Technology has been engrossing in all corners of the globe. If you are a TV lover and a great addict to the latest and alluring TV shows, you probably go for a traditional cable subscription. But gone are the days of typical cable connections.
It’s time to opt for streaming platforms like Amazon Prime videos and Netflix straight to your TV. There are loads of media streaming devices out there to provide you with streaming services directly to your TV.
In the past couple of years, the media streaming services have become widely popular. You can watch any movie or TV show anytime anywhere on any device you want.
This is where the media streaming devices have got your back. In this post we are going to display some of the best media streaming devices, opening your door to endless entertainment.
Why media streaming devices instead of regular cable?
In this era, your cable TV might not satisfy your needs of all the favorite entertainment stuff you crave for. That’s where companies like Netflix and Amazon play their role.
With these media streamers, you not only save a lot of money but also can enjoy your day to the fullest getting accessed to thousands of shows and movies anytime and anywhere.
Did you know over 6.5 million people opted for these streaming devices in the last 3-4 years? Source.
What are media streaming devices & Why should you buy a streaming device?
Media streaming devices are the latest innovative devices that can integrate with your TV. Unlike the traditional Cable TV services, these media streaming devices give access to loads of applications where you can choose what to watch and what not based on your wish.
You can pay only for the chosen service based on different modes of availability thus reducing your monthly subscription charges.
You can subscribe and unsubscribe to various applications depending on your mood.
Verdict: What are the best TV streaming sticks in India by ranking?
Following our analysis and real world user feedback we’ve finally come to the conclusion that below-mentioned are the best online media streaming devices ranked by Geeky Gadgets tech experts.
Check them below…
Our Choice for: | Product | Reason | |
---|---|---|---|
Winner | Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K | Affordable, has the best feature with stable Android OS and as support for many apps. | |
Runners-Up | Xiaomi Mi Box 4k | Next to FireTv 4k, Mi Box 4K has everything you need: quad-core processor, HDR support & best remote. | |
Best value | Google Chromecast 3 | Not 100% streaming devices but has support for almost very android app & portable, great for business use. | |
Special Mention | Apple TV 4K | I can go on why it is the best device among all others. Reason it's not listed as winner because android TV is the market leader. |
10 Best Media Streaming Devices to Replace Cable in 2022
1. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
Amazon fire TV stick is widely becoming popular in the market of media streaming devices because of its incredible streaming features that are second-to-none.
This streaming device provides the services of many popular OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. This fire TV stick offers a streaming range of both 4K and HD thus giving a perfect eye feast for the viewers.
This device is best known for Amazon Alexa. With the help of a simple voice button in the remote, you can easily look for the content you wish without any effort of typing with your remote.
Key Features
- Alexa voice remote
- Easy to setup
- Accessible to prime video, Hotstar, Netflix,Zee5, Sony LIV, Apple TV and many more
- Content from phone, laptop or tablet can be mirrored to TV with this stick
- Parental control
- More storage for apps and games
Pros
- Affordable
- Supports 4k with HDR10
- Dolby vision
- High and quick Wi-Fi streaming range
- Alexa voice control
- Best menu navigation
Cons
- No Google play apps
- No Ethernet adapter
Why should you buy it?
Works with every time that has an HDMI port, it has the best UI and has support for every major app that you wish to use.
2. Roku ultra
The Roku ultra is widely known for its powerful quad-core processor. This device is incorporated with superior JBL headphones if you need privacy, best TV controls and upgraded voice controlled remote.
The best feature of this device is its faster launching of the channels. The streaming quality offered by this device is second-to-none. Endless enjoyment will be offered by this device with one-touch control.
You can opt for Ethernet or WI-FI and enjoy your best-loved TV shows, movies, and other playlists in a hassle-free manner.
Key features:
- Streams HD, 4K, HDR
- Compatible with Ethernet or Wi-Fi
- Voice remote
- Tons of services from Netflix, Prime video, HBONOW, SHOWTIME etc
Pros
- Advanced remote
- Headphone jack
- Finder function
- Faster performance
- Programmable shortcut buttons
Cons
- No Dolby vision
- Lagging voice feature
3. Google Chromecast 3
You might be guessing right!! This device is made by Google and it is undoubtedly and unquestionably one of the best streaming devices all around the world with a huge fan base.
This Google Chromecast 3 has turned out to be one of the powerful options for your online entertainment. The design of this device is perfectly idle with a compact finish.
Mirror the screen of your mobile phones and display all your content with this stylish device. With more evolving features, this device will surely change your streaming experience much better.
This device can stream many useful and popular platforms like YouTube and Netflix. The streaming options can range from 4k to HDR content. This Google Chromecast offers the best display streaming.
It can be interfaced with HDMI ports of your TV. You are ensured to enjoy some super cool stuff like TV shows and movies from the Google catalog.
Key features
- Higher hardware speed
- Access to many applications like YouTube, Netflix, Hotstar, SonyLiv, Gaana etc
- Google assistant support
- Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android phone and tablet, Mac and Windows laptop and Chrome book.
Pros
- Ethernet port for reliable 4K streaming
- Compact
- Best design
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Why should you buy it?
Backed by Google’s hardware & Android OS, it can cast any media from your smartphone to TV, best for business use as it is portable and can be used for presentations.
4. NVIDIA Shield TV streaming player
The NVIDIA is one of the best brands in gaming field. And it has proven its worth in streaming domain too with its impeccable and incredible features.
The looks of this streaming device easily catches the attention of everyone. Of course, it is efficient at its work too.
This TV streaming player comes with catchy looks and provides content from platforms like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon. It gives a storage capacity up to 500 GB. It supports Google assistant effectively.
This device is best for eminent gaming applications. It is also provided with Tegra X1 processor.
Key features:
- Tegra X1 processor
- Powerful Android TV streaming player
- Dolby Vision HDR
- Dolby Atmos surround sound
- Ultra vivid picture quality
- Immersive audio
- Crisper visuals
- Best 4kstreaming
- Built-in Chromecast 4k & Google assistant
- Control with Google Home or Amazon Echo
Pros
- Excellent media features
- Highly responsive game streaming
- High definition quality
- AI up-conversion
Cons
- Expensive
- Not best shows live video or animation
- Mostly for pc gamers
Also read: Best Dual Band WiFi Routers in India for Home & Office
5. Roku streaming stick plus
The roku streaming still plus is best known for offering high quality services. It is provided with an easy to handle remote.
Its price is in the medium level budgets yet offers high specs unquestionably. It is too efficient in stream 4k and HDR content from several streaming platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube etc.
It is widely known for its connectivity with various applications thus giving no full-stops to your entertainment.
This device can be plugged easily with HDMI ports thus fitting perfectly to your TV or monitor. Speedy WI-FI makes this gadget a perfect piece of online streaming.
Key features
- It features 4k, HD, & HDR
- Best connectivity
- Compatible with dual-band wireless & Ethernet port.
- Streams Netflix, Prime Video, HBO NOW, etc.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Quick performance
- Supports HDR
Cons
- No voice assistance
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6. Apple TV 4K
Being one of the best products of Apple, Apple TV 4k is widely used streaming device across the world. You can simply access iTunes content on your TV and much compatible with iPhone and iPad.
With the support of Airplay 2, the applications can be directly streamed to the TV from your iPhone. Several other apps apart from Apple are also highly streamed with this device.
It is even affordable with these specs to purchase undoubtedly. There is high compatibility with iOS and macOS devices and many other applications.
Apart from the above mentioned features, this device is highly recommended to an Apple user for additional benefits.
Key features:
- Easy remote access
- Watch your favorite apps like Netflix, HBO with easy streaming
- 32 GB of storage
- Rechargeable battery
- HDMI, Ethernet ports
- Great gaming platform
Pros
- Best streaming quality
- Easy remote access
- High storage capacity
- Affordable
Cons
- None
Why should you buy it?
As you see we’re unable to mention any cons because it overshadows minor issues due to the technology and features that it has to offer. Warning, you may fall in love with Apple TV 4k.
7. Xiaomi Mi Box 4k
Best affordable media streaming devices with great features. This gives access to diverse games and apps being an all-round provider. You can get accessed to several applications like Disney hotstar, Amazon prime, Netflix and much more.
The remote control is best at its working. This streaming device is very compact and easy to install. The picture quality and video streaming quality is second-to-none. The size is very portable just fits easily on you palm. The design is light in weight.
You can easily plug this to the HDMI port and endlessly stream thousands of movies and TV shows. The microphone feature is perfect for the voice commands and usage of Google assistant.
This mi box is loaded with a quad-core processor for a faster and better performance providing you with 4k quality. This device is loaded with 8GB storage and 2GB RAM.
Key features
- Easy to install
- Compact design
- Can allot 5000 apps
- 4K and HDR streaming
- 8GB internal storage
- Quad-core high speed processor
Pros
- Affordable
- Simple device
- Portable
- High performance
Cons
- None
Why should you buy it?
Cost-effective and a direct competitor for Fire TV, it has a good remote, quad-core processor and a good user interface that is easy to navigate.
8. Amazon fire TV cube
Highly recommended for your home streaming, this Amazon fire TV cube provides you with alluring features including Alexa. Such a pretty gadget you can ever come across.
This is such a lovely tiny box with sassy finish and best handled buttons on its surface for various operations. This is equipped with HDMI ports, micro USB and IR blaster.
This media streaming device is best for 4k TVs. This is also provided with physical remote apart from Alexa. So you will be accessed to click based navigation too.
Easy browsing is possible for selecting diverse programs, apps, and other content. This is for sure one of the favorite media streamers of many.
The device is also provided with a microphone array and infrared emitters to control your streaming entirely with voice.
Key features
- HDR support
- hexa-core ARM CPU
- speed of 1.9GHz per core
- Fast loading experience
- Snappy and responsive
- Quick play
- Fantastic media hub
Pros
- Best voice control
- Affordable
- Highly responsive
- Better streaming display
Cons
- None
**Currently not available in India.
9. MarQ Turbostream Media Streaming Device
This MarQ streaming device overcomes the drawbacks of typical cable connection by giving access to OTT-content apps like Hotstar, Netflix, YouTube, Zee5, etc.
But the major drawback of it is the lack of Amazon prime video. It is available with a remote and a streaming stick. It somewhat matches the style of Amazon fire TV stick’s remote.
The device is provided with a power adapter, HDMI cables, IR blaster cable, and USB charging cable. The remote comes with specified buttons for YouTube, Google assistant, and Netflix.
It also has the connectivity to 8GB storage and 1GB RAM. This device is also very easy to install and it is provided with a Dolby audio feature for a better sound effect. It also has an in-built Chromecast.
This device can be easily plugged to the HDMI ports of your TV or monitor. It also has a dual-band WI-FI support. It is provided with on-screen keyboard with visible features to search for the applications quickly.
Key features
- Access over 10,000+ apps with Android TV Play Store
- Android 9.0 platform compatibility
- Built-in chromecast
- Powered with Google assistant
- Super-fast streaming
Pros
- Affordable
- Portable
- High speed
- Ample storage
Cons
- Not durable
Why should you buy it?
If you take in to consideration mi Box & Fire TV, this device is a distant third. Only concern is durability and performance in the long run.
10. Airtel Xstream Stick
With mushrooming usage of OTT platforms in India, we are being exposed to several media streaming devices. One such device is the Airtel Xstream stick.
This stick widely offers many multiple language movies, OTT channels and several satellite apps. This plug-n-play device comes with two-pin adapter, power adapter, voice-controlled remote.
It incorporates an in-built Chromecast and a 1.6 GHz processor which offers an ample amount of speed for your surfing across various applications.
This device offers minimum amount of lagging that can be considerable
Key features
- Access to Netflix, Amazon prime, ZEE5, and many apps
- Accessible by Airtel or non-airtel user
- Smooth interface
- Plug-n-play experience
- 1.6GHZ processor
- Google Assistant support
- Compatible with both android and iOS
Pros
- Affordable
- Best streaming
- Good amount of storage
Cons
- Few pre-installed applications
Why should you buy it?
If you have an Airtel sim connection or broadband then you can opt for this device. Airtel provides free access to top OTT apps with certain recharges, you can watch contents direct on TV using it.
Buying guide: How to select the perfect media streaming devices for your TV.
Before we move on to the list of best media streaming devices, let us look at the process of how to choose the best media streaming device according to your budget and requirements.
Because there are several options available out there making your task of picking one really tough. There are many affordable as well as costly devices that provide various specifications and diverse services, apps.
Here are the features you should look for while planning to purchase a media streaming device.
Media streaming services: It should be better to have a proper plan of action about which services you want to opt for before purchasing a device.
Suppose if you are a member of Amazon prime, then you should go for the streaming devices of Amazon brand because the Amazon video app is not supported by a few media streaming devices.
Thus choose the device which offers the services you want.
Platform support: Some media streamers come with their own operating systems, and some are open to all types of software.
For instance, Roku can be used without interfacing it with other devices because it has its own system. And choose the devices that are compatible with both android and IOS.
Design: The design of most of the media streaming devices is simple. But they perform effective work.
They can range from sizes of small to big. Moreover, few streamers are so tiny that you can easily hide them making your space more spacious.
Storage availability: The in-built storage of media streaming devices varies from 8GB to 16GB and even more.
Moreover, as these devices are mainly used for streaming and not for the storage purpose, you may sometimes ignore the storage availability.
But the storage space plays a crucial role because you need to install apps and applications.
Streaming potential: Before purchasing a media streaming device, you should know whether your TV supports just 4K or HD.
Because if you purchase a device of HD standard and your TV doesn’t support it, then it will be a complete waste of money.
So choose the device wisely according to the potential of your TV.
How we choose these Media Streaming Devices?
There are many metrics and analysis has been done by our tech reviews and this list is the result of their hard work.
We’re being not able to buy each and every of the streaming devices mentioned in this article.
But we went to stores and contacted people who already own these gadgets, got in touch and asked for their user experience which helped in jolted down the best devices.
Apart from these we carefully read and analyses the user feedback, note why they liked the device most, what they think was missing and also was it worth their investment!
We’ve also contacted the manufacturers also awaiting their response that we’ll update in the article as soon as we receive them.
Apart from these the common factors that we’ve put emphasis on are:
- Software stability
- Apps support
- Voice control feature in remote control
- Google & Alexa smart assistant support.
- UI & UX
- Streaming capability
- Warranty
Note: We’ve already discussed these points in our buyer guide. Continue reading below.
Which one is better for streaming, Amazon Fire Stick, Mi Box, or Google Chromecast?
In ranking wise I’ll place Amazon fire stick as the winner with Mi Box as the second-best option. Google Chromecast as the name suggests it is a media casting media which lets you cast your smartphone’s screen on your television. So technically it’s not a 100% streaming device like the others mentioned here.
Some good alternatives to these streaming devices
If you’re looking for some alternatives to these above mention media streaming devices then I have good news to share with you there are some great alternatives, and they’re Microsoft Xbox & Sony PlayStation.
These two are dedicated gaming consoles, but they also support streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, etc.
This is not just, they all support 4K UHD videos and the latest models even supports HDR10 format.
So not only you can play your favorite games using these gaming consoles, you can even watch movies, dramas and videos in 4K HDR10 format. Cool, huh?
You can install YouTube, or even buy or rent movies directly from Microsoft store and PlayStation Videos.
Some Commonly Asked Questions
Marq turbostream vs Google Chromecast
Here Google Chromecast is a superior device than marq turbostream but as for chromcast you need a smartphone to cast it’s contents. But in turbostream it’s an android box, where you can install apps like Hotstar, prime,etc.
Amazon fire tv stick vs Google Chromecast
Amazon fire tv stick is the best device to buy you can stream and also install apps. It supports up to 4k videos. Also you can control it via remote & Echo smart speakers.
Apple Tv 4k vs Amazon fire tv
Both provide that same functions & features, Apple TV 4k comes with a 32 GB storage FireTV has less storage. Also, apple 4X more expensive than Amazon FireTv 4k.
How do I connect my streaming device to my TV?
Well, take out your media streaming device, plug the power source in the device, and then insert the device in your TV’s HDMI port and you’re done.
Then switch on your tv, now using the menu or AV option in your tv remote select the HMDI where you have inserted the device, if connected correctly the setup menu will appear just follow the instruction from there.
Do I need a 4k streaming device for 4k TV?
Absolutely, if your TV supports 4K why not buy a 4k streaming device? You’ll get excellent picture quality. Just make sure you have a high-speed broadband connection that can stream 4K content without any buffering.
What device turns your TV into a smart TV?
Any media streaming device can turn your normal television into a smart tv, but it needs to have an HDMI port for you to convert your tv into a smart tv using these devices.
Can you turn a normal TV into a smart TV?
Yes, you can turn a normal TV into a smart TV. The only condition to do so is that your TV should have an HDMI port, or else it can’t be done.
How can I convert my TV to Android TV?
For this, you need to buy a media streaming device that runs on android. These devices can effectively convert your normal TV in an Android TV where you can access android apps, like Hotstar, Netflix and internet browsers like Mozilla FireFox.
Final words
As you can see there are lot many options for you in the market of media streaming devices. So, choose wisely through the list of products mentioned corresponding to your budget and requirements when you are planning to buy a media streaming device.