The Best Streaming Media Players under $100
Roku Premiere
★ Top Choice
BUY NOW
From $38.99
Features
- Tons of power, tons of fun: Snappy and responsive, you’ll stream your favorites with ease—from movies and series on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Netflix, to cable alternatives like Sling, enjoy the most talked-about TV across thousands of channels.
- Setup is a cinch: Plug it in with the included Premium High Speed HDMI Cable, connect to the internet, and start streaming—it’s that simple.
- Incredible picture, incredible value: Experience your favorite TV in stunning detail and clarity—whether you’re streaming in HD, 4K, or HDR, you’ll enjoy picture quality that’s optimized for your TV with sharp resolution and vivid color.
- Private listening on mobile: Use the free Roku mobile app to pump up the volume on your shows without disturbing the house.
- Automatic software updates: Get the most up-to-date software and new features without even thinking about it.
- New! Disney+ and Apple TV are now streaming on all Roku devices, Power input is between 5V – 1A.
- Simple remote: It’s got everything you need to start streaming, plus shortcut buttons to popular streaming channels.
- Endless entertainment: Stream what you love, including free TV, live news, sports, and more; Never miss the most talked-about events, award-winning shows, latest blockbuster hits, and more—It’s easy to stream what you love and cut back on cable bills.
Pros
- ⊕ Small.
- ⊕ Fast setup.
- ⊕ Inexpensive.
- ⊕ Supports HDR10.
- ⊕ Quick performance.
Cons
- ⊖ No voice controls.
- ⊖ Sluggish at times.
- ⊖ Fuzzy picture quality.
Specs
- Weight: 1.3 oz.
- Platform: Roku OS.
- Wireless Standard:: 802.11b/g/n.
- Product Dimensions: 1.4 x 3.3 x 0.7 in.
- Cables: USB, power adapter.
- Ports: Micro-USB, HDMI 2.0a.
- Picture Quality: 1080p HD, 4K UHD up to 2160p.
- Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, Bluetooth.
- What’s Included: Roku Premiere streaming device, Remote with app shortcut buttons, Two AAA batteries (for the remote), Power adapter and cable, High-speed HDMI cable.
Runner-Up, Best Streaming Device
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Best for 4K TV Streamers
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Reviewed
Roku Premiere Review - lifewire.com
Amazon Fire Stick
♥ Runner Up
BUY NOW
From $39.99
Features
- Watch favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO, and more. Stream for free with Pluto, IMDB TV, and more.
- Experience tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills, plus browse millions of websites using Firefox or Silk.
- No cable or satellite? Watch live TV and sports with subscriptions to Hulu, Sling, YouTube TV, and others.
- Pair with compatible Bluetooth headphones to listen to movies and music.
- Use the dedicated power, volume, and mute buttons to control your TV, soundbar, and receiver.
- Alexa on Fire TV provides the most comprehensive voice experience of any streaming media player.
- The #1 best-selling streaming media player, with Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Gen, released 2019).
- More storage for apps and games than any other streaming media stick.
- Amazon Prime members get unlimited access to thousands of movies and TV episodes.
Pros
- ⊕ Cheap device.
- ⊕ Fast processor.
- ⊕ Easy to navigate.
- ⊕ Speedy interface.
- ⊕ Alexa well-integrated.
Cons
- ⊖ No 4K.
- ⊖ No 4K support.
- ⊖ Kodi needs to be side-loaded.
Specs
- 4K support: No.
- Suported Connectivity: Wi-Fi.
- Processor: Quad-core.
- Size: 85 x 30 x 13mm.
- Operating System: Fire OS (Android based).
Mentioned
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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
Best Bang for the Buck
BUY NOW
From $49.99
Features
- Launch and control content with the Alexa Voice Remote.
- Choose from 500,000 movies and TV episodes.
- Alexa on Fire TV provides the most comprehensive voice experience of any streaming media player.
- Amazon Prime members get unlimited access to thousands of movies and TV episodes.
- Watch favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO, and more. Stream for free with Pluto, IMDB TV, and more.
- More storage for apps and games than any other streaming media stick.
- The most powerful 4K streaming media stick.
- Enjoy brilliant picture with access to 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+.
- Experience tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills.
Pros
- ⊕ 4K and HDR.
- ⊕ 4K and HDR 10+.
- ⊕ Fast performance.
- ⊕ Dolby Atmos Audio.
- ⊕ Alexa Voice Remote.
Cons
- ⊖ No YouTube app available.
Specs
- Storage: 8GB.
- Voice remote: Yes.
- Launch price: $49.99/£49.99.
- Picture quality: Up to 4K HDR10+.
- Ethernet port: No - requires aditional adapter.
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Amazon Fire TV Cube
Best Smart Home Compatibility
BUY NOW
From $99.99
Features
- An Amazon Prime membership unlocks thousands of movies and TV episodes including "Thursday Night Football" and Amazon Originals like “The Big Sick” and “Sneaky Pete”.
- Fire TV Cube is the first hands-free streaming media player with Alexa. From across the room, just ask Alexa to turn on the TV, dim the lights, and play what you want to watch.
- Fire TV Cube has a built-in speaker that lets you check the weather, make and receive calls with compatible devices, control compatible smart home devices, and more—even with the TV off. Fire TV Cube is always getting smarter with new Alexa skills and voice functionality.
- Experience tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills, plus millions of websites like Facebook and Reddit.
- With far-field voice recognition, eight microphones, and beamforming technology, Fire TV Cube hears you from any direction. Enjoy hands-free voice control of content—search, play, pause, fast forward, and more. Plus control the power and volume on your TV, soundbar, and A/V receiver as well as change live cable or satellite channels with just your voice.
- Experience true-to-life picture quality with access to vivid 4K Ultra HD up to 60 fps and HDR. Enjoy the audio clarity of Dolby Atmos on select Prime Video titles.
- Launch and control content with the Alexa Voice Remote. Watch favorites from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME, and more, plus stream for free with Tubi, IMDb TV, and others.
Pros
- ⊕ Fire TV OS.
- ⊕ Dolby Vision.
- ⊕ Hands-free usage.
- ⊕ Processor upgrade.
- ⊕ Sharp picture quality.
Cons
- ⊖ No HDMI cord included.
- ⊖ No Dolby Vision capability.
Specs
- Weight: 16.4 oz.
- Platform: Android.
- Product Dimensions: 3.4 x 3.4 x 3 in.
- Wi-Fi Standard: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
- Picture Quality: Up to 2160p, 4K UHD.
- Connectivity Options: Bluetooth 4.2 and BLE.
- Ports: HDMI, power, micro-USB, infrared.
- Cables: Power adapter, micro-USB, infrared extender.
- What’s Included: Fire TV Cube, Power adapter, Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote, Ethernet extender cable, IR (infrared) extender cable, Quick-start guide.
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