Streaming Media Players: Which One Should You Get?

A streaming media player lets you watch video from the Internet on your TV. For example, you can watch Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, YouTube, and many other streaming services on your TV using these boxes. All of these require Internet access at your home. Some don’t have Ethernet connectors and require Wi-Fi.

If you already have a “smart” TV, you may not need these boxes. But, the streaming features in TVs sometimes don’t get updated and become obsolete. If that is the case for you, or if you just have an older “dumb” TV, then you might want to get one of these boxes so you can use the latest streaming services.

These boxes don’t record. If you want recording capability, check out my page on DVRs that you can use with an antenna.

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My Quick Recommendation for Most People: Roku

These are all good boxes, but my recommendation for most folks is Roku. It has the most channels, a handy voice search feature, and headphone output on the remote.

The Roku is the veteran streaming TV box, with the most “channels” (apps), and many people swear by it. If you have an older TV with no HDMI input, Roku is one of the few brands that offers a version that works with old tube TVs (Roku Express+, see below).

With the Roku player, you can stream Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, YouTube, and many other pay and free services.

Many people ask me if Roku is a direct replacement for cable TV or an antenna. The answer is “no”. There are lots of free channels on Roku, but the most popular ones like Netflix or Hulu require payment. Out of the box, you can’t simply stream all of the network stations on your Roku like you would with cable TV or an antenna (without adding other stuff). It’s a convenient and easy way to watch content from the Internet on your TV.

Roku has voice search and you can stream music, photos, and videos from your phone to your TV. Since it has more channels, Roku is now my number one set-top box recommendation!

Prices range from $30 to $100 for the Roku Ultra. I recommend the Roku Ultra because it will last for years before becoming obsolete. I’m still using the first Ultra that I bought many years ago.

Read my full review of Roku or find it on Amazon below:

Get a Roku if you want the most apps or if you have a tube TV (Roku Express+ 2018 edition only).

Also Great: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K / Fire TV Cube

Amazon Fire TV is one of the most popular streaming players today. It has all of the standard pay channels like Netflix, Hulu, and so forth, plus channels with free video such as Pluto TV. Read my full review of the Amazon Fire TV here.

I like the Fire TV’s interface, although I find it a tad more cluttered than Roku’s.

Prices range from $30 to $60. The Fire TV Cube at $140 has a built-in Amazon Echo so you can control it using voice commands. If you love Alexa and you’re into the Amazon ecosystem, Fire TV might be for you.

The Budget Option: onn Google TV 4K Streaming Box (works great with Tablo Gen 4)

I first heard about the onn Google TV box on the forums when people were looking for a streaming device that worked reliably with the Tablo Gen 4 DVR. Everyone said to run down to Walmart and pick up this device for $20. Yes, it really is that cheap and it works well! A good number of reviewers say the like the onn box better than Fire TV Stick!

So, if you’re on a budget I’d definitely check out the onn Google TV Streaming box at Walmart!

There is also a $50 version that has hands-free voice control with Google Assistant.

Google TV Streamer

Google discontinued its low-cost Chromecast screen mirroring devices and is coming out with a more traditional streaming box, the Google TV Streamer.

Stay tuned for my review.

Why I Don’t Recommend Apple TV

The Apple TV box (as opposed to the streaming service) is a good device and there are folks who love theirs, but it’s expensive and the Roku can now do most of the things that Apple TV can (i.e., mirror your iPhone screen to your TV, play iTunes content, etc.) and the Roku has more apps. So, I no longer recommend Apple TV. Get a Roku instead unless you are big Apple fan.

Your Smart TV / DVD Player / Game Console

Many TVs and DVD players are now being sold with Internet capability so that you can get Netflix, Hulu, etc. on them without additional hardware. Check your manuals to see if your devices have this capability before buying a separate box.

Furthermore, all modern gaming consoles such as Playstation and Xbox have these capabilities as well. Try these features before buying another box.

The Bottom Line

All of the devices above have their place depending on what features you’re looking for. For many people, the Roku is their streaming box of choice, but you can decide for yourself. – Brian