ElectronicsStreaming

What are the best devices to stream Netflix to a TV?

6

Options
Considered

11

User
Recs.

Nov 16, 2018

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

6 Options Considered

Best devices to stream Netflix to a TV	Price	Last Updated
-- Chromecast (2015)	-	Jul 14, 2017
-- FireTV Stick	-	Nov 16, 2018
-- Roku 4	-	Jun 5, 2017
-- NVIDIA SHIELD Console	-	Jan 26, 2016
-- Apple TV	-	Dec 19, 2015

Chromecast (2015)

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Top Pro

Simple

Once the device is set up, using Chromecast is straightforward. Just click the the cast icon from within apps or programs to stream it to your TV. See More

Top Con

Not supported by Windows Phones

Chromecast doesn't officially support Windows Phone and there is no known application to Chromecast Netflix from a Windows Phone. See More

Top Pro

Cheap

Chromecast costs only $35. See More

Top Con

No on-board browsing or pausing functionality.

All operations are driven from your phone. To start a show you have to: Stop what you're doing on your phone (if you're doing something) Load the app Browse for the content you'd like to watch on your 5" phone screen Hit "play" Wait for the Chromecast to load the app Watch your show. Then, if you want to pause your show you have to: Stop what you're doing on your phone again. Load the app. Hit "pause" See More

Top Pro

Can stream many other media

Chromecast can be used to stream Plex, your browser tab, your Android screen, Google Music, Spotify, your photos, and a lot more. See More

Top Con

Somewhat lengthy setup process

To set up Chromecast, attach it to your TV, download the Chromecast app on your host device, pair it, connect the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi, wait for the updates to download and from there you are ready to cast. See More

Top Pro

Integrates with Android's notification system

When the Chromecast is streaming and an Android phone (at least the ones made by Google such as the Pixel or Nexus 6P/5X) is connected to the same network a notification pops up on the phone allowing the user to take actions (like play, pause, next song, mute, etc..) and provides instant access to the app that's being used. This functionality is available even if the Android device was not the device that initiated the streaming to the Chromecast. See More

Top Pro

Dual-band Wi-Fi support

2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi support. See More

Top Pro

Can be charged using TVs USB port

If you have a USB port on your TV, you can use that to charge the Chromecast. The Chromecast is charged through a standard micro USB port. See More

Top Pro

Color choices available

The device has red, yellow and black options. See More

Top Pro

Does the processing on a different device

Unlike other set top boxes, the Chromecast just takes in a video stream in VP8 or H.264 format, and can stream that content either directly from the provider, or through a device that processes video to those formats. Because everything is done on a different device, you wont need to upgrade the Chromecast as often as other set top boxes, and anyone can play content from their phones, tablets, or computers. See More

Roku 4

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Top Pro

Companion mobile app

Roku comes with a companion iOS and Android apps. See More

Top Con

If you don't want 4K content, Roku 3 might get you more bang for the buck

Since 4K content is still scarce it might be better to get Roku 3 instead. It's practically identical to Roku 4 except for voice search and 4K support that Roku 3 lacks. See More

Top Pro

Simple, intuitive interface

Roku's interface is fairly straightforward. See More

Top Con

Voice search is somewhat basic

Top Pro

Headphone jack in wireless remote

Users can plug in their headphones to the bluetooth wireless remote which allows for quit listening late at night or in noisy rooms. There are also volume controls on the side of the remote that control the volume level of the headphones. See More

Top Pro

Built-in voice search

Top Pro

Good 4K support

NVIDIA SHIELD Console

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Top Pro

Kodi is installable from the Play Store

Kodi media center is now available on the Play Store for Android TV devices which is very convenient since the old method of installing the app was to sideload, which can be difficult for new users. See More

Top Con

Can only have 2 USB hard drives

There are only two USB ports built into the device, which limits how many hard drives one can hook up, but the kicker is, even when using a USB hub the device will still only read two USB hard drives at a time, no matter how many are plugged into the USB hub. See More

Top Pro

50 curated games at launch

There will be 50 curated games at launch of the device including the likes of Borderlands and Crysis. See More

Top Con

Only capapable of low end gaming

Even the demos of the games shown at the unveiling shows that any type of console quality game is going to be too taxing for the system, all running at only 30fps. Adding to that, the majority of console ports for the system are years old which shows that it is pretty obvious how limiting the system will be. See More

Top Pro

NVIDIA Tegra X1

The NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet has an NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor, which is reported as having twice the performance of an XBox 360. See More

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