Verdict
The Best 5Aggregated review·27 sources·updated October 11, 2026

Best Streaming Devices

Top 5 streaming devices reviewed and ranked.

This guide aggregates 27 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 3. How we rank.

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Quick answer

Roku Ultra (2024) is our top pick for streaming devices — an averaged 4.2/5 across 2 published reviews. Runner-up: Onn 4K Pro (2026) (~$59.98).

At a glance5 products ▾
2 sources
Best for: Audiophiles and home theater users demanding high-fidelity wireless performance
Buy at roku.com
1 source
$59.98Best for: Google TV users who want hands-free voice control and generous storage at a low price
$59.98 · Buy at walmart.com
3 sources
$34.99Best for: Travelers or secondary room setups prioritizing a discreet HDMI-plug design
$34.99 · Check Price on Amazon
1 source
$149.99Best for: Smart home enthusiasts who need a built-in Matter hub and wired Ethernet stability
$149.99 · Check Price on Amazon
3 sources
Best for: Older 1080p TVs and travel, where 4K and HDR are not needed
Buy at roku.com

The full ranking

How we rank →
Roku Ultra (2024)
#1 · Top Pick
Best for: Audiophiles and home theater users demanding high-fidelity wireless performance
Roku Ultra (2024)
2 sources
▾Why it's ranked here

The 2024 Roku Ultra adds Wi-Fi 6 and a backlit, USB-C rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd Ed), and CNET noted that it caches the most-used apps to cut loading times. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos, and Soundandvision praised its excellent video quality and Dolby Atmos sound separation. However, the new remote has no headphone jack, and CNET found no apparent IR output on it, although Roku told the outlet the remote is IR compatible. Soundandvision also noted that search results favor Roku Channel offerings, which may frustrate users looking for a title on another service.

Strengths
  • — Includes Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, which CNET had criticized the previous Ultra for lacking.
  • — Features a backlit Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd Ed) with USB-C charging and hands-free voice activation.
Watch-outs
  • — The new remote lacks a dedicated headphone jack for private listening.
  • — Search results in the interface tend to favor Roku Channel offerings over other services.
Onn 4K Pro (2026)
#2
Best for: Google TV users who want hands-free voice control and generous storage at a low price
Onn 4K Pro (2026)
1 sourceOne review so far, so ranked one place lower$59.98as of Oct 11
▾Why it's ranked here

The 2026 Onn 4K Pro is Walmart's second-generation Google TV box, with 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. Blog.lon.tv identified its processor as an Amlogic S905X5M and reported benchmarks roughly three times faster than the previous Onn model. Cordcuttersnews highlighted the built-in smart speaker with far-field microphones for hands-free control. However, Blog.lon.tv found the Ethernet jack limited to 100 Mbps and noted the software is a 32-bit version of Android 14, which blocks some apps, while 9to5google called the move from USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 a downgrade. Jamisonjohnson.me reported that inconsistent stock at Walmart is the main frustration.

Strengths
  • — Built-in far-field microphones allow hands-free voice control, and the box can act as a smart speaker when the TV is off
  • — Amlogic S905X5M processor benchmarked by Blog.lon.tv at roughly three times the speed of the previous Onn model
Watch-outs
  • — The Ethernet port is limited to 100 Mbps rather than gigabit speeds
  • — Runs a 32-bit version of Android 14, which prevents some applications such as high-end emulators from running
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
#3
Best for: Travelers or secondary room setups prioritizing a discreet HDMI-plug design
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
3 sources$34.99as of Oct 11
▾Why it's ranked here

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus delivers native 4K resolution at 60Hz with HDR10+ and HLG support in an extremely compact form factor that avoids blocking adjacent HDMI ports. Expert Reviews found it to be a simple, effective entry-level streamer powered directly via USB-C without a separate wall adapter. However, the device lacks Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio formats, relying on older Wi-Fi 5 connectivity instead of modern standards. CNET reported significant software instability during initial setup, with frequent app crashes and buffering issues that require multiple system resets to stabilize. This model fits users seeking a clean interface for secondary TVs or travel who prioritize ease of use over premium features, while those requiring robust wireless performance or advanced audio-visual formats should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Extremely compact form factor that avoids blocking adjacent HDMI ports on most televisions
  • — Supports 4K resolution at up to 60Hz with HDR10+ and HLG compatibility
Watch-outs
  • — Lacks support for Dolby Vision HDR or Dolby Atmos audio formats
  • — Equipped with older Wi-Fi 5 dual-band connectivity instead of modern Wi-Fi 6 standards
Google TV Streamer 4K
#4
★ Premium Pick
Best for: Smart home enthusiasts who need a built-in Matter hub and wired Ethernet stability
Google TV Streamer 4K
1 sourceOne review so far, so ranked one place lower$149.99as of Oct 11
▾Why it's ranked here

The Google TV Streamer features a MediaTek MT8696 processor and 4GB of RAM that CNET found deliver snappy performance suitable for cloud gaming, while its built-in Thread radio allows it to act as a Matter hub. The remote includes an infrared blaster and speaker, which 6monthslater.net noted helps locate the device easily. However, XDA Developers reported persistent UI freezes, screen flickering, and unstable HDMI-CEC handshakes that cause random power cycling of connected devices. Additionally, reliance on Wi-Fi 5 limits future-proofing compared to modern standards, making this unit best for wired setups or smart home enthusiasts who can tolerate software bugs.

Strengths
  • — MediaTek MT8696 processor and 4GB RAM deliver snappy performance suitable for cloud gaming
  • — Built-in Thread border router acts as a Matter hub for smart home devices
Watch-outs
  • — User interface suffers from random freezes, lag, and flickering screens
  • — HDMI-CEC handshake is unstable causing devices to power on or off randomly
Roku Streaming Stick (2025)
#5
Best for: Older 1080p TVs and travel, where 4K and HDR are not needed
Roku Streaming Stick (2025)
3 sources
▾Why it's ranked here

The Roku Streaming Stick (2025) is Roku's least expensive player, a 1080p stick that plugs directly into an HDMI port and can run off a TV USB port. PCMag found it loaded apps and streamed video quickly and praised the simple interface and Apple AirPlay support. PCWorld highlighted that its voice remote controls TV volume and power, an upgrade over the old Roku Express remote. However, it does not support 4K or HDR, TechRadar noted a little lag when navigating the interface, and PCWorld measured weak Wi-Fi performance at long range.

Strengths
  • — Voice remote controls TV power and volume, which PCWorld called a big upgrade over the old Roku Express remote
  • — Can be powered from a TV USB port; PCMag measured power draw at just 2.2W
Watch-outs
  • — Limited to 1080p with no HDR support
  • — TechRadar noted a little lag when navigating the interface
Reviews aggregated from
CNETTechRadarSoundandvisionPCMagViceCNN UnderscoredCabletv

Spec comparison

5 products
vs
SpecRoku Ultra (2024)Onn 4K Pro (2026)
ProcessorQuad-coreAmlogic S905X5M
HDR SupportDolby Vision, HDR10+Dolby Vision
Audio SupportDolby AtmosDolby Atmos
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6, 100 Mbps Ethernet
OSRoku OSGoogle TV (Android 14)
Resolution—4K

Frequently asked questions

What's the top pick among streaming devices right now?
Roku Ultra (2024) is the top pick for streaming devices — 4.2/5 averaged from 2 published reviews. The 2024 Roku Ultra adds Wi-Fi 6 and a backlit, USB-C rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd Ed), and CNET noted that it caches the most-used apps to cut loading times. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos, and Soundandvision praised its excellent video quality and Dolby Atmos sound separation. However, the new remote has no headphone jack, and CNET found no apparent IR output on it, although Roku told the outlet the remote is IR compatible. Soundandvision also noted that search results favor Roku Channel offerings, which may frustrate users looking for a title on another service.
Is this streaming device guide up to date?
This guide was last re-checked in October 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.