Before you buy a streaming device for your TV, read this

The short version

• Most people need a small stick that matches their TV, an HD stick for an HD TV and a 4K stick for a 4K TV.
• That usually costs roughly $30 to $90, and there is no monthly fee for the device itself.
• Skip paying for picture quality your TV can't show.

Which kind fits you

First, do you need one at all? If your TV's own menus are slow or out of date, a stick can refresh the interface. A stick won't repair a damaged or dim display, so if the picture itself is the problem, a streamer won't help. Keep in mind that a streamer needs Wi-Fi, your service subscriptions are billed separately, and each major platform has some free shows.

Next, stick or box. According to Android Police, the newest sticks handle nearly everything a box does. Pick a stick if you want something small and portable, and a box if you want a wired Ethernet connection.

Then think about the gadgets you already own. One buying guide suggests Apple TV for Apple devices, Fire TV for Alexa devices and Google TV Streamer for Google users. Roku and Amazon each make at least four models, while Apple and Google make one each.

Features to look for

Start with resolution. Roku advises matching the stick to the TV, and Yahoo says a 4K streamer on an HD TV won't make it 4K. Even on a 4K TV, you only see 4K, HDR or Dolby Vision when the show and the TV both support it.

Next, check Wi-Fi. One writer suggests Wi-Fi 6, or at least Wi-Fi 5. Best Buy notes that Roku sticks have no Ethernet port, so a router that is far away can cause buffering.

A remote with TV power, volume and mute buttons saves you from juggling two remotes. Roku's stick remote has them, and the stick draws power directly from the TV, so it needs no wall outlet.

Finally, look at the home screen. Best Buy lists the ad-heavy interface as a drawback of Fire TV sticks.

Upgrades worth paying for

• Ethernet. Worth it if your router is far from the TV or your Wi-Fi is shaky. Google's streamer has it, and the 128GB Apple TV 4K adds it over the 64GB Wi-Fi model.
• Dolby Vision. Worth it if you own a 4K HDR TV that supports it. Roku's 4K stick adds it, and Amazon's cheapest 4K option leaves it out.
• A smart home hub. Worth it only if you have smart home gear. Google's streamer works as a Thread border router and Matter controller, which the Roku 4K stick doesn't.
• A cleaner home screen. Worth it if ads bother you. Yahoo calls Apple TV 4K the only option it reviewed without third-party ads on its main screen, at $200.

What you can skip

You can pass on 4K if your TV is HD. Yahoo advises HD TV owners to choose an HD Roku or Amazon model rather than pay for resolution they can't use.

You can also skip the priciest gear. Best Buy calls NVIDIA SHIELD one of the most expensive devices and overkill for casual users. It also says cheap Roku and Fire TV sticks offer good value and wide app support, so top dollar isn't required.

Dolby Atmos is another one to question. Amazon's cheapest 4K stick lacks it, but it still plays 4K video.

What you get for the money

Around $39.99 gets you a basic stick. Amazon announced the Fire TV Stick 4K Select at that price, and SlashGear lists it with 8 GB of storage and Wi-Fi 5 at most. The HD Fire stick can't give a 4K picture. Roku's HD stick streams up to 1080p, and Roku offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on purchases from Roku.com, with return shipping on you.

Around $59.98 gets you a 4K stick with more extras. One comparison site lists Roku's Streaming Stick 4K at that price, marked down from $79.99, with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos and long-range Wi-Fi.

Around $149 gets you Google's TV Streamer on that same site, with Ethernet, smart home support and a 1-year warranty. Yahoo puts it nearer $100, so check the current price.

Around $200 gets you Apple TV 4K, which costs more than most streamers.

Prices have been moving up. Roku and Apple raised theirs, and an IDC analyst expects more increases because of component shortages.