The Ultimate TV Streaming Devices of 2023 - Discover The Future of Entertainment

The rise of streaming content has revolutionized the way we consume media, leading to a significant shift in the entertainment landscape. While televisions have made great strides in keeping up with this trend, there are still areas where they fall behind dedicated streaming devices. These areas include control over content, support for various apps, gaming capabilities, and storage capacity. It's worth noting that not all TVs offer the same level of media capabilities or software support, particularly smaller or more affordable models.

In essence, certain TVs are more "intelligent" than others, which highlights the importance of adopting a consistent approach to managing your streaming needs. This applies not only within your household, where services like PLEX can be utilized, but also when accessing popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, HULU, HBO, and others.

Below, we present our curated selection of top-performing streaming devices in various categories, carefully chosen by the experts at GameRant. In the ever-evolving streaming hardware market, manufacturers have introduced a range of solutions to cater to different user requirements. They typically offer a cost-effective, entry-level option for budget-conscious consumers, while also providing a premium, 'pro' alternative for more discerning users seeking advanced features and enhanced performance. Our comprehensive list encompasses devices that excel in both quality and overall streaming experience.

Chromecast with Google TV (4K) is considered the best overall TV streaming device, available for $40 at Best Buy. Meanwhile, Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K HDR Android TV is a great alternative streaming device, priced at $100 on Amazon.

Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen., 2022) Best Apple TV Streaming Device $130 at Best Buy

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max The Best Amazon Streaming Device $55 at Amazon

See More

Chromecast with Google TV (4K): The Top Choice for TV Streaming Devices, Recommended by The Pioneer.

The Google Chromecast with Google TV is available in two versions: Full HD and 4K. The 4K version is capable of effortlessly handling modern content and comes with a dedicated remote control. It offers seamless integration with Google TV and boasts excellent voice control, thanks to the integrated Google Assistant.

Included in the package are the Chromecast device, an AC adapter, a power cable, a remote control, batteries, and documentation.

One of the major advantages of the Google Chromecast is its focus on delivering exceptional streaming performance.

Aggregates and delivers content from a large number of streaming services seamlessly

Runs fast and fluidly thanks to its underlying UI and decent processing power under the hood

Has an excellent remote with voice control on offer

Well-priced for what it offers versus the competition

Offers multiple color options and conceals easily behind most TVs easily

Cons Has no way to expand storage beyond 8GB

Has no USB ports which would allow it to play content from 3rd party storage

$50 at Amazon $40 at Best Buy $42 at Newegg

Google's Chromecast with Google TV (4K) excels as a streaming device, boasting exceptional performance, a seamless user interface, and unparalleled content aggregation. It caters to a wide range of budgets, with two versions available: the affordable $30 FHD option and the higher-end 4K version, which typically retails for up to $50. The 4K version comes in three vibrant colors—Sky, Snow, and Sunrise—each accompanied by a matching remote.

The Chromecast prioritizes wireless streaming without any apologies, fulfilling its purpose admirably. However, advanced users may find the absence of USB ports (apart from the Type-C port for charging) disappointing, as they are unable to connect additional devices like external storage. While the Chromecast offers 8GB of internal storage, which is more than sufficient for streaming applications, it may prove limiting for those looking to indulge in media-heavy games.

All in all, the latest Chromecast draws upon Google's extensive expertise in an industry that it played a significant role in shaping since 2013. With a decade's worth of experience from the search engine giant, it is evident that their influence is reflected in this product, which is arguably one of their most impactful offerings to date. Notably, the 4K variant of the Chromecast often goes on sale for as low as $40, making it an affordable option for consumers.

Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K HDR Android TV: The Best Alternative for TV Streaming

Enjoy a Compact and Affordable 4K Experience.

The Xiaomi Mi Box S has gained popularity among households due to its superior hardware and user-friendly remote control, ensuring a smooth and seamless entertainment experience. With its 4K resolution (3840x2160), it effortlessly delivers high-quality content without any disruptions, setting it apart from other android TV boxes in the market.

Has Android as an OS, supporting a wide variety of applications, games and tools out of the box

Has an excellent, intuitive remote control for a budget Android TV Box

The 8GB of internal storage may prove insufficient for anything beyond Android applications.

Xiaomi's software support is limited, with their focus now shifting towards newer Android OS releases.

The Xiaomi Mi Box S is a popular choice in the streaming market due to its combination of affordability and functionality. It offers an acceptable 4K, HDR-enabled experience and supports all the major streaming services and applications. Although there may be better options available in 2023, the Mi Box S remains a reliable choice for those seeking a tried and tested streaming partner for their TV.

The Mi Box S is equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi AC, allowing it to seamlessly connect to various wireless internet options. With a single USB-A port, you can easily connect external storage devices to play media content. Additionally, the HDMI 2.0A port provides excellent output resolution support, accommodating up to 4K resolution at 3840 x 2160 and 60Hz refresh rate.

Despite being initially released in 2018, the Mi Box S has managed to remain relevant and deliver impressive performance even in 2023. Although it may now be priced higher than its original $60, it continues to offer a satisfying user experience.

The Roku Express 4K+ is an exceptional Roku TV streaming device that combines high-quality streaming capabilities with a convenient all-in-one remote. It is part of the extensive range of Roku devices and operates on the impressive Roku OS, ensuring seamless integration with various streaming services. This device offers an affordable price without compromising on performance.

What's Included Roku Express 4K+, HDMI cable, USB Cable, Adapter, RemoteBrand Roku Pros Cheaper than most of its competitors

Fast, with a polished UI to boot

Comes with an upgraded remote

The bundled adhesive tape is a nice touch for users looking to lock down the Roku Express

Cons Limited 3rd party non-streaming applications compared to other platforms

Skips on Dolby vision support

Bundled HDMI cable is shorter than some people might like

$30 at Amazon $30 at Best Buy

The Roku Express 4K+ is a budget-friendly streaming device that offers great value compared to its competitors. While it may not be the fastest option available, it easily outperforms the more expensive Google Chromecast's 4K version. The device comes with a shorter HDMI cable and adhesive tape, which can be useful in certain setups.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider at its price point. The Roku Express 4K+ does not support Dolby Vision, unlike its higher-end counterparts like the Streaming Stick and Roku Ultra. This could be a concern for users with high-end TVs that rely on this technology. Additionally, the Roku OS itself has its pros and cons. While it is functional and efficient, it lacks the extensive third-party software support found in Android TV-based competitors. Furthermore, the device only has 4GB of integrated storage, which may be limiting for some users.

All things considered, the Roku Express 4K+ proves to be a remarkable streaming device, offering great value for its current price point despite its inherent limitations. However, those who own high-end smart TVs may question its worth as a streaming device.

The Apple TV 4K, now in its 3rd generation, is a top-notch streaming device available in two variations: a 64GB model with Wi-Fi connectivity only, and a 128GB model with both Wi-Fi and ethernet capabilities. It is equipped with the latest A15 Bionic SoC and runs on the tvOS, based on the latest version of iOS. The Apple TV 4K aims to establish itself as a must-have addition to your living room in 2023.

Featuring advanced connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet, Thread Networking, and Bluetooth 5.0, the Apple TV 4K ensures seamless and efficient communication with your devices.

Included in the package are the Apple TV 4K itself, the Siri Remote, and a power cable. The 128GB model also includes ports for power, ethernet, and HDMI 2.1.

One of the standout features of the Apple TV 4K is its powerful A15 Bionic SoC, making it capable of smoothly running any streaming content you desire.

Has a decent amount of space in even the baseline model (64GB)

Has an excellent library of content and applications on offer

USB-C charging for the remote is a step in the right direction

Cons Considerably more expensive than its competition

Skips on USB ports altogether

$148 at Amazon $130 at Best Buy

The Apple TV 4K is currently regarded as one of the top streaming devices available, thanks to its impressive features. At the core of its excellent performance is the iOS 16.1 (tvOS) experience, which is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip. This chip, already proven to be fast and efficient in the iPhone 13 lineup, ensures a smooth and seamless streaming experience.

The Apple TV 4K is available in two options: a 64GB base model priced at $129 and a more expensive 128GB model priced at $149. The 128GB model offers additional benefits such as built-in Ethernet and thread networking support. This feature is particularly useful for those who may have limitations with their Wi-Fi network or experience heavy bandwidth usage near their TV. With these added capabilities, the 128GB model becomes an attractive choice for consumers seeking a reliable and versatile streaming device.

Apple's 2022 update of the Apple TV 4K brings with it a range of enhancements, including a more affordable price, improved ecosystem support, and a significantly more powerful CPU. These upgrades make it an attractive option for consumers, even if they are not already part of the Apple ecosystem. One notable feature is the inclusion of HDR10+ support, which is particularly beneficial for Samsung TV owners who may not have access to Dolby Vision support in the near future.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max provides an exceptional streaming experience, rivaling the Fire TV Cube but at a more affordable price. It offers a convenient solution for those seeking a 4K streaming stick that can effortlessly handle all their content requirements.

Included in the package are the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, an Alexa Voice Remote, an adapter, an HDMI extender cable, batteries, and documentation.

One of its notable advantages is its superior Wi-Fi support compared to other competitors, in addition to its built-in Bluetooth 5.0 support.

Has a speedy processor and GPU allowing for fast, easy access to content

Is considerably cheaper than most of its competitors with similar specs

The relatively fast GPU allows it to run gaming applications better than the competition

Cons The Home screen is littered with ads from Amazon

While Amazon Luna is promising, it underdelivers in its current iteration in terms of experience and content availability

$55 at Amazon $55 at Best Buy

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is Amazon's top-of-the-line streaming stick, offering upgrades to the CPU, GPU, Wi-Fi, and RAM compared to the base TV Stick 4K. With its aim to provide a more powerful and faster streaming option, one of its notable improvements is its support for Wi-Fi 6. This is particularly beneficial for households with multiple Wi-Fi devices, including IoT hardware, as it ensures a seamless streaming experience. To further optimize Wi-Fi reception, Amazon suggests using the included HDMI extender.

One of the key selling points of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is its emphasis on game streaming. While this concept and experience are impressive, it's important to note that the selection of available games is currently limited. Additionally, to achieve the best low-latency gaming experience, users will need to purchase the Luna game controller, which adds to the overall cost.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max delivers an exceptional user experience, although it does have some drawbacks when it comes to the UI. Amazon inundates the home screen with unnecessary advertisements at times, which may be off-putting for some users. Additionally, it is worth exploring the default privacy settings on the TV stick. It is important to note that the 8GB of storage on a more powerful TV Stick in 2023 may be a concern for certain users, especially since there is no option to upgrade.

NVIDIA Shield TV Pro: The Ultimate Premium TV Streaming Device

A Reliable Choice for HTPC Users

The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is an Android-based streaming device that is powered by Nvidia's Tegra X1+ SoC. It offers improved connectivity, support for Plex Server, and enhanced gaming capabilities due to its powerful hardware. The package includes the Shield TV Pro, a remote, power adapter, and documentation. Nvidia's Tegra X1 is considered one of the fastest SoCs available in streaming devices in 2023.

Runs Plex Server flawlessly, making it an ideal HTPC repalcement

Has plenty of I/O thanks to dual USB 3.0 ports and BT 5.0 support

Runs a customized version of Android (with Chromecast support) that has an excellent app library to boot

Supports captive portals, making it an ideal companion for traveling

Cons Prohibitively expensive compared to the competiton

Does not conform to Wi-Fi 6 standards yet

The remote is not the best-in-class product you would expect from a sub $200 streaming device

$200 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy

Nvidia's Shield TV and Shield TV Pro have established themselves as top contenders in the TV streaming industry, and for good reason. These devices provide a comprehensive and robust solution that caters to the streaming needs of the majority of users in 2023. However, the Shield TV Pro takes things a step further by offering additional features such as USB and Ethernet ports, as well as built-in support for Plex. As a result, it transforms into a capable Plex Media Server, eliminating the need to assemble or repurpose a PC for home theater PC (HTPC) requirements.

While some may argue that the Shield TV Pro is due for an update, there are valid reasons behind this sentiment. It no longer boasts the fastest System on a Chip (SoC) in the market, especially with rivals like Amazon nipping at its heels. Additionally, Apple has already surpassed it significantly with its more affordable Apple TV options, which are powered by the advanced A15 SoC. However, it's important to note that the key factor here is not processing power, as Nvidia still excels in this aspect. Rather, the Shield TV Pro lacks support for Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, both of which offer significantly enhanced bandwidth for seamless streaming across multiple services.

The lack of HDMI 2.1 may not be a significant issue at the moment, as there are no apparent advantages to be gained from it in the near future. Both the Shield TV Pro and its competitors do not currently support 8K streaming or 4K 120FPS gaming, making the inclusion of such a port seemingly irrelevant to users.

However, if you are interested in Cloud gaming through GeForce Now, Nvidia's AI-enhanced upscaling which they claim surpasses the competition, or simply a capable Android TV box with USB ports and Plex Media server support, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is the recommended choice for 2023. Of course, this is assuming you are willing to pay the $200 premium for what is arguably the best Android-based streaming device available in 2023, unless a newer version is released.

FAQ:

Q: Can I host a Plex Server on my streaming device?

A: Indeed, certain streaming devices like the Nvidia Shield TV Pro offer the capability to establish a Plex server directly on their hardware. This feature makes it a highly appealing and comprehensive option for individuals who prefer to create an HTPC as an alternative to setting up a separate Plex server for themselves.

Q: Is There A New Apple TV In 2023?

The Apple TV received a significant performance upgrade in October 2022, surpassing its competitors and establishing a notable lead. Currently, Apple has not announced any upcoming upgrades or plans for a new version.