ViewHarbour is a UK site for people trying to make sense of streaming sticks, TV boxes and connected-TV hardware before they spend money on one.
We cover the devices themselves, the platforms they run, and the small details that often make the difference once a box is actually connected to your TV. That means reviews, comparisons, buying guides and tools such as the Device Finder.
What we try to do
Most product pages give you a long list of specifications. We try to turn those into a clearer answer: what does this device do well, where does it fall short, and who is it likely to suit?
We pay particular attention to app support, picture and audio formats, storage, memory, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, ports, certification and ease of use. We also try to surface the limitations that are easy to miss in a retailer listing.
How we choose recommendations
We don’t think one streaming device can be “best” for everyone. A simple Roku stick, a Fire TV device, a Google TV box and a Freely-focused recorder can all make sense for very different reasons.
Our recommendations therefore start with the job a device needs to do. Price matters, but so do platform, storage, networking, ports and the rest of the setup around it. Affiliate commission is not part of that decision.
What we’ve tested and what we’ve researched
We label hands-on work separately from researched coverage. If we’ve physically used a device, the review says so. If we haven’t, we base the article on published specifications, support information and other credible sources rather than writing as though we’ve tested it ourselves.
For specifications that could change a buying decision, we prefer the manufacturer’s current UK product or support information over marketplace copy.
Keeping the site useful
Streaming hardware changes, software gets updated, apps come and go, and prices move around. We update pages when a change is significant enough to affect the advice, and we keep visible dates or research notes where they help.
You can browse the latest reviews and buying guides or start with our current streaming-device shortlist.
Commercial independence
Some retailer links can earn ViewHarbour a commission, at no extra cost to you. That does not decide a ranking or remove a drawback from a review. Our Affiliate Disclosure explains how those links work.
Review samples and press
We welcome relevant review samples and loan units from manufacturers, distributors, PR agencies and retailers. Supplying hardware does not guarantee a positive review or a place in our recommendations. See Review Samples & Press for the full policy.
Spotted something wrong?
If a specification looks out of date, a link is broken or something simply doesn’t read right, please get in touch. We’d rather check it and correct it than leave a bad answer sitting on the site.