In a world where streaming is the most preferred way to be entertained, choosing the best streaming device for TVs is crucial—it’s about unlocking a truly immersive entertainment experience.
Let’s be honest, there is very little reason why you would watch live cable. It’s mostly for news and sports, most of which are available to stream through apps as well. So, it makes complete sense that you bring in a good streaming device that has both cable and streaming features. This way, you’re not missing out on anything. These devices blend speed, smart features, and stunning visuals to bring you a seamless, hands-free, and even voice-activated entertainment experience.
But with so many gadgets promising the ultimate viewing experience, how do you choose the one that truly delivers? Well, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to help you with that. From sleek sticks to powerful cubes and everything in between, we’ve made a list that has something for every budget and viewing style.
Is Roku or Fire TV better?
Both of them offer great streaming options with high-resolution content. Being from different brands, they do certain things differently, and choosing between the two solely depends on your preferences.
Fire TV
Since Fire TV is from Amazon, it has the Alexa voice assistant built in. Alexa, being one of the most popular voice assistants, allows you to optimize all your smart home features in one place, letting you integrate the ecosystem seamlessly. The interface is fast and feature-rich, but it also heavily leads towards content from Amazon. If you like what Amazon does, then you’ll like it, or else you’ll probably find it overwhelming. Of course, these devices are capable of delivering 4K and HDR content, enhancing the viewing experience.
Roku TV
Roku TV is great for people who want a clean and easy-to-navigate interface without any clutter. Roku has a more user-centric approach to the kind of content that it promotes and does not favor one or the other more. It is also compatible with Apple AirPlay 2, Google Assistant, and Alexa, allowing you to choose what ecosystem you want. The voice assistant is also designed by Roku, which is easily available on the remote control, making it effortless to access it and all the content you need.
If you value a clean, straightforward experience, platform-neutral content discovery, and easy setup, the Roku Ultra is a great fit. If you want advanced features, hands-free Alexa control, and deeper smart home integration, the Amazon Fire TV is a better choice.
Best Streaming Devices for TV in 2025
Covering a lot of ground, we’ve listed our favorite streaming device to replace cable, which has always delivered top-notch streaming experiences.
We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 20 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Why We Love
4k resolution
Backlit remote buttons
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
Roku voice assistant integration
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
Long-lasting, like, really long-lasting battery life
Roku is a brand that most people turn to when they need a high-quality and reliable streaming device. The Roku Ultra version is designed to perform 30% faster than all other Roku devices, with a fast and responsive user interface. It has a nice and clean interface that you’ll have a better experience compared to its previous version. With its 4K content, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ support, the streaming quality is excellent! And to complement the visual features, it even supports Dolby Atmos for an additional layer of immersion. With this access to all your favorite streaming apps, it’s a never-ending entertainment experience. This is one of the best streaming devices in the USA.
Why We Love
Affordable
Easy installation
4K resolution content
Streaming Xbox games
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
Remote with a simple button layout
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is one of the most convenient and affordable streaming devices for TV. It is a small USB device that plugs into your TV, and the installation wizard pops up instantly, making it easy for all non-technical people. Due to this form factor, it saves a lot of space in your setup as it is easily tucked away behind the TV. You get to enjoy all your favorite content in 4K resolution in its truest form. It’s not just movies with this device; you can also stream Xbox games if you have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. And since it has a Wi-Fi 6E connectivity option, you can avoid using cables, allowing your setup to look clean.
Why We Love
Siri-enabled remote
Powerful A15 bionic chip
Ultra HD resolution images
Built-in 128GB/64GB storage
Supports other popular streaming apps
Gives you access to Apple Fitness+, Arcade, and Music
When it comes to original content, there’s no denying that Apple has some of the best-produced movies and shows. If you’ve watched Severance or Silo, you know the quality is top-notch! Sadly, their subscription and the Apple TV device are expensive, just like every other Apple product. But if you have built your digital space around the Apple ecosystem, then Apple TV makes the most sense for you to buy. The remote control is very minimalistic and yet makes it a breeze to navigate through the interface, which, by the way, looks pretty neat. With its 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ features, you’ll always stay invested in whatever you’re watching. This is a top-notch media streaming device that is worth what you pay.
Why We Love
Modern design
Accessible pricing
Stream in 4K resolution
32 GB of storage space
Redesigned remote control
Smart Home Control integration
But…
No HDMI cable included
The Google TV is a powerful streaming device that is designed to bring the best entertainment to your home. With a 22% faster processor and 2x the memory compared to earlier models, it ensures smooth performance and fast app loading. This device comes with 32 GB of storage, giving you ample space for apps and games. On top of having access to streaming applications, you also get over 800 free channels, broadening the viewing catalog. It comes with a redesigned remote control with built-in Google Assistant voice control—a perfect solution for finding content easily and quickly.
Why We Love
Wi-Fi 6E support
Decent pricing
Faster than Fire TV Stick Max
4K resolution with Dolby Vision and HDR
Dolby Audio integration
Privacy protection features
The Amazon Fire TV Cube is a high-performance 4K streaming device that combines powerful hardware with hands-free Alexa voice control. Unlike most streaming devices, this is a cube-shaped device, which is quite bulky, all owing to its impressive build inside. It is powered by an octa-core processor, making it Amazon’s fastest streaming device yet. The Fire TV Cube is a great choice for anyone who wants smooth navigation and lag-free performance. It supports cinematic picture quality with 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, and HDR, along with immersive Dolby Audio.
Why We Love
AI upscaling
Built-in Chromecast
Ultra-responsive interface
Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus
4K resolution with HDR support
GeForce Now cloud gaming integration
The Nvidia Shield Android TV is a powerhouse of a streaming device for those who demand top-tier performance, stunning visuals, and advanced features. Powered by the Nvidia Tegra X1 processor, the device is built to deliver 25% better performance than previous models. On top of that, it also supports 4K resolution enhanced by Dolby Vision and HDR10 format support. The standout feature of this is its AI upscaling that upscales everything to 4K in real time, offering better resolution with more clarity and details. Being from Nvidia, you can also take advantage of its GeForce Now Cloud Gaming feature to play all your PC games on TV.
Why We Love
Affordable pricing
Easy to set up
One remote to control everything
Wireless connectivity option
Compact and sleek design
Long-range Wi-Fi receiver
If you want Roku services within a modest budget, then this Roku Streaming Stick is the perfect choice. Despite its compact build, it is a powerful streaming device that delivers stunning 4K images that you can’t get enough of. Its redesigned long-range Wi-Fi receiver provides fast and smooth streaming even in rooms farther from the router. The included Roku Voice Remote allows for easy control of all its features, including its voice-powered search to look for what you need across all the apps.
Why We Love
4K resolution
Affordable pricing
Built-in Chromecast
Easy installation
Access to the entire Play Store
But…
Finicky wireless connection
The ONN Android TV is an incredibly affordable streaming device that could give big companies a run for their money. It gives you unrestricted access to thousands of applications on the Google Play Store, allowing you to download any app that you want to stream on. Not just that, it even has built-in Chromecast to share your photos and videos from both Android and iOS devices. You can view all of this in ultra-HD 4K resolution! The installation and navigation are both easy, making it user-friendly for even those who are not technically savvy.
Why We Love
Affordable pricing
Responsive interface
Wi-Fi connectivity
Easy app-switching
USB port for external storage options
Live TV channels and streaming apps support
But…
Slightly heavy on ads
TiVo is one of the oldest and most reliable streaming companies that has always offered value for money, and the Stream 4K is no exception. This is a small device that easily plugs into your TV and gives you access to both online streaming apps and live TV channels. It has a very easy-to-navigate interface that brings both of them together in one place for easy access. On top of that, it even supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos content for that added benefit of better image quality. The remote control is of top quality and comes with a voice assistant to help you find the content you want without much effort.
How We Chose the Best Streaming Devices
These streaming devices were chosen by our team of experts, who have done extensive research and testing to ensure that our readers are offered the perfect solution. They tested these devices for their streaming quality, availability of apps, ease of use, installation process, and so much more. They have tested it in different environments, like home and office, for a better understanding of the requirements. Wherever applicable, they also tested the streaming speed and range of Wi-Fi connectivity. After all the tests were done and the results were gathered, they finalized this list.
FAQ
What is the best device to use for streaming?
The Roku Ultra and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max are our top choices for streaming high-quality content.
What is the best service for live TV streaming?
Hulu has been the popular choice for live TV among users.
What is 4K streaming?
It basically means that you’re watching content in ultra HD 4K resolution. Every streaming platform now offers 4K streaming for a better viewing experience.
Is Roku owned by Amazon?
No, Roku is not owned by Amazon. It is an independent American company that has, for years, offered high-resolution content to users across the country.
