There are an overwhelming number of ways to watch online content on your TV. Your television might have built-in apps, for instance. Or you might own a Blu-ray player or gaming console with built-in streaming services. If neither case applies, or if your streaming device doesn't offer the exact features you want, you can always buy a dedicated media streaming hub for well under $100 (and the options that cost more than that have their own unique appeal)..
Here are our top picks for media streamers, along with what you should know about each platform.
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's Echo 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.
Video Streaming Services: What You Should KnowWhat Does Google TV Do?
Android TV was Google's dedicated Android-based media streamer menu system, which is different from the heavily modified version of Android that Amazon's Fire TV products use. It was capable and is still available on the TiVo Stream 4K, but Google TV is slowly replacing it.
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 first arrived on the Chromecast With Google TV in 2020, plus features on all of Sony's latest TVs and some TCL TVs. 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), with Google Assistant instead of Amazon Alexa. Google Cast is also a useful benefit 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 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).
On top of dedicated media streamers, Roku also offers a soundbar with media streaming functions, the Roku Streambar Pro ($179.99). It's expensive as a media hub, but that price is more than reasonable for a modest stereo soundbar with the additional benefit of streaming 4K video.
If you're looking for a smaller package that still has all of the features (but not the audio power) of the Streambar Pro, check out the Roku Streambar. You can pair either device 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 doesn't make TVs but offers its technology to manufacturers to incorporate into their screens. A dozen companies including Hisense and TCL use it on their TVs, for instance. Roku TVs work just like Roku media streamers, except that they are built directly into the sets. The majority of Roku TVs now are 4K and support HDR, as well.
Is an Apple TV Worth Buying?
Apple's content and AirPlay 2 support are available on many smart TVs and media streamers, but 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 TV with a compatible iPhone. Still, it seems less and less necessary, in light of its high price and Apple's continual expansion of services.
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 LG, Samsung, and Vizio's 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 LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, Google TV devices, Roku devices, and even PlayStation and Xbox game consoles, which basically covers every major smart TV platform.
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. For the same price, you could get an Apple HomePod Mini and another media streamer on this list.
Can I Stream 8K?
What about 8K, you might be wondering? Don't worry about it. Seriously, there's no consumer 8K streaming service or even consumer 8K media, available. 8K TVs have begun to trickle out, but they won't be much more than novelties for at least a few more years.
