Best Streaming Devices
15 products ranked across 299 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 30 Aug 2026
On the stierproducts streaming devices board, Google TV Streamer (4K) ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Apple TV 4K (2022, 3rd Generation) (#2, S tier) and Roku Streaming Stick 4K (#3, A tier). The board ranks 15 streaming devices from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 30 Aug 2026, drawing on 299 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Onn 4K Plus, Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Generation), Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, and 3 others.
#12 2 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Amazon Fire TV Stick HD
#13 1 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Chromecast with Google TV (4K, 2020)
#14 4 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Roku Express 4K
#15 2 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Ugoos AM6B+ (CoreELEC)
What moved on this board
34 tier changes recorded between 22 Jul 2026 and 14 Sept 2026. The 5 most recent are below.
- 27 Jul 2026 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select moved down from D to F. 2 more research games. 4 sources added, 2 removed.
- 27 Jul 2026 Onn 4K Plus moved down from C to D. 3 more research games. 3 sources added, 2 removed.
- 27 Jul 2026 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max moved up from C to B. 3 more research games. 3 sources added, 4 removed.
- 27 Jul 2026 Roku Ultra moved up from B to A. 3 more research games. 3 sources added, 5 removed.
- 27 Jul 2026 Apple TV 4K (2022, 3rd Generation) moved up from A to S. 3 more research games. 2 sources added, 3 removed.
Each line shows what else changed at the same publish. It is not a statement of cause.
Frequently asked questions
Google TV Streamer (4K) sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 299 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Google’s latest streaming stick runs the newest Android TV OS, receives regular security patches and feature updates for at least three years, and has a solid track record of reliability in owner-reported data.
Apple TV 4K (2022, 3rd Generation) ranks #2 (S tier). The 3rd-gen Apple TV delivers the most robust firmware support and longest software life of any consumer streaming box. It receives continuous OS updates for over five years, has a very low failure rate in owner surveys, and its silicon is built to last.
Our research places Onn 4K Plus, Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Generation), Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, Chromecast with Google TV (4K, 2020), Roku Express 4K, Ugoos AM6B+ (CoreELEC) in the bottom tiers (D/F). Onn 4K Plus: The Plus variant is essentially the same hardware as the Pro but with slightly higher price and no added reliability. Owner data shows a higher failure rate than the Pro, making it a poor value for longevity.
More in TV & Video
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