Eli Blumenthal Senior Editor
Eli Blumenthal is a senior editor at CNET with a particular focus on covering the latest in the ever-changing worlds of telecom, streaming and sports. He previously worked as a technology reporter at USA Today.
Expertise 5G, mobile networks, wireless carriers, phones, tablets, streaming devices, streaming platforms, mobile and console gaming,
David Katzmaier Editorial Director — Personal Tech
David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.
- Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
Sarah Lord Writer
Sarah Lord covers TVs and home entertainment. Prior to joining CNET, Sarah served as the tech and electronic reviews fellow at Insider, where she wrote about everything from smart watches and wearables to tablets and e-readers. She began her career by writing laptop reviews as an intern and subsequent freelancer at Tom’s Hardware. She is also a professional actor with many credits in theater, film and television.
- Member of Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association
16171819202122232425+
Years of Experience
14151617181920212223
Hands-on Product Reviewers
6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000
Sq. Feet of Lab Space
Best for Apple fans
Apple TV 4K (2022)
Best soundbar-streaming combo
Roku Streambar
Best for gamers
Nvidia Shield TV
Though most smart TVs come equipped with a host of built-in apps for streaming, having a dedicated streaming device is a great way to improve your setup. This is especially useful for folks who have older smart TVs that aren’t fully compatible with all streaming platforms. Additionally, individual devices provide all sorts of hardware improvements, like Dolby compatibility, swifter navigation speeds, and 4K HDR streaming. At the same time, each streaming platform has its own distinct interface.
<div edition="us" description="
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K features the same simple interface, large app selection and impressive search function found on all Roku devices, but also offers Dolby Vision support. Along with a stick-like design, Dolby Vision HDR is the main difference between the Streaming Stick 4K and the Express 4K Plus, and is ostensibly why the Streaming Stick 4K is more expensive than its sibling. While we think the Streaming Stick 4K is a great device, we’re just not sold on the Dolby Vision upgrade — mostly because we generally don’t think that it provides a major image quality upgrade over standard HDR. But if Dolby Vision is important to you, this device will not disappoint.
” superlative=”Second-place runner-up” imagegroup=”{"alt":"Roku Streaming Stick 4K and 4K Plus","caption":"","credits":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageData":{"id":"cdd73d5d-dc93-4191-b841-06ddd9ab66ef","title":"roku-streaming-stick-4k-plus-cnet-review-2021-028","filename":"roku-streaming-stick-4k-plus-cnet-review-2021-028.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2021/10/13/cdd73d5d-dc93-4191-b841-06ddd9ab66ef/roku-streaming-stick-4k-plus-cnet-review-2021-028.jpg","caption":"","size":4718914,"width":4000,"height":2667,"dateCreated":{"date":"2021-10-13 18:08:09","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2022-05-17 04:00:53","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Sarah Tew/CNET","alt":"Roku Streaming Stick 4K and 4K Plus","restricted":false,"startDate":{"date":"2021-10-15 13:00:00","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"cdd73d5d-dc93-4191-b841-06ddd9ab66ef","imageAltText":"Roku Streaming Stick 4K and 4K Plus","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"roku-streaming-stick-4k-plus-cnet-review-2021-028.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2021/10/13","imageWidth":4000,"imageHeight":2667,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”” overridecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” linktext=”Read our Roku Streaming Stick 4K review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-streaming-stick-4k-review-small-refinements-to-a-winning-formula/” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__8a42397c-dcf7-4d9a-b8a7-84c9da6628a7″ index=”2″ imagecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” tagslugs=”hv28,airplay,amazon,google,nvidia,roku,samsung,siri,apple” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” isbestlistredesign=”true” filtershortcodetypes totalfilteritems=”0″ pagelayout=”Best List – Precap” showdetails=”true” suppressautoplay=”true” tocheadlineitem=”[object Object]” class=”c-bestListProductListing” readability=”5.913499344692″>
<div edition="us" description="
The Chromecast with Google TV 4K isn’t quite as good as the Roku Express 4K Plus, but it comes closer than any other device on the market. Chromecast outdoes Roku by adding Dolby Vision compatibility, but its biggest smart device strength is Google Assistant voice search, which works well for finding stuff to watch. We also like the impressive integration with other Google services such as Google Photos and YouTube TV. The interface is more evolved-looking than Roku, but ultimately we prefer Roku’s simpler approach, no-nonsense search results and lower price. That said, the new Chromecast is a better smart streaming device choice for those already living in Google’s world.
” superlative=”Third-best streaming device overall” imagegroup=”{"uuid":"f6aa5197-efe8-40a6-8b2a-78f09f4117b7","alt":"chromecast with google tv","caption":"","credits":"David Katzmaier/CNET","imageData":{"id":"f6aa5197-efe8-40a6-8b2a-78f09f4117b7","filename":"dsc-0720.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a55c2ab09d3d9baa2213a457a8216770880055c1/hub/2020/10/05/f6aa5197-efe8-40a6-8b2a-78f09f4117b7/dsc-0720.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2020-10-05 17:35:04.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a55c2ab09d3d9baa2213a457a8216770880055c1/hub/2020/10/05/f6aa5197-efe8-40a6-8b2a-78f09f4117b7/dsc-0720.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"David Katzmaier/CNET","imageAltText":"chromecast with google tv","imageFilename":"dsc-0720.jpg","imageWidth":3046,"imageHeight":2269,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2020-10-05","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”” overridecredit=”David Katzmaier/CNET” linktext=”Read our Chromecast with Google TV review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/news/chromecast-with-google-tv-review-finally-a-worthy-competitor-to-roku-and-fire-tv/” offer=”{"id":"77f0c360-ce97-4656-9d33-2bf07b92eabe","label":"Chromecast with Google TV","slug":"chromecast-with-google-tv","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"62733600-1222-4c2a-9637-38562a13be77","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/62733600-1222-4c2a-9637-38562a13be77/resize/75×56","typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}” techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"77f0c360-ce97-4656-9d33-2bf07b92eabe","name":"Chromecast with Google TV","slug":"chromecast-with-google-tv","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1657826951421,"displayDate":"Thu Jul 14 2022 15:29:11 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"}” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__400772cf-a293-4b8d-9eaa-6d7779eca384″ index=”3″ imagecredit=”David Katzmaier/CNET” tagslugs=”hv28,airplay,amazon,google,nvidia,roku,samsung,siri,apple” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” isbestlistredesign=”true” filtershortcodetypes totalfilteritems=”0″ pagelayout=”Best List – Precap” showdetails=”true” suppressautoplay=”true” tocheadlineitem=”[object Object]” class=”c-bestListProductListing” readability=”5.5561797752809″>
Photo Gallery 1/1
Show expert take Show less
The brand new Chromecast with Google TV HD is far and away the best HD-only, entry-level streaming device you can find. If you’re looking for a cheap streamer for your HD TV, this is the one to get. It’s speedy and offers the same form-factor and remote as the Chromecast with Google 4K, which means that it doesn’t need line-of-sight to work and can seamlessly control your TV’s power, volume and inputs. It also comes with a built-in button to access the Google Assistant.
Other entry-level HD streaming devices skimp on hardware features in order to sell their players at a lower price. For example, the remote that comes with Roku’s entry-level streamer, the Roku Express, lacks voice control or the ability to adjust the volume, never mind being able to turn the TV on or off. Amazon’s Fire TV Lite isn’t much better. It offers Alexa support, so you can use your voice to control the TV, but it still lacks physical volume, mute and power buttons.
It might ultimately make more sense to spring for a 4K streamer, especially if you have a 4K TV or might get one. That said, this is an excellent HD option for those who just want something cheap.
<div edition="us" description="
If you’re looking for a speedy device, look no further than the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. The Max loads apps almost immediately, and navigating around the system is swift and smooth. Even better, the Max supports Wi-Fi 6 and nearly all the latest playback standards, including Dolby Vision. The downside to the Max is its Fire TV platform and the fact that ads are featured prominently throughout. We just don’t appreciate the TV becoming a giant rotating billboard for content or ads when in screensaver mode. But this is a good choice for those looking for a fast device or those hooked into the Amazon ecosystem. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the best Fire Stick on the market today, and it’s worth the extra money over the standard Fire TV Stick 4K.
” superlative=”Fastest streaming device” imagegroup=”{"uuid":"49c29524-6591-4be4-aa29-6dde6f75d6fc","alt":"Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max","caption":"","credits":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageData":{"id":"49c29524-6591-4be4-aa29-6dde6f75d6fc","filename":"amazon-fire-stick-4k-max-cnet-2021-review-004.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/148055646557902bcd1eb734a4525539693fdf6f/hub/2021/10/07/49c29524-6591-4be4-aa29-6dde6f75d6fc/amazon-fire-stick-4k-max-cnet-2021-review-004.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2021-10-07 02:51:56.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/148055646557902bcd1eb734a4525539693fdf6f/hub/2021/10/07/49c29524-6591-4be4-aa29-6dde6f75d6fc/amazon-fire-stick-4k-max-cnet-2021-review-004.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageAltText":"Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max","imageFilename":"amazon-fire-stick-4k-max-cnet-2021-review-004.jpg","imageWidth":4000,"imageHeight":2667,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2021-10-07","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”” overridecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” linktext=”Read our Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/amazon-fire-tv-stick-4k-max-review-speedy-app-delivery-isnt-everything/” offer=”{"id":"7ec0dc59-cb04-4c89-a1c9-4157b92be786","label":"Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max","slug":"amazon-fire-tv-stick-4k-max","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"f6432dbf-b2a6-409f-b706-fbfddeca447a","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/f6432dbf-b2a6-409f-b706-fbfddeca447a/resize/75×56","typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}” techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"7ec0dc59-cb04-4c89-a1c9-4157b92be786","name":"Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max","slug":"amazon-fire-tv-stick-4k-max","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1657826621168,"displayDate":"Thu Jul 14 2022 15:23:41 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"}” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__393d0fef-bcf9-4d8f-96bc-742b418d434c” index=”5″ imagecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” tagslugs=”hv28,airplay,amazon,google,nvidia,roku,samsung,siri,apple” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” isbestlistredesign=”true” filtershortcodetypes totalfilteritems=”0″ pagelayout=”Best List – Precap” showdetails=”true” suppressautoplay=”true” tocheadlineitem=”[object Object]” class=”c-bestListProductListing” readability=”5.9040590405904″>
Photo Gallery 1/1
Show expert take Show less
Roku’s most expensive streaming box is more than twice the price of our top streaming device pick, but maybe you’ll appreciate its extra features enough to want the upgrade. The 2022 model is almost identical to the previous versions, but now comes bundled with the excellent Voice Remote Pro.
But if you really love the remote and want to save a little money, you could try Roku’s other bundle, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus, which also includes the Voice Remote Pro. The Streaming Stick 4K’s processor isn’t quite as beefy as the Ultra’s, but it can do nearly all the same tricks such as Dolby Vision HDR.
Otherwise, the Ultra continues to deliver Dolby Vision video, faster responses than the Streaming Stick 4K, improved Wi-Fi and a wired Ethernet port — particularly welcome if your home Wi-Fi is overloaded.
<div edition="us" description="
The 2022 Apple TV 4K starts at $129, $50 less than its previous version. It also has a faster A15 Bionic processor under the hood and an updated Siri Remote that swaps out the proprietary Lightning connector for USB-C. If those changes sound minor, that’s because they are. When using the device, it’s hard to see any real difference compared to last year’s model.
But it continues to be a good choice for those who want an Apple device to use Apple Arcade for gaming or take full advantage of their Apple One subscription bundles. Video purists will appreciate its flexible HDR and TV calibration feature.
For most people, however, Apple’s venerable remote control streaming device just isn’t worth the money, especially now that Roku has nearly all the major apps and AirPlay. If you really want Dolby Vision, you can find that on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K at a fraction of the price.
” superlative=”Best for Apple fans” imagegroup=”{"uuid":"fd37215a-8ac8-437b-878d-5e6e34507873","alt":"Apple TV 4K 2022 with Siri Remote","caption":"","credits":"Apple","imageData":{"id":"fd37215a-8ac8-437b-878d-5e6e34507873","filename":"apple-tv-4k-2022-green.png","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a7aaa0a6582941edec1ccc959fdc69f34fe123ee/hub/2022/10/19/fd37215a-8ac8-437b-878d-5e6e34507873/apple-tv-4k-2022-green.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-10-19 11:31:52.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a7aaa0a6582941edec1ccc959fdc69f34fe123ee/hub/2022/10/19/fd37215a-8ac8-437b-878d-5e6e34507873/apple-tv-4k-2022-green.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Apple","imageAltText":"Apple TV 4K 2022 with Siri Remote","imageFilename":"apple-tv-4k-2022-green.png","imageWidth":1600,"imageHeight":900,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2022-10-19","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”” overridecredit=”Apple” linktext=”Read our 2022 Apple TV 4K review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/apple-tv-4k-2022-review-excellent-streaming-but-still-too-expensive/” offer=”{"id":"2c48270e-faef-4b3e-9421-e36b6272ed65","label":"Apple TV 4K 64GB (3rd generation)(Latest Model) – Wi-Fi – Black","slug":"apple-tv-4k-wifi-64gb-3rd-gen-2022","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"bd8648c3-1935-4b7b-9a50-8117ce7d7f3f","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/bd8648c3-1935-4b7b-9a50-8117ce7d7f3f/resize/75×56","typeLabel":"Tech Product","objectType":"content_product","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product ct-small"}” techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"2c48270e-faef-4b3e-9421-e36b6272ed65","name":"Apple TV 4K 64GB (3rd generation)(Latest Model) – Wi-Fi – Black","slug":"apple-tv-4k-wifi-64gb-3rd-gen-2022","productType":"PRODUCT","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1668014208227,"displayDate":"Wed Nov 09 2022 12:16:48 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)"}” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__6650ad1a-bc75-4a71-be8f-b164b3f13398″ index=”7″ imagecredit=”Apple” tagslugs=”hv28,airplay,amazon,google,nvidia,roku,samsung,siri,apple” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” isbestlistredesign=”true” filtershortcodetypes totalfilteritems=”0″ pagelayout=”Best List – Precap” showdetails=”true” suppressautoplay=”true” tocheadlineitem=”[object Object]” class=”c-bestListProductListing” readability=”5.190332326284″>
Photo Gallery 1/1
Show expert take Show less Editors’ choice
Soundbars with streaming onboard may be a relatively recent development, but Roku’s new Streambar nails it. It has the Roku interface we know and love, complete with 4K HDR with improved sound for any TV, especially dialog. It’s smaller and more affordable than its predecessor, the Roku Smart Soundbar, but we think the new Streambar media streamer device makes more sense for most people.
<div edition="us" description="
Sure, it’s an expensive media device — and that’s before adding a game controller — with 8GB of storage and 2GB RAM, compared to 16GB of storage and 3GB RAM, but if you want a jack-of-all-trades video streaming player, the Shield is it. In addition to 4K streaming and HDR, it offers a robust library of games, both console-level and Android, Steam Link, built-in Google Assistant complete with smart home control, NAS access, Plex server capability, HDHomeRun integration and much more.
” superlative=”Best for gamers” imagegroup=”{"uuid":"26643c59-c183-4e4c-866f-f7a2f67daaa6","alt":"nivdia shield tv","caption":"","credits":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageData":{"id":"26643c59-c183-4e4c-866f-f7a2f67daaa6","filename":"05-nvidia-shield-tv.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/9d4330102bdad1f882035290146eb361427ee18f/hub/2019/12/18/26643c59-c183-4e4c-866f-f7a2f67daaa6/05-nvidia-shield-tv.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2019-12-18 20:00:42.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/9d4330102bdad1f882035290146eb361427ee18f/hub/2019/12/18/26643c59-c183-4e4c-866f-f7a2f67daaa6/05-nvidia-shield-tv.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageAltText":"nivdia shield tv","imageFilename":"05-nvidia-shield-tv.jpg","imageWidth":3000,"imageHeight":2000,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2019-12-18","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”” overridecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” linktext=”Read our Nvidia Shield TV review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/reviews/nvidia-shield-tv-review/” offer=”{"id":"884d02e4-8c79-4133-93a2-83801bfa75f2","label":"Nvidia Shield TV","slug":"nvidia-shield-tv","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"26643c59-c183-4e4c-866f-f7a2f67daaa6","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/26643c59-c183-4e4c-866f-f7a2f67daaa6/resize/75×56","typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}” techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"884d02e4-8c79-4133-93a2-83801bfa75f2","name":"Nvidia Shield TV","slug":"nvidia-shield-tv","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1657826747716,"displayDate":"Thu Jul 14 2022 15:25:47 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"}” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__fb186a96-927e-4cca-a7ba-9533a02e89e6″ index=”9″ imagecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” tagslugs=”hv28,airplay,amazon,google,nvidia,roku,samsung,siri,apple” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” isbestlistredesign=”true” filtershortcodetypes totalfilteritems=”0″ pagelayout=”Best List – Precap” showdetails=”true” suppressautoplay=”true” tocheadlineitem=”[object Object]” class=”c-bestListProductListing” readability=”5.088″>
Photo Gallery 1/1
Show expert take Show less
