You would be hard pressed to find a TV currently on sale that doesn't have a fully-featured smart platform built in. Smart TVs have been the norm for over ten years now, which has given rise to various operating systems being favoured by different manufacturers.
Samsung has Tizen, LG developed webOS, Hisense TVs use Vidaa, and Google TV (as well as Android TV) can be found on sets from Sony, Philips, and TCL. So, if your TV has all of these internet-enabled features built in, why would you possibly need a media streamer?
Simply put, an external box with its own processing tends to deliver a higher-quality streaming experience. Like it or not, streaming is the predominant way that many of us consume our movies and TV shows these days, even if we personally prefer the higher quality picture and sound that Blu-rays deliver. However, streaming is here to stay (and undeniably more convenient), so we might as well strive for the best picture and sound performance possible; hence the need for a dedicated media streamer.
Furthermore, we're seeing early smart TVs lose app support for their operating systems, as updates can only last for so long. If you're not ready to upgrade and want to squeeze a year or two more out of your TV, then you can regain smart functionality by simply plugging a streamer in.
There are, however, a few options to choose from. Apple, Google and Amazon are the main players here, and unfortunately, we only have offerings from the first two of that trio. That brings our list to just two options; however, we are working on an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review, which should (hopefully) make its way to this list soon, providing it proves itself during our thorough picture and sound testing process.
You can find out how we test media streamers here. With that out of the way, here are the best streamers on the market for movies and TV:
The quick list
Best overall
It’s relatively pricey, but the performance offered by Apple’s streamer is worth every penny.
Best Google TV
If you're looking to avoid Apple and want a feature-rich streamer, then the Google TV Streamer is a solid option.
April 2024: The Google TV Streamer joins the list, while the Fire TV Stick 4K and Chromecast with Google TV depart as they have both been discontinued. This knocks our list down to just two options; however, we have an Amazon Fire TV 4K Max review in the works.
In the nearly 20 years I’ve been reviewing and writing about consumer tech, I’ve seen the way we watch films at home change completely. What started with trips to Blockbuster has become a millions-of-movies-at-the-touch-of-a-button situation (not forgetting the DVDs-through-the-post stage in the middle). For many, streaming has taken over as the primary way to watch TV, which makes having a device that does it well essential, so I’ve used those many years of testing such devices (and sitting on my backside watching Jason Statham films) to put together this buying guide.
The best media streamer overall
The Apple TV 4K has been our favourite streamer and an Award-winner since its release in 2021. The newest model boasts more power, smaller casework, usability upgrades and it's cheaper than the previous generation. Madness.
These changes aren't evident to look at it. In fact, it's nigh-on identical to the second-gen model, with the same boxy design and matte and glossy black combo finish (although it is a bit smaller). The pricier model has an Ethernet port too, alongside the standard HDMI 2.1 connection. And the remote control has a USB-C charging port in place of the Lightning of yore.
The A15 Bionic chip partners with 4GB of RAM to make it significantly faster than the previous-gen model. And visually, it's stunning: colours are bold yet balanced, skin tones look warm yet lively, while the contrast adds a sense of depth, making the picture more immersive. Add to that the warm, expressive audio performance, and you've got the best media streamer around right now.
Read the full Apple TV 4K (2022) review
The best Google TV media streamer
Google's follow-up to its Award-winning Chromecast with Google TV was a left-field addition to its streaming repertoire for various reasons. First and foremost, it signified the end of Google's popular Chromecast platform, both in name and function; we now live in the era of the Google TV Streamer.
This bigger and more powerful streamer has its sights set on the pricier Apple TV 4K in both form and function, rather than the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, which was the Chromecast's target. It's designed to sit alongside your TV rather than dangle from the HDMI port behind it, and it's got a greater focus on smart home and AI functionality.
As the name suggests, it runs the Google TV operating system, making this a solid option for Android fans with Samsung or LG TVs that require greater synergy with their chosen ecosystem. Google TV has been upgraded with Gemini, Google's AI service, which bolsters content recommendations and can even summarise the plots of entire seasons of TV shows in case you need a quick refresher before the new series lands.
In terms of picture performance, the Google TV Streamer is an admirable performer, thanks to its sharp detail and balanced colours. It's also a step-up from the Chromecast where contrast is concerned, giving the new streamer a greater sense of depth to the image. We also have to commend the fact that it supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, meaning you get the most out of your content regardless of your chosen streaming service.
Unfortunately, it doesn't sound very good, which is what holds it back from achieving the full five stars. We found it to lack depth, dynamism and a general sense of engagement; overall, it can best be described as dull and uninspiring.
Ultimately, we'd still pick the Apple TV 4K (the best overall option on this list) as our choice for the top streamer; however, the Google TV Streamer is a good option for those who are all-in on Android.
Read the full Google TV Streamer review
Also consider
Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd Generation): There's no 4K or Dolby Vision, which means the resolution maxes out at 1080p, but if you want to save a few quid and aren’t worried about future proofing, there’s very little not to like about the middle child of the Amazon streaming stick family.
Google Chromecast with Google TV: Stock has almost entirely dried up of this streamer, which makes tracking one down tricky, but it remains an excellent streamer if you can locate one. It features all the bells and whistles you'd expect, including 4K HDR streaming and even many of the AI features of the Google TV Streamer, at a much more palatable price.
- Which Amazon Fire TV Stick should you buy? The full range, compared
How to choose the best media streamer for you
The best media steamers will provide a total and endless supply of TV shows, films and music but there are performance differences too. Some look and sound better than others.
Few smart TVs cover all the apps and a media streamer will put that right. It's a media streamer's raison d'etre to make sure that they're stacked with services. With more competition in the market than ever, prices are low, standards are high and any gaps in their app offerings could be a fatal flaw.
TV streaming devices are pretty much foolproof too. All you do is plug them into your flatscreen, connect them wirelessly to your home wi-fi network and get watching. Despite their ease of use, though, there is quite some difference in how much they cost. More advanced models that offer 4K, HDR and voice controls will charge more, but there are plenty of simple streaming sticks for those on tight budgets too.
Before you chose, bear in mind that to enjoy HD and 4K content, you'll need a fast broadband connection. Netflix recommends a steady connection of 25Mbps or higher for 4K video, for example.
You should also check which services each device offers, especially as exclusive, original TV shows and films are all the rage. So whether you want to use Apple's library or Google's, watch the latest Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video TV show, independent films on MUBI, or live sport courtesy of Now, our round-up of the best media streamers has you covered.
Media streamers FAQ
How fast does my internet need to be to stream 4K?
The speedier your connection the better, but as a general rule you need 25Mbps or faster for Ultra HD, and at least 5Mbps for Full HD.
Bear in mind that as you get further from your router the strength of your wi-fi signal will deteriorate, so you need to test the connection speed by your TV rather than just going by what’s coming in through your internet pipe.
Using an ethernet cable will eradicate this issue and maximise reliability, but not all media streamers offer a wired connection (or you might have to pay a bit more for a model that does, or buy an adaptor).
Do I need Amazon Prime to use an Amazon Fire TV Stick?
Amazon’s devices are certainly guilty of pushing the company’s services more than others, but while you do need an Amazon account to use a Fire TV Stick it doesn’t need to be a paying Amazon Prime one. Signing up is completely free, but unless you subscribe the only part of Prime Video you'll be able to access is the Freevee channel.
How we test the best media streamers
Testing a media streamer is a bit like reviewing a TV without a screen. Sure, you have to plug it into a television in order to assess its picture quality, but the features being scrutinised are almost identical.
Whether it’s a stick you bung straight into one of your TV’s HDMI ports, a little black box you need to find space for underneath, or something in between, we work out how easy each one is to incorporate into your setup. We’ll also consider how easy each one is to set up in the first place, and how intuitive its interface is. If it’s too complicated or too slow to react it can make day-to-day use a real pain. If it offers voice control we’ll also fully test that.
As well as ticking off which major streaming apps each media streamer offers, we’ll do the same with video and audio codecs to make sure there are no significant gaps. We’ll also test each one to check that they actually work as claimed.
After that, it’s a case of spending some serious time evaluating the video and audio performance, whether that’s with 4K or HD content, and, where applicable, downloaded as well as streamed. We test music playback as well as soundtracks, and if a device offers games, we’ll also get our thumbs in on the action.
All of What Hi-Fi?’s testing is comparative, so while it’s important to use the products in isolation and focus on finding out exactly what they’re capable of, we’ll also put them up against their rivals and our current favourites to see how they stack up against the best.
Our testing takes place predominantly in our state-of-the-art facilities in London and Reading, and while each review is written by a single member of the editorial team, all of our verdicts are agreed upon by the whole team in order to eliminate subjectivity and ensure consistency.
The What Hi-Fi? team has spent well over a century covering consumer technology, so there’s enough accumulated experience behind our reviews that you know they can be trusted to inform your buying decisions. We then pick the best products in each category to populate Best Buy lists like this one.
You can read more about how we test products here.
MORE:
Our pick of the best video streaming services
And finally the best TVs to accompany your new streaming stick
