The Best Streaming Devices of 2025: Tested and Reviewed

$34.99

If you're after a plug-and-play 4K stick that stays out of the way, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a solid budget pick — in our testing it delivered crisp 4K picture with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. We found the interface refreshingly simple and the compact design won't block neighboring HDMI ports, but it earned a 7.5/10 largely because it lacks Dolby Atmos and an Ethernet port, so audio lovers and wired-home-theater setups may want to look elsewhere. The voice remote is handy, though our experience shows the lack of a headphone jack removes the private-listening option.

$34.99

at Roku

$129.00

In our testing the Apple TV 4K (64GB) delivered a smooth, responsive media OS and fast performance that makes navigation and app switching a pleasure, which is part of why it remains a popular choice despite scoring 7/10. We found Siri and tight iOS/macOS integration very convenient for Apple users, but the price is on the high side and some users report performance hiccups after major software updates. If you value polish and ecosystem synergy, it performs well, though the cost may give pause.

$129.00

at Pcrichard

$39.99

During our review the Roku Express 4K+ proved to be an affordable way to get HDR-capable 4K streaming with a simple, user-friendly interface — it’s a good budget pick that scored 7/10. We appreciated the included voice remote with TV controls and quick setup, but we found it lacks Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and there's no Ethernet option for more stable wired networking. The remote's button layout can be awkward for some hands, so consider that if remote ergonomics matter to you.

$39.99

at Walgreens

$59.99

In our testing the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max blended strong streaming performance with Wi‑Fi 6E support, making it a reliable choice for 4K HDR playback (it supports HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision) and it earned a 7.5/10. We found the enhanced wireless connectivity kept streams smooth, and the Alexa Voice Remote with TV controls is handy, but the interface still heavily promotes Amazon content and the remote has become cluttered with too many buttons. Note it also lacks Google Cast and AirPlay support.

$59.99

at Pcrichard

$149.00

Our experience shows the Apple TV 4K 128GB with Thread networking is a strong choice for Apple households who want both top-tier picture quality and smart-home integration — it scored 8/10 thanks to Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support and built-in Thread. We found the extra storage useful for apps and local media, and Siri remote control is smooth, but the higher price and Apple-centric ecosystem can be limiting. Also note that certain cables are sold separately, which can add to the final cost.

$149.00

at Pcrichard

$137.19

In our testing the newest Amazon Fire TV Cube delivers 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and Wi‑Fi 6E kept high‑bitrate streams steady. We found hands‑free Alexa control and the HDMI input especially useful for integrating cable boxes or game consoles, but its higher $137 price and an ad‑heavy interface reduce value. The built‑in speaker is underwhelming as a standalone audio source. At 7.5/10, it’s a strong multimedia pick if Alexa convenience is a priority.

$137.19

at Amazon

$69.00

During our review the Roku Ultra felt like a steal at its aggressive $69 price, delivering 4K playback with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ and Wi‑Fi 6 that kept streams smooth. We found the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro with backlit buttons makes navigation effortless in dim rooms, and that combination helps explain its solid 8/10 score. That said, our experience shows the interface can feel cluttered and it lacks a gigabit Ethernet port and misses some 5GHz channels, so advanced wired or wireless setups may be limited.

$69.00

at Amazon

$48.99

The newest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is a strong midrange pick — in our testing it delivered reliable 4K with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, plus Wi‑Fi 6 support that kept streams stable. We found Alexa integration and the included voice remote useful for smart-home commands, but during our review the interface's heavy push of Amazon content felt intrusive and search still needs polish. It’s a good value at its price, though note the separate power cable adds a bit of setup clutter.

$48.99

at Amazon

$196.99

During our review the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro stood out as the powerhouse of the bunch, earning a 9.5/10 for exceptional 4K HDR playback, Dolby Vision-Atmos support and AI upscaling that noticeably sharpens non-4K content. We found GeForce NOW integration a real bonus for occasional cloud gaming, and built-in Google Assistant (with Alexa compat) makes smart-home control seamless. It is pricier and the 16GB of internal storage feels tight for heavy app use, and the UI can lag at times, but if you want top-tier performance it's hard to beat.

$196.99

at Amazon

$278.00

If you’d rather buy a TV with Roku built in, the Roku 55-Inch Select Series gives excellent 4K HDR10+ picture and one of the most user-friendly smart platforms — in our testing it delivered vibrant colors and fast Wi‑Fi streaming, though it scored 7/10 overall. We found the built-in interface easy to customize, but sound quality is underwhelming and some users reported remote responsiveness issues. Also be aware that Roku requires account setup (and sometimes credit-card info), which some people find annoying during initial setup.

$278.00

at Amazon

$27.79

If cost is the priority, the Onn Android Google TV 4K box is a compelling budget option that supports a wide range of streaming apps and includes an HDMI cable and voice remote — in our testing it handled basic 4K playback well and earned a 6.5/10. We found the interface a bit clunky and navigation occasionally slow, and it only supports Wi‑Fi so there's no Ethernet fallback for flaky networks. For a low price it’s useful, but expect some compromises in polish and speed.

$27.79

at Newegg

$51.00

Priced around $51, the Onn 4K Pro is an appealing budget streamer that supports 4K with HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, so streams look sharp. In our testing it handled everyday playback well, and hands‑free voice control is convenient, but the cheap‑feeling remote and lack of a sleep timer are annoying in daily use. Our experience shows the older processor can cause occasional hiccups and the Ethernet port is limited to 100 Mbps, so don’t expect gigabit wired speeds. It earned a 6.5/10 for balancing value with compromises.

$51.00

at Mercari

$84.00

If you want a streamer that doubles as a smart-home hub, the Google TV Streamer 4K (Porcelain) impressed us during testing with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos playback plus Matter and Thread support — features that earned it an 8.5/10. We found the 32GB of storage and the customizable voice remote (with Find My Remote) practical for daily use, but the unit is pricier than entry-level sticks and lacks Wi‑Fi 6E/7, which limits future-proofing. Sound quality is competent for movies but our experience shows it isn’t the warmest for music.

$84.00

at Amazon

$79.99

The Roku Streambar SE combines a compact soundbar and Roku streaming in one package, which made setup in our testing simple. We found sound noticeably better than TV speakers and the all‑in‑one design is great for small rooms, but the unit’s limited bass response won’t satisfy a dedicated home theater. During our review Wi‑Fi connectivity was flaky at times and there’s no voice search, so if you rely on voice control or need rock‑solid wireless you might be better served by a separate streamer and soundbar. It scores 6.5/10.

$79.99

at Roku