Yes, there are cheaper streaming devices out there – and there are more expensive ones. But if you’re in the market for a brand new streaming stick – you might as well go with the latest versions – which is why they’re covered in this roundup. These were not major upgrades, though – and there’s no reason to switch if you have the previous generation.
FIRESTICK OR CHROMECAST TV
The Roku 4K and the Fire TV 4K Max were released late in 2021, to replace the previous models – the Roku Streaming Stick+ and the Fire TV 4K Stick.
FIRESTICK OR CHROMECAST FULL
Those devices are The Roku 4K Streaming Stick 4K ( see our full review), the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max ( see our full review), and Google’s Chromecast with Google TV. There are a lot of streaming devices out there – but for this roundup, I’ve narrowed the list down to three, that represent the best combination of excellent performance, an easy to use interface and a budget-friendly price. The Three Best Streaming Devices In The UK
FIRESTICK OR CHROMECAST UPGRADE
So while it’s OK to start with a Smart TV – if you’re serious about streaming TV, it’s probably a good idea to upgrade to a dedicated streamer at some point. – with a few extras like YouTube and Prime Video, depending on the device), they’re no match for a ‘full’ streaming device that supports countless streaming services and apps.Īnd, as with older smart TVs – many older Freeview (and Freesat) boxes also didn’t get ITVX. The top streaming devices like the ones covered here, on the other hand, are quite the opposite – they’re fast (due to improved technical specs), very easy to use (as they’ve been around for years, perfecting their user interface), and they get constant updates and new apps (because so many people use them, so the streaming companies have the incentive to keep supporting them).Īnother streaming device you might already have at home is a Freeview Play box – while it’s true that those come with a few UK streaming apps (mostly the big UK public broadcasters like BBC iPlayer, All4, etc. In 2022, for example, quite a few older Smart TVs – including from big manufacturers like Samsung – stopped supporting ITV Hub (or its replacement, ITVX) – and many customers were left without access to it. Furthermore, some get abandoned pretty quickly – which means you might lose access to some of your favourite streaming services (or not get apps for newly launched services).
Most TV manufacturers have their own “Smart” streaming interface – and those are often slow and confusing. However, even if you have a Smart TV that comes with its own set of streaming apps, it’s still often a good idea (at least for some) to buy a dedicated streaming device. If you bought a new TV in recent years, chances are it’s a “Smart” TV, with streaming apps already baked in. You might have also heard about Sky and Virgin Media’s streaming-based devices – both called “Stream” – so I’ll go into some detail about these two as well, later in the article.Ĭheck Price Do I Need A Streaming Device?Ī dedicated streaming device has a lot of advantages – but if you already have some sort of streaming solution, do you really need another one? They’re all excellent devices – but the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is still our ultimate winner, with Roku grabbing our No. But in this roundup, I’ll take a closer look at three of the best in the UK market for 2023: Google’s “Chromecast with Google TV”, the Amazon Fire TV 4K Max Stick, and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K. There are plenty of streaming sticks and boxes out there. subscription and become a ‘cord cutter’ – a good streaming device is almost essential these days. So if you’re looking to replace your expensive Sky/BT/Virgin Media etc. They’re faster and easier to use in most cases, they support a vast library of apps, and you can even take them with you when you go on holiday.
While Smart TVs are getting better and better, standalone streaming devices are still quite popular, and for a good reason. But if you want a good streaming experience, there’s one device you need to buy – a streamer. From Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+, to local services like NOW and ITVX, streaming is here to stay. Streaming TV is the future, and there’s no question about it at this point – in the UK, and around the world.
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