Say goodbye to the old-school cable service and bring home an innovative streaming device. These little wonders of technology can free you from your cable bill and help you take control of your home entertainment. Spending a bit of free time watching our favorite TV shows and movies is almost a national pastime for cord cutters today. But, with all of the content streaming choices out there, how can you find the best streaming device to replace cable?
We’ve put together a comparison of the most popular streaming devices to help you make a smart, informed decision. While it may change from time to time, right now I recommend the Amazon Fire TV Stick as my top suggestion for the best streaming device to replace cable TV. Keep reading to see why.
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Streaming devices these days are powerful enough to give you a true home theater experience. With excellent video quality and an abundance of entertainment apps and video streaming services, your home entertainment has never been easier.
Replace your cable boxes with a mini smart home device
Yep, these are basically smart home devices at this point. And, many of the choices out there offer hands-free voice controls, cloud DVR solutions, and even Ethernet ports for speed and improved security. Also, you won’t have to deal with the clutter of wires running around your home as these devices are very plug-and-play, and they’re almost always WiFi-compatible.
Some options not only provide an alternative to a cable subscription, but they also serve as game consoles in some situations.
If you’re looking for a new streaming device to connect to your TV set, take a look through the comparisons and contrasts of the most popular models listed below. There’s a device for practically everyone’s needs, lifestyles, and budgets.
And if you need a good cord-cutter sound solution, we have recommendations for that as well.
So, let’s have a look at the most popular streaming devices to replace cable TV.
Quick View
| Streaming Device | 4K | Alexa Voice Control | Ports | Remote Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick | ✓ | ✓ | HDMI, Micro USB | Alexa Voice Remote |
| Roku Express | ✓ | ✓ | HDMI, Micro SD, USB | Basic IR Remote |
| Roku Streaming Stick | ✓ | ✓ | HDMI, Micro SD, USB | Long Range Voice Remote With TV Controls |
| Google Chromecast | X | X | HDMI, USB | X |
| Apple TV 4K | ✓ | X | HDMI, USB | Voice remote with 6 buttons |
1. Fire TV Stick 4K
- Cinematic experience - Watch in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+.
- Home theater audio with Dolby Atmos - Feel scenes come to life with support for immersive Dolby Atmos audio on select titles with compatible home audio systems.
- Endless entertainment - Stream more than 1 million movies and TV episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, and more, plus listen to millions of songs. Subscription fees may apply.
- Live and free TV - Watch live TV, news, and sports with subscriptions to SLING TV, YouTube TV, and others. Stream for free with Pluto TV, IMDb TV, YouTube and more.
- Alexa Voice Remote lets you use your voice to search and launch shows across apps. Plus, control power and volume on your TV and soundbar with a single remote.
Top Pick for Best Streaming Device to Replace Cable
While many of the streaming devices on this page deserve top honors, the Fire TV Stick is the one my family and I currently use at home, and it’s the one I recommend for most cord cutters out there.
It provides an even better cord cutting experience when paired with an Amazon Prime subscription; however, it works great even without one.
If you’re interested in trying out Amazon Prime to see if it’s right for you and your family, check out their free 30 day trial.
Design
The Amazon Fire TV stick is easily connected through your TV’s HDMI port. If you find that it’s too wide to fit comfortably on your model of TV; however, the Fire TV Stick also ships with an extension cable that allows you to connect the device more easily. The extension cable can also help with avoiding interference by keeping it a few inches away from the HDMI port itself.
The Fire TV Stick 4K measures 99 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm and is very lightweight at about 53 grams. The new model is an upgrade from previous ones with 802.11ac WiFi, a quad-core processor, and Bluetooth 4.1.
Speed
There’s no doubt that this is a very speedy device. You can scroll through menus smoothly and quickly, and as soon as you find something to watch, you can load it with a click of a button. Previous versions were known for a less speedy experience and tended to lag a bit more than the updated version.
Alexa and Voice Search
Finding and streaming your favorite shows is simple when you combine the voice search feature with the Fire TV Stick. In addition to manually scanning the interface’s menus, you can simply press down the mic button and speak into the remote to search for your favorite shows. Alexa is right there to assist.
Fun tip: Definitely explore the lighter side of Alexa with the loads of fun Easter Eggs and other functionality available. For instance, whispering into your remote to Alexa will elicit a whispered response, which for some odd reason never fails to amuse. Also, she’ll tell you jokes if you ask just right.
Apps and Software
The Fire TV Stick uses Android software that is heavily modified. The interface’s menu icons are displayed in rows and columns that are arranged in categories like Recently Watched, Suggested, and Free. You’ll also see the icons of the individual channels and apps that you have installed.
Note: Amazon does change the Fire TV Stick’s interface now and then. So, while the categories generally stay the same, the location of the icons might be different with each update.
The Fire TV Stick uses the Amazon app store for channels and applications, which some feel is a limitation compared to the Google Play store. It does have access to major services like Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix, Sling TV, Spotify, YouTube, and much more. However, it leaves out other apps like Google Play Music and Google Play Movies.
One of the biggest benefits is for Amazon Prime users. If you have an existing Amazon Prime subscription, you’ll have access to thousands of movie titles and TV shows at no extra charge through Amazon Prime Video.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Content search has some gaps |
| Simple voice search with Alexa | No Ethernet connection built-in |
| Fast performance | Content search favors Amazon Prime too often |
| Tons of available content and apps | Interface updates are sometimes not great |
| Smooth playback | |
| Easy installation | |
| Great 4K streaming quality |
Fire TV Stick 4K – General Review
People have generally praised the Amazon Fire TV Stick for its fantastic value for the money and labeled it as one of the best cheap streaming devices for TV. The speed is a big plus, which helps to provide a great streaming experience.
However, customers have often complained about overheating and randomly restarting. There is also a somewhat well-known issue with the Fire TV Stick complaining that it’s running out of space when it’s actually not. We did have this happen with ours, so I can attest to this. However, it was a small issue and was easily fixed.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is my overall pick for best streaming device to replace cable at the moment. We’re constantly trying new devices, and this may change, but I can wholeheartedly recommend this one to people looking for their first device as a cord cutter.
2. Roku Express
- Watch what you love: Start streaming with a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV, including Roku Originals and 275 plus live TV channels for free on The Roku Channel
- Quick and easy setup: It’s easy to get started with everything you need included in the box, including a High Speed HDMI Cable—just plug it into your TV and connect to the internet
- Tons of power, tons of fun: Compact and power-packed, you'll stream your favorites with ease, including movies and series on HBO Max, Netflix, Disney plus, and Prime Video
- Simple remote: Incredibly easy to use, this remote features shortcut buttons to popular streaming channels
- The free Roku mobile app: Control your Roku device with a convenient second remote, search with your voice, enjoy private listening with wireless headphones, and more on your iOS or Android device
Design
The Roku Express measures 0.7 inches high x 2.8 inches wide x 1.5 inches deep. A curved matte plastic shell covers the top with a glossy back finish in the front. There are multiple connectivity options in the back, including a USB port and an HDMI port. It also features a reset option if you need to access that functionality for any reason.
Streaming Resolution
For a very affordable price, the Roku Express allows you to stream all channels in 1080p resolution. Although Amazon Firestick offers a better remote, this is an excellent option for a great price. However, if you own a 4K TV, then Roku Express might not be the best option.
Apps and Channels
Roku can access most of the top-notch streaming apps and services. This includes big names like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Hulu, Sling, and YouTube. However, for some reason, it does not offer Twitch.
For Music, it offers SiriusXM, and Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio, Pandora.
If you are someone with very versatile entertainment taste, then Roku will definitely satisfy you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very affordable entry-level device | Basic IR remote / No voice remote |
| Remote is easy to use | HDMI cable is quite short |
| Great selection of apps and services | No 4K streaming / 1080p max resolution |
| Search doesn’t favor one service over another | Not Apple Airplay compatible |
| Supports HD quality streaming | No Ethernet connection built-in |
Roku Express – General Review
The customers have praised that Roku Express is extremely easy to set up. They discussed the affordability and the versatile streaming options available. The whole Roku Express is quite popular among people.
However, there were some minor inconveniences. They discussed that the remote wasn’t very reliable. You might also need an HDCP splitter with this one because most of the channels won’t stream without it.
3. Roku Streaming Stick
- Wireless that goes the distance: Basement rec room. Backyard movie night. Bring ‘em on. The long-range wireless receiver gives you extended range and a stronger signal for smooth streaming even in rooms farther from your router
- Brilliant picture quality: Experience your favorite shows with stunning detail and clarity—whether you’re streaming in HD, 4K, or HDR, you’ll enjoy picture quality that’s optimized for your TV with sharp resolution and vivid color
- Tons of power, tons of fun: Snappy and responsive, you’ll stream your favorites with ease—from movies and series on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Netflix, to cable alternatives like Sling, enjoy the most talked-about TV across thousands of channels
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, mute, and control your streaming all with one remote—use your voice to quickly search across channels, turn captions on, and more in a touch
- Setup is a cinch: Plug it in, connect to the internet, and start streaming—it’s that simple
Design
The streaming stick measures about 3.7 x 0.8 x 0.47 inches and weighs 0.9 ounces that is very light. It is small and simple but holds immense power. It can easily fit behind your TV. This stick is an upgrade from its previous models. It can carry 4 times more range than its predecessors. This reduces the interference, bringing faster load time and minimizes buffering.
Apps and Channels
One of the beloved features of Roku is the extensive amount of Channels and Apps. It offers almost all of them except for Apple. The music choices also range from Spotify to Amazon music.
Roku is known for its extensive channel list that offers something for everyone. There are hundreds of channels that provide entertainment for every age, region, or category.
However, that’s about it. You can not expect the smart features that entail Apple TV and Firestick. The remote does not have a smart assistant, either.
Streaming
Streaming with Roku is super fast and easy. Generally, streaming sticks require an Ethernet connection for streaming on 4K. This prevents any buffering. Roku does not offer any ethernet options; however, it promises a better WiFi connection. It fulfills that promise with a stellar streaming experience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 4K streaming quality | No Dolby Atmos |
| Very simple interface | Short HDMI cable |
| Voice remote | No Ethernet connection built-in |
| Improved wireless connectivity | |
| Affordable | |
| Extensive selection of content and apps |
General Review
People love Roku Streaming sticks because of its diverse options, affordability, and smart design. However, they find some failings like it does not turn off. It can be a problem for people who have a limited Internet package.
The remote also comes with some pre-programmed buttons that are of no use. Users love the simple design and super-fast streaming as a whole, which makes it a great purchase.
4. Google Chromecast 3rd Gen
Design
The Chromecast is in a smart disc shape often associated with Chrome. There are two available colors, including Matte black and plain white. The design is very similar to the 2nd Gen Chromecast. It has a black cable that will plug into the HDMI. The disc also has an indicator light, so you know when it’s on. It weighs only 1.41 ounces.
Set-Up
Setting Chromecast is really easy. You just have to plug it in into the HDMI port and install the Google Home app. The app will manage everything as soon as you enter your WiFi and account information.
Chromecast 3rd Gen is mostly similar to 2nd Gen; however, there is no remote in this. It solely operates using your phone or Tablet.
Apps
Google Chromecast offers you a lot of options for entertainment. You can obtain Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Sling Tv, etc. For music, you also have a wide variety of choices, including Pandora, Soundcloud, Spotify, Deezer, etc. There are also other options like YouTube, Google Movies, Google Music, etc. Most of the channels are compatible with Chromecast.
Along with that, you can also load anything available on the web. The device is very flexible; however, users may face difficulty with no remote.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable option | No 4K streaming / 1080p max resolution |
| Many supported streaming options | No on-screen interface or remote |
| Very portable | |
| Can mirror mobile device screens to TV |
General Review
Chromecast is praised for being modern, stylish, and innovative. It also comes with a 6 ft long power cable, which is a plus. People like it that the quality is excellent even when you cast anything from the phone.
However, a major problem here is that people who have limited internet connection can’t cast anything from the phone without the internet. Otherwise, it is an excellent purchase.
5. Apple TV 4K
Design
Apple TV 4K’s design is in the true Apple fashion. Minimalist and premium. Delivered in a small box with a matte shell giving it a sleek and stylish look, it’s tiny and weighs only 15 ounces. It measures 1.4 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches. It also has a LED indicator with ethernet and HDMI ports. The remote is also super sleek with a voice search and five buttons.
Overall, it’s really small and can be kept anywhere.
Apps
The Apple TV 4K has a mainly Apple-centric library. You can stream 4K movies on iTunes. Other than that, you have access to Hulu, Netflix, Sling TV, Crunchyroll, and other streaming apps, as usual. However, Google and Amazon apps are visibly missing, as is Spotify.
In short, this is great for an iOS user; everything they need is here.
Powerful
Apple TV is mighty. You won’t just stream in 4K, you’ll experience better light than normal videos. It comes with Dolby Vision as well as HDR10. For people who use Apple products, they can easily stream 4K videos from iTunes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great 4K streaming content | More expensive than other devices |
| Strong WiFi performance | Small streaming apps selection |
| Siri with Voice Remote | No digital audio or USB ports |
| Easy integration with iOS and macOS | |
| Intuitive Interface |
General Review
Apple is a premium product, hence the price. It might cost a few more bucks compared to the other options, but it’s worth it.
People really like the fast and easy setup. However, they seem to complain about lag initially, after which it works fine. The 4K streaming is otherwise said to be super smooth with no buffering. This is the best streaming TV for those already using iOS.
Another problem customers have faced is the lack of Google Play apps except for YouTube and a small range of other apps.
Best Streaming Device to Replace Cable – Wrap Up
We’ve listed all the best and most popular streaming devices for your TV viewing. As you can see, they vary in price, performance, and the content that they offer.
Hopefully, after going through the info above it’ll be a little easier for you to choose the right device for yourself that gives you the best value for your money.
Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
