Having some form of entertainment is good for your body, mind, and soul. It is a perfect way to relax, relieve stress, and bond with your loved ones.
There are so many ways to entertain yourself; streaming is one of them.
What is Streaming?
Streaming is, in simple terms, what happens when people watch and listen to media content through the internet. That includes videos, podcasts, webcasts, chat rooms, and so on.
Streaming is one of the best and the most popular form of entertainment right now. It is also one of the easiest and the most convenient.
If you want to start streaming in your home, you’ll need good internet connectivity, a TV, and a streaming device.
The TV and good internet connectivity are not so easy to get, but they are not as complicated as a streaming device.
There are way too many types of streaming devices in the market, and they all claim to be the best. But truth be told, not all of them can give you what you want. Some are more complicated to use than others. Others are more expensive, and others do not offer the type of entertainment you need because of restricted access. The latter, you can always solve by learning how to jailbreak for a streaming device. Either way, if you want to get the best entertainment, you have to be very careful when choosing your media streaming device.
As stated above, there is a long list of media devices; in this article, we will mention 5 of the best to make your search easier.
1. Apple TV 4K (2021)
If you are an Apple user, the Apple TV 4K has to be your ideal streaming device. It offers simplicity, consistency, convenience and has a relatively unlimited shelf life. That’s the exact thing you want for something you know you will use every day.
Apple TV 4K is the best. The only problem with it is its price. It is among the most expensive streaming devices in the market. But the cost is always worth it.
Specifications
- Brand: Apple
- Max Resolution: 4K HDR, 60fps
- Audio: Dolby Atmos
- Output: HDMI
- HDR: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
- Dimensions (HWD): 3.5 x 10 x 10cm
Reasons to Buy
- Great usability
- Great picture and sound
- Plenty of apps
- Redesigned remote
- Improved processor
- Slick OS
Who Should Buy?
Anyone can buy Apple TV 4K as long as they have the cash to afford it.
2. Nvidia Shield Android TV 4K
If you are a home theater enthusiast, a gamer, or you like to tinker with your streaming devices, Nvidia Shield is the ideal choice for you. The device can serve as an excellent player like any other device in this list, but you can also go the extra mile and use it for cloud gaming. You can also set up a Plex media library if you choose Nvidia Shield TV Pro.
Key Features
- Google Assistant Built-in
- Dolby Atmos support
- Works with Alexa
Specifications
- Brand: NVIDIA
- Operating System: Android TV
- Resolution: 4K
- Downloadable Apps: Yes
- Ports: 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, Ethernet
- Supported Audio Codecs: 17
Who Should Buy?
If you love Android, or, for some reason, don’t like Apple but would still want something powerful that will last long.
3. Amazon Fire TV Stick 2021 (3rd Generation)
What’s not to like about the Amazon Fire TV Stick? The device is affordable and supports 4K streaming and Dolby vision. It also has a remote that helps you control the power and volume of your TV and navigate through your content with ease. And if you do not feel like using the remote, you can always rely on Alexa support for voice control.
Specifications
- Brand: Amazon
- Max resolution: 1080p
- Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Dolby Atmos
- Output: HDMI
- HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
- Dimensions (HWD): 13 x 30 x 86mm
Reasons to Buy
- Improved UI
- Strong app offering
- Alexa support
- Excellent HDR support
4. Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Generation)
The Amazon Fire TV Cube 2nd Generation is the ideal choice if you intend to combine your streaming device with a smart speaker. Of course, it is more expensive compared to some of the other streaming sticks, but it has plenty of apps and offers a multipurpose built-in Amazon Echo speaker.
Key Features
- 500,000+ movies and TV episodes
- Alexa support
- Cloud Control of devices
Specifications
- Brand: Amazon
- Operating System: Fire OS
- Downloadable Apps: Yes
- Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
- Ports: Micro-USB, HDMI
- Supported Audio Codecs: 14
- Size: 3.4 x 3.4 x 3.0 inches
- Weight: 16.4 oz
- No. of Apps: hundreds
Reasons to Buy
- Great 4K HDR picture quality
- Great Alexa’s cable box controls
- Speedier Performance
5. Roku Express 4K Plus
Are you searching for the cheapest possible way to stream in 4K but do not want to compromise too much? The new Roku Express 4K Plus is the kind of streaming device you need in your home.
The new Roku Express 4K Plus serves as a replacement for the defective Roku premiere. The new model is much better than the previous one because it has an improved remote. Before, you had to point the remote directly at your Roku device for it to work. Now you don’t have to think so much when you press the buttons. Also, the Roku Express 4K Plus has a better performance and a better UHD image quality than the Roku premiere. That makes it the ideal choice if you are on a tight budget.
Specifications
- Brand: Roku
- Max Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- Remote: Network Voice remote
- Device Type: Box
- Ports: None
- Size: 3.3 x 1.5 x 0.7 inches
Reasons to Buy
- Improved Remote
- Decent navigation
- Great 4K HDR performance
Conclusion
When searching for the ideal streaming device for your home, there are so many factors you need to consider.
What kind of apps do you need?
What features does it have to offer?
How is the User Interface (UI)? Does it make it easy to navigate throughout your content, or is it too complicated?
How much does it cost? Is it too expensive, or is it within your bargaining power?
Is its performance good in general?
Does it have any extra features? Does it support gaming?
What makes it unique? And so on.
If you ask the correct questions, you’ll get the right answers. And that means getting the perfect streaming device.
For now, these are the 5- best options you’ll find in the market.
