The main reason to get a streaming stick is likely because your TV doesn’t have access to your favourite app, or perhaps there’s a niche streaming app you subscribe to that isn’t available. A streaming device can fill the gaps within your TV’s app library. But which streaming devices offer the best performance? It may surprise you that despite all building towards the same end goal, they do cover different options for different people. We’ve tested a range of streaming devices and watched plenty of video and listened to a lot of audio, using them as anyone else would in their homes to determine how well they perform. From how easy they are to set-up, to their interface, speed of operation and app library, these are all things we consider as we test them. The list below is made of the streaming devices we say are the best currently available. Of course, there are those who prefer the attraction of physical media, and you can check out our best 4K Blu-ray players to see which ones we rate the best. If you’re a Prime subscriber in need of the best Fire TV streamer, then check out our page for that as well. For starters, the updates streaming box now has the super fast A15 Bionic chipset inside, which makes the process of blitzing through menus an absolute breeze – and handy if you like to get a good bit of browsing in before deciding upon what to watch. That chipset performance also extends to the video quality. On all TV sets that we used to test the Apple TV 4K, ranging from a budget set to a high-end OLED TV, Apple’s device was able to put out punchy, crisp visuals that made the viewing experience a true delight on all occasions. There’s also a dedicated Ethernet port on the more expensive 128GB model, which is essential if you want a more stable internet connection when streaming high-data 4K video. The device is slightly smaller than it’s predecessor, and while this isn’t the type of change you you’d notice on a regular basis, it does come in handy if you decide to transport the Apple TV 4K from one location to another. If you’re not already clued into the Apple ecosystem then there’s no need to worry – unlike Apple’s other products like the AirPods Pro 2 or the Apple Watch Series 8, you don’t need other Apple products to make the most of it. The core experience of the Apple 4K TV is so good that it’s an easy one to recommend to almost anyone. Reviewer: Max ParkerFull Review: Apple TV 4K Box (2022) It’s bigger than a streaming stick but takes up relatively little space compared to an Apple TV 4K, small enough to be carted around to other homes if you so choose – our only issue is that the glossy finish is a magnet for smudges and picking up dust over time. The remote’s clicky buttons offer a better response than the Roku Streaming Stick 4K‘s remote which makes for a better point of interaction. The app selection is, in our estimation, as strong as you’ll find on any streaming platform. All the big names are accounted for in their optimal form with Prime Video (naturally), Netflix, Disney+, YouTube and Apple TV+, Spotify and Tidal, plus all the UK catch-up apps in iPlayer, My5, All4 and ITV Hub. While the Wi-Fi performance will depend on the stability of your connection, our time spent with Cube revealed few, if any issues, in terms of patience-wearing buffering times. The Fire TV Cube supports all the main HDR standards, from HDR10, HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision. This ensures that whatever you’re watching and on whatever TV you’re watching on, the Cube will filter through the best image to your screen. We also noted that the Cube’s compression, especially with darker scenes, is better than the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which makes for a less distracting performance. There’s Dolby Atmos sound if you have the kit capable to take advantage of it, and while the performance is similar to other Fire TV streamers, we did hear a more textured bass performance from our subwoofer when watching films and TV. And with Atmos and MQA support for Tidal, if you subscribe to that service you can expect excellent fidelity too. It’s half the price of the Fire TV Cube, and its performance is similar, though you don’t get the hands-free Alexa support, nor do you get as much control over connected equipment. The Max model only supports power and volume options for a TV, soundbar and AV receiver. Still, unlike the Cube, the Max is futureproofed with Wi-Fi 6 support ensuring it’s well-placed to take advantage of the faster Wi-Fi speeds those routers bring. It also has the Live view Picture-in-Picture mode, not available on the Fire TV Stick Lite or Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen, that shows a live feed of any connected smart camera/doorbell alongside what you’re watching. Performance is similar to that of the Fire TV Cube, with punchy, colourful images, good detail and speedy navigation. Though what you see on screen will depend on the quality of your TV, the Max’s wide HDR support in Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG will ensure the display has the best chance of optimising the picture. Where the Cube has the edge is in how it handles compression in darker scenes, otherwise the two streamers are close in quality. The Cube also offers better, more textured bass performance, but what the Max offers is still better than most other streamers we’ve listened too, offering more nuance and detail in its sound than the Roku Streaming Stick 4K. Of course you’ll need to be a Prime subscriber to make the most of this streamer. And given the ubiquity of Alexa in products and smart ecosystems, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max also gets our vote over the Chromecast with Google TV for its smarts. It’s also the cheaper of the two. Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Roku Streaming Stick 4K
