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Media Streamer Reviews
Just media streamer reviews by Digital Trends’ experienced reviews. Compare Roku, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and others based on rating, features, and more.
Don’t buy a Google Chromecast — get the Onn 4K Pro instead
Walmart's $50 Google TV streaming device is better than Google's. That's all there is to it.
Tablo DVR review: 4th generation makes free TV as easy as can be
Looking to capture old-fashioned, over-the-air video? Then the latest Tablo device may be for you.
Senic MoodPlay review: a fun but pricey toy for the Sonos fan who has everything
Senic's MoodPlay is like a digital turntable for Sonos, giving you access to your favorite music with a tap of a card.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review: second-generation success
The second-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the one to get. It doesn't break the bank, and has an excellent new Ambient Experience.
NAD CS1 review: a bare-bones network streamer
NAD's new CS1 network streamer gives you plenty of ways to stream, but unfortunately, not a lot of smarts.
Amazon’s Alexa Voice Remote Pro review: put it in the box already!
The Amazon Alexa Voice Remote Pro is the best Fire TV remote — which is a shame because you'll have to pay extra for it.
Amazon Fire TV Cube 2022 review: not just for streamers anymore
The third iteration of the Amazon Fire TV Cube adds features that make it even better for those still on cable or satellite.
Jireno Cube 4 Projector review: Carry Android TV with you
The Jireno Cube 4 is a portable projector that comes preloaded with Android TV and features a variety of input options.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K review: The Roku stick to get
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K (and Streaming Stick 4K+) set the new high-water mark for the company's inexpensive streaming hardware.
Apple TV 4K (2021) review: It’s all about that new Siri remote
Apple's newly revamped Apple TV 4K may have a new brain on the inside, but it's the new Siri remote that is rightfully getting all of the attention.
Roku Express 4K+ review: Easy, affordable 4K streamer
Roku's latest media streaming device might be tiny, but inside where it counts, the Express 4K+ is a powerhouse with 4K, HDR, AirPlay, and voice control.
Nuvyyo Tablo Dual HDMI OTA DVR review: Simple and direct
The Nuvyyo Tablo Dual HDMI OTA DVR rmakes internet connectivity less important, but the direct line to the TV also comes with some sacrifices.
Amazon Fire TV Stick/Stick Lite review: The best budget streamers
You don't have to spend a lot to get a great streaming device. In fact, these Amazon Fire TV devices can do voice control, HDR, and Dolby Atmos for $40 or less.
Apple TV 4K (2017) review: Stunning, but strictly for Apple fans
The Apple TV 4K is fast, it packs Siri voice search, and offers support for all of the latest formats. But can Apple still justify its stratospheric price?
Google Chromecast 2020 review: What we always wanted
Google's history with making a streaming device with a remote and on-screen interface has been rocky at best. Did they get it right this time?
TiVo Stream 4K review: Amped-up Android TV
TiVo is best known for its popular DVRs, but DVR demand has been drowned by the streaming tsunami. With its $50 Stream 4K, TiVo hopes to ride this new wave.
Disney+ review update: Streamer finds its footing
Disney+ arrived on time and loaded with all (or at least most) of Disney's best work. We dig deep into the Disney+ weeds to suss out the good and the bad.
Blackmagic Design’s Zoom-ready HDMI switcher has no right to be this cool
The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro (and cheaper, non-Pro version) is the multicamera streaming solution for the rest of us, and it's an absolute blast.
Amazon Fire TV Cube review
Amazon Fire TV Cube goes far beyond being an Echo/Fire TV stick hybrid. Thanks to HDMI CEC control, an IR blaster, and a new user interface, the Fire TV Cube can take even the most complicated entertainment system and simplify it so just about anyone can use it. And now it has native YouTube, too.
Roku Express (2019) review: This $30 streamer is all you need
TVs keep getting better and so do the streaming media players that connect to them. But for those on a budget, the new Roku Express represents the perfect formula: A $30 investment that gives you every streaming service imaginable plus a way to search through all that content quickly and easily.
Roku Ultra (2019) review: Fast, flexible, fun
Roku's update to its top-of-the-line Ultra streaming media player brings with it a host of small but helpful features like customizable remote buttons, faster performance, and new search tools. It's still missing Dolby Vision support, but the $100 Roku Ultra is one of the best media streamers you can buy.
Google Chromecast (3rd gen) review
The third-generation Chromecast is still a pretty decent little HD streamer, but HD is getting pretty long in the tooth. That said, the inclusion of Amazon Prime following the truce between Google and Amazon does make this a comprehensive way to stream all major programming, as long as you don't need 4K.
Google Chromecast Ultra review
The Chromecast Ultra may not look all that much different from its predecessors, but under the hood is the key to unlocking the 4K streaming buffet, including support for High Dynamic Range to unleash the rich contrast and expanded color gamut of today’s most eye-popping video.
Amazon Fire TV Stick review
Amazon is giving Roku a run for its money with the Fire TV Stick, a $40 device about the size of a pack of gum that grants 1080p HD access to a wide array of content and games. If you’re an Amazon Prime member already, this is a no-brainer.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K review
Amazon’s streaming stick game is strong, and the Fire TV Streaming Stick 4K is no exception. A few minor issues aside, this fully loaded streaming device offers virtually everything you could want, including Dolby Vision HDR, Amazon Alexa, basic TV controls, and much more.
TiVo Bolt OTA for antenna hands-on review
Free over-the-air programming isn’t available in 4K, so why would you want a 4K OTA DVR? We’ll discuss what makes the new TiVo Bolt OTA a viable choice for cord-cutters with 4K UHD TVs who want to get ahead of the game. With a cheaper starting price than its previous OTA DVR, and a much faster interface, this could be the best OTA receiver on the market.
Roku Premiere+ (2018) review
When it comes to streaming devices, the sheer volume of choices these days can be daunting, and Roku has more models than anyone. While you really can’t go wrong with any Roku, the company’s new Premiere+ stands out in the crowd, expertly balancing affordability and performance for impressive value.
Sony UBP-X700 review
If you're after the best possible picture for your 4K TV, you're still going to need an Ultra HD Blu-ray player. With a compact form factor, good remote, extremely easy setup, and support for both HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats, the Sony UBP-X700 may be just the ticket.
AirTV Player review
Despite offering some novel and much-needed features for integrating antenna TV and internet TV streaming, the AirTV suffers from some glaring faults. By playing favorites when it comes to streaming services, and needlessly complicating the setup, the AirTV undermines its best aspects.
Amazon Fire TV review
Can a compact dongle replace a set-top streamer? Find out in our Amazon Fire TV review.
Roku Streaming Stick+ review
Our Roku Streaming Stick+ review puts the little streamer through its paces and sees it coming out on top of the competition.
Roku Express review
Roku’s newest iteration of the Express streaming devices boast five times the power of its predecessor. Does that translate to five times the performance?
Chromecast Audio review
Google jumps into wireless audio with a slick companion to the popular video streamer. But is it any good? Our Google Chromecast audio review has answers.
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Section Editor, Audio/Video
Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the personality behind Modern Dad, and is currently an editor with Digital Trends. Phil’s online work has taken him all over the United States, as well as Europe and Asia.
When he’s not writing, editing, or shooting video, Phil serves as president of the Pensacola Youth Soccer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has worked on multiple local political campaigns and is a part-time photographer and videographer. He’s also a candidate for Pensacola City Council, District 1.
Phil is a native of Pensacola, where he resides with his wife, daughters and a dog named Max.
Find Phil on Mastodon, or on Threads.