{"id":5742,"date":"2020-11-06T16:35:58","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T16:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/?p=5742"},"modified":"2020-11-06T16:35:58","modified_gmt":"2020-11-06T16:35:58","slug":"the-best-streaming-media-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/the-best-streaming-media-players\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Streaming Media Players"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Fire TV Stick HD Streaming Device<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/all-new-fire-tv-stick-with-alexa-voice-remote\/dp\/B07ZZVX1F2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/all-new-fire-tv-stick-with-alexa-voice-remote\/dp\/B07ZZVX1F2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/412ru93GWwL.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/all-new-fire-tv-stick-with-alexa-voice-remote\/dp\/B07ZZVX1F2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bring the Heat Home<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">The Fire TV stick easily scores the top spot on our list thanks to its innovative plug-and-play design and its affordable price tag.<\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Best Overall<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/all-new-fire-tv-stick-with-alexa-voice-remote\/dp\/B07ZZVX1F2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>With so many innovations in the world of streaming, Amazon&#8217;s Fire TV takes the lead as the best overall media streaming device. For one, this latest version sports super responsive controls and full HDR support. Its high performance is largely due to a quad-core processor that streams HD video smoothly and clearly. The Fire TV Stick also includes a sleek remote control with Alexa Voice built right in, so you can forget about typing in the title of whatever show or movie you want to watch. With the Fire TV Stick, simply press the voice button and ask Alexa to do the searching for you. Oh, and don&#8217;t worry \u2013 she won&#8217;t judge you for rewatching The Office <em>yet again<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Small and not much bigger than a USB stick, the Fire TV stick plugs right into an HDMI port<\/li>\n<li>Supports a wide range of streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV, HBO, Youtube, and more<\/li>\n<li>Super high value for the price<\/li>\n<li>This latest version features an eco-friendly design that reduces energy consumption and uses recycled materials<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Not 4K<\/li>\n<li>The steps for setting it up with a pre-existing Echo device aren&#8217;t difficult but they can be time-consuming<\/li>\n<li>Needs an adapter for ethernet connections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Roku Express HD Streaming Media Player<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Roku-Express-Streaming-Media-Player\/dp\/B07WVFCVJN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Roku-Express-Streaming-Media-Player\/dp\/B07WVFCVJN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41Y15o6btZL.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Roku-Express-Streaming-Media-Player\/dp\/B07WVFCVJN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Take The Expressway to TV Binging<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">Another fantastic overall option, the Roku Express is the pinnacle of Roku devices, with unmatched responsiveness and a killer price. <\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Runner Up<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Roku-Express-Streaming-Media-Player\/dp\/B07WVFCVJN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>Roku is one of the biggest names in the game and it&#8217;s easy to see why. With competitive pricing and plug-and-play designs, these media players specialize in simplicity and easy access. That&#8217;s why the Roku Express is so aptly named. Getting your favorite shows and movies up and running with the Roku Express involves little more than plugging it in, connecting to Wifi, and deciding what to watch. It also doesn&#8217;t hurt that this pick comes at such a low price point. Another great bang-for-your-buck option, the Roku Express offers 3 free months of Apple TV, compatibility with a vast range of streaming services, and a responsive remote controller.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The setup is fast and easy<\/li>\n<li>Compatible with the free Roku app, so you can connect with your mobile device and listen to shows and movies with headphones on<\/li>\n<li>Streams clear 1080p HD video<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No voice controls built into the remote (though it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Apple TV 4K<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Apple-TV-32GB-Latest-Model\/dp\/B075NCMLYL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Apple-TV-32GB-Latest-Model\/dp\/B075NCMLYL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31x4jNynO-L.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Apple-TV-32GB-Latest-Model\/dp\/B075NCMLYL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Apple of Our Eye<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">The latest-and-greatest from Apple, the Apple TV boasts crystal-clear image quality and a whopping 32GB to 64GB of storage space. <\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Best Picture Quality<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Apple-TV-32GB-Latest-Model\/dp\/B075NCMLYL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>Most people are well-acquainted with the business model of Apple at this point. They offer the most premium products at a premium price. Of course, for those that refuse to settle for anything less than the best, the Apple TV 4K is worth every penny. With a sleek, minimalistic design and enough processing power to put your smartphone to shame, the Apple TV is the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of streaming devices. Seriously, this premium pick&#8217;s 4K HDR picture quality is gorgeous. And combined with Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 Surround Sound, the Apple TV is immersive like no other. If you&#8217;ve got the cash to spend (and a 4K television to take advantage of its capabilities), go with an Apple TV. You won&#8217;t regret it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Uses cutting-edge tech, such as the &#8220;10X Fusion Chip&#8221; processor, for an incredibly bright, realistic, and detailed 4k image<\/li>\n<li>The minimalistic remote controller has a button for activating Siri, which makes navigating through the interface a breeze<\/li>\n<li>Easily connects via Bluetooth to your other Apple devices for viewing photos and videos<\/li>\n<li>You can download just about any app from the Apple App Store and use it on your TV, including Netflix, Hulu, and iTunes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pretty pricey<\/li>\n<li>The touch controls on the remote control can be kind of finicky<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Fire TV Stick Lite<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/fire-tv-stick-lite\/dp\/B07YNLBS7R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/fire-tv-stick-lite\/dp\/B07YNLBS7R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41u379kZDxL.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/fire-tv-stick-lite\/dp\/B07YNLBS7R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Endless Entertainment for a Bargain<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">Though it has a couple of limitations, the Fire TV Stick Lite still delivers 1080p streaming for an unbeatable price.<\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Best on a Budget<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/fire-tv-stick-lite\/dp\/B07YNLBS7R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>Since we&#8217;re not all flush with cash, Amazon offers a streaming device that almost anyone can afford. The Fire TV Stick Lite has all the best features of the original Fire TV Stick with only a few minor caveats. That means you&#8217;ll get to plug and play away in a matter of minutes, right out of the box, and it comes with the same compact, unobtrusive design. The remote control is a little limited since you can&#8217;t use it to change the volume or power on the TV. In other words, you&#8217;ll have to hold on to your original TV remote control. Other than that, however, the differences are minor. If you want to transform your TV into a smart TV while saving a couple of bucks along the way, the Fire TV Stick Lite is happy to take on the task.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Incredibly affordable<\/li>\n<li>Full HD, 1080p picture quality with HDR support<\/li>\n<li>The remote control features Alexa Voice Remote Lite for voice commands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The remote doesn&#8217;t control the TV, just the streaming interface<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Fire TV Cube<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/all-new-fire-tv-cube-with-alexa-voice-remote\/dp\/B07KGVB6D6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/all-new-fire-tv-cube-with-alexa-voice-remote\/dp\/B07KGVB6D6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51p-EdBOoWL.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/all-new-fire-tv-cube-with-alexa-voice-remote\/dp\/B07KGVB6D6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Your Wish is My Command<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">For fans of voice commands and hands-free controls, we recommend the Fire TV Cube for its responsive built-in Alexa hub and crisp 4K picture quality.<\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Best Hands-Free<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/all-new-fire-tv-cube-with-alexa-voice-remote\/dp\/B07KGVB6D6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>What happens when you fuse together an Alexa smart hub and a 4K streaming media player? You get the Fire TV Cube. This neat little cube is actually the fastest product in the Fire TV line of media players thanks to its lightning-fast Hexa-core processor. Responding to your every command instantly, Alexa will fire up your favorite show, movie, album, Youtube video, and more at the drop of a hat. Of course, it comes with a remote, too, so you don&#8217;t always have to bark commands to stay in control. Best of all, the Fire TV Cube has full ethernet support, so you can plug it directly into your internet router for the most seamless streaming imaginable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Super fast and responsive<\/li>\n<li>The 4K video resolution is sharp and colorful<\/li>\n<li>It&#8217;s a virtual assistant hub, so you can do more than just stream TV shows<\/li>\n<li>Small, compact design<\/li>\n<li>Speakers are built-in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Doesn&#8217;t include an HDMI cable<\/li>\n<li>The built-in speakers aren&#8217;t that loud, so stick with your TV&#8217;s speakers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Can streaming media players be used with any television?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As long as you have WiFi and a television set with HDMI input, you should be good to go. If you don&#8217;t have Wifi but can connect to the internet via an ethernet cable, you may be able to buy a compatible adapter. These adapters are fairly inexpensive. Some options, such as the Fire TV Cube, have an ethernet port built into the device, so you can simply plug and play.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What streaming services can I use with my streaming media player?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>All of the options on our list are compatible with a vast array of streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and HBO. If you&#8217;re unsure, double-check the product listing to see if your player of choice is compatible. However, you&#8217;ll still have to pay for a subscription to use most of these services, so these media players do not grant free access to any subscription-based services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fire TV Stick HD Streaming Device With so many innovations in the world of streaming, Amazon&#8217;s Fire TV takes the lead as the best overall media streaming device. For one, this latest version sports super responsive controls and full HDR support. Its high performance is largely due to a quad-core processor that streams HD video [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5742"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5742"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5822,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5742\/revisions\/5822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}