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Finding the best media streaming device depends on a lot of factors. If your priority is a low cost, or gaming, or 4K streaming, or portability, or just a really cool remote control, that can have a huge impact on which device is right for you.

Still, there are some basic functions you need to rely on, like access to all the major streaming services, a usable interface, and a price that matches the quality of the device. That’s why we’ve looked at all the major players to crown one winner as the best media streaming device on the market. If it doesn’t meet your needs, though, we also have nine runners-up that all excel in different ways.

Whether you just want a quick way to your favorite Netflix and Hulu shows or something with enough power to make the most of your home theater, this list should have you pretty well covered.

While Chromecast virtually revolutionized how we manage streaming content on our screens, the casting device has lost a lot of the market share in recent years to increased competition from Roku, Apple, and Amazon. Enter the Chromecast with Google TV, an evolution of the Chromecast that goes beyond just casting content from your phone. While it can still cast, the big change here is the Chromecast now has a full remote and a new UI called Google TV. This interface runs on top of the Android TV platform and lets you stream content from Netflix, Apple TV, YouTube, Disney Plus, Sling TV, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

We aren’t exaggerating when we say we love the UI. It has a clean look. Navigating through titles and sections is easy and intuitive, which sadly isn’t always guaranteed elsewhere. Google TV has a better, more modern look than Roku, and it’s easier to navigate than Fire Stick. The “continue watching” menu is especially useful. It can be a little glitchy and show older stuff you watched a while back, but by and large, it gives you quick access to the shows you’re currently watching.

So, how does it work? Chromecast with Google TV basically aggregates all of that streaming content in one easy-to-use place. You can search for your favorite titles and Chromecast will tell you where to stream them. There’s even a “For You” tab, where Google will predict what you might like based on your existing streaming habits. The Google algorithm is pretty good and doesn’t just steer you to proprietary titles the way Netflix does. It actually uses your preferences and curates helpful suggestions. By having everything in one place, you also get to watch all of the exclusive content from disparate services in one place. If I want to watch, say, the 1990 creature feature Tremors (as I often do), but I can’t remember where it’s streaming, that’s fine. I type it into the search bar and Google lets me know it’s on Peacock.

The Chromecast with Google TV also has a decent mix of streaming, entertainment, and even productivity apps. There are some great live TV apps, and you can easily download VPNs to access content from outside the region where you’re watching. Since Android TV is based on Android itself, you can also sideload third party apps at your own risk. For example, one of AA’s own staff members uses this to access ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company) from the US so his kids can access Bluey earlier than stateside. Little things like that really set the Chromecast apart, especially from devices like the Apple TV and Roku players. Of course Fire TV is also based on Android, and so it can also sideload.

Googl is another bright spot for the new Chromecast. You can use the assistant for voice searches, but also ask it about the weather or other basics. Things like reminders aren’t supported, but it’s still pretty helpful. Overall Google Assistant’s voice search is way more convenient than having to search using just the remote and typing in letters. Once you start using it to search for stuff, you probably won’t want to go back.

As mentioned briefly a few paragraphs ago, Chromecast with Google TV is the first Google Chromecast model with a dedicated remote control. With one handheld accessory, you can turn your TV on and off as well as control input and volume. That means doing away with your existing TV remote, which can be especially nice if you want to avoid clutter or have a member of the household who can never remember which remote controls which device. Now, one of the main drawbacks of the Chromecast with Google TV is that the remote can cause problems with certain TVs, and you’ll need to make sure you have a compatible set, or you may not have control over volume or input. And even when the remote works, it’s pretty small and easy to lose — you’ll get very familiar with the spaces between your couch cushions. The back of the remote also comes off way too easily and it can be a tad slippery. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can be pretty annoying over time.

Two of the other biggest drawbacks of the Chromecast with Google TV at launch have thankfully been fixed. Originally, users couldn’t create multiple profiles, so a family would be stuck with the same recommendations, for instance. The service also wasn’t compatible with Google’s cloud gaming service Stadia. Frustrated users will be glad to learn they can now create multiple profiles, including support for a kids’ space to keep recommendations separated along age lines. And gamers can play their favorite games on Stadia through the Google TV interface, though there isn’t a ton of memory for that.

Bottom-line if you want an affordable yet highly robust streaming player, you can’t go wrong with the Chromecast with Google TV.

***Breakdown of other things someone might look for***

TiVo used to be a big name for recording TV shows to watch later without needing a VCR. It’s come a long way since then and now offers one of the best media streaming devices on the market. The Tivo Stream 4K is about the same size as the Chromecast with Google TV, and works pretty similarly too. In fact, the Tivo Stream 4K is based on Android TV, with its own additions added to the mix. We really loved the Google Assistant integration and felt it worked really well here. You can use Google Assistant to speak your streaming requests aloud, and Chromecast compatibility is handy for when you don’t want to use the TiVo interface. Instead, just cast whatever you’re watching from your other devices. It’s quick and reliable.

If the Tivo Stream 4K sounds a lot like the Chromecast with Google TV to you, you aren’t wrong. Core features like casting and Assistant are present in both devices. You also get Google Play and sideloading with both devices. Don’t let this fool you, Tivo isn’t a replica. Since convenience is one of the key factors in choosing a media streaming device, the included TiVo remote deserves a quick mention. The remote is bigger than most of the competition, but that’s actually pretty handy. It’s harder to misplace it, and you also get more buttons to work with. A sleek, minimalist design is great, but the functionality of number buttons, media controls, a Live TV shortcut, a dedicated TiVo button, and more really make this a standout as a functional tool to help you navigate your streaming needs.

For live TV fans, TiVo also has streamlined integration with Sling TV, so you get content as it airs and a DVR option (like old-school TiVo) to watch stuff later. Since some live content doesn’t always make it to streaming services right away, this can be a really useful feature.

The big drawback with this one is its peculiar interface. After years of Netflix fine-tuning its interface, you’d think every competitor would role out something decent, but that hasn’t been the case. Sadly, TiVo Stream 4K offers a rather unideal user experience. Or rather two. It combines the Android TV UI with its own custom interface, which makes for a busy screen with redundant functions. As we mentioned in our original review, it’s like “a UI within a UI.” If you can get past that though, it’s a solid choice.

Roku is one of the biggest players in the game, and it offers tons of options. The Roku Ultra is the heavy hitter, with top performance and lots of nifty features. If you like Roku and don’t mind the extra expense, it’s a pretty sure bet. Roku Ultra offers some of the best streaming quality around, as long as you have the TV for it, with Dolby Vision HDR support. It also has a sleek interface that’s easy to use and also gives you access to the Roku Channel to watch shows and movies.

The Roku remote is conveniently small and does have some bright colors to make it easier to spot against dark surfaces — be ready to look under couch cushions though, as it has a habit of getting lost in tight places due to its compact size. Unlike the others on this list so far, the Ultra has an added bonus trick up its sleeve: a remote finder function. Pressing a button on the Roku device sends a signal to the remote, which in turn emits a sound. As long your remote has charged batteries and isn’t in another room, you’ll be able to hear it and retrieve it easily.

Unlike a lot of these remotes, which favor Netflix, Roku does offer dedicated buttons for popular streamers like Hulu, Disney Plus, and Sling TV, which are welcome time savers if you already know what you want to watch. And with earbuds that plug right into the remote, it’s one of very few devices that allow you to watch TV without Bluetooth headphones. Its support for Google Assistant and Alexa are welcome additions too, but you’ll likely notice they can be a little spotty and you have to revert to the remote and navigate to what you want the old-fashioned way from time to time. It’s not ideal for fans of voice commands.

At $99.99 it is twice as pricey as a lot of the competition, so you’ll need to consider if that’s worth it for you. At that price point, you may also have less patience for the many ads that populate your home screen and screen saver.

The Amazon Fire TV Cube is most obviously competing with Apple TV, and it holds its own as a similarly robust media streaming device, one of the best on the market.

You get full 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR 10 support for terrific picture quality. As long as you’ve got a TV that can register that difference in resolution, you’ll see it.

A nice thing about the Fire TV Cube is that it effectively doubles as an Echo speaker and has full Alexa functionality, so you really get a one-stop device for your home media needs. It also reacts fast thanks to powerful memory and storage, which makes up for the fact that it’s a pretty bulky little device. Unlike other Amazon devices, the Cube itself picks up your voice, so you don’t need to use the remote when you activate Alexa. The mics on the Cube are plenty sensitive too, so voice commands are a breeze. You can easily pause and learn fun facts about whatever you’re watching without ever getting up or reaching for anything.

If you’ve used other Fire TV devices, you’ll already know that Amazon’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. It combines all of your apps, including virtually every streaming service out there, and makes them all easy to navigate on a modern screen without any clutter.

One thing to keep in mind is that while the Cube doubles as a smart speaker, the built-in speaker itself isn’t all that great, especially for streaming music. The sound quality is fine — just fine. But considering the price at a hefty $119.99, you may be let down. If you already have another Amazon Fire TV device, our advice is to get an actual Alexa or Echo speaker and pair everything for effectively the same streaming advantages plus better sound quality.

Suggested viewing is also hit-or-miss. Whatever algorithm Amazon is using clearly favors content from its own Prime Video service. It makes sense as a way to drum up buzz around its own titles, but it’s not a feature meant to genuinely find what you’re most likely to want to watch. Similarly, Alexa isn’t always in sync with non-Amazon services. You might ask her to “play Ozark” on Netflix but get stuck on the profile selection screen, where you’ll have to manually choose a profile using your remote. Not the end of the world, but not great either.

Love it or hate it, there’s a reason Apple has a cult-like following. The company makes good products that are intuitive and well-designed, and that’s as true of the Apple TV 4K as anything — though don’t get me started on the abysmal Apple TV Plus interface.

Check out: Our full review of the Apple TV 4K

At $179.99, you’re looking at a major investment compared to the competition. That’s Apple for you though. You have to pay to play in their ecosystem. It’s a huge drawback, but if you’re an Apple person, you’re probably used to it. Apple TV 4K integrates seamlessly with your other Apple products. You can cast content from iOS devices, connect to smart home devices like HomePods, and use Siri.

The Apple TV 4k is certainly pulling its weight as a streaming device in other ways too. You can download just about any app, and it’s all easy to control using voice commands to Siri. Siri’s usually not all that great on iPhones and laptops, but it shines on Apple TV, responding to voice commands quickly and efficiently.

Apple TV’s performance has also improved by leaps and bounds in the latest version. The A12 Bionic processor — also found in Apple’s 2018 iPhone XS and XR, and the 2019 iPad Air and iPad Mini — makes navigating the Apple interface and jumping in and out of apps a breeze. Even big streaming apps like Netflix and Disney Plus, which used to take a few seconds to open, become way smoother to operate. While the Apple TV Plus app is pretty unpleasant to use, the broader Apple TV interface is simple and easy to navigate. No complaints there.

And the whole thing is controlled by one of the coolest-looking remotes in streaming. The small, black plastic and aluminum controller has a modern, minimalist look. While it’s generally user-friendly, the remote is admittedly a little fussy. The trackpad is a welcome addition to the latest version, but it still takes some getting used to, and it’s so small you’re almost guaranteed to misplace it or lose it in your couch cushions at least a few times.

The Apple TV 4K is a good product, no doubt, but whether it’s worth its steep price tag will depend on your budget, your interest in Apple, and your general streaming needs.

Another pricy option, Nvidia Shield TV is nevertheless a strong contender, especially for gamers who need the extra speed and memory from their media streaming device.

Check out: Our full review of the Nvidia Shield TV

Probably the best Android TV box, the Shield TV is a high-performance streaming box. The classic model gives you performance without too many bells and whistles for $149.99, while the Pro takes advantage of processing potential for gamers, at a slightly higher price of $199.99. The Pro can handle heavy gaming needs and record gameplay and stream to Twitch, for example. The storage and RAM can handle more demanding Android games like Half-Life 2, the Borderlands series, The Witness, Doom 3, Resident Evil 5, Portal 2, Tomb Raider, and Metal Gear Rising Revengeance.

The Toblerone-shaped remote that comes with both versions is bigger than the previous model and much harder to lose. There’s also a new find-my-remote feature for an instance when you do need to track it down. The remote works well, though Google Assistant is the easiest and most pleasant way to navigate menus. Admittedly, there’s a reason most TV remotes aren’t shaped like this, but while the hard-to-lose block looks a little weird, it’s actually much more comfortable to hold than you might expect from looking at it.

One of Nvidia’s neatest party tricks is real-time AI-enhanced 4K image upscaling. The device takes HD video and upgrades it while you watch so that everything looks like 4K, whether the source actually is or not. It’s not perfect. Some images are sharpened in a way that makes them look a little unnatural. You can play with settings to get an enhancement level that works for you, though. Your mileage may vary on how cool this feature is, but it’s there if you want it.

For standard viewing, the Shield TV is equipped with 4K, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Vision, so picture quality and sound are top notch, as long as your TV matches that quality. That puts both versions of the Nvidia Shield TV in the big leagues with the likes of the Apple TV 4K and Amazon Fire TV Cube.

If you want something cheap that gets the job done, you can’t really go wrong with the Roku Express. It may not be the best media streaming device overall, but it’s the best budget option by a wide margin.

Check out: Our full review of the Roku Express

There are plenty of reasons to opt for the Express. First off, Roku has a solid, reliable interface, and it accesses all the major streamers. If you like that and are on a budget, you’re basically getting Roku on the cheap. That includes tons of free titles on the Roku Channel — another big plus if money is tight. At $29.99, you won’t do much better elsewhere.

It’s also portable. This is one of the tiniest streaming dongles on the market. You can fit it in your pocket easily. I used to travel for work a lot, and in retrospect, the Roku Express would have been the perfect device for me to stream stuff at the end of the day using TVs in hotels and Airbnbs.

This is not for the hardcore streamer though. If you want 4K image and lots of memory, this just ain’t it. The Roku Express supports 1080p streaming. That’s it. And don’t even think about gaming. It’s also controlled by a handy remote, but the included controller only lets you navigate the Roku itself. You’ll still need a TV remote too. You also won’t get voice controls, but if that’s important to you, this thing is easy to pair with an Amazon Echo.

If portability is the main draw but you want those extra bells and whistles, the Roku Express 4K Plus, which adds faster Wi-Fi, a voice remote, and 4K streaming, may be more your speed, for an extra $10.

None of those limitations are necessarily a problem, though, depending on the user. 1080p is still HD. A lot of totally acceptable TVs are small enough that you’d barely notice the difference anyway. Again, hardcore streamers who want the best picture quality available, a one-remote solution, and voice controls will be underwhelmed by the Express model, but for someone on a budget, this thing is well worth the price of admission.

A great middle-of-the-road, all around media streaming device playing in the same league as the Chromecast with Google TV,  Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a great, affordable step down from the bulky Fire TV Cube.

Check out: Our full review of the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max

With 2GB of RAM like the Fire TV Cube, along with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR, and 4K Ultra HD support, the speed and quality you’re likely to need are there. There’s no noticeable lag or stuttering to report, and the new Wi-Fi 6 capabilities mean it boots up immediately (if you have a compatible router). It’s also a breeze to set up. Everything you need is included in the box, and you just plug it in and go.

If you don’t need the smart speaker features of the Fire TV Cube, you’re looking at very similar performance at half the price. At $54.99, you’re still spending a few dollars more than you would for comparable Google and Roku devices, but Amazon has certainly kept this thing competitive.

Amazon generally makes good, easy-to-use remotes too. They’re comfortable to hold and make navigating quicka and easy. Dedicated buttons for Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney Plus make that even better. Alexa functionality can be a little hit or miss. You need to be holding the remote to use it, for one thing. While voice commands generally work well, it can hit some snags, like leading you to the Netflix profile menu rather than the content you actually asked for. At that point, you have to switch to manual controls. It also annoyingly defaults to suggesting seemingly random Prime Video titles when it can’t give you what you’re looking for.

All that being said, if you like the Amazon ecosystem, this device delivers on pretty much every level.

If you want a Fire TV Stick but are still put off by the $54.99 price stage above, one of the Fire TV budget options is worth a look.

Check out: Our full review of the Amazon Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite

With both of these little dongles, you get the same menu and user interface as the more robust Fire TV Cube, but don’t expect the same performance. There will be some lag time, as the quad-core processor just isn’t quite as mighty, and it shows during use. And fans of 4K will want to look elsewhere, but for HD streaming with a full arsenal of services available, these will do. The Lite is just $29.99, with the classic Fire Stick at $39.99, so neither is breaking the bank.

The two Fire Sticks come with the familiar Amazon remote. The remote is comfortable to hold and intuitive to use. It has a minimalist design, with few buttons, but a navigation wheel and handful of controls make it a pleasant experience. Alexa functionality can be a little glitchy and slow, but it does make menu navigation quicker and easier.

The biggest difference between the two models is that the remote for the Lite only controls Amazon Fire TV functions. You still need a TV remote. The classic Fire Stick, on the hand, has a remote that can adjust your TV’s volume and other functions, which can be a nice extra convenience for the $10 surcharge. In most cases we recommend avoiding the Lite and paying the extra $10, but it’s up to you.

Up there with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and our top Chromecast pick, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a great choice for anyone looking for a media streaming device that checks all the major boxes.

Check out: Our full review of the Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Roku packs plenty of power into the Streaming Stick 4K. The 4K resolution is crisp and smooth, putting this in the big leagues for performance. If your TV is compatible, you’re in for some top-quality streaming. This things is notably faster than Amazon’s rival Fire TV Stick 4K, not lagging at all during use. It’s also tiny, fitting in your pocket for easy portability.

Included is a Roku remote control that you can use for all of your standard TV functions, letting you do away with a second remote just for your TV.

In addition to voice controls, the remote has four dedicated streaming service buttons for quick access to the content you want to watch. Sadly, you can’t remap those, so you just have to hope the version you get, which is dependent on region, includes your favorite streaming sites.

It would be nice if this included the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro, with extra buttons and a remote finder feature, but you’ll have to buy that separately or get it with the Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus if you want it. As it stands, the included remote works fine and is a perfectly adequate inclusion. It’s small and easy to lose, but it’s also comfortable to hold and entirely functional.

Not everyone needs 4K resolution or even HD. Then again, some people refuse to waste their time on anything less than the best. Ditto for slow loading times. I personally don’t mind waiting a few extra seconds for apps to load if it means saving a few dollars, but a lot of people disagree with me. Figuring out your specific needs is important. A stronger processor and 4K capability will give you a smooth experience with a great image. If that’s what you want, look for that specifically.

Do you want a button for every single command, or a sleek, minimalist remote that looks good on your coffee table? Have a look at what comes with your preferred device before you make your final choice.

Are you hoping to travel with your device, or do you want something to plug in at home that you’ll never touch again? Taking an Amazon Fire TV Cube on the road sounds like a nightmare, but if it’s meant to be a permanent fixture in your home, you probably won’t care about that.

It sounds like a no-brainer, but some apps aren’t supported on all media streaming devices. For a while, you couldn’t get HBO Max for Roku devices, which was a huge setback for both Roku and HBO Max. Why would you want a streaming service that you can’t play through your media streaming device? Or why would you choose a media streaming device that didn’t support your favorite streaming service? Luckily, the service is now available on Roku, but it’s something to keep in mind when making your choice.

At the end of the day, you want to make sure you’re staying within your budget. A lot of these media streaming devices come in at similar price points, so there’s still some wiggle room for getting other features you want.

Android Authority has been actively covering streaming hardware for years. Our dedicated streaming and entertainment experts test dozens of streamers weighing a variety of factors including UI ease of use, app support, remote design, hardware design, and more. We tested every product for a minimum a week. During that time, we use it as our daily driver for streaming and note down the pros, cons, and things we like that we can’t find with other streamers.

We don’t necessarily waste our time with advanced benchmarking or other “nerd stuff”. Today’s media streamers are mainstream devices designed to be easy to use and just work without a lot of drama — and that’s exactly what we are looking for. We want products that are no fuss, have wide app compatibility, are fast enough for the job, etc. Every product on this list meets those requirements: they are fast enough, have wide app support, and typically have good remotes.