Tá no ar a tv na tv 2022

The Best TV Streaming Devices for Cord Cutters

We’ve tested dozens of ways to watch stuff on 4K or HD TVs. These are our favorites.

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Best OverallRoku Streaming Stick 4K PlusRead more

For Google TV or Phone StreamingChromecast With Google TVRead more

For Amazon LoversAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K MaxRead more

For Apple PuristsApple Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation)Read more

Most of us stream a majority of our content, if we haven’t abandoned cable altogether. Smart TVs rarely have good interfaces, so owning a separate device will make things a whole lot easier (more on that at the end of this guide).

We’ve tried them all—you can get options from Roku, Apple, Google, Amazon, and even a cheap Walmart-owned brand—so you don’t have to go through a bunch to figure out what works for you, and we’ve separated each of our favorites by what they do best.

Be sure to check out all our guides, especially for picking the best Roku, as well as the Best TVs, Best Soundbars, and Best Smart Speakers we've seen.

Updated November 2022: We’ve added Google’s inexpensive Chromecast with Google TV HD, and the newest Roku Ultra.

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• Photograph: Roku

  Best Overall

  Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus

  The Streaming Stick Plus has held our top spot for years, and the newer 4K Plus is a fresh favorite. We think most people will like the stick—it's one of Roku's cheapest devices, and this updated version is faster and comes with a longer-range wireless receiver; it also plugs right into your TV's HDMI port, so you won't see it dangling. Roku's interface is the easiest to navigate, and all the major streaming services are there.

  The Plus version has a new, hands-free remote. There's a slider on the side of the remote that, if pushed to the on position, allows you to talk to your remote from anywhere in the room. Say “Hey Roku, play Succession on HBO Max” without lifting a finger (yep, Roku now supports HBO Max!). Remote lost in the couch cushions? Just ask Roku where it is to activate a beep. You'll have to charge the remote, which I don't particularly love, but you do save money on replacing batteries.

  ★ Another Streaming Stick: The Streaming Stick 4K ($50) is a little cheaper, and its remote doesn't have hands-free voice control, if you aren't interested in that. You can also still buy the older Streaming Stick Plus ($49)—it's still a good device. Roku products are frequently discounted, too.

  Roku connects to all major streaming services.

• Photograph: Google

  For Google TV or Phone Streaming

  Chromecast With Google TV

  The newest Chromecast (8/10, WIRED recommends) is a great streaming device. It adds a remote—a much-needed companion—plus built-in Google TV (formerly Android TV), so you don't ever have to touch your phone to watch TV if you don't want to. 

  Google TV got an upgrade too, and its interface is now nicer than Roku's. You can browse and search across platforms, so you can find where a specific title is streaming or look for something broader, like just for comedies. It makes finding something to watch a faster and easier process. Plus you can search with your voice via Google Assistant, which can also control your smart home devices or answer questions.

  The only downside? It has little storage, so you run the risk of running out of room. You may have to regularly clear the cache yourself, which is annoying.

  ★ HD Alternative: Consider Google's new Chromecast with Google TV HD if you don't need a 4K device. It streams in 1080p HDR and includes all the features we love about Google TV, like its excellent search. Plus it costs just $30.

  Google TV connects to all major streaming services.

• Photograph: Amazon

  For Amazon Lovers

  Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

  The Fire Stick 4K Max gets some upgrades over the older 4K Stick, including support for Wi-Fi 6 and a picture-in-picture feature for pulling up your security camera feed while you watch TV. It's very fast, the Alexa voice remote works well, and the Max has 2 gigabytes of memory over the 4K's 1.5 (and 8 gigs of storage). Vudu is also now available.

  Fire Sticks are obviously geared toward Amazon Prime content, so that's what you'll see on the homepage. Apps for other streaming services are there, though, and there is a section for recently used apps right at the top. If Amazon Prime isn't one of your most-used streaming services, you should go with something else.

  I had to plug the included USB cable into the wall, as it wasn't able to pull enough power from my TV. That's not uncommon, but Roku's 4K Plus Stick above was able to work fine plugged directly into the TV's HDMI and USB ports.

  ★ Alternatives: You can still buy the HD-only Fire TV Stick Lite ($30), but it's probably only for those who have no plans to upgrade their TV to 4K. All of the Sticks are affordable, so it's worth going with something newer.

  Fire TV connects to all major streaming services.

• Photograph: Apple

  For Apple Purists

  Apple Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation)

  Apple TVs are expensive, but they're worth the extra cash if you own an iPhone and buy movies and shows from Apple's library (or subscribe to Apple TV Plus). The interface is sleeker than Roku's and Google's, and this newest version has some seriously dope features, like the ability to play sounds on two pairs of AirPods with no sound in the room, or to watch movies together with a friend over Facetime. The latest model also gets HDR10+, which means the most vivid color possible.

  The included remote control also now comes with USB-C charging, which makes it even easier to juice-up every few months. There are two models to choose from: one with Wi-Fi and 64 gigs of memory, and one with Ethernet and 128 gigs of memory for $20 more. I'd spring for the bigger one, but that's just me.

  Apple TV connects to all major streaming services.

• Photograph: Roku

  For Late-Night Streamers

  Roku Ultra (2022)

  If you're sensing a theme: Yes, we're big Roku fans. The Ultra has the strongest dual-band Wi-Fi of Roku's devices, plus there's an Ethernet port for wired connections if necessary. It can stream in Dolby Vision, and this 2022 version supports HDR10+, a feature we noted was lacking in its predecessor. 

  It has a headphone jack for private listening when the rest of the house is asleep—and surprisingly nice headphones. Plus there's a remote finder. It's not as easy as the voice option on the Streaming Stick 4K Plus, but it will beep once you've activated this feature on the TV. 

  Roku connects to all major streaming services.

• Photograph: Roku

  If You Don't Own a Soundbar

  Roku Streambar

  A good soundbar will seriously improve your TV watching experience. A soundbar with streaming capabilities built-in is even better for those of us who don't want an excess of devices. Roku no longer sells our favorite from its lineup, but there are still two options: the Streambar ($130) and Streambar Pro ($180). 

  Both have Night Listening Mode, quieting explosive sounds so you won't annoy your family. The former is just 14 inches long, so it should work with smaller TVs and setups. The Pro, which we have yet to try, is 32 inches long and has four 2.5-inch full-range drivers compared to the Streambar's four 1.9-inch drivers. Despite having not tested it in person yet, we're confident it's a quality product based on the dozens of other Rokus we've tried—including the other soundbars. For the absolute best sound possible, you might want to go with one of our other recommendations.

  Roku connects to all major streaming services.

• Photograph: Tivo

  If None of Those Appeal to You

  TiVo Stream 4K

  Yep, TiVo does streaming now. The Stream 4K uses Android TV, an older version of Google TV that's available in the newest Chromecast. Android TV categorizes recommendations by streaming service, and TiVo has its own menu too, which categorizes recommendations based on genre rather than service. If you have Sling or YouTube TV, you can integrate those into TiVo's live TV guide so you can see all the live options together. You can also search across all services.

  There's a Google Assistant button but no voice-to-text for filling in long emails and passwords. I like the remote, but my finger kept going to the TiVo button instead of the selection button, so while trying to pause something I'd accidentally send myself back to the main menu. That might be a me thing. If you really hate Roku, it's not bad for $40.

  Android TV connects to all major streaming services.

• Photograph: Walmart

  The Cheapest Option

  onn. FHD Streaming Device

  If you just need “a device” and want to spend less than $30, Walmart's Onn brand is affordable. There are better options on this list, but Onn works. Setup is easy, and it comes with an HDMI extender if the stick doesn't fit into your TV. It also has Google Assistant, and you can cast from your phone. The included remote controls both your volume and power. 

  When we tested it, it was still running Android TV. That's currently being phased out for the newer Google TV, and the interface here isn't as sleek and nice to use as the interface on the newest Chromecast. This streaming device is HD, but not 4K. If you love watching TV, you'll probably want a 4K device. (Onn has a 4K device that we haven't tried, but it looks comparable).

  Android TV connects to all major streaming services.

• Photograph: Juan Moyano/Getty Images

  Why You Need a Streaming Device

  Your Built-In TV Apps Are Awful

  If you just bought a "smart TV," you may be wondering: Why pay extra for a streaming stick or box?

  TV makers are far better at manufacturing beautiful screens than they are at building good software. So unless that TV was a Roku TV, Google TV, or a Vizio, you should consider an external streaming device. Chances are high that your TV's house-made apps are slow, poorly designed, and out of date—and that's if it has the apps you want at all. 

  The streaming apps for Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV are typically the best you'll find, and if they're broken they get fixed very quickly. LG, Samsung, and any number of other TVs come with their own interfaces, but we advise you to ignore them.

  Which TV OS Should You Choose?

  • Roku is our favorite streaming OS because it has just about every streaming app there is, and setup is hassle-free. Plus, if you decide to switch TVs, you can just move your Roku to another TV in your house at any time. Roku also isn't made by one of the major tech companies. The company survives solely on how well its streaming device platform performs.
  • Chromecast used to eschew an interface altogether (and older models still hold true to this), but the newest version has Google TV built-in. Though that's no longer its main draw, it has the added benefit of letting you send web pages or other content directly from your smartphone (it's easiest on an Android Phone), which is sometimes quite handy. You can also do this with Apple TV's Airplay 2 functionality, but you need an iOS or macOS device.
  • Google TV, formerly called Android TV, is Google's latest streaming OS. It's been around for years, but it just recently (in 2020) nailed the experience. With its newest Chromecast, we stopped seeing the bugs and problems that used to plague the platform, and it includes basically every streaming app out there, as well as YouTube and Spotify. The only problem is that these don't manage storage quite as well.
  • Amazon Fire TV is geared toward those who really enjoy Amazon's ecosystem, and it will quickly point you to its content. It also has a great voice interface. Unfortunately, it sometimes feels like an ad for Amazon stuff more than a diverse ecosystem of apps and content. If you buy or rent a lot of movies from Amazon, and subscribe to Prime, the Fire TV is appealing. If not, go with a Roku.
  • Apple TV has a slick interface and Apple's usual gloss. It also has most apps, but TV boxes remain a side project for Apple. It doesn't update its models or its interface all that often. Lately, it seems to care more about its Apple TV+ subscription service and app than its physical hardware. But if you have a house full of Apple stuff and enjoy AirPlay, you may as well complete your collection.

Medea Giordano turned her shopping problem into a career as a product writer for WIRED. She covers a little bit of everything but loves health, beauty, and pet tech. Prior to WIRED, she was an assistant editor at Wirecutter and an assistant in the newsroom of The New York Times.... Read more

Jeffrey Van Camp is a director and editor for WIRED, specializing in personal technology reviews and coverage. Previously he was the deputy editor of Digital Trends, helping to oversee the site’s editorial operations, and before that, its mobile editor. He’s covered tech, video games, and entertainment for more than a... Read more