There are two types of steaming gadgets: set-top boxes and HDMI sticks. Streaming boxes are larger and more expensive, but tend to be more powerful.
(Bonus:Need more help choosing the best video streaming option? We have other helpful charts that will help you make an informed decision. Click here to see a chart comparing streaming sticks, and here for a comparison of streaming service channel line-ups.)
Here is a chart comparing popular streaming boxes.
Streaming boxes
| Apple TV 4K | Apple TV (4th Gen) | Roku Ultra | Roku 3 | Roku 4 | Amazon Fire TV Cube | Nvidia Shield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$179 32GB, $199 64GB
|
$149 32GB
|
$100.00
|
$110.00
|
$100.00
|
$120.00
|
$199 16GB, $299 Shield Pro 500GB
|
| Resolution (max) |
4K HDR (2060p)
|
1080p
|
1080p, 4K Ultra HD, HDR
|
1080p
|
1080p, 4K Ultra HD
|
4K Ultra HD and HDR
|
4K HDR
|
| Video connections |
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI, 4K video HDCP 2.2 HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
| Audio connections |
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
HDMI
|
| Other connections |
Gigabit Ethernet, IR receiver
|
USB-C
|
Micro SD, USB
|
microSD, USB
|
microSD, USB
|
USB
|
No
|
| Wired networking |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Wireless networking |
802.11ac Wi‑Fi with MIMO; simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
|
Dual-band 802.11ac
|
802.11ac dual-band MIMO and Ethernet Port
|
802.11n
|
Dual-band Wi-Fi
|
Dual-band 802.11ac
|
802.11ac 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
|
| Remote Control |
Remote with Siri voice commands
|
Remote with Siri voice commands
|
Voice remote with TV power and volume buttons, headphone jack
|
Remote with headphone jack + Roku app; voice search
|
Remote with headphone jack + Roku app; voice search
|
Alexa voice-activated
|
Yes
|
| Local Storage |
32GB, 64GB
|
32GB
|
None
|
microSD, USB port
|
microSD, USB port
|
16GB
|
16GB, 500GB
|
| Paid movies & TV |
iTunes, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sling TV, Hulu Plus, HBO Now, Watch ESPN, more
|
iTunes, Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Now, Watch ESPN, more
|
Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, HBO Go sports, Sling TV, more
|
Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, HBO Go sports, Sling TV, more
|
Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, HBO Go sports, Sling TV, more
|
Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, more
|
Netflix, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes, Sling TV, more
|
| Free movies & TV |
YouTube, more
|
YouTube, Vimeo
|
The Roku Channel, hundreds of other free streaming channels
|
YouTube, Crackle, Fox News, Huffington Post, more
|
YouTube, Crackle, Fox News, Huffington Post, more
|
Amazon Prime free with Prime membership, YouTube, more
|
YouTube, more
|
| Music |
Apple Music
|
Apple Music
|
Pandora, iHeartRadio, Vevo, more
|
Pandora, SHOUTcast, Rdio, Soma FM, more
|
Pandora, SHOUTcast, Rdio, Soma FM, more
|
Prime Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio, more
|
Pandora, Spotify, Google Play Music, iTunes
|
| Other services |
Apple TV App to browse content from more than 60 video services, Amazon Prime app
|
Functions within App Store environment for gaming, more; streams audio and video from Apple gadgets via AirPlay
|
Roku app, thousands of streaming channels
|
2500+ channels including games
|
2500+ channels including games
|
Dolby Atmos audio, compatible with Amazon Echo, more
|
Google Assistant, smart home hub, NVIDIA games, game controller, more
|
| Purchase |
Stream, Rent, Own
|
Stream, Rent
|
Stream, Rent, Own
|
Stream, Rent, Own
|
Stream, Rent, Own
|
Stream, Rent, Own
|
Stream, Rent, Own
|