Best Streaming Devices | Apple TV 4K vs Roku vs Fire TV vs Chromecast
You’ve got a ton of options when it comes to choosing the best streaming stick or dongle or box. Too many, maybe. So we break down the best of the best. These aren’t the cheapest — but they’re what we’d spend our money on.
More on our favorite streaming devices: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/best-streaming-devices/
Read our full reviews
Apple TV 4K Review: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/apple-tv-4k-2022-review/
Amazon Fire TV Cube Review: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/amazon-fire-tv-cube-2022-review/
Chromecast with Google TV Review: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/google-chromecast-2020-review/
You can buy any of the products mentioned in this episode on Amazon:
Roku Ultra: https://amzn.to/3Va6GM2
Amazon Fire TV Cube: https://amzn.to/3UXXNWg
Amazon Voice Remote Pro: https://amzn.to/3i4CnYW
Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max: https://amzn.to/3i7f7cQ
Chromecast with Google TV: https://amzn.to/3VmP27E
Apple TV 4K: https://amzn.to/3V3g6JI
NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro: https://amzn.to/3gmRg8A
NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV: https://amzn.to/3GFty1U
00:00 Intro
01:33 Roku Ultra
04:18 Amazon Fire TV Cube
08:16 Chromecast with Google TV
09:31 NVIDIA SHIELD TV
10:03 Apple TV 4K
SUBSCRIBE FOR THE LATEST VIDEOS
http://bit.ly/DTYouTubeSub
VISIT DIGITAL TRENDS
https://www.digitaltrends.com/
In our studio:
BDI Corridor Media Console: https://bit.ly/2u1IMrs https://amzn.to/2JtnA8v
Polk Reserve Series R600 Floorstanding Tower Speakers: https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Floorstanding-Features-Certified-Adjustable/dp/B09B19PRYK
Music: https://artlist.io/Digital-142302
Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our channels.
FOLLOW US!
https://www.facebook.com/digitaltrends
Tweets by DigitalTrends
https://www.instagram.com/digitaltrends
#appletv4k #roku #chromecast #streaming #firetv #appletv #digitaltrends #hometheater #entertainment #googletv #amazonfiretv #firetvcube #tv #versus #buyingguides #guide #shoppingguide #homeentertainment #nvidiashieldtv #nvidiashield
Apple TV 4K for me, I can’t think of a better streaming device. Yes it doesn’t come cheap but snappy UI and no advertisements is a total win for me.
In a world that caters to and causes ADHD, I don’t mind a user interface that has not changed in years.
HI, I’m researching to get a streaming stick for my parents. They are senior and not tech savvy, and I know my mom would be annoyed by the part you mentioned where you press forward and it does different actions on different platforms. She would not be able to remember which button could ff or rewind for each app.
Do you have recommendations? Does anyone? Thank you
Don’t most receivers already have these apps?
Did you say I can get Amazon music for free? I think you meant, included with your subscription.
the thing with the roku and the amazon fire is that their primary products are the cheap sticks for ppl that dont have a built in smart tv, their top tier products are afterthoughts and suffer becuase of it with ads and the such
Best review and very honest with good tips
For me it is the chromecast onn. 4k streaming device for 20$
The Onn 4K streamer is not bad for the price that Walmart sells. It’s a basic 4K streamer that I think is good enough for a average consumer. It is a Google OS platform device. Just my opinion because I have one of these devices. 😊
I found modern dad! Was wondering what happened to you sir! Glad to see you’re doing big things!!
Roku recently bricked their streaming devices and TVs until the owners agree to a one-sided arbitration agreement. I can’t use my TV that I have bought and paid for unless I agree to their extortion. because of that and the non-existent Roku customer service, I will never buy another Roku device.
My favorite streaming devices are Roku and Google. Amazon products Suck. I’ve invested way too much in Amazon devices. Google has improved a lot.
Wow, the sound was peaking a lot on this video. Started thinking that my speakers were blown. Didn’t expect that from this channel. Switch to the Sony lavalier mic. The silver one with left and right dual mic.
For me the chromecast and Apple TV
But the Apple TV remote is horrible …..
Oh you made a mistake. 9:16 The Chromecast Google TV does have Ethernet. It’s built into the power supply. It’s 10/100 though.
Thank you for sharing.. I have bought fire sticks in the past, and all of them were crappy. I still have them. I also took out this protection plan.. This product is c***I felt like" I was the only one in America who kept buying damage brand new fire sticks. So, I bought televisions with apps. Just recently, I was going to buy the insignia firestick TV. I went to my family on YouTube. To find any helpful reviews, I did. Those tv" are crappy as well. Lmb0…. When I saw those reviews. I immediately went back to Best Buy website and canceled that order okay,, 😊 And this is when I ran across the google stick.. I just enjoyed the people on YouTube. There are so many helpful people around the world. Thank you.❤😘
My DNS filter blocks all the garbage ads
Firecube is the best and that’s mainly because of hands free Alexa.
My actual list:
1. Apple TV, for all the reasons I list in this video — and one I didn’t. Apple Fitness+ is EXCELLENT on ATV.
2. Chromecast. It lives in my gear bag. Love it on the go. (For long stays I’ll take my ATV.)
3/4: Roku and Fire TV, interchangeable. They’re fine. They work great. They’re not my favorites.
Roku is terrible the operating system is antiquated and old you can’t load third-party add-ons, which is a huge factor with a lot of people and it’s over priced. I get a 4K max stick or for a little more money even an Apple TV.
Where’s Caleb?
The biggest issue with fire sticks are the remotes. They stink.
was about to give them a try then ‘ads’ were mentioned. went from green to a red flag
What’s a thin foiled hat guy? Why is there no thin foil head girl? What’s wrong with having your head on a swiffel? Do you feel blame for having doubts?
9:13 You forgot that the Chromecast Google TV comes with an ethernet connection built into the power supply plug.
What is the benefit of ethernet in Apple tv
Apple TV way overpriced for what it does.
Roku will not let you download porn.
10/100 came out in the 90s 🤫🤓
I ‘hated’ apple tv when I had it for 6 months. Not user friendly. roku or google tv much easier
I like the cube it has good hardware but the software holds it back… FireTV OS is really just Amazon customized Android/googleTV with more ads for Amazon…
As such they really don’t update it too often… It’s the same as when you buy a google TV you have to rely on the manufacturer to support update the device…. Most don’t or don’t do it very often..
Google TV is already on it’s android 12 OS ( 14 in beta) and the cube is stuck on Fire OS 7 which is based on android 9…….
So just software wise the chromecast is better… Heck a cheap ONN box comes with android 12 and no ads…too for 20$…..
Hi @PhilNickinson, great video, thank you! Can you also watch Twitch TV on apple TV 4K ?
roku sucks. any other suggestions?
Nvidia doesn’t support Disney+ 4K
Id like to hear more about the Nvidia product
I appreciate this breakdown!!
For me it’s Apple & Google. Love them both. Australia.
Is it possible to stream (ala chromecast browser tab) to a FireStick4K?
PC connected to TV with wireless illuminated keyboard and integrated touchpad.
Problem solved; Infinite options; all with web browsing.
Mi Box S is great for the price.
“Gaming might be more of a thing”
Only good ones are behind subscription paywall and unavailable for purchase. This thing is great but damn is Apple shooting themselves in the foot. Put Fortnite and Genshin on here lol, it’s a no brainer.
Edit: wow this guy talks a big game. Just spend the $20 eh? If something is $35, that’s more than 50%. Imagine telling someone, bro that $35k car? Ya go spend 50k. What you can afford isn’t what you should spend.
It’s not called "10 100" it’s called 100 base-T.
It’s not called "10 100 1000," it’s called 1000 base-T or gigabit.
2500 base-T or 2.5 gigabit is becoming the new standard.
5 gigabit and 10 gigabit are options, but that kind of hardware starts to get pretty pricey. If you’re using either of those speeds on a home network, you’re probably just using it as a backbone to connect networking equipment to each other.
Note: not all networking equipment can use slower speeds. I got a 10 gigabit NIC for my NAS, and it cannot downgrade to the 2.5 gigabit I use around the house. Fortunately, I had a smart switch with a 10 gig connector for linking hubs and switches to each other, so I plugged the NAS into that, and the other ports on the switch provide 2.5 gig connectivity to the rest of my ethernet.
I feel really poor having one tv in the house.
Apple TV 4K also works amazing with AirPod Pro 2 & AirMax headphones – incredible movie-quality audio if you have those headsets
focus on function and search. way to much talk on price. it’s all about the same.
Can anyone tell me why should i buy any of these products, when my smart 4k tv has integrated apps which i can run them and watch the content within?
The Nvidia Shield is still the best…which is a bit sad really because they won’t be making a new model.
Is the Apple TV 4K worthwhile even if it’s the only apple product I own? 🤷🏿♂️
When using your phone for a remote for Roku, device disconnect. The Roku TV is not available, on device to reconnect. Anyone have any fixes for this ?