It’s no secret that “smart” TVs aren’t really that smart. Generally, and a dedicated streaming box or stick is the way to go. There are quite a few to choose from, though, so how do you decide which is the best for your movie-viewing needs?
The Contenders
Apple TV
This is the for those truly invested in the Apple ecosystem. There are two version of the Apple TV: the Apple TV 4K and the regular Apple TV. The 4K model comes in 32GB ($149) and 64GB ($199) flavors, while the regular Apple TV only comes in 32GB ($149). If you’re going for the 4K, I recommend going for the 64GB model because that 4K video will eat up space quickly.
Android TV
“Android TV” isn’t the name of one set-top box—instead, it’s a platform that other manufacturers can use on their own set-top boxes. Even more confusing, not every box that runs Android is an Android TV box.
There are many ways to get Android TV, including built-in to many TVs. But if you want my short answer on which set-top box to get, just buy an NVIDIA SHIELD for $180. It is, far and away, the best Android TV box out there.
Google Chromecast
This is the simplest streaming device on the list—it has no true “interface” on your TV; instead, you bring up an app on your phone (like Netflix or HBO Go) and “cast” video from it to your TV. You can get a “regular” Chromecast for $35, but if you’re living that 4K life, you might as well spring for the Chromecast Ultra, which will set you back $70.
Roku
RELATED: Which Roku Should I Buy? Express vs. Stick vs. Stick+ vs. Ultra
Probably the biggest name in this game, and the one that really started it all. Roku devices are full of innovative features and a nearly incomparable library of apps. And man, there are a lot of Roku products out there—a lot more if you also consider the products that are no longer in production. So here’s the short list of current-gen products:
Roku Express, $30: The simplest, most basic stick Roku offers. Roku Express+, $40: This little guy has component inputs for older TVs. That’s neat. Roku Streaming Stick, $50: Small, compact, and relatively robust. Roku Streaming Stick+, $70: A beefier version of the Streaming Stick, which supports 4K and HDR. Roku Ultra, $100: The cream of the Roku crop—it supports 4K, HDR, and a bunch of different ports in the back (not to mention a microSD card). Not bad.
That, of course, is a very simplified, one-or-two-sentence look at what each platform is about. The real meat and potatoes here will be all the stuff we’re going to talk about down below: the features provided with each different box and now they compare to each other.
What Services Are Available on Each Box?
The Roku home screen, with a few of its many, many apps installed.
Arguably the most important feature of any streaming box is: which services can you watch on it? Not all boxes are created equally here, especially the more specific your needs get. We can’t list every possible service here, so make sure to do your own research if there’s a specific app or service you want access to on your streaming box. But in general, here’s how they compare.
If that’s the case, I highly recommend going directly to your TV provider for device compatibility. For Android TV users, keep in mind that it has built-in casting options, effectively making it a Chromecast as well as a set-top box. So if your provider supports Chromecast, it’s also technically usable on Android TV, even if it doesn’t have a dedicated interface. That’s sort of a half-assed solution if you ask me, but it is a solution nonetheless.
If you’re looking for Kodi or Plex support, things get a little harrier. For example, Android TV supports Kodi out of the box, but most of the others require quite a bit of hackjob work to make it happen. Plex, on the other hand, is a little more ubiquitous. It’s available on Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and SHIELD. It also supports casting from your phone, making it available for essentially all the boxes we’re talking about here.
When it comes to sheer numbers of supported services, Roku leads the pack by a mile. It offers thousands of streaming “channels” (read: apps), though I’ll admit 80% of them are probably garbage. I’d say the rest of the boxes are fairly even in terms of available apps, though SHIELD will definitely take the crown for games, which we’ll talk more about down below.
Which Boxes Are Easiest to Use?
Android TV’s home screen, complete with lots of recommendations.
When it comes to ease of use, things tend to get a little convoluted, because what’s easy for one person may not seem easy to another—and it may also depend on how you do your TV watching.
Chromecast is a weird beast, since it doesn’t use a traditional interface. Some people may find it the simplest option of all, since all you have to do is bring the app up on your phone and tap the Cast button to start watching. If you know your way around a smartphone, you’ll find Chromecast dead simple. But for those more used to using a traditional remote and an on-screen interface for the TV, the Chromecast may seem confusing, and something like the Roku will be a better bet.
What Are the Standout Features of Each Box?
Apart from basic usability, each box has some exclusive features that make them more compelling. Which ones matter to you depend on what you’re looking to do with your box. Here are the standout features of each:
How Do the Form Factors Compare?
Form factor may or may not be a big deal to you, and that’s okay. Just a couple of years ago, most of these boxes were about the same size, and they were mostly boring squares. Things have changed since then, even if only slightly.
At the end of the day, most of these boxes are pretty small, so form factor isn’t a huge deal. Even the larger boxes are small enough to hide away behind your TV.
Which Boxes Are Support Video Games?
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Games aren’t something you typically think of from your set-top box, but it’s becoming more and more common, and some manufacturers are using to set their device apart from the others. At this point, most of the boxes support some sort of gaming—generally very casual at best—but others have made it more of a trademark.
Games are likely secondary to the above categories, but it’s nice to know you at least have options in this space.
What Are My Other Options?
All that said—and I feel like I’ve said a lot here—there’s another segment that can easily fit the “set-top box” niche: game consoles. If have you have PlayStation or Xbox, then you already sort of have a set-top box. Modern game consoles support 4K video, have access to Netflix and a slew of other apps, and can really do as much as most of the dedicated boxes out there. If you already have a game console, you probably don’t need a dedicated box—unless you really want features like Siri, Google Assistant, or something else mentioned above. Set-top boxes are definitely more useful for those that aren’t gamers.
Alternatively, you could build your own home theater PC with something like Kodi or Plex installed. This tends to be more useful for local videos than streaming video like Netflix, and is a truly geeky option for those that want something very specific. Buying a set-top box will be a lot simpler (and cheaper), but if you mind getting your hands dirty and enjoy what a massive pain in the ass building something like a home theater PC is, then by all means. You do you.
So, Which Is the Best?
Here’s the deal: there isn’t really a “best” box out there—only the one that works best for you. If you’re so far deep in the Apple ecosystem you can quote Jony Ive interviews verbatim, then by God get the Apple TV. You’ll love it.
Android nerds, just get a SHIELD and be done with it. It’s a great box and by far the most powerful, versatile option on the list, and unequivocally the best Android box. And that’s not just blowing smoke.
Chromecast is for the casual streamer who doesn’t want or need a lot of fluff. If you’re thinking about getting something simple and cheap for the bedroom TV, this is perfect.
Roku almost pioneered this market, so it has a lot of experience under its belt. The Roku Ultra easily offers some of the best value in set-top boxes, especially if you don’t already have loyalty with another company. Plus, the Express+ is the only option that supports RCA outputs, so it works with older TVs. That’s good looking out by Roku.
