8/30/2023 0 Comments Chromecast replacement remotePaid-for streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus will cost extra, and, outside of free trials, you won’t be able to access any of these apps’ content until you’re a paying customer. YouTube, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and My5 are commonly found on streaming stick devices and won’t require a monthly subscription – although bear in mind that you will need a TV license if you’re intending to watch live TV. ![]() Streaming sticks always have a range of free applications that do not require a paid subscription. READ NEXT: The best 4K HDR smart TVs you can buy Do you need a subscription to watch content with a streaming stick? The majority of streaming sticks also come bundled with remote controls, but they can also often be controlled via an app on a smartphone or tablet. With a few exceptions, you can usually download apps onto the stick for paid streaming services (Netflix, Disney Plus, Now etc.) and also for free-to-watch apps such as YouTube and BBC iPlayer. It’s a small internet-connected stick that plugs directly into the HDMI input of your TV and allows you to stream TV programmes and movies from a variety of services. What is a streaming stick and how do you use one? If you already know your Roku Streaming Stick+ from your Fire TV Stick then fast forward straight to our product recommendations further down the page. ![]() What’s the big deal with streaming sticks, then? This brief buying guide should clear up some of the questions you may have concerning streaming sticks and what they’re used for. Best streaming stick: How to choose the right streaming stick for you If Dolby Atmos is supported, we’ll connect the stick to a compatible TV to sample how well the immersive audio translates, and the whole time we’ll be on the lookout for any extended buffering or dips in video quality due to poor connectivity. Dolby Vision, for instance, will be tested with the likes of Apple TV Plus and Amazon Prime Video, while Netflix will be used for HDR10. We’ll look at video and audio quality in a general sense, before judging any 4K or HDR compatibility the stick may offer with specific services. If these functions lag, resulting in it being quicker to judge flick through the menu manually, this will be noted.įinally, onto the content itself. Most remotes also have quick-launch buttons for popular services like Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and Netflix, so we’ll see how efficient those are at launching the apps. Some streaming sticks come with a voice-control remote, so our reviewer will use that to ask to be taken to various platforms, as well as specific content. Next up will be jumping to specific streaming services, in all the ways possible. Our reviewer will boot it up and browse through the home screen, noting what channels, services and recommendations are presented there. After that, most of the testing for a streaming stick comes down to simply using the thing. Most come with an adapter if your HDMI ports don’t accommodate the stick itself, so we’ll try that out and see how fiddly the overall set up is. The first thing that stands out when reviewing a streaming stick, quite literally, is how neatly it slots into the TV. Best cheap Alexa streaming stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite | £30.Best 1080p streaming stick with Alexa: Amazon Fire TV Stick | £40.Best affordable 4K streamer: Roku Express 4K | £39.Best Google Assistant streaming stick: Google Chromecast | £60.Best streaming stick overall: Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £50.Best 4K streaming stick with Alexa: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max | £55.So, if you're ready to take a step towards binge-watching heaven, read on.ĭon't have time to read the full guide? Here's a list of our top picks. ![]() Below, you'll find an in-depth buying guide arming you with all the information you need to make a smart buying decision along with our pick of the best streaming sticks on the market today. We’ve tested every media streamer worth knowing about and are here to help you make the right choice, whether you’re after a basic budget dongle or a 4K HDR powerhouse. But which is the best streaming stick overall and which one is right for you? There are plenty of great streaming sticks out there, with offerings from the likes of Amazon, Roku, Google and Now all competing for your hard-earned cash. That’s where the best media streamers come in and streaming sticks are the most compact of the lot. You might already have a smart TV, but the chances are it won't have absolutely every app necessary to watch all of your favourite shows and movies. We live in an age of on-demand viewing and the best streaming stick will help you access the near-endless supply of great film and TV content available online.
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