UK streaming media devices compared: Which set top box is best?
James R | 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.
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)
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)
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
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)
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 | |
| 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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