Isn’t it exciting to be able to watch your favorite movies and TV shows on your television screen at any possible time? To be honest, it feels liberating. Generation Z and Alpha might not understand the feeling of joy I am talking about here. I remember how we had to schedule our day according to the show we liked or how we had to wake up early morning to watch the repeat telecast or how we had to make an early exit from parties because some channel would be broadcasting our favorite movie for the first time. This has ended now and the feeling is like a North Pole resident seeing sunlight after such a long time. Okay, that might be an exaggeration of the expression but you get it, right?
Forwarding the sentiment, streaming has now become the newest trend and you, if not already, have to get on it as soon as possible. Most households of the United States have an internet connection and that is the bare minimum you require to start streaming. Spectrum packages offer download speeds as high as 940 Mbps, at no data caps and without signing any contracts, which is considered to be ideal for streaming.
In this article, we have briefly discussed the best media streamers that you should invest in for better streaming in 2021.
At a Glance
- Roku Streaming Stick Plus
- Chromecast with Google TV
- Nvidia Shield TV
- Amazon Fire TV Cube
- Apple TV 4K
- TiVo Stream 4K
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
Any streaming enthusiast would know that Roku is one of the best brands when it comes to streaming technology. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus rids you of the choice between content library and price. It costs almost 50 USD and the channel count is more than 5,000 – this number is inclusive of elusive channels like Amazon Prime Video. It has also acquired rights to the streaming service that we were all waiting for, HBO Max. Roku Streaming Stick Plus supports ultra-HD or 4K definition which means that at a price as low as 50 USD, you are getting access into a future dimension.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus is a small yet powerful tech gadget that catches a strong signal throughout the house. The user interface is easy and understandable.
Strengths
- Reasonably Priced
- Complete 4K HDR compatibility
- Vast selection of applications
Weaknesses
- Lack of audio jack in remote control
Chromecast with Google TV
Chromecast has become a familiar concept for almost every household that has any information about Google. Chromecast with Google TV has completed the meaning of streaming for all of us. It is compatible with the 4K Ultra-HD definition and Dolby Vision. for excellent and immersive sound quality, it supports Dolby Atmos. This streamer is a must-buy item of 2021 because of its capacity to house more than 6,500 android applications for TV. From HBO Max to Peacock and from Disney Plus to Netflix, you get all the streaming applications. A user-friendly interface and easy setup guide make it a homelier option.
The remote that you get with Chromecast is sufficient to even replace your television’s remote. It has also gotten the volume and power control buttons ridding you from the burden to carry multiple remotes giving you ease of movement. It is also priced around 49.99 USD which makes it a great option to buy.
Strengths
- Convenience based interface
- Inclusive of remote
Weakness
- Poor format of simple google search
Nvidia Shield TV
The 2019 developed Nvidia Shield TV is still one of the best streaming devices and should be considered even in 2021. It has almost 5,000 channels and supports 4K definition content. It is a simple device with great benefits to having money invested in and is compact in design as well. Nvidia Shield TV includes a remote controller and has an option that illuminates it when the environment is dark. This streaming device is a bit expensive in comparison but is totally worth it.
Strengths
- Outstanding gaming potential
- Houses some of the best streaming applications
Weaknesses
- Relatively expensive
Amazon Fire TV Cube
Housing hundreds of android applications, Amazon Fire TV Cube is a second-generation version that packs virtual assistant offering features like HDMI input ports and allowing to tune in to cable channels. The newer model of this device has an upgraded processor which is four times faster in commanding and usage. It is compatible with Alexa as well.
Amazon Fire TV Cube streams videos in HDR, 4K quality and has an invasive sound quality as well.
Strengths
- Excellent performance and speed
- Compatible with Alexa
Weaknesses
- The home screen cannot be edited
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K delivers exactly what is expected from the brand: exclusivity and consistency. It supports HDR, 4K screen quality. With this streaming device, you can watch iTunes TV shows and movies on your television screen. Furthermore, you can stream movies and TV shows on several streaming applications, play games, can airplay videos and music from other Apple gadgets. It can also help you control your smart home appliances that were previously being supported by Siri.
Through the remote application, you can conveniently enter your passwords directly into the streaming applications.
Strengths
- Excellent picture quality
- Intuitive and smart home screen
- Simple to set up and use
Weaknesses
- Expensive
TiVo Stream 4K
Getting more than 5,000 applications at such an affordable price seems like an illusion but it is not. TiVo Stream 4K deserves a front seat in the hall of fame of best media streamers of 2021. It comes with popular streaming services including Peacock and HBO. It has a live TV integration option that is a much-appreciated feature for Sling users. It is also compatible with Google Assistant.
It streams 4K and HDR content with primary ease and has a great user interface that is friendly and technically sound at the same time.
Strengths
- Excellent speed and performance
- Accessible remote control options
Weaknesses
- Limited Live TV options
