October 2021
TV Boxes and Sticks: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Streaming Player rankings posted by key online experts, as of October 2021.
At a glance - October 2021 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Streaming Player |
TechRadar
|
Digital Trends
|
Tom's Guide
|
TechHive
|
Reviewed
|
Business Insider
|
PCMag
|
IGN
|
WIRED
|
The Verge
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | Check price |
Google Chromecast
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
5
|
2
|
1
|
|
2
|
+1 | $66 |
Roku Ultra 2020
|
-
|
3
|
5
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
1
|
5
|
-
|
|
3
|
-1 | $169 |
Apple TV 4K
|
2
|
6
|
6
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
9
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
|
4
|
+1 | $39 |
Roku Streaming Stick+
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
7
|
1
|
2
|
|
5
|
+1 | $28 |
Amazon Fire TV Stick
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
6
|
+1 | $150 |
Nvidia Shield
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
5
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
5
|
|
7
|
-3 | $39 |
Roku Express 4K+
|
-
|
4
|
9
|
2
|
4
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | $95 |
Amazon Fire TV Cube
|
6
|
7
|
7
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
- | $25 |
Roku Express
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
+1 | $199 |
Nvidia Shield TV Pro
|
1
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
-1 | $22 |
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
12
|
- | $23 |
TiVo Stream 4K
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Google Chromecast #1 in October 2021 because:
- 10 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Google Chromecast as #1.
TechRadar
Best All-Rounder
|
Pros
4K HDR with Dolby Vision
Google Assistant built in
Comes with a remote
|
Cons
Slow to load at startup
Google TV UI is uninspired
No Google Stadia support
|
Tom's Guide
The Best Chromecast Streaming Device
|
Pros
Sensible layout
Lots of streaming services
Remote included
|
Cons
General Google searches poorly formatted
|
Reviewed
Best value
|
Pros
Affordable
Very good remote
4K/HDR Support
|
Cons
No wired internet
Interface needs work
|
Business Insider
The best streaming device for Google users
|
Pros
4K HDR with Dolby Vision and HDR10+
Google Assistant voice remote
built-in interface and casting capabilities
|
Cons
Minor glitches
some lag
|
PCMag
Our Top Pick Under $50 / Editor's Choice
|
Pros
Attractive, accessible new Google TV interface
4K with HDR10 and Dolby Vision
Useful Google Assistant and Cast features
Affordable
|
Cons
Live TV tab only supports YouTube TV
|
We ranked Roku Ultra 2020 #2 in October 2021 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Roku Ultra 2020 as #1.
Tom's Guide
Best Streaming Device For External Media
|
Pros
Great performance
Inventive remote control
Dolby Vision HDR
|
Cons
Expensive
Not much has changed since last year's model
|
Reviewed
BEST OVERALL
|
Pros
Best-in-class remote
4K/HDR and Dolby Vision
Fast, with wired internet
|
Cons
More expensive than streaming sticks
|
Business Insider
The best streaming box overall
|
Pros
4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and HDR10+
Bluetooth voice remote
lots of apps
improved Wi-Fi connection
Ethernet
USB port
|
Cons
A bit pricey
|
PCMag
Lets You Easily Listen With Headphones
|
Pros
Fast performance
AirPlay and Dolby Vision support
Remote has a headphone jack for private listening
|
Cons
Expensive
Still doesn't have a fully functional voice assistant
Missing HBO Max and Twitch
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend TV Boxes and Sticks.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of TV Boxes and Sticks, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for October 2021 ranking
TechRadar
Digital Trends
Tom's Guide
TechHive
Reviewed
Business Insider
PCMag
IGN
WIRED
The Verge
We ranked Apple TV 4K #3 in October 2021 because:
- 10 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
TechRadar
Best iOS Streaming Device
|
Pros
High-frame-rate HDR support
Redesigned Siri remote
|
Cons
Expensive
Doesn’t work with Android
|
Tom's Guide
Best Streaming Device for Apple Device Owners
|
Pros
New, improved remote
High frame rate HDR streaming
Multi-user support
|
Cons
Expensive
Not noticeably better than first-gen
|
Reviewed
Editor's Choice
|
Pros
Great remote
Has Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
Works great with Apple gear
|
Cons
Stale design
Pricier than competition
|
Business Insider
The best high-end streaming box
|
Pros
Well-designed interface
4K and HDR
can serve as a HomeKit hub, new model has HDMI 2.1
|
Cons
Expensive compared to the competition
|
PCMag
Best for HomeKit Control
|
Pros
Improved remote
Plenty of useful features including AirPlay, HomeKit, and Siri
Dolby Vision support
Comes with a free year of Apple TV+
|
Cons
Expensive
Interface and remote tend to funnel you into the Apple TV app
|
We ranked Roku Streaming Stick+ #4 in October 2021 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Roku Streaming Stick+ as #1.
Tom's Guide
Best Streaming Device Overall
|
Pros
Inexpensive
Full 4K HDR capabilities
Huge app selection
|
Cons
Remote lacks an audio jack
Search could be deeper
|
Reviewed
|
Pros
Streams HDR and 4K content
Remote includes voice-control
|
Cons
Only works over WiFi
|
PCMag
Longer Wireless Range Than the Express 4K+
|
Pros
Affordable.
Snappy performance.
Powerful Wi-Fi.
Supports 4K video with HDR10.
Lots of content available in the Roku Channel Store.
|
Cons
No Dolby Vision HDR support.
Voice search is much more limited than on other media streamers.
|
We ranked Amazon Fire TV Stick #5 in October 2021 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Amazon Fire TV Stick as #1.
Reviewed
|
Pros
Supports all major streaming services
Excellent remote
|
Cons
Favors Amazon content
|
Business Insider
The best streaming stick with Alexa
|
Pros
4K streaming
Alexa voice control
affordable
compact
support for HDR10
HDR10+
Dolby Vision
|
Cons
Missing a few apps like Google Play and Peacock
|
PCMag
Amazon's Most Affordable 4K Streamer / Editor's Choice
|
Pros
Affordable
Supports 4K with HDR10 and Dolby Vision
Amazon Alexa
Quick Wi-Fi streaming and menu navigation
|
Cons
No Google Play apps
Ethernet adapter not included
|
We ranked Nvidia Shield #6 in October 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Best Premium Streaming Device
|
Pros
Excellent game-streaming
Quick rendering of UHD content
Lots of great apps
|
Cons
AI upscaling doesn't add that much
Somewhat expensive
|
Business Insider
The best streaming player for gamers
|
Pros
4K support
Dolby Vision capabilities
support for a separate gaming controller
Android TV operating system
powerful processor
|
Cons
Expensive
most buyers don't need the extra power
|
We ranked Roku Express 4K+ #7 in October 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The Best Streaming Device Under $40
|
Pros
Excellent 4K HDR performance
Decent navigation
Improved remote
|
Cons
Awkward design
No Dolby Vision or Atmos
|
Reviewed
|
Pros
Simple interface
Excellent smart home support
AirPlay 2
|
Cons
No Dolby Vision
No headphones jack on remote
|
PCMag
Roku's Most Affordable 4K Streamer
|
Pros
4K streaming with HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG
Easy, uncomplicated interface
Supports Apple AirPlay 2
|
Cons
Voice search feels underdeveloped
No Dolby Vision support
|
We ranked Amazon Fire TV Cube #8 in October 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
TechRadar
Best Alexa Streaming Device
|
Pros
Voice Control
Built-in Alexa
|
Cons
Panders to Amazon Prime
No HDMI cable in the box
|
Tom's Guide
Best Voice Control in A Streaming Device
|
Pros
Speedier performance
Alexa's cable box controls are great
Great 4K HDR picture quality
|
Cons
Home screen can't be edited, packs ads
Awkward Ethernet adapter
|
Reviewed
|
Pros
Able to control all your smart devices
|
Cons
Unreliable voice control
Expensive
|
PCMag
Hands-Free Alexa Voice Control / Editor's Choice
|
Pros
Hands-free Alexa voice support
Infrared blaster can control your home theater by voice
Fast performance
Supports all major HDR formats
|
Cons
Expensive compared with smaller 4K media streamers
|
We ranked Roku Express #9 in October 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
TechRadar
Best HD Streaming Device
|
Pros
Roku TV interface
Great app support
Super cheap
|
Cons
Basic IR remote
Can’t stream 4K HDR content
Super short HDMI cable
|
Reviewed
|
Pros
Access to Roku's full platform
|
Cons
Remote lacks voice-control, power/volume buttons
Video maxes at 1080p
Requires HDMI
|
Business Insider
The best budget streaming box
|
Pros
Cheap
compact design
easy-to-use
built-in OS
|
Cons
Doesn't support 4K or HDR
no voice remote
no Ethernet
|
We ranked Nvidia Shield TV Pro #10 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Nvidia Shield TV Pro as #1.
TechRadar
Best 4K Streaming Device
|
Pros
AI Upscaling
Google Assistant built in
|
Cons
No Apple TV app
No USB ports for extra storage
|
We ranked Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite #11 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
TechRadar
Best Budget Streaming Device
|
Pros
60fps and HDR
Good value
|
Cons
Only HD streaming
Persistent ads
No volume controls
|
PCMag
The Most Affordable Fire TV Stick
|
Pros
Inexpensive
Plenty of apps and services
Amazon Alexa control with voice remote
|
Cons
Remote doesn't have TV controls
Interface is sometimes sluggish
|
We ranked TiVo Stream 4K #12 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best TV Boxes and Sticks” rankings.
Tom's Guide
A compelling UHD streamer with Android TV apps
|
Pros
Speedy 4K streaming
Supports most if not all services and apps
Remote offers easy access to live TV
|
Cons
Constrained live TV offering
Poor recommendations
|
PCMag
Ideal for Sling TV Users
|
Pros
Affordable
Android TV and Google Assistant functionality
Live TV support through Locast and Sling
Supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision
|
Cons
TiVo Stream and stock Android TV interfaces aren't quite as sleek as competitors
Remote is a little clunky
|