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Five Devices on the Bench

One week each. Three TVs. Here is what every device does well, where it falls short, and which screen it suits.

Pick by the TV, not the hype

Most buyers start from the wrong end. They compare chips and storage. Start with the TV instead. What inputs does it have? Does it support Dolby Vision? Is there a soundbar on eARC? Is the current smart system slow or abandoned by the maker? Those answers decide 80% of the choice.

Then check your phone. iPhone homes get extra value from Apple TV. Android homes get Cast on Google TV Streamer and Shield. Anyone who wants a no-fuss box for a parent should look at Roku first.

Five streaming devices lined up on a wooden TV stand, close-up with soft background blur

Apple TV 4K box beside its aluminium Siri Remote, close-up

8:00 PM · CH 01

Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, 2022)

The fastest interface on test, thanks to the A15 Bionic chip. Apps open in about a second, scrolling never stutters, and the frame-rate and dynamic-range matching settings stop judder on films. The Siri Remote uses USB‑C, controls TV power and volume over CEC or IR, and the clickpad works like an iPod wheel for scrubbing.

Best for: iPhone households, 4K HDR and OLED owners, anyone who hates ads on a home screen. Watch out: highest price in the core group; Ethernet only on the 128 GB model.

Dolby Vision
HDR10+
Atmos
AirPlay
Wi‑Fi 6
From $129 (US launch)

Google TV Streamer sitting on a shelf below a TV, close-up

8:30 PM · CH 02

Google TV Streamer (2024)

Google's replacement for the Chromecast sits on the shelf instead of dangling from the port. It has gigabit Ethernet, 32 GB of storage and a remote with a find-my-remote speaker. The Google TV home screen pulls shows from all your subscriptions into one row, and it is the best at suggesting something you actually want to watch.

Best for: Android phones, Google Home users, households with many subscriptions. Watch out: the home screen carries sponsored banners.

Dolby Vision
HDR10+
Atmos
Google Cast
Ethernet
$99.99 (US launch)

Hand holding a backlit Roku voice remote, buttons in sharp focus

9:00 PM · CH 03

Roku Ultra (2024)

Roku's grid of app tiles has barely changed in a decade, which is the point. Nothing moves around. The Voice Remote Pro is rechargeable, backlit, has a headphone-free hands-free mic and a lost-remote chime. The free Roku mobile app adds private listening through your phone's earbuds.

Best for: parents, grandparents, shared living rooms, AirPlay users without an Apple TV. Watch out: no Google Cast; interface is functional rather than slick.

Dolby Vision
HDR10+
Atmos
AirPlay
Wi‑Fi 6
$99.99 (US launch)

Fire TV Stick plugged directly into a TV HDMI port, macro shot

9:30 PM · CH 04

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd gen, 2023)

The cheapest route to full 4K HDR. It hides behind the TV, adds Wi‑Fi 6E for crowded apartment networks and doubles as an Alexa smart-home screen with Ambient Experience art. Prime members get Prime Video front and centre.

Best for: bedroom TVs, tight budgets, Alexa homes. Watch out: the busiest, most ad-heavy home screen on test.

Dolby Vision
HDR10+
Atmos
Wi‑Fi 6E
$59.99 (US launch)

Black NVIDIA Shield TV Pro box beside a TV stand, close-up with shallow focus

10:00 PM · CH 05

NVIDIA Shield TV Pro (2019)

Old hardware, still unmatched for one job: AI upscaling turns 720p and 1080p streams into convincing 4K. It runs a Plex Media Server, passes lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS:X to a receiver, and has two USB 3.0 ports for drives.

Best for: home-theatre fans, Plex libraries, big 4K TVs fed lots of HD content. Watch out: no HDR10+, Android TV interface feels dated, highest price.

Dolby Vision
Atmos & DTS:X
AI upscaling
Google Cast
$199.99 (US launch)

Prices are US list prices at launch and change often. Check the retailer before you buy.

Quick verdict

Best overall: Apple TV 4K. Best for Android homes: Google TV Streamer. Easiest for anyone: Roku Ultra. Best value: Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Best for home theatre and Plex: NVIDIA Shield TV Pro.

Still stuck? Read how each one handles HDR and audio formats, or tell us your TV model on the contact page.

HDMI cable coiled neatly behind a wall-mounted TV, shallow depth of field