The best streaming devices of 2023

Roku Express 4k is hands down the best on the market for those wanting quality streaming on a budget.  It’s one of the only 4k services available for under $50, offering good app variety and loading speeds. Express includes Airplay, so it can be synchronized across Apple devices. It’s an affordable all-rounder. 

The Nvidia Shield 4k is an accomplished all-rounder. It’s one of the pricier dishes on the menu as a result, but well worth it if it fits your budget. Nvidia Shield TV is an Android device that comes with 4K streaming and HDR, lightning-fast loading, and a responsive, user-friendly dashboard. Its extensive app library gives you up to 5000 channels.

If that’s not enough, you get all the smart features you could ask for, with built-in Google Assistant, smart home control, network data storage and file sharing, and DVR storage for live TV recording through HDHomeRun.

Say hello to smart streaming. Chromecast offers 4k, HDR and is a reliable option for live TV.  However, its greatest strengths are its smart device features, offering Google assistance via the voice-controlled remote and smart home control. Chromecast also integrates seamlessly with other Google-run platforms, such as YouTube and Google Photos.

Supporting Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision, the Amazon Fire Stick 4k Max offers impressive loading speeds and high-quality visuals if you have the appropriate router. Similarly to Google Chromecast, the Amazon Fire Stick is well integrated with other services from the provider.  The Fire Stick 4k Max features Alexa to help you search for your favorite channels, as well as smart home control and a huge variety of apps.

Apple TV 4k is on the pricier end of streaming devices, but it’s worth it. Including Dolby Vision and Atmos, Apple TV soars above its competitors for visual quality. It also integrates itself with Apple Music, arcade, fitness, and photos. So, whether you’re watching the big game or reminiscing over a stadium selfie, Apple TV has you covered. The product comes with 64GB of storage, and with the A15 Bionic system-on-chip, loading times and streaming is instantaneous. 

Wherever you look, Roku seems to have mastered the top spots when it comes to streaming devices. And for good reason. The Roku Streaming Stick 4k offers a huge variety of apps in its library, 4k, and HDR viewing. It also carries the most user-friendly interface, allowing you to navigate your favorite shows and events quickly and easily.  If that’s not enough, it supports Dolby Vision for the visual buffs in the rafters and now has Airplay, so it can be accessed across apple devices. That’s a lot for only $50.