Six Factors to Consider When Choosing a Streaming Device

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If you're looking for a flexible option for streaming your favorite content, you'll want to consider a portable streaming device, like a streaming stick or a streaming box, over a smart TV. Narrowing it down from there depends on a few different factors, so I've broken it down into six different categories to help you choose what makes the most sense.

Device type

Most streaming devices fall into one of two categories: streaming sticks (like the Fire TV Stick 4K and the Roku Express 4K+) and set-top boxes, such as the Apple TV 4K and the Fire TV Cube.

Streaming sticks are a little larger than a USB drive and plug directly into your TV's HDMI port, while streaming boxes are a few inches square and connect via an HDMI cable. Sticks are more compact and portable, while boxes typically have additional ports, such as an Ethernet jack for wiring into your modem or router and a USB port for sharing and playing media. Both come with remotes.

Google, Roku, and Amazon have both streaming device types in their lineup, while the Apple TV 4K is a box. (Nvidia's Shield TV and Shield TV Pro are also boxes.)

Operating system

Picking a streaming OS can help narrow your device selection considerably. There are four major OS options to choose from, each with their own benefits. Roku's interface is the easiest to navigate, while Google TV offers more personalized content recommendations. If you are already in either the Amazon or Apple ecosystem, you'll feel comfortable with Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV, respectively.

Compatibility with your other devices

Another layer of OS comparison should include compatibility with your smart home ecosystem and the apps and services you use most. Fire TV will integrate seamlessly with an Alexa-powered system, as will Google TV with Google Assistant and other tech in the Google lineup. Apple TV allows you to use your iPhone as a remote and plays nice with other Apple devices. You don't have to stay in the same ecosystem, but doing so is likely to eliminate some friction and reduce the learning curve.

Most popular streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, etc.) are available across all streaming devices, so there's not much to differentiate here. However, there are some apps—iTunes and Google Play, for example—whose content is restricted to specific platforms.

Streaming quality

You probably want top-notch picture and sound quality for your streaming content, so check each device's specs for which video and audio formats are supported. Most new streaming sticks and streaming boxes support 4K and HDR (including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision) content, so you get more detailed textures, more accurate colors, and smoother, sharper visuals. Some devices also support Dolby Atmos (for surround sound) and higher frame rates (for gaming and high-speed action).

Of course, your TV will also need to 4K-compatible to take full advantage of a 4K streaming device—otherwise, your picture will be downscaled to your TV's resolution.

Connection speed

All streaming devices have built-in wifi and some will also come with an Ethernet port for a wired connection. If your stick or box supports Wi-Fi 6 (along your wireless router), you'll get faster speeds. As Consumer Reports notes, you'll need speeds of at least 15 to 25 Mbps to take advantage of 4K—faster if you're using your connection for anything else at the same time.

Price

A final consideration if you're still not set: price. Streaming sticks like the Roku and Fire TV stick are great budget-friendly devices that you can probably get for $20 to $40, while an Apple TV 4K will set you back around $130 if purchased new.

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