The 4 Best 4K Streaming Devices for 2020

Internet Connection and Power Source

To Ethernet or Not to Ethernet? – Among the options in our comparison, only the Fire TV Cube and Roku Ultra come with an Ethernet port (or adapter) included to allow you to plug the device directly into your router. An optional Ethernet adapter can be purchased with the Fire TV Stick 4K, while there is no way to connect the Roku Streaming Stick+ directly to your router. Because displaying 4K video requires considerable bandwidth, you will want to use an Ethernet port if you are running on anything less than a 5-gigahertz wireless router. If this is the case, consider purchasing the Fire TV Stick 4K with the Ethernet adapter, the Fire TV Cube or Roku Ultra and try to avoid the Streaming Stick+.

USB Power – If you want to power your portable streaming device directly from your TV, go with the Fire TV Stick 4K or Roku Streaming Stick+ and use a more modern TV with a powered USB port. Specifically, these streamers can be plugged directly into your TV’s USB ports, virtually eliminating visible cords and the need to bring along the included outlet-based power sources. However, the power output from USB ports found in older TVs may be less than ideal, causing the devices to respond slowly or drop out (we believe this is the reason why Roku and Amazon instruct users to power their "stick" style devices from wall outlets). In short, if you have an older TV or find that your device is slow and/or dropping out, it may be necessary to power your device from a wall outlet.

Good Information to Know

As General Matter – Related to the USB power discussion above, many newer TVs already come with built in streaming devices. It may make sense to check—if you are happy with the built-in device and don’t need a portable streamer to travel with you, there is no need to purchase a standalone unit. Along these lines, if you have an older TV that is not capable of displaying 4K resolution, it may make sense to go with a less expensive streamer that displays in 1040p or even 780p.

Streamers Are Not DVRs – Many first time buyers of streaming devices are surprised to learn they cannot download videos directly to a streamer to play when offline. Instead, it is necessary to "cast" the video from another device capable of storing offline video. While all of the devices in our comparison can play video cast from other devices (with varying degrees of complexity), in our opinion Apple's AirPlay function is the most seamless—keep the Apple TV 4K in mind if you plan on frequently using your streamer in offline locations. And remember that casting is typically only at a resolution of 1080p or less.

Make Sure Your TV Supports 4K HDR – Funny as it may sound, viewing video in 4K doesn't provide the mind blowing picture one would think—the difference in resolution compared with 1080p is so minute you'd have to sit comically close to your typical 50 inch TV (2 or so feet away) to notice. What you will notice, however, is 4K video displayed over a TV that supports HDR. This is because HDR enhances the contrast between the lightest and darkest colors on your TV, making the display noticeably more brilliant. All of the devices in today's comparison support 4K HDR content: make sure your TV supports this as well.