Streaming devices make it well-fixed to take in your internet television on your steady television . Simply plug in the in the HDMI dongle to the HDMI port of your television system and you are secure to go . However , with so many options to choose from like Chromecast , Fire Stick , Roku , etc , it might get difficult to pick the proper one for you .
So , in this clause , we ’ll be comparing the five most democratic streaming devices — Chromecast , Fire Stick , Roku , Android television set , and Apple TV , and facilitate you find the best convulsion for your life room . Though , or else of getting into jargon like specs and pricing , I ’ll be talking from my personal experience with these stream devices . So , let ’s set about
Streaming Devices Compared
1.Chromecast($35)
Chromecast was the first streaming machine that I used . you’re able to throw off from Netflix , Hulu and YouTube video recording from your smartphone to your TV . And once the video gets cast , it work directly with the router . So even if you turn off the smartphone , Chromecast will mechanically fetch the next video .
The big selling stage though is it ’s screen mirroring feature of speech . If you ’re face to cast from 3rd company video apps to your television ( like Terrarium TV ) , or if you want to mirror your smartphone screen to your television , Chromecast does it best .
When it comes streaming though , it ’s not the good , I mean , sure , I can stream apps like YouTube and Netflix cleanly , but since Chromecast employ your smartphone as a remote ( it does n’t have a consecrate remote control like other streaming apps ) it establish it hard to jump 10 secant forrader or backward on a picture . And not just that . I often feel the need for a dedicated remote and UI , especially when I partake in my TV . That fashion when I ’m done , I can just leave the remote for the next person .
However , my biggest issue with Chromecast is that you ca n’t pour Amazon Prime videos with it . Yes , you could bypass this limitation by mirroring your smartphone or computer screen instead of casting prime videos . And although it does work , the workaround is not intuitive .
Also , since Chromecast comes with the heavily - befool DNS host , it ’s noteasy to get around geo - limitation on Chromecast . Meaning , say if you survive in Canada and wants to watch Netflix US on Chromecast , by changing your DNS , well you ca n’t do that .
Read:5 Ways iPhone / Android Can swan Screen to TV Without Chromecast
2.Roku Stick($29)
So , the lack of a remote and geo - restrictions on Chromecast led me to Roku .
Roku not only comes with a consecrate remote , it also has a consecrate Netflix and Amazon choice button on it . Also , since it gives you the option to change DNS in the setting , I was able to watch geo - restricted content like US Netflix and Hulu on Roku by changing the DNS host toSmart DNS proxy , something that was never possible on Chromecast
But this all comes with a cost . When you first fix up your Roku Stick , you ’ll want to get in your credit entry card details . you could stillbypass this stepbut if you do that , you wo n’t be able to pour geo - restrict content on Roku .
Although Roku come with a dedicated remote control , you’re able to also use theRoku remote appon your phone . This add up in handy when you type in long countersign to search for moving picture and television receiver shows . But my favorite thing about Roku is the huge list of channel you could pelt on it like- Netflix , Hulu , Amazon , Google Play , Vudu , Sling TV , Comedy Central , Crunchyroll , Starz etc . Something that was missing on Chromecast .
Overall , Roku has best of both earth , unlike Chromecast , you could play Amazon Prime television on Roku as well as play YouTube videos in a consecrate YouTube app , which is miss in Firestick .
3.Fire Stick($40)
If you are like me , who ’s uncomfortable sharing the credit entry card details with Roku , then Amazon Fire Stick is a bang-up pick . And I ’ve to say , when it comes to streaming experience , it gets everything right-hand .
I mean , like Roku , it not only has an intuitive remote but also a well call back out UI . For instance , you could scroll 10 sec forwards and backward , something that was a nightmare on chromecast . Another nerveless affair is , the Fire Stick exhibit actors ’ names and IMDB military rank every time you pause the playback . And in character you do n’t have a Fire Stick remote with you , there is Fire TV remote app useable for both Android and iOS .
The cover mirror is n’t as respectable as Chromecast , but unlike Chromecast , which does n’t support prime video , you’re able to at least play YouTube using a Firefox web browser app .
Setting up Fire stick for the first fourth dimension is a pain though . If your office or hotel ’s WiFi ask username and password to practice the internet , you ca n’t get in touch Fire Stick to it .
4. Android TV box
But as they say , unless you try a better product , you do n’t know what you ’re missing out on . And that ’s when I catch my hands on Android TV box .
Well , the possibility seemed endless . But in reality , Android TV box seat is a great plan with tough execution .
Before we come to that , first let ’s be unclouded on what an Android TV boxful is ,
If you search on Amazon , you ’ll see all sorts of “ shady ” manufacturers , sellingAndroid 7.1 TV box , instead of Android television set box . This Android version number means they plainly adopt the original Android source codification — the one that ’s meant for earpiece or tablets . So instead of getting that slick Android television set port , you get a telephone user interface on a big , non - touch sieve . Best stakes is to bind with well - jazz brands likeNvidia shieldandXiaomi .
In ecumenical , my complaint is with the overall Android TV box ecosystem . Since Google show little involvement , the entire platform is half - sunbaked . So you ’ll have all the apps and game but they do n’t work great on tv as they are design for smartphones . For example , if I ’m playing a automobile racing biz on TV , I would want my remote to function as a motion controller . But it does n’t .
5.Apple TV($149)
And ultimately , Apple TV is there is fill that gap . In fact , it not only got the streaming right field , like the Firestick , but also , thanks to the tvOS , all the apps and games are specifically built to work on the bigger screenland .
Simply put , like Chromecast , it can cast the iPhone screen flawlessly . no-account Android users . However , the soupcon remote and cyclosis interface is far better than Fire Sticks .
But where it really exceed any streaming machine is apps . The orchard apple tree app shop hastons of apps that are handcraft for Apple TVinterface . For example , with the VLC app can represent any kind of formatting , you could get at your swarm storage , and good of all game .
Unlike the Android television set remote control , the ghost remote on Apple TV mechanically adapts to whichever game you ’re wreak . For illustration , if I play Asphalt or Tennis , the remote becomes a movement comptroller .
However , like all Apple products , Apple television also add up with limitation , for example , there is no soft way to mirror Android or Windows screen to Apple TV neither does it come with adedicated web browser app . But overall , if you are invested in Apple ecosystem , Apple TV makes a mountain of sense .
Also Read : How to Record Apple tv set Output Screen Without Any cable
So, which one should you buy?
Chromecast is a good option only when you need to cast from 3rd party apps , they only work with chromecast and so is screen mirror . No one does it dependable than Chromecast .
Firestick on the overall a much better selection when it comes to streaming experience , the remote and UI earn it easy to enjoy the content .
I would only get Roku if watching geo - restrain content is my priority , also if I need both stream both YouTube and Amazon Prime television inside the same twist .
Android TV is a hopeful tech that has n’t matured well . The streaming works fine . Though the power to bunk habituate your TV as a web web browser , run in high spirits - end plot and sideload the Android app on a bigger screen might be tempting t , but the apps are not svelte . I would favour spending money on firestick over android tv boxwood .
But , If money is no issue , go for orchard apple tree tv , it ’s the good streaming gadget I’veusede . I will highly recommend it . It packs some high - end games . But to takes little full advantage , you will have to place in orchard apple tree ecosystem . It ’s my personal fav . Just like any Apple product , once you try orchard apple tree tv , you ca n’t go back .
