The Best Digital Streaming Device For 2024

Piers Anthony By, Piers Anthony
Updated
Best Digital Streaming Device
Best Digital Streaming Device

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Streaming Device

Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Streaming Device is a mini-sized device that provides an ultimate viewing experience with 4K Ultra High Definition Output. The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Streaming Device is equipped with Android TV 11, 400,000+ movies from apps and Google Play, and 7000+ apps from the Google Play Store. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Amazon Fire TV streaming device

Just plug in the Amazon Fire TV streaming device and enjoy smoother 4K streaming across multiple Wi-Fi 6 devices. Watch in vivid 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos sound. Endless entertainment with apps like Netflix and Hulu, plus so much more. Read Review

3. Best Technology: Google Streaming Device

With a Google Streaming Device, you can watch all your favorite shows and movies in up to 4K resolution. With a Google Streaming Device, you can discover over 700,000 movies and TV episodes, plus millions of songs. The Google Streaming Device is compatible with almost every TV with an HDMI port. Read Review

4. Best Quality: Roku Ultra 2022 Streaming Device

Enjoy fast, seamless TV streaming in any room. Stream in 4K, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ with crisp resolution and vivid colors, plus Dolby Atmos sound. The Roku Ultra 2022 Streaming Device is designed to deliver a superior 4K HDR experience with hands-free voice control. Read Review

5. Best Performance: Mecool TV Stick 4K Streaming Device

Enjoy a lightning-fast interface and channels like Youtube, Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video launching in a snap on the fastest streaming player. The Mecool TV Stick 4K brings you stunning 4K/Ultra HD resolution and Dolby Atmos audio to stream every type of movie or show. Read Review

Whether you’re a movie buff, a music lover, or an avid gamer, you’ve probably heard about the amazing streaming devices that are taking the world of entertainment by storm.

What is a streaming device? It’s a piece of software that lets you watch videos from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video. You can also use it to play video games or listen to music.

 But what makes the right one? That depends on your needs and personal preference. With so many devices out there, it can be hard to choose the best one for you. That’s where we come in! Check out our list of the top digital streaming devices available:

We think the best digital streaming device of -the year is Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Streaming Device. Equipped with Android TV 11, you can connect to 400,000+ movies and shows on popular apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube. The Mi TV Stick Streaming Device also has a built-in 4K Ultra HD Output for the ultimate viewing experience. However, in order to provide the reader with a wider variety of alternatives, we recommend adding a Amazon Fire TV streaming device if you are interested in purchasing another appealing one.

Here are the buying guides that we specially made for you guys. Follow all the words below for successful shopping!

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Streaming Device
Our Score:
9.9
Xiaomi

Small yet powerful: The compact form factor of Xiaomi TV Stick 4K features a quad-core processor which delivers powerful performance. Whether you're watching a high-resolution film, listening to high-quality music or playing games, speed and stability is what you can expect.

A new era of smart connectivity: With the smart Android TV system, Xiaomi TV Stick 4K offers you a new multimedia experience anytime, anywhere. Compact and portable, it brings a smarter life to your displays.

Make your TV smarter with Google Assistant: With Google Assistant, you can enjoy quick access to tons of entertainment, search for information and control your smart home devices. It also brings the convenience of speech recognition to non-smart TVs.

The Ultimate Viewing Experience: 4K ultra high-resolution output takes video quality to another level. Partake in a vivid and immersive visual experience. Surround sound for superior audio experience: Whether you're into music, games, films or TV dramas, delivers greater richness and realism to sounds than ever before.

Experience the wonder of Android TV 11: The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K comes equipped with Android TV 11, delivering simple yet immersive experience. Discover 400,000+ movies and shows from across your favorite apps. Get 7000+ apps from Google play. Play music and games, cast from any device, and more.

Put your little screen on the big screen: Stream the entertainment you love from your phone, tablet or laptop to your TV using Chromecast built-in.

360° Bluetooth + IR remote control: The intuitive button layout and Bluetooth allows you to access your favorite content much quicker from any angle. With the built-in IR, you can also control power and volume on your TV or soundbar, all with a single remote.

Lightweight and portable design: Use it where you need it: the lightweight and compact form factor of Xiaomi TV Stick 4K makes it easy to use and carry. Watch your favourite video content anytime and anywhere, whether you're home or away.

TOP Choice #2 Amazon Fire TV streaming device
Our Score:
9.7
Amazon

Support for next-gen Wi-Fi 6 - Enjoy smoother 4K streaming across multiple Wi-Fi 6 devices.

Game on - Fluid gameplay and fast-rendering graphics with a 750Mhz GPU. Access popular games with a Luna cloud gaming subscription.

Do more with your smart home - View the front door camera without stopping your show using Live View Picture-in-Picture. Ask Alexa to check the weather or dim the lights.

Our most powerful streaming stick - 40% more powerful than Fire TV Stick 4K, with faster app starts and more fluid navigation.

Cinematic experience - Watch in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+ and immersive Dolby Atmos audio.

Alexa Voice Remote - Search and launch content with your voice. Get to favorite apps quickly with preset buttons. Control power and volume with one remote.

Live and free TV - Watch live TV, news, and sports with subscriptions to SLING TV, YouTube TV, and others. Stream for free with Freevee, Pluto TV, Tubi, and more.

Endless entertainment - Stream more than 1 million movies and TV episodes. Watch favorites from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, and more, plus listen to millions of songs. Subscription fees may apply.

TOP Choice #3 Google Streaming Device
Our Score:
9.6
Google

Your home screen displays movies and TV shows from all your services in one place; get personal recommendations based on your subscriptions, viewing habits, and content you own

Check out what’s going on around your home by watching the feed of your compatible Nest Cam feed on TV[8], and control other connected devices like the lights or thermostat, without even pausing[9]

Use your phone or tablet to cast movies, shows, and more directly to your TV[5,6,7]

Watch the entertainment you love, including live TV, in up to 4K HDR[1,2,3]; discover over 700,000 movies and TV episodes, plus millions of songs[2]

Get fast streaming, and enjoy a crystal clear picture up to 4K and brighter colors with HDR[3]. Your Chromecast with Google TV (4K) can connect to either 2.4 or 5 Ghz network. Please be advised that your Chromecast can only connect to one Wi-Fi network at a time.

Use other Google speakers and displays to control your TV with your voice; or group them with Chromecast to fill your home with sound[5]

Chromecast is easy to install and compatible with almost any TV that has an HDMI port; to get started, just plug it into your TV’s HDMI port, connect to Wi-Fi, and start streaming[1]

Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers denoted by the bracketed numbers in the preceding bullet points (e.g., [1], [2], etc.)

Press the Google Assistant[4] button on the remote and use voice search to find specific shows, or search by mood, genre, actress, and more; control the volume, switch inputs, play music, and get answers, hands-free

Create a kids profile to access movies and shows for the family; pick a playful avatar and theme, set parental controls to restrict what streaming services are shown, limit watching time, and set a bedtime

Watch what you love: Upgrade your streaming with a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV, including Roku Originals and 275+ free Live TV channels on The Roku Channel

Our best Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, seamless TV streaming in any room in the house with our best Wi-Fi and up to 50% more range—or choose to wire up over Ethernet

Private listening: Plug headphones into your remote or use a wireless pair with the Roku mobile app to crank up the volume without disturbing a quiet house

Cinematic streaming: Stream in 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ with sharp resolution and vivid color, plus Dolby Atmos sound. You can also pay for subscription apps to access your favorite live TV channels, such as CBS all access, Direct TV now, Hulu + Live TV, Playstation Vue, Sling TV, and Youtube TV.

Super-fast startup: Stream your favorite channels like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and more in a snap—just turn on your TV

Find your lost remote: Simply say “Hey Roku, where’s my remote?” or press the button on your streaming device and your Roku remote will play a sound

Our best remote: Roku Voice Remote Pro is conveniently rechargeable with features including TV controls and personal shortcut buttons

Hands-free voice controls: Say “Hey Roku” to play entertainment, control your streaming, power up your TV, and even find your lost remote

Outrageously powerful: Enjoy a lightning-fast interface and channels that launch in a snap with the fastest, most powerful Roku player ever

No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote

5 Mecool  TV Stick 4K Streaming Device
Our Score:
9.2
Mecool

[AV1 Strong Decoding Google TV Stick]: Google TV is the centerpiece of your home theater with spectacular 4K and Dolby Atmos sound. Amlogic S905Y4 supports the latest 4K120 10bit AV1 real-time decoding, it can bring better volume and picture quality advantages in 4K ultra-high-definition video.

[Android 11.0 OS & Amlogic S905Y4]: TV Box with Android 11.0 OS, 2GB 8GB, 64bits Amlogic S905Y4 Quad A35 DDR4, which makes sure the box running stable and smooth to load movies, pictures and games without buffer, no need to wait for a wonderful moment.

[Google Voice Remote Control]: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your streaming device with the voice remote of the steaming stick. Use the voice remote to quickly search, play entertainment, and control your streaming device by pressing and holding down the Google assistant button. The first time you pair the remote, it must be within 20cm.

[Share it with Chromecast Built-in]: TV stick 4K makes it easy to share videos, photos, music, and more from your devices to your TV.

[Best Wi-Fi 5 & BT 5.0]: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room in the house with our best 2.4G/5G Wi-Fi or choose to wire up over Ethernet. BT 5.0 is exactly twice as fast as BT 4.2, allowing you to connect wireless mini keyboards, mobile phones, PCs, speakers or other Bluetooth devices faster and easier.

[Netflix and Google Dual Certified]: Streaming device Google Assistant supported Chromecast integrated with Google TV in 4K HDR. Enjoy a lightning-fast interface and channels like Youtube, Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video that launch in a snap on the fastest, most powerful streaming player ever, you can one key directly their interface.

6 Roku Streaming Stick 4K Device
Our Score:
9.0
Roku

Watch what you love: Upgrade your streaming with a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV, including Roku Originals and 275 plus free Live TV channels on The Roku Channel

Voice search & control: Quickly search, play entertainment, and control your streaming device with the voice remote

Super-fast startup: Start streaming channels like Disney plus, Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV plus, Netflix, Sling, and Hulu in a snap—just turn on your TV

Hides behind your TV: The all-new design plugs right into your TV with a simple setup

Breathtaking picture: Stream in 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 plus with sharp resolution and vivid color

Works with popular voice assistants: Enjoy easy voice control with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant

No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku Streaming Stick with the Roku remote

Long-range Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room with a strong Wi-Fi connection, now up to 2x faster

7 MYPIN Streaming  Device
Our Score:
8.8
MYPIN

【Support Video/Picture/Music/PPT & Auto/loop mode playback】-- This 4k media player can play various popular videos, music, and photos. It has repeat playback,Automatic Playback and shuffles playback mode; It also reads PPT document. You can choose a variety of play mode: single, sequential. Especially for random playing video, music and pictures.Support video breakpoint and select mode from the beginning, you can start your home theater as you like

【Networkable 4K@60HZ Media Player】-- Experience Full 4k@60hz videos in this digital media player. It works with MKV, AVI, TS/TP, MP4/M4V, MOV, VOB, M2TS or MPEG2/4 codecs,support for the latest video formats such as H.265/HEVC up to 4096x2304p@60fps resolution, Photos: JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF , PNG. Music: MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC etc; It can play a single file up to 4GB-30GB(NTFS). It can be networked via the net cable and wifi, you can browse the web and download some app through the machine

【Powerful Compatibility & Internal 11G memory】-- It can play from micro SD card, USB flash drive up to 256GB and HDD up to 8TB; including FAT32, exFAT and NTFS. The device has a built-in 11G memory, which can store your favorite movies or photos. Dual USB ports for connecting two devices, Support mouse and keyboard, you can remotely control by mouse, it helps to make your TV smarter by adding the ability to play videos, music, and photo slideshows

【Vertical and Splicing Screen Display】-- With rotating picture output, 270 degrees, multiple settings, Flexible and versatile compatible with your vertical screen, makes it easy for anyone to use beautiful digital signs,You can use it on your advertising screen to display your advertising video.

【Advertising Subtitles Multifunction】Working hours can be every day, except weekends, Sunday, etc. Time format is 24 hours. you are free to add the logo and subtitles to the videos and photos. As to the subtitles, please name it as the same as the corresponding video and put them in the same folder, then use the Movie player to play the video, the subtitle will show automatically, You can customize the size and color of the subtitles, and the position of the scrolling display

8 NEBULA 4K Streaming Device
Our Score:
8.6
NEBULA

Stream on Any App: More than 7,000 choices make it easy to stream your favorite content, including shows on Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney Plus.

OK Google, It Works: The Android TV box is voice-activated with the Google Assistant and compatible with Chromecast, meaning you can play content from any Android device.

Hear Sound Come to Life: Dolby Digital Plus ensures that your ears are just as pleased as your eyes with heart-pounding thuds and whispers so close you can feel them.

See Every Stunning Detail: 4K resolution and HDR enrich your movie with colors that light up your room and picture quality that leaves you completely captivated.

Note: Nebula 4K Streaming Dongle is compatible with all Nebula projectors.

9 NEUMITECH  Streaming  Device
Our Score:
8.4
NEUMITECH

READS USB DRIVES AND SD CARDS - Simply copy your videos, photos, or music files onto a USB drive or a micro SD card, insert it into the ATOM Cast, and you are ready to play those files using an easy-to-navigate menu. Got a lot of media files? No problem! It supports USB drives up to 8TB or Micro SD cards up to 1TB.

INTERACTIVE RICH MEDIA - The NEUMI ATOM Cast adds rich media playback and interactive capabilities to any TV with HDMI. Its compact dongle-style design can be easily hidden out of view. Built-in Wi-Fi features include screen mirroring, remote control, and wirelessly casting or streaming media content. It can also play media files from USB drives or micro SD cards - just select a file and play! It is simple and intuitive to use.

MEDIA FORMAT SUPPORT - Video: MP4, MKV, AVI, TS/TP, MOV, VOB, and M2TS files using H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC, VC1, or MPEG2/4 codecs, up to 4096x2304p@30fps, 10-bit color, and 200mbps. Photos: JPG, JPEG, BMP, GIF (non-animated), PNG. Music: MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC

AUTOMATIC PLAYBACK - The ATOM Cast can auto-play media files without user input. It will also remember where you stopped a video and resume playing from the stop point. Combined with the ability to loop and repeat videos continuously, the ATOM Cast is a perfect player for simple digital signage.

Wi-Fi CONNECTIVITY - Together with the EShare app on a smartphone or tablet, the ATOM Cast can perform bi-directional wireless screen mirroring, remote touch control, as well as video/photo/music casting. It is also compatible with DLNA/UPnP for streaming media files from local servers.

4K/UHD VIDEO PLAYBACK - The ATOM Cast offers stunning video quality through its HDMI output that supports up to 2160p/60Hz resolution, with support for the latest video formats such as H.265/HEVC. It can feed digital surround sound to your home theater receiver for a cinema-like listening experience.

10 NVIDIA SHIELD  Streaming Device
Our Score:
8.2
NVIDIA

Dolby Vision - Atmos. Bring your home theater to life with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos surround sound—delivering ultra-vivid picture quality and immersive audio. Enhance HD video in real-time to 4K for clearer, crisper visuals using next-generation AI upscaling

4K HDR Content. Get the most 4K HDR content of any streaming media player. Watch Netflix, Amazon Video, Apple TV+, Disney+ and Google Play Movies & TV in crisp 4K HDR, and YouTube, Hulu, and more in 4K. Stream from your phone with built-in Chromecast 4K.

Fast. Really Fast. SHIELD TV takes media streaming to a whole new level, powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor, SHIELD TV is the world’s most powerful Android TV streaming media player and has been upgraded to Android TV version 11

GeForce NOW Cloud Gaming. GeForce NOW instantly transforms SHIELD TV into a powerful PC gaming rig. Play over 1000+ titles and nearly 100 of the biggest free to play games. The new GeForce NOW RTX 3080 membership unlocks GeForce RTX 3080 gaming servers in 4K HDR, the shortest wait times and longest session lengths, with RTX ON including ray tracing and DLSS graphics for supported games.

Voice Control. The built-in Google Assistant is at your command. See photos, live camera feeds, weather, sports scores, and more on the big screen. Dim the lights and immerse yourself in your favorite show or music using your voice. And control your SHIELD hands-free with Google Home or Alexa and Amazon Echo.

Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best digital streaming device?

The best digital streaming device is influenced by a multitude of factors, including all those stated below. Depending on the sort of product, the learning process differs. We'll be ready to aid you and propose solutions since we're here to support you.

It's necessary to remember the following factors before selecting best digital streaming device:

Captive Portal Support

You might encounter Wi-Fi networks which require you to log in using a web browser if your streaming device is being taken on the road. It is also known as "captive portal" and it does not support all streaming devices.

Private Listening Options

Bluetooth headphones are supported by many devices. This is useful for those times when you don’t want to wake your children or spouse. Roku devices also allow wired headphones via the Roku mobile application and the remote control of its set-top boxes.

Remote Control Features

While some remotes have buttons that allow you to fast-forward, rewind and perform other functions, others are simpler. Remotes that can turn on your TV's volume and have microphones to allow you to speak commands. There is no perfect remote, but you can look through the included ones to determine what is most important.

Ecosystem Tie-ins

Apple TV is the only way to access pple services and apps (like Apple Arcade or Fitness+), although Apple TV has an Apple TV app that allows you to view Apple TV+ content and rent videos from iTunes. Fire TV is the best way to access Amazon Prime Video. Google's music and video services can be accessed through Chromecast and Android TV. Roku offers apps for Amazon and Google Play Movies & TV. However, it is not as sophisticated and has fewer smart home controls than other platforms.

Connectivity

Are you planning to connect a USB storage device or ethernet cable or a sound system using an optical or analog audio cable? You should ensure that your streaming box supports the correct connections. If you are concerned about your home network's bandwidth, you will also need a device that supports 802.11ax Wi Fi (or WiFi 6),

Resolution

If you have a 4K television, and a fast internet connection, then a television streaming device that supports 4K is the perfect way to watch ultra-high-definition content. You can future-proof your set by purchasing a streaming device that supports 4K resolution if you do not have a 4K TV.

Content Discovery Features

The media-streaming device is evolving beyond static apps. Roku Feed, the Apple TV's TV app (TV), and Amazon recommendations are available directly from the Fire TV Home screen. These approaches can be compared to help you decide which is most attractive.

Performance

Set-top boxes load faster than streaming sticks and your spending will affect the speed and smoothness of the process.

FAQs

What type of content can I access with a digital streaming device?

Digital streaming devices allow you to access a wide variety of content, including movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, live sports, and more. Popular streaming services include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple Music, Spotify, and many more.

Can I watch live TV with a digital streaming device?

Yes, many digital streaming devices now offer access to live TV channels, such as local news, sports, and more. Popular services that offer live TV include Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.

Do I need a subscription to use a digital streaming device?

Most streaming services require a subscription in order to access their content. However, some services offer free content, such as YouTube and Crackle. Additionally, many streaming devices allow you to access content from other sources, such as your local library or other websites.

What is a digital streaming device?

A digital streaming device is a device that allows you to stream content from the internet onto your TV. This includes movies, TV shows, music, and other digital media. Examples of digital streaming devices include Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

How do I use a digital streaming device?

To use a digital streaming device, simply open the app that you want to use, sign in to your account, and start streaming. You can also search for content using the device's search feature.


2 ratings

About Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony is a freelance writer and computer expert who enjoys helping others get the most out of their technology. He has written extensively about laptops, soundbars, and other computer-related topics, and he currently serves as the editor of The Audio Insights website. When he's not writing or tinkering with his gadgets, Piers can be found spending time with his wife and family.