I’m PCMag’s home theater expert, and I’ve been reviewing media hubs since Roku released its second-generation model 14 years ago. Since then, I’ve tested every major Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, and Roku device released. I’ve watched these media streamers evolve from bulky set-top boxes to tiny sticks you can plug into your TV’s HDMI port and followed their growth from SD to HD to 4K. With a 4.5-star rating and an Editors’ Choice award, the Onn 4K Pro is the best media streaming device for most people, while the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is the top affordable way to add media streaming to an aging TV. The list below includes highly rated options for all budgets and streaming platforms.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
March 5, 2026: With this update, our lineup of recommended media streaming devices remains unchanged. The existing picks have been vetted for currency and availability.
- Streams 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
- Hands-free Google Assistant
- Remote finder
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Ethernet port for wired connectivity
Walmart’s Onn brand offers a better Google TV media streamer than Google itself. The Onn Google TV 4K Pro Media Streamer is available for only $50, supports 4K content with Dolby Vision, features Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet connectivity, and includes hands-free Google Assistant, Google Cast, and a remote finder function.
Most people: This is the most feature-packed $50 media streamer currently available, and it’s your overall best choice if you aren’t committed to a specific platform. It offers pretty much everything except Apple AirPlay support.
Voice control enthusiasts: If you want to control your TV or smart home devices with your voice and don’t already have a smart speaker in your living room, the 4K Pro is the most affordable way to do so. It offers hands-free Google Assistant support (with plans to upgrade to Gemini Home by the end of the year), for half the price of the Alexa-equipped alternative below.
Anyone who regularly loses the remote: The remote finder button on the 4K Pro is essential if you frequently misplace the remote. All you have to do is ask Google to find your remote, and it’ll make it ring.
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Google TV
Built-In Voice Assistant
Google Assistant
Learn More
Onn Google TV 4K Pro Streaming Device Review
- 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 Plus (previously known as the Fire TV Stick 4K) is equipped with numerous features, including the Alexa voice assistant, which can be accessed via the included remote control. It streams at ultra-high definition (4K) resolution with support for high dynamic range (HDR) content in HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, and features Wi-Fi 6. That’s a lot of features for a $50 stick that you can find for as little as half as much during sales events like Prime Day.
Amazon fans who don’t need hands-free Alexa: This is the media streamer to get if you subscribe to Amazon Prime and/or use Alexa-compatible smart home devices, but don’t want your TV always listening for commands. It offers access to all major streaming services and allows you to use Alexa by pressing a button on the remote and speaking into it.
Echo and Ring device users: If you already have an Echo smart speaker, you can use it to control the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and even display video feeds from your Ring security camera or video doorbell on your TV.
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Amazon Fire TV Store
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Learn More
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus Review
- 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 budget-priced 1080p option. That’s the Fire TV Stick HD’s role in Amazon’s lineup, and it does the job well.
Older, non-4K TVs: If you have a 1080p TV that lacks smart features, you can breathe new life into it for a fraction of the cost with the Fire TV Stick HD. It can add all the major streaming services, as well as Alexa (through the remote), to your TV, and it costs less than $35.
Resolution
1080p
HDR
HDR10
Platform
Amazon Fire TV
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Learn More
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 (and expensive) Fire TV media streamer available, with one significant advantage over the rest: far-field microphones that enable hands-free interaction with Amazon’s Alexa assistant. It’s much more convenient than picking up the remote, holding the voice button, and speaking into it. It also features HDMI pass-through, allowing you to display Alexa visual information on your TV while using your set-top box or game console. Finally, it supports Wi-Fi 6E for a fast and reliable network connection.
Alexa fans: This is best for dedicated Alexa users who don’t already have an Echo near their couch. It’s the only way to add hands-free Alexa to your TV, and it supports the new Alexa+ voice assistant, which allows for more conversational commands.
Anyone with a cable or satellite box: The Fire TV Cube’s HDMI pass-through is a unique feature among media streamers, allowing you to see Alexa’s responses even while watching TV through a different device, such as a cable box.
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Amazon Fire OS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Learn More
Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) Review
- Simple, accessible interface
- Doesn’t require a wall outlet
- Supports Apple AirPlay
- Affordable
- Lacks Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support
- No Twitch app
Amazon Fire TV and Google TV have a bit more whole-home power due to their fully functional voice assistants, but Roku remains an excellent platform for media streaming. And the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is an ideal choice in the lineup. It’s an affordable media hub that plugs into your TV and offers 4K media streaming with support for HDR10 and HDR10+, 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.
Anyone who just wants media streaming capabilities, and nothing else: Roku’s streaming platform is much simpler and more media-focused than Fire TV or Google TV. It doesn’t have a full voice assistant, and it doesn’t fill your screen with content suggestions and ads. You’ll still see a few ad,s and you can use the remote’s microphone to control the streamer and a small selection of first-party smart home devices with your voice, but otherwise it’s all about streaming with very little else to distract.
Less tech-savvy users: If you want to get streaming set up for anyone who isn’t very good at navigating loads of menus, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is your best bet. Its interface is very accessible and easy to use, built around big tiles that jump right into a chosen streaming service.
Resolution
4K
HDR
HDR10
Platform
Roku OS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Search
Learn More
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) Review
- 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).
Apple fans: The Apple TV 4K is designed for dedicated Apple users. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, use Siri, and your smart home devices support HomeKit, this ties them together in your living room.
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Apple tvOS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Apple Siri
Learn More
Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) Review
- Simple, accessible interface
- Quick performance
- Supports Apple AirPlay
- Inexpensive
- Lacks HDR support
- No Twitch app
The Roku Streaming Stick is the most budget-friendly media streamer on this list. It has most major streaming services and supports Apple AirPlay for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, as well as WiDi/Miracast for PC users. Its interface is easy to use and doesn’t overwhelm users with recommendations, making it suitable for those who are less tech-savvy and just want to watch their shows. Because the Roku interface is primarily focused on media and lacks many ancillary features, such as a full-fledged voice assistant or robust smart home controls, it’s also more accessible to users who don’t want to build their home theater into a hub for everything in their home.
Older, non-4K TVs: If you have an older 1080p TV and want to add streaming features while keeping it simple and accessible, the Roku Streaming Stick is your best and cheapest choice.
iPhone and iPad owners: Built-in Apple AirPlay makes the Streaming Stick a cheap way to share your iPhone or iPad screen on your TV.
Resolution
1080p
HDR
No
Platform
Roku OS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Search
Learn More
Roku Streaming Stick (2025) Review
- 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 features Wi-Fi 6 for fast streaming and an Ethernet port for the most reliable network connection, allowing you to run a cable if desired. It comes with the second-generation Roku Voice Remote Pro that allows for hands-free voice control. It supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos spatial audio. And, of course, Roku’s interface is very simple and easy to use, with numerous media streaming apps and services, as well as Apple AirPlay support.
Roku fans who want hands-free voice control: If you like Roku’s simple interface but would still like to use it without picking up the remote, the Ultra is your best bet. The remote can pick up your voice commands from anywhere in the room.
Anyone who regularly loses their remote: The remote finder feature is really useful if you often get the remote caught between cushions on the couch or left on a counter and forgotten. Press the button, and it chimes.
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Roku OS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Search
Learn More
Roku Ultra (2024) Review
Get Our Best Stories!
All the Latest Tech, Tested by Our Experts
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy
Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2026
Compare Specs
Buying Guide: The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2026
What Does Amazon Fire TV Do?
Amazon’s Fire TV OS (Credit: Will Greenwald)
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 Prime Music. 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 Know
What Does Google TV Do?
Google TV (Credit: Will Greenwald)
Google TV is a feature-packed smart TV platform that provides access to all major streaming apps and services, along with Google Assistant for voice control and Google Cast for local streaming. It’s available on most Hisense, Sony, and TCL TVs, as well as Onn media streamers and Google’s own Google TV Streamer. Its Google Cast support is helpful for Android phone and tablet users, and it also allows for PC streaming; however, it lacks AirPlay support for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. Some TV manufacturers add AirPlay to their Google TV models after the fact, but it’s not on the media streamers.
What Does Roku Do?
Roku OS (Credit: Will Greenwald)
Roku refers to the services and apps available on its devices as Channels, and currently offers thousands of choices in the Roku Channel Store. All major streaming media services are available, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, and Sling TV, as well as numerous smaller, niche apps and services that cater to 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).
In addition to dedicated media streamers, Roku also offers a soundbar with media streaming functions, the Roku Streambar ($129.99). It’s expensive as a media hub, but that price is reasonable for a modest stereo soundbar with 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 largest companies in the smart TV platform industry with Roku TV. The company both manufactures its own TVs and offers its technology to manufacturers for incorporation into their screens. A dozen companies, including Hisense, use it on some of their TVs. Roku TVs work similarly to Roku media streamers, except that they are built directly into the TV sets.
Is the Apple TV 4K Worth Buying?
Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) (Credit: Apple)
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 TV with a compatible iPhone. Still, in light of its high price and Apple’s continual expansion of services, it seems less and less necessary.
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 Roku streamers and TVs, as well as those from Hisense, LG, Samsung, TCL, and Vizio, support Apple AirPlay 2. AirPlay allows you to stream media from your iOS device directly to your TV over Apple’s platform, which is a key part of the appeal of Apple TV.
Recommended by Our Editors
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, media hubs, and game consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox.
Apple TV is expensive compared with Amazon Fire TV and Roku, 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 an Apple HomePod mini and another media streamer on this list for the same price.
Can I Stream 8K?
What about 8K, 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.
