Roku Firestick or Chromecast

[Triggermv]

Related question: i've been thinking about a new TV and I'm wondering if I should skip smart tvs and just get a good, regular TV and use a Firestick. That way you can upgrade the streaming hardware without getting a new TV. Does that seem reasonable? Can you even get a TV that isn't 'smart' anymore?

You would be hard pressed to find any TV anymore that isn't a smart TV, and if you do, it would be such a poor low-line model of a TV that I would not get it. The reason I use my AppleTV streaming device isn't because my TV isn't a Smart TV, it is simply because all the streaming devices are still significantly better at streaming than even the best of Smart TVs out there right now. They also are going to give you a significantly wider range of available apps. In fact, I've yet to find any Smart TV which isn't missing at least a couple major apps I use regularly, and I only buy the highest of model TVs.

 

[Clonehomer]

Most all are fine with keeping up as long as you have one of the more recent models. Those complaining about the Apple TV remote in all models except the latest are well justified. However, the new remote is pretty spectacular and I'd argue better than all the other remotes of the other streaming devices out there now. Yes, Apple absolutely charges too much for the device as compared to how incrementally superior its product is compared to its competitors, which will and justifiably should keep a lot of people way. However, that doesn't change the fact that if you want the absolute best out there right now, I'd argue the latest version of the 4K AppleTV is that. If you are on a budget and can't stomach the price, I'd argue Roku is your next best option.

Did they make the remote bigger, or is it still sized to be held by a toddler? That's really why I like the Roku remotes best. They have some size and heft to them so I can hold them easily. Also, their buttons aren't so sensitive that I can't put it in my pocket without the fear of changing the channel.

 

[jay moe]

We have an Amazon Firestick and have no trouble watching sports.

 

[Triggermv]

Did they make the remote bigger, or is it still sized to be held by a toddler? That's really why I like the Roku remotes best. They have some size and heft to them so I can hold them easily. Also, their buttons aren't so sensitive that I can't put it in my pocket without the fear of changing the channel.

Yes, they are bigger, much heftier and heavy, and no longer have the touchpad, which means they aren't oversensitive like the old ones. Believe it or not, they are now somewhat a throwback to the original Apple TV initial generation remotes, only with more size and heft. Here is what they look like now. I would only recommend getting one with this remote even though I don't mind the older remotes as much as some people.

 

[1100011CS]

You would be hard pressed to find any TV anymore that isn't a smart TV, and if you do, it would be such a poor low-line model of a TV that I would not get it. The reason I use my AppleTV streaming device isn't because my TV isn't a Smart TV, it is simply because all the streaming devices are still significantly better at streaming than even the best of Smart TVs out there right now. They also are going to give you a significantly wider range of available apps. In fact, I've yet to find any Smart TV which isn't missing at least a couple major apps I use regularly, and I only buy the highest of model TVs.

The FireTV we have (a Toshiba which I don't think makes FireTVs anymore) has every app I've ever wanted.

 

[1100011CS]

Yes, they are bigger, much heftier and heavy, and no longer have the touchpad, which means they aren't oversensitive like the old ones. Believe it or not, they are now somewhat a throwback to the original Apple TV initial generation remotes, only with more size and heft. Here is what they look like now. I would only recommend getting one with this remote even though I don't mind the older remotes as much as some people.

View attachment 104707

Looks like they copied the FireStick remotes

 

[houjix]

The FireTV we have (a Toshiba which I don't think makes FireTVs anymore) has every app I've ever wanted.

We got a Toshiba Fire TV about 2 years ago and I don't think there has been any app I couldn't find. My LG smart TV I think was missing some, but recent updates have taken care of that.

 

[cyfanatic]

I have all 3...slowly switching them to all Chromecast ONLY because I prefer the interface and using Google Home with it. That said...from my experience it would only be about preference as I didn't notice any difference in quality. My parents love Roku because the home screen is simple. Chromecast and Firesticks are definitely busy when it comes to home screens. My simple experience is that all 3 worked for what I needed and I liked all 3 but in the end I tend to prefer Google stuff for whatever reason.

 

[aeroclone]

I have a range of Roku devices and you get what you pay for. The newer Roku Ultras are super snappy. The newer 4K stick isn't bad, but not as snappy as the Ultra. The lower end models can be a little slower navigating menus and loading apps. So my advice is even if you aren't streaming 4k on a massive screen, spend the extra 20 or 30 to buy the best model you can. My experience is Roku, but would imagine this will be the same with any platform you choose.

 

[Donqluione]

Our newest smart 4K TVs have built-in Chromecast and work great as they certainly should for the $$$.

For older, non 4K TVs up to 12-15 years old we have 4K Firesticks and the Firesticks work great on all of them, no buffering or other issues. Not much $ differential for 4K Firesticks, why cheap out even if the TV isn't 4K.

 

[Agclone91]

Both are too slow to watch sports, I went Apple TV.

I have no idea what "too slow" is supposed to mean, but I have chromecasts on all of my TV's and watch a lot of sports.

The Chromecast with Google TV is awesome. Highly recommend.

 

[Lineup]

Firestick works great for me

 

[MeowingCows]

Just recently got into this world. Have a TCL Roku TV and 2 new Fire Stick Lites on others. The Roku TV is starting to show same age when using apps, menus for Hulu/Netflix/YouTubeTV/etc can get slow, but it does work well when actually streaming video -- no problems there. Fire Stick Lites are snappier and work fine as well. This is all over WiFi hooked up gig fiber (which I just upgraded recently...my previous router, which I thought was still good and up to the task, couldn't actually handle the load I put on it and couldn't push a gig real throughput -- new router I bought does much better. I spent a week trying to blame CenturyLink for it, only to discover it really was my own fault).

 

[jdcyclone19]

I've used all. Cheaper roku models are very slow. The 4K+ stick and ultra are pretty solid.
Chromecast is a bit faster than the roku but a bit more glitchy. Fire stick max 4K and the cube are good options but they have a ton of advertisements.

Apple TV has the best hardware and platform, imo. They're almost the most expensive outside of the shield.

If the only streaming you will be doing is ESPN+, id get the cheaper of the chromecast, firestick 4K or roku stick 4K. It won't make a difference. Even if you don't need 4K, the 4K versions have been cpus and more ram which results in a better experience. Now if streaming is your primary way of using TV, I'd get a roku ultra or apple tv.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Related question: i've been thinking about a new TV and I'm wondering if I should skip smart tvs and just get a good, regular TV and use a Firestick. That way you can upgrade the streaming hardware without getting a new TV. Does that seem reasonable? Can you even get a TV that isn't 'smart' anymore?

Non-smart TVs are getting hard to find. Insignia (Best Buy house brand) makes some and they are decent. I had an early Roku TV and after a few years the streaming hardware started getting slow and I assume they had probably stopped supporting it by then. I reset the TV to factory settings and plugged in a chromecast and it's basically a new TV. So I would say buy whatever you like and know you will always be able to update it if needed.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

Roku if you want to be the most flexible, Fire TV if you are a Amazon person. Chromecast if you are tied into Google stuff.

Apple TV is not close. Read any review. Total Apple fanboying with that opinion.

 

[NATEizKING]

I have newest gen Firestick (Power button, volume buttons, Netflix/Disney/Amazon/Hulu buttons), can get them for 20 bucks at times during the year. Zero issues other than the Disney app crashes sometimes but I think it's cuz Disney app just sucks (but has gotten a little better).

Thinking about gluing remote to a 2x4 so the wife/kids stop losing it.

 

[Cyfan1965]

I've used all. Cheaper roku models are very slow. The 4K+ stick and ultra are pretty solid.
Chromecast is a bit faster than the roku but a bit more glitchy. Fire stick max 4K and the cube are good options but they have a ton of advertisements.

Apple TV has the best hardware and platform, imo. They're almost the most expensive outside of the shield.

If the only streaming you will be doing is ESPN+, id get the cheaper of the chromecast, firestick 4K or roku stick 4K. It won't make a difference. Even if you don't need 4K, the 4K versions have been cpus and more ram which results in a better experience. Now if streaming is your primary way of using TV, I'd get a roku ultra or apple tv.

My son got a TCL 65" smart TV for free when Pandemic hit and closed his pizza place. That works great but I can't always get that TV when I want to watch the volleyball.

 

[1100011CS]

I have newest gen Firestick (Power button, volume buttons, Netflix/Disney/Amazon/Hulu buttons), can get them for 20 bucks at times during the year. Zero issues other than the Disney app crashes sometimes but I think it's cuz Disney app just sucks (but has gotten a little better).

Thinking about gluing remote to a 2x4 so the wife/kids stop losing it.

This x 1000

 

[Cyfan1965]

Thanks all- The missus has bought the 4K Roku with max range for Wifi