I’m PCMag’s home theater expert, and I’ve been reviewing media hubs since Roku released its second-generation model 14 years ago. Since then, I’ve tested every major Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, and Roku device that has been released. I’ve watched these media streamers evolve from bulky set-top boxes to tiny sticks you can plug into your TV’s HDMI port and followed their growth from SD to HD to 4K. With a 4.5-star rating and an Editors’ Choice award, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the best media streaming device for most people, and its 1080p counterpart is the top affordable alternative. If Amazon doesn’t appeal to you, the list below includes highly rated options for all budgets and streaming platforms.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
October 23, 2025: With this update, our lineup of recommended media streaming devices remains unchanged. The existing picks have been vetted for currency and availability.
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Affordable
Fast performance
Wi-Fi 6
Speedier Alexa responses
Plenty of apps and features
No Apple AirPlay or Google Cast for local streaming
Why We Picked It
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (previously called the Fire TV Stick 4K) is one of two competing media streamers that offer incredible value for just $50. It’s loaded with features, including the Alexa voice assistant, which you can access via the included remote control, or hands-free through a separate Echo smart speaker. It streams at ultra high-definition (4K) resolution with support for high dynamic range (HDR) content in HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. And it can handle Dolby Atmos as well. The newest version has a faster processor, more RAM, and Wi-Fi 6, though you might not see a big jump in performance unless you have a Wi-Fi 6 router to go with it.
Who It’s For
This is the media streamer to get if you subscribe to Amazon Prime and use Alexa-compatible smart home devices. Prime Video offers tons of content and the Fire TV interface sorts through it quite nicely, while also aggregating many other non-Amazon services. If you already have an Echo and use Alexa to control your lights and other connected devices, a Fire TV media hub offers that same capability via the remote for added convenience. And if you have a Ring security camera or video doorbell, you can bring up its feed on your TV through the stick. Just be aware that it only has Miracast, not AirPlay or Google Cast, so you can’t seamlessly stream your phone or tablet to it like with some other streamers on this list.
Specs & Configurations
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Amazon Fire TV Store
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Learn More
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Affordable
Full-featured Fire TV platform with Alexa voice control
Supports HDR10 and Dolby Atmos
Remote has volume controls
Occasionally choppy interface
Uses Wi-Fi 5 instead of Wi-Fi 6
Why We Picked It
Not everyone has a 4K TV, and that’s fine because Amazon has a budget-priced 1080p option. That’s the Fire TV Stick HD’s role in Amazon’s lineup, and it does the job well.
Who It’s For
If you haven’t upgraded to a 4K TV yet, you don’t need to spend $50 for good media streaming capabilities. The Fire TV Stick HD is downright cheap while offering the Fire TV platform’s sprawling content selection and access to the Alexa voice assistant. This is an economical way to breathe new streaming life into aging 1080p TVs that might not have many (or any) streaming capabilities.
Specs & Configurations
Resolution
1080p
HDR
HDR10
Platform
Amazon Fire TV
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Learn More
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Streams 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
Hands-free Google Assistant
Remote finder
Wi-Fi 6 support
Ethernet port for wired connectivity
Why We Picked It
Walmart’s Onn brand offers a better Google TV media streamer than Google itself. The Onn Google TV 4K Pro Media Streamer is only $50, shows 4K content with Dolby Vision, has Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet, and includes features like hands-free Google Assistant and a remote finder function.
Who It’s For
This is the best Google TV media streamer currently available, and the cheapest media hub with hands-free voice control. It’s a good choice if you want to run your home with Google Assistant and your TV doesn’t already have it.
Specs & Configurations
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Google TV
Built-In Voice Assistant
Google Assistant
Learn More
Onn Google TV 4K Pro Streaming Device Review
(Credit: PCMag)
(Credit: PCMag)
Pros & Cons
Hands-free Alexa voice assistance
HDMI pass-through with Alexa overlay
Supports Wi-Fi 6E
Fast performance
Expensive
Wi-Fi 6E doesn’t necessarily offer video benefits
Why We Picked It
The Fire TV Cube remains the most powerful Fire TV media streamer available, with one big advantage over the rest: far-field microphones that let you interact with Amazon’s Alexa assistant hands-free. It’s much more convenient than picking up the remote, holding the voice button, and speaking into it. It also has HDMI pass-through, so you can get Alexa visual information on your TV while you use your set-top box or game console. Finally, it supports Wi-Fi 6E, for a fast and reliable network connection.
Who It’s For
This is best for dedicated Amazon users. Even if you aren’t already deep in Amazon’s device ecosystem, this is an excellent starting point to go hands-free with your home theater and begin using smart home devices. Neither Apple nor Google offer a media streamer with far-field microphones, though some televisions with the Google TV platform on board have hands-free Google Assistant. Roku does have a media hub with hands-free voice control, but it’s far from the full-featured voice assistant Alexa is.
Specs & Configurations
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Amazon Fire OS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Learn More
Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Simple, accessible interface
Doesn’t require a wall outlet
Supports Apple AirPlay
Affordable
Lacks Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support
No Twitch app
Why We Picked It
Amazon Fire TV and Google TV have a bit more whole-home power because of their fully functional voice assistants, but Roku is still an excellent platform purely for media streaming. And the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is an ideal choice in the lineup. It’s an affordable media hub that plugs into your TV and offers 4K media streaming with support for HDR10 and HDR10+, with a big benefit Fire TV and Google TV lack: Apple AirPlay support. That integration lets iPhone, iPad, and Mac users stream their screens to the TV.
Who It’s For
The Streaming Stick Plus is our top pick in Roku’s lineup for most people. This cheap, reliable 4K media streamer covers most bases (except Twitch), and is especially attractive for Apple users thanks to its AirPlay support (for a third of the price of an Apple TV 4K). Its simple interface should also appeal to less tech-savvy users who want to stream their favorite shows without dealing with extraneous features.
Specs & Configurations
Resolution
4K
HDR
HDR10
Platform
Roku OS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Search
Learn More
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Fast, responsive performance
Deep integration with Apple devices and services
Apple AirPlay 2
Pricey
Confusing overlap of Apple tvOS and Apple TV app features
Using Siri requires speaking into the remote
Why We Picked It
The Apple TV 4K is a capable media streamer that can serve as an Apple HomeKit hub if you prefer Apple’s ecosystem for your smart home devices. It’s also the only device that lets you use Siri rather than Alexa or Google Assistant (though only through the remote, since there’s no hands-free model).
Who It’s For
The Apple TV 4K is for dedicated Apple users. If you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, use Siri, and your smart home devices support HomeKit, this ties them together in your living room. It’s expensive if you aren’t a hard-core Apple fan, though.
Specs & Configurations
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Apple tvOS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Apple Siri
Learn More
Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Fast performance
Wi-Fi 6 support
Ethernet port for wired connections
Hands-free voice control
Apple AirPlay
Expensive
Voice features lag behind competitors
Remote lacks a headphone jack
No Twitch app
Why We Picked It
The Ultra is Roku’s most feature-rich media streamer. It has Wi-Fi 6 for fast streaming and an Ethernet port for the most reliable network connection if you can run a cable. It comes with the second-generation Roku Voice Remote Pro that allows for hands-free voice control. It supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos spatial audio. And, of course, Roku’s interface is very simple and easy to use, with tons of media streaming apps and services along with Apple AirPlay support.
Who It’s For
If you want the most accessible streaming experience paired with the best network connectivity options and hands-free voice control support, this is the media hub to get. Just be aware that while you can control a handful of Roku’s smart home devices, Roku’s voice features don’t have the broad functionality of full voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Twitch still isn’t available on Roku’s platform, either.
Specs & Configurations
Resolution
4K
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR10
Platform
Roku OS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Search
Learn More
Roku Ultra (2024) Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Simple, accessible interface
Quick performance
Supports Apple AirPlay
Inexpensive
Lacks HDR support
No Twitch app
Why We Picked It
The Roku Streaming Stick is the most budget-friendly media streamer on this list. It has most major streaming services and supports Apple AirPlay for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users as well as WiDi/Miracast for PC users. Its interface is easy to use and doesn’t overwhelm with recommendations, so it’s good for less tech-savvy users who just want to watch their shows. Because the Roku interface is primarily focused on media and doesn’t have many ancillary features like a full-fledged voice assistant or robust smart home controls, it’s also much more accessible to users who don’t want to build their home theater into a hub for everything in their home.
Who It’s For
If you have an older 1080p TV and want to add streaming features while keeping it simple and accessible, the Roku Streaming Stick is your best and cheapest choice. Thanks to its built-in AirPlay support, it’s especially worth considering if you’re an Apple product user.
Specs & Configurations
Resolution
1080p
HDR
No
Platform
Roku OS
Built-In Voice Assistant
Search
Learn More
Roku Streaming Stick (2025) Review
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The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2025
What Does Amazon Fire TV Do?
Amazon’s Fire TV OS (Credit: Will Greenwald)
Amazon’s Fire TV platform is a modified version of Android that puts Amazon’s Prime content right at your fingertips, including Prime Video and Prime Music. Plenty of other content services are available through the Fire TV platform as individual apps, such as Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube.
Amazon equips Fire TV devices with Alexa, the same voice assistant in the company’s Echo smart speakers. It’s a handy tool to use with the voice remote that current Fire TV Sticks include. And, if you want hands-free Alexa with your Fire TV, the Fire TV Cube features a far-field microphone array that can pick up your commands just like a standalone speaker.
Video Streaming Services: What You Should Know
What Does Google TV Do?
Google TV (Credit: Will Greenwald)
Google TV is a feature-packed smart TV platform that offers access to all major streaming apps and services, as well as Google Assistant for voice control and Google Cast for local streaming. It’s available on most Hisense, Sony, and TCL TVs, as well as Onn media streamers and Google’s own Google TV Streamer. Its Google Cast support is helpful for Android phone and tablet users, and it also allows for PC streaming, although it doesn’t have AirPlay support for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. Some TV manufacturers add AirPlay to their Google TV models after the fact, but it’s not on the media streamers.
What Does Roku Do?
Roku OS (Credit: Will Greenwald)
Roku refers to the services and apps available on its devices as Channels, and currently offers thousands of choices in the Roku Channel Store. All the major streaming media services are available, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, and Sling TV, as well as numerous smaller, niche apps and services catering to movies, sports, weather, news, and international content. It also has Apple AirPlay support.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Streaming Stick 4K+, and Ultra all stand out as top choices. Each offers 4K video with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support. The Streaming Stick 4K+ and Ultra feature Roku’s Voice Remote Pro, which boasts hands-free voice control, a remote finder function, and a headphone jack for private listening. The Ultra is the most expensive, but it’s the only model with Ethernet (for wired network connections) and USB ports (for playing media directly from a USB drive).
In addition to dedicated media streamers, Roku also offers a soundbar with media streaming functions, the Roku Streambar ($129.99). It’s expensive as a media hub, but that price is reasonable for a modest stereo soundbar with the additional benefit of streaming 4K video. You can pair it with the Roku TV Wireless Speakers for surround sound and the Roku Wireless Subwoofer for more rumble.
Roku has also established itself as one of the largest companies in the smart TV platform industry with Roku TV. The company both manufactures its own TVs and offers its technology to manufacturers for incorporation into their screens. A dozen companies, including Hisense, use it on some of their TVs. Roku TVs work similarly to Roku media streamers, except that they are built directly into the TV sets.
Is the Apple TV 4K Worth Buying?
Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) (Credit: Apple)
Apple’s content and AirPlay 2 support are available on many smart TVs and media streamers. However, the company still sells the Apple TV 4K, the latest iteration of which includes a faster CPU and a new remote. It also offers the ability to Color Balance your TV with a compatible iPhone. Still, in light of its high price and Apple’s continual expansion of services, it seems less and less necessary.
If you simply want to access iTunes content on your TV and already have an iPhone or iPad, your TV might be able to do that without a media streamer. All Roku streamers and TVs, as well as those from Hisense, LG, Samsung, TCL, and Vizio, support Apple AirPlay 2. AirPlay allows you to stream media from your iOS device directly to your TV over Apple’s platform, which is a key part of the appeal of Apple TV.
Recommended by Our Editors
The Apple TV app also provides access to most Apple-purchased movies and shows, including Apple TV+ content, on other devices. It’s available on all major smart TVs, media hubs, and game consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox.
Apple TV is expensive compared with Amazon Fire TV and Roku, but it still offers some benefits for dedicated Apple users: It functions as an Apple HomeKit hub and includes a remote that lets you talk to Siri. Those are the only real advantages of the Apple TV device over the Apple TV app, however. You could get an Apple HomePod mini and another media streamer on this list for the same price.
Can I Stream 8K?
What about 8K, you might be wondering? Don’t worry about it. Seriously, no consumer 8K streaming service or even consumer 8K media is available yet. 8K TVs have begun to trickle out, but they won’t be much more than novelties for at least a few more years.
