Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (2025)

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Media Streaming Devices: Buying Advice, Tips, and News

Our 7 Top Picks

Best Overall

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (1)

4.5

Outstanding

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023)

$29.99 at Amazon See It

The second-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K adds Wi-Fi 6 to one of the best media streaming devices at the same affordable price as the previous model.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Fast performance

  • Wi-Fi 6

  • Speedier Alexa responses

  • Plenty of apps and features

Cons

  • No Apple AirPlay or Google Cast for local streaming

Read Our Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Review

Best for Old TVs

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (2)

4.5

Outstanding

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD

$39.99 at Amazon See It
$19.99 at Best Buy See It

Amazon's low-cost Fire TV Stick HD is the best 1080p media hub, thanks to its capable software platform and competent hardware.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Full-featured Fire TV platform with Alexa voice control

  • Supports HDR10 and Dolby Atmos

  • Remote has volume controls

Cons

  • Occasionally choppy interface

  • Uses Wi-Fi 5 instead of Wi-Fi 6

Read Our Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Review

Best for Hands-Free Alexa Voice Control

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (3)

4.0

Excellent

Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen)

$109.99 at Amazon See It
$109.99 at Best Buy See It

Free Shipping

The Amazon Fire TV Cube remains one of the most capable media streamers on the market thanks to its hands-free Alexa voice control, and the third-generation model adds Wi-Fi 6E and HDMI pass-through.

Pros

  • Hands-free Alexa voice assistance

  • HDMI pass-through with Alexa overlay

  • Supports Wi-Fi 6E

  • Fast performance

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Wi-Fi 6E doesn't necessarily offer video benefits

Read Our Amazon Fire TV Cube Review

Best Roku Streamer

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (4)

4.0

Excellent

Roku Ultra (2024)

$89.99 at Amazon See It
$99.99 at Best Buy See It

Free Shipping

The 2024 version of the Roku Ultra is faster and performs better than the previous model, while offering access to the same robust content-focused platform.

Pros

  • Fast performance

  • Wi-Fi 6 support

  • Ethernet port for wired connections

  • Hands-free voice control

  • Apple AirPlay

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Voice features lag behind competitors

  • Remote lacks a headphone jack

  • No Twitch app

Read Our Roku Ultra (2024) Review

Best for Affordable AirPlay

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (5)

4.0

Excellent

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

$35.00 at Amazon See It
$24.99 at Target See It

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a powerful media streamer for watching 4K HDR content from many streaming apps, and AirPlay support lets you easily mirror Apple devices.

Pros

  • Fast, responsive performance

  • Sleek, small design

  • Supports Apple AirPlay and Dolby Vision

Cons

  • Voice features still lag those of Amazon Fire TV and Google TV

  • No Twitch app available

  • 5GHz Wi-Fi hiccup in testing

Read Our Roku Streaming Stick 4K Review

Best for Siri Users

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (6)

3.5

Good

Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation)

$159.00 at Amazon Check Stock
$134.00 at Walmart See It

Free Shipping

Despite a drop in price and a boost in performance, the third-generation Apple TV 4K is still an expensive media streamer that's best suited for Apple-centric households.

Pros

  • Fast, responsive performance

  • Deep integration with Apple devices and services

  • Apple AirPlay 2

Cons

  • Pricey

  • Confusing overlap of Apple tvOS and Apple TV app features

  • Using Siri requires speaking into the remote

Read Our Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) Review

Best for Google Assistant Users

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (7)

3.5

Good

Google TV Streamer

$99.98 at Amazon See It
$99.99 at Best Buy See It

The Google TV Streamer adds an Ethernet port and support for Matter and Threads, but it doesn't do much the Chromecast can't do for half the price.

Pros

  • Fast, smooth performance

  • Ethernet port for wired connectivity

  • Works as a Matter hub and Threads border router

Cons

  • Expensive

  • No Wi-Fi 6

  • Lacks hands-free voice control

Read Our Google TV Streamer (4K) Review

Latest Media Streaming Device Top Picks

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2025

Latest Media Streaming Device Reviews

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Review

4.5

Editors' Choice

Amazon Fire TV Cube Review

4.0

Editors' Choice

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Review

4.5

Editors' Choice

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max Review

4.0

Roku Ultra (2024) Review

4.0

Google TV Streamer (4K) Review

3.5

Latest Media Streaming Device News

Sonos Reportedly Kills Its Media Streaming Device Project ByJibin Joseph

Employee at DVD Manufacturer Arrested for Leaking Films, Including Spider-Man ByMichael Kan

Sonos' Next Big Move Is Reportedly a High-End Streaming Box ByJibin Joseph

Proton Promises Secure Streaming With VPN App for Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro ByJoe Hindy

Get These Prime Day Deals on Media Streaming Devices Before They Disappear ByJibin Joseph

Best Early Prime Day Deals on Media Streaming Devices ByJibin Joseph

Google TV Streamer Replaces Chromecast in Media Hub Lineup ByWill Greenwald

Google's Next Chromecast Could Be a Set-Top Box, Not a Dongle ByJibin Joseph

Still Going: The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on Streaming Devices ByChloe Albanesius

Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on Streaming Devices ByChloe Albanesius

All News

Latest Media Streaming Device How-Tos

How to Access Roku's Secret Screens ByChandra Steele

Bored With Your Apple TV Display? How to Set Up Portraits Screen Savers ByTyler Hayes

How to Turn Off Annoying Apple TV Sports Notifications ByTyler Hayes

Related Categories

All Home Entertainment Home Entertainment Accessories Blu-ray Players TVs Universal Remotes

Latest Media Streaming Device Stories

Sonos Reportedly Kills Its Media Streaming Device Project

The Pinewood streaming player was rumored to cost $200-$400. Sonos has put that device on hold and shifted focus back to fixing its mobile app.

3/13/2025 By Jibin Joseph

Employee at DVD Manufacturer Arrested for Leaking Films, Including Spider-Man

Steven R. Hale allegedly stole and sold a high-quality copy of 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' and other films before their official Blu-ray release.

3/07/2025 By Michael Kan

A Binge-Worthy Deal: Get Disney+ and Hulu for Less Than $3 a Month

For a limited time, you can score Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for just $2.99/month for four months, saving you 72% per month (offer ends March 30).

3/07/2025 By Juhi Wadia

How to Access Roku's Secret Screens

Your Roku has a handful of hidden features you can't find on the Home screen. Here's how to access them with a few remote clicks.

2/10/2025 By Chandra Steele

Sonos' Next Big Move Is Reportedly a High-End Streaming Box

It's rumored to cost between $200 and $400, though, which is pricey for a streaming box.

2/05/2025 By Jibin Joseph

Rare Discounts on Nvidia Shield Media Streamers: Convert Old to Gold

Every day, we head into the deal mines, digging for savings and discounts on the best electronics out there. And every day, there's one deal that stands above them all. This is that deal!

2/04/2025 By Shubham Yewale

The Best Streaming Device Deals For January 2025

Get all of your streaming services settled with a plug-and-play device from Amazon, Roku or Apple at a deep discount

1/21/2025 By K. Thor Jensen

28 Hidden Roku Tips and Tricks You Won't Find in the Instruction Manual

Whether you've had the same Roku for years or just upgraded to a new one, there's more to know about these media streaming devices than meets the eye.

1/21/2025 By Chandra Steele

Smarten Up Your TV: Grab the Roku Express HD for Only $18

Every day, we head into the deal mines, digging for savings and discounts on the best electronics out there. And every day, there's one deal that stands above them all. This is that deal!

1/17/2025 By Shubham Yewale

Bored With Your Apple TV Display? How to Set Up Portraits Screen Savers

If you loved aerial landscape images on your Apple TV, Portraits screen savers in tvOS 18 show your best photos with a stylized clock overlay.

1/12/2025 By Tyler Hayes

The Intuitive Button Remote That Could Make Any Apple TV Owner's Life Easier

It's got the classic buttons you're familiar with and there's no need to rely on Siri.

12/14/2024 By StackCommerce Team (Sponsored)

This Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Will Only Cost You $15

And let's be honest, you've wasted more money on much worse things that don't stream your favorite shows or control your smart home. This 50% off deal shouldn't be overlooked.

12/12/2024 By Juhi Wadia

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2025

Who needs cable? Check out the best media streaming devices we've tested for watching shows, movies, and more on your TV.

11/26/2024 By Will Greenwald

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Review

4.5

Editors' Choice

Amazon's low-cost Fire TV Stick HD is the best 1080p media hub, thanks to its capable software platform and competent hardware.

$39.99 at Amazon

11/22/2024 By Will Greenwald

Amazon Fire TV Cube Review

4.0

Editors' Choice

The Amazon Fire TV Cube remains one of the most capable media streamers on the market thanks to its hands-free Alexa voice control, and the third-generation model adds Wi-Fi 6E and HDMI pass-through.

$109.99 at Amazon

11/21/2024 By Will Greenwald

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Review

4.5

Editors' Choice

The second-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K adds Wi-Fi 6 to one of the best media streaming devices at the same affordable price as the previous model.

$29.99 at Amazon

11/21/2024 By Will Greenwald

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max Review

4.0

The second-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max one-ups the standard model with Wi-Fi 6E support, though you'll only notice its speed and reliability improvements with a compatible router.

$39.99 at Amazon

11/21/2024 By Will Greenwald

Early Black Friday Deal: Fire TV Sticks For Up to an Unbelievable 56% Off

$18 will get you a new Fire TV Stick. So will $22 for the 4K model and $33 for the 4K Max version. At the very least, you're saving 45% off! So let's go plug and play!

11/13/2024 By Juhi Wadia

Proton Promises Secure Streaming With VPN App for Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro

Proton VPN offers 8,500 servers across 112 countries at launch, letting you stream content on Apple TV in private.

10/31/2024 By Joe Hindy

Roku Ultra (2024) Review

4.0

The 2024 version of the Roku Ultra is faster and performs better than the previous model, while offering access to the same robust content-focused platform.

$89.99 at Amazon

10/10/2024 By Will Greenwald

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Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (2025)

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