Best Streaming Devices

We reviewed streaming devices across interface speed, 4K HDR support and codec range, remote control quality, smart home integration, app selection gaps, and whether upgrading from a built-in smart TV app is worth the cost.

Interface speed is the daily experience that separates streaming devices. A TV's built-in apps often run on underpowered processors that stall, buffer menus, and struggle with 4K HDR switching. Dedicated streaming devices use faster chips that open Netflix in under 2 seconds, switch between apps without lag, and maintain smooth UI performance across years of app updates. The user experience difference is immediately noticeable.

Codec support determines what content actually looks and sounds its best. HEVC and AV1 are the efficient codecs that modern streaming services use for 4K content. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are the HDR formats that provide the widest dynamic range. A streaming device that supports all of these passes through the full quality of whatever the service delivers. Verify your TV also supports the HDR formats you care about before buying a device that decodes them.