The streaming device market is more competitive than ever. Today, there are a plethora of devices to choose from across a number of price points.
However, if you want the best of the best, you'll probably want to invest in a device that supports 4K video. Many of the most popular streaming services Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon Prime:Which one should you choose? Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon Prime:Which one should you choose? It's been years since we've compared the big-hit streaming services Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. And with changes in pricing, content, quality, and interface, we thought it was time to take a fresh look. Read More
Realistically, you have four 4K devices to choose from:Chromecast Ultra , the Apple TV 4K , the Roku ultra , and the Amazon Fire TV 4K .
But how do they stack up against each other? Which has the best technical specifications? Which has the widest selection of content? And is it possible to name a clear winner? Let's take a closer look.
The Chromecast Ultra costs twice the amount of a regular Chromecast, but offers the best value for money for those who want a 4K capable device.
The Chromecast Ultra is Google's entry into the 2160p video space.
You can play 4K content from any device that's connected to your wireless network, and it also supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) content. For those who don't know, HDR allows videos to have more vivid contrast, a broader color palette, and higher brightness levels.
There is another significant difference between the Chromecast Ultra and the regular Chromecast:the presence of an Ethernet port. This means you can connect it to a wired network and (theoretically) enjoy a faster and more stable connection.
Under the hood, you'll find a Marvell Armada 1500 Mini Plus 88DE3009 chip, 256MB of RAM, support for 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi networks, and 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The Chromecast Ultra weighs 1.66 ounces.
From a technical point of view, the two biggest drawbacks are the lack of a remote control and the lack of a user interface.
The Chromecast acts as a bridge between your mobile or laptop and the TV. As such, most major apps on both Android and iOS support Chromecast. A lot of niche, lesser known streaming apps have also included the functionality.
To give you an example, CBS, Google Play, WatchESPN, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Google Play Music, HBO NOW, Hulu, MLB.tv, Netflix, Pandora, Showtime Anytime, and Spotify all support the technology.
The glaring omission from the list is Amazon Video. Amazon and Google have been at odds for months, and the absence of Amazon Video support shows that consumers are now starting to feel the effects.
The Apple TV 4K is the fifth generation of Apple TV products. Apple announced the device in September 2017, and the first units reached customers a couple of months later.
Featuring a hexa-core Apple A10X Fusion processor, Apple TV 4K offers the most powerful processor ever seen in the product line.
Users can also look forward to 7.1 channel surround sound, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility, HDMI 2.0 and IR receiver connectivity. You can choose between a 32GB and a 64GB model.
The Apple TV 4K form factor is also worth giving a nod. As is always the case with Apple products, the device and its remote look and feel feel premium. By comparison, the Roku and Amazon Fire devices feel pretty cheap and plasticky.
Perhaps disappointingly, the Apple TV 4K only offers 3GB of DRAM. It is significantly smaller than other devices on this list. Given the premium price of the device, users should expect more.
Until the end of 2017, Apple TVs suffered from the same problem as Chromecasts:lack of support for Amazon Video.
However, the app has since been rolled out to over 100 countries, meaning Apple TV now offers apps from all the leading streaming services. Find more in our guide to streaming Amazon Video on Apple TV How to watch Amazon Prime Video on your Apple TV How to watch Amazon Prime Video on your Apple TV Amazon Prime Video could be better than Netflix. In this article, we explain how to watch Amazon Prime Video on Apple TV. Read more . We've looked at everything you need to enjoy Netflix on your Apple TV Apple TV and the Netflix Guide:tips, tricks, and troubleshooting tips Apple TV and the Netflix Guide:tips, tricks, and troubleshooting tips In this article, we help you set up Netflix on your Apple TV and give you some tips, tricks, and troubleshooting tips to get you started. Read More
On the downside, the rigid App Store means the availability of "off-track" streaming apps is diminished. You can't even easily download and download installation files like you can on Android devices.
It's also worth noting that Siri integration is far from universal among third-party apps, making it an awkward way to find content.
RokuUltra | 4K / HDR / HD Streaming Player with Enhanced Remote Control (Voice, Remote Finder, Headphone Jack, TV Power and Volume), Ethernet, Microsd and USB Roku Ultra | 4K / HDR / HD Streaming Player with enhanced remote control (voice, remote finder, headphone jack, TV power and volume), Ethernet, Microsd and USB Buy Now On Amazon $ 75.39
In mid-2017, Roku streamlined its product lineup. A Brief Guide to Roku's New Hardware for 2017 A Brief Guide to Roku's New Hardware for 2017 Roku has revamped their entire lineup for 2017. The problem is that it's hard to keep track of so many different devices. Let us help you with this brief guide. of new Roku hardware. Read More The Roku Ultra is the top of the range model. Along with the Roku Streaming Stick+, it's just one of two devices in the company's product lineup to offer 4K resolution.
Like the Chromecast Ultra, the Roku Chromecast vs. Roku:Which is Best for You? Chromecast vs. Roku:Which is the best for you? There are many streaming media devices to choose from. In this article, we compare the heaviest hitters:Chromecast vs Roku. Read More Ultra offers wired and wireless connectivity. Wireless connectivity is in the form of 802.11ac dual-band MIMO.
On the back of the device, you'll also find a micro SD card slot so you can expand the Ultra's storage and a USB port for local playback.
Other notable features include HDR support, a “night listening” mode, lost remote finder, screen mirroring via Miracast, and voice search via the accompanying remote.
Roku is the most agnostic content box on the market. Unlike its three biggest competitors - Apple, Google and Amazon - Roku does not provide its own video or music streaming services.
As a result, the company is confident in ensuring that there are as many apps as possible on the platform. Roku has never gotten into the tit-for-tat availability wars we've seen with other manufacturers.
Interestingly, Roku recently launched its own ad-supported movie channel. It's a great way to catch up on Hollywood releases if you hate Netflix and the other big streaming services.
Roku also allows you to install private channels. They offer a wide range of live and on-demand videos. We have listed some of the best private channels on Roku. 20 Private Roku Channels You Should Install Right Now. 20 Private Roku Channels You Should Install Now. Here's how to add private channels to your Roku, along with some of the best Roku private channels you can install. right now. Read more elsewhere on the site.
Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD and Alexa Voice Remote (1st Gen), Streaming Media Player Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD and Alexa Voice Remote (1st Gen), Streaming Media Player Buy Now on Amazon
Amazon released the new Amazon Fire TV 4K in late 2017, bringing 4K video support to the product for the first time.
The Amazon Fire device can play videos in 2160p (4K), 1080p, and 720p resolutions. It is powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and has a Mali-450 GPU. The previous Fire model had a Mediatek 8127D CPU, so the new version marks a significant improvement.
The device supports both wired and wireless connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; 2×2 MIMO). Like the Chromecast Ultra, the Amazon Fire works with 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless bands.
It also has 8GB of internal storage and 2GB of RAM, works with Bluetooth 4.2 and LE, and can read H.265 (HEVC), H.264, and VP9 video codecs.
Amazon Fire runs on a heavily modified version of the Android TV operating system. Because it is so modified, it is not compatible with Google Play Services. Therefore, you cannot run any of the Google apps like Gmail, Keep, or Calendar.
However, the Amazon App Store offers all the major apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, and Google Play Movies. You can also play some free games on your Fire TV The Best Free Amazon Fire TV Games The Best Free Amazon Fire TV Games There are a surprising number of free Amazon Fire TV games available for download. Here are the best we've found. Read more.
Since it's an Amazon product, the Fire stick is also compatible with Alexa. As such, you can use your device to control your entire smart home.
It is not easy to determine a clear winner.
In terms of content, it's hard to look past the Roku Ultra, especially since you can be sure the company won't suddenly block access to an app in a small corporate dispute.
Meanwhile, the Chromecast Ultra (see our Chromecast Ultra guide How to set up and use your Chromecast Ultra How to set up and use your Chromecast Ultra Learn how to set up your Chromecast Ultra with this comprehensive guide. Read More) wins in flexibility, though the fact that act as a bridge between your mobile phone and the television is both a blessing and a curse.
The Apple TV 4K is hands down the best looking of the bunch, but it's harder for little ones to get their hands dirty.
And while Amazon Fire TV 4K offers the best compromise between ease of use and cost, its divergence from Android stock will be a turn off for some users.
All of these 4K streaming devices are solid options. It just depends on what you value most and the compromises you are willing to accept.
And if you're not ready for 4K streaming yet, check out the Best 4K Monitors The Best 4K Gaming Monitors for Every Budget The Best 4K Gaming Monitors for Every Budget If you want to game in 4K, you'll need a 4K gaming monitor. Here are the best 4K gaming monitors you can buy today! Read more.
