The final decision
At the end of the day, it’s between Roku and Amazon. Although the Chromecast is the least expensive option on the table, it’s significantly less user-friendly and requires another piece of hardware. If you really need to stream your desktop to your TV, it’s the only option, but aside from that we don’t recommend it.Which one is right for you? It depends on how tech savvy you are. The Roku is a great unit for less tech savvy users — families of a wide age range, for example. The remote is durable, the user interface is time-tested, and the content is robust and easy to search. The Amazon Fire Stick is more cutting-edge and has better performance, but it’s more cluttered and has less content overall.
Our final judgement: the fire stickis the Geek pick for best low-profile streaming device. If you can get past the intense focus on Amazon itself (and paying for Instant Video), it has the best mix of features and by far the more powerful hardware. Failing that, grap a koru
You should also keep in mind that as sticks, all of these devices are limited. It’s tough to beat the streaming content they can provide in such small, hidden form factors, and we think they’re enough for most people. However, if you’re willing to upgrade to a bigger, more expensive streaming box, you will get a little more.
Streaming boxes like fire tv stick and roku premiere are faster than their stick counterparts and have more features, like 4K streaming. Meanwhile, the Apple TV is a great way to access Apple’s impressive, curated ecosystem on your television, and has recently announced its own 4K, HDR model. The Nvidia Shield TV is an Android streaming box with an emphasis on gaming. Or you could just get a full-fledged video game console, like a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, since they all also offer media streaming now.
Your streaming journey doesn’t have to end with these devices, though. There are a wide range of products and services that interact with Fire Stick, Roku, Chromecast, and others to cut the cord and put the exact content you want on whatever screen you want. Here are some of our favorite streaming TV services and why. Keep checking back for new additions.
offers a wide variety of premium channels for Prime users to watch, from HBO to PBS Kids. It can get pricey quick but if you only want a few individual channels this is a great, quick way to get them. (2 out of 4 stars)Amazon Channels
DirecTV Now is live TV powered purely by the internet. You have to buy channels in bulk and still deal with commercials, but in return you get the real live TV experience delivered through streaming. (3 out of 4 stars)
Slingbox is more of a utility than a streaming service. But it’s a really convenient utility. If you’re already paying for live TV you can hook up a Slingbox and access that same TV content wherever there’s an internet connection.
Funimation Now is a pretty good anime streaming service, for those of you who like anime for some reason. But be aware that the service is shifting it’s focus from subs to dubs. (2.5 stars out of 4)
Crunchyroll is the definitive anime streaming service. Subs>>>Dubs. (3.5 stars out of 4. Geek Pick)
AMC Premiere works fine for Walking Dead fans who already subscribe to Comcast Xfinity, but if that’s not you the service may be a little lacking. (2 stars out of 4)
CuriosityStream has a nearly endless supply of educational shows and documentaries on everything from nature to technology to culture. Learn something! (3.5 stars out of 4. Geek Pick)
Boomerang is a solid source of retro cartoons like Looney Tunes or Scooby-Doo. It may not mesh as well with kids’ modern tastes, but it’s a nifty animation time capsule. (3 stars out of 4)
FuboTV is the escape from cable that sports fans are looking for. It’s pricey, but being able to easily stream live sports and more from dozens of channels with only one subscription might very well be worth it. (3 stars out of 4)
Brown Sugar has all of the classic Blaxploitation movies you could want and then some. It’s niche, but it’s one of the most impressive niche libraries we’ve seen. (3.5 stars out of 4. Geek Pick)
FilmStruck is for the true cinephile. Its library collects classic films from all eras and countries, including Criterion Collection movies. (3.5 stars out of 4. Geek Pick)
Dish AirTV is a curious piece of streaming hardware. Along with presenting streaming services like Netflix and Sling through one box, the device also lets you watch local over-the-air channels with an additional installation, if you’re still into that.
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