The Best Streaming Devices in 2026
The Google TV Streamer is Wirecutter’s best streaming device. Roku is the simplest, Fire TV suits Alexa homes, and Apple’s new Apple TV 4K is the best for iPhone owners, but it now costs $299. Prices went up across the board in 2026.
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Quick answer
The Google TV Streamer is Wirecutter’s best streaming device. Roku is the simplest, Fire TV suits Alexa homes, and Apple’s new Apple TV 4K is the best for iPhone owners, but it now costs $299. Prices went up across the board in 2026. Best overall: Google TV Streamer, $149.99. Best for Apple users: Apple TV 4K (4th generation), $299.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Google TV Streamer | most people | $149.99 (Google Store) |
| Best for Apple users | Apple TV 4K (4th generation) | iPhone and Apple TV+ households | $299 |
| Simplest box | Roku Ultra | simplicity | $149.99 list (often $99.99 on sale) |
| Best stick | Roku Streaming Stick 4K | a cheap stick | $79.99 list |
| Best for Alexa homes | Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Alexa homes and Prime members | $84.99 list |
This guide uses Wirecutter’s[1] streaming-device picks and 2026 price reporting from The Verge[5], Ars Technica[6], Business Insider[7] and MacRumors[4], plus Apple’s and Google’s own stores (prices checked October 2026). Roku, Amazon and Apple all raised prices this year because of higher memory costs, so older reviews often quote prices that are now too low.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Device | Price | Form | Dolby Vision | Ethernet | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google TV Streamer | $149.99 (Google Store) | Box | Yes | Gigabit, built in | Most people |
| Apple TV 4K (new, 128GB) | $299 | Box | Yes | Yes | — |
| Roku Ultra | $149.99 list (was $99.99) | Box | Yes | Yes | Simplicity |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K | $79.99 list (was $49.99) | HDMI stick | Yes | No | A cheap stick |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | $84.99 list (was $59.99) | HDMI stick | Yes | Adapter | Alexa homes and Prime members |
The picks in detail
1. Google TV Streamer
Best for: most peopleWirecutter’s[1] best media streamer. In Wirecutter’s testing it rivaled or beat the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra on speed, and Google TV is good at pulling shows from all your services into one home screen. It has gigabit Ethernet, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and doubles as a Thread border router. There’s no HDMI cable in the box. The Google Store price is $149.99; Wirecutter has seen it for $80 at Walmart.
Price (Oct 2026): $149.99 (Google Store) Source
Pros
- Fast, unified Google TV interface
- Built-in Ethernet
- Smart-home hub features
Cons
- No HDMI cable included
- No hands-free voice
2. Apple TV 4K (4th generation)
Best for: iPhone and Apple TV+ householdsApple announced a new Apple TV 4K on October 13, 2026, with an A19 chip, Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet, in stores November 13. MacRumors[4] notes it’s $299 for 128GB; the previous model was $199/$249. It’s the pricey choice, but the best fit if you use AirPlay, Apple Home and Apple’s apps. It’s also a Thread border router; see best Thread border routers.
Price (Oct 2026): $299 Source
Pros
- A19 chip
- Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet
- Apple Home hub
Cons
- $100 more than the old model
- Best only if you’re in Apple’s ecosystem
3. Roku Ultra
Best for: simplicityRoku’s top box has Ethernet and Dolby Vision, and Roku’s home screen is the simplest to use. The Verge[5] and Ars Technica[6] report that Roku raised its price from $99.99 to $149.99 in July 2026. Roku’s own store was still offering it at the old price as a limited “sale” when we checked, so look for that.
Price (Oct 2026): $149.99 list (often $99.99 on sale) Source
Pros
- Simple, neutral interface
- Ethernet and Dolby Vision
Cons
- 50% price increase
- Home screen ads
4. Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Best for: a cheap stickWirecutter’s[1] pick for Roku fans who want a stick that plugs right into the TV. Its search is less useful than Google TV’s. Ars Technica[6] reports its list price rose from $49.99 to $79.99 in July 2026; Wirecutter’s earlier listing was $44 at Amazon.
Price (Oct 2026): $79.99 list Source
Pros
- Plugs straight into HDMI
- Simple Roku interface
Cons
- Weaker search than Google TV
- Price jumped 60%
5. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Best for: Alexa homes and Prime membersAmazon’s best stick, and the only current Fire TV stick with Dolby Vision, per Business Insider[7]. Wirecutter[1] found the new Fire TV interface a big improvement. Business Insider reports Amazon raised its list price from $59.99 to $84.99 in August 2026, but it has sold for as little as $44.99 since. Expect lots of Amazon promotions on the home screen.
Price (Oct 2026): $84.99 list Source
Pros
- Dolby Vision
- Frequent deep discounts
- Alexa voice control
Cons
- Amazon-promotion-heavy home screen
- List price up $25
Also considered
Onn Google TV 4K Pro: Wirecutter’s[1] budget pick at $45 from Walmart: the same Google TV interface, slower and built more cheaply.
Fire TV Cube: Amazon’s hands-free box is now $199.99 list, up from $139.99, per Business Insider[7].
Fire TV Stick 4K (2026): Amazon’s new September 2026 stick replaces the 4K Select and 4K Plus, but it doesn’t support Dolby Vision.
Which platform should you pick?
Pick by ecosystem. Google TV is best at combining services. Roku is the simplest and most neutral. Fire TV ties into Alexa and Prime. Apple TV is the best for Apple households. If your TV already runs one of these, you may not need a streamer at all; see best TVs.
2026 price increases
Roku’s Ultra rose from $99.99 to $149.99 and the Streaming Stick 4K from $49.99 to $79.99 (July 2026). Amazon raised the Fire TV Stick 4K Max to $84.99 and the Fire TV Cube to $199.99 (August 2026). The new Apple TV 4K is $299. Sales are common, so check current prices.
Who should skip this guide
Skip this page if your TV’s built-in apps already meet your needs. Skip if you need a full HTPC or game console. These are stick/box streamers compared on price and features from official pages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best streaming device in 2026?
Did Roku raise prices?
Which Fire TV stick supports Dolby Vision?
How much is the new Apple TV 4K?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Wirecutter: The best media streaming devices (updated March 2026) (nytimes.com)
- Google Store: Google TV Streamer (store.google.com)
- Apple Newsroom: Apple unveils the new Apple TV 4K (October 2026) (apple.com)
- MacRumors: Apple TV 4K is now even more expensive (macrumors.com)
- The Verge: Roku raises streaming player prices (theverge.com)
- Ars Technica: Roku raises streaming stick prices by up to 60 percent (arstechnica.com)
- Business Insider: Amazon Fire TV buying guide (2026 prices) (businessinsider.com)
- Roku: Roku Ultra (roku.com)
Related
Apple TV 4K vs Roku Ultra
The new Apple TV 4K adds the A19 chip, hands-free Siri AI and a Find My remote, and doubles as an Apple Home hub, but it now costs $299. The Roku Ultra costs about half as much and works with AirPlay, Google Home and Alexa.
comparisonRoku vs Fire TV
Roku is the simpler, more neutral platform and supports AirPlay. Fire TV is faster to launch Netflix after its 2026 overhaul and has Alexa+ built in, but it pushes Amazon content and its new Vega OS blocks sideloading. In November 2026, Fire TV sticks are discounted much more deeply.
best ofThe Best TVs to Buy in 2026
For most people the best TV is a mid-priced OLED: Wirecutter’s pick is the Samsung S90H and PCMag’s OLED value pick is the LG C6. Get an LED TV like the Sony Bravia 7 II or TCL QM8L for a bright room, or the Vizio Mini LED Quantum if you’re on a tight budget.
best ofBest Soundbars of 2026
Wirecutter’s top soundbar is the Vizio Elevate 7.1.4 Pro at about $450. The TCL S55H is the best cheap soundbar at about $110, and Samsung’s Q990H is the surround-sound upgrade.
best ofBest Thread border routers
Thread devices need a border router to reach your Wi-Fi network. The best one is usually a speaker or streamer from the ecosystem you already use.
best ofBest 4K TVs of 2026
The Samsung S90H is the best TV for most people who can spend about $1,400. On a budget, Vizio’s Mini LED Quantum starts around $250, and TCL and Hisense mini-LEDs are the midrange value picks.
best ofThe Best Projectors in 2026
The Hisense C2 Ultra is the projector most reviewers agree on for living rooms. Get the Epson LS11000 for a dark home theater, the BenQ TK710 for 3D on a budget, the Nebula X1 for a very bright all-rounder, or the AURZEN ZIP for a cheap pocket projector.