March 5th, 2019 | Updated on July 29th, 2023
Nearly all TVs come with smart features, but they may not be the ones, if you want Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services on your TV.
To stream online content directly to your TV, there are lots of streaming devices – streaming boxes, sticks, and cubes.
And, this bevy of choices makes choosing the best TV streaming device a more complicated than ever before.
Disclaimer: We strongly discourage engaging in pirate streaming activities, and we are not associated with any such services. The following information is provided solely for informational purposes. It is essential to understand that piracy is a cybercrime, and we strongly advocate purchasing and legally watching content.
Which Media Streaming Device Is Best For You?
The single most important factor to buy a media streaming device is to make finding the shows and movies you want to watch easier and faster.
Whether you’re hoping to stream your favorite TV shows, or just kick back with some YouTube videos, these are the best TV streaming devices you can find.
Below, we serve up the 10 best best streaming sticks and boxes to turn your dumb TV into a smart one that can access videos from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more.
1. Roku Ultra
Looking for ultimate streaming player? Meet the new Roku Ultra for HD and 4K Ultra HD TVs. It comes fully loaded and delivers a powerful streaming experience with a quad-core processor, 802.11ac dual-band wireless, and the latest streaming technology.
Immerse yourself in the action with brilliant 4K* Ultra HD at 60fps for ultra smooth video, or stream full 1080p HD.
See incredibly rich and realistic color detail with vibrant HDR. Stream just about anything with access to 4,500+ paid or free channels.
And get incredible features like a lost remote finder and a point anywhere remote with voice search, gaming controls, and headphones for private listening.
The 4K experience requires a compatible 4K TV and 4K content. HDR requires a compatible HDR TV and HDR content.
Such content will not be available on all channels. Check with the 4K channel partner for specific bandwidth requirements to access its 4K content.
Review: techradar
Roku Ultra almost sets a new high bar for streaming video players, though it’s shown up by its more cost-effective cousin, the Premiere+.
If you don’t mind paying a bit more for a few neat, but somewhat impractical features, the Roku Ultra is for you. If not, we recommend you save some cash and pick up a Premiere.
2. NVIDIA Shield TV
Nvidia shield tv is the ultimate streaming media player for the modern living room.
Enjoy a cinematic experience with the highest quality 4k hdr entertainment, thousands of apps, thousands of games, and the google assistant built in.
Shield tv is a high-performance streaming media player, now up to 25% faster with the new tegra x1+ processor.
Enjoy netflix, prime video, and vudu in stunning 4k with dolby vision hdr and dolby atmos and dolby digital plus surround sound.
Upscale hd video to 4k in real-time using the power of ai and the tegra x1+ processor. Cut the cord with apps like youtube tv, hulu live tv, sling tv, and playstation vue.
Review: cnet.com
In addition to the GeForce Now game streaming platform, Android games store and GameStream ability for compatible PCs, another extra makes this device a head-turner for gamers: Steam.
As the Steam Link now lives on in software only, the Shield TV is one of the “cheapest” ways to get PC games from Steam to your TV screen.
Yes, the Shield TV costs more than most competitors, and the price is tough to justify for “just a streamer,” but once again geeks and gamers will find plenty of reasons to splurge.
3. Roku Premiere
Incredible picture with an even more incredible value. The new Roku Premiere is the simple way to start streaming in HD, 4K Ultra HD or HDR.
Just plug it into your TV with the included Premium High-Speed HDMI Cable and connect to the Internet.
With a short step-by-step setup and an easy on-screen experience, you’ll be watching in minutes.
Use the simple remote to search for your favourite shows and discover thousands of free and paid channels to stream almost anything, including hit movies, popular shows, live TV, news and sports. Plus, with access to hundreds of free channels, there’s plenty to stream without spending extra.
Review: cnet
If you have a relatively inexpensive 4K TV that lacks HDR (high dynamic range), particularly one with an anemic selection of built-in streaming apps, the Premiere is worth considering.
It’s cheaper than any other 4K-capable streamer on the market…If you’re a 4K TV owner who just wants Roku’s great app selection in a single device, and wants to save as much money as possible, the Premiere is worth checking out.
4. TiVO Bolt OTA
Catch live TV, like comedies, dramas, award shows, sports, local news and more, all broadcast for free, with TiVo BOLT OTA for antenna and an HD antenna (sold separately).
It’s the all-in-one live, recorded and streaming TV device that makes the most of your TV experience.
Access the popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube and more.2 Skip entire commercial breaks with a single tap.3 And search across channels, recordings and apps to find what you’re looking for, faster.
And because there’s no cable TV subscription required, you could save more than $800 over three years.1 Say goodbye to cable TV. Say hello to a better way to watch.
Review: arsTechnica
TiVo Bolt OTA box axes the cable card slot so it can only receive antenna-based channels. The company believes some users who haven’t gone full cord-cutter yet may be willing to take the plunge if some channels remain available to them at first…The Bolt OTA lets users connect an antenna as well as stream content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
5. Roku Streaming Stick+
Powerful. Portable. Enhanced voice remote. The Roku Streaming Stick gives you smooth streaming with channels that launch in a snap. Easily hide it behind your TV or move it around the house, you can even take it to a friend’s.
No more juggling remotes, our new voice remote lets you easily control your TV with buttons for TV Power and volume. Use your voice to search across top channels by actor, show and more.
Enjoy 500, 000 Plus blockbusters, award-winning original Series, kids’ shows, live network TV, and more.
Review: The Verge
The new Streaming Stick Plus seems like the culmination of everything Roku’s been building toward: a tiny device that can plug into any TV setup, completely replace the interface and controls with a single remote, and provide access to a huge catalog of content across a range of services.
This is the new default Roku — and by extension, the new default choice for people buying a media streamer for now-common 4K TVs.
In most situations, it’ll be fine, but if you’re thinking of upgrading just to watch 4K HDR movies, or you’re trying to get the most out of your home theater, you’ll quickly run into some pretty serious limitations.
6. Amazon Fire TV Cube
Fire TV Cube is the first hands-free streaming media player with Alexa, delivering an all-in-one entertainment experience.
From across the room just say, “Alexa, play Billions” and Fire TV Cube turns on your TV and starts playing the Showtime drama, allowing you to control your entertainment with voice commands.
Watch as thousands of movies and TV episodes come to life with vibrant colors and detailed contrast in 4K Ultra HD and HDR.
Review: Digital Trends
Amazon Fire TV Cube puts Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant in a Fire TV device for the first time, but thanks to HDMI CEC and an IR blaster, the Fire TV Cube also makes you master of your entire entertainment system (even if it’s complicated) using the power of your voice. On paper, it sounds great. In practice, it’s far better than we expected.
7. Fire TV Recast
Fire TV Recast is a DVR that lets you watch and record over-the-air TV at home or on-the-go with no monthly fees.
Watch at home with a Fire TV or Echo Show, or take your shows with you with the Fire TV mobile app on compatible iOS and Android devices or Fire tablets.
Review: ZDNet
Amazon’s Fire TV Recast is a small black box with up to four tuners and spaces for up to 150 hours of recorded content that streams your local OTA programming directly to a Fire TV or mobile device…Amazon’s Fire TV Recast just works.
It’s a cliche catchphrase that’s typically muttered about Apple products but is applicable here.
It’s easy to set up and it works seamlessly with Amazon products. But remaining dependent on Amazon products is something that not everyone is going to want to deal with, and that’s understandable.
8. Roku 4K
The next-generation Roku Ultra is our most powerful player, with a quad-core processor and our best wireless performance.
A great choice for avid streamers and users of cable replacement services such as DirecTV NOW, Sling TV, and more.
Whether your TV is 4K or HD, Roku Ultra will optimize your content for the best picture resolution possible.
Experience the visual rush of crisp details and rich HDR color. Plus, the Roku Ultra is fully loaded with features you’ll love.
Our new voice remote lets you easily control your TV with buttons for TV power and volume. Headphones let you listen in private.
And no more tearing the family room apart with our lost-remote finder. Plus, enjoy 500,000 Plus movies and TV episodes, including blockbusters, award-winning original series, kids’ shows, live network TV, and more-across thousands of free or paid channels like Netflix, Amazon Video, HBO NOW, and PBS KIDS.
Review: cnet
The Roku 4 delivers 4K video, promising the best-quality video streams available today. It has more 4K-capable apps than other devices and makes 4K TV shows and movies easy to find.
The remote has voice search, a unique headphone jack for private listening, and a finder function in case it goes missing in the couch cushions.
Roku’s platform is the best, with the most apps, comprehensive search results arranged by price, and a simple interface that doesn’t favor one service over others.
9. NVIDIA Shield
NVIDIA Shield TV is the most advanced streaming media Player that provides endless entertainment and is the perfect fit for your google-connected lifestyle.
Play your favorite shows In up to 4K HDR, share your photos, stream The latest songs, display your calendar, dim the lights, and so much more, All with just your voice. With shield, it’s more than TV.
It’s your life—smarter and more connected. Enjoy Netflix, video, and Voodoo in stunning 4K HDR and YouTube, Google Play movies & TV, and more in up to 4K.
Cut the cord with apps like YouTube TV, Sling TV or PlayStation Vie. Cast your favorite apps to your TV with Chromecast 4K built-in.
Add smart things Link to turn shield into a ZigBee and Z-Wave smart home hub to wirelessly connect and automate hundreds of compatible smart devices, so they can all work together with voice commands and automations.
Even use shield as a Plax media server and stream your personal media collection to any device, anywhere.
NVIDIA game stream harnesses the power of your GeForce GTX graphics card to let you cast your games from your PC to your TV.
Review: cordcutters
NVIDIA Shield TV is a set-top box that’s powered by the Android TV operating system, with hardware built from NVIDIA. They bill it as a “4K HDR Streaming Media Player,” which it is…So what’s good about NVIDIA Shield TV?
First, it’s powerful. Really powerful. There is a lot of graphics power in this little box. So alongside all the Android TV awesomeness — including just about every streaming app you could think of — you get a whole lot of games. And like every other Android TV device, it’s also a proper Chromecast target.
10. GameIn Infrazone NX TV
This wireless TV video game from Mitashi comes with 8-bit graphics to attract the young eyes. It comes with 362 unique built-in games with an optional game.
Your child will be thrilled to enjoy the ultimate world of virtual gaming with this TV game. A perfect game for every child, especially during the holiday times.
Review: mouthshut.com
I got my Infrazone nx when I was 6 years old.It was a really good gaming experience for me.It was amazing I had never seen anything like that before when I was a child.No call of duty or GTA can challenge those hours of extreme gameplay.I had much fun at that age.I had many second-hand cartidges at that time.I used to play games when I came from school.I used to play coop games with my relatives.
11. TiVo Stream 4K
No more app-switching. Forget learning to navigate a new screen with every app. Tivo stream 4k enables one centralized place for searching, browsing, and creating watch lists across all your apps.
Say it and watch it. The power of voice control makes it easy to find shows. Integrated google assistant allows you to launch apps, dim the lights and more.
Tivo stream 4k is one of Time magazine’s “2020 best inventions, special mention” and pcmag hails it as “an excellent media streamer for tv lovers.”
Review: tomsguide.com
The TiVo Stream 4K has a lot going for it – a sleek design, a voice-enabled remote, the ability to cast from your phone and an Android TV platform with access to thousands of apps.The TiVo Stream 4K tries to stand out with its own app, which aggregates content from other channels, including Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus and HBO Max. What TiVo really wants to highlight is the integration of live TV, yet it’s limited to just a few services.
Disclaimer:
We strongly discourage engaging in pirate streaming activities, and we are not associated with any such services. The following information is provided solely for informational purposes. It is essential to understand that piracy is a cybercrime, and we strongly advocate purchasing and legally watching content.
