How to choose the best media streamer for your home

With such a large variety of streaming devices available at the moment, deciding which one to invest in can feel like a stressful experience. We’ve rounded up the main features of some of the most popular streamers on the market to give you a little extra help.

Chromecast Ultra

If you’re the proud owner of both a 4K TV and a Netflix subscription, the Chromecast Ultra is definitely worth the current £69 price tag. It’s easy to use and works perfect with the Google Home app, meaning you can easily chuck it in a bag and take it out with you to use on different TVs wherever you’re travelling.

If you don’t have a 4K TV, you’d be better of going with the £30 Chromecast, but otherwise the Chromecast Ultra is one of the best options going.

Purchase the Chromecast Ultra for £69 with free delivery.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Thanks to its powerful internal specs, easy-to-use interface and built-in Alexa, the Fire TV Stick is a great little gadget for watching streaming sites such as Prime Video, Netflix and UKTV on demand.

The nifty little stick is still a good purchase even if you already own a smart TV, especially if you don't already have a device that uses Alexa. If you’re not too keen on paying the extra for an Amazon Echo, the Fire TV Stick is a great alternative for a fantastic price, as the remote comes with voice control.

Get the Amazon Fire TV Stick for £49.99.

Now TV 4K Smart Box

An upgrade on the Now TV stick, the Now TV 4K Smart Box provides an all-in-one solution for consumers, offering you access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5, UKTV Play and Netflix, as well as any Now TV subscriptions you’re signed up to.

The only downside to the Now TV Smart Box is that all content on it is capped at 720p, and there are no current plans for an upgrade. However, if you’re planning on setting it up with a smaller TV, the definition shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

The Now TV Smart Box can be bought for a reasonable £29.99.

Apple TV

For people who are dedicated to their iOS devices, the newest instalment of the Apple TV box is a great choice of media streamer and games machine. The biggest setback of this device is the hefty price tag and fairly limited selection of apps compared to other choices – rival offerings like the Fire TV Stick have more UK catch-up TV channels.

The newest Apple TV device is available from £179.

Roku Express

Less talked about than the other options on this list, the Roku Express stick sports a simple step-by-step setup and an easy on-screen experience that is perfect for new users, but still powerful enough for seasoned pros.

From new movies and programmes on Netflix, to catch-up TV on BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub and Demand 5, this next-gen option has enough power to stream the most talked about telly in a high-definition manner for a neat little price.

Get the Roku Express stick for £29.99.