The Best Streaming Media Player For 2024
The Rundown
1. Best Of The Best: NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro 4K HDR Streaming Media Player
The NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro 4K HDR streaming media player includes a remote controller that allows you to control your SHIELD and your entertainment system with the simple touch of a button. With Google Assistant built-in, you can use voice commands to access news, weather, movies and more on your big screen. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: Roku Ultra | Streaming Media Player 4K/HD/HDR
Experience your favorite TV in stunning detail and clarity with the Roku Ultra. This streaming media player offers brilliant image quality and supports HD, 4K and HDR streaming. With our built-in caching technology, you can enjoy uninterrupted playback without buffering. Read Review
3. Best Compatible: Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K HDR Android TV Remote Streaming Media Player
Introducing the Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K HDR Android TV Remote Streaming Media Player. With a 2GB RAM + 8GB Storage, you can install tons of apps and games and enjoy faster performance in your entertainment experience. We offer 3 easy steps to set up, so you'll be streaming in no time! Read Review
4. Best Performance: Roku Ultra LT Streaming Media Player 4K/HD/HDR w/ 4K HDMI Cable
Stream all your favorite TV shows, movies, and more with the Roku Ultra LT Streaming Media Player. This 4K enabled player provides access to 500,000+ movies and TV episodes. With a remote that can control your player and private listening capabilities, you'll always get the best experience. Read Review
If you’re like most people, you probably spend a lot of your free time watching television shows and movies. Perhaps you have a new smart TV that supports streaming media players, or maybe you just want to enjoy your favorite programs without having to buy expensive additional hardware.
In any case, you need a way to stream all your media from your computer or external hard drive to your TV so you can watch them from anywhere in the house. Luckily, there are a ton of affordable and reliable choices for streaming media players. Here we take a look at the best streaming media players on the market right now.
Before making our recommendations, our specialists spend substantial time researching and analyzing your requirements. Then we found the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro 4K HDR Streaming Media Player is the greatest choice for its high-quality performance. If you're looking for another one, consider Roku Ultra | Streaming Media Player 4K/HD/HDR.
RELATED: We did the research for you. Read our in-depth guide for the best streaming to tv device of 2024. Low prices, top models & expert support.
Our Top Picks
TOP Choice #1
![NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro 4K HDR Streaming Media Player]()
- Dolby Vision - Atmos. Bring your home theater to life with Dolby Vision HDR, and surround sound with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus—delivering ultra-vivid picture quality and immersive audio.
- Unlimited Entertainment. Enjoy the most 4K HDR content of any streaming media player, and access to thousands of apps and games, including top apps like Netflix,YouTube, Prime Video, Disney + and Hulu. Add a game controller (sold separately) and play today’s most popular games like Fortnite and GeForce Now. Even stream from your phone with built-in Chromecast 4K.
- Power Source Type: Corded Electric
- 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 only your voice. And control your SHIELD hands-free with Google Home or Alexa and Echo.
- Best-In-Class Design. Designed for the most demanding users and beautifully designed to be the perfect centerpiece of your entertainment center, SHIELD TV Pro levels you up to more storage space, more RAM, the expandability of 2x USB 3.0 ports, and Plex Media Server. Get the best connectivity with Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band AC Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0. The all-new remote is more advanced than ever with motion-activated, backlit buttons—including a customizable menu button. Plus, with voice control, Bluetooth, IR control for your TV, and a built-in remote control locator, you have the most advanced remote yet.
- Included Components: Remote Controller
- The Best of the Best. SHIELD TV delivers an amazing Android TV streaming media player experience, thanks to the new NVIDIA Tegra X1+ chip. Enhance HD video in real-time to 4K for clearer, crisper visuals using next-generation AI upscaling. 2x USB 3.0 ports for storage expansion, USB cameras, keyboards, controllers, and more. Plex Media Server built-in, 3 GB RAM, and 16 GB storage.
- New! Disney+ and Apple TV are now streaming on all Roku devices
- Take control of your TV: Use your voice to set personal shortcuts for one-touch control, search across channels, turn captions on, and more with the enhanced voice remote; plus, enjoy private listening with the included Premium JBL headphones and TV controls
- The free Roku mobile app: Turn your iOS or Android device into the ultimate companion; control your Roku media player or Roku TV, use voice search, enjoy private listening, and more on iOS and Android
- Power, picture, performance: Roku Ultra lets you stream free, live and premium TV over the Internet; right on your 4K TV; Roku’s top of the line media player with a quad-core processor and our best wireless, Roku Ultra is perfect for heavy streaming in HD, 4K, and HDR
- Ultimate connectivity: No matter what you’re streaming, enjoy a strong connection with dual-band wireless or use the Ethernet port for wired streaming
- Enjoy free TV: Stream live TV, 24/7 news, sports, movies, shows, and more on The Roku Channel, plus a huge collection of free entertainment from top channels on Featured Free
- Automatic software updates: Get the most up to date software including all the latest features and available channels without even thinking about it
- Fully loaded: It’s got all the bells and whistles, including channels that launch in a snap, lost remote finder, USB and micro SD ports; You can stream from movies and series on Apple TV, Netflix, Disney +, The Roku Channel, HBO, Showtime and Google Play to cable alternatives like Hulu with Live TV
- Brilliant picture quality: Experience your favorite TV in stunning detail and clarity; Perfect for HD, HDR, and 4K streaming, enjoy picture that’s optimized for your TV with sharp resolution and vivid color
- Endless entertainment: Stream it all, including free TV, live news, sports, and more; never miss award-winning shows, the latest blockbuster hits, and more; access 500,000+ movies and TV episodes; stream what you love and cut back on cable TV bills
TOP Choice #3
![Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K HDR Android TV Remote Streaming Media Player]()
- 【Easy to Connect】Our Mi box S Supports Wired & Wi-Fi connections. Get up and running in 3 simple steps. Step 1. Attach Mi Box to TV. Step 2, Connect to internet. Step 3. Start streaming.
- 【Cinematic Experience 】High Clarity 4K HDR . Xiaomi Mi Box S wiht features the latest 4K HDR technology and high-speed 4K processing for up to 60fps playback. Enjoy an ultra high-definition, lifelike viewing experience. Premium Audio puts you in the action. Dolby and DTS deliver crisper, three-dimensional surround sound.
- 【Powerful Streaming Media Player 】Our mi box streaming media player delivers a fast, fluid 4K streaming experience. Enjoy a lightning-fast interface and channels like Sling, Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video that launch in a snap on the fastest, most powerful player ever.
- 【Remote Control】Control your smart home devices conveniently. With the Google Assistant, you can quickly access entertainment, get answers and control devices around your home. Just press the mic button on your remote to get started.
- 【High Performance with Storage Capacity】2GB RAM + 8GB Storage. Install tons of awesome apps, watch extended cuts, and play more games while enjoying faster performance and stability.
4
![Roku Ultra LT Streaming Media Player 4K/HD/HDR w/ 4K HDMI Cable]()
- 【Smooth streaming】Get a connection that stands up to whatever you want to stream with dual-band wireless or use the Ethernet port for wired streaming.
- 【Lots of extras】Roku Ultra LT is packed with features you will love, including microSD for extra channel storage; use the included headphones to pump up the volume on your shows without disturbing the house.
- 【No more juggling remotes】Power up and adjust the volume on most televisions, control your player, and enjoy private listening with the enhanced voice remote and included headphones; use your voice to search across channels, turn captions on, and more in a touch.
- 【Roku Ultra LT】Roku Ultra LT has a quad-core processor and is great for smooth wired and wireless streaming. It's perfect for heavy streaming in HD, 4K, and HDR and delivers the kind of powerful performance you want on your home's main TV.
- 【Endless entertainment】stream it all, including free TV, live news, sports, and more; never miss award-winning shows, the latest blockbuster hits, and more; access 500,000+ movies and TV episodes; stream what you love and cut back on cable TV bills.
5
![NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV 4K HDR Streaming Media Player]()
- Power Source Type: Corded Electric
- 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 Echo.
- Best-In-Class Design. The new SHIELD TV is compact, stealth, and designed to disappear behind your entertainment center, right along with your cables. With Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band AC Wi-Fi, a built-in power supply, and a microSD card slot for storage expansion, it is powerful, feature-packed, and built for behind-the-scenes brilliance. The all-new remote is more advanced than ever with motion-activated, backlit buttons—including a user-customizable button. With voice control, Bluetooth, IR control for your TV, and a built-in lost remote locator, you have the most advanced remote yet.
- 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.
- Unlimited Entertainment. Get the most 4K content of any streaming media player. Watch Netflix, Amazon Video, Disney+ and Vudu in crisp 4K HDR, and YouTube, Hulu Live, Google Play Movies & TV, and more in 4K. Stream from your phone with built-in Chromecast 4K. Add a game controller (sold separately) and play today’s most popular games like Fortnite with GeForce NOW
- 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.
- Included Components: Remote Controller
6
![Roku Streambar | 4K/HD/HDR Streaming Media Player & Premium Audio]()
- Built-in 4K streaming device: Enjoy an easy, fast interface with the newest and most popular channels, plus access to endless free entertainment—stream in brilliant HD, 4K, and HDR picture with sharp resolution and vivid colors optimized for any TV
- Simple sound settings: It’s easy to perfect your sound no matter what you’re watching—automatically lower loud commercials, boost the volume of voices, and optimize the sound for night listening so you don’t wake the house
- Smarter than your average soundbar: Roku Streambar produces sound well beyond its size with the help of advanced audio engineering within the Roku OS—boosted volume and speech clarity will make your TV easier to hear and add rich depth to your music
- Surprisingly big sound: Listen in awe as four internal speakers fill your room with clean, pure sound featuring Dolby Audio—calibrated for boosted volume and crisp dialogue, you’ll love how great your TV sounds at an incredible value
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your streaming all with the Roku voice remote—use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, turn captions on, and more
- Watch what you love: Stream a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV, including Roku Originals and 200+ live TV channels for free on The Roku Channel
- Easily expandable: Add heart-pounding bass with Roku Wireless Subwoofer and immersive surround sound with one or two sets of Roku Wireless Speakers
- Bluetooth streaming: Bump your music in vibrant, studio-quality sound from your favorite channels or your connected Bluetooth device
- Quick and easy setup: Everything you need is included in the box—just plug it into your TV and connect to the internet; it’s that simple
- Voice Control that Does It All: Built-In Google Assistant and in Apps voice search. Search for photos, check the weather, set an alarm. Life should be simple
- High Clarity 4K HDR: Supports 4K Ultra HD resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR), experience clarity and smoothness like never before
- Simple to Setup and Use: Just plug in the power adapter and HDMI cable, connect the Android box to WiFi, then you can watch whatever you like with the powerful Android TV box
- HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. HDR screens provide a wider range of brightness and colors that making the video more realistic. Dynalink Android TV Box can disable HDR function. Please go to Setting -> Apps -> Droid Setting -> Display -> HDR -> Close
- Newest OS Android 10: Enjoy the latest version of Android TV 10, perfect for home entertainment, home theater, business use
- Access Tons of Content: Access to 3000+ channels and Apps, Enjoy movies and TV episodes from Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and more ( *Some Apps may only be available in certain regions. Ex. Disney+ only supported in US)
- We can use box remote control to control TV via HDMI CEC option. The path is: Settings icon in upper right > Apps > See all apps > Droid settings > Open > HDMI CEC > CEC Switch on
- Chromecast Built-in：Easily cast your favorite movies, music, and more to your TV
- Cinematic sound: Enjoy a cinematic sound experience with expanded frequency range and dynamic bass featuring Dolby Audio, plus listen as spacious sound moves around your room with virtual surround
- Easily expandable: Enjoy heart-pounding bass for entertainment you can feel with Roku Wireless Subwoofer and immersive surround sound with one or two sets of Roku Wireless Speakers (sold separately)
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device all with one remote
- Brilliant 4K picture quality: Stream in HD, 4K, and HDR with sharp resolution and vivid color optimized for your TV
- Works with popular voice assistants: Enjoy easy voice control with Siri, Alexa, or Hey Google
- Simple sound settings: Automatically lower loud commercials, boost the volume of voices, and optimize the sound for night listening
- Upgrade to America’s #1 TV streaming platform: Enjoy an easy, fast interface with the most popular channels, like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and more, plus automatic feature updates
- Convenient voice control: Use your voice to quickly search across channels, turn captions on, and set personal shortcuts for one-touch control
- Private listening: Plug the included headphones into the voice remote to pump up the volume on your shows without disturbing the house
- Simple setup: Just plug your Roku Streambar Pro into the HDMI-ARC port on your TV with the included Premium High Speed HDMI Cable and connect to the internet
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![Roku 3903 SE Streaming Media Player 3930 SE]()
- Streaming Services - Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, The Roku Channel, HBO, Showtime, Sling and Hulu with Live TV
10
![Roku Express 4K+ 2021 | Streaming Media Player HD/4K/HDR]()
- Works with popular voice assistants: Enjoy easy voice control with Siri, Alexa, or Hey Google
- Simple setup: It’s easy to get started with everything you need included in the box, including a Premium HDMI Cable-just plug it in and connect to the internet
- Brilliant 4K picture quality: Stream in HD, 4K, and HDR with sharp resolution and vivid color optimized for your TV
- Share it with Apple AirPlay: Effortlessly share videos, photos, music, and more from your Apple devices to your TV
- Upgrade to Roku streaming: All of your favorite channels, like HBO Max, Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video, are front and center on the customizable home screen, plus your device is always getting better with automatic updates
- Smooth wireless streaming: Now featuring dual-band wireless, enjoy a smooth streaming experience with faster wireless performance, even with multiple devices connected to your network
- Convenient voice control: Use your voice to quickly search across channels, turn captions on, and more in a touch
- Save money, stream big: Watch what you love, including a massive selection of free and live TV, including 150+ Live TV channels free on The Roku Channel-it’s great for streaming TV and cutting cable
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, mute, and control your Roku device all with one remote
- Included components: Roku Express 4K+ Streaming Player; Power source type: Corded Electric; Connectivity technology: Wi-Fi
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Which Criteria Do Our Experts Advice To Consider When Purchasing Of best streaming media player?
According to our experts, you should understand some sides of the product to get the finest one. Like others, best streaming media player of 2024 might include many factors for you to take into account. For that, each among best streaming media player will have unique features and challenges as well to consist of.
The focus on the following features of best streaming media player is highly recommended, given they have come together with tech-evaluated certification:
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.
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.
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),
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.
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.
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.
Performance
Set-top boxes load faster than streaming sticks and your spending will affect the speed and smoothness of the process.
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.
FAQs
What Is A Streaming Device And How Does It Work?
A streaming device, or streaming stick, allows you to stream (i.e. You can stream (or streaming stick) entertainment content, such as movies, TV series, music or photos. It is usually connected to an HDMI port.The apps that you will have access to depend on which streamer you are using. It's worth noting, however, that a subscription does not automatically come with a service. If you wish to view Netflix for example, you'll need to purchase it separately. However, there are some deals available for certain streaming services.
Can I Get All The Channels I Want On Any Device?
Each streaming device can access major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max. However, all streaming services may not have the same access. The Spectrum TV app is a good example. Although it is accessible on all platforms, the app is not available for Amazon Fire TV devices. Before you make a purchase, it is a smart idea to check that the device supports all of your apps. You might find yourself in a difficult situation if your phone doesn't support one of your favourite services.How Much Data Does TV Streaming Use?
This depends on the resolution and platform you are streaming from. Based on data collected from major streaming platforms, bandwidth usage can drop to hundreds of megabytes an hour for low definition (480p) videos. However, streaming services that stream standard HD/1080p video report between 2 and 3 gigabytes an hour. You can expect to see 4K video at 7 to 8GB an hour, depending on the video.What Is The Point Of A Streaming Stick If You Have A Smart TV?
Although many smart TVs today come pre-installed to run a variety of apps, it is true that external streaming devices almost always enhance the interface for a particular app.Amazon's Fire Stick gives you more control over your TV than standard Amazon TV apps. Other products from Amazon come with Alexa, giving you additional options to use your voice to control your TV.
A smart TV may not come with every available streaming service. Apple TV Plus is a rare app that comes preinstalled on smart TVs. This is why you need Apple's 4K HDR streaming device, which Panasonic TVs do not support.
Do You Need A Streaming Device With A Smart TV?
Not necessarily. Smart TVs often come equipped with their own streaming platforms that allow users to download top apps such as Netflix or Hulu. Samsung smart TVs have a lot of options. TVs are now compatible with major streaming services like Roku, Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.What Kind Of Internet Connection Do You Need For Your Streaming Device To Be Effective?
A minimum 5Mbps internet connection is required to stream the majority of streaming content at 1080p. You will be able to stream 4K video without any interruptions if you have more bandwidth.Do Streaming Devices Have Monthly Fees?
No. No. Monthly fees are not charged for streaming devices. You will need to pay monthly fees to watch certain channels, such as Netflix and HBO Max.Will A Streaming Device Work In Your Country?
Yes. Yes. You can use a VPN to bypass restrictions on certain services or shows.READ NEXT: The 10 Best Tablet 13 Inch Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts
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