David Farnor | On 25, Nov 2016

With Black Friday upon us once again, the high streets will be filling up with people shopping for a bargain in the sales. For those without a smart TV, streaming media devices have become a must-have in the age of VOD, allowing people to catch up with TV programmes and binge on movies. The problem is that everyone wants a piece of the streaming pie: there are now so many set top boxes that it’s hard to tell them apart.

Which streaming media device is best? That depends on what you want to use it for. If you want to see things from Freeview, you’ll need ITV Hub or All 4. For watching purchases on your iPhone, you’ll need iTunes. Is BBC iPlayer available? Does it have Netflix?

We’re here to help with a streaming media device comparison guide. We’ve already reviewed the main contenders for your catch-up budget in depth, so here’s a brief reminder of the pros and cons of each, from price and design to interface and major apps. And, if you’re looking for a particular VOD service, we’ve got a head-to-head look at which apps are available on each set top box.

Click here for our App Finder.

Apple TV

The new (2015) version of the Apple TV has an improved user interface, better functionality and a larger App Store – but still primarily relies upon the iTunes Store for its content. On the plus side, for Apple customers, AirPlay means that iOS devices can “cast” video content onto the living room telly. With Amazon Video still absent, will the little black box ever be able to compete with the wider selection of apps offered by rivals?

Pros
– Only way to access iTunes library on the TV
– Netflix and BBC iPlayer available
– Siri voice control
– Universal voice search lets you find films / TV shows across multiple services
– Interaction with Apple Watch and iPad
– Growing library of games available in App Store
– 1080p supported
– 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus supported
– AirPlay

Cons
– Expensive
– No other Freeview catch up services available
– No 4K support
– No optical audio out (available on the old Apple TV box)

Notable apps
Netflix, BBC iPlayer, NOW, iTunes, NFL, NHL, Hopster, Vimeo, Crunchyroll, YouTube, Sky News, WWE Network

Price
From £129 for the 32G version and £169 for the 64G version.

Read our full review.

Amazon Fire TV

Amazon’s Fire TV has swiftly established itself as a major contender in the set top box market, thanks to its speedy interface, voice search and offering of both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. A strong selection of catch-up services (this is the only device to offer UKTV Play) and the Fire TV box’s ability to play a decent array of Android games (e.g. The Walking Dead), plus Amazon’s own in-house gaming developers, make it a compelling option – while the less powerful Fire TV Stick provides an attractive budget alternative. The new 2015 Fire TV Box (note: not the stick) also includes 4K support.

Pros
– 4K support
– Both Netflix and Amazon Video available
– All Freeview catch-up services available
– UKTV Play available
– Slick menu interface
– Amazon’s own in-house games
– Voice search
– 8GB hard drive storage – Fire TV Box includes microSD slot for expanding memory
– 2GB RAM (Box) / 1GB RAM (Stick)
– “Casting” of content available from Amazon Fire TV phones and tablets

Cons
– Expensive (if getting the box) – although cheaper than Apple TV
– Voice search only limited to Amazon titles
– Heavily pushes Amazon titles to buy/rent, even when available on Netflix
– Streaming Stick does not support 4K (only up to 1080p)
– Streaming Stick only compatible with casual Android games
– No iTunes
– No NOW

Notable apps
BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Demand 5, All 4, Amazon Video, Netflix, Curzon Home Video, Plex, Vimeo, Flixter, Red Bull TV, VLC

Price
From £79 for Fire TV box and £34.99 for Fire TV Stick (both often on sale from Amazon at a discount)

Read our full review.

Roku Streaming Stick

In an increasingly crowded market, Roku has become the go-to device for streaming consumers – and little wonder. The company’s devices, whether a Roku 2 or Roku 3 set top box, or the cheaper Roku Streaming Stick, offers all Freeview catch-up services, and is currently the only device other than Amazon’s Fire TV to offer both Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. It trumps Fire TV, though, thanks to its inclusion of NOW, for those wanting contract-free Sky streaming. With a competitive starting price and easy-to-use interface (complete with app store for customisable menus), not to mention Roku’s development of a universal voice search to allow you to find titles across multiple VOD platforms – and a feed that updates you with movies coming soon – this is quite simply what a set top box should be. (The only downside is that in the US, you can get a Roku box with 4K support, something that is yet to be released in the UK.)

Pros
– 1080p support
– Both Netflix and Amazon Video available
– All Freeview catch-up services available
– Easy-to-use menus with app store
– Search multiple VOD channels by title, actor or director
– microSD slot for expanded memory (only on Roku boxes, not the Streaming Stick)
– Remote with headphone jack for private listening (only on Roku 3 box)
– Motion control remote (only for Roku 3 box)

Cons
– Cheap price for entry level Streaming Stick
– No 4K support
– Only compatible with casual Android games
– No iTunes

Notable apps
BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Demand 5, All 4, Google Play Movies and TV, Sky Store, Sainsburys Entertainment, Amazon Video, Netflix, NOW, Flixster, Crunchyroll, Viewster

Price
£39.99 (Roku Streaming Stick), £69.99 (Roku 2), £99.99 (Roku 3)

Read our full review.

NOW Box

Essentially a branded Roku device, the NOW Box has many of Roku’s benefits – but only within certain limits. For commercial reasons, NOW restricts the apps available on the box so that rivals (such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video) are not available. Instead, the emphasis is on NOW’s subscription service, which gives access to Sky TV (a monthly “Entertainment Membership”) or Sky Cinema (a monthly “NOW Cinema Membership”) without the need for a long-term contract. The cost, though, plus support for HD and all Freeview catch-up services make this is a highly effective budget option for those who just want BBC iPlayer and co. in their living room.

Pros
– All Freeview catch-up services available
– Includes free Movies or Entertainment Membershipes
– Easy to use Roku interface
– 1080p supported
– Extremely cheap

Cons
– No Netflix or Amazon Prime Video
– NOW branding in the background of menus
– No voice search
– No 4K support
– 1080p has to be manually enabled via the “Setting” menu
– NOW app itself only supports up to 720p
– No iTunes

Notable apps
BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Demand 5, All 4, Sky Store, YouTube, Sky News, Sky Sports News, Spotify, BBC News, BBC Sport, Flickr, Facebook, Picasa, Plex, Vimeo, PlayTo

Price
£14.99

Read our full review.

Google Chromecast (Ultra)

Google Chromecast was one of the first streaming media devices in the UK with an affordable price tag – the kind of accessible approach that is also behind the device’s novel interface: it uses your mobile, computer or tablet to provide the content. That means you can “cast” movies, TV shows and websites from your device to the living room telly, as long as they are supported – an interactive concept that has real potential for innovation. (Note: The content doesn’t go from your device to Chromecast; your device just points Chromecast in the right direction to stream the content itself.)

2016 has seen the launch of Chromecast Ultra, which introduces impressive 4K support, as well as HDR compatibility. The only problem? There aren’t that many services that offer 4K video at present – you’re primary options are YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, but the latter is still not supported, while even Google Play is only just starting to test 4K visuals ready for a wider rollout. On the plus side, Chromecast Ultra will optimise your picture to the best possible quality, even if the source isn’t in 4K.

Pros
– Affordable price
– Growing library of compatible apps
– All Freeview catch-up services available
– Innovative interface
– Very simple to set up
– 1080p support
– 4K support
– Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Chrome OS
– Any website can be “cast” to the screen through the Chrome browser

Cons
– Multiple options for buying/renting films and TV
– No voice search
– No iTunes
– No Amazon Prime Video

Notable apps
Netflix, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, NOW, Google Play Movies and TV, Wuaki.tv, Red Bull TV, Dailymotion, Plex, Viewster, blinkbox, Crunchyroll, Vimeo

Price
£30 (Chromecast), £69 (Chromecast Ultra)

Read our full review.

 

 

What apps are available on my streaming media device / set top box?

Search for the device you want to buy – or the VOD service / app you want to use.

Note: This is not a complete list of all apps available on each device, but does contain all the apps for notable VOD services, including Netflix, Amazon Video, NOW, MUBI UK and Freeview catch-up platforms.

Device	App / Channel / VOD service
Roku	ITV Hub
Roku	BBC iPlayer
Roku	Demand 5
Roku	All 4
Roku	Google Play Movies and TV
Roku	Sky Store
Roku	Sainsburys Entertainment
Roku	Amazon Video / Amazon Prime Video
Roku	Netflix
Roku	NOW TV
Roku	Flixster
Roku	Crunchyroll
Roku	Viewster
Roku	Wuaki.tv
NOW TV Box	ITV Hub
NOW TV Box	BBC iPlayer
NOW TV Box	Demand 5
NOW TV Box	All 4
NOW TV Box	Sky Store
NOW TV Box	YouTube
NOW TV Box	Sky News
NOW TV Box	Sky Sports News
NOW TV Box	Spotify
NOW TV Box	BBC News
NOW TV Box	BBC Sport
NOW TV Box	Flickr
NOW TV Box	Facebook
NOW TV Box	Picasa
NOW TV Box	Vimeo
NOW TV Box	PlayTo
Google Chromecast	Netflix (4K)
Google Chromecast	YouTube (4K)
Google Chromecast	BBC iPlayer
Google Chromecast	All 4
Google Chromecast	NOW TV
Google Chromecast	Google Play Movies and TV
Google Chromecast	Wuaki.tv
Google Chromecast	Red Bull TV
Google Chromecast	Dailymotion
Google Chromecast	Plex
Google Chromecast	Viewster
Google Chromecast	blinkbox
Google Chromecast	Pokemon TV
Google Chromecast	Crunchyroll
Google Chromecast	Flixster
Google Chromecast	MyCanal
Google Chromecast	Google Play Music
Google Chromecast	Google Play Games
Google Chromecast	Tune In
Google Chromecast	TED
Google Chromecast	Red Bull TV
Google Chromecast	Vevo
Google Chromecast	Musixmatch
Google Chromecast	Drama Fever
Google Chromecast	PlayTo
Google Chromecast	Vimeo
Google Chromecast	ITV Hub
Google Chromecast	Curzon Home Cinema
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	ITV Hub
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	BBC iPlayer
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Demand 5
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	All 4
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Amazon Video / Amazon Prime Video (4K)
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Curzon Home Cinema
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Netflix (4K)
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	TED
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Musixmatch
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Plex
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Flixster
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Vimeo
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Red Bull TV
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	VLC
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	PlayTo
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	Funny or Die
Amazon Fire TV Box / Stick	UKTV Play
Amazon Fire TV Box	YouTube (4K)
Apple TV	iTunes
Apple TV	NOW TV
Apple TV	BBC iPlayer
Apple TV	Red Bull TV
Apple TV	Netflix
Apple TV	Hopster
Apple TV	NBA
Apple TV	MLB.tv Premium
Apple TV	Vimeo
Apple TV	Crunchyroll
Apple TV	YouTube
Apple TV	NFL Now
Apple TV	TED
Apple TV	Tastemade
Apple TV	Bloomberg TV
Apple TV	Sky News
Apple TV	WWE Network
Apple TV	NHL
Apple TV	Vevo
Apple TV	Curzon Home Cinema
Google Nexus Player	YouTube
Google Nexus Player	Netflix
Google Nexus Player	MUBI UK
Google Nexus Player	Google Play Movies and TV
Google Nexus Player	Google Play Music
Google Nexus Player	Google Play Games
Google Nexus Player	Tune In
Google Nexus Player	TED
Google Nexus Player	Red Bull TV
Google Nexus Player	Sky News
Google Nexus Player	Vevo
Google Nexus Player	Dailymotion
Google Nexus Player	Musixmatch
Google Nexus Player	Drama Fever
Google Nexus Player	Huff Post Live

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