If you know someone that hasn’t upgraded to a television with streaming apps or simply wants to upgrade an existing “dumb” television in their home, there are a ton of streaming media players that will get the job done.

In addition, there are a massive number of streaming media options available this year, with more coming next year. Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, etc…  If you want to stream everything, here are the best home theater, streaming media players for 2019:

Best Overall Option for Dolby Vision & HDR10+: Fire TV Cube

If you know someone that’s upgraded to a high end television that supports new formatting like Dolby Vision & HDR10+, Amazon’s new Fire Tv Cube (2019 model, MSRP $119) is your best bet. Utilizing a hexa-core processor (up to 2.2GHz), you can easily stream 4K content in Dolby Vision and HDR, HDR10+. There’s also support for the Dolby Atmos sound format on select titles on Netflix and Amazon.

Other cool features include the Alexa voice assistant, 16GB of storage, 802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi, Ethernet support for hard wired connections and Bluetooth 5.0 support (longer range). The upgraded internals make is significantly faster than the previous model as well as faster than streaming stick options. If you are looking for a cheaper option, check out the Roku Ultra (which has equally snappy performance, but no Dolby Vision support; MSRP $99).

Check Price on Amazon

Best Option for Casting via Smartphone: Chromecast Ultra

If you know someone that lives their life with a smartphone in their face, consider getting a Chromecast Ultra so they can cast their streaming video from their phone to the television. The Ultra is 4K capable and includes support for HDR10 and Dolby vision. It also works with Google home, ideal for streaming content by voice commands.

If you don’t need 4K playback, consider the regular Google Chromecast. It provides an identical feature set, but limits resolution to 1080p at 60 frames per second. It’s half the price of the Ultra model and can be found as cheap as $20 on Black Friday.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Option for Tight Budgets: Roku Streaming Stick+

Definitely an awesome stocking stuffer, the Roku Streaming Stick is one of the better buys for overall quality and usability. I’ve tried all the smart user interfaces and Roku is always a step above the rest, which is why companies like TCL have adopted the Roku interface for their smart interface.

The Streaming Stick+ starts at $50, but Black Friday sales will drop it to $30 (page 5 of the Target Ad). It has a very small footprint (plugs into a HDMI port) and is extremely snappy. It supports 4K playback as well as HDR10 and Dolby Atmos. It also works with both Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.  FYI, there are also even cheaper Roku options (probably in the $20 range on Black Friday) is you don’t need 4K playback.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Option for Apple Fanatics: Apple TV 4K

One of the priciest options on the list, the Apple TV 4K is ideal for anyone that’s invested a considerable amount of money in the Apple ecosystem of products (iPhone, iPad) and digital media (iTunes). Sold at $180 for the 32GB model and $200 for the 64GB, the device offers 4K resolution, Dolby Vision / HDR10 support and Dolby Atmos functionality.

It allows users to access Siri for voice control and does include an Ethernet port for those who prefer a hardwired connection. Like many other Apple products, don’t expect a huge sale on the Apple TV 4K during Black Friday sales. It may fall to the $150 range for new models and $130 for refurbished models.

Check Price on Amazon

Best (Two) Options for Gamers

If you know someone into video games, getting them a new gaming console will offer them access to awesome games as well as streaming video applications. There are two standout options:

• The Console Gamer: Get the Xbox One S. Significantly cheaper than the PS4 Pro, the Xbox One S can handle 4K streaming as well as offer playback of Ultra HD discs. You can find plenty of $200 Xbox One S bundles during November as well as a $150 Xbox On S digital console (if you only want 4K streaming, no disc playback). The Xbox One S supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
• The PC Gamer: Get the Nvidia Shield TV Pro. Offering access to any streaming app that’s on the Google Play store, the Sheild Tv Pro offers a really snappy performance with the new Tegra X1+ processor as well as access to over 200 games on Android TV. The 2019 model supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby TrueHD with Atmos via Plex.  But one of the biggest selling points of the Shield is the ability to stream games from your PC to your television; ideal for anyone with a huge PC gaming library.

Check Price on Xbox One S / Check Price on Nvidia Shield Pro

Check Ben’s for the latest streaming media player deals

2019 Gift Guide: The Best Streaming Media Players

Both Amazon and Roku have added to a relatively new product category this week, soundbars with a built-in user interface to access smart TV functions for streaming video. This product is likely marketed at consumers with older “dumb” televisions or perhaps users with older generation smart TVs / streaming devices & want to upgrade to faster interfaces.

The Amazon Nebula is seen above, yet another speaker for the home that will act as an Echo device. It offers the Fire TV interface for streaming (identical to Fire TV stick or cube), 100W of sound, 4K HDR support and Alexa support. It’s going to be released on November 21, 2019 and the retail price is $229.99. Expect to see a Black Friday discount at debut, likely between $50 to $100.

The Roku Smart Soundbar (seen above) debuts at a MSRP that’s already $50 less than the Nebula, $179.99. Roku expects to ship it a month earlier as well, around October 13, 2019. It will include the smart TV interface used by standalone Roku devices as well as TCL televisions. It also offers 4K HDR support as well as voice support via Google Assistant. Expect to see deals shaving $20 to $30 off the MSRP as we move into November 2019.

Here’s how the two soundbars compare:

[table caption=”” width=”620″ colwidth=”50|25|25″ colalign=”center|center|center”]
Features,Amazon Nebula,Roku Smart Soundbar

4K Streaming,Yes,Yes

HDR10 Support,Yes,Yes

Dolby Vision Support,Yes,No

Dolby Audio,Yes,Yes

Bluetooth Streaming,Yes,Yes

Smart TV Interface,Fire TV,Roku TV

Voice Support,Alexa,Google Assistant

Speakers,2x 1.5″ Full / 2x 3″ Subwoofers,Four 2.5″ Full

Connections,HDMI ARC/Optical/AUX 3.5mm/USB-A,HDMI ARC/Optical/USB 2.0

[/table]

While Amazon is attempting to include a bass-like experience with the 3″ speakers, Roku is releasing a companion subwoofer with their soundbar. Completely wireless, the Roku subwoofer offers a 10-inch driver and can be placed up to 30 feet from your television. Hypothetically, you could also pair it with wireless speaker sets and use the soundbar as a center channel in a 5.1 setup.

Of course, you can always save even more money by purchasing a $100 soundbar without smart TV functionality and snag a streaming stick when the devices go on sale around the $20 to $25 range. This Vizio soundbar with sub is a popular option when it falls to a sub-$100 sale price, typically during November / December. The Fire TV stick dropped to $25 during November 2018. The Roku streaming stick dropped in price significantly as well.

You can find the most recent deals on smart televisions, streaming devices, soundbars and other home theater products in our electronics deal feed on Ben’s Bargains.

Amazon, Roku debut soundbars with Smart TV, Roku has the best deal

Roku is leading the pack again in terms of value. Announced today, the new Roku Premiere brings 4K streaming to your HDTV for just under $40.

The Roku Premiere supports HDR10 for HDR streaming (doesn’t include Dolby Vision support) and is equipped with a quad-core processor.

It’s capable of 802.11n Wi-Fi as well (supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2). It also supports Dolby Audio and DTS pass through via HDMI.

There are a couple downsides. If you like searching via voice using the remote control, the Premiere doesn’t support that. You have to upgrade to the Premiere+ at $50 (Walmart Exclusive).

If you want 802.11ac dual-band MIMO support, you have to upgrade to the Streaming Stick (also $50). If you want an Ethernet port, you need the Roku Ultra at $100.

However, the Premiere opens up a hefty gap between competitors like Amazon and Google. Amazon’s cheapest 4K capable Fire TV streamer is $70 (although it often goes on sale at $40) and Google’s cheapest model is the ChromeCast Ultra at $69.

Expect to see sale prices on the Premiere at the $30 to $35 level. The Premiere+ may drop to $40 around Black Friday as well. You can watch the announcement video below:

Shut Up and Take My Money: Roku Premiere (4K)

Undercutting the Roku Premiere+ by about $30, Google and Xiaomi are significantly driving the price down for anyone that wants to get into 4K streaming with HDR support. Prior to the announcements of these devices this week, the Roku Premiere+ was the new price leader for HDR lovers at $100 for the new set-top box.

Fortunately, we have 2 new competitors driving the prices down even more. Announced today, the Chromecast Ultra will debut in November at a $69.99 price point and will support both HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats. Approximately 1.8 times faster than a standard Chromecast when loading video, the Ultra will also include an Ethernet port for anyone that needs a wired connection to handle those data-heavy 4K streams.

Users will be able to stream 4K video on YouTube  Netflix and Vudu when the device launches. Google Play support for 4K movies will be coming later that month. Of course, you can still mirror content from a laptop, if you prefer to cast your video from a regular computer rather than a mobile device.

Chinese consumer electronics Xiaomi is also getting into the streaming set-top box market in a big way with the inexpensive Mi Box player. Also priced at $69.99, the new set-top box runs a variation of Google’s Android TV in order to support the most popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and HBO Now.

While Google struck out with their older Android TV device (the Nexus player), Xiaomi’s aggressive play into the market undercuts all the prices. It includes 4K streaming with HDR support, a Bluetooth remote control with support for voice searching, Google Cast support for sending video to your TV screen, support for DTS and Dolby Digital Plus and gaming support with a quad-core processor. (To get equivalent features on Roku, you would have to spend $130 to get voice search on the Roku Ultra.)

Google’s Chromecast can be purchased directly through Google or stores like Best Buy. The Xiaomi Mi Box can be purchased direct from Xiaomi (when in stock) or through Walmart as the box hits stores in early October.

Chromecast Ultra, Mi Box offer 4K with HDR at just $70

Shifting price points downward on the company’s lineup of streaming set-top boxes, Roku is launching a $30, 1080p streaming stick called the Roku Express as well as a $80 4K streaming set-top box called the Roku Premiere.  This both undercuts Google’s $35 Chromecast streaming device as well as Amazon’s $30 Fire TV streaming stick.

Interestingly, they are also going after consumers that don’t have televisions with HDMI ports yet. The Roku Express+ ($40) includes options for consumers that want to use simple A/V inputs rather than HDMI. It would be ideal for consumers that are still using televisions made more than a decade ago.

Moving up to the 4K set-top box, the Roku Premiere streaming 4K content at 60 frames per second and comes with a line-of-sight remote. For an additional $20 at a $100 price point, the Roku Premiere+ supports HDR (for a wider range of colors) and includes an wired Ethernet port as well as the “point-anywhere” remote with the headphone jack.

On the high end, Roku is launching a Roku Ultra at $130. It has everything that the Roku Premiere+ offers in addition to voice searching, a remote finder and a digital optical audio output for anyone that prefers that audio format when pushing out to a receiver. That model basically replaces the Roku 4 flagship model.

If you are looking for a 4K player for your new 4K television, you may want to wait until after October 4, 2016 when Google is expected to announce a couple of streaming player upgrades. The rumored “Chromecast Ultra” will stream 4K content to televisions for a possible price of $70, $10 cheaper than the Roku Premiere. It’s not clear if the Chromecast Ultra will also support HDR.

Roku undercuts Chromecast price, announces cheap 4K streamer

Every time one of these media boxes is announced, I’m always reminded of that little Irving Berlin ditty Anything You Can Do. First, the Apple TV was announced in early September, Apple’s first revision of the hardware in years. Everyone was excited about iOS support, Siri support. Then Amazon 1up’ed Apple with the 4K Fire TV announcement during mid-September. Everyone was excited about 4K support, faster hardware, lower price tag.

Well, Roku just announced the Roku 4. Here’s a handy spec sheet to help you decide between the three main options in set-top boxes this holiday season.

[table caption=”2015 Set-Top Box Comparison” width=”620″ colwidth=”20|25|25|25″ colalign=”center|center|center|center”]
Category,Roku 4,2015 Fire TV, 2015 Apple TV

Supported Resolution?,4K Ultra HD (up to 60 fps),4K Ultra HD (up to 30 fps),1080p

Supported Wi-Fi?,802.11ac MIMO,802.11ac MIMO,802.11ac MIMO

Wired Ethernet?,Yes,Yes,Yes

Processor?,Quad-core,Quad-core,Dual-core

RAM?,1.5GB,2GB,2GB

Optical Digital Output?,Yes,No (HDMI only),No (HDMI only)

HDMI Version?,HDMI 2.0,HDMI 2.0,HDMI 1.4

USB port?,One USB 2.0 port,One USB 2.0 port,No

Micro SD card slot?, Yes (up to 128GB), Yes (up to 128GB), No

Voice Search?,Yes,Alexa,Siri

Universal Search?,Yes,Crippled,Yes (but fewer apps)

Remote Finder?,Yes,No,No

Hotel & Dorm Connect*?,Yes,No,No

Supports Headphones?,Wired,Bluetooth only,Bluetooth only

Operating System?,Roku OS 7,Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito”,tvOS 9.0 (iOS 9)

Gaming Support?,Good,Better,Best (Probably)

Price?,$129.99,$99.99,$149 (32GB) / $199 (64GB)

[/table]

*Hotel & Dorm connect. Using Roku mobile app, users enter login details to connect to Wi-Fi networks that require login through a Web browser.

The facts are clear. Amazon is aiming at the budget audience, but still offering 4K playback as well as the best specs. Of course, some of the downsides include a search engine that’s not truly universal and a general lack of 4K content at the moment. It’s also a less useful player without a Prime subscription.

Apple is content charging people significantly more than competitors while offering less powerful hardware at the same time. Of course, the integration of iOS 9 is likely going to open the floodgates to mobile gaming on the family television and Siri could be a powerful voice assistant for finding content. The remote control is also pretty slick, assuming it works as advertised.

Alternatively, Roku appears to be pricing the Roku 4 in the middle of the other two options, specifically going after the home theater crowd. It’s the only option that offers 60 fps playback in 4K as well as a physical optical output for home theater speakers. Roku’s also been doing universal search longer than anyone else (and arguably more effective at it). However, voice search may end up being spotty and it’s obvious that gaming is an afterthought compared to the other two set-top boxes.

If interested in ordering, the Amazon Fire TV is available now, Apple hasn’t opened preorders up for the new Apple TV yet, and Roku has opened up preorders for the Roku as of today: LINK

Order the $99 Fire TV –  Order the $129 Roku 4

You can check out more photos of the new Roku 4 below:

Roku 4 vs. Fire TV vs. Apple TV: 2015 Streaming Showdown

When Sling TV was announced at the 2015 CES, it was instantly a big hit. It offered something that sounded a lot like “a la carte cable TV,” the elusive Bigfoot that TV viewers have been breathlessly seeking for years.

Sling TV is owned by DISH network but has its own one-page website for handing the avalanche of early interest in the service. Prior to publication of this review, it was invite-only. However, it was unveiled to the general pubic today with a free 7-day trial promotion. Although Sling TV gets its name from the relatively well-known Slingbox (owned by a subsidiary of DISH), it’s a separate brand and doesn’t require a Slingbox.

Cable isn’t required, either. (But you probably guessed that. Heh.) Sling TV’s slogan is “Take Back TV,” and it’s aimed squarely at the millennials who are known as the “cord-nevers,” in that they’ve never subscribed to cable, and other TV viewers known as the “cord-cutters,” who’ve stopped subscribing to cable to use streaming services like Netflix.

Sling TV offers 14 live cable channels for $20 a month with instant start-up and no commitments. Of those channels, DISH succeeded in getting three of the most sought-after networks among the “cord nevers” and “cord cutters”: ESPN, ESPN 2 and CNN. In other words, the crown jewels of 24-hour sports and news that can’t be found on a Netflix or Hulu Plus like you can with a TV show.

The other channels are well-known, not obscure, channels: TBS, TNT, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network / Adult Swim, ABC Family, Travel Channel, Food Network and HGTV. It’s not like you have to suffer C-SPAN as filler. AMC was added to the base package list as well, as of today. However, you may have to wait a bit until it’s available. That will include live streaming of such popular shows as The Walking Dead and Mad Men.

Sling TV is a simple, highly anticipated concept that needs brilliant execution. Does it succeed?

What You Need

You need a high-speed internet connection with at least around 5MBps, which is frequently an entry level speed. That’ll probably cost you around $20 to $30. The 4G data plan for your phone or mobile device will also work very well.

You also need a Roku 3 (2013 model), iOS or Android device or a Mac to use the Sling TV app and watch live TV.

At this moment, you might be thinking that sucks, particularly when it comes to watching on, well, TV. And it does, but that’s the current lineup for early invites.

Sling TV promises to broaden the number of devices when the service is opened to the general public. Accessibility will include PCs, Xbox One, other Roku boxes and the Roku Streaming Stick, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick and the Google Nexus Player.

I tested the Sling TV on an iPhone (iOS), Android tablet and Mac.

What Works

The user interface is simple, intuitive and looks the same across platforms. When you open the app for the first time, you’re presented with ESPN, their biggest asset (or the last channel you were watching), and a side-scrolling list of channels as an overlay. You also get that day’s program guide for the channel you are currently watching.

I thought the HD picture looked as good as expected with some compression artifacts occasionally occurring just after I loaded up a channel.

I used Airplay with my iPhone and an Apple TV to watch the Australian Open tennis final on my TV and that worked very well. On another occasion, the AirPlay connection crashed but that might’ve been more AirPlay than Sling TV.

You also get a movie channel where you can rent new movies like Fury, Lucy and Guardians of the Galaxy for $3.99 to $6.99 (SD) or $4.99 to $7.99 (HD). Most new movies in HD are $4.99. There are also older movies available, ranging from $2.99 for SD to $3.99 for HD. If you’re used to renting from Google Play or iTunes, it’s a pretty familiar selection.

What’s Missing

You can only watch Sling TV on one device at a time. Sorry [insert friend, family member or roommate]. Not surprising, but it could be a deal breaker for some of you.

Instant channel switching. Expect some buffering (albeit brief in the >1 to 2 second range) when you change channels.

There are playback options for pause, reverse, forward and start from the beginning (“Start Over”), but they were not available on most of the 12 basic channels that I reviewed except HGTV and Travel Channel.

Commercials are missing on ESPN and ESPN2. It appears the ESPN and ESPN 2 feeds are from WatchESPN, so you just get a blank screen during commercials. Not a big deal unless you love the ads on ESPN.

Hey, You Get to Watch Live Sports Again

While I experienced a few minor streaming hiccups here and there, I was satisfied with the picture and presentation. Mainly, Sling TV just gets out of the way so you can watch your live TV just like in the olden days. It works. Plus, Sling TV gives you all the more reason to stare endlessly at your phone in public so you don’t miss any of the big game.

As of today, Dish also announced a new package for Sports fanatics. At $5 a month, the Sports Extra package includes ESPN News, ESPN U, SEC ESPN Network, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Goal Line. Universal Sports, Bein Sports.

If you want even more channels, there are two other current options for subscribers. For an extra $5, you can get a kids’ package which adds Disney Junior, Disney XD, Boomerang, BabyTV and ducktv. Alternatively, for the same price, you can add a news package with Cooking Channel, DIY Network, HLN, and Bloomberg News.

Sling TV is off to a good start. Sure, it means watching TV in the 21st century isn’t as straightforward as it used to be, but it can be cheaper than traditional cable if you know what your specific needs are.

Say you’ve got a monthly TV bill that includes high-speed internet at home for $30, Sling TV for $20, Netflix for $8, Hulu Plus for $8 and Amazon Prime for around $8, then you’ve dropped nearly $75 per month. But that’s still cheaper than the average internet + cable TV package without even counting any streaming services.

There’s definitely more choice now for TV viewers, and expect those options to increase as competitors throw their hat in the ring. Do we hear Apple in the wings? (Rumors say yes.)

Sling TV Review: A New Hope?

Are you binge watching right now? Friends has arrived on Netflix, the third season of House of Cards is on its way (and looks as high-stakes as ever) and Amazon is finally tracking in the world of prestigious streaming with its critically beloved Transcendence hitting awards shows left and right.

Binge watching has surpassed the honeymoon phase of memes and jokery. It’s now a bona fide part of digital culture, the claw of never-ending entertainment grasping at even the strongest deniers and succeeding at sucking them into marathon sessions of good and bad shows alike.

Accept your fate, know your weakness, and then you can focus on creating the best binge-watching atmosphere possible. Is it irrational to plan for weeks of non-activity and sloth-like behavior? Probably. Does a lack of logic dictate what people do on a regular basis? Your answer to that question is answered by whether you continue to read further. If you do, you’ll find some handy suggestion on what to take with you into your binge watching life hole.

If you already have streaming hardware, skip past the first section. If not, read on!

Must-Have Hardware

If you aren’t streaming your entertainment directly through a TV, video game console or ancient magic, the world of streaming devices isn’t so heavily populated that you should cower in fear like old people did when cell phones were invented. In fact, there are really only a few notable competitors out there. The first device comes from perhaps the most notable competitor of all, in all things, everywhere.

Chromecast

Google’s tiny little streaming device plugs directly into any HDMI port and does one of two things. It either accesses the traditional catalog of streaming services available through most devices, or it simply mirrors the image of whatever device you might be using (computer, phone, tablet, etc.) directly onto the big screen. Both options require interfacing with an outside device, which diminishes the convenience factor just a bit. On the other hand, Chromecast wins the category for most adaptable. It’s the most likely device to be able to put whatever you want on screen. Here’s our review of it.

Roku 3

On the other side of the spectrum are the Roku devices, which run all on their own and even comes with a button stick (remote controller). You won’t need another device to make it work. Just wi-fi, and pretty much any Roku device is going to run any moderately popular streaming application. Far less technical, for sure, but the convenience of that comes at a steeper price tag than the Chromecast. Here’s our review of the Roku 3. Roku also has its own streaming stick, which we reviewed, but it’s a bit limited in the mirroring department.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Lastly but certainly not least is Amazon’s own streaming stick thingamajig. Again, we’ve reviewed this one, and we reviewed it quite well. Not only does it run games and allow voice control, it’s well integrated with Amazon’s own media streaming services (music and video). If you’re an Amazon Prime member, this is your choice, hands down. If not, it still might be your choice. It’s well-priced and it performs well, though doesn’t mirror anything.

Satiating Your Hunger

Nowhere else than in your own home do you have more control over that one inescapable necessity of life – the need to eat. It’s perhaps the greatest benefit to binge-watching that you aren’t privy to the whims of other people’s preferences or a movie theater’s severe lack of non-life-threatening goodies. That said, to deprive yourself of well-made popcorn simply because some poor high school kid isn’t making it for you behind the counter is a sin. That’s why you need to buy yourself a popcorn machine. They come in three flavors.

But if you aren’t into popcorn all that much (which would make you inhuman), there are other ways to transport the delicacies of the world into your living room without degrading their prestige with a microwave.

Relaxing in Complete Comfort

After keeping yourself alive, healthily or not, finding the utmost feng shui of comfort in front of that TV screen should take priority. And chief among comfort items are blankets and pillows. A rigorous online search happened us upon these sinfully comfy body huggers:

The Blanket that Never Lets You Go

View on Amazon

Give it enough time and your feet just might find there way out of the bottom of your blanket. Twenty minutes later your whole body feels cold, but you don’t quite register. And hour later and you’re on the brink of frostbite. If only you had this Pure Bliss Comforter from Brookstone, which pockets your feet in a reverse kangaroo pouch on the bottom.

‘Tis the Lack of Feels that Moves You

View on Amazon

It’s in the name, really, called an Indulgence Blanket. With made up terms like microweave and coral fleece being thrown around, you can expect something pretty special. It’s a queen-sized blanket with the warmth to match but the weight of a sheet. You feel it, without really feeling it. Ya know?

Head on a Cloud

View on Amazon

The 100 percent, 300thread cotton count probably means something technical to a sewing machine. To me it means my head won’t need to move for at least 12 hours, granted I’ve already made my popcorn. Then again, perhaps not. This one’s on sale at Amazon for varying rates (dependent on size) hovering around 50 percent off.

Make it Convenient

Now you’re settled and fed. It’s time to slow everything down and allow the binge to overcome you, which means upping the convenience factor of your Kevin Spacey den. Despite our best efforts as a global society, the remote control still haunts the living room. There are remedies, if not a cure.

A Blind Grab

View on Amazon

Most remote controller organizers are simply boxes with a price tag. This one has the unique feature of not being a box, but also allowing you rank you remotes by importance and access them accordingly. And that’s bottom to top, of course, as not to strain those arm muscles too much.

Automated Mood Creation Device

View on Amazon

It dims lights.

The Do Everything Button

View on Amazon

You won’t find a universal remote these days without some sort of mobile connectivity, but this is the one CNET claims as the best for 2015. It’s convenient, features buttons that actually put you somehwere worth being and, of course, interfaces seamlessly with any moderately competent Android or iOS smart phone. (You can check out the rest of CNET’s best Universal Remotes list here).

10 Essentials for Enjoying Your Next, All-Day Netflix Binge

At $50, the new Roku 3500R Streaming Stick (HDMI version) is priced between the best-in-class Roku 3 ($99) and the Google Chromecast ($35), both of which we’ve reviewed on The CheckOut (9/10 and 7/10, respectively). You might think of the Streaming Stick as Roku’s answer to the latter, as they have similar form factors, but it’s really more or less the former, crammed into a thumb drive-sized dongle.

Whereas the Chromecast is becoming a full-fledged mirroring device for your PC, phone and tablet (Android as a start) with limited streaming capabilities, the Roku Streaming Stick is a full-fledged streaming media player with limited mirroring capabilities. You can mirror (or cast) Netflix and YouTube from their respective mobile apps to the Roku stick—which is pretty cool the first time—but that’s all you can mirror (see screenshot at right). At least for now, because this functionality is expected to appear on more apps for Roku.

The Roku Streaming Stick is itself not entirely new. The 2012 MHL version (aka “Roku Ready”) is actually slightly smaller and sells for $20 more. The MHL (Mobile High Definition Link) port, which functions like HDMI, is found on newer TVs and powers the older streaming stick. The 2014 iteration drops the MHL requirement for the more-universal HDMI connectivity but now needs to be powered via USB or outlet.

Getting Started

The Roku Streaming Stick is fairly straightforward to set up. Inside the fancy packaging, you’ll find a 6-ft. microUSB to USB cable that you can plug into the included power adapter or a powered USB port on your TV. The cable could stand to be longer but since it’s universal, that’s easy enough to change.

There’s no on/off switch, so it potentially never powers down, which can be problematic (more about that later). If you do plug the Roku stick into a powered USB port, the unit will power down with the TV, but that also means it has to boot up every time you turn on the TV, and that process can take a couple minutes.

Pairing the RF remote (which comes with “AA” Duracell Coppertops) is automatic and takes a few seconds. From the top, you select language and wireless network, enter network password, then update software and restart the Roku stick. If you don’t have one, you’ll have to create a new Roku account on your computer, then link or update the Roku stick with that account and start adding channels.

The whole process takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on how many services you have accounts with. Entering all the usernames and passwords for your different channels using the remote and on-screen keyboard can be tedious. The good news is Roku’s on-screen keyboard is better and faster than other streaming players, including the Apple TV.

Alternatively, you can download the free Roku app for your mobile device (iOS and Android) and control the stick from there. It’s fast, maybe even faster than the actual remote. And the built-in keyboard is definitely faster.

Happy Face

What does the Roku Streaming Stick offer that makes it an appealing choice for streaming aficionados? For starters, the price. As a bonus, you can get an $8 credit at M-GO—Roku’s streaming partner— with purchase through August 2014, which makes it an even better deal. And if you’re new to the M-GO service, you also get a complimentary rental.

Secondly, the convenient and attractive compactness. About the size of an old-school USB drive, it measures 3.1 x 1.1 x 0.5 inches. The Roku stick easily hides behind the back of a TV, and you can always pick up a cheap right-angle HDMI adapter so a wall-mounted TV with rear-only HDMI ports can remain flush up against the wall.

Thirdly, it’s still Roku. It still streams 1080p full HD video, has built-in dual-band Wi-Fi and boasts the same intuitive UI that Roku is well-known for. Scrolling through the channel menu is convenient because it repeats from the beginning and you can easily add channels from the player or your computer.

Roku’s excellent cross-platform search is on the Streaming Stick, so you can see which channel has the movie or show you’re looking for.

Speaking of channels, Roku’s got a ton of them (like over 1,000). Except for iTunes (see Apple TV), you’ll find just about everything good, bad and in-between: Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video, Amazon Music (aka Cloud Player), YouTube (missing in older Rokus), Pandora, Spotify, M-GO, WatchESPN, Vudu, Redbox Instant and Plex among many, many others.

Plex is one of those lesser-known apps that’s not available on every streaming player (see Apple TV). Plex lets you stream content from your computer or networked drive. It’s a kick to watch your content via Plex complete with poster art. Plex now costs $5 after a 30-day free trial. It’s also great to watch free sports on WatchESPN (World Cup, Wimbledon), although some content is locked to your cable provider.

The remote looks basically the same as the 3rd gen Roku remotes, but lacks IR, motion control for games, and the headphone port, which some may see as a big drawback. It’s also missing ethernet and a microSD slot. However, these seem like acceptable omissions and compromises for the price point and size.

Frowny Face

As you may have seen from customer reviews on the web, the Netflix loading time is cited as one of the biggest issues of the Roku Streaming Stick. Starting up Netflix for the first time took over a minute (70 seconds). After I signed in, it took another 30 seconds to load, then it crashed after a couple minutes. The new Netflix app is beautiful, but it’s apparently too processor-intensive for this little Roku compared to the more robust dual-core CPU in the Roku 3.

In general, it takes Netflix about 25 to 28 seconds to load, while YouTube and WatchESPN are in the 10-second range. Most other apps—such as Amazon, Spotify and Plex—are in the 1- to 5-second range. In regular daily use, this wasn’t as big as an issue for me as it sounds, but it could be if all you use is Netflix.

I had some other problems with the Roku stick. It can run pretty hot, which may explain why the home screen once locked up after a week of being on and would not respond to the remote. I tried re-pairing the remote to no avail, so I had to unplug and replug the stick. That solution got it working again, but not after a couple minutes of holding my breath and waiting for the remote to automatically pair again.

Final Thoughts

Despite its limitations, I still recommend the Roku Streaming Stick, but as a second or third streaming device for a bedroom TV or guest room TV. The slow Netflix loading is currently being addressed by Roku, and the overall experience is still worthy of the Roku brand. But if you’re looking for a primary streaming player, go pick up a Roku 3 on sale. It’s still the best out there.

Check for Roku Deals on Ben’s

Roku Streaming Stick Review (HDMI Version): Size Matters Not

Popular with consumers who have ditched expensive cable and cut the cord, Roku hardware has long offered access to many popular streaming video applications for a fairly low cost. Released during March 2013, the new Roku 3 hardware provides upgraded speed, a slick interface and a nifty feature on the remote control that helps you watch content privately. At a $99 price point, the Roku 3 replaces the Roku 2 XS in the Roku lineup. Roku is continuing to offer the Roku LT, Roku HD and Roku 2 XD at prices ranging from $49.99 to 79.99.

Hardware

While the hockey puck size of the Roku hasn’t changed much, the device is much slicker with rounded edges and glossy treatment on the sides. The device is slightly heavier than the Roku 2 and smaller than the Apple TV. In combination with the rubber lining on the bottom, that keeps the hardware sitting in place rather than sliding around to relieve the tension in the HDMI cable.

Speaking of HDMI, that’s the only way to send video and audio to the television. There’s no component out, composite out or optical out. You need a high definition television with an open HDMI input to use the Roku 3. However, there is an Ethernet port for a direct wired connection to a home’s router and a USB port to watch content on a portable hard drive or thumb drive.

However, the speed gained from switching from the first generation Roku hardware to the Roku 3 is just stunning. The upgraded processor and dual band Wi-Fi make sure everything keeps zipping along, especially evident within the major applications like Netflix, Hulu Plus or HBO GO. It’s also much faster to go from startup to watching something than alternatives like gaming consoles of applications built into Smart televisions.

Besides the actual Roku 3 hardware, the remote control has gotten a really useful upgrade: a headphone jack. When a set of headphones is plugged into the remote control, the sound is automatically muted on the television and the user can adjust a volume rocker on the side of the remote to increase volume. It allows you to watch the television without disturbing anyone else and Roku includes a free set of earbuds in the box to get started.

My only complaint is that wireless interference can occasionally be an issue with the remote and cause slight audio dropouts. Regarding controlling the device, Roku has included motion capabilities for games (similar to the Roku 2) and uses Wi-Fi Direct technology so the user doesn’t need line-of-sight to navigate the device.

Interface

If you have long suffered with the old, scrolling Roku menu, you will be overjoyed to know that the entire user interface has been completely retooled for efficiency. Rather than scrolling horizontally, the UI displays three channels per row and can be navigated vertically. In addition, the two column design allows users to scroll through the channel store on the left while the right side either shows the channels themselves or information about content. (Roku 2 owners should be on the lookout for the new interface in a downloadable update during April 2013.)

Beyond the slick interface, the search functionality is also a major component in the redesign. Searching through the channels installed on the device, the interface will bring up content in addition to every channel where it can be streamed. For instance, a search for The Walking Dead will bring up the two seasons on Netflix Instant as well as the third season on premium services like Vudu or Amazon Instant Video. It’s really impressive how quickly search queries pop up in the interface as well.

Content

With over 750 public channels available to users as well as a variety of private channels, the Roku 3 supports major applications such as:

• Video: Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, HBO GO, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Crackle
• Music: Pandora, Spotify, Slaker, Rdio, Vevo, Mog, Amazon Cloud Player
• Sports: NHL GameCenter, NBA GameTime, MLB.TV, UFCTV, MLS Live, SEC Digital Network

Interestingly, New Yorkers can install the Aereo private application and watch local live television networks such at NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX. Aereo is also planning to expand to an additional twenty-two markets around the United States, but is also tangled up with litigation with CBS. For anyone that has Time Warner Cable, there’s an official application on the Roku store that allows subscribers to watch hundreds of live channels. This could be an ideal solution for a secondary room like a bedroom, thus avoiding the cost of renting an additional cable box.

Unfortunately, Roku still doesn’t support YouTube. According to analysts, this was previously due to Roku’s hardware limitations and Google’s minimum hardware requirements to stream YouTube content. However, it could be resolved soon due to the upgraded hardware.

You can also install the Plex channel to watch YouTube content using the Plex server installed on another computer in the household. Plex also allows you to watch other forms of streaming Web content on the Roku as well.

For anyone with a smartphone or tablet, you can also stream YouTube content, AirPlay-style, on a Roku 3 device using an application called TwonkyBeam.

Is the Roku 3 Worth it?

I’ve tested tons of set-top, streaming media devices like the Apple TV, Boxee Box, WD TV Play and Vizio CoStar. If you have tons of content already stored on your personal computer, the WD TV Play is a much better option due to the much wider array of media compatibility. If you are already invested heavily in premium purchases within Apple’s ecosystem, the Apple TV will be your best bet.

However, the Roku 3 is easily the top dog for users who want the fastest way to get to streaming video content. The interface is snappy, incredibly easy to use and search is way better than Google TV’s interface. The remote control headphone feature is very handy if you don’t own a pair of wireless headphones, as well. The Roku 3 is a solid choice for the main television in the home theater as well as secondary televisions around the home in the bedroom, office or other areas.

Regarding price, it’s unlikely that Roku will offer discounts within the first three months of release. However, if sales on the Roku 2 XS were any indication, look for deals later this year in the $85 to $90 range as well as bundled deals with premium service providers like Netflix or Hulu Plus. Some third party dealers are already discounting the Roku 3 in the $90 range though.

Check Roku 3 Price History on Bens

But What if the Avengers Wanted a Roku 3?

Roku 3 Review