The Best 4K Streaming Device in April of 2024

Finding the perfect 4K streaming device for your needs and interests might be difficult with the wide variety of options currently available. As a result, we've narrowed the field down to top models that we think are deserving of your attention (and possibly your hard-earned cash). We considered pricing, special features, picture quality, general performance, and ease of setup when building our list of top contenders.

1. Roku Streaming Stick 4K+

Product’s Specifications

• Brand: Roku

• Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi

• Supported Internet Services: Netflix, Sling TV, Apple TV plus, Disney plus, paramount plus, Amazon Prime Video

• Controller Type: Remote Control, Voice Control

• Color:   Black

• Model Name: Roku Streaming Stick 4K+

Product’s Highlights

The Roku Streaming 4K+ is the finest streaming device for most individuals, especially for those who identify as platform neutral. However, if you're an Apple, Amazon, or Google fan, you'll still get a lot out of this because the Roku streaming device is friendly with the speech assistants available on those platforms. (It works with Apple HomeKit, too.)

Thanks to a recent Roku OS update, which allows users to enter their credentials by speaking into the Roku Voice Remote Pro (the only Roku streaming device to have its top-tier voice remote, normally valued at $30), setup was quick and relatively uneventful. After setup, we had no problems at all accessing or logging into any of our favorite streaming providers.

Pros

• The setup process is quick and simple

• AirPlay 2 capable with Apple

• Supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision

• Use other voice assistants

Cons

• Roku OS is not as quick as some

• More responsive voice control could be achieved

• Twitch is still missed

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2. Apple TV 4K

Product’s Specifications

• Brand: Apple

• Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

• Connector Type: HDMI Type A

• Resolution: 4k

• Supported Internet Services: Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+

• Controller Type: Touch Control

Product’s Highlights

The greatest streaming video player is the Apple TV 4K for individuals who are completely enmeshed in the iOS environment. A remote control, the Apple TV 4K feels like a logical extension of those devices when connected to an iPhone or iPad. Additionally, it works with Apple HomeKit and can act as a hub for connected smart home appliances.

The Apple TV 4K is simple to set up, as long as you have an iPhone or iPad. If you don't use iOS, the setup will take longer and be more difficult, but we had no problems using our MacBook Air. This device, there isn't an HDMI cable included, so if you want to start watching material right away, make sure you have a spare on hand.

Pros

• Practically instantly functional right out of the box

• Two choices for media storage are available

• Nicely integrates with the HomeKit and iOS platforms

• Acts as a HomeKit smart home hub in addition

Cons

• For non-iOS users, the experience is less enjoyable

• The purchase does not come with an HDMI cable

• The Siri controller is stylish but useless

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3. Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Product’s Specifications

• Form Factor: Streaming stick

• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+

• OS: Fire TV

• Ports: HDMI, USB

Product’s Highlights

A faster 1.8GHz processor makes this version of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K more efficient at scrolling through your streaming library. The addition of Wi-Fi 6 capability makes the Fire TV Stick 4K Max more future-proof than its predecessor. As a smart home hub, it will work well with other Alexa-enabled gadgets in the interim.

We can attest to how quick the 4K Max is coming from a second-generation Fire TV Stick – hey, it still functions fine on our modest bedroom TV! That's in spite of the numerous advertisements that clogged the screen, which seemed to be present on all Fire TV sets. Nevertheless, we were really pleased with how quickly Amazon Alexa responded to our requests, from turning up the volume to choosing a new Prime Video Original for us to watch.

Pros

• Transferring data from earlier Fire devices is simple

• Fast and responsive hands-free Alexa control

• Large media library and streaming options

• Serves as an Alexa smart home hub in addition

Cons

• Things took a while to get it going

• Alexa voice control is not available during setup

• There are constantly commercials on Fire TV

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4. NVIDIA Shield TV

Product’s Specifications

• Brand: NVIDIA

• Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet

• Connector Type: HDMI

• Special Feature: Android Phone Control, Microphone Feature

• Supported Internet Service

• Controller Type: Voice Control

Product’s Highlights

People who love Android TV and want something more substantial than a Chromecast dongle will be drawn to the NVIDIA Shield TV. It has a noticeably smaller footprint than its more expensive rival, the Shield TV PRO, but it still feels more like a compact game console than a straightforward media streaming device. It has an internal storage capacity of 8GB, an NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor, and support for the GeForce NOW cloud gaming service.

But how effectively does it stream TV shows and movies? The NVIDIA TV Shield has AI-powered Dolby Vision or HDR10 4K upscaling. We were pleased with the smoothness and clarity of our content when used in conjunction with our Samsung The Frame TV. Even better, we were able to watch several of our favorite UHD Apple TV+ programs that we had fallen behind on, which was previously impossible on this NVIDIA streaming device.

Pros

• Features 4K upscaling powered by AI

• Works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

• Compatible with cloud gaming on GeForce NOW

• Has a microSD card slot and an Ethernet port

Cons

• Doesn't have a remote that is suitable for gaming

• Siri and Apple HomeKit are not supported

• There is no HDMI cable included

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5. Chromecast With Google TV

Product’s Specifications

• Form Factor: Dongle

• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+

• OS: Android TV

• Ports: HDMI, USB

Product’s Highlights

The smaller, less expensive Chromecast With Google TV is the counterpart to the high-end NVIDIA Shield and now has a voice remote, unlike its predecessor. The Chromecast With Google TV is the greatest streaming player you can purchase for your money if you like the Android TV experience.

Setup will be simple if you have a mobile device with the Google Home app. Your phone or tablet can be used for everything. The length of the procedure depends on how many apps you choose to install during setup, but you won't need to set up a half-hour of your day to complete it. It comes with a USB power adapter that can be hooked into either a wall outlet or a television (if the latter can even power the Chromecast).

Pros

• Able to configure everything on a mobile device

• Fantastic compatibility with other Google products

• Using Google Assistant hands-free is a great idea

• The least expensive 4K HDR streamers available

Cons

• If you have a lot of apps, the setup could take some time

• Google TV occasionally has issues

• Not all TVs are powered

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1. If I have a smart TV, do I still need a streaming device?

A streaming device is not required if your smart TV platform offers a good watching experience and supports the apps you choose. On the other hand, by adding a streaming stick or set top box, a smart TV with an outdated OS or a generally bad UX can be readily improved. A benefit for anyone looking to create a sizable, uniform smart ecosystem is the fact that many streaming devices interface with other smart home technology.

2. Which streaming service offers the most channels for free?

Out of all the major streaming services, Roku boasts the most free channels. Over 3,000 channels can be found in the Roku Channel Store, the vast majority of which may be downloaded for free. In addition, live television is available, and there is a huge selection of series and movies with advertisements.

3. Which streaming platforms offer live TV?

Live television can be streamed using any of the streaming gadgets on this list. They are all compatible with live TV services like YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, and others. With their respective devices, Roku and Amazon both provide access to their own hub of live broadcasts.

The top streaming gadgets send crystal-clear video and audio data to your speakers and TV. This means you can genuinely maximize the potential of your home entertainment system and 4K TV. They also speed up the process of finding the content you want to watch and starting it to play. Even though the market for streaming devices isn't completely saturated yet, it's still crucial to pick the model that works best in your house. Numerous of these streaming gadgets have undergone extensive testing by us, and we have selected the very finest. Therefore, if you're seeking a high-quality device, look no further than what you see here.