There now are so many ways for you to get all the shows and movies you want on all your favorite streaming services, be it Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+. But the most popular choice by far is still a streaming device, such as a set-top box or streaming stick that you connect to your TV with a simple but effective HDMI input.
Who it's for: Anyone, really , so long as they have the cash to spend. While those in the Apple ecosystem can make use of some of the extra features, it's not just for those with iPhones and iPads.In the world of $50 streaming sticks that absolutely can get the job done and get it done well, it's perhaps a little hard to recommend something that costs three or four or five times as much.
Apple's tvOS is even more simple than its current phone and tablet software. The home screen is app icons, and that's it. No real recommendations of shows or movies or live channels. No advertising. Nothing that overwhelms. That simplicity in and of itself may well be worth the extra money. The most recent Shield, released in 2019, comes in two flavors. Both add Dolby Vision into the mix in addition to Dolby Atmos decoding. The non-Pro model comes in a cylindrical body for some reason. The Pro has more RAM and doubles the onboard storage to 16GB and is meant for gaming via Nvidia's G-Force Now system. And the Tegra X1+ processor is as good now as it was at release.
The Streaming Stick 4K and Streaming Stick 4K+ are identical, insofar as the sticks themselves go. You get 4K UHD resolution, support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and improved Wi-Fi over previous models. The"Plus" side of the equation comes with the inclusion of the Roku Voice Remote Pro, which gives you hands-free voice control. Just say"Hey, Roku," and the remote will hear you and execute your commands.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K and 4K+ The best of the inexpensive streaming devices Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max Also great, but for those who don't want Roku Read our in-depth review Pros Cons Why you should buy this: If Roku just isn't your thing or you prefer the native Amazon and Alexa experience.Why we picked the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max:
And that's all before you get to all the third-party streaming apps, games, and other options available on Amazon Fire TV. The Amazon Fire TV Stick remains an excellent choice and one that's tough to beat.