Best streaming stick & box 2024 (2024)

Price When Reviewed:$59.99

The 4K Max (2nd gen) is the best Amazon Fire TV Stick yet, with the most storage ever, the most powerful performance and a wide range of features.

It delivers 4K resolution at 60Hz, with support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and other HDR and surround-sound formats.

The Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced remote adds more buttons for more TV control, including a live TV key which is very useful for when live sports are airing. The Ambient Experience gives you a customisable screen saver with useful productivity widgets such as the weather and reminders. If you’re in the US, you can also take advantage of the generative AI features.

It doesn’t have hands-free Alexa like the more expensive Fire TV Cube, but at only £10/$10 more than the next model down, it’s still the best choice if you have a 4K TV. If you only have a 1080p panel, opt for the 3rd-gen Fire Stick.

There are ads on the home screen, and heavy promotion for Amazon-owned content from Prime Video and IMDb TV. But, with a well-stocked app store containing all popular streaming services, it’s easy to recommend.

Price When Reviewed:$49.99

The Streaming Stick 4K from Roku brings4K streaming for an affordable price. The device has a lot going for it including an easy-to-use interface, smooth performance and a decent remote with controls for both the volume and power and voice support.

Roku also offers thousands of hours of free content with The Roku Channel, and a huge range of streaming apps such as Netflix and Disney+.

The Streaming Stick 4K doesn’t have a headphone jack directly on the remote, and the lack of an HDMI extension cable may make setting up a little tricky. However, it does have support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max still has the edge here due to a more tailored and comprehensive homepage. Roku needs to get better at suggesting content and making shows readily available without users having to go directly into apps.

Price When Reviewed:$49.99

The Chromecast with Google TV is the firm’s best-ever streamer. It’s now up there with the best from Amazon. Even if you’re not considering rivals, it’s worth upgrading from an older Chromecast – especially considering that this now has support for Dolby Atmos.

The remote control with Google Assistant and the excellent Google TV interface combine to create a great way to browse and discover content from a range of services in 4K with wide HDR support, too.

In addition, the device now has support for the Smart Home panel, so you can integrate it with your appliances.

While the remote doesn’t have a headphone jack, you can connect Bluetooth earphones for private listening. You also can’t switch users on this device.

Note that the Chromecast will gradually be discontinued while Google rolls out its latest media box, the Google TV Streamer. However, it’s still available from a wide range of retailers at the time of writing, and it’s a better buy than the TV Streamer.

Price When Reviewed:$149

The Nvidia Shield TV offers the most complete media streamer experience on the market right now, although it’s not the cheapest gadget in our chart by a long shot.

It features 4K@60Hz playback, like its predecessor, but the new Shield TV takes things a step further with AI-based 4K upscaling that makes even 360p content look sharp and crisp. It’s not as good as native 4K content, but it’s certainly the next best thing.

Couple that with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support across Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, Google Assistant support, access to AAA gaming via GeForce Now and a new triangular remote with backlit media keys and you’ve got a truly premium media streaming experience.

Price When Reviewed:Unavailable in the US

If you still primarily watch TV over streaming services, the Manhattan T3-R is a great option. It offers Freeview Play, complete with 85 channels (15 of which are HD), and you’ll also find catch-up apps from all the main UK broadcasters if you miss something on TV.

Boasting a 500GB or 1TB HDD, you’ve also got the option of pausing, rewinding or recording TV shows, with the ability to record two channels while watching a third simultaneously. And, most importantly, the software is simple, easy to use and stutter-free.

The only complaint? The lack of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video apps, meaning there’s a lack of 4K content beyond what’s available on YouTube and BBC iPlayer.

Price When Reviewed:$139.99

The 3rd-generation Fire TV Cube once again combines all the benefits of an Amazon streaming stick with an Echo Dot smart speaker, but this time with faster and slicker performance.

This media streamer supports 4K HDR video, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and is simple and easy to use thanks to Amazon’s interface. You have the option of hands-free control with your voice – you can also use your voice for all the usual smart speaker commands such as reminders, playing music, asking questions etc.

This is one of the pricier media streamers on the market though, so only consider it if you really want an Echo Dot as well as a streaming stick. You’ll also have to put up with Amazon’s tendency to including lots of ads on its OS.

Price When Reviewed:$19.88

US readers can get an excellent Google TV Streaming Box for less than $20 from Walmart, undercutting competition from the likes of Amazon and Roku (outside of major sale seasons, that is).

The Walmart Onn 4K Google TV Streaming Box comes with a great remote, with many shortcuts for apps and settings, as well as support for voice control. The TV OS is simple to navigate, and includes an abundance of apps.

Of course, at this price there are sacrifices. Whilst you get 4K quality, there is no Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos support. In addition, apps are slow to load, meaning performance isn’t as snappy as what you’ll find on premium models. Nonetheless, if you’re on a budget, this is one streaming stick to consider.

Price When Reviewed:Unavailable in the US

The Sky Stream is a bit different to other media sticks, in that it requires a monthly subscription to access the Sky channels it offers. If that’s what you’re after, then this is a great way of getting premium entertainment without forking out for a whole new TV or installing a satellite dish.

Sky Stream provides up to 4K Ultra HD content with HDR support, as well as Dolby Atmos. Navigation on the interface is simple, with rails for various collections, and the ability to pick up where you left off watching on a number of apps such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

However, the monthly costs can add up. A basic subscription only includes Sky Entertainment, Netflix Basic and content capped at HD. If you want 4K streaming, a better Netflix plan and things such as Sky Cinema or Sky Sports, this will all cost extra. You also can’t record content onto a physical hard drive as you can with Sky Q.

If you’re happy with those compromises, then this is the most flexible way to get Sky – with monthly rolling options available.

Price When Reviewed:$129.99

If you like the sound of the Roku system with its roster of catch-up TV and streaming apps, games and high-end features like AirPlay 2 support, and also want to upgrade your TV audio system at the same time, the Roku Streambar is a capable and budget-friendly option.

Offering the capabilities similar to that of the Roku Streaming Stick+, including 4K HDR support, it’s a fully-fledged Roku streamer embedded within a great-sounding, compact soundbar that’ll sit in front of your TV. It’s a huge upgrade over your TV’s built-in speakers and, with AirPlay support, it’s a particularly great buy for Apple users.

However, it is at the high end when it comes to streaming boxes.

Price When Reviewed:$99

The Google TV Streamer is the brand’s most powerful media box, with a faster processor than the last-generation Chromecast, more RAM and the option of an ethernet cable. However, it’s also the most expensive – and one key feature that was exclusive at launch is now rolling out on older and cheaper devices.

This is the Smart Home panel, which gives users control over supported devices on the Home app, including lights, thermostats and doorbells. Add to that its bulkier build (rather than a discreet dongle), and it’s hard to see how this device is nearly double the price of the Google Chromecast with Google TV.

Nonetheless, you won’t be disappointed with the performance of the TV Streamer. It supports 4K content with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and a wide range of HDR formats. The Google TV interface is clean and simple to use, and a wide range of apps are supported in the US – though the UK is still waiting on BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 at the time of writing.

1.

What is the purpose of a streaming stick or box?

2.

What is the difference between a streaming stick and a streaming box?

3.

What are the key specs and features to look out for?

4.

Can you game on a streaming stick or box?

Gaming is a bonus feature on some media streamers. You can play casual games such as Tetris on Roku and Amazon devices, or opt for the Nvidia Shield TV for something a little more console-esque. You can even buy optional gamepads for some if you’re serious about wanting to play like that.

5.

Do Roku devices have YouTube?

6.

What is the best time to buy a streaming stick or media box?