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Movie and TV streaming device reviews

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Last updated: 21 August 2024

We review 4K streaming devices from Google, Apple, Amazon, Hubbl and more that plug into your TV so you can access your favourite movies, TV shows, documentaries and more. We look at support for streaming, catch-up and buy/rent services including Netflix, Binge, Disney+, Kayo and ABC iView.

Our test reveals which devices:

  • are the easiest to use
  • have the best remote control (if included)
  • are the most energy-efficient
  • support the most streaming and rent/buy services
  • support the most catch-up services
  • support 4K UHD and high-dynamic range (HDR).

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CHOICE is an independent, nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping consumers. Clicking a link will take you to a retailer's website to shop. While we make money if you buy through some retailer links, this doesn't influence any of our rankings. 100% of the money we make goes straight back into our nonprofit mission. We're currently testing this service and will consider providing more shopping links in the future. Tell us what you think.

We've also partnered with Shop Ethical on this update to show the ratings the Ethical Consumer Group gives to each company.

Though most new TVs let you install streaming apps directly, older models may not support them. Media streaming devices are a handy plug-and-play solution that also offer extra features you may not find in your TV. You can even travel with smaller models, giving you the option to connect your phone or laptop to the hotel's TV or even connect to streaming services if Wi-Fi is available.

Our interactive comparison tool will help you find devices that can cast, use AirPlay and stream content from devices on your local network. This includes DLNA support.

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List of brands we tested in this review.

Price

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Recommended retail price.

Recommended products

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Ease of use score

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We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.


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Apple AirPlay

Chromecast

Shop Ethical rating

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Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

Included in this review

Members-only access
  • CHOICE Expert Rating
  • Recommended
  • Ease of use score
  • Remote control score
  • Standby energy consumption score
  • Active power consumption (W)
  • Standby power consumption (W)
  • Good points
  • Bad points
  • Product summary
  • Price
  • Availability
  • Shop Ethical rating
  • Annual running cost
  • 4K capable
  • HDR
  • User profiles
  • Child profiles
  • Netflix
  • Stan
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Disney+
  • Binge
  • YouTube
  • Paramount+
  • Foxtel Now
  • Kayo Sports
  • Apple TV+
  • BritBox
  • Crunchyroll
  • Tubi
  • ABC iView
  • SBS On Demand
  • 7plus
  • 9Now
  • 10 play
  • Plex
  • Chromecast
  • Apple AirPlay
  • USB in
  • DLNA
  • Wi-Fi direct
  • Miracast
  • Home search screen
  • Netflix remote button
  • Stan remote button
  • YouTube remote button
  • Internal storage (GB)
  • Ethernet port
  • Memory card reader
  • Toslink
  • Bluetooth version
  • Dimensions (mm, H x W x D)
  • Operating system
  • Country of origin

Results

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Amazon Fire TV Cube

Amazon Fire TV Cube
$219
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Recommended retail price.

CHOICE Expert Rating
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The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on the scores for ease of use (50%), remote control (40%) and standby energy (10%).


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Ease of use score
Expand to view more details.
We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.

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Remote control score
Expand to view more details.
We look for buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones, and clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks. Devices that do not come with a remote as standard are noted but not penalised in the overall score. However the lack of a remote may have implications to the ease of use score. A recommended smartphone app is used in place of the remote.

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Standby power consumption score
Expand to view more details.
Standby energy score is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 1 and 1.9W score 40%, 0.5 and 0.9W score 80%, and less than 0.5W score 100%.

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Internal storage 16GB
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Even if you're only streaming TV shows, apps are still stored locally. If your streaming device only has a small storage space and you're subscribed to a lot of streaming services, you may find that you need to uninstall apps you're not using.
Results for paid members only
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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K 2nd generation (M3N6RA)

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K 2nd generation (M3N6RA)
$80
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Recommended retail price.

CHOICE Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on the scores for ease of use (50%), remote control (40%) and standby energy (10%).


Unlock this by becoming a member.

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Ease of use score
Expand to view more details.
We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Remote control score
Expand to view more details.
We look for buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones, and clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks. Devices that do not come with a remote as standard are noted but not penalised in the overall score. However the lack of a remote may have implications to the ease of use score. A recommended smartphone app is used in place of the remote.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

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Standby power consumption score
Expand to view more details.
Standby energy score is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 1 and 1.9W score 40%, 0.5 and 0.9W score 80%, and less than 0.5W score 100%.

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Internal storage 8GB
Expand to view more details.
Even if you're only streaming TV shows, apps are still stored locally. If your streaming device only has a small storage space and you're subscribed to a lot of streaming services, you may find that you need to uninstall apps you're not using.
Results for paid members only
Back to filters Go to compare selected box

Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) Wi-Fi+Ethernet

Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) Wi-Fi+Ethernet
$249
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Recommended retail price.

CHOICE Expert Rating
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The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on the scores for ease of use (50%), remote control (40%) and standby energy (10%).


Unlock this by becoming a member.

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Already a member? Log in now

Ease of use score
Expand to view more details.
We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Remote control score
Expand to view more details.
We look for buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones, and clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks. Devices that do not come with a remote as standard are noted but not penalised in the overall score. However the lack of a remote may have implications to the ease of use score. A recommended smartphone app is used in place of the remote.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

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Already a member? Log in now

Standby power consumption score
Expand to view more details.
Standby energy score is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 1 and 1.9W score 40%, 0.5 and 0.9W score 80%, and less than 0.5W score 100%.

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Internal storage 128GB
Expand to view more details.
Even if you're only streaming TV shows, apps are still stored locally. If your streaming device only has a small storage space and you're subscribed to a lot of streaming services, you may find that you need to uninstall apps you're not using.
Results for paid members only
Back to filters Go to compare selected box

Fetch TV 4K Mini

Fetch TV 4K Mini
$199
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Recommended retail price.

CHOICE Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on the scores for ease of use (50%), remote control (40%) and standby energy (10%).


Unlock this by becoming a member.

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Already a member? Log in now

Ease of use score
Expand to view more details.
We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Remote control score
Expand to view more details.
We look for buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones, and clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks. Devices that do not come with a remote as standard are noted but not penalised in the overall score. However the lack of a remote may have implications to the ease of use score. A recommended smartphone app is used in place of the remote.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Standby power consumption score
Expand to view more details.
Standby energy score is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 1 and 1.9W score 40%, 0.5 and 0.9W score 80%, and less than 0.5W score 100%.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

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Already a member? Log in now

Internal storage 8GB
Expand to view more details.
Even if you're only streaming TV shows, apps are still stored locally. If your streaming device only has a small storage space and you're subscribed to a lot of streaming services, you may find that you need to uninstall apps you're not using.
Results for paid members only
Back to filters Go to compare selected box

Google Chromecast with Google TV 4K

Google Chromecast with Google TV 4K
$99
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Recommended retail price.

CHOICE Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on the scores for ease of use (50%), remote control (40%) and standby energy (10%).


Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Ease of use score
Expand to view more details.
We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Remote control score
Expand to view more details.
We look for buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones, and clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks. Devices that do not come with a remote as standard are noted but not penalised in the overall score. However the lack of a remote may have implications to the ease of use score. A recommended smartphone app is used in place of the remote.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Standby power consumption score
Expand to view more details.
Standby energy score is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 1 and 1.9W score 40%, 0.5 and 0.9W score 80%, and less than 0.5W score 100%.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Internal storage 8GB
Expand to view more details.
Even if you're only streaming TV shows, apps are still stored locally. If your streaming device only has a small storage space and you're subscribed to a lot of streaming services, you may find that you need to uninstall apps you're not using.
Results for paid members only
Back to filters Go to compare selected box

Hubbl Hub (IP061-05-FXTL)

Hubbl Hub (IP061-05-FXTL)
$99
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Recommended retail price.

CHOICE Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on the scores for ease of use (50%), remote control (40%) and standby energy (10%).


Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Ease of use score
Expand to view more details.
We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Remote control score
Expand to view more details.
We look for buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones, and clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks. Devices that do not come with a remote as standard are noted but not penalised in the overall score. However the lack of a remote may have implications to the ease of use score. A recommended smartphone app is used in place of the remote.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Standby power consumption score
Expand to view more details.
Standby energy score is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 1 and 1.9W score 40%, 0.5 and 0.9W score 80%, and less than 0.5W score 100%.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Internal storage 16GB
Expand to view more details.
Even if you're only streaming TV shows, apps are still stored locally. If your streaming device only has a small storage space and you're subscribed to a lot of streaming services, you may find that you need to uninstall apps you're not using.
Results for paid members only
Back to filters Go to compare selected box

NVIDIA Shield TV 4K HDR Android TV

NVIDIA Shield TV 4K HDR Android TV
$290
Expand to view more details.

Recommended retail price.

CHOICE Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on the scores for ease of use (50%), remote control (40%) and standby energy (10%).


Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Ease of use score
Expand to view more details.
We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Remote control score
Expand to view more details.
We look for buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones, and clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks. Devices that do not come with a remote as standard are noted but not penalised in the overall score. However the lack of a remote may have implications to the ease of use score. A recommended smartphone app is used in place of the remote.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Standby power consumption score
Expand to view more details.
Standby energy score is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 1 and 1.9W score 40%, 0.5 and 0.9W score 80%, and less than 0.5W score 100%.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Internal storage 8GB
Expand to view more details.
Even if you're only streaming TV shows, apps are still stored locally. If your streaming device only has a small storage space and you're subscribed to a lot of streaming services, you may find that you need to uninstall apps you're not using.
Results for paid members only
Back to filters Go to compare selected box

NVIDIA Shield TV 4K HDR Android TV Pro

NVIDIA Shield TV 4K HDR Android TV Pro
$400
Expand to view more details.

Recommended retail price.

CHOICE Expert Rating
Expand to view more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is based on the scores for ease of use (50%), remote control (40%) and standby energy (10%).


Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Ease of use score
Expand to view more details.
We look for how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system is to carry out various tasks.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Remote control score
Expand to view more details.
We look for buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones, and clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks. Devices that do not come with a remote as standard are noted but not penalised in the overall score. However the lack of a remote may have implications to the ease of use score. A recommended smartphone app is used in place of the remote.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Standby power consumption score
Expand to view more details.
Standby energy score is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 1 and 1.9W score 40%, 0.5 and 0.9W score 80%, and less than 0.5W score 100%.

Unlock this by becoming a member.

Join now

Already a member? Log in now

Internal storage 16GB
Expand to view more details.
Even if you're only streaming TV shows, apps are still stored locally. If your streaming device only has a small storage space and you're subscribed to a lot of streaming services, you may find that you need to uninstall apps you're not using.
Results for paid members only
Back to filters Go to compare selected box

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