Top Rated Streaming Device: Not Apple TV, Not Fire TV Stick
If you’re like many folks who love streaming entertainment, you’re probably familiar with smart TVs. But did you know that standalone streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick might actually load apps faster? Surprising, right? But if you’re on the hunt for the top streaming device out there, forget about Apple or Amazon products.
Consumer Reports recently crowned the Nvidia Shield TV Pro as the best streaming device you can get your hands on. This powerhouse runs on Android OS and is often promoted as a cloud gaming platform, allowing you to enjoy PC games on your TV with stunning 4K HDR visuals, Dolby ATMOS audio, and performance akin to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080. To fully experience what it has to offer, make sure to have your own controller, game library on platforms like Steam or GOG, a solid internet connection, and a GeForce NOW membership. While joining is free, if you want to play for more than an hour at resolutions higher than 1080p and skip ads, you’ll need to subscribe monthly.
But what sets the Nvidia Shield TV Pro apart as a streaming device rather than just a gaming beast? It gives you access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV. Some apps come pre-installed, while others can be downloaded from the built-in app store. Just remember, you’ll need an active subscription to each service to binge-watch your favorite shows. All these perks come with a price tag of $200, available on the official Nvidia store.
While Consumer Reports also recommends other 4K streaming devices like the Roku Ultra, Amazon Fire TV Cube, and Onn 4K Pro, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro ultimately stole the spotlight. How did it snag the top spot despite being pricier than the competition? It’s simply a more well-rounded package.
In the Consumer Reports review, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro aced categories like “Features” and “Picture quality.” Its responsive interface and stunning picture quality earned it praise, although the latter depends on your TV’s capabilities. With support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision, ensure your TV can output pictures in these formats. Privacy and security were the deciding factors. While the Nvidia Shield TV Pro didn’t outperform in these areas, it still fared better than the Roku Ultra, Fire TV Cube, and Onn 4K Pro. Ultimately, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro was hailed as the top recommended streaming device by Consumer Reports.
