expansion of services, it seems less and less necessary.

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If you simply want to access iTunes content on your TV and already have an iPhone or iPad, your TV might be able to do that without a media streamer. All TVs that use Roku TV, along with Hisense, LG, Samsung, TCL, and Vizio TVs, support Apple AirPlay 2. AirPlay lets you stream media from your iOS device directly to your TV over Apple's platform, which is part of the big appeal of Apple TV in the first place.

The Apple TV app also provides access to most Apple-purchased movies and shows, including Apple TV+ content, on other devices. It's available on all major smart TVs and media hubs, and even PlayStation and Xbox game consoles.

Apple TV is expensive compared with alternatives, but it still offers some benefits for dedicated Apple users: It functions as an Apple HomeKit hub and includes a remote that lets you talk to Siri. Those are the only real advantages of the Apple TV device over the Apple TV app, however. You could get anApple HomePod miniand another media streamer on this list for the same price.

Can I Stream 8K?

What about8K, you might be wondering? Don't worry about it. Seriously, no consumer 8K streaming service or even consumer 8K media is available yet. 8K TVs have begun to trickle out, but they won't be much more than novelties for at least a few more years.

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024 (2024)
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