Roku vs Amazon Fire Stick vs the new Chromecast |
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The Roku, Amazon Fire Stick and the Google Chromecast. All streaming devices for Netflix and other channels. But they're hardly the same.
Roku devices are widely considered the best. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is less than $50. It has 4K and HDR and voice remote. There are other Roku devices, some more expensive, some less. The Streaming Stick Plus has all the features you may want. The Roku screen is uncluttered and easily organized. Every streaming service is available except HBO Max. Amazon Fire Sticks are popular with Amazon customers. Those that play 4K are around $50. For the budget minded, or a second or third TV, there's the new FireStick lite. Only about $17. Fire screens are cluttered compared to the Roku. You can organize things but the layout is a bit overwhelming. The FireStick can now play YouTube and HBO Max and just about everything else. Google's new Chromecast with Google TV is a direct competitor. The $50 dongle plugs into the TV and syncs with your Google account. It has a remote now and streams just about everything, with the exception of Apple TV+. The interface is great and shows the programs I'm watching across any of the streaming services. If you're a YouTube TV subscriber and wrapped up in the Google eco-system the Chromecast with Google TV is a good choice. Unless you subscribe to Apple TV+. I didn't mention Apple TV devices that cost about $150, three times more than these. Watch out for sales. Streaming devices always drop in price on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. |