The 7 Best Streaming Media Players of 2020
Updated April 19, 2020

With the increasing consumption of streaming media, streaming media players are becoming essential household devices. Streaming media players offer better user interfaces than those found on traditional set-top boxes such as DVD or Blu-ray players, and most streaming media players can interface with and be controlled by most any smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device. Before moving on to the important specifications of the 7 best streaming media players of 2020, we will explain some key features of streaming media players.
Video Outputs - the type of video outputs of the streaming media player; HDMI is the most common for feeding video and sound to your TV or home theater receiver, while some streaming media players also include component outputs for older TVs
Max Resolution - the maximum resolution of the video content fed from the streaming media player to your TV; 4K corresponds to a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160 pixels and refers to the number of vertical lines of the video content, while 1080p corresponds to a resolution of 1,920 × 1,080 pixels and refers to the number of horizontal lines of the video content
HDR10 Support - a standard that provides increased dynamic range; with it, you will likely see more dynamic colors and more detail in darker areas or scenes (similar to images taken with HDR cameras or produced from multiple images with different dynamic ranges); must also be supported by your TV and the content
HLG Support - another standard, similar to HDR10, that provides increased dynamic range; must also be supported by your TV and the content
Wi-Fi Connectivity - the type of Wi-Fi connection supported by the streaming media player; IEEE 802.11ac is newer and offers higher bandwidth than IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Ethernet Port - whether or not the streaming media player has an Ethernet port allowing connection of an Ethernet cable, and if so, the speed of the Ethernet port; possible Ethernet speeds include 10/100 and Gigabit
Bluetooth - allows connection of accessories to your streaming media player; common accessories include keyboards, mice, wireless game controllers, and headphones
Inputs - can be used to power the streaming media player, to accept a memory card, and the like; the most common inputs are USB, Micro USB, and Micro SD card inputs
Voice Search - allows you to search for content by speaking into the streaming media player remote
TV Power and Volume - the ability to control the power and volume of your TV using the streaming media player remote; this is a handy feature that reduces the number of remotes laying around
Lost Remote Finder - allows the location of a lost remote by, for example, pressing a button on the streaming media player to cause a sound to be played from the remote
Smartphone Remote Control - the ability to control the streaming media player using a smartphone
Alexa and Echo Compatibility - allows you to control and interact with the streaming media player using the Amazon Echo or other Alexa-enabled device
Specifications
Manufacturer and Model | Video Outputs | Max Resolution | HDR10 Support | HLG Support | Wi-Fi Connectivity | Ethernet Port | Bluetooth | Inputs | Voice Search | TV Power and Volume | Lost Remote Finder | Smartphone Remote Control | Alexa and Echo Compatibility |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Fire TV Cube | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | Yes | 5.0 | Micro USB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | No (10/100 with adapter) | 5.0 | Micro USB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Amazon Fire TV Stick | HDMI | 1080p | No | No | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | No (10/100 with adapter) | 4.1 | Micro USB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Roku Ultra | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | 10/100 | No | USB and MicroSD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Roku Streaming Stick+ | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | No | No | Mini USB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Roku Premiere | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11b/g/n | No | No | N/A | No (mobile app only) | No | No | Yes | No |
Roku Express | HDMI | 1080p | No | No | IEEE 802.11b/g/n | No | No | N/A | No (mobile app only) | No | No | Yes | No |
Manufacturer and Model | Video Outputs | Max Resolution | HDR10 Support | HLG Support | Wi-Fi Connectivity | Ethernet Port | Bluetooth | Inputs | Voice Search | TV Power and Volume | Lost Remote Finder | Smartphone Remote Control | Alexa and Echo Compatibility |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Fire TV Cube | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | Yes | 5.0 | Micro USB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | No (10/100 with adapter) | 5.0 | Micro USB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Amazon Fire TV Stick | HDMI | 1080p | No | No | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | No (10/100 with adapter) | 4.1 | Micro USB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Roku Ultra | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | 10/100 | No | USB and MicroSD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Roku Streaming Stick+ | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11ac dual-band MIMO | No | No | Mini USB | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Roku Premiere | HDMI | 4K | Yes | Yes | IEEE 802.11b/g/n | No | No | N/A | No (mobile app only) | No | No | Yes | No |
Roku Express | HDMI | 1080p | No | No | IEEE 802.11b/g/n | No | No | N/A | No (mobile app only) | No | No | Yes | No |