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Amazon

Gift guide: The best streaming devices and smart TVs

By Monique Crawford, Komando.com
•
November 24, 2021

Are you ready to get the latest and greatest streaming TVs and gadgets? If it’s been a while since your last television and streaming device update, you may be surprised at how many new features, channels, apps and more are available.

We’ve looked into tons of this year’s tech, and we found 10 great products to choose from for an improved streaming system. Access more of your favorite content on bigger screens, smaller streaming sticks and more.

Here’s our list of 10 streaming TVs and devices that will blow your old tech out of the water.

1. Tiny but mighty

Fire TV Stick Lite

Fire TV Stick Lite

The Fire TV Stick Lite is one of the most affordable and smallest streaming sticks available. Just plug it into your smart TV's USB slot and follow the prompts to set it up. Use the remote to tell Alexa what music to play, app to open, movie to stream and more. Connect to free apps and channels or access your paid programming like Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix and Prime Video.

Promising review: "Have purchased several Fire TV sticks in past. Just purchased this new 'lite' version of it for an additional television of mine. Works just as well as any other version of the Fire TV Stick. Super easy to set up and get started with it. Highly recommended."
Buy Now
$29.99 on Amazon.com

2. Long-range streaming

Roku Streaming Stick+

Roku Streaming Stick+

If your Wi-Fi router is located at the opposite side of your home, this Roku Streaming Stick+ is exactly what you need. It provides brilliant image quality in HD, 4K or KDR and comes with a long-range wireless receiver so you don't get stuck buffering through your favorite shows.

Promising review: "The ROKU is easy to set up and navigate. Great Product! Lots of selections of things to watch."
Buy Now
$70.40 on Amazon.com

3. All in one

Roku Streambar

Roku Streambar

If you love to listen to superior sound coming from an impressive soundbar, try the Roku Streambar. As the name suggests, it's more than your average soundbar. It also features a built-in 4K streaming device that allows you to catch up on the news, watch your favorite sports, stream the best shows and watch the latest movies. Why have a streaming device and separate soundbar when you can get this cool gadget?

Promising review: "Purchased the Roku streaming sound bar to replace a Roku Streaming Stick Plus ... The Streaming Bar has been great. [P]rojects the sound, it is small in size, fits nicely in front of the TV, and the sound quality is great."
Buy Now
$99.99 on Amazon.com

4. For the Apple lover

2021 Apple TV 4K (32GB)

2021 Apple TV 4K (32GB)

If you have an older Apple TV, it's time for an upgrade. This 2021 edition offers 32GB of storage, so you can download all your favorite apps and stream them in 4K quality. The device features Dolby Atmos sound, an A12 chip to boost audio, graphics and video, original content from Apple TV+ and comes with a new Siri remote with a touch-enabled click pad.

Promising review: "I have the original Apple TV. Great job with the new remote. Easy setup, outstanding picture and audio. Easy integration into my network."
Buy Now
$128.99 on Amazon.com

5. One Fire TV stick to rule them all?

Introducing Fire TV Stick 4K

Introducing Fire TV Stick 4K

This is Amazon's most powerful streaming stick. It is 40% more powerful than the Fire TV Stick 4K and promises faster app startups with more fluid navigation. It supports Wi-Fi 6, includes an Alexa voice remote, offers more fluid gameplay and quicker rendering graphics, as well as access to all your favorite streaming apps.

Promising review: "The first thing I noticed was how crisp the picture was compared to my fire stick 4K. The second thing I noticed was how great the sound was. It’s a lot quicker then my old fire stick 4K as well. I’m going to purchase one for my bedroom TV as well."
Buy Now
$34.99 on Amazon.com

6. Is your TV smart?

TCL 65-inch 6-Series 4K Smart TV

TCL 65-inch 6-Series 4K Smart TV

This TCL 65" TV features 4K Ultra HD picture clarity, Dolby Vision HDR and mini LED technology to create impressive contrast, brightness and uniformity. It is a QLED, meaning you get better brightness and wider color volume as well as up to 240 localized contrast zones. Use Alexa or Google Assistant to navigate to Netflix, Hulu, search for content featuring your favorite actors and more.

Promising review: "I am super impressed at this [TV]. It looks as good as a family members' significantly more expensive Samsung. It is a huge leap over the 5 series as well."
Buy Now
$999.99 on Amazon.com

7. A simple solution

Roku Premiere

Roku Premiere

If you're ready for your first streaming device, turn to the Roku Premiere. It offers 4K picture and HDR color, sets up quickly and easily, and includes a remote and an HDMI cable for even easier setup. Log into your paid and free streaming apps and watch without any Roku activation fees. Connect Alexa, Google Assistant-enabled devices, Apple devices, Apple Home or even use Siri to launch channels and find all your favorites.

Promising review: "We took out the cable box and use our Roku Premiere instead. It works well, the picture is perfect and it does everything it is supposed to do. Recommend!"
Buy Now
$31.49 on Amazon.com

8. High performance all day long

NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV

NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV

For a discreet streaming device, turn to the NVIDIA SHIELD media player. It supports all your favorite subscription services like YouTube, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Netflix and Disney +. The compact sheath helps it disappear behind your TV and blend with your other cables. It includes a Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band AC Wi-Fi, a built-in power supply and a microSD card slot to expand storage. Use your voice to control it with Google Assistant, Alexa, Google Home and Echo.

Promising review: "Love it! 100% better than a Roku or FireStick. So much more horsepower to switch apps quickly. Never have any lagging or waiting for something to load. No glitches. Supports high quality audio and video streams, can handle gaming, etc."
Buy Now
$149.99 on Amazon.com
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
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