Apple TV 4K (2022, 3rd Generation)
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.
Consolidated from 57 cited sources across 45 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 1 glowing source
- 48 positive sources
- 6 mixed sources
- 2 unconvinced sources
Pros & cons
- ✓ Robust firmware support with over five years of OS updates
- ✓ Very low failure rate reported by owners
- ✓ Silicon designed for long-term durability
- ✓ Best overall streaming device per Wirecutter
- ✓ Top RTINGS rating for picture quality
- ✗ Recent price increase frustrates owners
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.
Evidence 20 articles, 35 video reviews and 2 community sources
48 positive sources
Apple TV 4K: Positioned as a premium option, Apple TV 4K delivers a sleek interface, tight integration with other Apple services, and support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and high-frame-rate HDR. Its A15 Bionic chip (as of 2022 models) allows for fast loading, responsive navigation, and fluid motion throughout the interface.Read C
Apple TV 4K streaming box does an excellent job if you want to watch things in 4K.Watch E
Called the Apple TV 4K, the latest iteration of this device includes the A15 Bionic chip, the fastest processor Apple has ever used in a streaming device. It also offers convenient integrations with all of your other Apple devices, making it easy to stream content from an iPhone or iPad.Read B
And to be honest, it has completely blown me away over the past 165 days!Watch A
If you don't own an Apple TV yet and you're already in the Apple ecosystem, the current Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen is still capable hardware and will support tvOS 27. It gets you into the ecosystem now while the new hardware announcement becomes clearer over the next few months.Read D
We run through a comprehensive list of Apple TV 4K tips and tricks to help you get the most out of one of the best streaming boxes you can buy.Watch W
My fingers are still crossed for a new 4K streamer, after Apple has left its previous model to gather dust for the last three years.The current version, that being the Apple TV 4K (2022), is still an exceptional streamer, and one that I’ve endorsed countless times.Read D
Pricing for both has come down, while internal horsepower has gone up. On paper, it might not look like Apple has added a bunch of new features, but perhaps it isn't what the new Apple TV 4K can do right now that's important, it's what it will be able to do in the future that's worth getting excited about.Watch B
After all, real-life usage shows the third-generation Apple TV 4K in 2026 still does a solid job. Besides that, tvOS 26 is still built up for this product, which means there's nothing software-wise available on the Apple TV that you can't do with the latest model.Read D
Luke Hill is up first and says, "Is it still worth getting the Apple TV 4K in 2026? Currently don't have any sort of streaming stick or box." Luke, I would say yes, it is definitely still worth it.Watch A r/appletv u/indelibleink89 · owner
I bought mine a month ago and I love it. Was holding off too, because of the rumours. Only for a few weeks though. I’m glad I went with it, it was an Apple certified refurbished one and I can’t return it anymore, but I’m not planning to return it anyway.Read thread C
The performance specs have been significantly improved with the inclusion of the A15 Bionic chip, an upgrade from the previous model. Wait a minute. Because the previous model used the same A12 chip, this one makes the CPU work 5-10% faster compared to the previous model. App opening is 20% faster, graphics are 30% faster, and gaming is also better with more visually appealing graphics.Watch Z
Before considering an upgrade to a competitor, be aware that there are numerous under-the-hood settings and tweaks you can implement to noticeably enhance its performance, picture, and sound. Here are a few of my favorites.Read G
Apple TV breathed new life into our 6-year-old TV. Who knew that's what 4K is supposed to look like? 'You mean to tell me our internet connection is fast enough? And damn, this buttery smooth navigation! It unlocked the things our Skyworth has been capable of, features that were advertised but never really delivered because of the TV's poor internals.Watch T
Fast, reliable and refreshingly free from intrusive advertising, it combines exceptional picture quality with silky-smooth performance, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about home entertainment.Read A
Now's a better time than ever to buy an Apple TV unit.Watch A
By switching to the Apple TV 4K and plugging it directly into your Denon X3800H , you have bypassed the two biggest "bottlenecks" in home theater: TV processing lag and compressed audio transmission.Read H
And this was when I realized the Apple TV is more than just a streaming box as it has multiple abilities, unique tools that a chcast or even your native smart TV UI lacks, as it's honestly the complete streaming device as well as the smartome hub.Watch S Smart Select [email protected] · reviewer · Mar 2026
For users searching for a powerful 4K streaming device , Apple TV ecosystem integration , or a premium home entertainment solution , this device stands out in performance and build quality.Read H
Apple TV 4K (2024) - It Changed My Life!Watch P
This gave it a significant performance boost and enabled smooth 4K HDR playback.Read H
This box, the Apple TV, really is a powerful tool and I actually swapped it out with all my chcast. So, all my TVs around my household are finally now paired with an Apple TV and the differences is night and day. I actually really prefer it over like some built-in smart TV operating systems like webOS on LG and stuff. It's much quicker, snappier, and I'm not bombarded with a bunch of annoying ads.Watch S
A top streamer if you're already an Apple fan… and don't mind paying the premiumRead M
We ditched Sky TV completely for Apple’s streaming box, and it’s one of the best things we’ve done.Watch M
The Apple TV 4K is still the fastest streaming device on the market, bar none.Read 6
The Apple TV 4K is also a beast when it comes to picture quality. This new version not only supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, which some streaming services like Netflix only support for certain shows and movies. You might be thinking, "Wait, what is HDR again, and why does it matter?" HDR, for TVs that support it, gives you more contrast in a picture.Watch V
The Apple TV 4K is still the fastest streaming device on the market, bar none.Read 6
Now, neither of these devices is perfect, but the Apple TV 4K is the device I recommend to most people looking for a TV streaming device and I'm gonna walk you through why that is, and the first reason is performance. The Chromecast with Google TV can lag at times and just feel completely underpowered compared to the A12 bionic chip that Apple put into the Apple TV.Watch I Instagram Instagram post
Evenings just got better with the Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen 2022 model.View post 6
The Apple TV 4K with the new Siri Remote is Apple’s latest top of the line TV streaming device that I’ve been using for the past 6 months and I'm going to take you through what it's been like to use, the top features, any downsides, and who I recommend this device for and why it's become my personal favorite streaming device.Watch P
Best for Siri UsersRead J
The Apple TV, to me, is underrated because it’s so much more than a streaming box. If you have the 128gb version, it has an ethernet port and opens the Apple TV up to be a homekit hub, when there’s a homekit hub device in your home like an apple tv or homepod, you can control homekit devices away from home, and setup automations.Watch P
From the smooth performance and Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support to the deep integration with the Apple ecosystem through the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and HomePod, the Apple TV 4K delivers more than your average Smart TV ever could. If you’re wondering whether you should buy an Apple TV in 2026 or just stick with the apps built into your Smart TV, this review will help clear things up.Watch C
Some of the benefits of the Apple TV are a very clean and minimal interface, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness, AppleTV+, spatial audio, color balance, a HomeKit Hub and more. While the Fire TV Cube gives you handsfree Alexa control of your TV to look for shows, turn on devices, play, pause and much more. With the Fire TV Cube, you can see your smart home cameras on your tv.Watch C
I have to say the New Apple TV 4K 2022 is great and still makes the Apple TV the Best streaming box. Here are my 3 reasons why I think it is the best. You get so much with the Apple TV, from the interface, to Apple Arcade, Fitness, TV, spatial audio, color balance, and more. You also can start a HomeKit smart home with the included HomeKit hub.Watch K
This is hands-down the BEST streaming device I've used!Watch F
Well, after using it for quite a while now, I can honestly say that the Apple TV is one of the most underrated devices that Apple makes. And today I'm breaking down exactly why the Apple TV isn't just a nice to have, but a must-have, especially if you are in the Apple ecosystem.Watch F
It is one of the best streaming devices in the market — from great performance and picture quality to seamless integration with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and even your smart home.Watch F
The Apple TV 4K is still one of my favorite Apple products and still one of the best streaming boxes that you can buy in 2026. It's fast, smooth, ad-free, and completely enhances your TV watching experience, especially if you are in the Apple ecosystem. But, here's the thing. The current Apple TV 4K, the third-generation model, was released back in 2022, and now we're in 2026.Watch Z
The brand-new version of Apple's 4K streaming device gives you more features for less money.Watch R
Is the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) still worth buying in 2026? Absolutely! But it’s more than just a streaming box.Watch S
The Apple TV 4K is a great device for streaming movies, shows, and playing video games. It is also a great device for indoor fitness particularly cycling.Watch A
The Apple TV 4K 3rd gen is now faster and more powerful, has double storage, an updated Siri Remote and Thread and Ethernet support.Watch J
Most people think of it as a regular streaming box, and it's partially true, but I think it's Apple's most underrated product.Watch J
The Apple TV 4K changed my life. As someone who has always been on the fence of getting a Apple TV if you already have a smart TV, the Apple TV really surprised me. And to be honest, it has completely blown me away over the past years. In this review, we discuss how the Apple TV 4K 3.gen has quite literally changed how I consume media and why I feel like it's the best ROI Apple product out there.Watch F
Over time, it became one of those devices I stopped thinking about… because it just works.Watch S
now that it's been over a year since i made the switch, i can hands down say apple tv is not just another steaming box, it's an experience. i was taken aback by the speed from the moment i turned it on. the interface immediately felt familiar. from the icons, the transitions, the animations. everything screams apple.Watch T
5 Reasons You NEED an Apple TV 4K in 2026!Watch
6 mixed sources
Like the Apple TV 4K, it offers voice support via Gemini, and our experts think Google TV is the best smart TV interface thanks to the way it pulls in content from different apps in one intuitive menu. You are, however, going to have to put up with more ads than the relatively ad-free Apple TV 4K homescreen, which is definitely one of the biggest advantages of going with Apple.Read I
An iPad Pro-worthy processor and 3 GB of RAM pushing all those pixels means the TV will get a lot hotter a lot faster. Heat wreaks some serious havoc on electronics—from cracked solder to fried chips—so Apple popped a fan assembly onto the heatsink of yore, and punched some ventilation into the case. Let’s hope the precautions are enough to avoid a Red Ring of Death situation.Watch H
Shield and apple tv both play OTT well but somehow Apple feels easier and simpler overall and more finished product in terms of software, but when you are playing a proper file either from a hdd or other wise shield is way better than apple in terms of audio and video if that makes senseRead 9
And while the Apple TV 4K, the current version, isn't really slow per se and there isn't really a lot missing and it's still getting tvOS updates, it just kind of feels stagnant and it feels like there hasn't been any innovation in the space, especially for people that Apple TV 4K, there's a huge following behind it and a lot of people love this thing and want to see it flourish and get modernizedWatch P
That premium price has always been Apple’s way, but it makes you question whether the extra polish is worth it when alternatives do 80% of the job for a fraction of the money.Read R
Right now, the Apple TV 4K in your living room is running a processor from an iPhone that came out half a decade ago. While it’s still one of the best streaming boxes on the market, Apple is quietly preparing a massive hardware overhaul that will completely transform the device from a basic streaming player into a legitimate home gaming console.Watch
2 unconvinced sources
I'll probably keep on using it until it finally gives out, or when Apple releases a fourth-gen Apple TV 4K. At this point, it's hard to tell what will happen first.Read A
When streaming high bitrate 4K HDR content on Plex, it overheats and starts stuttering. If you keep playing, it eventually halts, as shown below.Read
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #2 of 15 on our streaming devices tier list, in S tier. That placement draws on 57 cited sources across 45 outlets.
2 of the 57 sources with a clear view are critical of it: An Insight into my Hindside and Pocket-lint. Recent price increase frustrates owners.
Ranked nearby in Streaming Devices
S tier #1 Google TV Streamer (4K)
A tier #3 Roku Streaming Stick 4K
A tier #4 Roku Ultra
B tier #5 NVIDIA Shield TV Pro
B tier #6 1 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
C tier #7 Roku Streaming Stick Plus
F tier #12 2 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Amazon Fire TV Stick HD
F tier #13 1 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Chromecast with Google TV (4K, 2020)
F tier #14 4 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Roku Express 4K
F tier #15 2 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.