Catching up on your favourite show has never been easier, thanks to the wonders of the internet and the invention of the smart TV. But if you bought your telly a few years ago, it might not have the capability to connect to your Wi-Fi. Enter the streaming device - a nifty little gadget that plugs straight into your TV and allows you to sync up with all the giant UK streaming providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and Disney+.
Finding the right gadget for your home might be confusing with so many options on the market though. So, to give you a hand, we’ve put together a quick buying guide that'll cover all of your burning questions about streaming devices. Then we’ll share our reviews of the best ones to buy at Amazon, eBay, Argos, and John Lewis, including Google's Chromecast, Amazon's 4K Fire Stick, and a voice-controlled device by Roku. Ready to plug in and play?
Before we get started, let’s just clear up what a streaming device is - in case there’s any confusion! All devices that can stream content from the internet, such as our phones, tablets and laptops, are technically considered streaming devices. However, in this article, we’re going to be focusing on products that specifically enable you to stream media on your TV screen.
As we mentioned, you simply need to plug one into your current telly - so it basically works like a DVD player or Sky box, except that you can watch or listen to what you want when you want! However, something that's essential to know is that whilst these devices allow you to stream content, they do not provide this content. You'll need to install the right apps, sign up for an account, and possibly pay for the services you want to use.
Let’s run through the main factors you should consider when picking up a streaming device. Here, we’ll look at the different styles, connection options, the type of image quality you're after, and which apps you might like to use.
There are two main styles of TV streaming device: a box and a stick. In this section, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each style in order to help you decide which one will be suitable for your needs.
If you’re looking for top-notch image quality like 4K resolution, then a streaming box might be the most reliable option. Since these tend to come with an ethernet port, they can be plugged straight into your router - so you won't have to worry about buffering or a shaky Wi-Fi connection!
However, as boxes tend to be quite large, one of these will take up space on your TV stand. Some also require an additional cable, which is sold separately, to connect them to your TV. These factors make boxes less portable - meaning you won't be able to use them at a friend's house or when travelling with your laptop. In addition, they're generally more expensive than stick devices.
The great thing about streaming sticks is their portability - they’re about the size and weight of a lighter! This means you can pop one in your pocket and take it with you wherever you go, whether you want to sneakily watch Netflix at the office or chill out with a movie in your hotel room. They’re also very easy to connect and tend to cheaper than a box.
The downside is that sticks rely on Wi-Fi and don't directly connect to your router, so streaming won't always be smooth. They can be a little slow when loading apps too, which you might find frustrating.
Another key factor that you should consider is the type of connection that's available on your TV, as this will determine which kind of device you can use. Both boxes and sticks can usually be connected via a HDMI or USB port at the back of the TV.
If your TV doesn't have a USB port though, you may need to buy an external USB plug for your stick device - but this isn't something that'll work with a box! So, definitely check which kind of slots your TV has before you start browsing.
We're sure you'll agree that image quality is one of the most crucial elements when it comes to watching media on your TV. Luckily, all streaming devices deliver at least HD picture quality, which is the standard option for most TVs.
However, if you’ve forked out for a 4K TV then you’re naturally going to want to be able to access content with a 4K resolution. Even if you don't have a 4K TV just yet, you might invest in one later on, so we'd say it's worth picking up a device with this capability anyway if it's within your budget.
Lastly, think about which apps you'll want to use on your device. While major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ should be accessible on most devices, those like the BFI (British Film Institute) Player or certain sports channel apps might not be available.
To avoid disappointment, make sure you choose a device with the right marketplace that will allow you to use your favourite apps. We'll put this info in the spec table below each product review, so you can easily check which apps each gadget will provide access to.
Now that you’re up to speed with what you should be looking out for, it's time to share our favourite streaming devices to buy online. We've considered value for money, functionality, and ease of use to ensure that you pick the perfect plug-in product.
£26.99
Style | Stick |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI |
Ethernet Port | No |
Image Quality | HD |
Marketplace | Now TV |
£179.00
Style | Box |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI |
Ethernet Port | No |
Image Quality | 4K |
Marketplace | App Store |
£30.00
Style | Stick |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI |
Ethernet Port | No |
Image Quality | HD |
Marketplace | Android TV |
£39.99
Style | Stick |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI |
Ethernet Port | No |
Image Quality | HD |
Marketplace | Fire TV OS |
£69.00
Style | Stick |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI |
Ethernet Port | Yes |
Image Quality | 4K |
Marketplace | Android TV |
£123.00
Style | Box |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI (cable required) |
Ethernet Port | Yes |
Image Quality | 4K |
Marketplace | Roku Channel Store |
£109.99
Style | Box |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI (cable required) |
Ethernet Port | Yes |
Image Quality | 4K |
Marketplace | Fire TV OS |
£148.86
Style | Box |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI or USB |
Ethernet Port | Yes |
Image Quality | 4K |
Marketplace | Android TV |
£49.99
Style | Stick |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI |
Ethernet Port | No |
Image Quality | 4K |
Marketplace | Fire TV OS |
£49.00
Style | Stick |
---|---|
Connection Type | HDMI |
Ethernet Port | No |
Image Quality | 4K |
Marketplace | Roku Channel Store |
Image | 1 ![]() Roku | 2 ![]() Amazon | 3 ![]() NVIDIA | 4 ![]() Amazon | 5 ![]() Roku | 6 ![]() | 7 ![]() Amazon | 8 ![]() | 9 ![]() Apple | 10 ![]() NOW TV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Streaming Stick+ | Fire Stick 4K Ultra | Shield TV | Fire TV Cube | Ultra | Chromecast 4K Ultra HD | Fire TV Stick | Chromecast | Apple TV 32GB 4K | Smart Stick HD with Voice Search |
Features | An Affordable Gadget With a Highly Intuitive Interface | Smaller, Faster, and Better Than the Original | Plenty of Apps and a Remote That You Just Can't Lose | A Cube With Complete Hands-Free Control | Speedy TV Access From the Pioneers of Streaming | The Chromecast Takes a Leap Into 4K | Budget-Friendly and Easy to Navigate | This Golden Oldie Is Still One of the Best Around | A Stylish Device for Apple Fans | Sky Entertainment Access With Standard HD Resolution |
Price | £49.00 | £49.99 | £148.86 | £109.99 | £123.00 | £69.00 | £39.99 | £30.00 | £179.00 | £26.99 |
Style | Stick | Stick | Box | Box | Box | Stick | Stick | Stick | Box | Stick |
Connection Type | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI or USB | HDMI (cable required) | HDMI (cable required) | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI |
Ethernet Port | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Image Quality | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | HD | HD | 4K | HD |
Marketplace | Roku Channel Store | Fire TV OS | Android TV | Fire TV OS | Roku Channel Store | Android TV | Fire TV OS | Android TV | App Store | Now TV |
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Fancy adding even more tech devices to your TV set-up? Check out our other audiovisual product recommendations at the links below - you'll have your very own home cinema in no time!
Whether you're looking for a portable stick that can be taken with you on your travels or something more sturdy for your household set-up, we hope you've found our buying guide and list of recommended streaming devices useful. Now all you need to do is decide on something to watch tonight!
Author: Lewis Clark
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