Not sure which streaming stick or TV box to buy, or what half the specifications mean? Start with the question you’re trying to answer and work from there.
Choosing a new streaming device
- Best streaming devices UK — our current starting points for different needs.
- Best streaming sticks — compact options from Fire TV, Roku and Google TV.
- Best Android TV and Google TV boxes — certified boxes with useful storage and connectivity options.
- Freely TV boxes compared — live TV over broadband, recording and the differences between the main devices.
- Devices with built-in Ethernet and 32GB streaming devices — useful if you already know the hardware feature you need.
Trying to choose between two?
Use the comparison tool for any pair in our catalogue. We also have longer head-to-head guides for Fire TV Stick 4K Plus vs Max, 4K Select vs 4K Plus, Google TV Streamer vs Xiaomi TV Box S and Apple TV 4K vs Google TV Streamer.
Making sense of the specs
If you’re still working out what matters, start with Android TV vs Google TV, how much storage you need, Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E or Freely vs Freeview Play.
If you’d rather answer a few questions than read through every guide, the Device Finder can give you a shortlist in a couple of minutes.
Buying Guides
Buying Guides
New Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen) UK 2026: Vega OS, Specs & What Changed
Amazon’s new Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen) runs Vega OS, adds Wi-Fi 6, Direct Power and a redesigned remote. Here’s what changed for UK buyers and how it differs from the 4K Max.
Read guide →
Buying Guides
New STRONG LEAP Box & Stick 2026: 4K Google TV Models Announced
STRONG has expanded its 2026 LEAP range with new Google TV hardware. Here’s what has actually been confirmed about the S4, NOVA and AI upscaling — and what still needs clarification for UK buyers.
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Buying Guides
Vodafone TV UK 2026: New Freely Streaming Box Explained
Vodafone TV is now available in the UK from £10 a month. Here are the confirmed plans, Freely integration, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, 4K, Dolby Vision and what still needs checking.
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Buying Guides
Roku UK 2026: Streaming Stick vs Plus vs 4K
Roku’s UK line is simple on the surface, but the differences between its current sticks still matter. Here’s how the models compare on 4K, HDR, price and ease of use.
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Buying Guides
Freely Recorder Box UK 2026: Can You Record Freely TV?
Freely brings live TV over broadband, but recording is more complicated. Here’s what can and can’t be recorded, why streamed channels are different, and which boxes are worth looking at if recording matters.
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Buying Guides
Best Android TV Box UK 2026: 4 Certified Picks Worth Buying
If you want an Android TV or Google TV box in the UK, certification matters as much as the headline hardware. These four picks cover value, premium Google TV, Plex and local media, and wired networking.
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Buying Guides
NVIDIA Shield TV Pro 2026: Still Worth Buying in the UK?
The Shield TV Pro is old hardware by streaming-box standards, but it still has features newer boxes often lack. We look at Plex, USB, Gigabit Ethernet, AI upscaling, GeForce NOW and the trade-off of buying a 2019 design in 2026.
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Buying Guides
Best Freely TV Box UK 2026: Manhattan Aero vs PLEIO vs Humax Aura EZ
Manhattan Aero, Netgem PLEIO and Humax Aura EZ all bring Freely to the TV, but they handle apps, aerials and recording very differently. This guide shows where each one fits.
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Buying Guides
Best Streaming Device for BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 UK
If BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 are the apps you care about most, start there rather than with the biggest specification sheet. This guide covers the platform and live-TV checks worth making before you buy.
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Buying Guides
Best Streaming Device for an Older TV UK: Simple Upgrade Guide
An older TV often needs a better streaming device, not replacing altogether. Here’s what to check for HDMI, HD vs 4K, power, remote simplicity and platforms that are easier to live with.
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Buying Guides
Best Streaming Sticks UK 2026: Roku, Fire TV and Xiaomi Compared
Roku, Fire TV, Xiaomi and MECOOL take different approaches to compact 4K streaming. Compare Google TV, storage, HDR, Wi-Fi and UK buying trade-offs.
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Buying Guides
Best 32GB Streaming Devices UK
If 8GB feels too tight, these 32GB streamers give you more room for apps and updates. The shortlist covers value, a compact stick, premium Google TV and a box with stronger connectivity.
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Buying Guides
Best Streaming Device with Ethernet UK
If you want a wired network connection without adding an adapter, these are the streaming devices in our catalogue with built-in Ethernet worth comparing, from Apple TV and Google TV to Fire TV and Freely hardware.
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Buying Guides
Best Premium Streaming Devices UK
Premium streaming boxes earn their price in different ways: Apple ecosystem integration, Google TV, Fire TV features or stronger connectivity. These are the higher-end options we’d compare first.
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Buying Guides
Best Google TV Devices UK: 4 Strong Options for Different Buyers
Google TV hardware ranges from low-cost boxes to premium models with Ethernet and more memory. These four picks cover the main reasons you might choose one: value, storage, compact size or stronger connectivity.
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Buying Guides
Best Fire TV Alternatives UK
If you’re thinking of leaving Fire TV, there are good alternatives from Xiaomi, STRONG, Google and Manhattan. We look at the reasons to switch — and the situations where staying with Fire TV still makes sense.
Read guide →Comparisons
Comparisons
Fire TV Stick 4K Select vs 4K Max UK 2026: Which Is Better?
The 4K Select and 4K Max may both be Fire TV sticks, but they’re built around different software and hardware. Here’s how Vega OS, Fire OS, storage, RAM, Wi-Fi and Dolby Vision change the choice.
Read guide → Comparisons
Fire TV Stick 4K Select vs 4K Plus UK 2026: Which Should You Buy?
Fire TV Stick 4K Select and 4K Plus sit close together in Amazon’s range, but Vega OS and Fire OS make them less alike than the names suggest. We compare the software, RAM, Wi-Fi, Dolby support and value.
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Comparisons
Google TV vs Fire TV UK: Which Platform Should You Choose?
Google TV and Fire TV can run many of the same streaming services, but the interface, hardware choices and wider ecosystems feel quite different. Here’s where Google, Alexa, casting, storage and app flexibility come into the decision.
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Comparisons
Roku Streaming Stick Plus vs Fire TV Stick 4K Max UK
Roku Streaming Stick Plus keeps things simple; Fire TV Stick 4K Max gives you more storage, broader HDR support and a busier Amazon ecosystem. Here’s how those differences affect the choice.
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Comparisons
Roku vs Fire TV UK: Which Streaming Platform Is Better?
Roku is usually the cleaner, simpler platform; Fire TV leans harder into Amazon, Alexa and a wider choice of hardware. Here’s how the interfaces, UK apps and ecosystem differences compare.
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Comparisons
Apple TV 4K vs Google TV Streamer (UK)
Apple TV 4K and Google TV Streamer are both premium boxes, but they make different bets on platform, storage, Ethernet and smart-home integration. Here’s where each one fits best.
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Comparisons
Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs 4K Plus: UK Differences (2026)
The 4K Max and 4K Plus share the same Fire TV family, but the Max doubles the storage to 16GB and adds Wi-Fi 6E. We look at whether those upgrades are worth the extra money for your setup.
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Comparisons
Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen vs Fire TV Stick 4K Max (UK)
Xiaomi’s TV Box S and Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max both offer 4K streaming, but the form factor, software, storage and networking are quite different. Here’s what changes in a real buying decision.
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Comparisons
Google TV Streamer 4K vs Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen (UK)
Google TV Streamer and Xiaomi TV Box S both give you 32GB storage, but Google adds 4GB RAM and Gigabit Ethernet while Xiaomi targets a lower price. We compare the hardware and the trade-offs.
Read guide →Reviews
Reviews
Netgem PLEIO 4K Puck Review UK (2026): Hands-On Test
Our five-day hands-on test of the Netgem PLEIO 4K Puck found responsive everyday use and reliable connectivity, although picture quality was the main weakness. Overall score: 6.9/10.
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Reviews
Fire TV Stick 4K Max Review UK 2026
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) still has a useful hardware edge over Amazon’s cheaper sticks: 16GB storage, Wi-Fi 6E and Dolby Vision. We look at where that matters and where it doesn’t.
Read guide → Reviews
Fire TV Stick 4K Select Review UK 2026: Is Vega OS Worth It?
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is Amazon’s lower-cost Vega OS model. We look at what its 1GB RAM and 8GB storage mean in practice, what it still does well, and when a Fire OS stick makes more sense.
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Reviews
Google TV Streamer Review UK: Is Google’s 4K Box Worth It?
Google’s 4K Streamer gives you 4GB RAM, 32GB storage and built-in Gigabit Ethernet in a Google TV box. We look at the useful upgrades, the compromises and the cheaper alternatives worth comparing.
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Reviews
Roku Streaming Stick Plus Review UK
Roku’s Streaming Stick Plus is aimed at people who want straightforward 4K streaming without much fuss. We look at what Roku OS gets right, where the hardware is limited and how the price affects its value.
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Reviews
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) Review UK
Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) is expensive compared with most streamers, but the 128GB model adds Ethernet alongside the A15 Bionic chip, Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Here’s who those extras are for.
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Reviews
Roku Streaming Stick 4K Review UK
Roku Streaming Stick 4K still combines Dolby Vision with Roku’s straightforward interface, but newer alternatives now sit alongside it. We look at what remains useful and what to compare before buying.
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Reviews
Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) Review UK
The Fire TV Cube is more than a faster stick in a box: it adds Wi-Fi 6E, Ethernet, HDMI input, USB and hands-free Alexa. We look at who those extras are useful for and why 16GB storage is still a limitation.
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Reviews
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus Review UK
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus covers most of the features people expect from a modern 4K stick. The question is whether its 8GB storage is enough, or whether the 4K Max is worth paying more for.
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Reviews
STRONG LEAP S3PRO Review UK 2026
STRONG’s LEAP-S3PRO packs 32GB storage, Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet and useful USB ports into a certified Google TV box. We look at what that hardware buys you and the limitations to check before ordering.
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Reviews
STRONG LEAP NOVA Review UK 2026
STRONG LEAP NOVA is a Google TV stick with an unusually useful 32GB of storage, plus Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision. We look at where the compact design works well and what you give up compared with a box.
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Reviews
Manhattan Aero Review: Freely Without an Aerial
Manhattan Aero is a 4K TiVo OS box built around Freely, so it can bring live TV over broadband without an aerial or dish. We look at what that makes easier and what it can’t replace.
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Reviews
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) Review UK
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) puts Google TV, Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision into a compact stick. The big compromise is storage: 8GB leaves much less room for apps and updates than the better-equipped boxes.
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Reviews
Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) Review UK
Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) gives you Google TV, 32GB storage, Wi-Fi 6 and 4K HDR at the value end of the market. Its main hardware compromise is the lack of built-in Ethernet.
Read guide →Setup Guides
Setup Guides
Vega OS vs Fire OS: What Changed on Fire TV Sticks in 2026?
Fire TV now spans two different operating systems. This guide explains which current sticks use Vega OS or Fire OS, what that means for apps and sideloading, and where the differences matter.
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Setup Guides
Freely vs Freeview Play: What’s the Difference in the UK?
Freely and Freeview Play both bring UK television services together, but one is built around broadband and the other around an aerial. Here’s how live TV, catch-up and compatible hardware differ.
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Setup Guides
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E for Streaming Devices: What Actually Matters?
Wi-Fi 6E sounds like an obvious upgrade over Wi-Fi 6, but it won’t automatically make a streaming box better. Here’s when 6GHz helps, what your router needs, and why Ethernet can still be the simpler answer.
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Setup Guides
2GB vs 4GB RAM on a Streaming Device: Does It Matter?
2GB and 4GB of RAM are not the same thing as storage, and more memory does not automatically make every streamer faster. Here’s where extra RAM can help with app switching and a heavier interface.
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Setup Guides
Streaming Stick vs Streaming Box: Which Is Better for Your TV?
A stick is neater behind the TV; a box usually gives manufacturers more room for storage, Ethernet and ports. This guide helps work out which form factor makes more sense for your setup.
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Setup Guides
8GB vs 16GB vs 32GB: Streaming Device Storage Explained
8GB, 16GB and 32GB can feel very different once the operating system, apps and updates start using the space. Here’s how much storage is enough, how it differs from RAM and when paying for more is worthwhile.
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Setup Guides
Android TV vs Google TV: What UK Buyers Actually Need to Know
Android TV and Google TV are closely related, so the branding can make the difference look bigger than it is. Here’s what the names mean, what they share and why certification and hardware often matter more.
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