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It's the best streaming device for people who want an ad-free experience, something you don't see on other devices. Then there's the Apple TV 4K (2021), a super-speedy update with a new remote with a clickable direction-pad. Oh, and if you don't need 4K? A new Chromecast with Google TV HD just jumped onto this list.
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Google TV updates rolling out to devices will lower the amount of RAM used by the interface, and should make the For You and other sections run a bit more smoothly. We also really like the Chromecast with Google TV 4K - and we're finally seeing a performance improvement on the device. Oh, and you can rearrange the heck out of the Roku home screen, putting all of apps in your order of preference, while the Fire TV just lets you control that top row and makes you go to another screen for the rest. Trust me, as someone who uses at least one device from every streaming platform, if you can limit yourself to just one device, your entertainment cabinet or counter will look a lot nicer (and they can all stream the best Netflix shows - as well as the best Seinfeld episodes). All of the best streaming services are in the Roku Channel Store, meaning you'll probably never say "my favorite show isn't on here!" And it's finally got Dolby Vision, which it was missing when it was just the Streaming Stick Plus. The first is that Roku is the best platform when it comes to streaming media.
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We love the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, and recommend it as the best streaming device to friends and colleagues, for two simple reasons. Not only do we spend hours and hours watching shows and movies from the top streaming services on these devices, but we compare them against those with similar prices, to help you figure out which is best for your budget. Some of us at Tom's Guide own multiple entries from this list of the best streaming devices, to see how they evolve over time. One of our editors just upgraded it with the Roku Voice Remote Pro, which he says is a must-have.
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It's our top pick for many reasons, and Roku's streamlined app-first OS is one of them. Our current pick for very best streaming device overall is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K which adds faster performance and Dolby Vision on top of its predecessor. There are plenty of similar $50 options, but who should splurge for the $99 Roku Ultra or the new $129 Apple TV 4K? Yes, it's cheaper than before, but competitors are still far more affordable And what about all those Fire TV sticks? Oh, and there is a good sub-$50 streaming device, too. Selecting a streaming device can get pretty tricky, though.
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