Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (2025)

PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

  1. Home
  2. Reviews
  3. Home Entertainment

Media Streaming Devices: Buying Advice, Tips, and News

Our 9 Top Picks

Best for Alexa Users

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (1)

4.5

Outstanding

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023)

$29.99 at Amazon See It

The second-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K adds Wi-Fi 6 to one of the best media streaming devices at the same affordable price as the previous model.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Fast performance

  • Wi-Fi 6

  • Speedier Alexa responses

  • Plenty of apps and features

Cons

  • No Apple AirPlay or Google Cast for local streaming

Read Our Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023) Review

Best for Google Assistant Users

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (2)

4.5

Outstanding

Chromecast With Google TV (4K)

$49.99 at Amazon Check Stock
$39.99 at Target See It

The Chromecast With Google TV finally adds a remote and on-screen interface with a new and simple menu system to the popular media streamer.

Pros

  • Attractive, accessible new Google TV interface

  • 4K with HDR10 and Dolby Vision

  • Useful Google Assistant and Cast features

  • Affordable

Cons

  • Live TV tab only supports YouTube TV

Read Our Chromecast With Google TV Review

Best 1080p Media Streamer for Google Users

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (3)

4.5

Outstanding

Chromecast With Google TV (HD)

$43.98 at Amazon See It
$53.95 at Walmart See It

Free Shipping

The Chromecast With Google TV (HD) brings a wealth of streaming services and Google Assistant voice control to 1080p TVs for just $30.

Pros

  • Loads of apps and services on Google TV

  • Google Assistant

  • Google Cast

  • Remote with TV volume control

Cons

  • Limited to 1080p

  • No Dolby Vision

Read Our Chromecast With Google TV (HD) Review

Best 1080p Media Streamer for Alexa Users

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (4)

4.5

Outstanding

Amazon Fire TV Stick With Alexa Voice Remote (3rd Gen)

$34.99 at Amazon See It
$24.99 at Best Buy See It

Amazon's $40 third-generation Fire TV Stick is nearly identical to its predecessor, just a bit faster and equipped with a new Alexa voice remote, which is enough to preserve its status as the best media streamer for 1080p TVs.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Faster processor than previous model

  • Includes remote with microphone, TV controls, and dedicated service buttons

Cons

  • 1080p only

  • Home screen can occasionally stutter

Read Our Amazon Fire TV Stick With Alexa Voice Remote (3rd Gen) Review

Best for Hands-Free Alexa Voice Control

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (5)

4.0

Excellent

Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen)

$139.99 at Amazon See It
$139.99 at Best Buy See It

Free Shipping

The Amazon Fire TV Cube remains one of the most capable media streamers on the market thanks to its hands-free Alexa voice control, and the third-generation model adds Wi-Fi 6E and HDMI pass-through.

Pros

  • Hands-free Alexa voice assistance

  • HDMI pass-through with Alexa overlay

  • Supports Wi-Fi 6E

  • Fast performance

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Wi-Fi 6E doesn't necessarily offer video benefits

Read Our Amazon Fire TV Cube Review

The Best Media-Streaming Soundbar

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (6)

4.0

Excellent

Roku Streambar Pro

$179.99 at Best Buy Check Stock
$179.99 at Amazon Check Stock

The Roku Streambar Pro is a capable stereo speaker that adds all of the capabilities of a 4K Roku media streamer to the mix, including a voice remote with a headphone jack.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Solid audio performance

  • Lots of media streaming options

  • Remote with headphone jack

Cons

  • Relatively weak bass response

Read Our Roku Streambar Pro Review

Best for Affordable AirPlay

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (7)

4.0

Excellent

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

$34.00 at Amazon See It
$24.99 at Target See It

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a powerful media streamer for watching 4K HDR content from many streaming apps, and AirPlay support lets you easily mirror Apple devices.

Pros

  • Fast, responsive performance

  • Sleek, small design

  • Supports Apple AirPlay and Dolby Vision

Cons

  • Voice features still lag those of Amazon Fire TV and Google TV

  • No Twitch app available

  • 5GHz Wi-Fi hiccup in testing

Read Our Roku Streaming Stick 4K Review

Best Remote

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (8)

4.0

Excellent

Roku Streaming Stick 4K+

$74.99 at Amazon Check Stock
$73.80 at Walmart See It

Free Express Shipping

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ bundles the company's Streaming Stick 4K and Voice Remote Pro into one compelling package for hands-free 4K media streaming.

Pros

  • Plenty of apps and services

  • Hands-free voice control

  • Headphone jack on remote

  • Apple AirPlay support

Cons

  • Voice search feature still lags behind Alexa and Google Assistant

  • No Twitch

Read Our Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ Review

Best for Siri Control

Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (9)

3.5

Good

Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation)

$128.89 at Walmart See It

Free Shipping

Despite a drop in price and a boost in performance, the third-generation Apple TV 4K is still an expensive media streamer that's best suited for Apple-centric households.

Pros

  • Fast, responsive performance

  • Deep integration with Apple devices and services

  • Apple AirPlay 2

Cons

  • Pricey

  • Confusing overlap of Apple tvOS and Apple TV app features

  • Using Siri requires speaking into the remote

Read Our Apple TV 4K (3rd Generation) Review

Latest Media Streaming Device Top Picks

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024

Latest Media Streaming Device Reviews

Roku Ultra (2024) Review

4.0

Google TV Streamer (4K) Review

3.5

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Review

4.0

Amazon Fire TV Cube Review

4.0

Editors' Choice

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023) Review

4.5

Editors' Choice

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen, 2023) Review

4.0

Amazon Fire TV Stick With Alexa Voice Remote (3rd Gen) Review

4.5

Editors' Choice

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Review

4.5

Editors' Choice

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max Review

4.0

Latest Media Streaming Device News

Get These Prime Day Deals on Media Streaming Devices Before They Disappear ByJibin Joseph

Best Early Prime Day Deals on Media Streaming Devices ByJibin Joseph

Google TV Streamer Replaces Chromecast in Media Hub Lineup ByWill Greenwald

Google's Next Chromecast Could Be a Set-Top Box, Not a Dongle ByJibin Joseph

Still Going: The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on Streaming Devices ByChloe Albanesius

Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on Streaming Devices ByChloe Albanesius

Best Early Amazon Prime Day Deals on Streaming Devices ByChloe Albanesius

Microsoft Brings Xbox Gaming to Amazon's Fire TV Sticks ByMichael Kan

Ask Alexa to Create AI-Generated Art on Your Fire TV ByEmily Price

CES 2024: Amazon Now Lets You Cast Streaming Content to Fire TVs ByJoe Hindy

All News

Latest Media Streaming Device How-Tos

How to Turn Off Annoying Apple TV Sports Notifications ByTyler Hayes

How to Access Roku's Secret Screens ByChandra Steele

Set the Channel: How to Add Streaming Apps to Your Roku Device ByRebecca Isaacs

Related Categories

All Home Entertainment Home Entertainment Accessories Blu-ray Players TVs Universal Remotes

Latest Media Streaming Device Stories

The Best Streaming Device Deals For October 2024

All the streaming entertainment in the world, small enough to carry in your pocket. Get big discounts on streaming sticks from Roku and Apple this month

10/14/2024 By K. Thor Jensen

Roku Ultra (2024) Review

4.0

The 2024 version of the Roku Ultra is faster and performs better than the previous model, while offering access to the same robust content-focused platform.

$89.99 at Amazon

10/10/2024 By Will Greenwald

Get These Prime Day Deals on Media Streaming Devices Before They Disappear

If you're looking to upgrade your home theater setup without breaking the bank, just scoop up one of these killer Prime Day discounts before midnight tonight.

10/09/2024 By Jibin Joseph

Google TV Streamer (4K) Review

3.5

The Google TV Streamer adds an Ethernet port and support for Matter and Threads, but it doesn't do much the Chromecast can't do for half the price.

$99.99 at Amazon

10/09/2024 By Will Greenwald

Best Early Prime Day Deals on Media Streaming Devices

Streaming devices bring new meaning to the phrase 'plug and play,' but on Prime Big Deal Days, it's time to plug and pay...a whole lot less money to update your home entertainment center.

10/07/2024 By Jibin Joseph

How to Turn Off Annoying Apple TV Sports Notifications

Inundated with sports notifications on Apple TV? Tweak these settings to curb the interruptions.

9/03/2024 By Tyler Hayes

How to Access Roku's Secret Screens

Your Roku has a handful of hidden features you can't find on the Home screen. Here's how to access them with a few remote clicks.

8/31/2024 By Chandra Steele

27 Hidden Roku Tips and Tricks You Won't Find in The Instruction Manual

Whether you've had the same Roku for years or just nabbed a new model, there's more to know about these media streaming devices than meets the eye.

8/27/2024 By Chandra Steele

20 Things You Didn't Know Your Google Chromecast Could Do

Google might have discontinued the Chromecast but if you have one, you can still get the most out of it.

8/22/2024 By Chandra Steele

Save 40%: This Wireless CarPlay Adapter Is Like a Roku for Your Car

Ditch the frustration of wires and stream Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu on lunch breaks and road trips.

8/17/2024 By StackCommerce Team (Sponsored)

Google TV Streamer Replaces Chromecast in Media Hub Lineup

The $99 device swaps the hanging dongle for a set-top box and adds Gemini AI, but it lacks the most up-to-date Wi-Fi standard and leaves Google without a budget streamer.

8/06/2024 By Will Greenwald

Google's Next Chromecast Could Be a Set-Top Box, Not a Dongle

Google may also drop the Chromecast branding and call its device the Google TV Streamer.

7/23/2024 By Jibin Joseph

Still Going: The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on Streaming Devices

Streaming devices from the likes of Amazon and Roku bring new meaning to the phrase 'plug and play,' and these streamers are still available at their Prime Day prices. Grab them while you can.

7/18/2024 By Chloe Albanesius

Best Amazon Prime Day Deals on Streaming Devices

Streaming devices from the likes of Amazon and Roku bring new meaning to the phrase 'plug and play,' but on Prime Day, it's your chance to plug and pay...a whole lot less money.

7/17/2024 By Chloe Albanesius

Best Early Amazon Prime Day Deals on Streaming Devices

Streaming devices from the likes of Amazon and Roku bring new meaning to the phrase 'plug and play,' but on Prime Day, it's your chance to plug and pay...a whole lot less money.

7/14/2024 By Chloe Albanesius

The Best Media Streaming Devices for 2024

Who needs cable? We pit the highest-rated streaming boxes and sticks against one another to find out which one is best for watching shows, movies, and more on your TV.

7/10/2024 By Will Greenwald

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Review

4.0

The $30 Fire TV Stick Lite is the most affordable way to add streaming media and Amazon's Alexa voice assistant to your 1080p TV.

$29.99 at Amazon

7/03/2024 By Will Greenwald

Amazon Fire TV Cube Review

4.0

Editors' Choice

The Amazon Fire TV Cube remains one of the most capable media streamers on the market thanks to its hands-free Alexa voice control, and the third-generation model adds Wi-Fi 6E and HDMI pass-through.

$139.99 at Amazon

7/01/2024 By Will Greenwald

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023) Review

4.5

Editors' Choice

The second-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K adds Wi-Fi 6 to one of the best media streaming devices at the same affordable price as the previous model.

$29.99 at Amazon

7/01/2024 By Will Greenwald

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen, 2023) Review

4.0

The second-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max one-ups the standard model with Wi-Fi 6E support, though you'll only notice its speed and reliability improvements with a compatible router.

$39.99 at Best Buy

7/01/2024 By Will Greenwald

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • ...
  • 27
  • 28
Media Streaming Device Reviews and Lab Tests (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Aron Pacocha

Last Updated:

Views: 5521

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aron Pacocha

Birthday: 1999-08-12

Address: 3808 Moen Corner, Gorczanyport, FL 67364-2074

Phone: +393457723392

Job: Retail Consultant

Hobby: Jewelry making, Cooking, Gaming, Reading, Juggling, Cabaret, Origami

Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.