Best streaming devices to watch your favourite shows with

The Fire TV Stick is a popular option due to its affordable price, functionality, and ease of use as one of the easiest streaming hubs. The operating system focuses mostly on Amazon services; however, there is a whole assortment of other streaming services and applications you can access from a click of a button.

One of the greatest advantages of the Fire Stick is that you can use your voice to carry out a range of commands using Alexa voice commands, as pointed out by a happy customer who said, "It is fast with no lag, and the remote control has all the functions you could need. I love having Alexa functionality built-in, so you can ask her to find something for you and open it. So much easier than typing in search requests!".

Additionally, the user interface is well-presented and ideal for quick navigation. So you will be able to operate the system with ease. Even though Amazon Prime Video is the main focus of the Fire TV Stick, If you aren't a Prime member, you can still access other services such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix.

You can also find the Fire TV Stick Lite for £10 less; however, that doesn’t integrate with your TV’s volume, unlike the Fire TV Stick 4K, which can stream UHD content.

The RokuExpress is a cheap streaming device with an extensive range of entertainment options, applications and unrestricted access to streaming services. In comparison to the streaming devices, the Roku Express is a great open-source, which shows no preference to one service provider over another. So you can hop from Netlfix to Prime to Disney + in a matter of seconds.

There are over 3,500 apps and channels for you to access so if you like browsing for new and obscure content, live TV channels and free movie services (with ads), as well as the main subscription names such as Prime Video, Netflix and Apple TV. Google Play and Sky Store and the on-demand catch-up services then Roku Express would be an excellent affordable pick for you.

On the design front this streaming device is not the sleekest and comes with an HDMI cable that's too short, so depending on your TV set up you may need to move things around.

The T3-R Freeview Play box is a mix of the affordable convenience of subscription-free TV but also has access to all the major streaming services and catch-up apps. This device is different from others mentioned on the list as it is primarily a Freeview box, with additional smart features, apps and internet connectivity. So if you are a fan of broadcasted live television then this provides the best of both worlds.

Whilst customers say that this Freeview box isn’t as sleek as other streaming sticks or hubs is programmed for live television and programme guides, they do say that it is easy to navigate, with one saying that it's "presented with a very simple, elegant, menu with a TV guide, Recommendations and Watchlist section, as well as a row of catch-up apps." Additionally, there is a Freeview Play, which also allows the instant playback of anything broadcast in the last week.

If you like to be consistent with your tech and are an avid Apple user, then the Apple TV 4K Player is a great streaming box. It can connect up with Apple Home Kit devices and can sync with iPhones and HomePods to unlock additional features and for easy use.

This streaming hub is ideal for Apple TV’s subscription service, plus it is compatible with catch-up apps and other streaming services such as Prime Video, Hulu and Netflix. The Apple TV 4K device comes equipped with Siri voice command and Apple Music, so it has many uses. Customers like the longevity of the remote control, with one writing, "The remote has a built-in battery and charges quickly via USBC and the power seems to last for ages, in one year of constant use I think I’ve charged it twice and it’s still going.".

In terms of storage, it is available with 32GB or 64GB of internal memory. The smaller size will be sufficient unless you would like to download all your content.

This device from Google Chromecast plugs into the back of the TV via a free HDMI port. Once plugged in, you will have access to streaming services from a smartphone or tablet to the device and will be displayed on your TV screen.

If you are after a simple device that plays content from your smartphone or tablet straight onto the television, then this a great pick for you. Additionally, it can also be connected to Google Home and be voice-controlled with Google Assistant. This nifty streaming hub can access many applications such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, YouTube and Chromecast and music apps such as Spotify.

This snazzy little cube offers a similar streaming experience to the Fire TV Stick but is packed with extra features such as voice control across your entire entertainment setup.

The Fire TV Cube offers more than any ordinary streaming device. This cube works more as a central hub of operations for your entire entertainment system and your wider smart home setup. Like many of Amazon’s Echo range, the Cube can be entirely operated via voice controls.

One of the best parts about The Cube is that it gathers information over time to serve you better. Such as remembering which platform you prefer for certain tasks, so eventually, your commands will be completely effortless.

Roku is a flexible open platform with unrestricted access to entertainment at your fingertips. If you have a 4K TV and like the look of the Roku streaming hub service, then this device comes fitted with a soundbar to add to the cinematic experience.

The soundbar element of the device carries four drivers, two front-facing and one on each side. However, it will not be as powerful as soundbars from Sonos or Bose, but it will definitely work nicely in a small room. This bar is not a replacement for your TV speakers, but works as a secondary output, boosting the volume and making the dialogue in films and TV crisper.

With access to over 3,000 apps and channels, Roku is one of the most open devices out there. It also contains key players in streaming and catch-up, such as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime and Netflix, so you will never have a shortage of streaming content. This box is also a 4K UHD capable device, so all the media you watch is going to look super sharp on your 4K TV screen.

This one is for the tech-heads! The Nvidia Shield is created with sophisticated AI (powered by a Tegra X1+ processor) that’s watched thousands of hours of TV sitting inside the OS. This technology will ensure that your video content looks its absolute best on the screen.

The device is also compatible with HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. So if you have all the home cinema kit, then you’re in for an exciting cinematic experience. In terms of content, all the main streaming services are here. It even has Chromecast, so you can stream from your smartphone.

The NVIDIA Shield TV is also a great pick for gamers as you can sync it up to a PS4 or Xbox controller and access streamed video games from either Google Play or Nvidia’s GeForce Now service. This device would make a good alternative to the Nintendo Switch.