Satellite boxes are officially a thing of the past. While some people still own one, most of us now rely on streaming apps to watch movies, listen to music, and play games, which is easily accessible with a streaming device. Today, we’ll be having a look at some of the most popular streaming devices on the market right now to find the best budget option, the best premium option, and the best overall choice, so keep reading to find the streaming device that suits your needs the most.
So Long, Cable
Although most of us now own smart TVs, they still don’t compare to a modern streaming device. Smart TVs’ built-in apps are usually poorly designed and slow to load, not to mention they probably only come with a few selected streaming apps.
Streaming devices make more sense than ever in a time where you can watch any content, no matter where you’re located in the world. Easy and simple tricks such as getting a VPN allow for a viewing experience free of geographical restrictions, providing access to all libraries of most streaming platforms. VPN services like ExpressVPN make investing in streaming gadgets even more worthwhile as viewers can access worldwide movie, music, and game catalogs.
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Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max: The Budget Choice
The latest Amazon Fire Stick is a good enough upgrade from the previous 4K version. Some of the improvements include the introduction of Vudu and the memory – the new 4K Max has 2 gigabytes, while the older 4K stick had 1.4.
We’d say this is especially suitable if Amazon Prime is your top streaming app, as the device is expectedly aligned with it. One of the biggest cons is its infamous buffering situation. Amazon Fire Sticks are known for their somewhat slow loading times, but nothing like guides like this one from The Sun can’t fix.
At $55, it’s a pretty decent in-budget option.
Apple TV 4K: The Premium Choice
The Apple TV 4K is our recommended option if you’re willing to look past its price tag. Especially for avid Apple device users, this investment really pays off in an Apple ecosystem. Have we mentioned you can watch movies with your friends over FaceTime?
Some of its features include AirPlay 2 streaming from iOS devices, Dolby Vision, and 4K HDR. You can choose from a Wi-Fi model with 64 gigabytes of memory and an Ethernet one with 128 gigs, which we’d recommend.
At $129, this is a higher-end choice that is definitely worth the splurge.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus: Best Overall Choice
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus smashes the competition on many fronts. It’s got all the apps you could ever need, impeccable performance, and a lightning-fast interface.
Its new remote is also something to marvel at. It’s hands-free, which allows you to command it from anywhere in your living room; it’s rechargeable, which helps you save on batteries; and its buttons are programmable for added convenience.
This stick is currently priced at $70, but you can always look for special deals during the year. Check out this article by TechRadar to find some of Roku’s sales right now.
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No matter what option you end up going for, we bet your streaming experience will be elevated to a better level. Some other great options to explore are the Chromecast with Google TV for Google smart homes and the Nvidia Shield TV for Android lovers.
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