Chromecast: Until the debut of the newest version of Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast ran entirely on the magical power of casting — i.e., beaming content from one device wirelessly to your TV. "We were impressed by the crisp picture quality and responsiveness when playing, stopping, and selecting content." Requires a Fire TV device, Echo Show, or Fire TV mobile app. The Cube’s nature as a home theater control hub may be its biggest selling point, but it is also just an excellent streamer. Plus, if you have a third- or fourth-generation Apple TV, it will automatically sync your previous tvOS layout to make life simpler. Our guide below will tell you who supports what, but if you're new to the streaming game make sure to check out our guide to the best TV streaming apps and services too. It has 16GB of storage, a voice-capable, backlit remote control with dedicated media buttons (something the previous generation lacked), and it has Google Assistant and Chromecast onboard. The Streaming Stick+ delivers one of the best features-to-price ratios among streaming devices out there. It offers 4K, Dolby Vision HDR, and Dolby Atmos paired with premium gaming features. A streamer might have the best hardware in the world, but this won’t matter if you can only watch content from one streaming service. One of our favorite things about the Roku Streaming Stick+ is a feature shared by all Roku devices: An awesome user interface. We look at how easy the setup process is, particularly when it comes to connecting accounts and using the software platform to find and manage content. The addition of physical volume controls and power buttons, also means you no longer have to deal with multiple remotes to control one device. In theory, it’s extremely simple: Just cast your screen from an Android or Windows device, and it shows up on your TV. There is a 4K spotlight app that highlights UHD content across a variety of services. Amazon Fire TV Recast, Best for Smartphones: There is also a certain look to Roku apps, and you won’t find interface differences across different apps as much as you might on other platforms. Thanks to powerful 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless support, you’ll be able to set it up anywhere within your home’s Wi-Fi range — no Ethernet required. At this point, it is likely an issue with the app itself. The best streaming devices at a glance. Anyone who is willing to forego 4K resolution to get a full-fledged streamer for just $30. ", "The latest version of the popular Apple TV streaming devices comes with 4K support and built-in Siri functionality. If you turned on the phone's Wi-Fi and connected it to your home network, the phone would then be able to send content to your SmartCast device. So, wouldn’t it awesome, if we can get screen mirroring for cheap. Roku: Roku’s interface is consistent across every model, whether you’re talking the top-of-the-line Ultra model or the entry-level Express. Those looking for a streamlined, Alexa-driven home entertainment experience. The best streaming device: Amazon Fire TV Cube. The Smart View feature is integrated into Galaxy phones and tablets and lets you wirelessly connect your device to a compatible TV. That remote can be used to control your TV’s power, volume, and mute, but it’s also how you navigate Google TV — the built-in content curation and discovery interface that acts as the Chromecast’s home screen. Generally speaking, Android TV devices include the Google Assistant for voice commands and smart home control and have Chromecast built-in too. The Ultra is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant-powered smart speakers, and Roku’s Featured Free menu option makes finding free content to watch incredibly easy. Accessibility to a wide variety of apps is also crucial — after all, most TVs and Blu-ray players are already set up for basic streaming — so a designated streamer should offer something more. Plus, you will need a mobile device such as your cell phone, a PC, tablet, laptop, and a reliable WiFi connection to get started with casting to a large screen. It’s the best streaming stick on the market, and it’s affordable to boot. The 4K Ultra HD streaming is handled at 60fps, or four times the resolution of 1080p HD, and, thanks to a new design, runs without fans. You'll want to stay apprised of the streaming services or applications that are offered on a particular platform, as well as what formats are supported as not all streaming devices offer 4K or HDR yet. All the streaming media devices were purchased by Lifewire; none were provided by the manufacturer. While it’s arguable that options like the Roku are more feature-rich, Google’s Chromecast Ultra may be the easiest and best-designed streaming service around. This pricing is a little steep, but if you love network shows and live sports, it very well may be worth it to supplement your other streaming services. It also has video upscaling features to optimize non-4K content for your 4K screen. New in 2020 is the ability to use the Ultra as a Bluetooth receiver for any audio you’d like to play from a smartphone or tablet. She is a former editor for Lifewire’s product testing and recommendation round-ups. You can use Siri to search for content from any of the streaming services that Apple supports, with intuitive questions and statements like “Show me 4K movies on Netflix” instead of resorting to awkward jargon. Who’s it for? Why should you buy this? 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