The Best TV Streaming Devices In 2024

Over the last decade, the world has gravitated toward a new and exciting way to enjoy content. Streaming comes with a suite of pros that make it an excellent trend to jump on. From the ability to catch up on one’s favorite shows easily, to exploring shows with no commitment, streaming devices have given viewers more power than ever. Although the best TVs support streaming up to 4K resolution, a handful of them lag in terms of perks like control over content, app support, games, and often, storage capacity. It’s worth mentioning that today’s TVs don’t all come with the same shape, size, or even software support. As such, getting a decent TV with excellent streaming capabilities may cost a couple of hundred dollars.

Aside from being relatively cheaper than smart TVs, the best streaming devices offer great picture quality and come with a wider range of content. As expected, the market is populated by a lot of streaming hardware. To help narrow the search, Game Rant has compiled a list of the best streaming devices in categories like budget, premium, and sound.

Here Are Game Rant’s Best TV Streaming Devices to Buy in 2024

If you need a streaming device for your TV that pretty much offers everything you need at a reasonable price point, then the Google Chromecast is for you. The Chromecast is a 4K streaming stick that guarantees your TV spectacular picture quality where images come alive and look way better than on a 1080p TV. Not many streaming devices can boast of a smooth UI, but the Chromecast has managed to get it right. Feel free to do more with Google Assistant by asking it to perform specific tasks, such as launching an app or reducing the volume.

Got kids? You can create profiles for kids, thereby ensuring that they have an exclusive space to stream child-friendly content without interfering with your watch history. You can also set a bedtime timer which keeps them from staying up late on a school night. Using insights from your subscriptions to streaming services and your watch history, Chromecast will send you personalized recommendations to check out.

However, it is not without its flaws. Its 8GB of storage should be more than enough for casual users, but those who want to install many apps may be upset that there’s no way to increase the internal storage with an SD card. Aside from the Type-C port, there’s no other port.

The Xiaomi Mi Box S stands out as an alternative TV streaming device for folks who want to explore TV streaming options beyond the Chromecast. One of the Xiaomi Mi Box’s selling points is that it allows you to play downloaded movies and songs through external storage. Simply connect external storage to the box using the included USB-A port. Packing 2GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, the Mi Box is designed to handle your streaming nerds without making you suffer lag issues.

The remote also comes with a voice function and Google Assistant. If you need help with, say, getting recommendations for movies, simply interact with the voice assistant. Some users have noted that the remote’s build quality could be a lot better for a streaming device at this price point. It’s also not feature-rich, meaning that essential buttons such as forward, pause, and rewind buttons are missing on the remote. To use those functions, you need to press the main button and access the aforementioned buttons which appear as screen icons.

A perfect option for viewers who love an easily customizable smart TV home screen, the Streaming Stick 4K brings a suite of features to the table. Users get an improved Wi-Fi receiver that delivers twice the speed of the former iteration. Perfect for a family, 4K allows streaming across supported platforms from any room with a strong Wi-Fi connection.

The inclusion of Dolby Vision in the package means buyers get to enjoy their favorite content with lifelike clarity and remarkable picture quality. The streaming stick’s new design seeks to draw even less attention to it, ensuring that users focus on what matters: content. It’s a perfect fit for homes with wall-mounted TVs.

Buyers can also stream content privately using wireless headphones or the wired kind that’s plugged into the remote. Compatible with Apple Airplay, Apple Home, and Google Home, this streaming stick should fit right into any home. Aside from supporting third-party voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, the Roku stick has in-built voice assistant features too. Saying ‘Hey Roku” can turn on the TV, aid in the search for a particular show, and more. In the event of a missing remote, say “Hey Roku, where’s my remote?” and it’ll play a sound to help locate it.

Need a streaming device that’s tailored to deliver the best viewing experience on AppleTV+? The Apple TV 4K is that device. Although it was first released in 2022, it’s still worth buying in 2024, especially when you consider the immense value it delivers. After all, it runs on the A15 bionic chip, which remains one of the fastest processors in the business. Aside from gaining access to the vast content library of Apple TV+, you also get to stream content in 4K, which is bundled with Dolby Vision technology for superior picture quality. To allow you to enjoy three-dimensional sound which packs the same quality as a home theater, the Apple TV 4K also ships with Dolby Atmos.

If you’ve got a mini Apple ecosystem at home comprising the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, you can do more with those devices by sharing content from them to your TV screen through AirPlay. The streaming device also acts as a smart home hub, enabling you to connect and control compatible smart devices. Unfortunately, there’s no Type-C cable included in the package, so that translates to an additional expense.

Note: Check out Game Rant’s review of the Apple TV 4K to get more insights about this product.

Amazon offers different devices for you to use in enjoying the Fire TV streaming experience, but the Fire Stick 4K Max is a standout figure due to the top-tier specs it brings to the table. Unlike the base Stick model, the 4K Max gets a stronger CPU, GPU, and Wi-Fi connectivity. It also gets a boost in RAM, meaning that the odds of experiencing lags while switching from one app to the other are quite low. Also, you get to integrate the Stick with compatible smart home gadgets such as smart lights, smart locks, and smart cameras. Additionally, pressing the voice button lets you interact with Alexa and get more tasks done conveniently.

Its 16GB of internal storage is the highest any Amazon streaming device offers, 8GB more than what comes with the base model. You also get to explore content across diverse platforms such as Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and MAX. This stick is also a major advancement in Amazon’s push for cloud gaming. Enjoy cloud gaming using Amazon Luna, the manufacturer’s cloud gaming service, and an optional Luna controller. Unfortunately, Luna has been faulted for not offering a wide range of titles to play plus the gaming experience could be better. Also, Amazon typically floods the home screen with ads, so it’s something for you to consider before committing.

Nvidia’s Shield TV and Shield TV Pro are mainstays in the TV streaming business. They both offer a complete, powerful solution that meets the needs of most people looking to stream content in 2024. The Shield TV Pro takes it a step further, thanks to its USB and Ethernet ports and built-in support for Plex. As such, it becomes a capable Plex Media Server in its own right, allowing buyers to skip assembling or repurposing a PC for HTPC needs.

One could argue that the Shield TV Pro needs a refresh and with good reason. It no longer has the fastest SoC in the market with Amazon biting at its heels and Apple already superseding it considerably with its much cheaper Apple TV offerings powered by the A15 SoC. But the major factor here is not processing power; Nvidia is still well-endowed in this department. The Shield TV Pro does not support Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, both of which allow for much more bandwidth available on tap for multiple streaming services.

Anyone looking for cloud gaming via GeForce Now, AI-enhanced upscaling, or just a capable Android TV box with USB ports and Plex Media server support should buy the Nvidia Shield TV Pro. That is, if buyers can justify paying the $200 premium.

The Roku Streambar caters to the needs of anyone looking for immersive streaming capabilities and a cinematic sound experience without going for a soundbar. Advertised as a powerful 2-in-1 upgrade, the Streambar makes it possible to enjoy one’s preferred show or movie in rich 4K resolution along with crisp audio. It comes with four internal speakers that work with Dolby Audio to produce rich sound. Roku claims the Streambar can deliver more sound than its rivals thanks to advanced audio engineering in its proprietary operating system. The Streambar goes further to deliver improved volume and speech clarity for the TV that it’s connected to.

Beyond enjoying entertainment with better sound quality, the Streambar allows users to customize their sound settings. They can automatically decrease loud commercials, increase the volume of voices, and fine-tune the sound output for nighttime to avoid disturbing those sleeping. The Streambar’s remote supports voice commands, so feel free to search for the best entertainment options, activate captions, and access more functionalities with ease.

For anyone keen on exploring something different from popular names like the Fire Stick or Roku Stick, the ONN FHD streaming Device is an interesting new player in the game. Running on Android OS, this device can render content in rich 4K resolution, supports voice remote control, and offers a wide variety of streaming services to choose from. Instead of a stick design, the ONN streaming device gets a TV box form factor. This is a great purchase for those who enjoy consuming more content from Google Play Store app content than on third-party platforms.

The ONN device supports diverse TV brands, including Samsung, Sony, TCL, Vizio, and Hisense. Casting content like movies and pictures from an Android or iOS device to the TV is possible thanks to built-in Chromecast functionality. Alongside the device, the package contains a voice control remote, an HDMI cable, and an AC adapter with a Micro-USB cable. A major weakness of this device is that it is considerably slower than more premium devices like the Nvidia Shield. While this may not bother casual viewers, those into high-quality content streaming and cloud gaming may experience lags.

The Roku Express 4k+ streaming box is an excellent option for folks who want a modest 4K experience without spending a few hundred bucks on a smart TV. Starting at roughly $30, the Express 4K+ allows users to stream their favorite shows/movies and discover new ones across multiple platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. The Express 4K+ promises to render content flawlessly with superb picture quality.

Buyers can also search for shows and perform tasks like lowering the TV’s brightness level using the included voice remote. Users can also customize the home screen to match their preferences. Unfortunately, the Express 4K lacks some features found on higher-tier Roku streaming devices, like the Streaming Stick 4K. Unlike the Streaming Stick 4K, the Express 4K+ doesn’t come with Dolby Vision or a rechargeable remote. However, it’s an entry-level product, so shippers should expect some feature omissions. Despite the absence of the above features, the Express 4K+ remains one of the most inexpensive ways to stream content today on a non-smart TV.

How to Choose the Right Streaming Device

Manufacturers have been busy over the last few years releasing multiple streaming devices to address consumers’ needs. Without any background knowledge, it can be tricky when picking a great streaming stick to buy. Anyone with an older TV or simply wants to watch more content should get one. Below are some crucial factors to consider when browsing the available options.

Budget: While they are mostly inexpensive, some streaming devices have premium features which make them quite costly. Thankfully, they’re offered at different price points, meaning anyone with a tight budget should find a couple of cheap options to choose from. Before hitting the stores, buyers should strongly consider their budget.

Type of content to be streamed: Nowadays, movies, TV shows, or sports channels aren’t the only content that can be streamed. Gaming-related content is steadily gaining momentum. When choosing a streaming device, consider one’s preferred interests. Will the content be streamed primarily on Netflix, Hulu, or Prime? Or does the user need more platforms? Knowing what one wants to watch should help them select the device that can best handle that task.

Preferred user experience: Like every gadget, potential buyers should be concerned about how it performs right from scratch. Interested in voice-enabled remotes and integration with voice assistants like Amazon or Google Assistant? Drawn to easy interfaces or encourage customization? If a device is built to deliver a seamless user experience and does as advertised, then it’s worth the purchase.

FAQ

Q: What device is best for streaming live TV?

Roku streaming devices are ideal for streaming live TV. Buyers get access to over 350+ free live channels via the Roku Channel.

Q: Is it better to get a smart TV or a streaming device?

The major factor to consider here is cost. Most times, people with a modest budget opt for a streaming device because it is less costly to get than a smart TV. However, if budget is not a problem, then one can get a smart TV offering 4K resolution and a decent selection of streaming services.

Q: Can a smart stick work on any TV?

Provided the TV has an HDMI port, the streCan a smart stick work on any TV?aming stick will work.