Best streaming devices to give for the holidays 2021

Roku is our favorite streaming system, with the most streaming app options, the simplest streaming platform interface and the best search. It also has a content-agnostic platform that doesn’t push any one media streaming service provider, like Amazon Prime Video or Apple, over another. The Express 4K Plus is one of the cheapest streaming TV options with 4K HDR. (Even if your current TV doesn’t support those formats, your next one probably will.) Thanks to the AirPlay update, this 4K UHD Roku device is one of the least expensive ways to connect your iPhone or other Apple device to your TV. It makes a great gift for those looking to get the most out of streaming without breaking the bank. 

Read our full review of the Roku Express 4K Plus.

Those looking to give the gift of Google should love the Chromecast with Google TV 4K streaming. It isn’t quite as good as the Roku Express 4K Plus, but this TV streaming device comes closer than any other device on the market. It outdoes that device by adding Dolby Vision compatibility but its biggest smart device strength is Google Assistant voice search, which works well for finding stuff to watch. We also like the impressive integration with other Google services such as Google Photos and YouTube TV. The interface is more evolved-looking than Roku, but ultimately we prefer Roku’s simpler approach and no-nonsense search results. That said, the new Chromecast media streaming device is a better smart streaming device choice for those already living in Google’s world.

Read our Chromecast with Google TV review.

The perfect foil to the affordable 4K streamers above, the new Apple TV 4K still costs too much, but is a good choice for people who want to check every feature box — or who just want an Apple device to use Apple Arcade for gaming or take full advantage of their Apple One subscription bundles. Video purists will appreciate its flexible media streamer HDR and TV calibration feature, while those with older Apple boxes will love the new and improved remote. 

For most people, however, Apple’s venerable remote control streamer just isn’t worth the money, especially now that Roku has nearly all the major apps and AirPlay. If you really want Dolby Vision, you can find that on Roku, Google and Amazon devices at less than half the price.

Read our Apple TV 4K review.

Let’s get this out of the way first: If you prefer the simplicity of Roku’s app-based menus, you might like the Roku Express better. But the Lite trounces the Express in features-for-the-money. This Fire TV remote control device’s biggest advantage is a remote with built-in voice search and control (the cheapest Roku with a voice remote is the Express 4K Plus) thanks to Alexa. The Fire Stick’s remote also doesn’t need line of sight to work. If you’re looking for a cheaper gift, the Lite is your best streaming device bet.

Read our Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite review.

The new Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the long-awaited update to the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. It features the same simple media streamer interface, large app selection and impressive search function found on all Roku devices, but also offers Dolby Vision support. Along with a stick-like design, Dolby Vision HDR 4K UHD is the main difference between the Streaming Stick 4K and the Express 4K Plus, and is ostensibly why the Streaming Stick 4K is $10 more expensive than its sibling. While we think the Streaming Stick 4K is a great device, we’re just not sold on the Dolby Vision upgrade — mostly because we generally don’t think that it provides a major image quality upgrade over standard HDR. My advice is to pocket the $10 and get the Express 4K Plus instead. But if a media streaming device with Dolby Vision is important to you, this device will not disappoint.

Read our Roku Streaming Stick 4K review.

If you’re looking for a speedy device, look no further than the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. The Max loads 4K content apps almost immediately, and navigating around the system is swift and smooth. Even better, the Max supports Wi-Fi 6 and nearly all the latest playback standards, including Dolby Vision. The downside to the Max is its Fire TV platform and the fact that ads are featured prominently throughout. We just don’t appreciate the TV becoming a giant rotating billboard for content or ads when in screensaver mode. But this is a good choice for the Amazon lover on your list. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the best Fire Stick on the market today, and it’s worth the extra money over the standard Fire TV Stick 4K.

Read our Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review.