Best Streaming Devices for TV in 2026

Streaming devices remain essential for users with slow smart TVs or frustrating interfaces, allowing them to bypass built-in operating systems for better performance. The most popular players in the space include Google’s TV Streamer, Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks, Apple TV 4K, and Roku devices.

Key factors for selection include the operating system, connectivity options like Wi-Fi 6 or Ethernet, and support for high-end video formats such as 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10. Modern remotes often feature voice control for searching content and managing smart home devices, with compatibility varying between ecosystems like Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit.

The choice of operating system is often the biggest deciding factor for consumers. Google’s TV Streamer, the Apple TV 4K, Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks, and Roku devices are the most popular players in the space. Three of those brands—Fire, Google, and Roku—also come built into TVs, but the Apple TV 4K does not come pre-loaded on any set.

Each platform has a unique interface that determines how entertainment is arranged and presented. All of them feature home screens that gather apps, present currently watching media, and offer suggestions. Nearly all streaming devices include a remote that allows for voice search, eliminating the need for on-screen keyboards. They all offer "universal search," which finds titles across available apps.

When using voice search, simply saying the title or genre often works better than using phrases like "Show me" or "Search for." From the search results, hitting the play button opens the correct app, assuming the user is logged in and has an active subscription.

Connectivity options vary between devices. Most streaming sticks connect via Wi-Fi, supporting protocols like Wi-Fi 5 or 6. Set-top boxes may also include Ethernet ports, allowing for a hardwired connection which is typically faster than wireless. Devices connect to TVs through an HDMI port, with sticks often hiding behind the screen and boxes sitting nearby.

Power requirements are also important. Nearly all units plug into an AC outlet for power. While some older sticks pulled power from a TV's USB port, modern devices are increasingly designed to plug directly into a wall outlet.

Remotes included with streaming devices usually allow control of the TV's power and volume. However, less expensive devices may lack this feature, requiring the use of a separate TV remote. If a remote does offer these controls, the setup process typically calibrates it to the TV. For audio setups using soundbars, an additional step of pairing the remote to the speaker may be necessary.

For home theater setups with screens capable of displaying 4K content, users should look for devices that support high-end formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10. It is important to note that a streaming device cannot make a 1080p TV stream 4K content.

To utilize these features, the content itself must be transmitted in 4K. Furthermore, companies often restrict higher-quality streaming to more expensive subscription plans. Every element in the chain must support the feature; otherwise, the quality defaults to the lowest capability of any component.

Streaming devices from Apple, Google, and Amazon also include built-in voice assistants. These can answer questions regarding weather, sports scores, and general facts. They can also act as smart home controllers, managing connected bulbs, plugs, and camera feeds.

Compatibility is a key factor when using streaming devices as smart home controllers. Ecosystems are generally specific to the manufacturer:

• Fire TV devices work with Alexa-enabled smart home equipment.
• Google TV Streamer allows control of Google Home devices.
• Apple TV 4K integrates with HomeKit and other Apple devices.
• Roku devices control Roku’s smart home products and also work with other ecosystems.

Testing for these devices is conducted in living room environments to approximate the user experience. Devices are evaluated based on performance, and guides are updated as new releases become available.