Experts recommend Roku Streaming Stick 4K more than Nvidia Shield
As of 16 Jan 2025, experts prefer Roku Streaming Stick 4K over Nvidia Shield, but both Streaming Players have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Roku Streaming Stick 4K received 9 recommendations: from CNET (17 Dec 2024), Digital Trends (3 Jan 2025) Reviewed (25 Jul 2023) and 6 others. By contrast, Nvidia Shield received only 6 recommendations from CNET (17 Dec 2024), Digital Trends (3 Jan 2025) The Verge (15 Feb 2023) and 3 others.
| Rank | Change | Price | Streaming Player | CNET  | Digital Trends  | Business Insider  | Reviewed  | The Verge  | PCMag  | IGN  | Tom's Guide  | TechRadar  | WIRED  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | - | $38 |  Roku Streaming Stick 4K The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, high-quality picture and sound, easy setup, and the option for casual gaming experiences. | 2 | 2 | - | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| 5 | - | $150 |  Nvidia Shield The Nvidia Shield Streaming Player is a versatile and powerful streaming device that offers a wide range of content, exceptional picture and sound quality, easy setup, and comprehensive gaming capabilities. | 7 | 3 | - | - | 5 | - | 4 | 5 | 3 | - |
Curious to see this month's entire TV Boxes and Sticks ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 17 Dec 2024 CNET ranked Roku Streaming Stick 4K as #2 and Nvidia Shield as #7
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #2 out of 7 Roku Streaming Stick 4K Second-place runner-up... ... ... #7 out of 7 Nvidia Shield Best for hardcore gamersSource: www.cnet.com - On 3 Jan 2025 Digital Trends ranked Roku Streaming Stick 4K as #2 and Nvidia Shield as #3
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #2 out of 5 Roku Streaming Stick 4K The best budget streaming device#3 out of 5 Nvidia Shield The next-best streaming device... ... ... Source: www.digitaltrends.com - On 15 Feb 2023
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #3 out of 5 Roku Streaming Stick 4K The streaming stick that’s easiest to use... ... ... #5 out of 5 Nvidia Shield The best streaming player for gamingSource: www.theverge.com - On 2 Jan 2025 IGN ranked Nvidia Shield as #4 and Roku Streaming Stick 4K as #7
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #4 out of 9 Nvidia Shield Best 4K Streaming Device... ... ... #7 out of 9 Roku Streaming Stick 4K Best Streaming Stick... ... ... Source: www.ign.com - On 5 Dec 2024 Tom's Guide ranked Roku Streaming Stick 4K as #1 and Nvidia Shield as #5
Rank Streaming Player Comment #1 out of 13 Roku Streaming Stick 4K Best streaming device overall / Editor's Choice... ... ... #5 out of 13 Nvidia Shield Best Android streaming device / Editor's Choice... ... ... Source: www.tomsguide.com - On 7 Oct 2022 TechRadar ranked Nvidia Shield as #3 and Roku Streaming Stick 4K as #9
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #3 out of 9 Nvidia Shield The best 4K streaming device for power and performance... ... ... #9 out of 9 Roku Streaming Stick 4K A solid choice for anyone new to TV streamingSource: www.techradar.com - On 25 Jul 2023 Reviewed ranked Roku Streaming Stick 4K as #3
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #3 out of 7 Roku Streaming Stick 4K Editors' Choice... ... ... Source: www.reviewed.com - On 26 Nov 2024 PCMag ranked Roku Streaming Stick 4K as #5
Rank Streaming Player Comment ... ... ... #5 out of 7 Roku Streaming Stick 4K Best for Affordable AirPlay... ... ... Source: www.pcmag.com - On 7 Oct 2024 WIRED ranked Roku Streaming Stick 4K as #1
Rank Streaming Player Comment #1 out of 9 Roku Streaming Stick 4K Best Streaming Device Overall... ... ... Source: www.wired.com
After counting and adding up the 76 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Roku Streaming Stick 4K outranks Nvidia Shield. This is not to say that Nvidia Shield is a bad option. Like Roku Streaming Stick 4K, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Roku Streaming Stick 4K outranks Nvidia Shield by 3 positions. This indicates that, as of 16 Jan 2025, Roku Streaming Stick 4K is more critically acclaimed than Nvidia Shield.
| Rank | Change | Price | Streaming Player | CNET | Digital Trends | Business Insider | Reviewed | The Verge | PCMag | IGN | Tom's Guide | TechRadar | WIRED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $247 |  Apple TV 4K The Apple TV 4K (2022) has received positive reviews for its content availability, picture and sound quality, setup, and gaming capabilities, making it a versatile streaming device suitable for users who want a comprehensive range of streaming services, impressive picture and sound quality, easy setup, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | - | $38 | Roku Streaming Stick 4K The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, high-quality picture and sound, easy setup, and the option for casual gaming experiences. | 2 | 2 | - | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| 3 | - | $73 |  Roku Ultra The Roku Ultra 2022 is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content, excellent picture and sound quality, easy setup, and some gaming capabilities, making it suitable for various streaming preferences. | - | - | 1 | 1 | - |
4 | 1 | - | - | 4 |
| 4 | - | Check price |  Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a versatile streaming device that offers a wide range of content options, 4K resolution, HDR and Dolby Vision support, fast navigation, and gaming capabilities, making it a recommended choice for users seeking a user-friendly and high-quality streaming experience. | 4 | 4 | 4 | - | 4 | - | 2 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
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Expert reviews [16]
Total expert reviews: 16
- with a score: 11
- without a score: 5
| Highest score by The Guardian | 100 |
| Average score based on 16 reviews | 86 |
| Lowest score by CNET | 77 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
Expert reviews [15]
Total expert reviews: 15
- with a score: 14
- without a score: 1
| Highest score by Expert Reviews | 100 |
| Average score based on 15 reviews | 86 |
| Lowest score by theconsumr.com | 59 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
From Seller:
- Fast. Really Fast. SHIELD TV takes media streaming to a whole new level, powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor, SHIELD TV is the world’s most powerful Android TV streaming media player and has been upgraded to Android TV version 11
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From Seller:
- Hides behind your TV: The stick design plugs right into your TV with a simple setup
- Super-fast startup: Stream your favorite channels like Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video, and more in a snap
- Long-range Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room with a strong Wi-Fi connection
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