Cut the Cord: The Ultimate Guide to Streaming Device Deals in June 2025

In our testing the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) feels fast and polished thanks to the A15 Bionic chip — we found navigation and app performance noticeably snappier, and HDR10+ plus Dolby Vision deliver punchy colors on compatible TVs. Our experience shows the new Siri Remote with USB‑C is a welcome, modern touch for charging. Priced at $129.99 and scoring 8/10, it’s a premium pick for Apple fans, but its higher cost, occasionally tedious app switching, and the base model’s lack of Ethernet or Thread make it less value-packed than cheaper rivals.

During our review the Roku Streaming Stick Plus proved to be a real bargain — at $29.99 and earning a 9.5/10 it’s one of our top-rated choices for budget 4K HDR streaming. We found the compact plug-in design makes installation effortless and everyday navigation fast, while support for all the major apps covers your bases without fuss. Keep in mind it lacks Dolby Vision and Atmos, the remote has no audio jack for private listening, and the ad-driven interface can feel intrusive if you want a cleaner home screen.

Our experience shows the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro is a power user’s streamer — AI-enhanced upscaling and support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos lift HD content close to 4K, and GeForce NOW lets you stream AAA PC games to the TV. We found app responsiveness and remote navigation occasionally inconsistent, and SHIELD’s higher $196.99 price positions it toward a niche audience. With a 7.5/10 score, it’s excellent if you value advanced features and cloud gaming, but overkill for casual viewers on a budget.

In our testing the Google TV Streamer 4K strikes a nice balance between smarts and stability — we found Dolby Vision and Atmos support plus a built-in Ethernet port deliver reliable, high-quality streaming and fewer buffering nights. Integration with Google Home and support for Matter and Thread make it a solid smart-home controller, too. Priced at $84.00 and scoring 8/10, it’s competitively featured, but not the most future-proof device because it lacks Wi‑Fi 6E/7 and doesn’t include an HDMI cable in the box.

We found the Roku Ultra earned its high rating for a reason — with 4K support including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision plus both Wi‑Fi 6 and Ethernet, it’s built for reliable, high-quality streaming in demanding setups. The rechargeable voice remote with backlit buttons and a lost-remote finder is a real living-room convenience, though our testing did spot occasional overheating during long viewing sessions. At $69.99 and scoring 8.5/10, it’s a great all-around streamer if you can tolerate Roku’s ad-filled interface and somewhat limited voice control.

Our top-rated pick, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, delivers excellent 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ at a bargain price — in our testing it balanced speed, features and simplicity to earn a 10/10. We found navigation is fast and Wi‑Fi connectivity dependable, and the voice-enabled remote makes searching and playback effortless for daily use. It does lack Dolby Atmos and an Ethernet port and offers no IR control for external sound systems; if you want straightforward, high-quality streaming without frills, it’s hard to beat.

The Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K) pairs a clean unified guide with a Google Assistant remote — during our review content discovery and setup felt effortless. It supports 4K at 60Hz and multiple HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, which made picture quality stand out in our tests and earns it an 8/10. However, with only about 4GB available for apps, no automatic frame-rate switching, and occasional software bugs that require reboots, you’ll need to manage apps carefully; it’s great for usability but not for heavy app libraries.

The Roku Ultra is a strong performer for serious streamers, offering 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos plus both Wi‑Fi and Ethernet for reliable playback — in our testing those features delivered immersive picture and sound. We found the voice remote, customizable shortcuts and remote‑finder are real living‑room conveniences that justified its 8/10 score. On the downside, Roku’s ad‑filled, somewhat dated interface and occasional inconsistent voice responses can be annoying, and it lacks DTS‑X support, so check compatibility if you have a specialized audio setup.

If you’re cutting the cord on a tight budget, the Onn Android Google TV 4K box gives you 4K streaming and a voice remote at a very affordable price — in our experience it handled major streaming apps well. We found good value for casual viewers, and its Google TV interface makes searching easy, which explains the 7.5/10 score for budget-conscious buyers. That said, there’s no Dolby Vision, limited internal storage with no external options, and no Ethernet port, so skip it if you need premium HDR or a wired connection for consistent 4K playback.

The Fire TV Stick 4K is a solid midrange streamer that supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ and includes the Alexa Voice Remote for easy voice control — our testing found picture quality and smart‑home integration strong for the price. We found it delivers wide app access and even lightweight gaming support, which helps it earn a 7.5/10 as a practical living‑room choice. Do expect an Amazon‑forward interface, only about 8GB of internal storage to juggle, and the need for a separate power cable; it’s a great pick if you want Alexa and strong 4K without breaking the bank.

In our testing the Roku Express 4K+ punches above its price — we found responsive navigation, reliable 4K HDR playback and a voice remote with TV controls that make day-to-day use simple. For $39.99 and a 7.5/10 score it’s a standout budget pick, but it lacks Dolby Vision, has no Ethernet port for wired streaming, and the remote uses AAA batteries instead of a rechargeable pack. If you want affordable, no-frills 4K streaming that just works, this is a practical choice.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (newest model) packs a lot of value with 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ plus Wi‑Fi 6 for steadier streams — in our testing the AI-powered Fire TV Search sped up finding shows noticeably. We found the stick delivers excellent picture quality and access to over a million movies and shows while offering light gaming support, which helped it earn an 8.5/10 score. Expect an ad-heavy interface and limited internal storage you’ll need to manage, but for performance versus price this is a standout option.

During our review the TiVo Stream 4K impressed with content aggregation — we found its ability to integrate live TV and streaming apps into a single guide makes discovering shows easier than juggling separate apps. Picture and sound support are strong for the price with 4K UHD, Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, but our testing revealed intermittent connectivity issues and occasional software glitches that interrupt playback. Scoring 7/10 and priced at $34.99, it’s a capable, budget-friendly option if you can tolerate a sometimes clunky interface.

Our experience shows the new Fire TV Cube is a powerful hands-free streamer — with Wi‑Fi 6E, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos it delivers strong picture and sound, and Alexa hands-free control makes navigating and smart‑home commands effortless. We found the HDMI input handy for connecting and controlling other devices, but the home screen’s heavy sponsored content can be distracting and Amazon doesn’t include an HDMI cable in the package; the built-in speaker also underwhelms for voice feedback. Priced at $137.19 with an 8/10 score, it’s a smart living-room hub if you can tolerate the promotions.

If you need an outdoor-ready Chromecast, the Titan Weatherproof Google Chromecast Snow delivers sharp 4K HDR and useful AI features with built-in Google Assistant — in our testing the picture quality impressed. The compact design makes installation painless, but the $179.99 price and reported reliability issues keep it from being a slam dunk. We found some users experience remote-control hiccups, occasional software glitches that require reboots, and limited internal storage that can constrain apps; at a 7/10 score, it’s best if you prioritize image quality and voice control and can tolerate occasional troubleshooting.

If you want to simplify your living room, the Roku Streambar SE blends a compact 4K HDR streamer with a built-in soundbar — during our review we appreciated the easy setup via HDMI ARC and optical connections. We found streaming from Netflix, Prime Video and Hulu was smooth and the combined form factor saves space, earning it an 8/10 for everyday convenience. It isn’t aimed at home‑theater purists though: the Streambar lacks Dolby Vision and Atmos, has weak bass without a subwoofer, and offers no built‑in voice assistant, so pair it with an external voice device if you need hands‑free control.

During our review the Fire TV Stick 4K Max bundle delivers strong streaming performance — we found smooth 4K@60 playback and tri-band Wi‑Fi 6E kept streams stable, while Alexa integration makes voice searches quick and handy. The included Blink Mini Pan‑Tilt camera adds home-monitoring value, but our testing showed the camera lacks subject tracking, suffers a noticeable pan lag, and doesn’t work with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit. At $58.79 and a 7.5/10 score, it’s a solid streaming stick with a modestly useful camera add-on.

In our testing the Xbox Series S (1TB) shines at gaming — compact, fast and capable of up to 120 fps — but while not the highest scorer for streaming it’s limited to 1440p and won’t fully utilize a 4K TV for video. We found the 1TB SSD and small footprint make it an attractive central entertainment hub, yet the lack of a disc drive and no native voice control reduce convenience for cord-cutters. Given its $621.06 price and a 6/10 score, it’s a better buy for gamers than for budget streaming setups.