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So you can upgrade your TV, whether it's smart or not.
Between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fire Island and Ms Marvel on Disney+, the third season of The Umbrella Academy and The Gray Man on Netflix, and The Boys on Amazon Prime, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to shows and movies to stream right now. Let's be honest, you're not making the most of all this content if you're viewing it on a dinky little phone screen, and we can agree that the cinematic new episodes of Stranger Things won't look their best from your laptop. That's where streaming devices come in.
Whether you're trying to get all your streaming services in one place, add smart features to an older TV, or just get a better interface than the one built into your existing telly, one of the best streaming devices will deliver a much-needed upgrade.
The best TV is all online – on the likes of Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and NOW – and it deserves to be shown on the biggest screen you've got at home. Roku, Amazon, Google, and Apple all make streaming gadgets that plug into the back of your TV, and we've rounded up our pick of the best streaming devices below.
We try out the best streaming devices by connecting them to our TV and firing up our favourite streaming services. We evaluate how easy it is to navigate around the interface and use search features to find the content we want to watch. We also look at design and convenience, and how fast the devices are. Our best media streamer picks below are a combination of our hands-on testing and expert recommendations from our rigorous research.
The successor to our previous top pick (the still-available Streaming Stick+, below), the new high-end Roku is a relatively minor upgrade that includes a faster processor, better wifi connectivity and support for the advanced 'Dolby Vision' HDR standard. Like everything from Roku, it's idiot-proof to set up, with a super-simple interface and every streaming channel you'll possibly need. When we tried it, we noticed the speed too, as it launches apps instantly and shows no lag when navigating around the menus. If you've already got the previous model, the differences are small, but pick this one if you want the best future-proof enhancements.
• Maximum resolution: 4K • Dimensions: 16.1 x 14.5 x 6.2 cm • Weight: 380g
Roku connects to all major streaming services
This little wedge-shaped box is a top pick for its versatility and capability. It packs both a streaming device and games console into one compact package that runs on Android TV, has Chromecast functionality and Google Assistant built-in, and delivers the GeForce Now service that enables you to play PC games on your telly. Where this really excels is in its AI upscaling that'll add clarity and enhance HD videos to 4K quality (ideal if you don’t plan on forking out the extra dosh for the priciest Netflix tier). It's user-friendly, fast, and gets you access to all the major streaming services. The only downside? It comes in at a higher price than any other model on our list.
• Maximum resolution: 4K • Dimensions: 15.9 x 9.8 x 2.6 cm • Weight: 249.48g
Nvidia connects to all major streaming services
Not fussed about 4K? For under £30, Roku's entry-level option boasts the same selection of apps but just offers support for HD quality. If you don't have a newer telly, this might be all you need. Like all Rokus, it has a straightforward interface that even your grandparents could understand. It's sometimes under £20 when on offer too, and it's an absolute steal at that price. If you prefer the size and shape of the Express over the streaming stick, Roku also sells a 4K version for £39.99 – and that's featured on our list below as our pick for the best value 4K streamer.
• Maximum resolution: HD • Dimensions: 18.2 x 14.3 x 5.4 cm • Weight: 290g
Roku connects to all major streaming services
If you're a Prime member, this powerful streaming stick is the one to pick for how well integrated it is with both the Prime Video and Music services. An improved version of the older Fire TV Stick 4K, the Max adds more reliable WiFi 6 (which requires a compatible router) and the ability to check your security camera without stopping your movie – useful if you have a Ring Video Doorbell. Like the older model, it offers support for 4K and HDR quality and it comes with a voice remote so you can talk to Alexa when pressing the button. After hands-free Alexa control? You'll want to consider the Fire TV Cube, below.
We tried out the Max and found it easy to use and smooth to navigate. However, we doubt most people will notice the small changes if they’re upgrading from an existing 4K device.
• Maximum resolution: 4K • Dimensions: 9.9 x 3 x 1.4 cm • Weight: 53.6g
Amazon Fire TV connects to all major streaming services
Google's 2020 revamp of the Chromecast added a new, clean interface, apps and a voice remote, unlike the older version that only prioritised casting to your TV. It runs the full Android TV platform, can stream in 4K, and works well with Google features. For example, it can display your albums from Google Photos and control your smart home appliances via Google Assistant.
• Maximum resolution: 4K • Dimensions: 16.2 x 6.1 x 1.25 cm • Weight: 55g
Google connects to all major streaming services
If you've already got other Apple devices like a Mac or an iPhone, this box can easily connect to them and also act as a hub for home accessories like smart bulbs and plugs. Casting over AirPlay is easy, it can stream in high frame rate 4K HDR, has an intuitive interface and offers voice search via the Siri voice assistant. The latest version also comes with a redesigned Siri remote – it's now not as small and fiddly, with a touch wheel and an added power button to turn on your telly too.
• Maximum resolution: 4K • Dimensions: 13.5 x 16.3 x 6.6 cm • Weight: 425g
Apple connects to all major streaming services
Ideal if you want to keep things uncomplicated, the older version of the Chromecast allows you to cast from your phone to the TV and doesn't have an interface to navigate. You'll use your phone to control playback so it also doesn't come with a remote control, but this gadget is small and discreet, making it an inexpensive way to make a "dumb" TV smarter.
• Maximum resolution: HD • Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.4 x 5.8 cm • Weight: 49g
Google connects to all major streaming services
Most streamers that offer 4K quality are £50 or more, making this Roku a great option if you want Ultra HD at a lower price. It has the same "small box" form factor as the entry-level Roku Express yet delivers far better video resolution and improved speed and responsiveness that puts it on a comparable level to the top-of-the-range Roku Streaming Stick 4K. It lacks the updated voice-control remote that comes with the Stick 4K, but otherwise packs in many of the same features and the same selection of apps.
• Maximum resolution: 4K • Dimensions: 18.5 x 14.4 x 7.2 cm • Weight: 45g
Roku connects to all major streaming services
If you're a Prime member who wants the benefits of a Fire TV device but you don’t need 4K quality, you can make a saving by going for this option. It's often on offer (we've seen it for as little as £14.99 during Black Friday) but even at full price it still offers a lot including a wide selection of apps, fast performance, and an Alexa remote that you can use to search for content (but not to control power or volume on your TV).
• Maximum resolution: HD • Dimensions: 8.6 x 3.0 x 1.3 cm • Weight: 32g
Amazon Fire TV connects to all major streaming services
Want to upgrade your audio system and video streaming capabilities at the same time? Roku's Streambar is a three-in-one device – it works as a soundbar that handles all your TV's audio, a 4K HDR streaming player, and a Bluetooth speaker to play your music at home. It's compact compared to rival soundbars, but we found it gets loud while retaining clarity and its audio is more powerful than your typical TV speakers.
• Maximum resolution: 4K • Dimensions: 41.29 x 18.9 x 11.3 cm • Weight: 1.11kg
Roku connects to all major streaming services
If you only need Netflix, iPlayer, and YouTube, and all those apps come with your smart TV, of course, you don't 'need' to spend more on a separate device. However, some smart TVs have a clunky interface, an unintuitive remote control, or lack access to newer services or apps like Apple TV+ or Britbox. Depending on which one you pick, a dedicated streaming device will solve these issues. Some also let you search and control playback with your voice, making it easier to navigate around your TV.
There are a lot of streaming devices to choose from, so here are some of the key points to consider before you buy:
Form factor: This will come down to personal preference and what fits behind your television or in front of it. Streaming sticks look a bit like bigger flash drives with a built-in HDMI connector to plug directly into the port on your TV. Streaming boxes, on the other hand, connect to your TV with an HDMI cable and will need their own space in your TV setup (although some, like the Roku Express models, are box-shaped but tiny enough to hold in the palm of your hand). Both types need to be plugged into mains power and all but one in our roundup (the original Chromecast) come with their own remote control.
Apps and services: These days, most devices offer all your favourite apps like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, NOW, Amazon Prime, and access to all the main TV catch-up services including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and All 4. NOW hasn’t always been available on the Amazon Fire TV platform, though, and you can’t add extra apps to the Now TV Smart Stick, so we reckon it's always worth checking that all the apps you need are available.
Streaming quality: You'll see the terms HD, 4K, and HDR when picking the best streaming device for you. These relate to the image quality they can display on your TV, so if you've got a high-end Ultra HD 4K TV or plan to get one in the future, you may want a streaming stick that supports 4K streaming and enhances detail in very bright and very dark scenes – this is known as High Dynamic Range (HDR). If you've just got an older HD telly, you can save some money by getting a more affordable streamer that doesn't support Ultra HD. We’ve included the maximum supported resolution in our list.