The best Internet-TV streaming devices, from $20 to $200
Don't worry if the streaming video wave has passed you by.
This holiday season is an ideal time to embrace TV delivered over the Internet, as several streaming players have refreshed their models recently. That means some bargains can be found in the coming days and weeks — a good deal whether you are a newcomer or seasoned streamer looking to upgrade.
What's not to like about streaming video? Already more than one-fourth of all homes (27%) have at least one standalone Internet TV streaming device such as a Roku or Apple TV, finds a Leichtman Research survey. Those devices connect to the Internet and your TV to deliver TV shows, movies and other video, serving as an alternative or addition to traditional pay-TV services.
Some Internet video is free, while other content such as Netflix and the recently-launched YouTubeRed requires a subscription. More than half the homes in ten of the largest U.S. cities have subscriptions to streaming video services such as Netflix, Amazon Video and Hulu, according to Nielsen.
Here's a look at the options:
Amazon Fire TV
The e-tailing powerhouse has a Fire TV family that includes a low-cost stick that plugs into your TV and a recently-upgraded Fire TV box capable of streaming 4K Ultra HD TV and playing video games.
Any Fire TV device connects to more than 3,000 channels, apps and games. However, if gaming is a priority, consider the $139.99 model with game controller. That controller responds to spoken commands, as does the voice remote included in the $49.99 Fire Stick and standard $99.99 Fire TV.
Amazon's New Fire TV Streams 4K, Adds Alexa Voice Control
If you are already an Amazon Prime member, Fire TV is a no-brainer option as you can stream many movies and TV series, as well as music for free as part of the $99 annual fee. Beyond that, you get access to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Showtime Anytime, Sling TV and most popular Net TV apps, too. If you have an Amazon Fire tablet, you can push what you're watching to the TV. And those who opt for 4K-supported Fire TV versions can stream many series that are part of Amazon's growing original content library including Transparent and others such as Orphan Black — and movies such as Captain Phillips — in the higher-res format.
Price: Suggested prices start at $39.99 for the Fire TV stick; add $10 and get a voice-control remote. Buy before Dec. 12 and get two free months of Sling TV.
Apple TV
As you might expect, Apple has a sleek entry in the set-top box derby. Its newest model, the 4th generation Apple TV released in October, has a new remote that lets you call upon Siri to help you find content and use your voice to advance or rewind while watching programs. Its touch features let you quickly go back or jump forward ten seconds of whatever you are watching, too, and brings up chapter thumbnails for you to choose from. Apple's on-screen menu is the most elegant and you'll find nearly all the video apps you will need (although there's no Amazon on-board as of yet). That remote can be used to play video games, too, but you can add a Bluetooth controller, if you wish.
The library of apps and games is expected to grow; there's already a Guitar Hero Live game optimized for Apple TV. Should you plan to play video games, spring an extra $50 for the 64 Gigabyte model. And if you are invested in the iTunes ecosystem, Apple TV makes a lot of sense because your music and video libraries automatically show up on the big screen, too.
Price: starts at $69 for the older Apple TV model (uses the previous operating system); $149 for the newer 32GB model, $199 for the 64GB model.
Siri adds voice to Apple TV but where's the 4K?
Chromecast
This inexpensive no-frills device from Google connects directly to your TV's HDMI connection and your Wi-Fi network to stream from your computer, tablet or smartphone, be it an Android or Apple device. After connecting the Chromecast, you can choose from thousands of apps online and "cast" them from your device or computer onto your TV. Among those supported: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Sling TV, Showtime Anytime and WatchESPN.
Price: $35, available at google.com and in stores
Roku (roku.com)
The latest edition of the popular streaming player, the Roku 4, adds 4K Ultra HD to its capabilities. Each of the Roku devices and the original streaming stick deliver nearly 3,000 streaming channels or apps including Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, HBO Now and Showtime.
Easy to use, Roku is especially good for newcomers and those who haven't fully committed to either the Android, Apple or Amazon ecosystems. If you have a 4K UHD TV — or Santa has you down for one — it's worth considering the Roku 4. While there's not a lot of programming available yet, Netflix has films such as Lawrence of Arabia and TV shows such as House of Cards in 4K, and M-Go has Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. If you plan to connect to an older TV, opt for the Roku 1 or Roku SE, which has a composite video jack in addition to an HDMI jack.
Price: Suggested prices start at $49.99 for the Roku Streaming Stick or the Roku 1. An ethernet jack is available on the Roku 2 ($69.99); the Roku 3 ($99.99) and Roku 4 ($129.99) each have one, too, and let you search by voice and listen via a headphone jack.
NVIDIA Shield TV
Other set-top boxes have games on board, but only NVIDIA Shield has its own cloud gaming service, GeForce Now ($7.99 monthly). But the Shield is also a 4K-ready Android TV device. That means Netflix and hundreds of other apps including CBS All Access, FX Now, Hulu, Sling TV and YouTube. And you can plug in an antenna for live over-the-air local TV broadcasts.
Cost: $199.99 or $299.99 for the 500GB model; remote sold separately, $49.99.
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