
Streaming boxes, on the other hand, connect to your TV with an HDMI cable and will need their own space in your TV setup (although some, like the Roku Express models, are box-shaped but tiny enough to hold in the palm of your hand). Streaming sticks look a bit like bigger flash drives with a built-in HDMI connector to plug directly into the port on your TV. There are a lot of streaming devices to choose from, so here are some of the key points to consider before you buy:įorm factor: This will come down to personal preference and what fits behind your television or in front of it. Our best media streamer picks below are a combination of our hands-on testing and expert recommendations from our rigorous research. We also look at design and convenience, and how fast the devices are. We evaluate how easy it is to navigate around the interface and use search features to find the content we want to watch.

We try out the best streaming devices by connecting them to our TV and firing up our favourite streaming services. Best all-in-one streaming device: Roku Streambar.Best value Amazon streaming stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite.Best value 4K streaming device: Roku Express 4K.Best streaming device for Alexa: Amazon Fire TV Cube.Best streaming device for included extras: Now TV Smart Stick.Best streaming device for simplicity: Google Chromecast (3rd Generation).Best streaming device for Apple lovers: Apple TV 4K (2021).Best streaming device for Google users: Chromecast with Google TV.


Best streaming device overall: Roku Streaming Stick 4K.Roku, Amazon, Google, and Apple all make streaming gadgets that plug into the back of your TV, and we've rounded up our pick of the best streaming devices below. The best TV is all online – on the likes of Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and NOW – and it deserves to be shown on the biggest screen you've got at home. Whether you're trying to get all your streaming services in one place, add smart features to an older TV, or just get a better interface than the one built into your existing telly, one of the best streaming devices will deliver a much-needed upgrade. Let's be honest, you're not making the most of all this content if you're viewing it on a dinky little phone screen, and we can agree that the cinematic new episodes of Stranger Things won't look their best from your laptop.

Between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fire Island and Ms Marvel on Disney+, the third season of The Umbrella Academy and The Gray Man on Netflix, and The Boys on Amazon Prime, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to shows and movies to stream right now.
